WAFL State 18s Player DiaryThursday, June 11, 2015 - 3:53 PM

The West Australian Football Commission’s WAFL State Academy continues to develop elite players for AFL and WAFL ranks with 87% of inductees becoming AFL listed players or WAFL League debutants over the past five years.

A commitment to the program sees players enter an elite environment with a level of professionalism designed to develop strong on and off-field leaders at WAFL League and AFL level.

2015 WAFL State Academy Captain Greg Clark provides an insight into a week in the life of an Academy player with the first of a series of State 18s player diaries.

NAME: Greg Clark

PLAYING NUMBER: 12

POSITION: Midfield

HEIGHT / WEIGHT: 193.5cm / 88kg

WAFL CLUB: Subiaco

ABOUT ME

I’m currently a student at the University of Western Australia studying Commerce and an employee at Jim Kidd Sports in Carine. I have two brothers that help me with my football and my wish is to play AFL, though I know the only way to get there is to play consistently at a WAFL level.

GAME STYLE

I’m a big-bodied midfielder with work-rate as my main strength. I want to improve my contested ball winning and look to players such as Marcus Bontempelli, Sydney’s Josh Kennedy and Michael Barlow as inspiration.

MY WEEK

June 1-7

MONDAY

I try to sleep in after a game as it is a good form of recovery, then went to the beach this morning for recovery after our Round 2 game against Vic Country yesterday. Making sure I eat plenty of protein and carbs and drink a lot of water to rehydrate. Relaxing and studying then a recovery training session tonight. The session is usually based around skills not running or game tactics. Still sore from the previous game. 

TUESDAY

Icing corks still in muscles from Sunday’s game. Can’t go to the gym this week as the game is in South Australia and I need to think of the fatigue on my body. Having a study day as I’m on exam break and making sure I keep my hydration up for our main training session tonight.

WEDNESDAY

Rest day from footy, worked all day. Went to the beach after work and stretched at night to help my body recover. Carb loading to replenish low energy levels.

THURSDAY

Training tonight and plenty of hydration all day and I need to eat at the right time before training as it will be a few hours before I will get a chance to eat again. Studied and relaxed for preparation. Plenty of fluids and food post training. It is an early night tonight, so I pack my bags for the airport tomorrow.

FRIDAY

Flying to South Australia today, hydration is VITAL as need to keep body as fresh as possible. Trying not to think about the game today but keep myself as calm as possible, watch the AFL game on TV tonight and get as much sleep as possible.

SATURDAY

Woke up ready to go, nervous but prepared. Disappointed to lose the game as it is never a good feeling to lose though what I have learnt from the program is that losing is a chance to learn valuable lessons on how to improve as a team and individual. When you win you can sometimes gloss over how you can improve for next week. We need to work on the execution of the game plan, I felt under pressure we just went away from what we have been coached to do. Post-game re-focussed to the coming week and doing whatever I need to get the body right and refuel.

SUNDAY

Ice sore spots, massive emphasis on hydration with the flight home. Will go to the beach for recovery when I get back home.