Allansford players thrilled to be back training

Hare was thrilled to return to training for the first time on Tuesday night after a two-month break due to the coronavirus pandemic.

"It gives us something to do on a Tuesday and Thursday night," he said.

"Hopefully in the coming weeks or the next month we can get out and have some competition as well."

Hare has been in the gym the past two months.

"I've cut about 15 kilos so I feel pretty light and pretty fit so hopefully I can use that," he said.

The tall forward said he was probably the fittest he had been while playing in the WDFNL.

Hare joined Allansford in 2018 after playing with Port Fairy in the Hampden league.

He was pleased to be around his teammates again.

"You miss the faces and the banter," he said.

Hare said he was still hopeful of a shortened WDFNL season.

"I think if we can get nine games at least and then finals, it probably gives us something to look forward to," he said.

"But obviously it's up in the air at the moment, so not quite sure what's going to happen."

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Fellow Cat Harry Searle was just as keen to be at training last night and was one of the first to arrive at the ground.

"I've been waiting for the COVID to bugger off so we can get some good running in and some more footy-sense," he said.

The forward/midfielder admitted he hadn't done much training on his own but had been kept fit by his job as a shed builder.

"Ever since it (COVID-19 restricitions) came in, I sort of lost all interest and didn't do anything," he said.

"Now it's sort of gone away, my interest has come back and I'm keen to see the boys again."

He highlighted the social benefits of training.

"It's going to be awesome for really social people," he said.

"For them to come and have a kick and talk some smack with all the boys.

"It's going to be awesome for everyone just to get their heads back in the game."

Like Hare, he hopes for a season 2020.

"Footy is everything for most people here, so hopefully it can come back," he said.

Excited coach Ben Price said at the moment training was purely about boosting community support and spirit under the current AFL Victoria restrictions.

"If we can offer something to our players and community by holding a training session, although it may be altered severely, we will," he said.

The main purpose of Tuesday night's session was to provide the appropriate information to players about how to train safely.

Price said training would involve building fitness and working on basic skills.

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