I played sport at a professional level for 8 years. At the end of the year I always took a long break. I didn't talk about, read about or play that sport for about 2 months, even though I kept up a very good level of base fitness...but when it came to the real thing, it took a few matches to 'blow out the cobwebs'...physically yes - but more mentally...reminding yourself of things that were second nature before the holiday. My sport required a fair bit of travel...arriving in a strange place, snoozing in a strange bed, waiting for the hours to tick by before you are called into action is not everyone's cup of tea.

I don't want to sound like I'm making excuses for a whole teams performance, but it was was it was...a practice match. You have to think of the variables as well...and there are a lot of them here...it's very early days - take a deep breath...because there's nothing staring me in the face at the moment but hope and the reality that Carlton can succeed. Say it with me now...YES.WE.CAN

My sport required a fair bit of travel...arriving in a strange place, snoozing in a strange bed, waiting for the hours to tick by before you are called into action is not everyone's cup of tea.

Training reporter?