Aussies: Bad-asses or lard-asses?
Talking Balls Comments
Talking Balls research reveals that the nation of convicts, sheepstealers, sledgers, bush rangers and boomerangers has boosted its fizzy drink intake by a shocking 240% since 1970; its burger intake by 50% as well as pushing the envelope for inactivity. Plus the average size of a bag of Aussie chips has increased by a whopping great 66%. A far cry from the nation of elite athletes they would have you believe they are.
And Aussie rules club Carlton, home to the O hAilpin brothers, is taking its own drastic steps to punish overindulging players. They have threatened to humiliate players that return overweight or unfit for the first pre-season training session. Yes, Blues players have been warned by coach Brett Ratten to keep in shape on their two-month holiday, with punishment awaiting those who fail.
The playing list has been split into groups of three, and if one player returns out of condition all three will be forced to train with VFL affiliate Northern Bullants. Only when the player returns to the required fitness levels will the group be allowed back to Carlton training. Carlton did not conduct fitness sessions during the break and has been let down in recent years by a number of individuals. Carlton vice-captain Nick Stevens has admitted to returning to pre-season training overweight in 2006 and ’08.
It is understood that during his recent trip home to Corcaigh, Setanta had to lay off Ma O hAilpin’s cooking. None of those fry ups with loads of Clonakilty Black Pudding, half a dozen Rashers and Hodgins traditional Cork sausages. No, it was up every morning at 4.00am to run over round the ring of Kerry, up past the Cliffs of Moher and down through Limerick junction with the brother and Donal Óg.
