Collingwood ace Jordan De Goey is embracing the gruelling sessions at the W Training Facility in California, says trainer Johnny Louch.
Through his Monster Energy partnership, De Goey has linked up with Louch to “get out of his comfort zone” as he heads into 2022 as a free agent.
The 25-year-old finished fourth in Collingwood’s best and fairest and is looking to elevate his game to another level next year.
“We’re doing cardio plus gym,” Louch told SEN Breakfast.
“We get all different athletes come out here and train with us because personal training wise, it’s one of the best places in the world to train.
“Also, you get out of your comfort zone. It doesn’t matter how fit an athlete is, especially someone like ‘Jordy’. He’s in shape, but what happens with a lot of athletes is they plateau, they do the same stuff over again.
“It’s good to get him out of his comfort zone. Someone like him, he’s not a quitter, that’s for sure. We brought other athletes out here who ended up walking home.
“He’s one of those guys that just needs to change things up a little bit more and make it fun. He’s at the perfect age of 25 to really push his training and start to be more intense with it.
“I can only say positive stuff about him because he’s strong, but there’s definitely room for improvement.”
De Goey jumped at the opportunity to work with Louch and is enjoying training in a different environment.
“So far, it’s been really good. He hit the nail on the head,” he said.
“The mountain biking is what a lot of the other athletes up here do, so I’m just having a go at it and it’s something different.
“Monster’s headquarters is here in California so when the opportunity arose, I jumped at it.
“I thought it was a great idea to be able to mix up my training because it’s shocking what’s going on in Australia at the moment with the COVID stuff, it does make it hard to train.
“I think definitely this will be the best shape I’ve come back in. I think mentally, as well, I’ll be in a really good headspace, and obviously physically I’m sure I’ll be fit, too.”
De Goey was asked whether he was inspired in any way by Melbourne star Christian Petaracca’s performances in 2021.
“He (Petracca) took his game to a whole new level which was really exciting to see, and it was great to watch him to do that,” De Goey said.
“That’s definitely something I want to do.”
De Goey will train with Louch in the US for another four weeks.
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