West Coast goalsneak Willie Rioli says he added a few unwanted skinfolds during his recent injury lay-off, but some intense weeks on the training track are helping whip him back into shape.
Rioli was primed to start the AFL season with a bang after working his body into career-best shape over the summer.
But a foot injury on the eve of round one curtailed those plans, ruling him out for the first eight weeks of the AFL season.
Rioli is the first to admit he's not a 'rehab man', and it was a big question mark how the time on the sidelines would affect his weight.
The 23-year-old famously had to lose 16kg while in the SANFL in order to improve his chances of being drafted by an AFL club.
During his recent injury lay-off, Rioli did his best to ensure his weight didn't balloon like it had in the past.
"I put on three kilograms, which is pretty good for myself. Normally I put on five or six," Rioli said.
"I did put on a couple of skin folds. But then I did about four weeks of running and extra cardio to top up.
"I'm back down to where I was pre-season with my weight. Now it's about getting that match fitness and running back into my legs."
Rioli is hoping to increase his stints in the midfield over the coming weeks as his fitness improves.
The classy goalsneak, who comes from a bloodline of football royalty including Maurice Rioli, Ronnie Burns, and Cyril Rioli, hasn't let last year's premiership success go to his head.
"As soon as I got back home Cyril said I've still got three premierships to go to catch him, so that brought me back down to earth after the grand final," Rioli said with a smile.
"I just want to keep improving and taking my game to another level.
"The hunger's still there to get back there."
West Coast are sitting pretty at 7-3 despite not playing their best football.
The Eagles will be aiming to notch their fifth straight win when they host the Western Bulldogs on Sunday.
West Coast have been boosted by the return of Lewis Jetta from suspension, while the Bulldogs have handed new rookie recruit Ryan Gardner a debut in amongst their three changes.
Share
