Marc Lock Returns Against Coburg
A leader on and off the field who has never given up, Marc Lock is back fitter and stronger than ever after a personalised pre-season.
It hasn’t been an easy few years for the midfielder. With a history of groin injuries, Lock has struggled previously to make it to the end of a season.
Sean Murphy, who is the new Fitness Coach at Box Hill while also having a role at Hawthorn Football Club, designed a personalised training program for Lock to prevent future injuries and strengthen his body for a long and successful season.
“This year has been a bit different, I’ve had more of an individual program. It has been a lot more specific to my body to get me through the entirety of the season,” Lock said.
The Hawks begun pre-season back in November 2014, with four practice matches rounding out the pre-season before last Saturday’s 13-point victory against Footscray.
Lock was unable to take part in the practice matches, as his main focus was getting his body back to 100 per cent.
“I’m probably the only guy on the list that hasn’t played a game yet, so I’m really looking forward to having a kick. I don’t care where it is, as long as I’m playing the game.”
Recognised as a tough player on the field and a role model both on and off, he was voted in as a senior leader of Box Hill.
Although it’s not a role Lock expected, he takes great pride in being a leader at Box Hill.
“It’s something I never really set out for at the start of the year, but to be recognised by your peers is an honor at such a prestigious club.”
To Lock, being a leader is simply about being the “best you can be”.
“It’s about setting the right example on and off the field along with helping develop the younger guys coming through. I’ve been involved in football for years and it’s great to know I can pass on some of my knowledge about the game to the newer players.”
The season kicked off last week against Footscray Bulldogs, with a slow-starting Hawks outfit proving their capabilities in the second half when they came back firing.
There are many expectations from fans surrounding the club, but the most important ones are from the players themselves.
“When you start a season your expectation are to make the top four, giving yourself the best opportunity to set up the season. Ideally you want to make the Grand Final, but the first goal is to make finals, then we reassess,” Lock said.
Last season, the Hawks made the Grand Final but let the premiership slip away from them as Footscray won by 22 points. Lock believes there’s certainly a “burning desire” to win this year and regain the title of premiers.
“We came so close last year, going back-to-back would have been nice but we didn’t have a great season and there were many areas we needed to work on. We are looking forward to a new season and implementing those changes to give ourselves a great season.”
Lock will make his comeback in the Development League this Sunday.
Make sure to get down to Box Hill City Oval on Sunday and watch the Hawks take on Coburg in the traditional Anzac match.
