\n Young SUN Oscar Adams is no stranger to an AFL pre-season but his first on the Gold Coast is heating up.\n <\/p>\n
Young SUN Oscar Adams is no stranger to an AFL pre-season but his first on the Gold Coast is heating up.<\/p>\n
After moving to the sunshine state last May as part of the 2025 AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft with fellow recruit Caleb Lewis, Adams is in the midst of tackling his maiden Gold Coast SUNS pre-season.<\/p>\n
The 22-year-old told SUNS media that the intensity and volume of training sessions this summer has cranked right up in preparation for the club\u2019s biggest campaign yet.<\/p>\n
\u201cGetting used to that (difference in training) and conditioning yourself for games is always hard at any level, but I think here it’s been next level,\u201d Adams said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThen with the heat and humidity as well on top of it, it just really adds up.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe expectation around here is to go to finals and go deep into finals.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve been training well, so I think we\u2019re well prepared.\u201d<\/p>\n
Over the summer, Adams has been working closely with fellow key defender Mac Andrew\u00a0under the guidance of assistant coach Josh Drummond.<\/p>\n
\u201cDrummo’s really taken me in, he\u2019s been great,\u201d the 202-cm defender added.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s put a real focus on Mac and I and developing us from a strength point of view, as well as craft.\u201d<\/p>\n
Adding eight games of AFL experience to his belt in the backend of 2025, the mid-season recruit is feeling more confident heading into his second year under Damien Hardwick.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I came in mid-season, it was pretty tough not knowing exactly how we played and that sort of thing,\u201d Adams shared.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, coming into the 2026 season with the knowledge of the game plan and having that clarity on where to go, position [requirements] and who I’m playing with \u2013 I think that’ll help so much and add to the game as well.<\/p>\n
Off the back of a gruelling 14-weeks at the Austworld Centre, Adams is eager to see the club reap the rewards of the work the SUNS squad has poured in.<\/p>\n
\u201cI’m looking forward to Round 10, around that mid-season mark, just to see where we’re at and if what we’ve been [working for] is going to come to fruition.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI suppose when you’re working hard, like we are at the moment, you want to go all the way.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd I think later in the season to see where we’re at compared to where we’re expecting to be – that\u2019s pretty exciting.\u201d<\/p>\n