CARVING OUT A NEW CULTURE

OCEAN Grove captain James Linton says his surfing teammates have been instructed to spend more time in the gym and less time in the water to help the Grubbers win this year’s BFL flag.

Linton, who finished second in last year’s Les Ash Medal count, says coach Paul Lynch has driven the change in “culture” which has reaped rewards in the off-season.

“The pre-season has been a lot more solid than last year,” Linton said.

“Fitness-wise we’re a lot fitter and we’ve been spending a lot more time in the gym which is good.

“We’re just trying to get the culture to change and spend a bit more time in the gym, where as most boys spend time out in the surf being a coastal club. We’re just trying to change that culture and get them to do both, not just surfing.”

The star midfielder will sit out the opening three rounds after copping a three-week suspension for rough conduct on Modewarre’s Tom Worpel in his side’s elimination final loss.

Linton admitted it was frustrating he would have to sit out the side’s start to the season, which kicks off tomorrow against Portarlington.

“I’d definitely love to be out there, especially the first round, having spent a whole pre-season on fitness gearing up for Round 1 and you’ve got to sit out, so it is (frustrating). I’ll be on the sidelines but we’re gearing up for it (as a team).

“I’ll jump in (coaching) the mids because I’ve done a fair bit of work with them over the pre-season.”

Ocean Grove, which finished fifth last season, appears the hardest club to get a read on after star Brent Macleod departed in the off-season.

While four BFL captains tipped the Grubbers to make finals, another four didn’t.

Linton said his side wouldn’t be overwhelmed with expectation.

“There’s definitely no pressure internally, we know what to do,” he said.

“We’re sitting pretty well, we haven’t had any major injuries.

“We’ve recruited pretty well, we’ve figured out our areas we needed to recruit and have met all of them, so we're quietly confident but time will tell.

“The players that we’ve recruited are older as well, so you need that age to realise how hard it is to get a premiership. The more people that are 26 and above can then teach those players 18-21 how hard it is. We’re going to give it a red

hot dip.”