New Lion rebounds from setback

LIONS recruit Cam Ellis-Yolmen has revealed how an intense lockdown training regimen helped him return to his dominating best.

The 190cm midfielder was given a harsh dose of reality after being looked over for the Lions’ Round 1 selection and forced to watch the season opener against Hawthorn from the sideline.

And it was that feeling which motivated the 27-yearold to take up extra-curricular training sessions of boxing and cycling during the COVID-19 lockdown in a bid to get back to his peak fitness level.

The former Crow admitted being left out of the Round 1 side was the motivation he needed to get back into shape.

“I just went back to Adelaide to try and keep my fitness up,” Ellis-Yolmen said.

“Lucky for me, I was able to go back to Adelaide where (coronavirus restrictions) were less strict so I could go train and keep my fitness up. I was doing some boxing and cycling back in Adelaide.

“Not getting picked for Round 1 was a bit of a kick in the bum and spurred me on to get back to the fitness I wanted to be at and I’m back there now.”

Now living back in Brisbane, Ellis-Yolmen has taken it upon himself to continue his extra training activities and remain in shape.

He said it was to safeguard himself from the continually changing landscape of the AFL – and the unknown beyond this weekend.

“You could go into a hub or miss a week so everyone’s trying to keep their fitness and stay on the park,” he said.

The Lions will play ladder leaders Port Adelaide at the Gabba this weekend.