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Message: [QUOTE="1910, post: 2705406, member: 8272"] SOMETHING borrowed, something new. Ipswich Jets co-coaches Ben and Shane Walker aren't afraid to utilise lessons from their training days and from sports like tennis if it means improving the team's chances of winning There is a good reason why the Jets have had a spring in their step on game day this year. On Sunday, three hours before kick-off in the Intrust Super Cup grand final clash with the Townsville Blackhawks at Suncorp Stadium, you can catch them training at 1pm at the Broncos training base at Red Hill. "We always train on game day, regardless of where we play, but the Broncos have been good enough to let us train on game day at their training base in Red Hill before all our Brisbane games," Shane said. "Tony Spencer, who we all know as 'Springer', keeps that field in top shape. "That might seem like a small thing, but when you run around on a nice pitch with good facilities and in an excellent environment like the Broncos it gives the boys a lift. "We do video, train for 15 minutes and then the boys have a feed and a shower and sometimes go off to the coffee shop before we go to the game." The Walkers are putting into practice ideas that hark back to their Broncos playing days. "When we were at the Broncos we'd have double-days, where we'd train in the morning, have some lunch, and then train again in the afternoon," Shane said. "We found that when you trained again in the afternoon you always felt really good because you'd loosened up in the morning. "We watch a bit of tennis, and even in major tournaments where the players have a match at night you see them in the morning having a hit-up. We thought 'why not do the same thing?' "You can use a hell of a lot of nervous energy up just sitting around home or in your hotel room doing something that is not in your normal routine. "But our players have the same routine every game day." Spencer is a legend at the Broncos club behind the scenes. He is the grounds manager, a trainer and, in his words, "the barbecue Nazi" who cooks up a storm for the Broncos after training. Keeping the training ground at Red Hill perfectly manicured is his pride and joy and he's happy to help out the Jets. "I enjoy doing it," he said. "The Walker boys are both old boys from the club and we've always helped out our old boys the best we can. "I spoke to Wayne (Bennett) about it and he has no issue with them coming down and using the field and the facilities as a warm-up before their game, and it seems to be working for them. "The Walkers are both doing a really good job with their coaching. I am proud of them. They are good guys and come from a good family." Spencer concedes he is ordering less meat patties and buns now the Walkers are retired. "Shane and Ben were two of the best hamburger eaters at the barbecue. They went really good," Spencer grinned. "Even now when they get the opportunity for a burger, they drop in." [url=http://m.qt.com.au/news/broncos-boost-jets-on-game-day/2786138/]Broncos boost Jets' spirits on game day | Ipswich Queensland Times[/url] [/QUOTE]

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