HE’S lean, keen and the fittest he’s been for several seasons.
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And Adam Prior can’t wait to represent the Ovens and Murray when they take on Peninsula at the Albury Sportsground today.
Prior was the hero in last year’s interleague clash after booting 11 goals in the O and M’s 125-point thrashing of the Hampden league.
The O and M is ranked third in the Victorian Country Championships and will play for a shot at the No. 1 ranking against Peninsula.
Prior said he was fully committed to getting the league back to No. 1.
“Everyone who put their hand up to play last year really enjoyed it and are keen to go again,” Prior said yesterday.
“We believe we are the best league in country Victoria and, if we can win today, we get a chance to prove that next year.”
The O and M is again set to boast a star-studded attack with Prior lining up alongside coach Brendan Fevola, Luke Gestier and Andrew Dess to provide plenty of firepower.
“Obviously we won’t have four key forwards all in attack at the same time but we will probably have three,” he said.
“Last year it was Fev, Dean Limbach and myself.
“So the chances are you are going to get a mis-match somewhere — that’s what happened last year and I was able to get off the chain and kick a few.
“It doesn’t matter who it is but, hopefully, something similar can happen again this weekend.”
Prior said he felt the fittest he had been since returning from a stint in Western Australia in 2013.
The three-time Doug Strang medallist has shed 12 kilograms after ballooning to 109 kilograms last year after he injured his knee against Wangaratta in round 7 and missed two months.
“Last year around interleague time I was 109 kilograms,” he said.
“Now I’m down about 97 kilograms and am the fittest I’ve been since returning from Perth.
“I didn’t start the season how I had hoped to and, after round 3, we had the bye and one of the boys suggested this diet I’ve been on. I’ve been strict with it.
“Ever since then, I’ve dropped a bit of weight and am moving a lot better, especially with my second efforts, tackling and one-per centers.”