Andrew Swallow has had a pre-season unlike any other. After winning his second best and fairest award and taking a well-earned holiday, the hard-nut midfielder was named in the Australian team to play against Ireland before joining his team-mates in Utah. But a reunion with his fellow Kangaroos was short-lived, with the squad and coaches returning home soon after he arrived.

“I arrived at the start of the team’s last week and stayed on for another two weeks to do some more fitness work and training,” Swallow explained to kangaroos.com.au.

However he wasn’t alone for the entire time with fellow midfielder Ryan Bastinac electing to stay back for an extra week.

“It was good to have Basty there and to develop a bond and get to know him a bit more. He’s a hard trainer and it was great to have someone there that I could train really well with. We got the best out of each other and definitely got closer over the week.”

A plan for the 24 year-old to stay back was hatched soon after his inclusion in the Australian International Rules side was confirmed.

“I sat down with Brad (Scott) and Steve (Saunders, Director of Medical Services) and we worked on a training plan for me since I was going to miss the beginning of the camp,” Swallow said.

While the rest of the side was being pushed to the limit back in Melbourne, Swallow made sure he was also making big fitness gains on the ice-cold Park City mountains.

“I studied and trained for those weeks. There were no other distractions so it was a nice way to mentally relax and concentrate on the things I needed to focus on. I trained really hard but it was good to be able to do it in my own time.

“I really enjoyed the camp last year and the benefits were invaluable so it was important for me to get the most out of my time in Utah.”

And already, he’s noticed some marked benefits.

“I have felt an improvement since being back in Melbourne and training with the group. My breathing has become easier in our running sessions and my endurance is better. Our playing group as a whole is a fitter unit and hopefully it will show next season.”