The players will be afforded four days off later this week to help them freshen up ahead of the second half of the season.
“The players will have four days off between Thursday and Sunday,” Sports Science Director David Buttifant explained.
“I think just with the season being an arduous program it’s vital that we strategically manage the load of each individual to enhance their recovery or, conversely, with some specific players, their conditioning.
“It’s an opportunity for the majority of the group to rest and rejuvenate and to develop a springboard into the second half of the season.”
Collingwood has used 36 of its 47 players in the first 12 games of the season, six of whom began the season on the rookie list.
It is the equal third most of any side in the competition, level with St Kilda and the Western Bulldogs (36) and behind only Greater Western Sydney (39), Melbourne and Brisbane (37), meaning that the players will relish the opportunity to freshen both body and mind before attacking the second half of 2013.
“The bye provides an opportunity to have a breather, recover and restore ahead of the second half of the season.”
Buttifant, who has been the club’s Sports Science Director since the end of 2000, has already noticed the difference provided by Collingwood’s new high performance training facilities at the Westpac Centre.
“I think having the new facilities means that we’re a lot more time efficient,” Buttifant said.
“We’re not going off to external pools or sea baths so we’re able to maximise our usage and programming.
“We’ve already noticed an added vibrance amongst players with the new facilities which are cutting edge.”
The players will report back for duty on Monday next week and set their sights on victory against Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium on the following Saturday.
