Still Kicking: Playing Over 35s Footy at 42 with Mordialloc Superules

At the ripe age of 42, some may be winding things down, but not me. I lace up the boots every fortnight and take the field with the Mordialloc Superules Over 35s team. Playing Aussie Rules footy in your 40s comes with its fair share of challenges, but the passion never fades. That’s why preparation, conditioning and training have become not just helpful, but essential, to getting up each round and playing the sport I love.

Mordy Supers Men & Women Training - Ben Kavanagh Reserve, Mordialloc VIC

Preparation: More Than Just Turning Up

Preparation isn’t just about rocking up to training and hoping for the best. For players in their 30s, 40s & further ahead, it becomes about understanding your body, planning ahead, and respecting recovery.

To be physically fit for a full season of footy, the following key preparations are essential:

Structured Pre-Season Training: A proper build-up is non-negotiable. Gradually increasing intensity and volume over 8-10 weeks ensures your body adapts to the demands of footy, rather than being shocked by them.

Recovery Management: Ice baths, stretching, quality sleep, and regular Myotherapy are crucial. At this age, recovery is part of training.

Mobility Work: Pre-training mobility drills, foam rolling and dynamic warm-ups go a long way in preventing soft tissue injuries.

Fuel & Hydration: Nutrition is often the forgotten piece of the puzzle. Fueling the body with whole foods and staying hydrated means arriving at the first bounce ready to go, not just surviving.

Strength & Conditioning: The Backbone of Durability

Aussie Rules footy isn’t a sport you can fake your way through, especially not in your 40s. It's explosive, contact-heavy and constantly shifting. If you want to keep up, your strength and conditioning need to be dialed in.

Here’s what’s crucial:

Lower Body Strength: Squats, lunges, deadlifts and step-ups build the power needed to accelerate, change direction and absorb contact.

Core Stability: A strong trunk supports everything from kicking to tackling. Planks, anti-rotation work, and cable chops are your best friend.

Aerobic Conditioning: Without an engine, you’ll be left behind. Interval running, tempo runs, and footy-specific conditioning drills simulate the demands of match day.

Explosive Power & Agility: Box jumps, sled pushes, ladder drills and short sprints help prepare you for the fast breaks and direction changes typical of Aussie Rules footy.

This kind of training isn’t about looking good, it’s about feeling solid in contests, having endurance deep in the last quarter, and bouncing back stronger after every hit.

Individual Training & Goal Setting: The Game Within the Game

No team sport thrives without personal responsibility. Beyond team sessions, individual training and goal setting are the silent drivers of success, especially as the body gets older and more stubborn.

Cardiovascular Health: Regular running sessions, cycling, swimming or even HIIT workouts throughout the week improve endurance and help with body composition. It’s about maintaining a base level of fitness that allows you to enjoy the game, not just survive it.

Skill Refinement: Kicking on both feet, handballing under pressure, goal-kicking routines, these are all skills that decline if they’re not kept sharp. Practising 2-3 times a week keeps your touch crisp and confidence high.

Mental Goals: Setting short- and long-term goals keeps motivation alive. Whether it’s hitting 10,000 steps daily, running a time trial PB, or simply getting through a game pain-free, it all adds up to progress.

Proud to Bleed Red: Supporting the Mordialloc Superules

The Mordialloc Superules Football Club is more than just a footy team, it’s a community. It’s a space where players of all ages and backgrounds come together for the love of the game. The camaraderie, the laughs, and the fierce competition make it the perfect place to keep playing footy with purpose.

Essbee Myotherapy is proud to partner with Mordialloc Superules for Season 2025, helping support the players both on and off the field with recovery, injury prevention, and performance care.

We welcome anyone interested to join us at training every Wednesday night from 6pm during the regular season. Better yet, come catch the Bloods in action at their next scheduled home games:

WOMEN’S 35s

❣️Saturday, June 14th at 2:30pm VS Box Hill Nth (Alexandra Park, Mornington)

❣️Saturday, August 2nd at 2:30pm Vs Northside Lions (Alexandra Park, Mornington)

Mordy Supers Girls Pre-Game Warm Up

MEN’S 35s

❣️Sunday, June 15th at 2:45pm VS Bayside Saints

❣️Sunday, July 20th at 2:45pm VS Eastern Warriors

❣️Sunday, August 3rd at 2:45pm VS Port Melbourne Colts

(📍 Ben Kavanagh Reserve, McDonald Street Mordialloc)  

Mordialloc Superules Mens team in their 3/4 time huddle

Whether you’re thinking about getting back into the game, or just keen to support local footy, there’s no better time to get involved. Because age might slow you down, but with the right preparation, it’ll never stop you.

#MordySupers # EssbeeMyotherapy #AFLMastersFooty #StillGotIt #SuperulesStrong