2026-02-15, 09:34 PM - Word count:
Every player is different. Some play deep into the post-season and don’t get an opportunity to relax and recover before they are off to play in international play representing their country. Others just don’t really know how to slow down, so as soon as their last match of the season concludes, they are still scheming for the next pickup game to stay sharp.
When it comes to North Shore’s Dwayne Pruney, however, the offseason is a time to recharge and build for the following campaign.
“Look, I spend all season in tip-top shape trying to compete with the best of the best” Pruney mentioned in his exit interview coming off the pitch for his final game with North Shore last season. “I’ll be damned if I don’t back on a few stones tossing down a handful of pints and chips with the lads. I’d rather be fat and happy than fast and sad.”
It’s a rare and, arguably, welcomed bit of change from much of the robotic “always committed to my peak performance” attitude we can see amongst professional athletes these days. Does it compromise Pruney’s ability to play at the highest level? It hasn’t yet. Doesn’t mean that perhaps it might, but until then who are we in the press to question the young lad.
If North Shore management were keen, they would almost certainly have someone from the club checking up on Dwayne a few weeks ahead of camp. It would be a shame to see the rising star show up for the season and early exhibitions out of fitness. That’s often quite the compounding misstep that carries over into actual, meaningful games.
Until then though, I think we all as fans of the game, can enjoy the thought that many of these pros spend their offseasons just as we do on holiday. Enjoying the fruits of our labor, savoring the little things in life that bring us joy, and having a few pints with our mates. Cheers to another season, before we know it!
When it comes to North Shore’s Dwayne Pruney, however, the offseason is a time to recharge and build for the following campaign.
“Look, I spend all season in tip-top shape trying to compete with the best of the best” Pruney mentioned in his exit interview coming off the pitch for his final game with North Shore last season. “I’ll be damned if I don’t back on a few stones tossing down a handful of pints and chips with the lads. I’d rather be fat and happy than fast and sad.”
It’s a rare and, arguably, welcomed bit of change from much of the robotic “always committed to my peak performance” attitude we can see amongst professional athletes these days. Does it compromise Pruney’s ability to play at the highest level? It hasn’t yet. Doesn’t mean that perhaps it might, but until then who are we in the press to question the young lad.
If North Shore management were keen, they would almost certainly have someone from the club checking up on Dwayne a few weeks ahead of camp. It would be a shame to see the rising star show up for the season and early exhibitions out of fitness. That’s often quite the compounding misstep that carries over into actual, meaningful games.
Until then though, I think we all as fans of the game, can enjoy the thought that many of these pros spend their offseasons just as we do on holiday. Enjoying the fruits of our labor, savoring the little things in life that bring us joy, and having a few pints with our mates. Cheers to another season, before we know it!
