Feature: Clune buzzing to be back on the field

Adam Clune has returned to the field and has been getting the ball in hand during week 4 of pre-season!

It’s a real positive for not only Clune, but for the group as a whole who will be itching to put some combinations on the training field.

giantsrl.com caught up with Adam, straight off the field to see how he’s getting on.

“I’m feeling good! Obviously nice to be touching the footy again and be back with the team. It’s been a while, obviously, in rehab. We had a tough year in terms of injuries, so, yeah, it’s just nice to get out back amongst it with the team and yeah, looking, just keep building, obviously, still modified at the moment, but yeah, you just keep building and hope I can stay out there. 

The work for Cluney continued during the off-season, and spent some time in the gym to be able to hit the ground running in pre-season, and is now at that phase where he’s transitioning into field sessions with the boys. 

“I think it's just a natural part of rehab, isn't it? So I was in 3 days a week over the off-season, but had a couple of boys in here with me, which made life a little bit easier. Swifty and Niall were in the gym most times I was, which was nice for me to have some company and, you know, for them as well.” 

“Obviously, you know, all of us want to get out of rehab and be on the pitch. All 3 of us had a pretty, pretty disappointing year injury wise last year. So, yeah, I think I'm just really excited, like I said, to play footy. I mean, I love playing the game and love being at training each day. I'm at that stage now, but obviously just small steps and, you know, hopefully I can build some consistency and start building some combinations on the field. “

During the off season, Adam became a Dad and the Giants congratulate the Clune family on the birth of their son. This huge moment in the life of the Giants number 7 came during the time in which he was recovering from surgery, so meant that he was able to spend a little more time at home with his newborn.

“Obviously, you get to spend a bit more time at home, which is, you know, always nice, especially with a newborn, and especially with my partner, we don't have any other family over here. We had some family visits, but, um, spending some more time with them was really special. Bianca's carrying a lot of us. I’m so very lucky to have her as a wife and mother of my son, Noah. It’s exciting watching him grow!”

Looking ahead to 2026, consistency is key for Clune and the Giants, but Adam’s main focus at the moment is getting back out and playing the game he knows and loves.

“Obviously the main focus for me is trying to play as many games as possible, do as many training runs as possible, and you want to be successful and play my best footy as a person and, you know, contribute to a successful team and, you know, just want us to get the most out of ourselves as a team.” 

“I think if we do that, week in, week out, our challenge has been consistency the last few years and obviously, you know, having personnel on the field, week in, week out, helps that, but if we can do that and, you know, reach our potential as a team and play our best footy, then that'll go a long way to getting us where we want to be.”