Geelong's Harry Taylor is preparing for his third straight finals series, and has turned to an interesting tactic to help strengthen his foot ahead of September action.
Taylor has only played six matches this season after suffering two plantar fasica injuries and a torn tendon in his left foot, playing just three matches since round nine.
The 32-year-old defender is drinking two litres of full cream milk daily to help with strengthening the bones in his foot, as he continues to head towards 100% fitness.
"It is ongoing in terms of getting the strength back into my foot," Taylor told geelongcats.com.au post game.
"It's healing, starting to align and knit back together the right way, it's about just constantly looking after it at this stage.
"It takes up a fair bit of time, daily just doing exercises around the intrinsic muscles in your feet, all those little muscles that help flex your toes and move your foot around.
"It's probably not overly onerous compared to other things that I do, I am quite meticulous in my preparation. It's just a new element that I haven't had to do in the last 11 years."
The veteran also spoke about his daily routine last Saturday, which always ends with his favourite slow cooked meal.
"I woke up [Saturday] morning, had those butterflies and the anxiousness which is one of the great parts of the game I love," Taylor added.
"All the preparation that goes into your performance, the pasta the night before, all the nostalgic things, it was great to go through that process again.
"My wife makes a beautiful pork pasta, slow cooked throughout the day…. (I) go up the stairs, I can smell it."
Geelong finish their home-and-away season with a clash against the Suns at GMHBA on Saturday, before gearing up for an elimination final in the opening week of September.
