Parramatta Eels prop Darcy Lussick gets in shape for shot at more game time

Darcy Lussick has iced the beers and ditched the Lebanese food as he looks to maintain his frame after dropping 12 kilograms.The Parramatta front-rower returned from pre-season training at a whopping 123kg. Lussick eventually trimmed down to 116kg by the start of the season but has continued to shed weight – losing five kilograms in as many weeks – as he aims to up his game time."I've been battling all year to try and get some match fitness," Lussick said. "I did it off my own initiative. I knew it had to be done. I didn't have a problem with my weight. I thought if I drop a couple [of kilos] the niggling injuries would go away and I would be able to get more game time. At times I [felt sluggish]. I looked at changing and it's working."Injuries and suspension have restricted Lussick to 12 games this season. His game time has also been limited, only playing more than half a game once.Lussick – who joined Parramatta last year from Manly – said it took time for him to adjust to life away from the northern beaches."I haven't noticed much of a change [on the field] yet," Lussick said. "Coming back from injury I haven't played too many minutes. I've tried a few different [diets]. It's the toughest thing. You don't realise how hard it is to keep on top of your diet. I can't remember the last time I had a beer. That always helps."I've never had injuries before, I was trying to keep on top of it. I saw [giving up alcohol] as the best way to recover from a game. I'll stay off it all year. Moving out to the western suburbs, the food is unbelievable – the Lebanese food. Over on the northern beaches, you're limited. [I've been getting] my meals portioned."Lussick, 25, said he hoped the weight loss would help his game, which hasn't kicked on as much as he hoped since his debut in 2011."[My career] is not where I want to be just yet," Lussick said. "I think I can go to new levels. As you get a bit older, you can't really be doing the things you were doing when you're 19, 20, 21. You have to look after yourself a bit better."The Eels play Newcastle on Saturday night knowing a win will keep their top eight hopes alive. "No one is getting ahead of ourselves," Lussick said. "There is a belief there that we're a good team and we're capable."Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/parramatta-eels-prop-darcy-lussick-gets-in-shape-for-shot-at-more-game-time-20140829-10a5ej.html#ixzz3BooKCeVA

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Replies

Muttman August 30, 2014 at 8:21am

Would love to see Darcy hit the heights that we all hoped for. I hope he gets there
- Frank The Tank > Muttman August 30, 2014 at 10:34am
  
  He definitely has it in him i think.
Michael Picklum August 30, 2014 at 11:29am

Pull the finger out Darcy & get stuck into it mate. Its time to find your 2013 form & we need everyone on deck & firing at this time of the year.
Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst August 30, 2014 at 11:49am

I reckon he try hommus and tabouli