Professional athletes are more finely-tuned than ever these days, with just about every aspect of their health and fitness monitored by experts.
Players are also competing longer than ever, with many continuing their careers well into their 30s, which used to be the cut off age in a vast number of sports.
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But there are exceptions to every rule and younger players can also get away with that little bit more than veterans trying to exact that last ounce of athletic prowess from their bodies.
This is where Logan Morris steps in.
Morris, who only turns 19 on 10 May, joined the Brisbane Lions with pick 31 in last year’s AFL Draft and turned out for their VFL side against the Gold Coast just after midday on Sunday.
The teenager kicked a goal and is credited with covering 13km in the match at Brighton Homes Arena outside Brisbane, before he was named among the emergencies that night for the Lions’ AFL clash with the Suns at Suncorp Stadium.
Morris thought he was virtually no chance of making his senior debut and didn’t even have his boots with him, but it’s his choice of post-match meal on his way to Suncorp Stadium that has stunned observers.
He made a pit stop at McDonald’s around 4pm.
“I went for — it’s a big order here — a barbecue Angus meal, six nuggets on the side and a frappe,” Morris told reporters at the end of his incredible day.
The official McDonald’s Facebook account learned about the story, writing: “What a meal, what a debut! He does it all folks.”
That actually didn’t prove enough food for the former Western Jets star, who also had some soup when he arrived at the ground, still not expecting to play.
Then came the news Brandon Starcevich had hurt his calf in the warm-up and Morris was named the substitute to make his AFL debut, meaning he now needed to track down some boots.
“I was in all sorts and didn’t know what to do,” Morris said.
“Will (Ashcroft) had a pair sitting there, so I had to chuck a size 12 on and I’m a size 13, so I was running one size too small for the game.”
On a night of carnage for the Lions, Lincoln McCarthy hurt his knee in the first quarter and that meant Morris, full belly and all, was thrown into the action.
He would end up taking it all in his stride, kicking 1.3 for the game and running another 9km in the game, taking him to 22km for the day, or just over half the length of a marathon.
It was also the first time he’d ever played two games of footy in one day.
“My prep wasn’t the best for the game, but I got through it,” Morris said.
“And it was amazing to debut, something I’ve dreamed of my whole life.
“I don’t think I’ve ever played two games in one day, so that’s a first.
“The body is definitely feeling it now.”
Morris’ parents had come up for the VFL match, so they were in the stands to see him make his AFL debut.
Coach Chris Fagan sang Morris’ praises after the Lions overcame a series of injuries to prevail by 34 points.
“Logan Morris is one of the great stories of the day,” Fagan said post-match.
“Fortunately his parents were here, which is great, they came up to see the reserves game, so they got to see him make his debut, the debut they didn’t know he was going to have.
“I think on the way here he ate some Macca’s and had some soup before the game.”
With Morris a decent chance of retaining his place in the side for Sunday’s clash with the Crows in Adelaide, it remains to be seen whether he repeats his ultimately successful pre-match routine.