South Dragons Captain Shane Heal has been blowing off the cobwebs in the lead up to his Philips Championship 2006/07 campaign, playing in an A-Grade league in Brisbane - his first taste of competitive basketball for over 18 months.

Heal, who has played a few games in the Wednesday night competition, managed 34 points on Wednesday and 52 the week prior.

“In my first game I walked in I only knew one bloke,” said Heal.

“I only took three or four shots in the first half, threw a few bad passes and got it taken off me by a 6-foot bloke.

“In the second half I shot the ball really well, had a big half and then last week I played really well, so it was good.”

Six weeks in to a conditioning program structured by Dragons strength coach Bruce Gray, Heal is mindful of the build-up required for his body to be prepared for the Dragons pre-season.

“Occasionally I get a little bit tired and some of the guys play really hard which is good for me,” Heal added.

“That’s what I’m there for, to have guys hanging all over me and getting double teamed.”

Heal is currently working out on-court four times a week and says he expects his body to be ready for high level training soon.