“The off-season is going great at the moment, I’ve been working out every day and hitting the gym with (strength and conditioning coach) Val,” Ingles writes.

“Jacob (Holmes) and I are both loving it and we are starting to see the results.”

But it’s not all just pumping iron at the gym - Ingles this week made his return to on-court competition for the local Sandringham Sabres.

“Saturday night was my first game with the Sabres and also my first game since we lost to Cairns in February,” Ingles writes.

“I was pumped and ready for the game but we lost.

“It was a shock to the system as the fitness in games is totally different to doing individual sessions each day. I enjoyed being back out there but I couldn’t dribble, didn’t shoot too well and ended up with 13 points and seven rebounds.”

Ingles has now taken his off-season on the road, travelling to Canberra this week to train with the U/19 and senior national squads.

“From Friday to Sunday I have a few sessions with the Boomers – I’m not exactly sure what they are, but I can’t wait!” he writes.

“A few of us will be doing some training, weights and fitness work. It should be great to have a tough hit-out with a few of the boys.”

Ingles will return to Melbourne next week to continue working towards his second NBL season.

Don’t miss the latest from Joe Ingles every Tuesday in The Inside Word.

Read Ingles’ full diary entry HERE.