The much anticipated 'boot camp' at Torquay took place over the weekend of 19th to 21st February, and was well attended by a brave group of players determined to once again face their demons, and overcome their fear of the infamous Collingwood fitness trainer/sadist Joe Raiti!
This was planned to be a weekend full of twists, surprises and rude awakenings to test the mettle of the lads with 'character building' (read 'inquisition' style) pursuits, and the lads certainly got their money's worth.
After getting to bed early on Friday night the group was woken at dawn by the'sergeant-major and by 6.30 AM they were jogging down to the beach.
As the morning sun rose over the lovely Torquay bay, the boy's got their first inkling of the task that lay ahead of them. A mere two hours of energy sapping weights and hill work. Finally an exhausted but invigorated group headed off for a hearty breakfast and rest before the Adventure Hunt.
This was a devious and exhausting activity, designed to extend the ingenuity and guile of the teams of 4 to give the contest a competitive edge. They were given 3 hours to complete the course and answer several questions whilst collecting proof of their visits to the various locations on the map. The fastest team over the course, with the most correct questions, got bragging rights and the honour of being waited on and served at the evening BBQ. All the teams completed the course and after much deliberation, Winnie's team of Ross, Riccardo and Marcus won the day and claimed their prize .
After a brief rest the tyrannical Joe was at it again, with another one hour conditioning session. Again the lads stood up and were counted. The promise of a kick about afterwards, normally the 'carrot' that inspires players to push through the tough stuff, was beginning to look like too much hard work. Valiantly they sucked it up and ended the days hard work with a few drills and a scratch game.
The evening saw the teams once again match up for a trivia competition and this time Gibbo's team of PJ, Matt Sarkies and Jonno romped to victory after which PJ regaled us with a spur of the moment, but very witty 'victory rap'.
After the strenuous activities of Saturday, and the revelry of the evening, we did not expect many players to make the 7.30 AM start, but bedragled as they were, everyone clambered out of their rooms and down to the beach for a 2 hour boxercise session. Just watching it was tiring, but to a man they persevered and completed a session which Joe tells me, is a typical pre-season training bout for the AFL professionals.
Well done to one and all who participated. A special thanks to Joe Raiti, who shares his valuable time with us and continues to expose to the lads the quality and intensity of training done by the elites of sport.
Check out the photos - click on the gallery image below
