A full morning of training, followed by a midday game plan meeting, straight into an afternoon curve-ball, and finally a nice little ride back to the hotel to top it all off.
As a group we’re driven by the collective motivation of improving to a level necessary to achieve the success we want for this club.
On a personal note the trip to Europe that I’ve booked directly after Dubai acts as another little carrot when it becomes a real grind.
It’s on days like this you truly appreciate how lucky you are to play a team sport, where encouragement, a cheeky grin, or the face of someone working just as hard as yourself makes you keep going.
No one wants to be the one that lets the team down.
It’s on days like this you truly appreciate how lucky you are to play a team sport, where encouragement, a cheeky grin, or the face of someone working just as hard as yourself makes you keep going.
No one wants to be the one that lets the team down.
It also makes you appreciate individual athletes.
Those guys toil as hard, if not harder, but do it alone, without anyone to motivate, distract or just share the grind with.
The addition of new faces to the group always is also a great way to generate some buzz, and more importantly the opportunity to come up with some inventive nicknames.
The addition of new faces to the group always is also a great way to generate some buzz, and more importantly the opportunity to come up with some inventive nicknames.
Yoey Wagner was an easy target, having earned his spot at the club by winning TV show ‘The Recruit’.
This has seen him tagged as ‘Primetime’ ‘Fox 8’ and ‘TR’ among other things.
Despite this gentle form of hazing, and a small setback at the start of pre-season, Yoey has settled in and is adjusting to the demands of AFL football well.
Despite this gentle form of hazing, and a small setback at the start of pre-season, Yoey has settled in and is adjusting to the demands of AFL football well.
It’s great to see somebody get an opportunity and run with it (pardon the pun).
This afternoon saw us take part in a gut-busting whole ground weights and running circuit.
This afternoon saw us take part in a gut-busting whole ground weights and running circuit.
This was a welcome sight for the rehab boys, who’ve spent their fair share of time doing similar activities while unable to participate in the main training sessions.
The likes of Kane Mitchell, Matt White and Sam Russell enjoyed the opportunity to lead the way and excel in this session.
The likes of Kane Mitchell, Matt White and Sam Russell enjoyed the opportunity to lead the way and excel in this session.
Andrew Moore and Ollie Wines also continued their outstanding running form, whilst new recruit Jesse Palmer was also impressive, after shadowing Moorey around the track.
By late afternoon it was just relief to ride back to hotel and relax in the pool before a few of us headed out to tea in the Dubai away from our hotel.
By late afternoon it was just relief to ride back to hotel and relax in the pool before a few of us headed out to tea in the Dubai away from our hotel.
It’s been a tough couple of days but sometimes you’ve got to drag yourself out for a few hours to see the city around you.
Anyway time for a good night’s sleep before another day of testing, running and who knows what Burgo and Kenny throw at us.
