Day 9: Tuesday, January 20

7am

It’s a slightly later start with the boys undertaking ‘craft’ at the Maroochydore Multi Sports Complex this morning.

Once breakfast is over, the Brett ‘Fruity’ Allison bus is under way.

This morning we start off with the mellow tones of Israel Kamakawiwoʻole’s Somewhere over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World, before the beats kick back in! Then the likes of Pompeii by Bastille and When loves takes over by David Guetta Feat. Kelly Rowland, which pump up the boys. 

Upon arrival, Fruity says “learn, listen and train well” to the boys. He’s great at encouraging the younger players and keeping them up to speed.

9:15am

The players are out on the track.

Paul Roos gathers the players in before they start training.

He chats to them about training, before reminding the players that it’s also MasterChef night, where they will cook dinner for the seven coaches (but more on that later).

Roos then concludes his pre-training speech by announcing to the group that it’s Nathan Jones’ birthday today – most are already aware that it’s the skipper’s milestone day!

“Fossil,” is shouted out by one of the players.

Another says: “Happy 40th Chunk.”

For the record, the three-time best and fairest winner is 27 years old. Happy birthday to a Demon warrior!

Craft soon takes place. It’s all about skills and the game plan again. Overall, it’s a lighter day for the players, in preparation for another big session on Wednesday, which will be the last full day of the camp.

Towards the end of training, the players have a goalkicking session.

The aim of the drill is to hit the goal post from roughly 15 metres out.

Players have two minutes to hit it as many times as they can.

The squad breaks off into their six teams – remembering there are a handful of key challenges throughout the camp.

Dean Kent is deadly with his left-foot and hits the goal post several times, keeping his team in it. Kent is a beautiful kick. Who can forgot some of his beauties in 2014, such as his running goal against Essendon?

But in the end, the team featuring Jack Grimes, Jordie McKenzie, Dean Terlich, Christian Salem, Ben Newton, Jayden Hunt, Billy Stretch and Alex Neal-Bullen wins the competition – after a shoot out. And they’re a pretty happy bunch too!

11.15am

The squad breaks into two groups. One heads to the Suncoast Fitness Centre for an upper body weights session, as the other remains at the ground for massages with the physios and trainers, plus screen tests for strength and flexibility. 

The two groups then swap after completing their respective activities, which last for about 45 minutes each.

In between, the physios and trainers get a quick breather before the second group returns. It’s hard work, as they have a constant stream of players to attend to in each session.

The topic of conversation from the players – as they are on the massage table and are stretching at the ground – soon turns to tonight’s MasterChef challenge.

Some of the players are debating what they’ll make the coaches for dinner.

“Roosy loves a chicken parma and chips,” says one of the support staff.

It’s not a bad idea.

Some exotic dishes are being tossed around, but so are some basic meals. Which way do they go?

Given the players are pretty ‘cooked’ from their training so far, there is a rumour flying around that the ordering of ‘gourmet’ pizzas and drinks for the coaches is the way to go.

But more on the mystery dishes later …

Over at the Fitness Centre, the Isowhey Sports shakes are made and consumed by the players, before they hit the gym. The shakes are part of the squad’s pre and post weights session routine.

One of the trainers working at the gym says the players are making an impact among their members.

“The players had the girls’ hearts in quite a flutter,” the trainer says.

It draws some laughs from the Melbourne fitness staff!

After all, it’d be pretty daunting lining up next to the likes of Jake Spencer, Sam Frost or even the ripped Daniel Cross in your local gym!

Jack Trengove’s incredible amount of work on the camp continues this weights session.

He’s been doing weights everyday and has really impressed with his rehab.

Trengove is leaving no stone unturned in his pursuit to return to the top level.  

The first year players are also making a good fist of their weights’ program, given it’s a massive step up from juniors to the AFL.

Overall, it’s another strong session by the boys.

1.15pm

The players watch some training vision in the afternoon, before having some free time.

It’s also an opportunity for the players to plan their menu.

Hmm … what will it be? Could it end up something like this?

Entrée: Ceviche

Main: Filet De Bouef Et Pommes Souffle Au Jus Gras

Dessert: Champagne Savarin

We’ll just have to wait and see …

7pm

The time has come for the players to serve it up to the coaches (pun definitely intended).

Was it going to be something extravagant? Something simple but effective? Or a combination of both?

Alas, it’s none of the above. In the wash-up (not of the dishes), the players went down a different route – shall we say.

The players didn’t scramble eggs, make some toast or microwave frozen lasagnes for the coaches. Nor did they grab takeaway McDonald’s, KFC or fish and chips.

Instead, pizzas, Magnum ice creams and drinks were hand delivered by the 44 players (aka aspiring Matt Prestons). The result was that they performed their duty as a team – they all chipped in to pay, order, pick-up the pizzas and hand-deliver the goodies – and the coaches were pretty pleased with the result! In the end, who doesn’t love a pizza?

On top of that, Jones received a rousing rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’.

It was all in good fun and taken in the right spirit.