Day 11: Thursday, January 22

5:30am

The final day of the camp is an early one.

A beach session across the road at Mudjimba Beach was always planned. It’s the last activity for the players before departing the Sunshine Coast back to Melbourne.

Boxing gloves, a towel and a full water bottle are the requirements for the players’ session.

6am

A few surfers are already up and about catching the waves at Mudjimba Beach.

Strength and conditioning manager Rob Jackson soon gets the boxing session underway, as the coaching staff watch on.

I chat with backline coach Jade Rawlings, while watching on. Rawlings is a passionate, straight-shooting coach, with a great sense of humour. He really cares for his players, particularly his backline boys. He gives the camp a big tick and says the relationships built have been integral.   

Several drills are undertaken, including ‘pistons’, ‘pummelling, ‘circle of fire’, ‘pyramids and ladders’ and ‘planking’.

Nathan Jones and Jack Viney again go pretty hard in the pummelling – a mix of wrestling/grappling.

Lynden Dunn and Max Gawn is another combination. Youngster Angus Brayshaw is partnered with development coach Brad Miller. Ruckman Mark Jamar is up against apprentice tall Max King.

Heritier Lumumba shows good voice and is already showing his worth. He’s looking fit and strong and looms as an integral addition to the team. And from my experiences, I can’t speak highly enough of him. I’ve found him to be a fine young man. He’s quietly spoken and respectful, but he’s done everything he can to immerse himself into the red and blue family.

Jimmy Toumpas also looks focused in the session. He’s quietly going about his business in an impressive manner. Dunn is another strong voice, who adds leadership, character and passion to the group. He continues to grow in stature.

Meanwhile, a handful of Demons on lighter duties run into the water with gusto and quickly duck dive under the smashing waves. There is a reasonable current and undertow at the beach, but they play it safe once in. Still, a few manage to body surf reasonably well.

The session lasts an hour and is capped off with a swim at the end by the entire team.

Christian Petracca finds a small washed up boogie board on the beach and gives it a quick whirl.

Nathan Jones dons some flippers and jumps into his second home: the water. If only he had a board, the three-time best and fairest winner would’ve been in his element. Ro Bail is another keen surfer.

A dip in the water is just the tonic after the session.

Jackson tells me the boys have produced some strong work on the camp.  He adds that the boys are ready to go home and rest up, but he says the fitness staff gets what they want out of the squad.  

Just before we leave the beach, I chat to Mitch White. He claimed the last spot on Melbourne’s list this year, given he was the second and final pick in last November’s NAB AFL Rookie Draft.

He hasn’t even been at the club for two months, but he’s doing his utmost to make the most of it. He tells me that he’s loved the camp. It’s great to see young guys starting out.

I have a quick chat to Chris Dawes as we walk back across the road to the apartments. Dawes is an articulate, thinker of the game. And he has a real presence. He’s shed several kilos and is looking ripped. He’s strong and lean. It’s easily the fittest he’s been in his time at Melbourne. He’s ready to go this season. 

7:30am

With training done, there is one last opportunity for a buffet breakfast before departure. The boys load up and enjoy one last feed at the hotel.

10am

The crew has checked out and is on its way to the Sunshine Coast Airport. To the best of my knowledge, no one yelled out the window, as they left the apartments: “Goodbye Porpoise Spit”. (If you’re not sure of this reference, check out Muriel’s Wedding!)

I reckon 11 days has been spot on. The players – and staff – will head back to Melbourne pleased with what’s been achieved, but ready for a breather. It’s exciting, full-on, hard work and a great experience/opportunity. 

Petracca has a crack at the tunes in the Brett ‘Fruity’ Allison bus. He starts with a cover of the Gnarls Barkley hit Crazy. It’s by Teemid Feat. Joie Tan (I had to Shazam it). It’s a good version too! Thanks young fella for the introduction. It’s been great traveling in the ‘Fruity Bus’ with the first-year boys. They’re a good bunch of young kids, who are already receiving – and embracing – the beefed up development that has been so pivotal in Paul Roos’ coaching structure.

Already, they have the likes of Allison, Brad Miller, Shannon Byrnes and Justin Plapp in development, with Brendan McCartney set to join in February. It gives them a great opportunity.

11:30am

It’s take off time and we’re on our way back to Melbourne.

I listen to a new album: Sounds of the 80s – Dave Misson is also a fan of it. It’s got some great 80s tunes covered by artists of today.

It’s not bad!

3pm

After landing, we’re all at the carousel waiting for our luggage.

I have a chat to Jordie McKenzie, who says the camp has been the best football one he’s been on.

He’s really excited for the season and champing at the bit to make an impact. I really hope he has a strong season, as he is a top young fella. After all, if he can predominantly keep the great G.Ablett to 19 touches in a match, it shows his talents as a run-with player – and his ability to play a role. 

To finish off, I quickly catch up with elite performance manager Misson to get his take on the camp. He’s been integral to it and he says it’s been a major success.

“I think it’s been outstanding right from the facilities that have been made available to us – right through to the weather conditions, which were what we were looking for,” he says.

“The place we stayed at was great and we were able to build relationships – the boys were split up into different mini vans and rooms.

“But probably the most important thing was the ability to get the work done that was needed. We probably banged about 80km in the boys in about 10 days, which was really solid and exactly what we wanted – in fact, it was probably more than we expected.

“But they were up for the challenge and they came away from the camp with – not only some physical resilience and fitness – but some mental resilience as well, from what they had to go through on the camp.

“We got back to Melbourne with a really strong focus on getting ourselves ready for NAB Challenge and round one.” 

In summary, I couldn’t speak highly enough of the players, coaches, fitness staff and support staff in their quest to help the club rise again.

The camp’s been bloody hard work and the team is doing its absolute utmost to make the club the best it can possibly be.

There is still a mountain of work to be done, but you can be assured the club is well and truly on the ascent.

It’s been a privilege and pleasure to cover the camp and I hope you’ve gained an insight and the odd smile along the way.

Go Dees!