PRIZED recruits Christian Petracca and Angus Brayshaw have said they were thrown “straight in the deep end”, when they completed their first training session with the club on Monday.
Petracca (selection No.2 overall) and Brayshaw (No.3) were Melbourne’s top two picks in last Thursday night’s NAB AFL Draft. The duo spoke about their first few days at the club at the MCG on Wednesday.
Petracca said his first running session was a “mental and physical shock”.
“You can say that you’re ready for it, but it’s not until you hit the ground running that you’re expecting it,” he said.
“It was mentally tough and it was the hardest running session I’ve ever done.
“I think the best thing about it was that there were 40 other boys doing it with you and they’re pulling you along and if you’re tired, there is someone there to lean on.
“We’re just focused with pulling through and helping each other out.”
Brayshaw said he tried to do a few sessions to prepare for his first training session, but added that nothing could compare.
“Daniel Cross said it was in the top three hardest sessions that he’s ever done and he’s been in the game for about 15 years,” he said.
“We only did half the session, but I think we clocked up about 11kms and it was pretty high intensity running, so it was definitely hard. [I’m] still a bit sore, but it was a good way to start things off.
“It was probably the hardest training session I’ve done. I’ve played a few harder games, but in terms of training, I just don’t think the workload is something I’ve ever experienced in my junior career. So the step-up has definitely been noticeable.”
Brayshaw said the fact he had undertaken his AIS Academy placement with Melbourne earlier in the year had helped him settle in his first few days.
“That’s really helped me, but I’m really good mates with Stretchy (Billy Stretch) and Christian, so I’ve played a bit of footy with them and known them before hand,” he said.
“They’re all great guys, so that’s really helped my transition into the club, so it’s been really good so far.”
