Day 1: Friday, January 16
7.30am
The tunes are pumping in Brett ‘Fruity’ Allison’s mini bus this morning, as we start our drive to Mooloolaba Surf Club.
‘Fruity’ loves his tunes. And doesn’t mind bobbling along to whatever is playing. He’s a ripper.
It seems the radio station has the same five to 10 songs on repeat, because I reckon I’ve heard I’m an Albatraoz by AronChups each morning on the bus trips.
I’ve certainly heard Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars, which in my humble opinion is one of the better tunes on commercial radio at the moment. But it’s on the way to copping a true radio flogging – if it hasn’t already!
Uptown Funk has been on so much that Christian Petracca predicted it to come on the radio when we were on our way to dinner the previous night. Still, if the boys like Uptown Funk, which has some – surprise, surprise – funkiness to it, then surely they could be introduced to some ‘70s tunes like Chic’s Le Freak, War’s Low Rider or Marvin Gaye’s Got to give it up? Surely, they’d like them? You never know …
8:45am
The team arrives at the beautiful Mooloolaba Beach, where members of the Surf Club and iron men welcome the team.
It’s a glorious morning and the beach is already packed with people, which is no surprise.
A group photo on the beach is taken before the boys start their session with a light jog up the beach, followed by some push ups.
Then it’s into one of the main beach drills: wrestling/grappling. The competitive nature of the lads is there for all to see.
Midfield coach Ben Mathews and backline coach Jade Rawlings oversee the drill.
Pretty soon, most of the boys are covered in sand after their first or second wrestle. Players soon change wrestling partners and this continues throughout the drill.
One of the most interesting wrestles to watch is between Jack Viney and Nathan Jones. They’re such competitive beasts. Heritier Lumumba and Viv Michie is another intriguing wrestle. And then there is strength of bigger men Lynden Dunn and Cam Pedersen. It’s great to watch.
The wrestling drill then introduces footballs. Again, it’s competitive and good fun to watch, as the boys go hard at it.
After a while, the players are introduced to some local ironmen who join the session.
Matt Poole is one young-gun iron man who takes on new Demon Sam Frost in a wrestling drill. Frost is one big youngster. He and Poole have a red hot crack and it’s evenly contested, until Frost takes him down.
Frosty’s teammates give him a raucous cheer.
Then it’s Poole and his ironmen mates to show the boys how it’s done.
The players are split into their teams for a paddle boarding race. Each of the four ironmen joins a group, helping the Demons out. When it starts, it’s a sight to see the ironmen in action. They attack the water and waves with gusto – and it’s quite spectacular. Still, the players give it a genuine crack.
The sight of Dunn running out of the water with gusto towards the end of the race typifies the effort displayed by the players for the session. It’s been a solid, but fun one.
10.45am
Fruity’s got the tunes pumping again on the drive back.
Swing by Joel Fletcher and Savage gets a guernsey – as one of the 10 songs on the radio. Fruity and the young lads are rockin’ the mini bus!
After arriving back at base, the players have a quick break before a player trademark session is held and then it’s onto lunch. From there, it’s onto the Twin Waters Golf course for a nine-hole Ambrose competition.
2pm
Most of the players, coaches and staff arrive in readiness for golf.
It’s fair to say, it’s bloody hot on the course, so the golf carts are a welcome addition.
Just before the golf starts, Max Gawn comes out with a gem.
“What’s the rules on cheating?” he asks.
His humour is dry, sharp and at times quirky and it’s so important to have someone with his wit in the squad.
I hop into a cart with Jake Spencer, who is playing in a team with fellow big men Gawn and Jack Fitzpatrick, who are in the cart behind us.
Spencer is a keen golfer and often plays with Jeremy Howe, Rohan Bail and Jack Watts. Gawn is a keen enough on the game and plays a bit. Fitzpatrick openly says it’s not his game.
It’s good fun going around with ‘Pencil’ Spencer, Gawn and Fitzpatrick. They’re all quality young men with good personalities. The trio has had their fair share of injuries and it’d be great to see them all have a genuine crack at it in 2015.
Cricket is a big topic of conversation along the way. They all like cricket, but Gawn is a genuine nut. His love of the Black Caps is fanatical. He can name New Zealand players, matches and scorecards dating back years.
Spencer is impressive off the tee. Gawn, a right-hander, aims his hit to the left and manages to bring the ball back with an in-swing that straightens up. It’s unorthodox, but effective and sums him up beautifully. Fitzpatrick isn’t sure how he’ll go on the course, given he’s not a big golfer. But he rises to the occasion and has his best golfing day.
A straw poll among some of the players sees Howe regarded as the best golfer among the Demons. And given he’s in the group ahead of us, it’s easy to see why. Sporting a new golfing glove, I watch him tee off and it’s a beauty. Now, I’m far from a golfing fanatic or expert or any good at it – but even I can tell it’s a cracking shot. The sound off the tee hits the mark.
It’s a fun afternoon and completes a ‘lighter’ day for the players.
5pm
The players return to the apartments, with a few popping over the road to the beach for a much-needed cool off.
Then it’s back for a ‘cook-your-own-adventure’ night.
No doubt barbeques will be right on the agenda yet again, as the players have the night to relax before another solid skills/running sessions looms in the morning.
