The night’s sleep was varied among the group. Reports of loud snoring and the effects of copious amounts of Baked Beans from the previous day were among the complaints from players, who were forced to sleep as groups of eight under a relatively small tarpaulin. Most however were simply too tired to care.
Following breakfast it was off to the beach adjacent Point Hicks lighthouse. Some team building exercises were done on the beach before the team trekked up to the lighthouse for a guided tour. The team building exercise provided some much-needed humour.
Essendon players were paired up for a game of soccer with a twist. One of the pair was blindfolded and the trick was that they were the only ones allowed to kick the ball. The partner had to bark instructions in an effort to get them to the ball. When you have six blindfolded footballers trying to kick a soccer ball and six teammates yelling instructions it hardly makes for a high quality game of soccer. Heads and ankles clashed repeatedly and goals were at a premium.
Lunch followed and again it wasn’t anything to write home about. Cheese, salami, crackers and Baked Beans were again on the menu. The only things showing any real interest in the food were the ever-present flies.
The early afternoon saw the players break into groups to participate in five different problem-solving activities. Milk crates needed to be stacked 10 high and imaginary rivers had to crossed with simply a couple bricks and a plank of wood to help. Another activity saw players blindfolded and asked to take a rope and lay it down on the ground in a perfect square – believe me it sounds easy but it isn’t, particularly if there are six different ideas on how to best solve the problem.
The Cann River training camp is a testament to how hard the players are working in preparation for the 2004 season. Show your support to the team and renew or purchase your Essendon Football Club membership. Click here to renew or purchase your 2004 Essendon membership.
