Ten of the youngest members of Fremantle’s squad are enjoying a well-earned weekend off.
Over three days on a development camp in the Stirling Ranges from Wednesday to Friday, the group endured several mountain climbs, as well as physical and mental challenges.
The players even shared a campsite in a field populated by two alpacas and a chicken coop, living with limited food and only a tarp for shelter.
It was all in the name of development in a competitive environment, pitting Team Alpha of Ryan Nyhuis, Darcy Tucker, Griffin Logue, Sean Darcy and Luke Strnadica against Team Bravo of Sam Collins, Harley Balic, Luke Ryan, Brennan Cox and Taylin Duman.
Team Bravo: Harley Balic, Taylin Duman, Sam Collins, Brennan Cox and Luke Ryan
The idea was to simulate the rigours of a football game out in the field - placing the first and second-year players into difficult situations to see who would emerge as leaders, who would give everything despite the adversity, and what areas could be addressed to build a culture of giving everything for the team.
Everywhere they went, each player had their own backpack weighing up to 30kg, and the group had to also carry a stretcher making the steep climbs even more difficult.
Team Alpha's Darcy Tucker passes a stretcher to Griffin Logue's outstretched hand, with Sean Darcy and Ryan Nyhuis following
To simulate carrying an injured person, both groups were once required bear a further 60kg of sand bags on the stretcher while walking between mountain climbs.
The repeated challenges were designed to test the players, but impressively, whenever someone found themselves struggling, the other players would rally around.
If teams were successful in a challenge, they would earn a reward. Failure could mean going hungry, or missing out on a sleeping bag allocation.
On one occasion, even success resulted in nothing, as Team Alpha found out at the 1052m summit of Mount Toolbrunup.
As a running joke to lift their spirits, new draftee Griffin Logue dubbed the ordeal Mount No Ration.
Despite missing out on a ration pack, Team Alpha are all smiles at the top of Mount Toolbrunup
After day one, a hungry Darcy Tucker even found himself willing to take a few risks with his dinner.
“We found most of the rations to be stuff I thought we had to cook, and we don’t have anything to cook it with,” Tucker said.
“We just had to hook into what we could. I had a bit of sweet and sour chicken. I wasn’t sure if it would be ok but I got through it fine."
Darcy Tucker takes it all in at the top of Mount Toolbrunup
While the camp was tough, Team Bravo’s Sam Collins said the hard work didn’t detract from the spectacular views.
“It’s been a really long few days but it’s also been really great,” Collins said.
“We got to see a part of the country that I probably won't get to see for a while. It was a tough few days but it was great to get down to the Stirling Ranges.”
Griffin Logue on the climb of Mount Talyuperlup
The second-year defender particularly felt the process was worthwhile, feeling he’ll be able to take a lot from the camp onto the football field.
“It was a great way to welcome the first year players to the club,” Collins said.
“One of the best ways to do it is with bonding with us younger guys and getting to know them. From now on we’ll be spending a lot of time together in development meetings, as well as Peel and hopefully in the Freo side as well.”
“It was pretty challenging but it was something that we took in our stride, and we’ll all work on it going forward.”
Taylin Duman, Sam Collins and Brennan Cox prepare to lift the stretcher
Hard work: Sam Collins takes a breather while digging Camp Bravo's latrine
Luke Ryan all smiles while setting up Team Bravo's shelter at base camp
