July 6th 2010
It is a great drill. And once we really got into it we started handballing it better to one another. We were quicker and managed to space ourselves out much better to be able to play a better game.
Afterwards we had a pool session to recover to be ready for our game tomorrow. Greg really had us stretch thoroughly to help us prepare our bodies for the game. The rest of the day was pretty simple and we had a little get together with the Northern Territory team to learn about the aboriginal culture of Australia. This was a great learning experience and they learned from all of us about how many different places the world team was. Great for the whole the lot of us. Then we just started to get mentally switched on to play our game against Tasmania.
July 7th 2010
So today we got up with some time to sleep in because we didn’t have to head out till 10 or so. We had our breakfast and everyone got there stuff gathered and off to the bus. We got there and headed to the change rooms where we slowly got ready and taped up to play. Then we started slowly warming up so we could peak at the first bounce. Greg took us for our pre game warm up and had us revved up and ready to go hard at the 1st bounce just as Micky "O" had wanted.
The game began and we were beating them physically, but they managed to have much more possession of the ball, and they were ahead of us real soon. By the end of the match we had 56 tackles to 43 tackles. We showed them up physically, but wentdown on the socreboard by 89 points. The encouraging thing was we held them to only 6 goals in the 2nd half while kicking 2 oursleves.
We were disappointed that we had lost, but we put up a fight and competed with passion of the game and pride. We kept our heads up and they thanked us for a well played game, understanding that we had just got together and they have been playing since they were born and have been together for the last year as well.
July 8th 2010
We had a normal morning, and after breakfast headed out for a walk and a stretch to recover from the game the day before. These sessions were really positive as we would all be together and bond and be a lot closer.
After we headed up near the SCG, where we watched a movie together. Real comedy just don’t remember the name. We all had a good laugh, including one at where a bloke went up to two girls to try and chat em up....but they moved over a couple seats to move away from him. Best part of the movie for sure.
Afterwards we had lunch and just recovered more mainly. We headed back towards river view with snacks from Coles. Then got massages for any injuries we had gotten the previous days and hung out and played pool and ping pong for the rest of the night.
July 9th 2010
Our last day together before our game. We had Michael organize a trip to watch the Sydney Swans practice at the SCG. The Canadians were given some time to meet Mike Pyke. We were really happy to meet him. He was quite the guy, and actually quite awesome to meet and hear his story. Then afterwards we got walked through the inside of the stadium to see everything. Where they got changed, how things worked in the buildings, where they showered, and even warmed up before getting out onto the field.
Then we went all the way upstairs and got pictures taken with the premiership cup and Michael. This is never done for anyone, and for this to be done is amazing. It really is a once in a lifetime thing and the whole team is really glad they had done it.
Afterwards we headed back to the college to rest up. A couple of us left to go out to get some munchers but then got lost on the way back and it took us at least an hour and a bit to find our way to get back. Then we just headed back to the common room to hang out and just relax before our game against NSW.
Last Modified on 18/07/2010 07:40