THE OFFICIAL NMFC pre-season Utah training camp thread

[Daz]

latest from NATHAN GRIMA:

YESTERDAY

Toughest training session of my life!!! Hamish Mcintosh running like a gazelle and Jack Ziebell mauled me in a wrestle.

Our first nomination for 'training the house down'?

 

[Ghostwriter]

Is Jona Segal any relation to Steven Segal?

 

[Chief75]

Is Jona Segal any relation to Steven Segal?

No but he met Casey Ryback on a train once.

 

[marklovesbeer]

PLAYING MIND GAMES
[great photos via link]

http://www.kangaroos.com.au/tabid/4912/default.aspx?newsid=125670

While much of the North Melbourne Utah training camp is about physically challenging the players, a large component is about mentally testing them too.

A flexible schedule gives the coaches the ability to chop and change things without the players knowing - and Ben Cunnington thinks that’s just the way they like it.

“The coaches did say that it would be more mentally tougher this time around,” he explained to kangaroos.com.au.

“Before we go on any hike or outing you start to hear all these different rumours about what we might be doing and I think that’s the intention.

“They want to see if you are mentally prepared and ready for anything. No-one really knows what we’re going to do. It seems like it’s not planned at all but it all falls into place and turns out to be a really solid session.”

On Saturday the group set out on a five hour hike but was told to bring runners and boxing gloves.

“Today was interesting because obviously we had our main hike the other day which was solid and grueling; mentally and physically. So the hiking side of it wasn’t as bad although there were a few hills in there that stumped a few of us, but the running component and boxing was pretty tough today."

But not everything can be planned out. Sometimes the coaches are forced to take advantage of their surrounds.

“Sometimes the coaches will see something on the hike like a massive hill to climb and they’ll get together and think ‘yeah…this will get the boys. Let’s send them up."

Another example was when the coaches stumbled across piles of wood logs. On this particular occasion, they must be commended for their innovation and creativity.

Minutes later, the players were hurling the logs through the air like primitive medicine balls.

“It was a bit different. I don’t mind the change up of training like that. Mixing things up so it’s not repetitive and boring is a good thing. We partnered up and did some overhead throws with the logs…it was fun,” Cunnington recalled.

And then came the running.

“The runs were ridiculous. We had to sprint 200 metres up a hill. We did about six of them but each time, we had to wrestle with our partners near the top.”

Cunnington believes there has been an obvious improvement on last year’s Utah camp.

“I feel like the training is much tougher this year but we are more prepared as a team and group. We know what our bodies can handle so we’ve done a lot more running at higher altitudes and all the boys have been getting through a bit better.

“I think everyone has adjusted to it pretty well and last year’s experience has helped us go forward this year.”

On a personal level, the tough midfielder is hoping for an injury free run into season 2012.

“Last year in Utah I was flying. I had a pretty big off-season then was going pretty well in Utah. When I got home my knee went.

“I didn’t go too hard in the off-season. If I get through every session I reckon I’ll be fit enough to have a good year. So I don’t want to get injured or overdo it. I’m starting to understand my body a bit more now.”

 

[marklovesbeer]

IT WAS RIGGED!

http://www.kangaroos.com.au/tabid/4912/default.aspx?newsid=125661

Michael Firrito has led a chorus of discontent claiming a team challenge was ‘rigged’ by North coaching staff.

The challenge to build the tallest and most sturdy structure from natural resources including felled trees, logs and branches in eight minutes seemed friendly enough, but with significant rewards on the line, things turned nasty.

Split into on-field groups; midfielders, backs, forwards and ruckmen, the players headed into the forest to gather their building materials.

“It was bloody rigged. A few people need to take a good look at themselves in the mirror tonight because the backmen are not too happy at the moment,” Firrito said still fuming after claiming the backs’ structure was far superior than the winning midfielders.

“We were all running around like idiots trying to find wood and stuff to build a teepee. Ours was a solid structure, it had a fence, hammock and everything going on in there but unfortunately Pete Mulkearns…I don’t know what he was thinking, he just awarded the win to the midfielders.”

Firrito says he has been in the game long enough to smell a rat and is at odds to explain the baffling decision.

“The midfielders got all the glory like they normally do, just like Brownlow votes and awards. The backs…well we had the most solid and tallest structure. It was perfect and well built and was never going to fall down but it just goes unnoticed like with everything we do.”

Firrito and his fellow backmen were at pains to point out that the midfielder’s structure only looked taller because they were positioned twenty metres up a hill. A claim that fell on deaf ears.

The veteran defender hinted that money may have changed hands.

“Perhaps that’s what’s needed to win these things.

“We’re not really that happy…but we will fight on as we normally do.”

Firrito also took aim at the other competition.

“The forwards? Well we thought their teepee resembled the way they go about things. You know the forwards just went and grabbed the biggest branch they could find and it was hit or miss pretty much. They go for the glory and theirs just fell down into pieces straight away, it was no good.

“I don’t know what the rucks were doing. I think they just went for a wander in the forest or put their feet up because they were tired. I didn’t see them build anything. They’re not the brightest bunch and they’ve gotten us lost two or three times already…they’re giving us absolutely nothing at the moment.”

 

[marklovesbeer]

ALL THAT JAZZ

OCTOBER 28:

- Ben Mabon and Shaun Atley are convinced their room at the Montage Resort is haunted after experiencing some weird things at night. Mabon told kangaroos.com.au they have 'conclusive photos and video evidence' to back up their claim.

Mabon says he was changing his top one evening when he felt someone slip a quarter coin down the back of his pants and into his bum crack. He turned around and no-one was there and the coin fell to the floor.

The pair called Jamie Macmillan and Ryan Bastinac into their room at 1.00am in the morning to witness what they described as 'strange lights' moving about the room. That's when they obtained the photos and video.

Mabon says he was told that a worker died at the site and it could be the spirit in their room. Atley and Mabon also say their claim is further strengthened because "Jamie Macmillan is really smart and he believes it."

kangaroos.com.au is currentlty attempting to strike a deal with the duo to have exclusive access to the photos and video.

OCTOBER 31:

- Matty Campbell is the latest player to claim his room is haunted. Flash told kangaroos.com.au every time he returns to his room, the lights are dimmed, the television is switched on and playing classical music and the ironing cupboard door is always slightly ajar.

- Ben Mabon isn't allowed to eat until North Dietician Jona Segal serves him up a plate of food. The developing ruckman is under strict supervision in an attempt to put on weight. He's already added seven kilos to his light frame since arriving at Aegis Park, but the magical number of 100kgs is still a fair way off. Tonight, he ate zucchini and squash for the first time.

Sounds like all the ghosts are coming out for Halloween.

 

[marklovesbeer]

Heath doing a fantastic job.
I haven't bothered looking through other clubs websites, but I guarentee there wouldn't be better pre-season coverage anywhere.
Lots of photos too, which makes it all so much better.

 

[Flawed Genius]

I reckon it'll be Jack & The Stuff pranking everyone.

Although I wouldn't put it past Flash to pretend his stuff is haunted while secretly being the prankster anyway.

 

[Flawed Genius]

“I don’t know what the rucks were doing. I think they just went for a wander in the forest or put their feet up because they were tired. I didn’t see them build anything. They’re not the brightest bunch and they’ve gotten us lost two or three times already…they’re giving us absolutely nothing at the moment.”

 

[Bowski]

For those readers wondering…this article is very much tongue in cheek!

I can't believe they thought this needed to be put in.

 

[MaddAdam]

You can see why Scott loves Greenwood so much

 

[marklovesbeer]

You can see why Scott loves Greenwood so much

Totally. Probably sees a bit of himself in him.

Greenwood is going to be with us for the next 7 or 8 seasons I reckon. He's really started to step it up on field too. An injury free pre-season & he will carve it up come Round 1.

Could we see Levi as a possible future Vice Captain...?

Swallow (C)
Ziebell (VC) Greenwood (VC)

 

[roos_fanatic08]

Totally. Probably sees a bit of himself in him.

Greenwood is going to be with us for the next 7 or 8 seasons I reckon. He's really started to step it up on field too. An injury free pre-season & he will carve it up come Round 1.

Could we see Levi as a possible future Vice Captain...?

Swallow (C)
Ziebell (VC) Greenwood (VC)

That is one tough leadership group.

I'd love to see Greenwood in the leadership group is he probably the hardest worker out our club.

 

[Chog]

Ten News flying to Utah to catch up with the boys.

Its almost on, on 10 News at 5 (in the sport).

 

[Chog]

I can't believe they thought this needed to be put in.

For the facebookers?

 

[GoNorth]

Ten News flying to Utah to catch up with the boys.

Its almost on, on 10 News at 5 (in the sport).

There was a story on at 5.30.

 

[marklovesbeer]

MACMILLAN FLIES THE FLAG

http://www.kangaroos.com.au/tabid/4912/default.aspx?newsid=125691#embedvideoplayer

Like his team-mates, Majak Daw had been pushing his body to the limit during their latest testing running session. After completing his final sprint up a steadily inclining hill, he was absolutely spent.*

The developing rookie fell to the ground trying to suck in the oxygen, but he wasn't on the ground for long. His actions were met will a volley of calls from the players demanding that he "get up!".*
North coaches have been quick to point out that Daw has been one of the big improvers of his fitness in comparison to this time last year and for much of the day, he was leading the group up the hill.*

While lying on the ground is unacceptable in these situations, Jamie Macmillan addressed the group about being more supportive of their struggling comrade.*

"He was spent and on the deck and we were all sort of - we were getting in his ear telling him to get up, but the boys weren't getting around him and getting him up so I sort of touched on that and we're trying to create a team environment," Macmillan explained to kangaroos.com.au directly after speaking to the players.*

"The hill's not easy - long grass and a bit of core (work) down the bottom, there's no rest at all."*

North Melbourne's coaches say Majak Daw is one of the club's biggest improvers in terms of fitness.

I love reading sh!t like this.

 

[GoNorth]

And another story on now!

 

[BoomerBrownlow_29]

A couple more videos everyone might enjoy.

Will try and upload the Channel Ten vision in the coming days.

[YOUTUBE]6pJVCRbqBd8[/YOUTUBE]

[YOUTUBE]DJwixpdeHPU[/YOUTUBE]

 

[Bowski]

Is that Super Gav in the video?

 

[ShinbonerBaz]

I can't believe they thought this needed to be put in.

For the facebookers?

And some BFers

 

[Chog]

Was that Edwards or Taz in #25?

Good to see J-Mac showing some leadership skills as well. I feel sorry for whoever picks the leadership group in the next few years

They just mentioned Maj, does anyone know how far he's come fitness-wise? I know last year he was one of the worst runners at the club. I wonder how much he's improved.

Also thanks for the vids BB29


EDIT: just read MLB's earlier post. They say Maj is one of the big fitness improvers.

 

[GoNorth]

I am loving all the updates from Utah! Thanks Heath and Rob!

 

[MaddAdam]

An interesting character is Macmillan. Obviously quite a smart bloke in an academic sense.

Also must have a very strong sense of self to address the group like that.

I suppose when you've put your head over the footy and copped a whack like he did you win respect.

But still, for a second year player to be addressing the group shows a lot, especially what a great culture we've got.

 

[DarkPhoenix]

An interesting character is Macmillan. Obviously quite a smart bloke in an academic sense.

Also must have a very strong sense of self to address the group like that.

I suppose when you've put your head over the footy and copped a whack like he did you win respect.

But still, for a second year player to be addressing the group shows a lot, especially what a great culture we've got.

He was also the recipient of the 2011 community award, tried to organise a trip to the footy for a cancer sufferer but when the guy was too sick he rounded up a couple of players and took them to see him in hospital.

Really seems like he has his head screwed on right, and the 'fame' of being an AFL footballer doesnt seem to have gone to his head. Seems like one of those genuine nice guys youd love to have as a friend.

Top bloke, that video is irrefutable proof, not that we needed more onya JMac.