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Big George Rose and the rest of the Storm players - minus the big three of Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater and a handful of others - were given a rugged introduction to Boot Camp Craig Bellamy style last week.
George Rose at Melbourne Storm boot camp. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Limited
The players thought they were headed for a relaxing leadership retreat in Nagambie. Maybe a bit of canoeing, some quiet drinks around the fire and a few guest speakers. In big George's case, maybe a few snags on the barbie would have been nice.
But the reality was a much more brutal surprise as George and the boys climbed steps, were pushed to the limits and were even forced to wash cars.
Shattered players during the 44km walk. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Limited
"They got us a beauty," Storm premiership player Ryan Hinchcliffe said. "They went to great lengths to keep us from knowing the real truth."
Before they knew it, the Storm players, who had already trained at Gosch's Paddock on Wednesday morning, were surrendering their wallets, phones and watches to team officials.
Melbourne Storm boot camp. Kenny Bromwich. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Limited
"I'm not going to lie, it was hard to find out," Hinchliffe said. "I've done one of those camps before, so I knew how hard it would be physically and mentally.
"And to think you're going somewhere else and then it is sprung on you, it did take a couple of hours to sort it out."
Players contest in some milling - 60 seconds of boxing with no high shots. Picture: Colleen Petch. Source: News Limited
It was 3pm on Wednesday when the players were marched out of AAMI Park without being told where they would be walking to or how far.
They soon realised this was no leisurely stroll.
The start of the 44km walk. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Limited
In the middle of the night and a staggering 44km later, they arrived at their destination - the base of the dreaded 1000 steps in the Dandenong Ranges.
"It was real hard - I didn't think walking was so hard, but after 30km everything seizes up," Hinchcliffe said.
First bit of sleep for over 24 hours. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Limited
"Your hamstrings, your back goes on you, you can't straighten your legs or walk properly. All the boys were chafing and had blisters."
It then dawned on them that the destination was only the starting point.
The start of the 44km walk. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Limited
"To get to the 1000 steps and realise we had to go up and down it a few times was very hard," Hinchclfife said.
"When we came down the sun was coming up at 5:30 in the morning and we had been walking for 15 hours.
"It was the hardest thing I have ever done."
Justin O'Neill and Ryan Hinchcliffe clear weeds from a dam. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Limited
After walking to the point of exhaustion and through the day and night, the sleep deprived players were given no respite.
The next two days included army-style obstacle courses in 40-degree heat, milling sessions and even an exercise that involved washing cars at a caryard at 6:45am.
Kenny Bromwich in the holding position as punishment for a lack of attention to detail on the carwash. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Limited
There were also peer evaluation sessions and assigned written tasks.
It was all done to tighten the Storm group with mental toughness the overriding theme of the trip.
Melbourne Storm boot camp. Ryan Hoffman. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Limited
Winger Matt Duffie won the prized award of player of the camp. Winger Justin O'Neill and Kenny Bromwich were not far behind. Rose, judging by the pictures, was luckiest to survive.
"The best thing for me was spending time with the young guys and hearing their stories," Hinchcliffe said.
"On the first night we had to do a speech on ourselves and how we had come to where we are. It was very interesting because while you know your teammates, sometimes you don't really know them.
Players clear weeds from a dam. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Limited
"From that I feel a lot closer to those young guys and we now share that bond."
Hinchcliffe said it was an amazing experience.
Jordan McLean during the car wash. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Limited
"Now you look back on it and you can't believe you did all that," he said.
"There are certainly some good lessons to take out of it.
"Things such as team work and attention to detail. If we can do that, we can do anything."
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