Boddington hosts Bulldogs’ pre-season camp

SOUTH Fremantle’s preparations for the 2017 WAFL season kicked up a gear on the weekend with the senior playing group taking part in a team camp in Boddington.

The weekend proved a success for the players and coaches alike with some team bonding and activities designed to make sure the squad’s culture is on point for the 2017 season with it taking place in the heart of South Fremantle’s southern regional zone in the Upper Great Southern.

The playing group departed Fremantle Community Bank Oval on Friday afternoon with the travelling party of 70 made up of players, coaches and support staff hopping on board the bus for the 90-minute trip to Boddington.

Friday night in Boddington included a pasta dinner for the team with the playing group then continuing their leadership training which culminated in a vote being taken for the leadership group for the 2017 season.

The team then turned in for the night with some of them deciding to sleep under the stars to enjoy the country atmosphere in Boddington.

That might have been a good idea in theory. But with the sprinklers coming on at 5am, it might not have proven quite the enjoyable and relaxing experience they had hoped.

Saturday then began with the playing group undertaking a scavenger hunt through the streets of Boddington.

The players broke into six pre-season groups for the adventure around town. The winning team benefited from some local knowledge to enjoy the victory over the five other groups.

It was then on to the main training session of the weekend with senior coach Todd Curley putting the players through their paces.

It was encouraging to see the playing group training at a high-level only to send the reminder that this time next month they will begin playing some pre-season matches ahead of the 2017 season getting underway.

Following an enjoyable yet challenging both physically and mentally 24 hours, the playing group got ready for the trip back to Fremantle on Saturday afternoon.

The South Fremantle Football Club wishes to thank the Boddington Football Club for their hospitality for the pre-season camp along with Tania Depane and Marion Reid for their help in preparing meals for a hungry playing group and support staff.

Ross Addison and Peter Taylor-Thorpe must be commended for their work in looking after the property on the trip while legendary team manager Tony Mollica ensured everything ran smoothly.