Richmond fans are famous for their loyalty and there may be no more loyal Tiger than Andrew Sloman. Despite being based in New Zealand, “Slowy” rarely misses a game, travelling all across the country to follow the yellow and black. He has also often joined the team on their pre-season training camps, including making the trip to Arizona some years back. “Slowy” is with the team on their pre-season camp on the Sunshine Coast this week and we thought it would be great to get a fans perspective on what he sees on the camp and what excites him most about season 2018.

Day 1

We assembled at the Virgin Australia group check-in counter inside Tullamarine Airport at 10.45am on Sunday morning. Moving a squad of players, coaches, medical and administrative staff to Queensland for six days is no easy logistical feat. Thankfully, we have the All-Australian Property Manager, Giuseppe Mamone, alongside some wonderful football department administrative staff, to make the task go smoothly. Virgin Australia, as the official airline of the AFL, are also extremely well versed in moving sporting teams around the country. A portion of the Virgin Lounge in Melbourne is cordoned off, and wraps, sandwiches, and water are provided to the whole group prior to boarding the flight to Maroochydore. To further satisfy the incredibly high metabolism rate of the players, more wraps are provided on the flight.

After two hours flight time, we arrive at Maroochydore and several local Tiger fans are there to greet us and take photos with their favourites, who oblige accordingly. For the camp, we are assigned teams which also represents our minibus allocation. Development and VFL midfield coach, Xavier Clarke, is in charge of our minibus and my team and bus occupants are:
• Jason Castagna (Capt);
• Shaun Hampson;
• Dustin Martin;
• Jacob Townsend;
• Callum Moore;
• Patrick Naish; and
• Dylan Grimes

Our hotel is only a ten minute drive from the airport, and we’re soon checked in and immediately having another meal. Then it’s down to business.

One thing you notice immediately is the discipline of the playing group in regards to meetings and punctuality. Meetings generally start early when all are in attendance, so do not be late! Damien set the scene with the purpose of the camp, and then outlines our season values for 2018. His speech captivates and excites, as he looks back to look forward. He doesn’t necessarily address the 2017 result specifically, but rather uses replay and imagery from 2017 to reinforce the 2018 values. These values also form the key themes and aims of the camp.

Justin Leppitsch then led a team exercise to embed the attendees like myself with the playing group. Our team interviewed me, while Jason Castagna actually drew my portrait. Shaun Hampson then presented my biography to the whole group. Jason did an amazing job with the portrait, and I will have that signed and framed. Judges rated the portrait and bio. Our group won the task.
The players were then challenged to construct their own stories for the week, and the year, based on the values for the 2018 season. A story book is to be completed by each player before camp’s end.

A presentation was then made about Tony Mangan, a supporter and regular attendee at camps past, who sadly lost his life in a plane crash in 2016. Tony was the unofficial captain of the Coterie groups at the Club, and someone we miss dearly. An award will be presented in Tony’s honour at the conclusion of the camp, to the player who meets certain criteria befitting of Tony and his support of the playing group and Club.

Would you believe we then ate another meal and called it an early night. The activities start at 6.30am, and there will be a substantial training load in the heat and humidity of Southern Queensland.

Until then!