Two months out from the 2023 season, the AFLW Eagles changed up their usual training regime and spent time building even stronger relationships during their annual pre-season camp at Forest Edge Recreation Camp in Waroona.
The three-day camp consisted of a range of physical challenges and team-bonding exercises including endurance and weight training, abseiling, flying fox fun and self-reflection.
No matter how gruelling the activity, all tasks were met with enthusiasm and determination, with leadership and teamwork in abundance.
AFLW veteran Dana Hooker said the pre-season camp is a great way to help the team bond ahead of the upcoming season.
“It’s been a really great opportunity to get all the girls together away from the track and the gym and try something a little bit different while we’re working on our relationships,” Hooker said.
“It’s been fantastic for the girls, everyone is working really hard and it’s another layer of getting to know each other and pushing each other in different environments.”
With the majority of last season’s squad retained, Hooker said it allows the players to go deeper with their relationships.
“Having the group together and building on the foundations that we had last year, with the retention of the players and adding in Amy (Franklin) as well, it’s been really nice,” Hooker said.
“It means for the first time since I’ve been at the club, we’ve been able to actually just continue to build on our relationships rather than feeling like we’re starting from new with our playing group.
“It just allows us to go deeper with our ball movement structure with football and just our general relationships with one another and understanding what makes each other tick.
“Building on that has made a huge difference and the morale amongst the group has been really great, it’s a nice feel and it gives us good hope and prospects for the season to come.”
Only weeks into the pre-season, Hooker said the team has raised the bar with their effort and output and will continue to build as the new season approaches.
“We’ve been working incredibly hard on the track and in the gym,” Hooker said.
“We’ve raised the standards again this year, the way we’re training and what we’re executing has taken a massive step forward, we’re wrapping our heads around the game plan with some minor tweaks from last year, but feeling really positive.
“What we’re putting out on the track is a good indicator of moving in the right direction for us a team and hopefully that will translate really well in the season.”
