On Monday 8 February, Collingwood’s new draftees including Tom Young, Ben Sinclair, Josh Thomas, Tom Hunter and Jack Carter accompanied head coach Mick Malthouse and other football support staff to Lorne for the annual First Year Players’ camp.

Upon arrival, the group were involved in activities including a one-kilometre swim along Lorne point, surfing, surf boat rowing and surf skiing. The day was completed with a BBQ where the players and football staff participated in informal discussions around the dinner table to get to know each other on a personal level.

The following morning the players were challenged by Mick to find their way through a 25-kilometre trek through the Otway Range. The hike took most of the day, with activities in the surf and discussions around the dinner table once again rounding out the day.

The boys spent Wednesday morning on a four-hour fishing charter where their angling expertise was surprisingly adequate. They all had their moments with Jack Carter landing the biggest, Tom Young landing the most colorful (clown fish - see picture) and Josh Thomas bagging out!

As a leap of faith, the youngest of the brigade, Tom Young (18 in April - NSW license) negotiated the winding Great Ocean Rd and drove the mini bus home to the Lexus Centre.