The Collingwood entourage included eight draftees, head coach Michael Malthouse, high performance manager and psychologist Simon Lloyd, development manager Luke Beveridge and sports science director David Buttifant.
“This is an annual trip we take with the first-years to remove them from the club and spend some quality time with them,” Lloyd told Collingwoodfc.com.au.
“The core objective is to focus on what’s expected from them this year and explain to them what it takes to be an elite AFL footballer.
“It gives a chance for Mick to understand the personalities of the new recruits and who they are as individuals.”
The players included Steele Sidebottom (overall pick 11) Dayne Beams (29), Jarrad Blight (45), Luke Rounds (46), Tristan Francis (rookie pick 11) , Jaryd Blair (27), John Bennell (42) and Scott Reed (78).
The getaway included the Magpie contingent hiking through Point Nepean National Park and kayaking along the Point Nepean coastline.
"I was impressed by the strength and endurance shown by the boys," Beveridge told Collingwoodfc.com.au after the camp.
"They have a strong bond that was evident during the camp."
Monday evening was spent in the Portsea Pub with the coaches questioning the players on various aspects of their lives.
Malthouse took this opportunity to test the players by throwing them questions that included “Who is going to play the first senior game out of the group?” and “Who will play the most games this season?”
Lloyd focused his questions on who the players respected the most out of the entire playing group.
"The results were telling. We were able to deduce who could be a potential leader at the club."
The group also heard from Buttifant who ranked them on a scale from one to ten on their physical levels and where they need to be in order to be selected for a senior match.
The camp continued on Tuesday morning when the entire group boarded a charted boat for a fishing expedition.
“We broke up into two teams and scored points on what type of fish you caught and how heavy it weighed.
“This exercise showed the coaching group who works well with each other in unusual situations.
“I learned that this group of young players has a strong desire to succeed while being very honest and supportive of one another.”
Jarryd Blair, Steele Sidebottom and Tristan Francis had a hand in hauling in a catch.
The group kayaked in pairs down the Point Nepean coast from Sorrento to the Port Phillip Heads.
