Read what our Saints Academy got up to on Day 11 of their tour of Australia, whilst you can also follow a link to watch the match highlights following the boys' unfortunate defeat to the Sydney Roosters on Wednesday.
We headed into the city to the famous Sydney Cricket Ground for our usual team photo this morning. As the lads were getting prepared, shaving and grooming, Ethan Bradbury was overheard saying, “I’m happy with my hair, it doesn’t look too bad given I haven’t got a hairdryer….” the problem with today’s academy players ….
Whilst still at the SCG we were made very welcome by top AFL club, the Sydney Swans. The cricket ground is also their HQ, home stadium and training base. We had the sport, the club and it’s history explained to us as we were guided all through their facilities and had free bob hats given to the boys which may have earned them a few more supporters!
Lunch in the city followed, and a massage for one or two of the boys, before we headed over to the venue for Sunday’s game – the Mascot Oval, for today’s training session.
The boys trained long and hard covering, skill drills, tackle technique, wrestle, marker defence, kick pressure and some individual positional specific drills as we look to make improvements before the game against South Sydney.
Straight from training we headed down to Wollongong, to the WIN Stadium to watch the International match between Australia and New Zealand.
The entertainment on the long bus trip was unreal, provided by Birthday boy Cole Appleby with his rendition of country road and self professed singer Kian Naylor and his version of Backstreet Boys. Ellis Keppell, John Bennison, Kallum Rodgers were also impressive solo performers.
It was an experience standing on the hill watching Australia beat New Zealand in the Tasman test the boys won’t forget before we headed back on the bus to Penrith.
WATCH: Saints Academy narrowly lose out to Roosters on Day 9 of tour
Day 11...
