It was the strenuous three-day camp in the ‘middle of nowhere’ that may just provide the hard edge the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles need when under pressure in season 2023.
Sea Eagles Coach Anthony Seibold took the NRL squad on Monday to the outskirts of Mudgee for an intense 'Mission Readiness Exercise' run by ex-serving Special Forces veterans working for Mission Ready Group.
Australian players Daly Cherry-Evans and Jake Trbojevic, along with new Samoan forward Kelma Tuilagi, cut short their holiday break from the Rugby League World Cup to join their team-mates in a real sense of belonging as they get battle ready for 2023.
“The big pillars for the camp were around being uncomfortable, leadership, team-work, and showing some vulnerability,’’ Seibold revealed.
“The players were sleep deprived, they were physically challenged, and they were cognitively challenged with different activities. It was a pretty relentless 48 hours. It was designed like that.
“We wanted to put the players under physical and mental pressure and to see how they handled that. You don’t know that until you get out into a real game.”
Seibold said the camp was very insightful in terms of discovering new things about the playing group.
“I’ve got a belief that you’ve always got something a little bit more in you. During the tough times over the camp, it was interesting to see how the players reacted,'' Seibold added.
“There were some guys who on Monday night didn’t know how they were going to get through it, but they did because they didn’t want to let their team-mates down.
One of the lessons learnt from talking to the players individually was that they had more in them than they thought
Anthony Seibold
“For guys like Daly and Jake who have had long careers, it was the first time they have ever done a camp like this.
“It was really challenging. I thought their leadership of the group under pressure was certainly one of the positives of the camp.
“It also allowed for some other guys to find their voice. Players were rotated through leadership roles, so guys like Toff Sipley, Taniela Paseka, Reuben Garrick and Brad Parker all had responsibilities as leaders at different times which allowed them to show their abilities and skills.
“Ultimately, it was a test. A lot of the players individually said it was the hardest thing they have ever done.
“I thought that was what we needed to do to test the group. I was really pleased with the way the guys applied themselves.”
Ben Grumley, Director of Mission Ready Group and until recently a Commander in the Australian Special Forces, led the design and conduct of the Mission Readiness Exercise.
“The Sea Eagles squad displayed significant resilience and determination throughout the conduct of the activity,'' Grumley said.
"It was pleasing to witness the leadership potential and surge in camaraderie amongst the team as they pushed through adversity.”
Upon leaving camp, the squad finished their trip off with a team barbecue at Glen Willow Stadium where the Sea Eagles will play Newcastle Knights in April.
