THE AFL probably encouraged Essendon to hold its community camp in North Sydney in the hope it might convert a few of the league-loving locals, but yesterday it was the Victorians who were converted.
Kevin Sheedy's boys headed to Narrabeen where they were put through a two-and-a-half hour training session by the Manly Sea Eagles at the NSW Academy of Sport.
The AFL visitors were given a crash course in league-approved tackling, stepping and power lifting.
A wrestling drill was high spirited and keenly fought. The Bombers tended to come off second best, although Adam McPhee was predictably reluctant to give up the ball.
Essendon assistant coach Gary O'Donnell said the exercise was an eye-opener for his players.
"Those league boys are big fellas," O'Donnell said. "Big and strong and I think our boys were a little bit intimidated by the size of them and some of the weights they were throwing around in the gym."
The Sydney Swans will find out just how much Essendon have learned from the experience when the teams meet at North Sydney Oval tonight. Both Sheedy and Sydney coach Paul Roos say they will trial the young crop.
"It is very important for our club because we have lost quite a number of senior players in the last two to three years," Sheedy said yesterday.
"We are excited by a couple of younger players we have got who have been waiting to play."
Roos was of a like mind: "I think the key for us, as Sheeds was saying, is the younger players.
"Our group knows that if you play well in this game you get a game in the Wizard Cup and that then sets you up to play possibly in round one."
Kevin Sheedy's boys headed to Narrabeen where they were put through a two-and-a-half hour training session by the Manly Sea Eagles at the NSW Academy of Sport.
The AFL visitors were given a crash course in league-approved tackling, stepping and power lifting.
A wrestling drill was high spirited and keenly fought. The Bombers tended to come off second best, although Adam McPhee was predictably reluctant to give up the ball.
Essendon assistant coach Gary O'Donnell said the exercise was an eye-opener for his players.
"Those league boys are big fellas," O'Donnell said. "Big and strong and I think our boys were a little bit intimidated by the size of them and some of the weights they were throwing around in the gym."
The Sydney Swans will find out just how much Essendon have learned from the experience when the teams meet at North Sydney Oval tonight. Both Sheedy and Sydney coach Paul Roos say they will trial the young crop.
"It is very important for our club because we have lost quite a number of senior players in the last two to three years," Sheedy said yesterday.
"We are excited by a couple of younger players we have got who have been waiting to play."
Roos was of a like mind: "I think the key for us, as Sheeds was saying, is the younger players.
"Our group knows that if you play well in this game you get a game in the Wizard Cup and that then sets you up to play possibly in round one."
