GIANTS Media’s Ryan Miller takes you behind the scenes of the GIANTS’ round two trip to Perth.
Through a series of photos, this special feature takes you through the preparations that go into an AFL match, starting with the flight to Perth all the way beyond the final siren.
Day 1 - Friday, March 29
8:35am (EDT) – In the Virgin Australia Lounge at Sydney Airport
The GIANTS playing group spend around an hour before each flight relaxing in the Virgin Australia Lounge. Thursday night’s Collingwood v Richmond game is amongst the topics of conversation, while the real-estate pages of the newspaper are often the most sought-after by players.
The hour or so spent in the lounge isn’t just for fun, food and coffee, it’s a chance for players to speak to the coaching staff and hydrate before the long flight to Perth. All players are instructed to wear compression garments to assist with their circulation and recovery during the trip.
Adam Kennedy watches a film and plays a game on his phone in Virgin Australia’s business class. With most of the GIANTS players measuring in at over 190cm, team manager Asha Venkataya tries to book seats with extra legroom, which means a number of players get to enjoy the comfort of business class.
With the team coming off a six-day break, the GIANTS’ Athletic Performance Unit try to find any advantage to aid player recovery. Here Adam Kennedy uses a recovery boot to assist with the circulation in his legs during the long flight. Each player uses the boots for half an hour during the flight.
11:57am (WST) – Touch down at Perth Airport
Upon landing in Perth, it doesn’t take long for it to become apparent how important football is to the city and the entire state of Western Australia. West Coast and Fremantle merchandise is in all stores at the Virgin Australia Terminal and other passengers are wearing Eagles hats or Dockers t-shirts. Perth is the only airport that sees the players swamped by AFL card collectors looking for players to sign their cards. Tim Taranto is one of the many GIANTS to happily sign a card. It’s not just the players who are in high demand but most of the coaches.
12:12pm – On the bus
Mobile phone use has been banned on the GIANTS’ bus in 2019, with the rule being enforced by hulking ruck Dawson Simpson. The reason – to make time for team bonding and to create more banter.
It’s that banter that has first year players Bobby Hill and Jackson Hately smiling on the bus after getting off the plane. Hately was travelling as the emergency while Hill got the opportunity to experience travelling with the team. It was also a chance for Bobby to see his family in Perth for the first time since Christmas.
1:11pm – At the hotel
With the GIANTS checked in to their accommodation in Perth’s CBD, they take the chance to stretch, swim and eat after their flight.
The GIANTS’ players competitiveness knows no rest though, with players competing in games of table tennis or Settlers of Catan.
3:12pm – Captain’s run at Optus Stadium
A bus ride through the city and over The Causeway (a series of bridges over the Swan River that link the CBD to the suburbs of Burswood and Victoria Park) takes the GIANTS to West Coast’s home ground of Optus Stadium.
Players get strapped by trainers, warm up in the rooms by playing soccer or – like Jeremy Cameron - wall tennis before training on the main surface for half an hour. After training the players get a chance to meet the club’s Perth members and supporters.
Following training, the GIANTS return to the team hotel for another swim before a team meeting at 5:15pm and dinner from 5:30pm. Players are allowed a few hours to explore the city or watch the Friday night game in the team hotel before they’re all expected back in their rooms by 9:00pm.
Day 2 – Saturday, March 30
1:32pm – Lunch
After breakfast and the team walk players gather in the team hotel for lunch ahead of their game against West Coast.
Thanks to the three hour time difference with the eastern states, players are able to watch the entirety of the St Kilda v Essendon clash.
3:07pm – Bus to Optus Stadium
The entire travelling party (players and support staff) are now on the bus to Optus Stadium. Beyond the bus seats, a deep-in-thought Bobby Hill, a gum tree and Heirisson Island lays Optus Stadium.
The 60,000-seat stadium, which opened in January 2018 is empty, a sleeping giant. Soon it will burst to life as the state’s biggest football club unveils its fourth premiership flag.
3:15pm – Players arrive
The bus goes deep into the bowels of Optus Stadium and drops the GIANTS playing group to their changerooms.
One of the first duties for all players and many of the football staff is to surrender their mobile phones.
3:49pm – Team meeting
Daniel Lloyd is a vision of focus as head coach Leon Cameron is about to start his team meeting 80 minutes before the first bounce.
The game-plan discussed during Friday night’s meeting will be reiterated before the players begin their warm up.
4:25pm – First warm-up
Heath Shaw looks down the lens of the camera as he stretches during the players' on-field warm up. The stands of Optus Stadium are yet to be filled but the sheer size of the ground and its single roof is on display behind the playing group.
4:45pm – Tomlinson takes a moment
Before each home game, Adam Tomlinson takes a minute to close his eyes and mentally prepare for the day’s action.
4:47pm – Changeroom frenzy
Two minutes later the changerooms are now a hive of activity with players in their guernseys ready to play.
This is a final chance for the players to stretch and get their bodies ready for the physical contact of the game which is now around just 23 minutes away.
4:52pm – Leon’s final words
Head coach Leon Cameron gives his final instructions to the team inside their locker room.
There is no one else in the room, just the coach and his 22 players.
4:56pm – GIANTS run onto Optus Stadium
This is it, there’s no more time for talk. The players run onto Optus Stadium for their clash with the Eagles and are met by a stadium of screaming and booing supporters.
6:21pm – Half-Time
The GIANTS are down by 28 points at the main break, but they’re far from out of the contest.
After Leon Cameron addresses the playing group, they break off into their ‘lines’; backline, midfield and forward line. Co-captain Phil Davis is one of the most vocal players in the backline and is busy talking with Nick Haynes before the coaches come out of their meeting and move him forward.
As the players return to the field, they’re incredibly vocal, words of encouragement fill the air as they head back up the race and onto the field of play.
7:46pm – United against racism
Despite the result, the GIANTS and West Coast link arms to stand against racism.
7:49pm – Aftermath
Dawson Simpson takes off his sports tape before the post-match team meeting. After, Adam Tomlinson and Lachie Keeffe debrief.
8:02pm – Media briefing
A disappointed Head Coach meets with the club’s Media Manager Alison Zell to discuss the evening’s events ahead of Leon fronting the media.
8:21pm – Family time
The players – for the most part – are showered and changed after the game. It’s a chance for the players to catch up with their family and friends who attended the game.
Despite the disappointment of defeat Adam Tomlinson is amongst many players who is happy to sign autographs for young fans who are in the rooms.
8:26 – Pack up
A football team needs a team of support staff around them. One of the club’s longest serving employees is Logistics Manger Ady Schwegler. Once the game is done he’s still hard at work, packing up all the equipment that travels with the team.
9:12pm – Happy Birthday Alan McConnell
Director of Coaching and AFLW Head Coach Alan McConnell celebrates his 62nd birthday. The playing group presents the club’s first employee with a cake and sing him happy birthday.
