2024 Senior Men’s Pre-Season Camp

Norwood’s Senior Men’s Squad travelled down to the St Peter’s College Finniss Campus for their pre-season camp last weekend.

The camp included a series of physical exercises, group sessions and discussions, team bonding and team activities across the three-day trip.

First-year assistant coach Jesse Lonergan said it was a positive experience.

“It’s a great opportunity to connect and get to know each other a little better,” he said.

“The boys have been working really hard on the track, it’s been really impressive and we are fit and ready to go, so it’s good to get a camp in at this time of year to keep building that connection within the group.

“Building relationships off-field often translates on-field – the most successful teams at AFL, SANFL and around Australia are the ones that are closest and most connected.

“Night one we had a culture session with Twig (senior coach Jade Rawlings), learning the ‘Norwood Way’ and what it means to be a ‘Norwood Person’.

“Then on Saturday we split into six teams rotating through different activities with a bit of competition on the line. It’s been fun to watch.”

Lonergan has spent the last five seasons playing with Woodville-West Torrens prior to that six seasons with the Gold Coast Suns.

He played 60 AFL games with the Suns, before 54 SANFL games with the Eagles (including the 2020 and 2021 SANFL Premierships).

“This is my first year coaching out of playing – I have played against these (Norwood) guys, so it’s nice to come over here and get to know them better,” he said.

“I have admired this football club from afar, so it’s a great opportunity for me to come over and get into coaching.

“I am not missing the 2km time trials, but loving still being involved in footy.

“It’s been great to get involved with a football club like Norwood, and Twig (Rawlings) has been a great mentor for me.”

Midfielder Jordon Boyle is another new face at the football club, heading to Norwood in 2024 after 71 SANFL games with West Adelaide.

“It’s been a great couple of days, a really good camp,” he said.

“For a new bloke such as myself this camp has been great, getting to know guys on a different level has been awesome.

“I am loving it (being a part of Norwood FC), I am really aligned with the coaching staff, the boys and where we want to go – to get back into finals and really challenge.

“At the stage of my career, that’s what I want to do.”

Norwood Premiership defender Tom Donnelly said the Norwood camp had always left a positive impact on the playing group.

“Clubs run camps in a lot of different ways, but this camp works well for us,” he said.

“Our physical preparation takes care of itself on the track over the last two or three months, so this is more about getting to know each other on that deeper level and getting outside your comfort zone.

“The boys did some relays, dodgeball and ultimate Frisbee which was really heating up.”

Donnelly was bullish on how the side was stacking up, with Round 1 just over a month away.

“Our list is really deep,” he said.

“There’s a lot of boys fighting for positions. We are really healthy and the boys are driving each other and helping each other learn – it’s been really positive.

“I can see us setting up for a big 2024.”

By Josh Teakle, NFC