The players arrived at Stein Eriksen Lodge on Friday afternoon local time (Saturday morning Melbourne time), greeted by temperatures below zero.
After a traveling stretch that included a 14-hour flight to Los Angeles, followed by a five hour stopover, a two-hour flight to Salt Lake City and finally a one hour bus ride, the opportunity to rest was welcomed.
“It’s a little bit cold and the travel knocks you around a bit, but we are really looking forward to getting our teeth stuck into it and into full training,” Michael Firrito told NMFC.com.au.
“The attack of the boys on these trips is first class and the intensity is second to none. It’s also a great opportunity to get to know the new boys.”
Nick Dal Santo and Robin Nahas joined the team for the first time, while Geoff Walsh (Director of Football), Leigh Tudor (assistant coach) and Ben Dyer (development coach) were also among the travelling party.
The physical side of the camp begins tomorrow, but for many players the challenge of sleeping at high-altitude with reduced oxygen is a battle in itself; Firrito on the other hand is welcoming a change of scenery.
“I normally have a very average sleep the first couple of nights here, but I’ve had about eight weeks of broken sleep (with baby Lenny) so I’m looking forward to it,” he joked.
NMFC.com.au will be there every step of the way as the team spends the next three weeks in Utah.
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