Unlike other guests staying at the luxurious Emirates Palace, Dave Ellard and his teammates begin their mornings before sunrise with a grueling beach grappling session at 6am.
The brutal sessions include a range of physical drills including commando roles and crab walking, as well as numerous tackling and grappling exercises.
The club will place a great deal of importance on grappling work throughout its pre-season in a bid to improve their intensity at the contest and aggression on the ball carrier.
Dave Ellard took some time out of his training schedule to speak to carltonfc.com.au.
How does grappling training compare to other training that you do?
It's a total different level of fitness. It doesn't get easier no matter how much you do of it. Sand makes everything a lot harder and JD makes us run in and out of water in between sessions. Rolling in sand is not comfortable.
What is the toughest drill?
Commando crawls are by far the toughest drill. No matter how well we do them, we always end up doing an extra set as penalties. It is also always the last drill that we do, when everyone is spent and every muscle in your body aches.
How much of it is mental strength?
Getting out bed at 5.30am each morning puts your mind in a pretty negative space, so its a big thing to get yourself up and about. Getting punishments for not doing something right is pretty tough, but it forces the boys to get each other through, which is something you can't do on your own. Although it's tough, knowing you're all going through it together builds comradery between teammates. You certainly earn respect from the rest of the boys.
How will it help you next season?
It will definitely help with the pressure counts and of course make us all mentally stronger. We are pushing really hard, every part of our bodies ache but if we put in the work now it will pay off later.
Who is really performing well?
AJ has really stepped up. He has been really vocal and goes about his business and doesn't complain, just gets job done and helps other boys get through. All the boys are doing well though; everyone has stepped up and we are all pushing each other to get through the sessions. I think it shows a fair bit of character to get through what we've done and shows we are heading in right direction for next season.
