Honour. Honesty. Courage. Integrity. Loyalty. Unity.
These were the words that greeted Carlton’s first and second-year players as they entered the grounds of HMAS Cerberus on Tuesday morning.
After arriving at Ikon Park at 7:00am, the young Blues embarked on a journey to the Royal Australian Navy where they spent the day encouraging one another while being put through their paces – recruit style.
Under the command of Navy personnel, the team building session saw the players faced with a series of activities that required teamwork in an unfamiliar environment.
The first of the challenges saw the youngsters enter the Aquatic Centre where they were forced to leave their on-field skills behind to compete under water.
While wearing overalls, the junior Blues were faced with a platform jump as well as a daunting 15-minute water tread.
Despite fatigued legs and a few irritated eyes, they then soldiered on to hit the gym for the morning’s final physical session.
Before joining the Royal Australian Navy trainees for lunch, the players were given a taste of the real-life situations faced by the Navy as they entered a gas-fuelled fire fighting unit.
With the interior replicating a division of a ship, the unit filled with vapour to demonstrate a scenario where forces would be faced with smoke as a result of a fire.
Entry into the unit required specialty clothing and equipment and with no light inside, the communication of the young group was put to the test as they worked as a collective to find their way out.
In the last of the day’s activities, the boys pulled on their harnesses to tackle the rope course where a combination of rock-climbing, tightrope walks and flying fox swings saw them literally taken to new heights in their final challenge of the day.
Here's a selection of Carlton Media's snaps from the outing at HMAS Cerberus:
The players introduce themselves to their commanders. (Photo: Carlton Media)
The Blues practice their platform jump stance on-land before plunging into the pool. (Photo: Carlton Media)
Andrew Gallucci, Charlie Curnow and Jack Silvagni share a laugh post-jump. (Photo: Carlton Media)
Cameron Polson pulls himself out of the pool in heavy overalls. (Photo: Carlton Media)
Samo Petrevski-Seton. (Photo: Carlton Media)
Harrison Macreadie. (Photo: Carlton Media)
The players exit the gas-fuelled fire fighting unit. (Photo: Carlton Media)
A supportive and encouraging young group was on display at each activity. (Photo: Carlton Media)
Jacob Weitering prepares to tackle the high rope challenge. (Photo: Carlton Media)
(Photo: Carlton Media)
