A busy Melbourne Storm have fitted in plenty over the first two days of the club's pre-season camp on the Sunshine Coast.
With Queensland turning on some pleasant weather for the squad, Storm made the trip from Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast on Monday morning, following the club's trial match against the Bulldogs at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday.
Travelling to Alexandra Headland Surf Life Saving club later that afternoon, the playing group were treated to a recovery session of a different kind at Alex Beach.
Thumbs up from #mahedinmelbourne on a balmy evening at Alexandra Headland Surf Life Saving Club #purplepride pic.twitter.com/310YzdgU2Y
— Melbourne Storm (@storm) February 24, 2014After receiving some instructions and a quick tutorial, the players hit the water to try their hands in the surf. Returning to shore, local fans got the chance to meet plenty of Storm players, with Queensland State of Origin trio, Cameron Smith, Billy Slater and Cooper Cronk proving as popular as ever. The group was then were treated to a BBQ dinner at Alex Surf Club to conclude the night.
Storm hit the surf at Alex
Sights and Sounds: In the surf
Where’s Billy? Plenty of fans here in Maroochydore eager to meet our fullback #purplepride pic.twitter.com/WfWoMlmDAO
— Melbourne Storm (@storm) February 24, 2014A morning of meetings, training and media requirements followed on Tuesday for Melbourne before the club travelled to Maroochydore Junior Rugby League club for a fan day and training. Storm received a brilliant reception in Maroochydore as the players were put through their paces by coaching staff out on the training track.
In pictures: Maroochydore Fan Day
The session finished with an opposed session against Rugby League Sunshine Coast's 2014 Mal Meninga Cup squad, providing a great experience for the young local rugby league talent.
We've arrived at Maroochydore JRLC and the boys have begun the warm up #purplepride https://t.co/kX2ZfPH4IH
— Melbourne Storm (@storm) February 25, 2014Perfect night for training here in Maroochydore. Kenny Bromwich gets the session underway #purplepride pic.twitter.com/78cU51Fzpk
— Melbourne Storm (@storm) February 25, 2014Like at Alex Surf Club the night before, local Storm and rugby league supporters got the chance to meet and greet their heroes following training with a signing session held inside the club rooms.
The trip to Twin Waters follows on from the club's camp in Mooloolaba during the latter stages of the 2012 season.
"We've only been here a couple of days, but we've been up here before," Storm Coach Craig Bellamy said when talking to the media on Tuesday evening.
"We stayed at Mooloolaba at the end of 2012 so that ended up being a good trip for us."
The change of scenery and conditions from their AAMI Park base were bigger factors as any in deciding to make the trip north to the Sunshine Coast according to Bellamy.
"Its really enjoyable for all the players to be in a different environment, especially an environment like this where the beach is just down the road," Bellamy said.
"It is somewhere different so they've really enjoyed it so far and I'm sure the next couple of days will be the same."
Sunshine Coast Media - Craig Bellamy, WATCH here.
