Roy Ward - The Age
When the Melbourne Storm sign a player, they tell him to bring his steel-capped boots.
Since 2004, the Storm have sent new players to spend two weeks labouring on building sites while they continue pre-season training.
Last Monday the club sent nine newcomers to work with various trusted builders. The program has become an institution at Storm and a test of character.
For two weeks the players do a 5.15am gym session at AAMI Park and then head out to their work site for a 7am-3pm work day, before heading back to the club for a training session at 4pm.
The Storm began pre-season training late last week with their annual induction program and that involved the nine players receiving briefings and information about what to expect on the building site and how to prepare themselves, including the need to prepare their lunch and have their boots and work clothes ready.
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