The Casey Scorpions have ended their gruelling three month fitness campaign by conquering the second highest peak in Victoria, Mount Feathertop. 

The Casey boys felt very welcomed and were virtually given the keys to the town, such was the hospitality from the Bright Football Club. Bright senior coach Jason Sharp and President Julie Blood welcomed the scorpions and were terrific in opening up their facilities to the Casey boys. The Scorpions trained in 35 degree heat and Coach Peter German was very happy with the standard: “I thought the boys were up, they trained with energy and intent and it was a great way to kick start our weekend”

The Scorpions then hit Porepunkah water hole and went through their recovery session before heading back to camp. From here the players were put into four teams which would see them undertake a series of games and activities over the weekend, with one group ultimately being crowned the winners.

Friday night saw the Scorpions players go through an education session about style of play and team rules, mainly Peter German’s philosophies on coaching. The playing group then supported the Bright Football Club by watching them train whilst enjoying a fantastic meal. It was great to see all the football community of Bright pull together and host a great night. The Bright Under 14’s Cricket side was also set for a treat as 55 Scorpions players and officials watched the twilight 20/20 game unfold. If there was one thing the Scorpions players got out of the weekend it was the fantastic sense of sprit and friendless that the Bright community possessed.

Like most football camps, Saturday morning began with a 6am start. The only directions the players were given was to pack their backpack and two litres of water. The white team had the task of making everyone ration packs the night before, but the players had no idea when they would return to camp.  Once again, the Bright Football Club had arranged a gruelling hike. The destination Mount Feathertop! The peak is 2200m, the round trip would be in excess of 30km and the hike roughly eight hours duration.

Every player that undertook the hike said it was one of the hardest things they have ever done! The hills, the incline and the fact that you had to ration the water made it really tough. Captain Kyle Matthews described it as gruelling but rewarding: “Germo said we would be challenged on the camp, but I had no Idea how hard it would be. At one stage we climbed two kilometres and I swear it was just 90 degrees up”.  Matthews described the hardest element of the climb associated with a lack of water: “At one stage we filled our bottles on the top of the mountain in the smallest flowing water you have ever seen, my bottle had bugs and leaves, but I was so thirsty I didn’t care”. Once on top of Feathertop the players took time to admire the fantastic views and after a brief break the players continued on the journey which saw them make the 16km decline back down to Harrietville. When the players arrived in the township, they got to cool off in a scenic waterhole, which was a well justified break. 

The Scorpions players and officials conquered Mount Feathertop and for the coaching and support staff they were ready for a well deserved break, and for the players, they had to back it up in two hours time for an ‘Amazing Race’ through the township of Bright.

The amazing race was designed by former Carlton/ St Kilda player Mark Buckley. The ironic thing was that Buckley and Casey reserves Coach Peter Brown roomed in Thailand on a St Kilda football trip some 20 years ago. Bucks did a terrific job in running the Bright amazing race, some of the challenges the players faced were crossing a river with a goat on a suspended bridge, ab-sailing down a different bridge and getting to know the Bright community by visiting numerous stores looking for clues and hints to win the amazing race. After the race the Scorpions and Bright Football club had finished all the activities together. It was a sensational 30 odd hours with The Bright Football Club and Senior coach Jason Sharp, Anthony Foubisterand Mark Buckley were all so fantastic in the time and effort they put into the Scorpions.

The playing group weren’t finished just yet however and it was time for a BBQ cook up and team Royal had the duties. They did a stellar job and the players were well feed and ready for the team songs.

The effort put into the team songs was nothing short of outstanding. The players did a great job and made it a hard decision for the judge’s assistant coach Andrew Lacko and runner Paul Basile. For the record, the Navy team won after Kainen Schrape did a fantastic impression of Coach Peter German. The players would use the rest of the evening to relax and recover as the camp was coming to an end.

The morning finished off with a 6am start and then light walk and stretch as the players were still sore from Saturday’s hike. After breakfast the players went back to Porepunkah water hole and did a water session and they then made the four hour journey back home. The weekend proved to be a great starting point to mould the fabric of the group as they begin their assault on the 2009 season.