North Melbourne hits the Surf Coast ahead of 2023 season

THERE was an abundance of Kangaroos on Ellimatta Reserve in Anglesea on Monday morning, as North Melbourne AFL footballers travelled from Melbourne to the Surf Coast.

New Kangaroos head coach Alistair Clarkson gathered his team at Anglesea Football Club for a three-day training camp to start preparations for the 2023 season.

Key forward Nick Larkey said it was great to see his new coach in action and a great idea to head to the Surf Coast away from the hustle and bustle of Melbourne.

“We’re only a couple hours in with a training session under our belt, but I know Clarko has done the Kokoda trip in the past, so I hope he doesn’t condense a two-week trip into three days,” Larkey said.

“It’s definitely a team bonding thing we are doing here with everyone getting together and getting to know one another.”

The Roos conducted several running, positional, and whole group drills over the span of three hours on Monday, the first of two main sessions to occur during the week.

North Melbourne were based out of RACV Torquay Resort during their time on the Surf Coast, but Larkey said noticing local junior footballers in attendance was great to see for him.

“I don’t have any family down here, no, but it’s good to see some keen Roos fans, even in Anglesea we still have some committed fans.

“Most clubs do something each year, but I think it’s a good chance to get away, it is a bit more old school for the Roos coming down to Anglesea, so it’s all about the experience rather than where we go.

“Torquay RACV has been good to us and of course to have the Anglesea Footy Club hosting us again, we’re really grateful.”

Ellimatta Reserve has been a location of pre-season camps for the North Melbourne Football Club dating back to the 1980s.