https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/walker-furious-with-crows-pre-season-camp-leak-20180327-p4z6kw.htmlPlayer divisions have emerged at the Adelaide Football Club, after captain Taylor Walker sent an angry group text message to his teammates on Monday night, demanding to know who leaked information about the pre-season camp.
Fairfax Media understands that several players, including one senior star, are reconsidering their future at the club after being left distraught by the Crows’ pre-season training camp.
While many players had no issue with what took place on the Gold Coast in late January, the camp and subsequent events have left some players questioning the club’s culture.
Walker’s reaction follows what Fairfax Media understands to be a group pact made by Adelaide players that the pre-season camp would not be discussed outside the club’s four walls.
The camp, which began on the Gold Coast in late January, focussed on the training of the mind and saw some players put through emotionally exhausting exercises and scenarios.
Players were ordered to hand in their mobile phones at the beginning of the camp and were told they were not allowed to have contact with family members for the duration.
Although no official complaints have been lodged, the camp has raised the ire of the AFL Players Association, who on Tuesday were attempting to get in contact with as many Adelaide footballers as possible.
“I’m led to believe theirs was quite unique,” former Richmond coach Danny Frawley said on AFL Nation.
“They went to a place in the Gold Coast and they thought they were going there. They had their shorts and they were in a bus and were basically blindfolded for about 24 hours in a bus.
“They were blindfolded and a guy was talking to them. They had food and didn’t know where they were going.
“It was more about the mind than physical … it was in the middle of Australia where they ended up.”
Crows captain Taylor Walker refuted reports that there was anything untoward about the camp and went on to endorse it.
“That camp was one of the most beneficial and rewarding I have been on and advise any of my best mates or family members to do the same thing,” Walker told Triple M.
“Our football club like most other teams is exploring getting an edge in the AFL and that is in the mental space.
“We have been doing that for a couple of years whether that is mindfulness or meditation. Yes there were elements of the camp we delved into on the mental side but we think it is an element we can get an edge over other teams in the competition.”
Collective Minds, the group that ran the camp, referred Fairfax Media to the Adelaide Football Club when contacted for comment.
Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2018 11:39 am
