Brumbies face their Demons
The Brumbies attracted an audience with a difference to their training session ahead of Friday's final Super 14 pre-season match against the Hurricanes in Levin.
The Brumbies attracted an audience with a difference to their training session ahead of Friday's final Super 14 pre-season match against the Hurricanes in Levin.
Melbourne Demons head coach Dean Bailey and centre forward Brad Miller manned the touchline at the Brumbies' training session at Griffith Oval, as they prepared to take on the Hurricanes.
The Australian Football League (AFL) franchise are in Canberra for a week-long pre-season camp at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) in the build-up to the 2008 AFL season.
Brumbies coach Laurie Fisher and No.8 Stephen Hoiles were on hand to trade playing jerseys with Bailey and Miller.
The Australians are renowned for their forward thinking, and there is no doubt that the two sporting codes would have derived some benefit during the meeting .
Fisher says dealing with other codes can provide an alternate insight in their own operation.
“We're very fortunate to have some of the world's best sporting technology down the road (at the AIS) and it's no surprise that it attracts people and clubs from all over the world,” he told the Brumbies' official website.
“Like rugby, the AFL and their clubs operate at the highest level of professionalism. Over the years we've met with a number of AFL clubs. I've always found that mixing with their players and coaches has always provided a different perspective and valuable feedback.”
Bailey denied that the session was a cross-code recruitment exercise.
“Although a number of the taller guys would probably have the height to make a go as a ruckman,” he said.
“During the year everyone is so focused on the task at hand that there isn't time to see how other teams go about their business.
“The Brumbies have a reputation as one of best rugby programmes in the world and we saw this as a great chance to see how they do things in Canberra at this time of the year,” Bailey said on brumbies.co.au.
Friday's match is the last chance for Fisher to get his combinations right before the Brumbies take on the Crusaders in Christchurch in the opening round of the Super 14.
The Brumbies will be without the services of the legendary halfback pairing of George Gregan and Stephen Larkham, who have left Australian shores for Toulon and Japan respectively.