Inside the Rebels' Shed of Dread

Thu, Mar 19, 2020, 2:39 AM
Beth Newman
by Beth Newman
The Rebels' Shed of Dread. Photo: Melbourne Rebels Media
The Rebels' Shed of Dread. Photo: Melbourne Rebels Media

A shed that sits alongside Melbounre's Gosch’s Paddock has become the Rebels’ "Shed of Dread".

The Rebels usually do their gym sessions out of Collingwood’s Glasshouse gym, which is owned by the AFL club.

With concerns over coronavirus and cross-infection, the team was forced out of that space and began to look for an alternative.

With no indoor facility, the Rebels set out clearing out the shed and creating a makeshift gym that strength & conditioning manager Shane Lehane has dubbed the “Shed of Dread”.

The “Shed of Dread” is filled with as much gym equipment as they could muster and has spawned a new way of working out for the Rebels players.

Its creation has helped the Rebels keep their regular training schedule intact as they work through the Super Rugby suspension.

The Glasshouse has been replaced by the Shed of Dread. Photo: InstagramMelbourne backrower Michael Wells said the shed hasn’t quite lived up to its intimidating name, but instead generated a bit of healthy competition between the players.

“It’s not that bad, it’s probably a bit more primitive than the guys are used to but it’s good in that way,” he said.

“It takes away all the fluff around gym and makes us focus more on the work itself, it’s a pretty tight facility so instead of forwards and backs or  23 and non-23, we’re in three groups based on positions.

“Being in those smaller groups, we’re really getting more competitive with each other and boys are pushing each other more.”

The Rebels were on their bye week when Super Rugby was cancelled, having not played since beating the Lions a fortnight ago.

Michael Wells says the Rebels are trying to keep everything as normal as possible. Photo: Melbourne Rebels mediaWells said the team were trying to make the most of the extended break, treating it like a mini preseason.

“We’re using this period as an in-season preseason work on things we’ve identified we want to be better on, guys can work individual goals that they set,” he said.

“We’ve had good catch-ups with the coaches, honest conversations about where we are and where we want to be.

“It’s been a good opportunity to reflect on those things and it’s something that we wouldn’t usually have in a season to start with.

“We’re ready to play when that time comes."

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