As he drove to those wintry, mid year training sessions throughout 2016, Cale Hooker admits there were times he questioned if it was all worth it.
But the camaraderie of the playing group and taking some time to freshen the mind and body ensured he remained in peak condition for his return to the Bombers.
Hooker has been back training at the Club for three weeks and produced a near personal best in the pre-season time trial.
“It’s obviously very exciting, it’s great to be back, there has been a great vibe around the Club,” he said.
“There were some times we were driving out to St Bernard’s and you sort of thought ‘why am I driving out here today, is this really what its come to?’”
“I think just being in that group environment, sticking together and just enjoying training for what it was and then going off and doing other things – I found it really healthy having that training.
“It has held us in good stead and now we’re feeling really good going into the pre-season.”
From the players, to the staff, to the members – Hooker says he can sense the excitement and anticipation building throughout the whole Club.
“I can see the improvement in all of these young players coming back so it sort of feels like a better Club,” he said.
Hooker was sent into the forward line midway through 2015 and ended the year with 21 goals.
The All-Australian defender is happy to leave the decision on where he lines up in 2017 to the coaching staff.
“I’ve been training with the forwards and really enjoying the challenge of learning a new position and helping out the younger guys down there,” he said.
“We’ll just have to wait and see throughout the year but I think if I can start well down there, they might keep me down there.”
It could be a new look line-up in attack for the Bombers in 2017.
Hooker's return alongside recruits James Stewart and Josh Green provides more options for John Worsfold.
While ruckmen Tom Bellchambers and Matthew Leuenberger could also be rotated through the forward 50.
“That’s one of the positives to come out of the year – Orazio’s bobbed up, Joey’s improved, we’ve got Tommy (Bellchambers) coming back in, hopefully ‘Stewie’ (James Stewart) can hold down a spot, Walla – we’ve got a lot more options,” Hooker said.
“That’s what we’re going to need if we’re going to be able win games, we’re going to need some strong attacking options.”
By the time round one comes around next season, Hooker and his fellow returning players would have completed a 'pre-season' that began in November 2015.
Given that length of time, it's little wonder he's counting down the days until the Bombers season opener against Hawthorn.
"I'm looking forward to games starting that's for sure," he said.
"It has been a long pre-season for us, the body is feeling great but I'm looking forward to that competitive side and getting out there and getting amongst the fans and getting into it."
