THE clock is ticking … there are 61 days to go.
Players across the country are being pushed through summer torture sessions with the NRL kick-off fast approaching.
Wests Tigers have even taken things to new heights - literally.
"We have installed an altitude chamber at out training base," Tigers coach Tim Sheens said.
"It is where we will be spending a lot of our pre-season."
Sheens has his players training to the point of throwing up in the high-tech 10m-by-10m torture chamber, which simulates training at 10,000 feet above sea level.
Other clubs are taking a more conventional route, but the message is the same - to be ready for season kick-off on March 11.
Clubs face different challenges over summer. Some are rebuilding, others are trying to bed in a key player here and there, while others, like St George Illawarra, are working to ensure there is no premiership hangover.
Every fan starts the new season with hope that this will be the year, and the Roosters' march from last to the grand final in 2010 only fuels that optimism.
South Sydney have dominated off-season headlines with the signing of Greg Inglis, but they have hit a snag as they try to work the Queensland Origin superstar into their line-up.
With St George Illawarra playing in the World Club Challenge, the Rabbitohs have been forced to adjust their trial schedule to accommodate the Charity Shield.
"We will go into the first season match having not played a game for three weeks," Rabbitohs coach John Lang said.
"It is a bit of a problem."
Last season, Souths were blown away by the Roosters in the first round and took weeks to recover.
With the salary cap scandal ripping the club apart, Melbourne Storm face a unique battle after losing Inglis, Brett Finch, Ryan Hoffman, and Brett White.
Despite having to shed players to fit under the salary cap, the Storm have managed to add some much-needed depth to their squad. Souths discard Beau Champion is hoping to fill the breach.
"I am really looking forward to the challenge," Champion said.
"I have already moved down to Melbourne and I am very excited about playing with the likes of Cameron Smith and Billy Slater."
At the Sharks, Jeremy Smith has made a big impression, becoming one of the leaders at training, while former Panthers young gun Wade Graham replaces Trent Barrett at five-eighth.
Even the Roosters believe they will be better with Mark Riddell and Anthony Watts solving one of their few weaknesses from last season - giving them impact out of dummy-half.
THE clock is ticking … there are 61 days to go.
Players across the country are being pushed through summer torture sessions with the NRL kick-off fast approaching.
Wests Tigers have even taken things to new heights - literally.
"We have installed an altitude chamber at out training base," Tigers coach Tim Sheens said.
"It is where we will be spending a lot of our pre-season."
Sheens has his players training to the point of throwing up in the high-tech 10m-by-10m torture chamber, which simulates training at 10,000 feet above sea level.
Other clubs are taking a more conventional route, but the message is the same - to be ready for season kick-off on March 11.
Clubs face different challenges over summer. Some are rebuilding, others are trying to bed in a key player here and there, while others, like St George Illawarra, are working to ensure there is no premiership hangover.
Every fan starts the new season with hope that this will be the year, and the Roosters' march from last to the grand final in 2010 only fuels that optimism.
South Sydney have dominated off-season headlines with the signing of Greg Inglis, but they have hit a snag as they try to work the Queensland Origin superstar into their line-up.
With St George Illawarra playing in the World Club Challenge, the Rabbitohs have been forced to adjust their trial schedule to accommodate the Charity Shield.
"We will go into the first season match having not played a game for three weeks," Rabbitohs coach John Lang said.
"It is a bit of a problem."
Last season, Souths were blown away by the Roosters in the first round and took weeks to recover.
With the salary cap scandal ripping the club apart, Melbourne Storm face a unique battle after losing Inglis, Brett Finch, Ryan Hoffman, and Brett White.
Despite having to shed players to fit under the salary cap, the Storm have managed to add some much-needed depth to their squad. Souths discard Beau Champion is hoping to fill the breach.
"I am really looking forward to the challenge," Champion said.
"I have already moved down to Melbourne and I am very excited about playing with the likes of Cameron Smith and Billy Slater."
At the Sharks, Jeremy Smith has made a big impression, becoming one of the leaders at training, while former Panthers young gun Wade Graham replaces Trent Barrett at five-eighth.
Even the Roosters believe they will be better with Mark Riddell and Anthony Watts solving one of their few weaknesses from last season - giving them impact out of dummy-half.
