THERE'S a lot happening behind the scenes to get the Canberra Raiders ready for the weekend.
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Ahead of the round eight clash, a Canberra Raiders spokesman has given some insight about how the team gets ready for its Saturday's game against the Penrith Panthers.
The Raiders have about 31 people travelling to Wagga via bus - 19 players and 12 staff members accompanying them.
This includes the club's football manager, head coach, assistant coaches, physiotherapists, performance staff and the club doctor, who is making the trip on game day.
"They left on the bus on Thursday morning and headed straight to Paramore Park for the Mortimer Shield where they will meet the kids participating," the spokesman said.
The spokesman said preparing the site for game day was a massive task that required two trucks of equipment.
"The trucks are bringing signage and equipment like goal post pads for the game itself. All that stuff needs to be aligned with our sponsorship," he said.
In addition to the trucks, the team has a van of gear, typically used for its away games.
"It has playing kits, two sets of jerseys - one for back up just in case it gets ripped in the game. We also have training equipment from cones, balls, hit pads and shields," the spokesman said.
"The medical staff also bring their own gear like strapping tape and massage benches. The team has two massage therapists coming with us for the guys to have a massage in preparation for the game."
The spokesman said the players do not have individual rooms at the hotel, they always share.
"Logistically, it's too hard to get them in their own rooms. So, it's two guys per room," he said. "We work it around personality and sleep requirements - there's no night owls with early sleepers.
"It's a working process for the first few weeks of the season, but once we figure it out the pairings stay the same."
The spokesman said nutrition was important for the players and majority of meals are prepared by the hotel.
"We've told them our requirements and eat most meals there, but we have the occasion where the group has meals away from the hotel," he said.
The spokesman said the players will have their first training on Friday, which was a chance to test out the field.
The Wagga City Council has been responsible for bring the field up to competition standard.
'We have training tomorrow and we will get a run, but from all reports they have done a great job," he said.
On the whole, the spokesman said the Wagga game will be treated like every other away game.
"They are a bit more excited because we like going to a country venue. It is different than what we are use too," he said.
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