With the North Queensland Cowboys in Cairns for their pre-season game against the New Zealand Warriors, it gave Apple Pope a chance to be involved with how an elite NRL team prepares for a game. Thanks to Spinner Howlands childhood friend, Glen Murphy, who is the athletic performance manager for the Cowboys, Apple spent about 5 hours with the Cowboys that also included a fitness and weight session with legendary players Matt Bowen, Paul Bowman and Strength and Conditioning coach, Billy Johnstone.

Apple did well given the long travel and less than perfect nutritional intake over the last four days as he joined the team for an intense gym session that ended in some personal stretching and flexibility tips from Billy Johnstone who is a legend within the sport as a strength and conditioning coach. Spinner Howland took part in the session at a "very ordinary" level and was more than happy to look on as Apple was turned into a human pretzel.