While cross-town rivals Port Adelaide slog it out in Dubai, Gold Coast breathes the thin air of Arizona and a selection of Essendon players do likewise in Colorado, the Crows are seeking to impress new coach Phil Walsh on Max Basheer Reserve.
The intensity has clearly stepped up from past seasons, not just because players are hoping to win Walsh over but because of Walsh himself.
He's a man with an incredible work ethic and after a few years of what the club described as "mediocrity" he's determined to instill elite standards and habits in his squad.
As a result there's absolutely no hiding at Crows' training.
Coaches wear microphones up and Walsh's booming orders are impossible to miss.
Mackay has played under both Neil Craig and Brenton Sanderson at West Lakes but told AFL.com.au there was no comparison with Walsh's uncompromising approach to training.
"Phil's really hard on everyone, but that's what we expect as players in this industry," Mackay said.
"The training intensity and standards that we're trying to hold each other accountable to mean that they're going to be tough sessions and a really tough program.
"He's pretty intense when he needs to be – when we're out training or doing any sort of preparation as a team we're full-bore and that's the way it's going to stay.
"We've embraced it and looked to make sure that when we get to the start of the season we're at a point where our training is at an elite level and it's habitual, which will really help us compete."
Like so many of his teammates, Mackay looks back on his 2014 with a determination to improve his form.
The 26-year-old was one of the club's more consistent performers, but he said he fell away in the second half of the season – partly due to injury – as he suffered two bouts of concussion and a hamstring strain.
"The footy I played early on last year was the standard I wanted to maintain and unfortunately I wasn't able to do that in the back half of the year with a few injuries and inconsistencies," he said.
"I'd love to be able to consistently bring my best and that influential impact on games.
"That's something I'll really be focusing on, also just improving the aspects of my play that might go unnoticed but they're team aspects."
Crows players have one week of training before breaking for Christmas holidays.
Mackay will fly home to Melbourne next Sunday for some family time before rejoining his teammates on January 5.
Twitter: @AFL_Harry
