By reports, and photos, the slimming down of both Max and Jesse strikes as quite dramatic. To the point where it's not just a case of being super-fit (surely they haven't arrived at this ideal shape through sheer hard will while others in the past haven't put in enough) but a deliberate different re-direction in body-shape. Both you'd ordinarily think could do with retaining some extra heft in their usual respective roles. I think something is on the cards re. our game-plan/their respective roles. ? 

16 minutes ago, Skuit said:

By reports, and photos, the slimming down of both Max and Jesse strikes as quite dramatic. To the point where it's not just a case of being super-fit (surely they haven't arrived at this ideal shape through sheer hard will while others in the past haven't put in enough) but a deliberate different re-direction in body-shape. Both you'd ordinarily think could do with retaining some extra heft in their usual respective roles. I think something is on the cards re. our game-plan/their respective roles. ? 

Can't see any other reason for it.

They looked ripped don't they?

Pagans paddock role for Jesse?

 

Dion J is no whippet though. Quite sizeable through the guns. Hope he can play.

13 hours ago, brendan said:

Speaks really well doesn’t he, I’m calling it he will be in our leadership group next year 

So if you can speak well you are a leader.  Please excuse my annual rip into the 'Leadership Group' Stuff.  It remains the greatest overrated heap of shite inside football clubs.  So so boring (and pointless)to hear it spoken of, alluded to, referred to etc etc etc.

Vince. Leader.  BANG! Suspended.

Lewis.  Leader.  BANG! Suspended.

I couldn't give a [censored] if the players were mute.  As long as they can play.

10 hours ago, Demonland said:

I think that the lighting in that photo makes him look thinner. Once the levels in the photo have been adjusted it tells a different story. He does seem a little thinner but perhaps he is fitter. 

Thinner and fitter, yes.

And a tan The Donald would be happy with!

Looks like an increased running role is expected for Jesse. About time, too. For Max, he can now get higher and higher for the ball.

4 hours ago, Skuit said:

By reports, and photos, the slimming down of both Max and Jesse strikes as quite dramatic. To the point where it's not just a case of being super-fit (surely they haven't arrived at this ideal shape through sheer hard will while others in the past haven't put in enough) but a deliberate different re-direction in body-shape. Both you'd ordinarily think could do with retaining some extra heft in their usual respective roles. I think something is on the cards re. our game-plan/their respective roles. ? 

Roaming CHF... arousing. 

5 hours ago, Skuit said:

By reports, and photos, the slimming down of both Max and Jesse strikes as quite dramatic. To the point where it's not just a case of being super-fit (surely they haven't arrived at this ideal shape through sheer hard will while others in the past haven't put in enough) but a deliberate different re-direction in body-shape. Both you'd ordinarily think could do with retaining some extra heft in their usual respective roles. I think something is on the cards re. our game-plan/their respective roles. ? 

Well he does need to become more of a peak Roughhead that can run anywhere in the front half and be a central moving focus that is as flexible as anyone else. I'd say he was more like Cloke or Hawkins this year ie waiting at deep forward and initiating a wrestle duel. Modern game has gone past that style.

Edited November 21, 20177 yr by Deeprived Childhood

25 minutes ago, Deeprived Childhood said:

Well he does need to become more of a peak Roughhead that can run anywhere in the front half and be a central moving focus that is as flexible as anyone else. I'd say he was more like Cloke or Hawkins this year ie waiting at deep forward and initiating a wrestle duel. Modern game has gone past that style.

Spot on, very noticeable over the past season or two that Hawkins has become a liability for the Cats. 

Just as Hogan becomes a liability when he stands within the 50m arc and tries to arm wrestle his 2 or 3 opponents. He occasionally takes a grab but 9 times out of 10, it becomes a loose ball and there is a turnover. Occasionally, Garlett or a small might crumb the pill but not often enough for this to be a good offensive option.  

Did I read the TMac is in the rehab group due to his ankle clean ups? With Jesse slimming down, I'm salivating at the sight of TMac leading out from FF and slotting his straight kicks, while Jesse runs them ragged as a big, strong half fwd. Tommy has such good aerobic strength I can see him getting back to full training as soon as his ankles are up to it. 

As big Kev would say, I'm excited!

4 hours ago, Skuit said:

By reports, and photos, the slimming down of both Max and Jesse strikes as quite dramatic. To the point where it's not just a case of being super-fit (surely they haven't arrived at this ideal shape through sheer hard will while others in the past haven't put in enough) but a deliberate different re-direction in body-shape. Both you'd ordinarily think could do with retaining some extra heft in their usual respective roles. I think something is on the cards re. our game-plan/their respective roles. ? 

Fun to theorise what that might be. We clearly learnt this year while we didnt' have a proper ruckman that you can win clearances while being thrashed in the tap outs but a mobile ruckman can be very effective losing the tap outs but winning around the ground. Perhaps they are transforming Maxy more as a result of that experience.

Patrick Cripps is a 194cm midfielder. Maybe with T Mac, Pedders (rather than Pedo ) eventually Weids in the forward line they are contemplating more of a midfield role. Hawks have done it a bit with Roughy. He certainly has the athleticism to do that. 

Ok, as promised, a few photos from Monday's session.  These are more me being a little self indulgent playing around during the editing process, so they end up being more studies of the players rather than action shots.  Also, please don't get your knickers in a twist over the colours of the jumpers etc... I just amped up the saturation settings, so the blues (in particular) have become much more vivid. 

One more thing that I would appreciate... if anyone feels they would like to share any of the photos here or on other sites (Facebook, Twitter etc), I have no problem with that... but could you please at least acknowledge that the shots were taken by me (that is, attach my name to the post - Tim Fleming NOT Hardtack).  Thanks.

Hope you like them regardless...
 

 

Edited November 21, 20177 yr by hardtack

On 11/21/2017 at 11:50 AM, hardtack said:

Ok, as promised, a few photos from Monday's session.  These are more me being a little self indulgent playing around during the editing process, so they end up being more studies of the players rather than action shots.  Also, please don't get your knickers in a twist over the colours of the jumpers etc... I just amped up the saturation settings, so the blues (in particular) have become much more vivid. 

One more thing that I would appreciate... if anyone feels they would like to share any of the photos here or on other sites (Facebook, Twitter etc), I have no problem with that... but could you please at least acknowledge that the shots were taken by me (that is, attach my name to the post - Tim Fleming NOT Hardtack).  Thanks.

Hope you like them regardless...
 

 

Great pics.  Thanks 'hardtack'.

I noticed there were a couple of players practicing 'the fend off' - also noticed it in club video. 

I wonder if this is a new feature of our training/intent to play as it isn't something our players use often (Harmes a notable exception).  Perhaps the training is a reaction to Dusty's success with it. 

Anyway, good to see it from our players; its another way of being aggressive and getting into opp faces, so to speak.

Edited November 22, 20177 yr by Lucifer's Hero

Had a mate saying that he was driving up Anderson street the other day when what looked like the U22's were training - his wife said - who are they an u18 football side (she apparently was referencing Clayton Oliver, and she doesn't care for football at all)- my mate who is a Collingwood supporter, said he was tracking around 40kmh in the car and he was impressed as they were keeping up ...is this fast??...i just checked Usain Bolts speed over 100m.. 46kmh - eff me - that is quick.

Edited November 22, 20177 yr by Danelska
updated info

2 minutes ago, Danelska said:

Had a mate saying that he was driving up Anderson street the other day when what looked like the U22's were training - his wife said - who are they an u18 football side (she apparently was referencing Clayton Oliver, and she doesn't care for football at all)- my mate who is a Collingwood supporter, said he was tracking around 40kmh in the car and he was impressed as they were keeping up ...is this fast??

"If you take the average speed of the current world 100 m record (Bolt's 9.58 s), you get about 10.44 meters/sec (23.35 miles/hr, 37.58 km/hr). "

Faster than Bolt...so I would say very fast.

Who said we had a slow midfield?

Any players been flamed yet - lack of intensity. Last year's poor trainer won our bf.

 

On 11/20/2017 at 9:45 PM, Demonland said:

 

Magnificent Arms

Edited November 22, 20177 yr by Barney Rubble

2 hours ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

Great pics.  Thanks 'hardtack'.

I noticed there were a couple of players practicing 'the fend off' - also noticed it in club video. 

I wonder if this is a new feature of our training/intent to play as it isn't something our players use often (Harmes a notable exception).  Perhaps the training is a reaction to Dusty's success with it. 

Anyway, good to see it from our players; its another way of being aggressive and getting into opp faces, so to speak.

Interesting. Had wondered for some time why we had so few players using this technique when so many others were doing it.

High profile players like Dusty (the master of the fend off) but also Toby Greene, Joel Selwood, Danger, Sam Mitchell, Ablett etc have been doing it for years. Perhaps these guys just do it more often but it has become a very effective technique. You need to be very strong, but also very quick with the ball.  The bounce off the opponents body, quick leg speed and quick kick is very attacking and aggressive but also team lifting.  

Every time I see it, and again Dusty is the expert, you sit there and think, wow how good was that. Sets an example to his team mates that no-one will stand in the way of his will to win. Almost Barassi like.

Lets hope our guys can do it effectively. 

2 hours ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

Great pics.  Thanks 'hardtack'.

I noticed there were a couple of players practicing 'the fend off' - also noticed it in club video. 

I wonder if this is a new feature of our training/intent to play as it isn't something our players use often (Harmes a notable exception).  Perhaps the training is a reaction to Dusty's success with it. 

Anyway, good to see it from our players; its another way of being aggressive and getting into opp faces, so to speak.

I noticed that, looks like the Dusty is in vogue at the Dees, if you cant have the master (I know!!) teach them the skill. 

The thing is with Dusty’s fend offs most of them are illegal but the umps never penalize him, lost count how many times I seen him push a player in the face 

They’re back on track this morning at 9.30am.

In October 2016 I wrote, in a response to others matters regarding Jesse's style and role:

Watch his awareness of his position on the ground and his willingness to look for and often find good options to deliver. If handled correctly and coached appropriately he will become a great moving forward playing around CHF. The mistaken impression of Jesse is that he is expected to be a big, tough, strong marking forward operating from the goal square. Even the great David Neitz struggled in this role. His greatest strength was his leading and the ability to kick long goals. Jesse's greatest strength will be his ability to move around, win the ball and bring others into the game. His football smarts are exceptional.

It seems that it might finally be happening - Jesse as the mobile forward and no longer the static and vulnerable target. Without Watts to act as the linking player, Jesse will have more scope to fill that role as a mobile target as well as control the forward line. I can see our small forwards, properly instructed and coached, prospering from Jesse's activity.

As for Maxie, if he has also trimmed down then he can perhaps build a bigger tank and get to and dominate more contests as a marking tall.

Hit outs to clear advantage from ball ups and boundary throw ins have become less relevant to game plans as the mauls around the ball prevent players running to receive on a regular basis. If the umpires were instructed to blow the whistle quicker and fewer players could arrive to form a pack then Maxie, with his fitness and ability to get to the contest, could become more influential. Needs a supporters' campaign to force the AFL to reduce congestion on the ground.

8 hours ago, Whispering_Jack said:

They’re back on track this morning at 9.30am.

And, not an intrepid DL reporter to be found within a bull's roar...!!

On 11/21/2017 at 5:53 AM, Skuit said:

By reports, and photos, the slimming down of both Max and Jesse strikes as quite dramatic. To the point where it's not just a case of being super-fit (surely they haven't arrived at this ideal shape through sheer hard will while others in the past haven't put in enough) but a deliberate different re-direction in body-shape. Both you'd ordinarily think could do with retaining some extra heft in their usual respective roles. I think something is on the cards re. our game-plan/their respective roles. ? 

...kinda looks like all-game mobility is the go for the game plan...both are better at that style of play and more useful, too, in that style of play and yes, setting examples might be a very good interpretation. I think I like it.

I think with Lever on board, there's no doubt TMac will be playing more time forward, and he is definitely better closer to goal. That means Jesse will play more CHF, which he is more suited to anyway, but that means increased endurance, hence the slimming down.

That's just my guess.

 

1 hour ago, Vagg said:

And, not an intrepid DL reporter to be found within a bull's roar...!!

Looks like they've all battened down the hatches in readiness for tonight's draft.