As expected an obvious rise in intensity was evident from the outset this morning.

The standard was significantly up on the five previous sessions that I've attended.

Of the players who would have been walk up starts for Saturday's match if fit ,who were not training ,were :Junior, Jamar, Robbo, Wheatley, Watts and Rivers.

Today's session was the first time I'd actually seen Jurrah join in all exercises and he was used in strategic plays so he might even get some game time on Saturday (though my money is on him not being selected due to 'conditioning')

Spencer was often used as the go-to man at kick outs, with the crumbers running next to him, for obvious reasons.

IMO the training standouts today were McLean, Valenti, Garland, Aussie (whose skills are sublime for so early in the season) and ... Newton (unlike the weekend's game where he was crap, today he was holding his marks on the lead, and showed agility, strength and interest).

BTW Rivers was walking laps, slowly, but without a limp; Wheatley and Jamar ran laps then went on a bike ride to the local pool (after asking permission); Robbo was running laps and having goal kicking practice, but still appears proppy and somewhat hefty; Junior was not sighted (by me).

Spencer was often used as the go-to man at kick outs, with the crumbers running next to him, for obvious reasons.

joeboy, are we talking about long kickouts?

The short kickout to the back pocket is all too predictable.

The short kick to the pocket is often a last resort/used as a way of kicking over the zone

FEAR THE CHOOKA!!!!!!!!!

God this man will rip it up in 09!!

The short kick to the pocket is often a last resort/used as a way of kicking over the zone

For most teams yes, but it always looked like our first option last year

Did you notice David Loats (ex-Bulldogs & Hawks) apparently the new ruck coach.

Did you notice David Loats (ex-Bulldogs & Hawks) apparently the new ruck coach.

It must be a part-time role, because I read on the weekend that as coach of one of the amateur sides, he's trying to get Shane Crawford to play a few games.

How did Colin Sylvia and Aaron Davey go at training?

How did Colin Sylvia and Aaron Davey go at training?

Sylvia was not as outstanding as he'd been at other sessions , whilst Davey was SMOOOOTH in everything he did.

joeboy, are we talking about long kickouts?

The short kickout to the back pocket is all too predictable.

No , I don't think Spencer is quick enough to drop in short ; the kicks to him were invariably to the flanks .

FEAR THE CHOOKA!!!!!!!!!

Stealing that as my new signature, thanks!

pictures of training

pictures of training

Is that Sam Blease wearing the alternate strip in picture #174365?

Is that Sam Blease wearing the alternate strip in picture #174365?

If you click on any of the images a new widow pops up with an expanded image and full details of who took it and who it is in the picture; yes it is Sam Blease, love the short pants.

Is that Sam Blease wearing the alternate strip in picture #174365?

Yep, If you click on the pics it makes them bigger and tells you who they are.

EDIT: undeeniable beat me to it.

Jurrah has a bit of work to do, even Garland looks big compared to him

Those are actually pictures from Monday's session.

Those are actually pictures from Monday's session.

There were 3 official - looking photographers at training today along with a Fox Sports' vehicle .

There were 3 official - looking photographers at training today along with a Fox Sports' vehicle .

Maybe, all I'm saying is those linked photos are from Monday.

There were 3 official - looking photographers at training today along with a Fox Sports' vehicle .

Zomer looks to be a nice size. Frank Grimes looks to be developing nicely physically. Looking forward to seeing Napoleon Dynamite.

Spencer seems to have a good body size, as does Zomer. Meesen looks awkward in that photo.

Now I know who that impressive looking forward at the intraclub match was - Trent Zomer.

Newton (unlike the weekend's game where he was crap, today he was holding his marks on the lead, and showed agility, strength and interest).

I'm just about done with him... In my opinion he's rather like Bell. I rate Bell quite highly in a number of facets of the game, but as with most peoples' opinions, I reckon both guys have a fatal flaw that occurs above the shoulders. With Juice it could be more in the heart/stomach region... But basically neither will ever be a really good player. At best they'll frustrate, or become all-too-familiar frontrunners when the cream rises over the next 3-5 years.

My hope, as always, is that both get game time and play their best footy. Bell plays 20-odd games in the backline and is regarded as a battling/tough player... something that's within his abilities... Likewise Newton comes out and kicks 30 goals or so. Maybe has a day-out against Freo or something that gets the footy world excited. Then trade both players (ambitious perhaps) to someone like Fremantle who have a history of taking players who look like Tarzan and play like Jane...

Robert's your fathers' brother.

FEAR THE CHOOKA!!!!!!!!!

God this man will rip it up in 09!!

I hope so....

I'm just about done with him... In my opinion he's rather like Bell. I rate Bell quite highly in a number of facets of the game, but as with most peoples' opinions, I reckon both guys have a fatal flaw that occurs above the shoulders. With Juice it could be more in the heart/stomach region... But basically neither will ever be a really good player. At best they'll frustrate, or become all-too-familiar frontrunners when the cream rises over the next 3-5 years.

My hope, as always, is that both get game time and play their best footy. Bell plays 20-odd games in the backline and is regarded as a battling/tough player... something that's within his abilities... Likewise Newton comes out and kicks 30 goals or so. Maybe has a day-out against Freo or something that gets the footy world excited. Then trade both players (ambitious perhaps) to someone like Fremantle who have a history of taking players who look like Tarzan and play like Jane...

Robert's your fathers' brother.

I have, and I reckon always will, dislike Newton. He's a waste of space. I still haven't got over the fact that we have him another 2 years...

Anyway, I'm hoping Zomer and Jurrah come on nicely over the next couple of years so that we don't have to rely on Newton.