New training ground is 5 mins down the street from my place, a few observations from this morning...

Backs -

All defenders named in team were training well, although cheney dropped a few easy marks. Cheney and Bartram working on their short kicking (thank god). Rivers I thought was moving well and showing more pace than usual, better for the new contract I reckon.

Mids -

Watched midfield group working on drills - Scott West handballs to the feet of the player running towards him, player collects the ball while being bumped by one of the trainers and handballs back to Scott West. I noticed how young our inside mids are - Mckenzie, Jones, Scully, Trengove and even moloney - when compared to teams at the top of the ladder...it's an obvious point but I think we shouldn't forget this and in doing so better understand our current position on the ladder. Of all the mids Mckenzie had the cleanest hands and quickest handball, so impressed with Jordie. Although we all get excited when young players show potential, Jordie is beyond potential, 24 touches and 7 clearances last week, if he was a top ten draft pick he would have a rising star nom by now.

Forwards -

During Training drills, PJ (aaaarrgghhh), Jurrah, Watts, Sylvia and Bate were playing out of the goal square. All were moving well and both Jurrah and Watts are clearly starting to look like senior footballers as far as body shape goes. Col Sylvia in particular was moving well and kicking beautifully in the wind - looking for a big game from him.

Rucks -

Jamar and PJ worked on ruck set plays, and dare it be said, PJ was actually moving well. I reckon Jamar is just struggling a bit after a big year alone in the ruck, and I wouldn't be surprised if we play two rucks for the rest of the season in order to protect the Russian from burn-out.

Casey

Blease, Tapscott, Warnock, Morton, Gawn, Mcnamara, Bell, Martin all trained seperately from the main group. Blease had his right calf strapped, but was moving okay and was doing stretches with Matty Warnock. Not sure exactly why Warnock has fallen out of favour, I guess he doesn't really run and carry the ball, but he looked pretty low key. I was amazed at how young Morton still looks. I actually think playing Morton in the twos is not a bad idea...he already has nearly fifty games under his belt at senior level, and in his first two seasons hardly had to earn his spot. It's a good situation for the dees to really get him to earn his senior selection (even if his talent is obvious).

Omissions/Injured

I couldn't see Jack Fitzpatrick out there, or Rohan Bail. Jimmie McDonald was running around, but not fully kicking through the ball, but shouldn't be too far away. Tommy Mac looks close to returning and Max Gawn had very clean hands during handball drills and looks good. Stef Martin (if it was him, no number on his back) was very laid back and seems a way off from of senior selection. No sign of Hughes or Newton, or Miller now that I think of it...but Wonna was moving fine, his right shoulder strapped after his hit on the weekend. Casey might be short of a few in the forward line this week.

Other notes...

Addam Maric was moving well, training with the senior group. He looked quick and his foot skills were impressive...I wouldn't be half surprised if we doesn't come into the team this week even though named as en emergency, perhaps for Cheney who didn't look that flash out there. He hasn't impressed at senior level, Maric, but we need to see what he has to offer in the coming weeks. Jurrah looked very good, although I think we might struggle in the second half as his fitness is tested. Brad Gotch is nearly a midget. Overall, the boys looked good, if not being overly vocal, they certainly were focussed.

Cheers.

Edited July 10, 201015 yr by Bhima

Great work. Thanks for that

Gee thanks Bhima, didn't know there was a training session today. Much appreciated.

Thanks heaps for that

The three emmergencies (Bail, Maric and Jetta) trained with the main group.

Big Kev... emergencies will always train with the main group before game day just in case they are recalled.

On Miller... a "tweet" from him today states he has a back complaint. Big loss for Casey.

Can't wait for the game tomorrow arvo - it'll be massive and is a must win for both teams in order to rack up amount of games won!!

CHeers for the update Bhima!

Casey

Blease had his right calf strapped, but was moving okay and was doing stretches with Matty Warnock.

I wasnt there this morning but i assume this strapping was actually around the area of Sam's broken leg as the usual procation as opposed to calf strapping.

Thanks for a good update tho

New training ground is 5 mins down the street from my place, a few observations from this morning...

Can I come and live at your place plz!!!

Big Kev... emergencies will always train with the main group before game day just in case they are recalled.

On Miller... a "tweet" from him today states he has a back complaint. Big loss for Casey.

Can't wait for the game tomorrow arvo - it'll be massive and is a must win for both teams in order to rack up amount of games won!!

CHeers for the update Bhima!

Bhima stated he/she didn't see Bail.

Bail trained. He was hard to spot because he wasn't wearing his own number.

Thanks for reports guys

Thnks heaps, Very much appreciated.