I've managed to work out a way to take some time off work and I'm heading off to Cranbourne East to watch the boys at training.

Particularly looking forward to seeing them for the first time since the drafts.

I'll try to report on some of the activities at Casey Fields and have a full report with pictures tonight or over the weekend.

I've managed to work out a way to take some time off work and I'm heading off to Cranbourne East to watch the boys at training.

Particularly looking forward to seeing them for the first time since the drafts.

I'll try to report on some of the activities at Casey Fields and have a full report with pictures tonight or over the weekend.

Great work, report will be appreciated by those of us who are desk bound.

Looking forward to your report WJ, particularly interested to hear how Jordan Gysberts is going too. Cheers

Looking forward to your report WJ, particularly interested to hear how Jordan Gysberts is going too. Cheers

I can dispell the rumours about Aussie not returning because he is out there and looking in reasonably good nick for someone whose pre season has been disrupted.

Robert Campbell and Lynden Dunn are walking laps.

Liam Jurrah moves like a cat.

Colin Sylvia training beautifully.

Jack Spencer is bigger and surprisingly, looks better co-ordinated than in the past.

Hot,windy,and overcast as I'm reporting live via IPod.

Obviously no Frawley, Dunn walking laps, Watts running laps, Campbell looking extremely unfit but enthusiastically running a handball drill with some newbies.

Wona , Tapscott , Petterd training with main group, whilst interestingly Spencer and Blease were paired up for centre bounce work.

Hot,windy,and overcast as I'm reporting live via IPod.

Obviously no Frawley, Dunn walking laps, Watts running laps, Campbell looking extremely unfit but enthusiastically running a handball drill with some newbies.

Wona , Tapscott , Petterd training with main group, whilst interestingly Spencer and Blease were paired up for centre bounce work.

Why don't you buy WJ a coffee and compare notes, WJ's there reporting too!

Why don't you buy WJ a coffee and compare notes, WJ's there reporting too!

We did catch up but there was not a single cup of coffee to be found in the neighbourhood.

I will report at some time in the next 24 hours and Andy took some photos which will be up soon as well.

Really, everyone who was training looked sharp; there were the odd slip ups but generally quite impressive.

Just before we left Liam Jurrah seemed to come down awkwardly on his ankle but it didn't look too bad. He also had his shoulders strapped heavily but it didn't seem to affect his mobility which, as I said looked cat-like.

I'm adopting Tom Scully as my big improver for 2011 - some of the things he does are truly awesome. Jack Trengove and Jack Grimes look like having big seasons as well. Jamie Bennell has developed physically and I think this will help his game this year.

For Pitty, Jordan Gysberts was very composed with the footy and deceptively tall for a midfielder. If he's fully over his injury problems from last year, I think he might fit into Cameron Bruce's role.

Of the new blokes I liked Dan Nicholson.

I'm adopting Tom Scully as my big improver for 2011 - some of the things he does are truly awesome.

I am very excited about Tom Scully next year and beyond. Have a feeling he is going to be even bigger than most already think. I know I should keep a lid on it, but I just cant help it.

Keep the reports coming in, much appreciated.

I am very exited about Tom Scully next year and beyond. Have a feeling he is going to be even bigger than most already think. I know I should keep a lid on it, but I just cant help it.

Keep the reports coming in, much appreciated.

Me too my friend. This kid could be anything and he'll probably be the best runner in the AFL in 2 years time, if he can get his kicking to an elite level, well there is no one I'm more excited about.

There was nobody that particularly stood out, IMO, but training generally was of the hard running, continuous motion type of movement that we should come to expect this year.

Rather than just speak of the flowing ball movement that Scully, Trengove, Tapscott and the like performed with such aplomb, I will concentrate on the more aesthetic aspects (strictly from a heteoresexual point of view)

My votes for most impressive physique:

3 - Moloney (as expected)

2 - Sylvia  (as expected)

1 - Tapscott (awesome potential in this category)

My votes for most impressive tan:

 

3 - Garland (a real surprise having come from such a long way back)

2 - Moloney (obviously not averse to running with bare torso)

1 - Jamar (makes him appear even more frightening)

My votes for most improved physique:

3 - Watts (obviously had a lot of work to do and will appease his detractors)

2 - Bartram (showed signs last year, and has become quite imposing)

1 - Spencer (will not need to take a backward step now - his body has arrived) 

My votes for best trainer:

3 - Scully (doesn't look like a machine - he actually is one)

2 - Sylvia / Moloney (tied for second - neither leaves anything left undone or unsaid)

My votes for the ' coolest ' movers:

3 - Jurrah  (smooth as baby's tush)

2 - Davey (nothing new here)

1 - Watts (may be a surprise but he flows through almost nonchalantly and the job gets done)

My votes for captain, based on presence on field at training:

3 - Moloney (is almost demanding the leadership with his vocal and physical presence) 

2 - Sylvia (unlikely to get the nod , but his attitude and approach are impeccable)

1 - Rivers (always the leader down back and often directs the moves)

Having given these votes though, Green WILL get the job.

Tapscott, Blease- are we going to see some NAB cup action? Is Tapscott training with the main group now? How are Martin & Warnock travelling?

Excited about Scully, I mean it was obvious from the first time we saw him play he was destined for greatness, but by golly gosh he never fails to impress. How does one put money on him now for a future Charlie? I'm not a betting man, but I will take that punt.

We did catch up but there was not a single cup of coffee to be found in the neighbourhood.

I will report at some time in the next 24 hours and Andy took some photos which will be up soon as well.

Really, everyone who was training looked sharp; there were the odd slip ups but generally quite impressive.

Just before we left Liam Jurrah seemed to come down awkwardly on his ankle but it didn't look too bad. He also had his shoulders strapped heavily but it didn't seem to affect his mobility which, as I said looked cat-like.

I'm adopting Tom Scully as my big improver for 2011 - some of the things he does are truly awesome. Jack Trengove and Jack Grimes look like having big seasons as well. Jamie Bennell has developed physically and I think this will help his game this year.

For Pitty, Jordan Gysberts was very composed with the footy and deceptively tall for a midfielder. If he's fully over his injury problems from last year, I think he might fit into Cameron Bruce's role.

Of the new blokes I liked Dan Nicholson.

I wonder if we'll need to be patient with Gysberts expectations. IMO he has that type of body where he has longish limbs with fine muscle mass, atmo. Long, lean and tall, for a midfielder, so I think he has a lot of load on his joints & tendons.

Too much leverage without enough muscle mass, would cause him, IMO, to over strain to achieve the same power output, as others with more muscle mass on a shorter type frame.

I think we'll have to give him plenty of time to allow his body to grow onto his frame.

There was nobody that particularly stood out, IMO, but training generally was of the hard running, continuous motion type of movement that we should come to expect this year.

You stay with those observations 'Joeboy',,, It's a Hell of a lot safer than perving on schoolgirls these days. B)

First time I've been down to see the boys train. Impressed with the level of skill and intensity from the majority of players.

Pretty negative start to a post, but gee I thought Newton looked bad. He just seems so lazy and unaware, and I'd expect more from someone who really needs to improve to stay on our list. Hope he proves me wrong.

Grimes looked sharp as a razor, and Scully really is the machine he's described as on here. Trengove and Tapscott also impressive.

Moloney certainly loves to yap, shows intense leadership out there.

Spencer is a mountain.

Good to see Aussie back.

Watts is getting bigger, slowly. Unsure why he was only running/walking laps, maybe someone else knows. Was wearing padding on the shin.

James Strauss and Stef Martin are looking a lot bigger in the upper body. Good signs for 2011.

It's good to see Watts 'is name,,, starting to mature. Legs are developing, finally, & some meat on his Tri ceps & forearms growing

Thanks Andy for great snaps- we now wait for comprehensive report from WJ. However, how excited were you watching them train. They are training the best I have seen them ever. Your views please?

Also hope WJ has the time to comment on 3 factors that I feel maybe telling during season 2011. Two players whom I feel maybe senior bound- MacDonald & Nicholson. And the much improved fitness and alertness of Martin. I can tell you I've placed these 3 in my Dream team.

I took my kids to training on Friday, and so can add some impressions, and a different perspective maybe. We arrived at about 9:30 and left at about 11:15.

I was impressed by Aussie, who moved well and handled the ball well. Given his interrupted preseason, he was in good form and good shape.

Spencer was moving well, shops good hands and although ordinary kicking style continues to hit targets. I have seen training now 2 or three times and Spencer is looking much improved and is giving himself the best chance to perform a role.

Maric was quick and sharp.

Bate moved well, chased hard, and handled the ball cleanly.

Sylvia was a stand-out I thought. During competitive drills, he gave advice and support to younger team mates, he was pin-point with disposals, was sure handling the ball, and aggressive in the tackles. From his role in some of the drills, he looks like he will spend more time on the ball this season, where I think he has his greatest effect.

Bennell was terrific: fast, sharp, accurate and focussed.

Jetta was also impressive.

Green and Davey were class. Jones and Moloney were looking sharp.

Strauss was inconsistent. He looked good when he hit targets, but missed a few targets too.

Jurrah was impressive. He spent time kicking with Newton, and the difference in class was immense. Jurrah repeatedly hits targets with low hard kicks. Maybe better suited to a role further from goal.

Fitzpatrick is way too slight, but leads, marks and kicks at goal well. Hopefully he can develop over time.

Grimes moves well and disposes of teh ball well, but was also caught a few times in the simulation drills.

Martin looked switched on, but i didn't see much of his skill execution.

Scully was in a different colour bib for most of the session, and was working on timing his runs past the ruck at clearances and for the hand-off after a mark. Full speed is Judd-like.

Trengrove is Robert Harvey-like and looks stronger. Good skills on display.

I am not full bottle on the new guys, but while they showed why they were recruited, it is obvious who has the more developed physiques and engines. The younger guys were tiring as the session wore on.

I believe Watts participated in the early ball drills, but then spent a good period running and jogging laps of the oval, before disappearing up the race to the rooms. Various players spent time running laps, but most were then introduced back into the ball drills.

Warnock not sighted.

Happy to answer questions.

Warnock not sighted.

I'm fairly sure I saw Warnock there.