Training at AAMI Park

[Bhima 0]

Well, I had intended to pop down to training and write up a report, but I've wandered down to AAMI Park a number of times today and not a senior Demons player in sight.

I did happen to see some of the MFC players who will be representing Casey this weekend ...

Lucas Cook was up and about, he generally doesn't seem to be able to reach the distance kicking from the 50 however from time to time he could launch one a bit further. He looks fine and will play.

Tom McDonald was looking particularly impressive. He marks the ball with confidence and can kick a good distance. Although not as accurate as Cook, his kicking seems to be improving and of all the 2010 draftees, he is just about the most exciting. The Dees backline is looking much better with Tapscott's golden boot and to me the CHB position is the last remaining part of the puzzle. It would not surprise if one of McDonald or Cook filled this position, however, it will not be for a couple of years as both are rake thin by AFL standards.

Max Gawn I think it needs to go on the record that right now, Maxy is a very average kick for goal. I was standing right behind him today and each time the ball would swing from right to left, bit like watching a golfer on the tee hooking the ball. He runs in on an angle and kicks across his body. When he attempted to rectify that habit and kick off the 'instep' to get the ball to swing left to right, he would shank it horribly. It was the case that he was very pleased when he eventually did slot one. His kicking will obviously improve and is not really a concern while he hones his game at the lower levels, good to see him fit.

Gysberts, Blease and McNamara were all in attendance but not kicking the ball, doing a few handballs and generally giving Gawn grief and a few pointers as he took shots on goal. No idea whether that means they are fit to play this wekend, but not involved.

Michael Evans - Evans has a beautiful kicking action when taking a set shot. He was the most impressive of all the players when kicking on goal - very balanced and powerful while making it look fairly effortless. He seems to spray the ball a bit during games but he is young and has the potential to be damaging by foot. Of all the rookies he seems to have the most class and I think he is great pick at around #32 in an average rookie draft.

Kelvin Lawrence - For those who saw the intraclub match, Lawrence put on a fairly woeful display when kicking, but when under no pressure today, he was kicking very well. I'm not sure if he has earned the right to wear such blindingly colourful boots, but they were doing the trick today, looked good.

Wonna - he was thereabouts, looked fit enough, hope he can fire at Casey.

Newton - Wasn't doing much, but will be playing. Highlight was series of torpedoes at the end of the session, massive kicks - very funny watching Gawn try to emulate Newton's efforts, not much chop on the spiral big max.

Dan Nicholson was also there, and Jeremy Howe had a few shots on goal and then wandered off, Cam Johnstonnot there. No sign of Bate, Strauss, Warnock, Spencer. If anyone knows if training is still on for the day, let me know and I'll get down there, but I get the feeling I missed it.

Hardly worth reporting, but perhaps better than nothing, Cheers.

[hardtack 10,626]

They were training today... at Casey. And it looks like Frawley must have come through it well if Brad Greens latest tweet is anything to go by: "Good session today... Boys ready for Sunday... We welcome back @chipa__8 into the team..."

[The Great Pretender 475]

Well, I had intended to pop down to training and write up a report, but I've wandered down to AAMI park a number of times today and not a senior Demons player in sight.

It's an old April Fools Day joke that the club likes to play on unsuspecting supporters.

The Melbourne boys train at Casey and the Casey boys train in Melbourne.

Get it?

[Whispering_Jack 30,640]

Yes, we do get our share of April fools around here on 1st April don't we?

[The Great One 99 125]

I have a friend that seen the boys today at the Casey pool. I asked her how they looked, and apparantly they are all hot. Sorry I cant give you any more than that. Hopefully another Demonlander was there to give us a better report.

Cheers for your efforts regardless bhima.

Edited April 1, 2011 by The Great One 99

[drdrake 3,187]

I was speaking to a couple of people last week and it was mentioned that although AAMI park is fantastic, the training surface is great but the ground with out a fence around it isn't ideal. I also heard Jim Stynes mention this last week.

You might find players lose their bearings, think they have more space and when it comes to the zoning it would be hard to work out the positioning near the boundary lines. With a fence you us that as a reference point as you know the boundary is about 2m of the fence.

With that in mind maybe the club may use Casey more whilst they can.

[binman 43,740]

I was speaking to a couple of people last week and it was mentioned that although AAMI park is fantastic, the training surface is great but the ground with out a fence around it isn't ideal. I also heard Jim Stynes mention this last week.

You might find players lose their bearings, think they have more space and when it comes to the zoning it would be hard to work out the positioning near the boundary lines. With a fence you us that as a reference point as you know the boundary is about 2m of the fence.

With that in mind maybe the club may use Casey more whilst they can.

This might be a silly question but when you say AAMI park do they train inside that stadium? I had it in my mind they train out on Goshs oval, where the intra club practice game was (which has a boundary line, though not a fence as far as i can recall)