Yeah, Gawn is looking like a legitimate Man Mountain this season. Very good to see. Jamar looked tiny next to him.

Sure, Gawn is taller than Jamar, but, if you look at the photo, you will see that Jamar's back foot is on the ground and he is stretching out, whereas Gawn is mid-stride and off the ground.. This simply means that photos like this can be quite deceiving.

I was only there for a short stint this morning, so by reading some reports I missed most of the running and sprints. What I did see were some of the drills being run by each of the coaching groups and it did impress me.

I was fortunate to find a few minutes time and kept an eye on both Melbourne & Collingwood (training on the oval) for a short time.

It was good to see Trengove participate in the drills with the midfield group at good intensity - so he didn't just have a light session, he also wore the same compression sleeve he had on in the second IR match. Royal and his assistant (names escapes me for now) were very clear with their drills and organisation with their group. Group consisted of Jamar, Gawn, Jones, Trengove, Bail, Bate (take note rpfc), Nicholson, Gysberts, Morton, Garland (there may have been one other - I think it was Blease). They did some ball movement from mock stoppages, ball movement in groups of 3's with 2 facing them as on-coming traffic, and various skill improvement techniques with picking up a moving ball whilst receiving attention (padded bump) and executing a handball in the process.

Brian Royal and assistant were vocal throughout and didn't hesitate to stop or pull aside a player during drill to communicate how they could improve the players technique. Notably Gysberts was spoken to a few times by Royal regarding technique. Viney and Neeld watched on each group by moving around.

From a distance I could see the other groups, most notably forwards and backs and observed various drills. I took particular interest in the assistant coaches and what they were doing and how they were communicating. Things that stood out in that short time I was there were Jade Rawlings positive energy and instruction with the backs and Leigh Brown and Satterley with their drills. Brown with the padding was hammering into Howe and the like, really aggressively (but not over the top), which whilst probably just part in parcel of running a drill, I noted the intent to rough them up - which was good. Satterley then had Bartram, McDonald, Nicholson practising kicking to position from various distances.

For the most part though those groups were in the distance, so I really can't comment much with those groups other than I did see Bennell with the backs and Bate who was with the midfield group, then spent some time with the forwards with a few drills. (with Watts, Martin, Dunn, Howe, etc).

The midfield group mentioned earlier, all looked lively and Jamar and Gawn both looked good.

Mitch Clark, as mentioned by other posters continued to run laps.

Meanwhile over at the Pies, all I could see was the likes of Buckley, Lappin, Richardson, Hahn, Rob Harvey and other assistants getting hands on and involving themselves in drills among all the young players. Seemed awfully quiet in comparison of communication to our Demons.

No suprise Garland beats Rivers ... Rivers isn't very quick ... he is super-competitive but lacks speed.

Thanks for the report HT and for all reports.

Which MacMcDonald was doing the kicking practice? Given the company, I'm assuming it's Joel (who BTW is Mac, Tom is Mc)

For those wondering on Tapscott, he had another op on his hip to check and clean out (far less invasive than the last and was apparently planned from outset). He will be fully involved soon all going well.

For those wondering on Tapscott, he had another op on his hip to check and clean out (far less invasive than the last and was apparently planned from outset). He will be fully involved soon all going well.

Thanks for update.I was sure I didn't see him at training but another said he did before retiring early.

Thanks for the report HT and for all reports.

Which MacMcDonald was doing the kicking practice? Given the company, I'm assuming it's Joel (who BTW is Mac, Tom is Mc)

No, Tom McDonald. It was a small drill, where one player would drop the ball in front, to the side, or even behind him then gather and pinpoint to another on the move using either foot. Come to think of it, I'm sure there were four in the group with Satterley. Can't recall the other, was more intrigued by the midfield group close by.

Thanks for update.I was sure I didn't see him at training but another said he did before retiring early.

You also mentioned him. Unless you mean Trengove instead...fwiw I didn't see Tapscott either.

No, Tom McDonald. It was a small drill, where one player would drop the ball in front, to the side, or even behind him then gather and pinpoint to another on the move using either foot. Come to think of it, I'm sure there were four in the group with Satterley. Can't recall the other, was more intrigued by the midfield group close by.

You also mentioned him. Unless you mean Trengove instead...fwiw I didn't see Tapscott either.

Sorry I meant Trenners.Apologies Ht & others

Maybe this has been covered in another thread but why if he was supposed to be training/playing IR is Sylvia not training in full swing as yet?

Maybe this has been covered in another thread but why if he was supposed to be training/playing IR is Sylvia not training in full swing as yet?

HE may have been doing part of the course outlined by Neeld as part of his penalties

I take it that Scully's still in rehab with the knee?

I take it that Scully's still in rehab with the knee?

Should be back on deck by the end of the week.

I managed to pop in at training this morning. It was a perfect morning to train.

I will give a quick run down on all players present.

• Bail - Did the entire session........

..................

• Watts - Did entire session, ran with Bate, pushed himself, but dropped back a little, no shame as I thought Bate was flying. He looks alot better without the mop of hair he had in the 2nd half of the year. Watched him closely with the forwards, he is turning into a real leader in that group. Punished himself if he missed a target and was always asking Leigh Brown questions. He wants success.

• Green - Same as Chip and Trenners.

• Evans - The boy ran alot of laps! Did some one on one kicking but did not join in the main skills session.

• Lawence - Did not see him.

• Nicholson - Ran with JMac, this kid moves well on the track. Like with Howe just loves being out there.

Overall I was quite impressed with where the group was at, with only a few guys not doing any meaningful running or kicking.

Great comprehensive post mate.... not bad for no.3 !! Thanks for the info

I managed to pop in at training this morning. It was a perfect morning to train.

I will give a quick run down on all players present.

• Bail - Did the entire session, was in 1st running group with Jones, looked very fit.

Great report. Much appreciated! Thanks

Edited November 8, 201114 yr by Fan
Please don't quote a detailed report like this. Just refer to part of it - see edit