Whilst he may have had a set-back with a broken leg, James Strauss has definitely put on some serious muscle, without getting fat either. Said he was aiming for a return in round 2 of the NAB cup.

That is amazing.

I admit, I thought his career was over the moment he broke his leg.

That is amazing.

I admit, I thought his career was over the moment he broke his leg.

not to mention playing some v. ordinary football before said injury

not to mention playing some v. ordinary football before said injury

Yeah, tend to agree. Once Strauss' is back on the park, he will have plenty of competition for a spot. (Pleased he's looking to have fully recovered of course.)

not to mention playing some v. ordinary football before said injury

He was cementing a spot, or atleast settling in, playing his best football so far.

Never set the world of fire. but was improving

I believe it originates from the old Saxon "Clusterbuck" when many families would be housed in a single dwelling.

One of the first changes was when the "f" was written as "b" in the Doomsday book.

... and how fortunate for the Clutterbuck clan was that?

Frankly Franky, your timing is out by 906 years because the book you loosely refer to was actually the Domesday Book.

Doomsday Book is a 1992 science fiction novel by American author Connie Willis which won both the Hugo and Nebula Awards.

From the reports so far it sounds like a very intriguing pre-season. A lot of focus on fitness, something it sounds like we've seriously lacked.

I want to get to training at some stage, but thanks to everyone for the reports.

That is amazing.

I admit, I thought his career was over the moment he broke his leg.

I can confirm this is what he told me.I asked him when he would be back and playing,April orbMay, he responded and said aiming for 2nd NAB cup game.

... and how fortunate for the Clutterbuck clan was that?

Frankly Franky, your timing is out by 906 years because the book you loosely refer to was actually the Domesday Book.

Doomsday Book is a 1992 science fiction novel by American author Connie Willis which won both the Hugo and Nebula Awards.

Yes WJ, Its a fair cop, guv.

But it is pronounced Doomsday and so I went for the vernacular. And I will match that forgotten tome for my favorite Man in the high Castle which won the Hugo in 1963.

Sorry-Ihave tried to give others the opportunity to report their thoughts.I go to grainy twice a week- therefore see things in a different light than others whom only can go sometimes,if you go back and read opening posts-I have left it to two others to report today.Delirious & DemonDisciple.

Not surprising you see things in a different light if it's grainy.

All the blease and Gysberts whingers need to take a breather and be realistic.

It takes several pre seasons for midfielders to build elite tanks. Blease has never done a full pre season and with regards to his endurance and repeat efforts, will still be a long way behind by having done very little his first 2 years. In reality, it is probably his first genuine pre season....add to that it is November!! What do people expect? Both he and Gys are young and with 2 or 3 pre seasons over next few years we will see them hopefully compete with the competitions elite midfielders. However give them time for gods sake.

Gys has also had his share of injuries and has a very young thin body, has had back issues.... you can not expect elite endurance to just appear. It has to be worked at over a long time.

As someone said earlier, the good thing is they are out doing all this running in Nov! Bring on March.

Both he and Gys are young and with 2 or 3 pre seasons over next few years we will see them hopefully compete with the competitions elite midfielders. However give them time for gods sake.

I get what youre saying Don but reckon it is time to do more than hopefully compete. I am more concerned with Grimes who is on everyones best 22 list(not mine), who hasnt done a full Pre-season in 5 years. People pick him in the middle...

not to mention playing some v. ordinary football before said injury

Pure ignorance.

He was starting to look like a mini-Frawley if anything.

He'd cemented a spot in the side.

Many thanks to everyone for the training reports.

I've never had the chance to get down to training unfortunately, but might make a concerted effort over the Xmas break if there's anything on?

Anyone know when training resumes in January?

The more the merrier I say - anyone who goes should pen their observations, perceptions can differ and some may pick up things that others don't see. All information is good for those of us who can't make it down and all the reports are appreciated.

I agree .

Keep 'em coming all , much appreciate your efforts.

not to mention playing some v. ordinary football before said injury

Thought he had started showing some improvement and good signs myself.

Thought he had started showing some improvement and good signs myself.

I think his timing on breaking his leg was awful. He was just cementing his place in the side, and now he's got to recover from the injury and when he returns to a full training load will be behind several others for a spot in the best 22. I really hope Straussy makes it, but I think there are others who are going to be well ahead of him in 2012.

I went down to training for a while. Only stayed for the running part.

Bate is looking strong and may have even slimmed down a touch. Very fit. Maybe someone has had a word in his ear about the midfield role as others here have suggested. Good luck Bater!

Agree with others on Blease and Gys; I don't think people are having a whinge or expressing surprise - It's just an observation. They are both really struggling with the running. Gysberts does seem to recover and do okay in the ball work sessions once the running is finished though, I think he's just not a great runner. I'm sure he'll improve though. I haven't watched Blease as closely.

Watts looks very fit and is doing the running pretty easily. Maybe a wing or a flank for him this year?

Trengove looks to have added a bit of muscle, and is also getting through the running sessions well.

Everything else I saw has been mentioned by others or myself in the last training thread.

Not surprising you see things in a different light if it's grainy.

sorry edited my post, grainy should have read training.Thanks for the sting- chose your name well!

Many thanks to everyone for the training reports.

I've never had the chance to get down to training unfortunately, but might make a concerted effort over the Xmas break if there's anything on?

Anyone know when training resumes in January?

Usually back around midweek of the first week of January,keep an eye out on the MFC website under training times.

I just wanted to highlight how sad I was last year watching the fall from grace of Aaron Davey. At training today - nothing seems to have changed. It made me wonder if the club has an NLP trainer involved, as some of the guys look so far down on confidence they would have to benefit from some training in this area. Attitudes of some of the guys mentioned on here after Monday's training could be improved with some of the tools they would learn from NLP. The whole team could become single minded with a few switches rewired.

Also it is early days and the fitness stuff will come in handy - but without elite kicking skills, we will be way behind the pack again this year and all the fitness will be used in chasing down our errors and turnovers. Hitting the mark more often than not has to be something the guys do without thinking and there is a massive way to go in this area from what I witnessed Monday. It is our Achilles heal - it has to be the priority.

Question is who is teaching these kicking skills and who is reinforcing the players minds that they can do it. If we do not get this right - more frustration for the playing group and supports will be on the cards. It simply is not good enough to go into another season without addressing this.

I have not been impressed with Bate over the past few years - however if his current fitness, size and brute kicking style can be let loose in the middle, he will make an impact - especially if he can let go of the quiet and calm persona - a bit of mongrel from Bate this year will see a few step out out of his way. Just what we need. Brett Moloney will be relieved to have another gorilla in their to help him out. It should make a big difference. Bate is not a forward, as has been debated - he has been played out of position for years.

So glad to finally have a forum to say what is on my mind and hopefully find out a few answers. If these things are not currently in play at the club it would be great if they could potentially be considered and addressed to hopefully make a difference. We need a difference.

I just wanted to highlight how sad I was last year watching the fall from grace of Aaron Davey. At training today - nothing seems to have changed. It made me wonder if the club has an NLP trainer involved, as some of the guys look so far down on confidence they would have to benefit from some training in this area. Attitudes of some of the guys mentioned on here after Monday's training could be improved with some of the tools they would learn from NLP. The whole team could become single minded with a few switches rewired.

Also it is early days and the fitness stuff will come in handy - but without elite kicking skills, we will be way behind the pack again this year and all the fitness will be used in chasing down our errors and turnovers. Hitting the mark more often than not has to be something the guys do without thinking and there is a massive way to go in this area from what I witnessed Monday. It is our Achilles heal - it has to be the priority.

Question is who is teaching these kicking skills and who is reinforcing the players minds that they can do it. If we do not get this right - more frustration for the playing group and supports will be on the cards. It simply is not good enough to go into another season without addressing this.

I have not been impressed with Bate over the past few years - however if his current fitness, size and brute kicking style can be let loose in the middle, he will make an impact - especially if he can let go of the quiet and calm persona - a bit of mongrel from Bate this year will see a few step out out of his way. Just what we need. Brett Moloney will be relieved to have another gorilla in their to help him out. It should make a big difference. Bate is not a forward, as has been debated - he has been played out of position for years.

So glad to finally have a forum to say what is on my mind and hopefully find out a few answers. If these things are not currently in play at the club it would be great if they could potentially be considered and addressed to hopefully make a difference. We need a difference.

Welcome Bob Bob to the board. And I'm old enough to remember when '2 bob' was worth something.

I just wanted to highlight how sad I was last year watching the fall from grace of Aaron Davey. At training today - nothing seems to have changed. It made me wonder if the club has an NLP trainer involved, as some of the guys look so far down on confidence they would have to benefit from some training in this area. Attitudes of some of the guys mentioned on here after Monday's training could be improved with some of the tools they would learn from NLP. The whole team could become single minded with a few switches rewired.

Also it is early days and the fitness stuff will come in handy - but without elite kicking skills, we will be way behind the pack again this year and all the fitness will be used in chasing down our errors and turnovers. Hitting the mark more often than not has to be something the guys do without thinking and there is a massive way to go in this area from what I witnessed Monday. It is our Achilles heal - it has to be the priority.

Question is who is teaching these kicking skills and who is reinforcing the players minds that they can do it. If we do not get this right - more frustration for the playing group and supports will be on the cards. It simply is not good enough to go into another season without addressing this.

I have not been impressed with Bate over the past few years - however if his current fitness, size and brute kicking style can be let loose in the middle, he will make an impact - especially if he can let go of the quiet and calm persona - a bit of mongrel from Bate this year will see a few step out out of his way. Just what we need. Brett Moloney will be relieved to have another gorilla in their to help him out. It should make a big difference. Bate is not a forward, as has been debated - he has been played out of position for years.

So glad to finally have a forum to say what is on my mind and hopefully find out a few answers. If these things are not currently in play at the club it would be great if they could potentially be considered and addressed to hopefully make a difference. We need a difference.

?? sorry for being naive

?? sorry for being naive

Google is your friend: I would think it probably is "Neuro Linguistic Programming"

Google is your friend: I would think it probably is "Neuro Linguistic Programming"

sorry, wasnt a tough question from someone who wrote it, understand the google suggestion but im not asking other to research it for me, just say if they knew it

sorry, wasnt a tough question from someone who wrote it, understand the google suggestion but im not asking other to research it for me, just say if they knew it

I doubt that many would have known that without researching... apart from Bob*2, that is :-)

Edited November 29, 201113 yr by hardtack