Training - Wednesday 14th December, 2011 & Casey Demons Xmas party

[Maldonboy38 6,390]

I took my boys along to this today, and I have to say it was a really good event.

Congrats to the Casey Demons people who made the event feet like a local club function but with access to AFL players.

The players were doing match simulation again, in a now very familiar format to what I have seen at other practices. There were 26 players on the track split into 2 teams, including many of the rookies. It was a fairly heavy session, and on this occasion there were some significant tackling and physical pressure being applied.

After this they peeled off into groups doing contested marking, goal kicking and some stoppage set plays.

While that was happening, over on the far side of the ground there was jumping castle for young kids, free show bags with a drink and a sausage included, as well as a bloke with a microphone interviewing people. I would estimate about 600 people, but it was really hard to judge with people moving in groups all the time. 2 of the 3 club mascots were moving through the crowd having photos taken with the kids and giving high-fives. Heaps of kids were kicking footies.

The highlight by far was that once training concluded, all the players (with the exception of poor Max Gawn who injured his knee) came over to the crowd and stayed for half hour or more, having photos taken, signing posters and guernseys and mixing with the fans.

Jordie McKenzie, Brad Green and Colin Sylvia were very chatty and these three stood out as far as being bright and engaging. Jordie stood in the one place for the entire time, and was having some good conversations with heaps of kids and adults. Brad Green was magnificent and was still smiling for photos at the end of a long period of time. It was the most accessible experience that I have with the Dees since going to the MCG for a MFC family day in 1973 and being in awe of Robbie Flower, Paul Callery and Ray Biffin!

I had a really good chat with Nev Jetta. He has had major shoulder surgery and has had an extra pieace of bone joined to his shoulder joint so it stops popping out. He has a huge scar behind his shoulder. He has been able to do a lot of the running, but no arm or body work with his right arm at all. It looks about half the size of his left arm and he said all the boys were ribbing him for having a stick for a right arm. I reckon he is a long way behind the most of the team in terms of readiness.

Jack Watts was a magnet for all the young kids and a heap of teenage girls, and even a few mums were hanging around him. But he was great with the kids. He is just so natural in chatting and laughing. The really young kids (2 - 5) just loved being around him. Almost as much as the teenage girls.

They train for one more week, and then are having almost two weeks off, and come January, almost all the players will be in full training.

It is likely Tappy, Jetta, Spencer, Cook, possibly Gawn, will continue to be part of a prolonged rehab group but the rest will be in full training.

Go Dees.

[bing181 9,194]

Thanks for the report.

Anyone know what's up with Tapscott? Surgery?

[Matt Demon 1,418]

I spoke to Tappy briefly and he said he had to have some surgery to clean up his hip that he had previously injured. He hopes to be In full training early Jan.

[Guest oldman emubitter]

thanks for the report, i ask this out of ignorance, what nick is the oval in down there and how were the snags?

[Maldonboy38 6,390]

The oval was in magnificent condition - even, firm and a good, deep green. Last year same time it was in horrible condition with the middle section roped off due to flood damage.

I left my money in the car and adults had to pay for snags so I didn't get one. Kids got one free and my boys devoured them so they must have been OK.

.

[dee-luded 2,959]

Great report MB38.

Thanks for a great message of hope & cheer.

 

Merry Xmas all.

[Daz's Dee's 113]

I was there also. 

Got there early around 3:00pm from Gippsland. The kids finished school early so we headed down.

Firstly, walked in and noticed some diehard Melbourne fans there before me.

I checked out the ground which looked to be in magnificent condition. It reminded me of a top knock golf course fairway.

Had my daughter and niece with me so we wandered over to the jumping castle (which was set up but not ready for kids) and hung around near there most of the day. The kids got a free show bag, snag and softy. They went on the jumping castle then went and got their faces painted while I enjoyed the sun and training session. 

Must admit I didn't watch the whole session intently but things I noticed are:

Nathan Jones and Brent Moloney are the two most passionate blokes at the club.

Jack Watts is all class.

Steph Martin could be anything.

Jack Trengove was our number one draft pick in 2009.

James Sellar will play senior footy in 2012 and I'm predicting will play a big part and be a great draft choice.

Jeremey Howe has exception skills and speed - man this bloke is something.

Spoke with quite a few of the guys briefly. 

AFL football has now become a priviledge not a right. These new guys - Couch and co really appreciate their chance.

Great day well worth the trip will do it again.

[s-t-i-n-g-a 439]

James Sellar will play senior footy in 2012 and I'm predicting will play a big part and be a great draft choice.

Thanks for the report!

Just wondering what makes you say that?

[Theo 272]

Speaking to players last night they all said that they are enjoying the training this year and are a lot fitter. A comment was made that they ran out of legs toward the end of games last season. A negative aspect of the training this is year was a comment from a very senior player who said that there are now about 20 players in rehab which is far too many and will need to be addressed.

Jetta's shoulder means he cannot do any ball work until February. Jurrah cracked a bone in his hand in one of the games toward the end of the season. This did not heal properly so has just had some screws inserted.

Jordie has an achillies problem that is not that bad but keeps persisting.and keeps him in the rehab group.

Cook is still in rehab with his hip injury. He does not come across as a confident young man.

Davey was not there and a comment was made to me by people close to the club that he has not embraced the new fitness program and the coaching staff are concerned. I have been to training 7 times this pe-season and he is by far the worst trainer and is very introverted.

The new boys were great. Jai Sheahan is living with the Viney's and has an air of confidence about him. Leigh Williams will be a favourite with supporters. Has a great build, competes well and in my opinion a standout at training since he has been there.

James Magner is bigger than Tapscott and Maloney and would be scary in the midfield. Tapscott said that he is training with the midfield group.

Seller has impressed a training and said he hopes to play CHB. He may be a surprise packet.

Howe is a nice guy and was surprised that fellow Tasmanian Julian Dobosz was not picked in the draft.

Julian Dobosz (North Hobart / 192 / 83 / 92)

By Snoop Dog( Big Footy)

Another whose testing cast real doubt over whether talent vs testing would win out and ultimately is was testing. Whilst he is a fair way away from having an AFL ready body he has undoubted talent and may be the kid from Tassie who ends up being the best of this draft in my view. There is a fair bit of Jack Riewoldt about him, he plays enthusiastically, jumps around, is good on the ground and just has a knack for kicking goals. Just needs a pre-season or two and the Dogs would be a good home for him.

[dees189227 12,373]

Anyone speak to MArk Neeld. Is he a pretty approachable person?

[Slartibartfast 17,201]

Many thanks for the reports Theo, DD, Maldonboy. Everyone here appreciates the efforts you and others who have reported during the preseason to date. It's fantastic to have a community where we get a report of virtually all the open training sessions.

Good luck to Max, let's hope the scans give us all an early Christmas present.

Cheers and thanks to all,

Fan

[hayz 27]

I watched all of training, i got there at 2:45 and i still wasnt the first one there! I waited over half an hour for the boys to come out.

The players i was most impressed with were:

Stefan Martin- Was marking everything and getting to alot of contests, he will be a real weapon

Nathan Jones- He seemed like he has a bit more pace, his tackling was great and his kicking was very accurate

James Magner- I was really impressed with him, he has a big body, hes quite quick and gets alot of the ball

Leigh Williams- He is a great set shot and has a great build. He may play a bit of footy next year.

Jack Trengove- He was just his usual self, looks good for next year

Mitch Clark- He has great aggression, he ran through several players when they tried to tackle, he did a fantastic tackle himself which was paid holding the ball and his kicking was really good.

Some of our kicking out of defence in the match simulation was terrible and i think thats the main thing we need to work on for next year, There was alot to like about the session too though in particular having mitch clark in our forward line makes us look alot stronger. Competition for spots will be high with players like magner and williams pushing for selection.

Bring on 2012!!!

[simma02 53]

Speaking to players last night they all said that they are enjoying the training this year and are a lot fitter. A comment was made that they ran out of legs toward the end of games last season. A negative aspect of the training this is year was a comment from a very senior player who said that there are now about 20 players in rehab which is far too many and will need to be addressed.

Jetta's shoulder means he cannot do any ball work until February. Jurrah cracked a bone in his hand in one of the games toward the end of the season. This did not heal properly so has just had some screws inserted.

Jordie has an achillies problem that is not that bad but keeps persisting.and keeps him in the rehab group.

Cook is still in rehab with his hip injury. He does not come across as a confident young man.

Davey was not there and a comment was made to me by people close to the club that he has not embraced the new fitness program and the coaching staff are concerned. I have been to training 7 times this pe-season and he is by far the worst trainer and is very introverted.

The new boys were great. Jai Sheahan is living with the Viney's and has an air of confidence about him. Leigh Williams will be a favourite with supporters. Has a great build, competes well and in my opinion a standout at training since he has been there.

James Magner is bigger than Tapscott and Maloney and would be scary in the midfield. Tapscott said that he is training with the midfield group.

Seller has impressed a training and said he hopes to play CHB. He may be a surprise packet.

Howe is a nice guy and was surprised that fellow Tasmanian Julian Dobosz was not picked in the draft.

Julian Dobosz (North Hobart / 192 / 83 / 92)

By Snoop Dog( Big Footy)

Another whose testing cast real doubt over whether talent vs testing would win out and ultimately is was testing. Whilst he is a fair way away from having an AFL ready body he has undoubted talent and may be the kid from Tassie who ends up being the best of this draft in my view. There is a fair bit of Jack Riewoldt about him, he plays enthusiastically, jumps around, is good on the ground and just has a knack for kicking goals. Just needs a pre-season or two and the Dogs would be a good home for him.

I find the comments about Davey most concerning. He above anyone should be "embracing" the new fitness program. He really needs to have a good hard look at himself and commit to the the new program very quickly or he can find somewhere else to play footy next year.

[DirtyDees DDC 176]

Speaking to players last night they all said that they are enjoying the training this year and are a lot fitter. A comment was made that they ran out of legs toward the end of games last season. A negative aspect of the training this is year was a comment from a very senior player who said that there are now about 20 players in rehab which is far too many and will need to be addressed.

Jetta's shoulder means he cannot do any ball work until February. Jurrah cracked a bone in his hand in one of the games toward the end of the season. This did not heal properly so has just had some screws inserted.

Jordie has an achillies problem that is not that bad but keeps persisting.and keeps him in the rehab group.

Cook is still in rehab with his hip injury. He does not come across as a confident young man.

Davey was not there and a comment was made to me by people close to the club that he has not embraced the new fitness program and the coaching staff are concerned. I have been to training 7 times this pe-season and he is by far the worst trainer and is very introverted.

The new boys were great. Jai Sheahan is living with the Viney's and has an air of confidence about him. Leigh Williams will be a favourite with supporters. Has a great build, competes well and in my opinion a standout at training since he has been there.

James Magner is bigger than Tapscott and Maloney and would be scary in the midfield. Tapscott said that he is training with the midfield group.

Seller has impressed a training and said he hopes to play CHB. He may be a surprise packet.

Howe is a nice guy and was surprised that fellow Tasmanian Julian Dobosz was not picked in the draft.

I saw a problem with Davey at Monday's training. It was the final session - there was 4 against 4 in a short kicking drill, where the kicker had to hit a target from 20-30 metres away. Failure to hit the target meant 5 push-ups.

This should be an easy drill for Davey - arguably the best kick in the team. Instead he kept missing targets and was doing push-ups. Lynden Dunn was quite good and the rookies were ok. It's a mystery that Davey did the full session on Monday but didn't front up yesterday. He wasn't even in our growing rehab group.

I was impressed by Blease yesterday. He's showing the benefit of his best pre-season so far. His kicking for goal was good, he nailed Howe with a tackle, and his run and carry with the ball was terrific. His pace could be a real weapon next year; all we have to do is work out where to play him.

[bing181 9,194]

A negative aspect of the training this is year was a comment from a very senior player who said that there are now about 20 players in rehab which is far too many and will need to be addressed.

Not sure how this could be brought up. I don't know that there are really any more in rehab than there were back in Oct, and from what I understand, most of those are players coming off surgery or with ongoing (and sometimes niggling) injuries.

[Theo 272]

I only brought it up because the senior player concerned mentioned to a group of us that although the training was enjoyable the the rehab group was growing to an unacceptable level. He mentioned the number 20 not me. Of course some of these are surgery related but he was concerned the the number was growing which would impede players pre-season and thus negate the more intense training.

[loges 6,767]

Have the feeling we won't see much of Davey next season

[Pennant St Dee 13,118]

These are the kind of posts that should not be made (or allowed) on these or any other forums, An unverified report from an unverified source that is casting aspersions on Davey and his private/family life... not on!! It may or may not be news to you that players, officials and press do read these forums.

As you have no qualms about reporting this and naming the player involved very publicly, perhaps you would like to name your source in the same way?

Well said! Hutchy and his ilk will read posts like that and put 2 + 2 together to get 5 and a story