From these photos it looks like Moloney has trimmed up a fair bit, do you think this would be deliberate instruction from the coaches? Would be interesting to see how much his running time has improved since start of preseason

looks that way to me, although it could be that alot of the fellas have bulked up themselves, making the juxtapostion less dramatic?!

I went to training. It was such a windy day, so much so that the foot skills were horrific. A few stood out however i.e. Sylvia, Moloney, Trengove, Magner and young Taggert. It was my first training where I've seen the draftees and Taggert was the standout. His kicking is elite. Tynan has great hands and moves well but his kicking needs some substantial work unfortunately. That said, it was a terrible day for footskills with shanks going everywhere and from everyone. Fitzpatrick kicked one on the full from 30metres out and brad green kicked one which i reckon came off his shin and dribbled along the ground. Frawley was all over the place too but it was really tough conditions. Don't get me started on Troy Davis.

Strauss, Viney, McKenzie, Spencer, Tapscott, BArtram, Jurrah, Jetta, leigh Williams were amongst those not taking part in full training. I couldnt see Sam Blease. Grimes did full training which was a big plus.

They did a few drills which involved handballing through traffic and kicking in traffic. They then moved on to a full ground drill with an emphasis on a defensive zone pushing the team wide. The other team (i.e. the one being directed wide) would then try and work the ball down the ground provided it was along a wing. My take from this drill is that next year we will be PLAYING WIDE FOOTBALL. Take this for what it is.

The mood was jovial and the drills were pretty inventive so the players seemed pretty enthused. Stef Martin is training well and will play a big part of our year in 2012 even if the big Russian steps up. I also hope James Magner gets elevated. He looks like he would be a real asset and Im hoping he can play all 22 games next season.

All in all a pretty good session in terrible conditions. The spirits were high. Also, at one point Viney was walking the boundary and I noticed how small he is. Sure, he is built but he isn't an intimidating guy or anything but a ball rolled over to him and I reckon he did a 20metres handball off one step. impressive.

Thanks Freak.Good report.

Apparently Stefan Martin got some hair style advice from his latino cousin Ricky

Has a bit of the Morrissey quiff about it to my eye.

Thanks for the report Freak.

You can add Petterd to the mid-heights list but things are starting to get quite competitive for forward spots all of a sudden. I wonder where Petterd will feature in years to come. Depth is good but depth players are seldom content when they could/should be playing regular footy. An interesting one for mine.

I think Ricky was being used as a mid at Casey late in the season. Maybe he could join that queue too.

Thnx for the photos has Martin joined the Leningrad cowboys?

Yeah

Thanks for the pics

A couple of observations

Frawley's biceps look OK this year - hope he doesn't overdo it again!

McKenzie looks as if he actually going to kick: maybe some of his harshest critics should check that out. He can Kick!

thanks heaps for the training report guys

I think Ricky was being used as a mid at Casey late in the season. Maybe he could join that queue too.

I think you will find both Ricky and Howey rotating through the mids at times.

your welcome everybody. jamar didnt complete full training by the way

ricky is the forward pressure king...

Its probably posted somewhere else but when is our first official NAB cup game?

Feb 25th at Metricon stadium against GC and Brisbane

Has a bit of the Morrissey quiff about it to my eye.

Thanks for the report Freak.

Now I know who the "Freak" is. James Morrissey, who played for Hawthorn in the '80's

Feb 25th at Metricon stadium against GC and Brisbane

Thanks Finn.....OK so 5 weeks to go.

Have to go to Dandy on Wednesday. Is there training at Casey? Club site is not up to date.

I can actually see the forward line looking something like this

Petterd Watts Howe

Jurrah Clark Davey/Jetta

I really think Petterd and Davey/Jetta are needed for the defensive pressure. I really cant see guys like Green and Sylvia keeping the ball in the forward 50. Jetta has shown he has good defensive pressure, so his place may depend on how Davey goes at this.

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/jcurve-takes-new-turn-for-injured-dees-20120111-1pvf7.html

Article on some injuries we have,

Like the picture, with Clark pushing Green over to get the ball, like this guy more and more. great fit for the MFC.

Also, i dont see i forward line not have Green in it, push Pettered to the bench, rotating in both mid and forward positions imo.

I can actually see the forward line looking something like this

Petterd Watts Howe

Jurrah Clark Davey/Jetta

I really think Petterd and Davey/Jetta are needed for the defensive pressure. I really cant see guys like Green and Sylvia keeping the ball in the forward 50. Jetta has shown he has good defensive pressure, so his place may depend on how Davey goes at this.

Interesting Olisik..I just wrote down a possible team this morning and had the same..except I didn't have Jetta in.

Its very competitive now with many others who could justify their spots. I could see another poster coming up with 4/5 changes to that lineup which would/could be just as justifiable its so competitive now. e.g.Green, Bennel, Martin, Blease, Bate.etc. Maybe its good as it gives us more options and the ability to name sides based on playing conditions, who and where we play etc and use the interchange well for rotations.

Edited January 17, 201213 yr by 3031

The photos are much appreciated... hope you enjoyed the heat and wind!

edit: A few vanity observations. Moloney has joined the tattoo sleeve club. Greeny looks better with a bit of (albeit thin) hair than the nearly-shaved look he had last season... and is it just me or has Bate's hair got even more orange?

Are you serious about moloney's sleeve???? Can someone get a photo?

Here it is in all it's glory

Strauss back for the NAB Cup. That's an amazingly quick recovery.

Is Tapscott still in rehab? Rarely read reports about him and theres only one shot of him in that group of photos where he looks to be training alone.

He is still in rehab, I saw him doing laps when I first got there with McKenzie and Williams and after that they were doing a short passing drill together as well. Strauss looks like he is nearly ready to be back training with the main group, he had a trainer all to himself who was testing him with a lot of running and lateral movement. He was also doing a fair amount of running shots at goal from what I saw. He has a slight limp when walking but looks fine while running.

What's with all the sleeves on these dudes? These guys are becoming a bunch of lemmings re: the tatts.

Our forward line is starting to look really good. The last time our forward had this much promise was in about 2002 (with Robbo, Neita, Vardy and Green in it, and a good attacking midfield pushing forward: Powell, Yze, Bruce etc).

http://www.theage.co...0111-1pvf7.html

Article on some injuries we have,

Agree good news on James Strauss. We need somone designated to kick in and he's my preference, my alternative is Tapscott. I like Sellar in the backline if he can stand-up because that will free Frawley off the key forward. My back 6 of Frawley, Sellar, Rivers, Garland, Bartram, Grimes doesn't have a logical kick-in unless it's Frawley or Garland. I would like either Strauss or Tapscott in there and Grimes to the midfield. Bennell could replace Bartram but I get the feeling Neeld may prefer Clint.

Also good news on Jake Spencer - I know many here don't rate him but he can play the #1 ruck role if required. With Gawn injured he's very important depth if Jamar also gets injured which has happened. Stef could step up as #1 but that would mean rucking Clark. I'd prefer Jake in for the Russian if required. If Stef gets injured it's a different story - Clark would have to ruck. I see it Jamar/Spencer and Martin/Clark

Combos:

#1: Jamar-Martin

If Jamar is injured: Spencer-Martin (prefer this to Martin-Clark)

If Martin is injured: Jamar-Clark

Jake is out of contract and has a great opportunity to establish his value.

Edited January 17, 201213 yr by old55

Agree good news on James Strauss. We need somone designated to kick in and he's my preference, my alternative is Tapscott. I like Sellar in the backline if he can stand-up because that will free Frawley off the key forward.

Agree with your ruck ideas but Sellar pushing Frawley off the No.1 back perch?

I think that is giving him a celing that is going to be tough to meet...

He should be aiming to do what Rivers and Garland seemingly can't - play on resting rucks and help against teams that have multiple big bodied threats (Cloke and Dawes).

So I don't think he will be expected to push Frawley down the proverbial totem pole.

Personally, I think he is going to struggle but he is low risk - high reward.

Agree good news on James Strauss. We need somone designated to kick in and he's my preference, my alternative is Tapscott. I like Sellar in the backline if he can stand-up because that will free Frawley off the key forward. My back 6 of Frawley, Sellar, Rivers, Garland, Bartram, Grimes doesn't have a logical kick-in unless it's Frawley or Garland. I would like either Strauss or Tapscott in there and Grimes to the midfield. Bennell could replace Bartram but I get the feeling Neeld may prefer Clint.

Also good news on Jake Spencer - I know many here don't rate him but he can play the #1 ruck role if required. With Gawn injured he's very important depth if Jamar also gets injured which has happened. Stef could step up as #1 but that would mean rucking Clark. I'd prefer Jake in for the Russian if required. If Stef gets injured it's a different story - Clark would have to ruck. I see it Jamar/Spencer and Martin/Clark

Combos:

#1: Jamar-Martin

If Jamar is injured: Spencer-Martin (prefer this to Martin-Clark)

If Martin is injured: Jamar-Clark

Jake is out of contract and has a great opportunity to establish his value.

you wouldn't put tommy mc or fitzpatrick into this conversation so as to keep clark at the top of the square?