Training Monday 6th February, 2012

[DirtyDees DDC 171]

They picked the right day to train at Casey.  We had big storms yesterday in Melbourne  but the squad was blessed with perfect conditions this morning - 20 degrees, blue skies and no breeze.  

 

The good news - all 8 of our new leadership team were in the main training group.  Clark and Bartram were in the rehab group last week, but they stayed for the first half of today's session, together with Davey.  This gang of 3 then finished early and walked a couple of precautionary laps.  

 

Once again the rehab group included Tapscott, Sylvia and McKenzie, plus Spencer Jurrah, Evans and Williams, with new boys Taggart and Tynan getting a break from the main group. 

The encouraging news is that the coaches who were overseeing the rehab session told Misson they were pleased with their progress, and that some of the rehab group are not far from getting back into the main group.

My concern is that Jurrah, Tapscott, Sylvia and McKenzie should all be pushing for selection in the seniors,  but they have all missed a lot of pre-season work. The earlier reports indicate they have spent very little time training with the main group.   At least they have eight weeks till the first match.

Green was absent, and Jetta trained with the main group but wore the green OH&S vest (do not tackle).

 

The advantage of Casey is the main group can train on one oval while the rehab group can train on the oval next door. This allows the senior group use all of the main oval during the match practice.

 

They started with the kicking drill where the ball is kicked to allow the target to run to space, then the target passes it to a direct lead from another target. At least I hope that was the plan - a few kicks went wide of the intended targets but i'll assume that was the aim of the session. .  

 

They then split into 2 groups of 2 teams  and went through a handball drill for about 20 minutes.  The team with the ball had to handball quickly under pressure and either kick a goal or hit one of the two portable targets.  They could run and carry the ball, but they could also get tackled.  No sign of tennis balls, unlike last year.

 

Then we had at least three match practice sessions of about 10 minutes each, interrupted by a review of each session by the coaching staff.  Clark was matched against Frawley in the first session and what a difference it makes to finally have a target on the forward line.  In one play, Martin got the loose ball on the forward flank, then broke clear and passed to Clark who marked and goaled from the opposite pocket.

 

They struggled to score goals in the final match practice sessions,  and I didn't get a sense of a 'wow!' factor from the group.  They definitely look fitter and will apply more contested pressure this year,  but they still dropped marks and missed targets.   To safeguard against these errors, the ball was moved around both flanks from defence, rather than up the corridor. If the contest started on the wing, the ball was passed to someone like Bate or Moloney who could kick it long to the forward line.  They finished off the session with the players breaking into 5-6 smaller groups for specialised training such as goal shooting or kicking for goal.

 

The highlight? - Jurrah.  He walks back from rehab. He's still got the cast on his wrist. He picks up a ball on the boundary line of the main oval - 30 metres out from goal.  He takes a couple of steps then bends the ball right-to-left and curls it through the goal.  On his left foot!!!   He's bent a reverse punt on his non-preferred foot.

No wonder he was posing for photos and signing copies of his new book.

[Roger Mellie 3,669]

Great report thanks Dirty.

How were the spirits of the ousted members of the leadership group?

Is Martin rucking/playing forward or a bit of both?

Cheers

[H_T 2,941]

What was the "vibe" like, positive energy & plenty of talk ?

[greenmachine 21]

great report thanks mate

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

What was the "vibe" like, positive energy & plenty of talk ?

Seriously? I know at this time of year everyone is eager for football, but would expect a training session to be anything but positive with lots of talk?

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

I was a training, I am not too big on training reports as we have seen too much gets read into them but just a few notes.

 

- Cook is still skinny but really puts a lot of effort in, good hands and his goal kicking was good. I think we forget how promising he looked in the NAB Cup last year.

- In the match simulation drill there was a lot of long kicking into the forward line which had forwards in it, after a series of (five to be exact) contested handpasses.  Will this be a tactic used in games? Who knows but it was good to see.

- Massive Petterd fan, but his kicking action is holding him back.

- Sellar is big unit and tries very hard, he reminds me a bit of Kepler Bradley which isn't the best, but he is ready to go round one if needed.

- A lot of dropped marks and missed kicks, which is a little frustrating even in non-costested situations.

- Strauss was pushing himself very hard, kicking was excellent.  I am hoping he proves me wrong.

- Morton was hiding his huge new biceps under a t-shirt so I can't comment on those.  He did make a couple of good spoils though in the drills which was good to see.

- Bennell was a highlight, fast and skillful.

 

Again, don't read too much into my comments, just some casual observations from the day.

 

And yes, High Tower the "vibe" was good.

[savoydee 6]

Thanks for the reports,.8 weeks to go, therefore we can pick up our skills by then.No doubt the emphasis has been on fitness up to now.

[rhaz 342]

Clark. Clark Clark Clark Clark Clark. NO E!!

Thanks for the report... cant beleive how close we are to the nab cup.

[DirtyDees DDC 171]

And yes, High Tower the "vibe" was good.

The vibe? - lots of talk from the general group, and the usual funnies from Jack Watts. Misson said to everyone at the end of the session "get your running shoes on" so Jack feigned a hammy. Misson was just joshing.

Davey, Rivers and Moloney all took part in the main group, but it's hard to tell if they were less vocal than usual.

Strauss trained with the main group for the full session. That's a fantastic effort to come back from such a bad injury.

Sellar can at least kick the ball, and has hardly missed a session since arriving from Adelaide. The NAB cup will determine if he plays round one.

Cook is also coming back from injury so it was good to see him get through the session. He missed one low mark and cursed himself. He will probably get a run in the NAB cup.

Yes I agree with the long kicking into the forward line, and a few missed marks. We are still a work in progress in this area.

[Dee-Bortoli 8]

Just on the topic of fitness, today I helped the sports and fitness coach of Essendon move house. Dean Robinson who was previously at Geelong for 6 years and GC Suns and I was dumbfounded by how much these guys do. 6-7 days a week, speaks with the coach minimum 2 times a day about programs and players etc, travels to all games with the team, receives text messages from certain players on modified programs and diets all day long, and it gets more intense through the season! I can only hope that Misson is as dedicated and professional as they are down at bomberland. Anyway kind of off topic but I found it very interesting.

[Lil_red_fire_engine 10,486]

The highlight? - Jurrah. He walks back from rehab. He's still got the cast on his wrist. He picks up a ball on the boundary line of the main oval - 30 metres out from goal. He takes a couple of steps then bends the ball right-to-left and curls it through the goal. On his left foot!!! He's bent a reverse punt on his non-preferred foot.

No wonder he was posing for photos and signing copies of his new book.

I would not be too concerned about Jurrah not participating in training. If anyone will get their touch quickly it is him. -Granted he cannot participate in the match simulations but his injury has allowed him to run lap upon lap and work on his aerobic capacity which is of most importance.

[RalphiusMaximus 6,005]

I would not be too concerned about Jurrah not participating in training. If anyone will get their touch quickly it is him. -Granted he cannot participate in the match simulations but his injury has allowed him to run lap upon lap and work on his aerobic capacity which is of most importance.

Agree totally. I don;t care if he doesn't kick a ball in the pre-season, as long as his fitness improves. He has speed and flare to burn, and if he can produce for an entire game he will be the one of the most formidable attacking weapons in the game.

[Jordie_tackles 354]

Agree totally. I don;t care if he doesn't kick a ball in the pre-season, as long as his fitness improves. He has speed and flare to burn, and if he can produce for an entire game he will be the one of the most formidable attacking weapons in the game.

I honestly disagree, Neeld is setting up an elaborate or compared to what we are used to game plan..... Jurrah should know and work in this. I doubt half the team will get it early this year as it is

maybe this is exaggerating it but, my point is still valid

[DemonWA 3,658]

I honestly disagree, Neeld is setting up an elaborate or compared to what we are used to game plan..... Jurrah should know and work in this. I doubt half the team will get it early this year as it is

maybe this is exaggerating it but, my point is still valid

theyre not learing a new sport mate, yes they will take time to learn some finer points of the game plan, but the really good players will play. especially In the forward line for someone like jurrah where the abridged version of the game plan is likley to be tackle, chase, get front and center to clark and kick goals?!

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

theyre not learing a new sport mate, yes they will take time to learn some finer points of the game plan, but the really good players will play. especially In the forward line for someone like jurrah where the abridged version of the game plan is likley to be tackle, chase, get front and center to clark and kick goals?!

It's interesting, I saw Jurrah watching on today (after the rehab group came back) and he was talking to Leigh Brown, pointing and asking questions and he watches so intently, I am sure he knows what is going on, he has a very good football brain.

[Jordie_tackles 354]

theyre not learing a new sport mate, yes they will take time to learn some finer points of the game plan, but the really good players will play. especially In the forward line for someone like jurrah where the abridged version of the game plan is likley to be tackle, chase, get front and center to clark and kick goals?!

Why does he not get the full game plan

Watching isnt doing

[Lil_red_fire_engine 10,486]

Why does he not get the full game plan

Watching isnt doing

The point that is being made is that the injury Jurrah sustained has not stopped him working on his greatest deficiency which is his aerobic capacity. If any it has made almost his sole focus. He is the most natural one touch player on our list I would say he has one of the best football brains.Most of the training on the track has not been about structures that has been in the class room where he can participate. Granted putting those learnings into action on the track assists but I think he is best placed to be ready to go for the start of the season.

[Jaded No More 60,151]

Anyone know what's wrong with McKenzie? He's been in the rehab group all pre-season!

[jnrmac 19,509]

theyre not learing a new sport mate, yes they will take time to learn some finer points of the game plan, but the really good players will play.

Really??? They didn't learn a game plan under DB. At least they didn't play like they knew what a game plan was. Finer points??? I would say it has ben de-constructed and is being put together again. The difference being that under DB they didn't pick up a ball until around February (gotta work on building their bodies up!). Neeld has been doing game simulations since very early on. Well need it.

[Jordie_tackles 354]

The point that is being made is that the injury Jurrah sustained has not stopped him working on his greatest deficiency which is his aerobic capacity. If any it has made almost his sole focus. He is the most natural one touch player on our list I would say he has one of the best football brains.Most of the training on the track has not been about structures that has been in the class room where he can participate. Granted putting those learnings into action on the track assists but I think he is best placed to be ready to go for the start of the season.

Im suggesting Neeld wont be giving Jurrah any special favours or less of a game plan, he needs to follow our plan, our press ect

And you dont learn it over night, or in a class room, this may help but participating is what will make our team improve

I love Jurrah i just think him running laps wont mean he is on par in terms of match play and the game plan at this stage,

It may mean he can contribute more when called upon

[H_T 2,941]

And yes, High Tower the "vibe" was good.

Thanks for the answer CB ! But you could have done without the smart arse remark. DDC provided a great summary for the "one" question I had (which you refer to as stupid questions - plural). I wondered if the session was upbeat given the leadership upheaval, that's all.

Seriously...

Seriously? I know at this time of year everyone is eager for football, but would expect a training session to be anything but positive with lots of talk?

Sometimes sessions are flat, go through the motions like. Some are intense, jovial and upbeat.

Seriously...

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

Thanks for the answer CB ! But you could have done without the smart arse remark. DDC provided a great summary for the "one" question I had (which you refer to as stupid questions - plural). I wondered if the session was upbeat given the leadership upheaval, that's all.

Seriously...

Sometimes sessions are flat, go through the motions like. Some are intense, jovial and upbeat.

Seriously...

Every session I have been to they have always been upbeat. As Neeld said they are "passionate" group, especially with the likes of Petterd, Moloney and Frawley.

On a side note, it was funny to see Neil Graig getting stuck into Petterd, asking him how many goals he had kicked in the match simulations. I am guessing Petterd had stated he was going to kick a bag.

[dee-luded 2,958]

Anyone know what's wrong with McKenzie? He's been in the rehab group all pre-season!

I think he's got a sore groin.

[Theo 263]

I think he's got a sore groin.

I've spoken to him a few times at training. Jordie has a sore achilles. He is running well now but still in the rehab group. These things sometimes take a long time to go away. I doubt that he will be playing NAB Cup. I have not seen him do any ball work either before and after Xmas. Just laps laps laps.

[nutbean 8,837]

Why does he not get the full game plan

Watching isnt doing

I agree with this. It is true that Jurrah's touch is natural and will come quickly and aerobic capacity is key for Jurrah but pre-season is about learning and repeat applications of the learning until it comes second nature. What is the old saying" you should play like you train". It doesnt always apply. However last year we constantly moaned that there was no one in the forward to kick to - players running to the wrong spots. Repetition of training drills is important so doing things as per instruction are second nature. Anyone who does not participate is disadvantaged.