A short report on training from 9.30 at the paddock. I was only there for the first half hour and would appreciate advice on the balance of the session.

There were two groups a main group doing inside work and a second group of small forwards doing lead up drills.

The inside group comprised the main list and they focussed on 2 v 2 contested ball movement in a tight space, tackling bag drills, and a contested spread drill. I watched the group closesest to the northern boundary which was Sylvia, Tapscott, Byrnes, Pederson, Frawley, Howe, Strauss, NIcholson (?) and others. Howe and Tapscott struck me as the most switched on - both were quick and effective. Sylvia is hard to stop and was impressive and elusive. Byrnes looked to me rather ineffectual - and a bit uninterested (too harsh?) - he is an outside mid afterall and pretty small. Frawley was fairly relaxed / laid back though clean and effective enough. Pederson was surprisingly quick for a guy his size.

Watts and Gillies (?) ran laps.

The small forward group (my assumption here) was basically doing a light one on one contest drill which resulted in a free kick which lead to a lead from a small forward. The participants were Blease and I think Dom Barry and others I cant identify. The drill wasnt executed well and the ball receivers werent really up to gathering the half volley and rarely timed their runs to be a full stretch. They were being asked to time their runs but they werent.

I didnt see Dawes.

If someone could fill in the gaps and expand on what happened that would be appreciated.

I popped down for most of the session, but was catching up with a mate from overseas, so didn't watch it that closely.

Watts was doing rehab running with Taggert. Dawes, Grimes and Gawn were all doing shorter interval running for much of the session. Did some longer running towards the end.

Interestingly, Blease spent quite a bit of time with all the new draftees doing specific, small group drills.

Main group drills really focused on working the ball in confined spaces and some tackling. They finished off with some larger, full ground drills. My boy Jimmy Toumpas looked great on the track today. Viney also was right at the feet of the Russian for all the stoppage drills.

Given the load the boys have had in recent weeks it was still a very solid session.

I popped down for most of the session, but was catching up with a mate from overseas, so didn't watch it that closely.

Watts was doing rehab running with Taggert. Dawes, Grimes and Gawn were all doing shorter interval running for much of the session. Did some longer running towards the end.

Interestingly, Blease spent quite a bit of time with all the new draftees doing specific, small group drills.

Main group drills really focused on working the ball in confined spaces and some tackling. They finished off with some larger, full ground drills. My boy Jimmy Toumpas looked great on the track today. Viney also was right at the feet of the Russian for all the stoppage drills.

Given the load the boys have had in recent weeks it was still a very solid session.

Who was wearing the number 33 and doing the small group drill with Blease?

Who was wearing the number 33 and doing the small group drill with Blease?

33 would be Dom Barry.

speaking of BaRRY

This must surely be the definition of " OPTIMISM "

Barry taking on Tapscott.. good luck with that son !!! lol

speaking of BaRRY

This must surely be the definition of " OPTIMISM "

[img=http://www.melbournefc.com.au/staticfile/AFL%20Tenant/Melbourne/Training%20Photos/Tapscott.jpg]

Barry taking on Tapscott.. good luck with that son !!! lol

At least he is having a go. Good luck to him.

At least he is having a go. Good luck to him.

i wasn't knocking him lol. More power to the lad ( and more weight eventually )

I popped in for a bit yesterday. Happy to comment on any questions people have.

Otherwise, a few random comments/ observations:

• The unidentified participants mentioned in the drill with Blease and Barry, were Kent, Stark and Clisby. Conditions were quite blustery which made kicking a challenge. In spite of this Barry's kicking skills really stood up, he is a beautiful user of the ball, and reminds me so much of a young Michael Long, in the way he moves. Blease's skills were also impressive, his kicking was harder and flatter than Barry's but still accurate.
• I spoke briefly with Maxy Gawn, he said he will rejoin the main training group on the first day back from christmas break (Jan 2nd).
• Grimesy still not with the main group, he did lots of running, and looks in magnificent condition. I'm unaware of any specific injury complaint (anyone got any information here?) I wonder if this will be the norm for him for the rest of his career due to his history of injuries. Perhaps they are going to minimise his pre-christmas workload each year, then step him up in January?
• Dawes looks great too, still good size up top, but overall seems leaner than I remember him at Collingwood.
• Those missing today were: Hogan, Spencer, Dunn, McKenzie, Trengove.
• Watts, and Taggert ran laps together and did lots of short sharp handballing. At one stage they juggled 3 footies by handballing to each other from about a metre apart, Watts' hand/eye co-ordination was very impressive here, as almost every time it was Taggert that made the mistake.
• There was a drill which went for 10-15 mins where half the team (in fluro green) played a defensive press, while the blue team tried to work the ball through from a full-back position, ultimately kicking it to Pedersen at the other end. The problem was the boys at the back for the blue team were: Joel MacDonald, T-Mac, Troy Davis and Gillies. The kicking skills on display from these boys were poor to say the least, especially Joel Mac, at one point he turned the ball over on 4 consecutive occassions. I felt sorry for both him, and also the rest of the blue group who were consequently getting nothing out of the drill. I really admire Joel Mac for his attack on the ball, and unquestionable effort however, his kicking really is a liability.
• After I left I'm told by a mate who stayed that the boys did some work on their annual christmas video.

Barry taking on Tapscott.. good luck with that son !!! lol

speaking of BaRRY

This must surely be the definition of " OPTIMISM "

Barry taking on Tapscott.. good luck with that son !!! lol

Closer to a tackle than Davey has been in years.....

Its uncanny how much Barry looks like Long...exactly the same body shape.

Its uncanny how much Barry looks like Long...exactly the same body shape.

Throw in left footed, pace to burn and highly skilful. Troy Simmonds wouldn't want to pop in to training, that's for sure!!

I popped in for a bit yesterday. Happy to comment on any questions people have.

Otherwise, a few random comments/ observations:

• The unidentified participants mentioned in the drill with Blease and Barry, were Kent, Stark and Clisby. Conditions were quite blustery which made kicking a challenge. In spite of this Barry's kicking skills really stood up, he is a beautiful user of the ball, and reminds me so much of a young Michael Long, in the way he moves. Blease's skills were also impressive, his kicking was harder and flatter than Barry's but still accurate.
• I spoke briefly with Maxy Gawn, he said he will rejoin the main training group on the first day back from christmas break (Jan 2nd).
• Grimesy still not with the main group, he did lots of running, and looks in magnificent condition. I'm unaware of any specific injury complaint (anyone got any information here?) I wonder if this will be the norm for him for the rest of his career due to his history of injuries. Perhaps they are going to minimise his pre-christmas workload each year, then step him up in January?
• Dawes looks great too, still good size up top, but overall seems leaner than I remember him at Collingwood.
• Those missing today were: Hogan, Spencer, Dunn, McKenzie, Trengove.
• Watts, and Taggert ran laps together and did lots of short sharp handballing. At one stage they juggled 3 footies by handballing to each other from about a metre apart, Watts' hand/eye co-ordination was very impressive here, as almost every time it was Taggert that made the mistake.
• There was a drill which went for 10-15 mins where half the team (in fluro green) played a defensive press, while the blue team tried to work the ball through from a full-back position, ultimately kicking it to Pedersen at the other end. The problem was the boys at the back for the blue team were: Joel MacDonald, T-Mac, Troy Davis and Gillies. The kicking skills on display from these boys were poor to say the least, especially Joel Mac, at one point he turned the ball over on 4 consecutive occassions. I felt sorry for both him, and also the rest of the blue group who were consequently getting nothing out of the drill. I really admire Joel Mac for his attack on the ball, and unquestionable effort however, his kicking really is a liability.
• After I left I'm told by a mate who stayed that the boys did some work on their annual christmas video.

I don't usually log in from home esp when on holiday, but I had to, the above report on Joel Mac's kicking is wrong, I was stood watching it and so was my partner, either the watcher has got the wrong guy or he saw somehting we didn't see....what I also saw was the blue team doing a good job of the press, and also the players were constantly interchanging so Joel Mac wouldn't have got 4 consecutive kicks

As for Barry, Nev Jetta also likened him to Michael Long, so no pressure on the young guy at all, but really good to watch...

The young 'small' new guys, which also included Blease, were also given a separate tackling class by John Muggleton, who I spoke to after he had finished...

he is enjoying coachiing the players and said the days of arm waving will be over by the time he has finished with them

As for Barry, Nev Jetta also likened him to Michael Long, so no pressure on the young guy at all, but really good to watch...

The young 'small' new guys, which also included Blease, were also given a separate tackling class by John Muggleton, who I spoke to after he had finished...

he is enjoying coachiing the players and said the days of arm waving will be over by the time he has finished with them

You will also see a pic of the 2 Viney at training, Todd was coaching Jack during their time together, Jack took the wrong option in the length of the field drill a couple of times and was nailed, assume it was about this....Choco Royal also had a word as well at the end, lot's of pointing etc from both Todd and Choco...great to see..no historionics just education

Does it seem like grimes is on a more intensive running program to build his engine for more time in the midfield or some sort of rehab?

As for Barry, Nev Jetta also likened him to Michael Long, so no pressure on the young guy at all, but really good to watch...

The young 'small' new guys, which also included Blease, were also given a separate tackling class by John Muggleton, who I spoke to after he had finished...

he is enjoying coachiing the players and said the days of arm waving will be over by the time he has finished with them

Hope Muggleton also spends lots of time with Rohan Bail showing him the difference between shoulder and neck

Hope Muggleton also spends lots of time with Rohan Bail showing him the difference between shoulder and neck

I wouldn't be worried about that, they are learning to go low in the tackle. If he gets anywhere near the shoulder it will be a poor tackle.

In answerr to a couple of questions

Mugglleton is there to stop the arm waving, slinging and head highs, he laughed when I pointed out at one of the first traiining sessions I watched he had to point out to the players that if a player steps left first he is going right....he said he is still teaching Rugby internationals (supposedly the best) how to tackle,.Neeld wants the opposition to know we will tackle and tackle hard, during the tackling drills if you do it wrong you are singled out....I watched in November and it is already showing improvement

Grimes, seems to be running unrestricted, but my partner was in right place at right time and after he had finished he was discuussing his left thigh with medicos, so maybe it is a bit of both, a lot of problems he has had are back and thigh related

As for Barry, Nev Jetta also likened him to Michael Long, so no pressure on the young guy at all, but really good to watch...

The young 'small' new guys, which also included Blease, were also given a separate tackling class by John Muggleton, who I spoke to after he had finished...

he is enjoying coachiing the players and said the days of arm waving will be over by the time he has finished with them

I have seen this mentioned a few times throughout the reports, and it has got me a litle bit buggered as to what it means. Can someone please explain? Is it meaning that when we tackle the opposition, and they raise their hands/arms so that the tackle slips over their shoulders, a la Joel Selwood style, is this what we are trying to eliminate? Cheers.

I wouldn't be worried about that, they are learning to go low in the tackle. If he gets anywhere near the shoulder it will be a poor tackle.

Correct.

The tackling method being taught is hard around the waist then lift and keep going to force an illegal disposal.

Edit:- That tackle is from the front. Tackles from behind will probably result in a free kick against us.

I have seen this mentioned a few times throughout the reports, and it has got me a litle bit buggered as to what it means. Can someone please explain? Is it meaning that when we tackle the opposition, and they raise their hands/arms so that the tackle slips over their shoulders, a la Joel Selwood style, is this what we are trying to eliminate? Cheers.

What Muggleton is teaching them is not to prop ie stop dead stay on your toes, also to read which way the player is going to attempt to step, that way the tackle sticks and they dont just 'wave an arm' as they go past

He is also teaching them to tackle low and push backwards and upwards, that way the player can't slip down and the arms up, even Barry who is a stick seems to be listening instead of taking Tapscott front on, he has the side, arms nice and low and under one arm and pushing backwards

I have watched a bit of what they are practicing from behind, it is a grab of the shirt or shorts and you fall to drag the player backwards

What Muggleton is teaching them is not to prop ie stop dead stay on your toes, also to read which way the player is going to attempt to step, that way the tackle sticks and they dont just 'wave an arm' as they go past

He is also teaching them to tackle low and push backwards and upwards, that way the player can't slip down and the arms up, even Barry who is a stick seems to be listening instead of taking Tapscott front on, he has the side, arms nice and low and under one arm and pushing backwards

Cheers mate, explained perfectly!

At the risk of opening a can of worms, how has Watts been going with it? I'm just looking for improvement. Nb I am a supporter of JW.

I popped in for a bit yesterday. Happy to comment on any questions people have.

Otherwise, a few random comments/ observations:

• The unidentified participants mentioned in the drill with Blease and Barry, were Kent, Stark and Clisby. Conditions were quite blustery which made kicking a challenge. In spite of this Barry's kicking skills really stood up, he is a beautiful user of the ball, and reminds me so much of a young Michael Long, in the way he moves. Blease's skills were also impressive, his kicking was harder and flatter than Barry's but still accurate.
• I spoke briefly with Maxy Gawn, he said he will rejoin the main training group on the first day back from christmas break (Jan 2nd).
• Grimesy still not with the main group, he did lots of running, and looks in magnificent condition. I'm unaware of any specific injury complaint (anyone got any information here?) I wonder if this will be the norm for him for the rest of his career due to his history of injuries. Perhaps they are going to minimise his pre-christmas workload each year, then step him up in January?
• Dawes looks great too, still good size up top, but overall seems leaner than I remember him at Collingwood.
• Those missing today were: Hogan, Spencer, Dunn, McKenzie, Trengove.
• Watts, and Taggert ran laps together and did lots of short sharp handballing. At one stage they juggled 3 footies by handballing to each other from about a metre apart, Watts' hand/eye co-ordination was very impressive here, as almost every time it was Taggert that made the mistake.
• There was a drill which went for 10-15 mins where half the team (in fluro green) played a defensive press, while the blue team tried to work the ball through from a full-back position, ultimately kicking it to Pedersen at the other end. The problem was the boys at the back for the blue team were: Joel MacDonald, T-Mac, Troy Davis and Gillies. The kicking skills on display from these boys were poor to say the least, especially Joel Mac, at one point he turned the ball over on 4 consecutive occassions. I felt sorry for both him, and also the rest of the blue group who were consequently getting nothing out of the drill. I really admire Joel Mac for his attack on the ball, and unquestionable effort however, his kicking really is a liability.
• After I left I'm told by a mate who stayed that the boys did some work on their annual christmas video.

I don't usually log in from home esp when on holiday, but I had to, the above report on Joel Mac's kicking is wrong, I was stood watching it and so was my partner, either the watcher has got the wrong guy or he saw somehting we didn't see....what I also saw was the blue team doing a good job of the press, and also the players were constantly interchanging so Joel Mac wouldn't have got 4 consecutive kicks

Whilst respecting your right to disagree Satyricone, I am 100% confident it was Joel MacDonald. He kicked 1 out on the full to where the tents were set up, kicked another 5 metres wide on the other side. Landed one 5 metres short of Jack Viney so that he was tackled to the ground by two fluro greens as soon as he picked the ball up, and fluffed another where Rodan was the intended target. With regards to the "consecutive" I apologise for the ambiguous description, I meant to say consecutive kicks from him, not necessarily that there wasn't others who had kicks in between his.

Does it seem like grimes is on a more intensive running program to build his engine for more time in the midfield or some sort of rehab?

It looked like they were nursing him a little to be honest - just keeping him out of the contact stuff and doing straight line running for a little longer.

He looked very fit and strong and Im not aware of anything specifically holding him back from the rest of the group.

He looked slightly leaner as well.