Training - Wednesday 16 January, 2013

[rjay 25,064]

Does anyone else think that Grimes could be our version of Luke Hodge?

Different type of player, the only similarity is the positions played.

[Hannibal 5,814]

My mate is an AFL boundary umpire and he mentioned to me that Melbourne are the only club so far to have requested a boundary umpire to attend training sessions. We have apparently got one down 4 times so far, including on a Sunday, which I thought was interesting as it is outside normal field training days. Not 100% sure why we need an actual boundary umpire to throw the balls in for us when practicing throw in stoppages? Ne way thought I would mention it for those who are interested.

I've been there when a boundary umpire was there and it's simply replicating a stoppage from a throw in. And why not have the real McCoy ? They get the feel of the distance - and at one point the rucks had to be told the direction/angle of the throw back, as they set up incorrectly, which was a little odd. The field umpire also attended.

It probably wasn't necessary, but why not ? And the umpires seemed to enjoy the interaction.

[Hannibal 5,814]

Does anyone else think that Grimes could be our version of Luke Hodge?

i don't see it. Not as tough, skillful, or inspirational. Grimes is very brave, but for me he's not in Hodge's league.

[Rod Grinter Riot Squad 5,654]

Went as well.

Spencer and Jordie McTackle doing boundary throw in routines with some coaches early and left.

Not sure whether Dwayne is mixing up David with Tommy Mac, as thought Tommy was one of our best on track, watched his quite closely and was impressed with his generally good disposal and loved seeing how frustrated he got when he didn't do things right, shows a will to win we also see from Chip that I love.

Jetta will repay the faith I've always had in him. Have never wavered in my belief he could be a good player, we'll see that this year.

Gillies and Sellar impressed.

Watts wasn't great by foot today, but the hard running between drills and a few other things were he put in harder than those around him was great to see. Similarly, Blease had me doubting my faith in him, till he took Chip down in a tackle and the threw himself at the ball in a desperate second effort.

Terlich impressed, ahead of many who have been on the list longer, was bummed Strauss left so early.

Neeld walked 2 or 3 laps with Chunky at one stage, wish I could have eavesdropped!

The worries for me today were Couch, Nicho, Davis and Bail. The type of players you want to succeed as they have great attitudes and work their butts off, but their kicking just isn't up to scratch.

Byrnes and Rodan looked good out there IMO, but was underwhelmed with Pederson. Thought he was just lazy on the track for a lot of what I saw, only making an effort when the ball was heading his way on full oval drills. If Fitzy works his arse off he could beat Pedo for a spot (not there yet - lot to do).

Overall, they looked pretty good, but safe to say a truckload of work to do before the season kicks off.

[waynewussell 6,237]

Good read Rod Grinter RS... Yes, I found myself clapping that Blease effort and very nearly gave out a "Whooop", but fans are so conservative while watching training. Agree with you re Wats and Jetta, thought Couch was good in match play and have a high opinion of Pederson. Just a note on match play routine, there are only five or six 'defenders' against 'the rest'. This demands they work very hard for a short period before subbing out. It was in this context that Blease had his excellent moment, I believe.

[Hannibal 5,814]

Pedersen may not be the greatest trainer known to man, but you'll like the role he plays at AFL level.

[jnrmac 20,171]

Does anyone else think that Grimes could be our version of Luke Hodge?

Grimes would have the most outon the fulls of any AFL player. he will never be a luke hodge.

[old dee 23,870]

Grimes would have the most outon the fulls of any AFL player. he will never be a luke hodge.

Must be a little slow this morning Jr

It took me quite a while to pick that one up

[Rod Grinter Riot Squad 5,654]

Pedersen may not be the greatest trainer known to man, but you'll like the role he plays at AFL level.

Good to hear, haven't sent him at AFL.

WW, also though Couch was very good in match play, like Nicho, just their disposal that's the big worry.

[satyricon 267]

Hodge 205 games Grimes 53....yes that's a good comparison....let's see what Grimes does this season with his 2nd full preseason under his belt

[Forest Demon 4,681]

i don't see it. Not as tough, skillful, or inspirational. Grimes is very brave, but for me he's not in Hodge's league.

I think he is every bit as tough as Luke Hodge, sometimes to both their detriment. But you are right that he doesn't have the skills to rear a game up like Hodge can.

[Norm Smith's Curse 2,602]

Agree RE Terlich he definitely stood out running out of defense.

We havent had any run out of the back half since we gave Ward the barney

[Norm Smith's Curse 2,602]

Great report.

"Surprisingly Watts "

This is a shock-he has the best footskills at the club since YZe or Flash.

You obviously havent seen the Toumpas kick yet!

[Norm Smith's Curse 2,602]

The worries for me today were Couch, Nicho, Davis and Bail. The type of players you want to succeed as they have great attitudes and work their butts off, but their kicking just isn't up to scratch.

Been my point for a while. Couple of those were lucky not to be part of the cull to be honest because we seemed to have a large amount of one dimensional players with terrible kicking. Nicho's speed will see him through.

[1858 285]

Wrt Nicho and Terlich and any other defensive runners they will really bring us into the game this year. I prefer Nicho down back (on paper at least) because he'll keep opposition forwards honest all day due to his tank. We want to exploit theses oppo forwards by making them chase over 4 quarters and burn them out.

We have more than enough midfield prospects to tinker around with this year. Not to say Nicho couldn't push up the ground here and there but I'd keep his role relatively simple and hope that he can improve his kicking, pressure and reading of the play.

The other thing is we look to be better placed to rotate players than ever before. I don't mean a mindless system like in the cricket but I'm referring to Perth games, the Darwin game etc where we will have like for like replacements ready to go in the event of some players not being at optimal level the following week. All over the ground we are building redundancy whether it be rucks, talls or smalls and also in another area - leadership.

[Guest José Mourinho]

Yes there will be injuries, and all 3 will get games. But I reckon each week Neeld will be looking at the opponents and choosing the best of them to play against a particular opponent. I am not sure Nicho is the most versatile - I would probably give that to Jetta. But Strauss has size, awareness and skill, if he is still not particularly aggressive around packs or tackling.

I think this is definitely a common misperception.

[old dee 23,870]

Yes there will be injuries, and all 3 will get games. But I reckon each week Neeld will be looking at the opponents and choosing the best of them to play against a particular opponent. I am not sure Nicho is the most versatile - I would probably give that to Jetta. But Strauss has size, awareness and skill, if he is still not particularly aggressive around packs or tackling.

Opinions are always interesting Maldon boy, you may be right re Jetta, he has been injured so much I wonder if we have ever seen him uninjured and fully fit at the same time.

Don't ask me why but I cannot take a shine to Strauss, I cannot give you good reasons but he just does not inspire me.

[old dee 23,870]

I think this is definitely a common misperception.

As I said above Jose I cannot warm to Strauss, does not give me much confidence

[Guest José Mourinho]

We'll have to disagree, then wait and see.

I think he's best 22, in a back pocket or HBF.

[old dee 23,870]

We'll have to disagree, then wait and see.

I think he's best 22, in a back pocket or HBF.

He is on my "watch closely list" for 2013

[Guest José Mourinho]

He was on mine in 2011 and on close inspection showed he has the raw tools.

I expect with the coaching dept in place, they will be suitably honed.

[Hannibal 5,814]

I would love Strauss to be best 22. We need him to be best 22. Am I confident he'll be best 22 ?

No. This is a big year for Strauss, Watts, Blease, Tapscott, and Trengove. They need to take their games to another level. If they all do, combined with other obvious areas of improvement, we could really surprise in 2013.

[old dee 23,870]

I would love Strauss to be best 22. We need him to be best 22. Am I confident he'll be best 22 ?

No. This is a big year for Strauss, Watts, Blease, Tapscott, and Trengove. They need to take their games to another level. If they all do, combined with other obvious areas of improvement, we could really surprise in 2013.

It will also say a lot about our recruiting over the couple of years these guys were chosen.

I hope they all justify there selection as they are what is basically left from those years high selections

[Slartibartfast 17,550]

Nicho will play very defensive roles I reckon because his kicking is really a terrible liability. He'll play on the Bett's and Gartlett's of this world. He could probably also tag a midfielder but I don't know about his concentration.

If Terlich, Jetta and Strauss come on I see Nicho, for all his excellent qualities, struggling.

[rjay 25,064]

He was on mine in 2011 and on close inspection showed he has the raw tools.

I expect with the coaching dept in place, they will be suitably honed.

I also think he has the tools but it is mentally now where he needs to trust those tools and take the game on. His kicking will be a real plus for us if he does.