You can be happier, I wouldnt go cracking too many cans open just yet. But they are now under full match sims, putting the backs and forwards under intense pressure,handballing, if thats the best option, or a kick. Something I rarely seen pre Neeld & Co. Its not perfect and I see a big improvment, add in they are heaps fitter,and also not getting away with sloppy handballs or kicks, they get pulled up for those. There is no better way to improve in those areas,than in a real game. Hopefully they wont crack when they have real opposition , then continue to build on their skills and confidence during a game. I cant wait to see how they go in the NAB cup, that will give a much better guide to where they are at.

Thx DV

Thanks to all who have reported this preseason. I'm getting anxious for the NAB Cup now... It would be so nice to win a couple of those matches and have some decent form rolling into 2013.

Told by whom?

This is the collingwood recruiting 2IC that they had us hold off a year for contractual reasons wasn't it?

Pretty sure he is with us, saw Rendell, Taylor's replacement in his Collingwood gear a couple of weeks ago.

That ground is one of the biggest missed opportunities we've had. At least we'll have Gosch's (I suggest a rename!) to ourselves.

Just wanted to add my thanks to the guys that went. If like to get down at some stage but work commitments seem to get in the way.

Having recently trained on Goschs, I have to say its absolutely superb, felt like I was training on a cloud.

Toumpas has had a recurring calf niggle. I was hoping he'd be back in full swing by now but it might just be a modified program as a first year player/ post hip surgery.

I hate going down the flanks,its the long way home,and one miskick, its back in faster than it just came out.

and that doesn't happen when you go down the middle??? It worse

Anyone know where training is tomorrow? Can't log onto the site at work

From the club site

Upcoming open training sessions:

Wednesday 23rd January - 9:15am - Gosch's Paddock

All other training sessions are closed sessions.

sweet thanks guys

and that doesn't happen when you go down the middle??? It worse

when you fart around on the boundary, its gives the other team a chance to drop players back. Once its cleared the backline best to go direct through the middle to a leading target,catch the oppostion out. In our case over the last few years, 1st we havent had a target up forward, or miskicked to the opposition and ignored a lead. Or some genius kicking out of defence has just kicked it out on the full. The opposition send it back to where it just came from. With Clark fit and Dawes up there , I hope to see them straighen up at some stage.

when you fart around on the boundary, its gives the other team a chance to drop players back. Once its cleared the backline best to go direct through the middle to a leading target,catch the oppostion out. In our case over the last few years, 1st we havent had a target up forward, or miskicked to the opposition and ignored a lead. Or some genius kicking out of defence has just kicked it out on the full. The opposition send it back to where it just came from. With Clark fit and Dawes up there , I hope to see them straighen up at some stage.

Its all just a bit of risk and reward. I think quick ball movement is the key weather its around boundary or up the middle.

when you fart around on the boundary, its gives the other team a chance to drop players back. Once its cleared the backline best to go direct through the middle to a leading target,catch the oppostion out. In our case over the last few years, 1st we havent had a target up forward, or miskicked to the opposition and ignored a lead. Or some genius kicking out of defence has just kicked it out on the full. The opposition send it back to where it just came from. With Clark fit and Dawes up there , I hope to see them straighen up at some stage.

Its all just a bit of risk and reward. I think quick ball movement is the key weather its around boundary or up the middle.

Yes. If the players have already dropped back, going up the middle is suicide.

The better coached teams can do both and control the game.

Having recently trained on Goschs, I have to say its absolutely superb, felt like I was training on a cloud.

I definitely looks like an amazing pitch. I walk passed it on the way to AAMI to watch the soccer. Feels like my home pitch at Carey too, but makes it tough when we have to play on dirt in Heidelberg...

I hear Toumpas almost begging the fitness people to go back into the main training group the other day, but they basically said, your calf has been sore for a while and we dont want it to go properly, so be patient.

That all being said, he is running bloody hard and fast when doing his sprints and he is doing heaps of work, so personally I am not sure if it is better than the actually training! He looks to be working harder than the others are.

I hear Toumpas almost begging the fitness people to go back into the main training group the other day, but they basically said, your calf has been sore for a while and we dont want it to go properly, so be patient.

That all being said, he is running bloody hard and fast when doing his sprints and he is doing heaps of work, so personally I am not sure if it is better than the actually training! He looks to be working harder than the others are.

Everything about this post is great.

Toumpas has desire (attack)

Fitness coaches closely monitoring balancing his desire with conservatism (defense)

working within limits for both immediate term and long term outcomes.

Its called player management

Thankfully its pre season or such player management would be considered tanking Perhaps the example can be used in defense of any AFL charges