Thanks for a great read everyone!

And watching Blease from the stoppages was amazing. Catch me if you can attitude. So exciting

There was an interesting exchange between between McDonald and Nicholson at one point. McDonald had the ball in the back pocket, was under pressure and then ended up hand balling to another player also under pressure but the ball was spoiled and went out. Nicholson then had a crack at McDonald for not kicking long down the line, McDonald said there were no options but Nicholson correctly pointed out that it was still a better option because the player he hand balked it to was not in a better position.

It just goes to show how long some players have with understanding the game.

His problem is he waves the ball around before he drops it. It's like trying to hit a golf ball while on the run, he needs to keep his hands and head as still as possible.

thats always a better option than waggling at the beginning of the action.

His problem is he waves the ball around before he drops it. It's like trying to hit a golf ball while on the run, he needs to keep his hands and head as still as possible.

Interesting. From about the midpoint of last year, I don't remember Dan Nicholson fluffing his kicks at all, and was struck by the improvement. I went to training this morning too, and his kicking was no better or worse than any others, and by that I mean it was largely very good. I remember there being a lingering belief that Nathan Jones got caught with the ball regularly long after that in fact kept happening......pretty much all of last year, but we kept hearing it.....zzzzzzzz boring.

These guys improve, and being lumped with continuing preconceptions as this improvement occurs while not noting the improvement, means you're just not paying attention. What strikes me about Nicho, like Jones, is that he's a hyper competitive animal. I see the same thing in Tommy Mac and Jack Viney. These are the guys who seem to have very singular self directed levels of expectation on themselves, and who I personally love to have in the red and blue, cos nobody's perfect, but the do or die attitude counts for a huge amount.

Other observations from this morning.....Nev Jetta is looking and moving beautifully. If he stays fit, we'll finally see the best of him. Likewise the run and energy of Luke Tapscott much better. Cam Pederson has good hands. Given his size and mobility I wish Chris Dawes had the same natural marking security, but he is a vigorous focus which is good. Jack Watts just oozes stuff you can't teach. He's a joy to watch.....his reading of the play, breadth of vision and ability to dispose to the right option at precisely the right time with accuracy, is innate and very rare. His competing with his body and trust in the strength of his marking I THINK look better too, but hard to really assess at training...... his only weaknesses it seems. Sam Blease's speed very exciting as per last year. Jack Grimes looks terrific, and is moving with confidence, speed and assurety. A big year in the midfield I think. James Sellar looks very confident and happy down back, like he's relishing the fact that he now has a role he can anchor. Another big year for mine. James Frawley looks full of monster grunt and ready to go.....let's hope his speed and correctness of decision making have also returned. Frawley, Garland, McDonald and Sellar will be a great unit in defence.

Just a thought on Tom McDonald. He's 20 years old, but plays like he's 27. He really doesn't get beaten in a contest, and has an intimidating sense of control of the situation when he's around the ball, either winning it, or giving the advantage to his mates. He is truly exceptional given his age, and I'd be very surprised if he doesn't eventually move forward, maybe in 4 or 5 years, a la David Neitz. After he's gone all Australian as a KPB!!!

Bring it on!!!

Barry doesn't look as thin as people make him out to be, he at least has some definition already. Would easily beat Morton in an arm wrestle.

What about one against Gys?

Since there were so many reports, did *youse guys happen to catch up with each other?

Or, are some things left anonymous/mysterious?

*depression sets in as I'm back to work tomorrow.

Thanks all - great reading

The tackling exercise was done well, very good intensity after a bit of a spray.

Davey moved well, threaded the needle on most of his kicks in the match simulation. Dawes presented well, but was disappointed he didn't hold on to a few I expected him too. Strauss looked very lively, as did Rodan, Toumpas and Sylvia did some good things.

Tom Mac spoiled everything that came his way, manned up on Dawes.

Dunn looks soiled and I think he'll have a very good year.

So, we will hear from the optimists that TMc is a great CHB; and from the pessimists, of whom there are quite a few here, that Dawes is a dud!

I am an optimist :-))), and like them both.

Just a thought on Tom McDonald. He's 20 years old, but plays like he's 27. He really doesn't get beaten in a contest, and has an intimidating sense of control of the situation when he's around the ball, either winning it, or giving the advantage to his mates. He is truly exceptional given his age, and I'd be very surprised if he doesn't eventually move forward, maybe in 4 or 5 years, a la David Neitz. After he's gone all Australian as a KPB!!!

Bring it on!!!

Pick number 53 too, still can't get over that! If he was in next year's draft he would have to go top 10. We do better with our later picks.

For those that have been to training what is the synergy like between Dawesand Pederson- do they look like a combination that can provide enough scoring opportunities until the big Mitch returns?

And watching Blease from the stoppages was amazing. Catch me if you can attitude. So exciting

He was covering a lot of ground and really involved too which was also good to see. He will probably push up the ground a bit this year.

Thanks all - great reading

So, we will hear from the optimists that TMc is a great CHB; and from the pessimists, of whom there are quite a few here, that Dawes is a dud!

I am an optimist :-))), and like them both.

Haha don't get me wrong, I love Dawes and think he'll be a great addition to our forward line. But I would say he's a little bit off his best. Not to say he'll never get back to it, hope he does. But nonetheless he'll add depth, strength and structure to our forward line. We're looking far more dynamic these days.

Just got back home, too nice a day to be inside, couple of observations

Love Tommy Mc as much as everybody, please keep a lid on it, I was pleased to see he was beaten twice by Jesse Hogan on the lead, because it showed me what I have to look forward to next year as well, and the Nicho incident, he still has a bit to learn, but he is great to watch.

Myself and my lovely lady thought (in no particular order) these were out stand outs today

Davey, Jetta, Blease, Dawes, McDonald, Rodan, Grimes

Of the new guys, Toumpas and Barry showed something, and Kent surprised me once with his speed in the match simulation

But all in all everybody put in

John Muggleton (the tackling coach) has them working hard on the techniques, today was giving them an alternative method, great to see them sticking, particularly when doing the match simulation

As for the way the teams were broken up for match simulation, read nothing into it, been to a few trainings it changes all the time, we need everybody comfortable with everybody else

Had a chat with a few

Jack Trengove - he is coming along fine with his rehab, didn't lose too much fitness, looking fwd to playing with Toumpas

Mitch Clark - still on target with his rehab, you can sense he is champing at the bit

Aaron Davey - happy, feeling great, loves he has got the full preseason under his belt

Nev Jetta - same as Aaron , just wants to show what he can do

Jimmy Toumpas - he just smiles, he is just loving it, told him to keep the beard for team photos tomorrow.

Col Sylvia - again happy to be out on the paddock injury free and nearly a full ;preseason under his belt, can't wait for start of the season

Nathan Jones - just wants to play

Rory Taggert - another injury free, knows he has a battle on his hands to get into the side but will give it everything

Michael Evans - really pleased to be back, no problems now, another who knows the challenge ahead, got interrupted by Neil Craig whilst talking to 'Pickles", asked me what I thought of 'Pickles' so pumped up his tyres

Jack Watts - compared beards, another who is feeling really fit and just wants to play

Jack Viney - just can't wait for the season, told him not to hit the first stoppage at a hundred miles an hour, and he just laughed, can't wait to see him in action

When the first match simulation was on went to far end to watch Dawes and Hogan, Dawes was all talk directing young Jess where to go etc, was great to see, Dawes and Pedersen are working fine together.

Where is Howe spending most of his time? With the forwards or mids? Dare I say I'm looking forward to see Sylvia taking it on this season, first uninterrupted pre-season in a while.

Is there a standout between Gilles and Sellar? Does Tapscott still look like a unit or has he trimmed down a bit?

Who looks faster out of Barry and Blease? Barry any chance to debut next year, maybe as a sub? Does Rodan look a likely round 1 starter?

At the moment Howe is playing forward, haven't seen him do much stoppage work, reckon if we get the rest of the forwards firing, he will be given licene to wander

Sellars and Gillies are the same, big strong gorilla minders, it is nice to have one never mind two

Blease for blinding speed......gliding Barry....... think Kent is as fast as Blease and Evans if he can get fully back is no slouch either

Col Sylvia wants exactly what we all want

If Rodan is not in the team for the 1st game I will be amazed, although with Neeldl who knows

Tapscott looks trimmer, think the role they are looking at for him is defensive forward

Sylvia has and will always look like a back seat passenger, he just isn't quite proactive enough, always looks reactive, even at training.

Thanks again for these. Invaluable stuff to us interstaters.

Haven't seen much mention of Strauss. How's he looking? I still hold some hope of him slotting into the Suckling role off HB.

With the tackling down low, does this give the player a chance to dispose of the ball, as I assume their hands are free? how effective was this style?

Thanks again for these. Invaluable stuff to us interstaters.

Haven't seen much mention of Strauss. How's he looking? I still hold some hope of him slotting into the Suckling role off HB.

Strauss will make it.

Was developing beautifully until his horrific injury.

Can't wait to see him get 20+ games under his belt - will be as good as Tommy Mac.

With the tackling down low, does this give the player a chance to dispose of the ball, as I assume their hands are free? how effective was this style?

I know what you are saying but tackling is about the hips. Read them and you will get your mark. If you happen to be able to grab an arm - all for the better.

With the tackling down low, does this give the player a chance to dispose of the ball, as I assume their hands are free? how effective was this style?

as i understand it the tackler then lifts player up and drives backwards

when your feet are off the ground in that position it is very hard to effectively handball as your first instinct is self protection

mind you this won't work for tackles from behind which are a substantial percentage

Strauss will make it.

Was developing beautifully until his horrific injury.

Can't wait to see him get 20+ games under his belt - will be as good as Tommy Mac.

Big call....But I like it!!

I've been to a few sessions since new year and with every session we see the intensity increase. I actually thought Sylvia was one of the better players today. One thing that stood out is the players we have that can hit targets and the players we have that can't. When the ball was moved with our quality players it looked good, but we still have many players that just miss targets. Blease may have looked great with his speed but let himself down with his disposal.

Last Friday was 1 quarter today was 2. The speed was a stand out and the ability to maintain that speed through the 2 periods is the biggest improvement from last year.

Jack Viney needs to lose his superman cape and learn he can't take on the world. Nathan Jones had the same issues until last year hopefully he can help Jack through this.

Watts played on Dawes and actually held his own on the lead, if he gets confidence early in the season, we will all be reminded in how good he is.

To me the main spots up for grabs is the small midsized forwards and backs. Two spots forward and two spots down back. Early doors I would have Jetta and Dunn down back and Davey and Blease up forward with Tappy not to far behind.

A lot can change in 9 weeks, but we will beat port by 10 goals

Does anyone know how to upload photos to a thread? WJ doesn't know and the mods aren't talking. I've attached a sample file to see if it works

Six6six, I got your PM but can't respond or do anything while I'm browsing from my phone. I shall give you a hand in an hour or so when i'm at the PC