Took the morning off (too much leave) attended the early session, started at 8.30am

Only three not with main group

* Bail - doing heaps of running and rehab

* Dawes - walked a couple of laps

* Dean Kent - didn't see him

Group of players not playing tomorrow came out ahead of main group and did a bit of leading and kicking.

Stark, Nicholson, Barry, Taggert, Tynan, Davis (who didn't miss a target), Strauss, Couch and Fitzpatrick.

They then joined the main group, session went for an hour, mainly kicking work once the warm up was completed.

Main group then left, leaving behind those above plus Clark, Trengove and Gawn.

Fitzpatrick and Clark did lead and marking work with Leigh Brown, Clark did not look hampered at all, and spoke to him after the session, said he was feeling great, was "bouncing" so obviously close.

He also unleashed a couple of bombs at goal, one which flew through at post height much to the delight of the main group who were walking off.

They then joined the rest for a bit more running work lasted about another 15 minutes.

The other group had been doing a bit of evasive work in the meantime.

Spoke to Trengove and Gawn said they are very close, Trengove said he was ready to play now, obviously champing at the bit.

Rohan Bail is also close to resuming, seems more settled with the way the Club is handling him.

All in all a good session, I know it doesn't count for much but the morale amongst the group was the highest I have ever seen it.

If you need a good plastic surgeon by the way, speak to Chip Frawley, asked him to show me the eye, he said he was pleased with the work done on it, don't blame him, there is hardly a mark.

Also spoke to Luke Tapscott, complimented him (and the rest of the team) at Renmark for the tackling, he said the work they have been putting in is paying off, he enjoyed crunching one guy during the game.

All in all a good session.

Also got to listen in to a great conversation between Jade Rawlings, Todd Viney, Neil Craig, Jade Rawlings and the "Birdman" Brett Burton who is down with the LIons for the NAB Cup, just "happened to be passing" training.....good natured ribbing all round and some interesting feedback on certain players.

Have we ever had such a fit and ready group at this time of year?

We may just yet have a half decent season.

Fantastic news about Trenners and Mitch, both are extremely competitive and must be itching to get out there. IMO both should have a minimum of half a game at Casey just to ease them in before the big lads.

Injury list sounds pretty good atm, hopefully we finally get a run of luck with that. I'd kill for the dream run the Kangas had last year.

Have we ever had such a fit and ready group at this time of year?

We may just yet have a half decent season.

You say that but our CHF, FF, and one of our top 3 mids, are coming off little to no PS.

Hopefully all this positive pre season talk from the boys isn't just spin and we do actually pull out the finger and improve. I think without question our forward line will be 100 times better this year. I got very excited when I saw. the photo of Clark taking a contested grab over Gillies at training the other day

You say that but our CHF, FF, and one of our top 3 mids, are coming off little to no PS.

But they are puttng in the extra work, as I noted in my report, neither Trengove or Clark looked 'stuffed' after the session and it was hot, yet the 'young' body Stark did...just saying

At this rate it will actually be Dawes (mystery injury of the month) missing round 1 and not Clark

Wouldn't surprise me if they rushed Trengove in for round 1.

Edited March 8, 201312 yr by Bring-Back-Powell

I also forgot Blease, no sign of him

At this rate it will actually be Dawes (mystery injury of the month) missing round 1 and not Clark

Wouldn't surprise me if they rushed Trengove in for round 1.

Dawes has hamstring tightness....and will be fine for round 1

I also forgot Blease, no sign of him

Blease did his ankle...out for 4-6

Took the morning off (too much leave) attended the early session, started at 8.30am...

Also got to listen in to a great conversation between Jade Rawlings, Todd Viney, Neil Craig, Jade Rawlings and the "Birdman" Brett Burton who is down with the LIons for the NAB Cup, just "happened to be passing" training.....good natured ribbing all round and some interesting feedback on certain players.

Are you in a position to expand?

Would love to have been a fly on the wall hearing burton's comments about Martin and Moloney?!

You say that but our CHF, FF, and one of our top 3 mids, are coming off little to no PS.

All of whom should be fully fit by round 1 and match fit by round 5 or 6

I'd take that any year

As far as I could make out, didn't want to make it obvious I was eavesdropping, both Martin and Moloney got a mention, Burton said Lions were pleased with both....it was mainly Craig asking the questions........he asked about Brisane's draftees......you have to remember they are all linked Craig at Adelaide, Rawlings at Brisbane, so a lot was 'in code'....

.when I meant interesting it was the first time I had seen a group of different coaches get together, not usually privy to that sort of thing , and annoyingly I don't know who it was, but Burton said (and this is paraphrase) "he did this already, so that's his season over" and the others nodded in agreement........I assume they were talking about a player they all knew and probably shows more than he goes

Thanks for the report and comments Satyriconhome

You say that but our CHF, FF, and one of our top 3 mids, are coming off little to no PS.

It is very easy for some to underestimate the value of Misson to the MFC. I think that you will find that some of these players are less underdone than you think!

Dawes certainly hasn't had little to know preseason. He was flying a few weeks ago and looked fitter than ever. He played a game without trouble and now is getting managed through it. If he resumes without further drama he will be fit enough. I think Trengove will have to be managed and probably won't be at full fitness when he resumed. Clark certainly won't be but the hope is he's sitting in the goal square for a lot of the game.

It is very easy for some to underestimate the value of Misson to the MFC. I think that you will find that some of these players are less underdone than you think!

I agree, I have been to training quite a few times this year, it is run with military precision, I sat on the bench across the far side of the oval before the start and watched Misson measuring with a measuring wheel and marking spots on the field, noticed the players using these marks during the drills......no more just throw a few witches hats around........same with Viney as reported he has a neck problem so he was pulled out of the contact drill but did kicking and handballing for the 5 to 10 mnutes it took before joining back in

As I said both Clark and Trengove are looking really fit, Clark has been making steady progress using anti-gravity treadmill, pool etc, he does not look out of condition at all, and standing next to Trengove he actually looks a bit bigger in the body, so has been using his off feet time as well

Every player I have spoken to at training all same the same thing, they are actually feeling fitter, stronger etc

Stood next to Tapscott today to chat to him, was always a big body, but solid doesn't do him justice

Have we ever had such a fit and ready group at this time of year?

We may just yet have a half decent season.

please don't say that

cue huge injuries to key players tomorrow

It is very easy for some to underestimate the value of Misson to the MFC. I think that you will find that some of these players are less underdone than you think!

Moonboots.

Misson can only do so much.

I am not expecting huge years from Clark or Trengove. If they can play 15+games at a decent level that would be great.

Have we ever had such a fit and ready group at this time of year?

We may just yet have a half decent season.

Thanks for the report Satyriconhome.

Both Clark and Trengove appear to making some good progress now that they've started some full training. They'll need to get their loads up over the next few weeks whilst being monitiored before resuming, ie. no hot spots They say they're right to go, but they'll need to be assessed and passed later on. Encouraging signs though.

Thanks again Satyr.

You can't help but think just having Mitch out there in Round 1 will give the entire group a massive lift. I say pull out all the stops to make sure it happens.

Actually one of the funniest bits today was Burton sledging Mitch Clark.....said something like "don't go near him, he'll fall over"

I am disappointed I have another commitment tomorrow, that's why I went today, I think we are in for an improved showing, we may not win, as St Kilda are a proven side with most of their talent playing tomorrow apart from McEvoy, but just watching the body language today seem to suggest that maybe the Renmark game and the way the structures worked seems to have switched a big light on with all the players

So why do they say "touch wood" ???

So why do they say "touch wood" ???

http://www.ecenglish.com/learnenglish/lessons/what-does-touch-wood-mean