Training - Wednesday 27th November, 2013

[inRooswetrust 5]

I plan to head down to my first session in a very long time.

If it says 9:30, can I expect a 9:30 start?

Any suggestions where to park?

Thanks again and look forward to updating you if I get down.

[old dee 23,872]

I plan to head down to my first session in a very long time.

If it says 9:30, can I expect a 9:30 start?

Any suggestions where to park?

Thanks again and look forward to updating you if I get down.

Alexandra Avenue, just west of Morell Bridge. Cheaper meter parking.

Walk across the bridge (5 minutes) and you are there.

[T-34 409]

So far they have been on the track on time or even slightly early,so I would definitely look to be there at 9.30,however the first part involves warm ups which isn't overly interesting.

[T-34 409]

Be careful what you wear-and go to the toilet before you go .

Only aesthetically pleasing individuals allowed.

[reynolds46 1,273]

Be careful what you wear-and go to the toilet before you go .

classic

[daisycutter 29,738]

Be careful what you wear-and go to the toilet before you go .

or bring a bucket

[angrydee 842]

And make sure you're buff. No stomachs allowed.

[Moonshadow 17,677]

I think it's great that fans of any appearance turn up to training and I very much appreciate the genuinely informative training reports on here. Thanks guys.

[Deestroy All 14,266]

Things to look out for:

New draftees.

Wet patches of grass.

Supporter fashion, health and hygiene.

Daniel Breese.

Nicho clangers floating towards your head.

[Whispering_Jack 30,672]

I plan to head down to my first session in a very long time.

If it says 9:30, can I expect a 9:30 start?

Any suggestions where to park?

Thanks again and look forward to updating you if I get down.

I reckon it might be a good day for you to get down to training tomorrow, inRooswetrust. Warm weather, an open training session and a chance to catch up with some former team mates and opponents from junior footy days. You might also keep an eye out for Satyriconhome who usually lobs in to catch up with training. Distinctive looking character who fits more into the Woodstock/Isle of Wight generation but that was before your time. I believe he likes to have a chat with the players from time to time.

It's also the day our playing list is finalised and, going on one report, another of your ex team mates could be added to our list via the rookie draft - Alex Spencer.

I've read peoples' reports from training with interest although there have been some strange interpretations about the subtle changes being made this year. This article from the Age sets the picture straight as far as the development of the team's training regimen is concerned:

Demons hoping to turn up heat with midfielders

One of the biggest changes implemented by Roos in his first season at the helm of Melbourne has been to tweak its pre-season training strategy, believing the players were sufficiently fit to "do a bit more skills prior to Christmas than perhaps what they did in the past".

"They did a big pre-season last year with running and I think they were ready to take the next step, to skill-based training and gameplans," the coach said.

This is consistent with what Mark Neeld and Dave Misson were saying was happening last year and what would happen in the third year under the man who oversaw the physical development of what became Paul Roos' premiership team of 2005.

We're still a long way from challenging for a flag but its comforting to know that we're in the hands of people who know what they're doing.

The big plus is that our recruiting to date has concentrated on securing the mix of players who can improve us in the area where we've struggled the most in the past decade.

I hope that I can make it down to at least one session before the break (doubtful with my current work schedule) and a couple in the new year when the players return.

In the meantime, we're in the hands of those who have the time and do provide us with those fantastic training reports.

Keep them up please!

[Tyson4Brownlow 154]

I too will be at training this morning, and will post any news / observations...

[Biffen 12,947]

I too will be at training this morning, and will post any news / observations...

Please don't leap too high-it may cause controversy.

I was thinking of going myself but I don't know whether to wear the tattered wife beater singlet in blue or red.

Might leave my skinny jeans at home.

look forward to hearing "the vibe".

[Satyriconhome 10,879]

Sorry WJ at work this morning, I'll accept distinctive, individualistic, I even get eccentric sometimes, but that's more to do with my taste in music and films, actually was at the Isle of Wight, so got to see Hendrix live, although I also have weekends in the late 60's and early 70's that don't exist, so may have seen him more than once.....how about imagining Captain Beefheart at 4am in the morning at the Bickershaw festival.....now that was seriously scary..........chemical intake notwithstanding

I agree with we have had some interesting interpretations of what is being seen, which I think is good, seems to be some new sets of eyes going so it will be interesting to see what they 'observe'

Not sure if anybody saw Maia Westrupp apart from me at this first training session or two last year, if they did and they are there today would like to know what improvement/development if any they see in him, I know he doesn't cost anything but would have thought with the new broom this year, if Roos didn't see anything he wouldn't still be there

I like to chat to the players, because in between the company lines, you get a bit of truth now and again

[dazzledavey36 55,359]

I wonder if the new rookies that get picked up today will start training on Friday??

[stevethemanjordan 6,952]

Sorry WJ at work this morning, I'll accept distinctive, individualistic, I even get eccentric sometimes, but that's more to do with my taste in music and films, actually was at the Isle of Wight, so got to see Hendrix live, although I also have weekends in the late 60's and early 70's that don't exist, so may have seen him more than once..

The most exciting thing I've read on demonland.

You have no idea how jealous I am of you seeing Hendrix during that golden era. Did you happen to go to Woodstock as well?

We need to grab a beer.

(Ps, sorry for yet again detailing the thread)

[drdrake 3,187]

Just been down at AAMI Park, geez Hogan is a big unit moves very well. McDonald is tearing up the track, just continues to run and run. Trengove just labouring in the running drills, haven't heard anything about it, but maybe he's carrying an injury. Rest of the lads running the house down. When it went to the kicking, Nicholson couldn't hit a barn and Dunn went for goal every time he was within 70m. Byrnes had some set shots from directly in front, kicked the ball beautifully. 4 goals 14 behinds. Mitch hobbled, Dawes ran on, stumbled over some uncut grass and headed back inside.

NB: I wasn't at training. But at least we're back on topic.

I went and some of you points are on the mark, very low numbers training today, seems the forwards had this session off only Fitzy, Hogan and Bail made it onto the track. It looked like the session was focused on transitioning to ball from deep defense to our forward line. I'm big on skills this time of year and I have to say the ball rarely hit the ground and the most pleasing aspect was our ability to kick to advantage. Last year we kicked to where the player was and not to where he was going, today out in front for the leading players to run on to.

Michie if fit will play round 1, Toumpas is class, all players moved well and as mentioned the skills were the best that I've seen at training for many years.

[hardtack 10,627]

The most exciting thing I've read on demonland.

You have no idea how jealous I am of you seeing Hendrix during that golden era. Did you happen to go to Woodstock as well?

We need to grab a beer.

(Ps, sorry for yet again detailing the thread)

That was worth a derailment... I'm jealous as well... but I did get to see Captain Beefheart (RIP) and his Magic Band at Knebworth in the UK in 1975 (I think it was)... that was a real treat. Next Easter I will go the full circle as the Magic Band are playing at the Byron Bay Bluesfest (along with the Grandmothers of Invention and a multitude of others including Aaron Neville, the Wailers, Elvis Costello, Buddy Guy, Charlie Musslewhite etc etc)... already have my ticket; can't wait.

Thanks for the report DrDrake... hopefully now that we have a few players with a bit of pace, we might finally be able to kick the ball to where we want them to go... in the past I think if we tried that, they would usually be beaten to the ball by the opposition. How was Hogan's kicking at goal looking?

[Swooper 266]

I popped past for a bit. As others have posted, it is amazing to see how involved with training Roos is. He is right in the thick of it, instructing and teaching the players what he wants. The Assistants hardly get a look in.

Watts came off with what looked to be a bit of a groin niggle. Spent plenty of time with the Physio. It didn't look anything to worry about. More just a niggle/twinge to be careful of.

[Tyson4Brownlow 154]

I was at AAMI this morning, and must say the main thing I took out of training was how well Jetta trained, that Hogan is just a beast of a kid and he is just sooooo ready for this AFL stuff!

Skills were good and I found myself developing a man crush on Bernard Vince after just one hour watching him with footy in hand. Composure and vision in bucketloads.

No Mitch Clark, who I wanted to remember what he looked like in the flesh, but he must have been in the gym.

Questions?

[Hannibal 5,814]

I was there and will happily answer any questions regarding my observations.

Or not.

[inRooswetrust 5]

Got down today for first session.

I was a rookie and didn't take notes.

Session was all ball skills and they looked a lot better in this area.

Things to note:

- Hogan called Fitzy in to mark a ball, Fitzy ignored it and Hogan screamed "F***" showing true character of a power house forward. + he kicks it real nicely in play

- Bail was doing a lot of forward work (may move to HFF)

- Viney went off to do some set shots on his own, clearly an area of his game that needs improvement

- Salem had a little quad niggle but during warm up his kicking with JKH was a pleasure to watch. The 2 of them are so classy.

- Cross is an elite trainer. A class above everyone else on the track. The way he moves

- Michie looks to be on par, hopefully body stays fresh and '14 could hold anything for him

- Gawn in rehab group alone, looks to be moving well though and should return soon.

- Garland, Tyson & Strauss in another rehab group and were all moving swiftly.

- Few boys remainding on track at end, headed to the Tan to do a run ...

[Nasher 33,617]

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[demonoid 317]

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i could kiss you. I reckon you are going to get a barrage of abuse from some on here but it won't be me

[Vagg 2,439]

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"Nasher the Masher"...! Well done!

[jabberwocky 2,301]

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