I doubt he is Robinson Crusoe reverend.

Who is "Robinson Crusoe reverend"?

And Blease to also fight for that small forward role.

Is it just me ? If Blease is to be successful he needs to use his greatest weapon - that is his blistering pace and ability to break a line - I would like to see him out on the wing not in the forward pocket.

( he needs to do all the hard things as well to be successful...run without the ball and create pressure)

Is it just me ? If Blease is to be successful he needs to use his greatest weapon - that is his blistering pace and ability to break a line - I would like to see him out on the wing not in the forward pocket.

( he needs to do all the hard things as well to be successful...run without the ball and create pressure)

If Blease is able to "buy into" - haven't heard that term in a while - the Roos style of footy, he could become an extremely competent player.

He's naturally blessed with the kind of tools that can really impact a game: as you mentioned, his pace and ability to break the lines.

Really do hope it can all 'click' for him.

Went down to Casey this morning, absolutely beautiful conditions for training ... overcast and low 20's. The ground is a delight, well grassed and soft.

I usually don't wander down before Christmas, because the whole team is rarely there, so it is difficult to determine who is actually not getting on the track and who has gone for extended breaks or back home etc.

That being said the following were not there: Grimes, Jamar, Frawley and Fitzpatrick.

The rehab group was out early, while the rest were doing the normal stretches and warm-ups. So Dawes, Byrnes, Blease, Clisby, and Bail headed off to a back oval ... while I think it was Michie who ran lap after lap until retiring inside.

Impressions? The first is the presence of Roos. He sits in the middle watching everything, and I mean everything. Unlike Neeld who was rarely sighted at this time of the year, Roos is taking it all in, and no doubt building up his impression of who can, who can't, who wants to and who doesn't care. But it was hard to find anyone not putting in 100%, again a contrast to previous years where there were always stragglers in the running bits, or some going at half pace or at a pace of their own setting.

It is hard to say who is doing well or who has changed because of the drills being used. And this was the most dramatic change for me having watched training for many, many years ... the running!

There were no drills which didn't involve running. For 2 hours the players performed all the usual stuff but at full pace. Those who didn't participate in the drill directly were sent on continuous runs around the boundary. When they were on the ground they just ran and ran. Poor Max King blew up about 3/4 of the way through the session and must now be wondering what AFL is all about, as he watched team-mates still going at full pace around him, while he lay on the ground exhausted.

Then to finish it off, after the 2 hour stint, the group was sent out on another run.

The result: all the players have played a game at the pace of the game without the contact. So expect the endurance of the group to be considerably higher than ever seen before. Getting blown away or fading in the final quarter should be a thing of the past.

Finally, while it is still pre-Christmas, it was good to see Gawn, Clark and Trengove finally out training fully. I always subscribe to the theory that for every week in the rehab group following the break you can subtract one week from the season proper.

Let's see who fronts up post Christmas and running before we make assessments about who will be available Round 1.

After watching Tysons' video highlights clip he can really play. Its plays Vs AFL players not TAC so the deal we did looks worth it considering we landed Salem as well.

Salems strike rate for getting in the best players during the TAC cup is far superior to any player that played TAC cup.

We are just lucky Salem didn't turn it on in the nationals.

Kid is a steal, absolute steal, he will be a top 3 player in that draft, he has it all

Probably just need to throw him in the gym this year and ease him into it.

Who is "Robinson Crusoe reverend"?

Google robinson crusoe if thats how its spelt. Before many of our time.

Barry may play on a wing, good speed and very good delivery into the forward line, played some wing footy at casey.

Pretty sure Mitch did his hammy today, anyone confirm?

Nah, did both acl's mate. All good.

Google robinson crusoe if thats how its spelt. Before many of our time.

Barry may play on a wing, good speed and very good delivery into the forward line, played some wing footy at casey.

Thanks, but that is not necessary. I was having a crack at Old Dee, and as usual came off second best ...

Salems strike rate for getting in the best players during the TAC cup is far superior to any player that played TAC cup.

We are just lucky Salem didn't turn it on in the nationals.

Kid is a steal, absolute steal, he will be a top 3 player in that draft, he has it all

Probably just need to throw him in the gym this year and ease him into it.

That seems to be what the club thinks too, KDA.

I'm looking forward to seeing Vince, Cross, Michie and Tyson in action next season. And Evans, whom I've always rated.

That said, I'm interested to know how Aidan Riley's been training. Any reports?

(And, as always, thanks for the reports everyone - much appreciated.)

That seems to be what the club thinks too, KDA.

I'm looking forward to seeing Vince, Cross, Michie and Tyson in action next season. And Evans, whom I've always rated.

That said, I'm interested to know how Aidan Riley's been training. Any reports?

(And, as always, thanks for the reports everyone - much appreciated.)

I haven't been in a couple of weeks but as of then he was rarely sighted. And I think in recent reports there's mention of him doing some handball drills and that's about it. He's definitely one to hopefully see more of after the xmas break.

Hoping he can have a strong second half of the season and isn't rushed.

Salem could be a perfect spot for a small forward this year, kicking skills are beautiful and has good ground skills. Can be eased into the midfield from here too. If the reports around kents knee are correct he wont be around much to start the year, so theres a spot there!!!

I don't expect Kent to play much in 2014 if at all, as he gets his body right.

Salem might get a couple of games, but I think we have a good handful of players a little bit older, with a little bit more development in their bodies, who will deserve a chance ahead of him.

Still very happy with the pick and think he'll be a solid 200+ gamer.

I don't expect Kent to play much in 2014 if at all, as he gets his body right.

Salem might get a couple of games, but I think we have a good handful of players a little bit older, with a little bit more development in their bodies, who will deserve a chance ahead of him.

Still very happy with the pick and think he'll be a solid 200+ gamer.

Any chance we can get an update on exactly has gone wrong with Kent. He seemed to play pretty well in round 22. Come back a couple of months later and he can't run?

Shall we bombard the club on twitter or will Saty old boy get an update from the horses mouth at training.

Patella injury, no?

Fracture, from memory?

Not sure if that's correct...

I was of the impression he could miss considerable time as a result.

Any chance we can get an update on exactly has gone wrong with Kent. He seemed to play pretty well in round 22. Come back a couple of months later and he can't run?

Shall we bombard the club on twitter or will Saty old boy get an update from the horses mouth at training.

I asked him first up, he said (paraphrase) "it is the patella, it just won't settle down" so assume it hasn't changed much, seems to be doing a lot of off legs work, he is bigger, but seemed a little bit frustrated last time I saw him, so didn't ask again

Riley is progressing and is exactly where they want him to be, about a couple of weeks away from running

Do we know where they might be training on Monday the 23rd?

Do we know where they might be training on Monday the 23rd?

They won't be go on leave on 21st, I asked

Went down to Casey this morning, absolutely beautiful conditions for training ... overcast and low 20's. The ground is a delight, well grassed and soft.

I usually don't wander down before Christmas, because the whole team is rarely there, so it is difficult to determine who is actually not getting on the track and who has gone for extended breaks or back home etc.

That being said the following were not there: Grimes, Jamar, Frawley and Fitzpatrick.

The rehab group was out early, while the rest were doing the normal stretches and warm-ups. So Dawes, Byrnes, Blease, Clisby, and Bail headed off to a back oval ... while I think it was Michie who ran lap after lap until retiring inside.

Impressions? The first is the presence of Roos. He sits in the middle watching everything, and I mean everything. Unlike Neeld who was rarely sighted at this time of the year, Roos is taking it all in, and no doubt building up his impression of who can, who can't, who wants to and who doesn't care. But it was hard to find anyone not putting in 100%, again a contrast to previous years where there were always stragglers in the running bits, or some going at half pace or at a pace of their own setting.

It is hard to say who is doing well or who has changed because of the drills being used. And this was the most dramatic change for me having watched training for many, many years ... the running!

There were no drills which didn't involve running. For 2 hours the players performed all the usual stuff but at full pace. Those who didn't participate in the drill directly were sent on continuous runs around the boundary. When they were on the ground they just ran and ran. Poor Max King blew up about 3/4 of the way through the session and must now be wondering what AFL is all about, as he watched team-mates still going at full pace around him, while he lay on the ground exhausted.

Then to finish it off, after the 2 hour stint, the group was sent out on another run.

The result: all the players have played a game at the pace of the game without the contact. So expect the endurance of the group to be considerably higher than ever seen before. Getting blown away or fading in the final quarter should be a thing of the past.

Finally, while it is still pre-Christmas, it was good to see Gawn, Clark and Trengove finally out training fully. I always subscribe to the theory that for every week in the rehab group following the break you can subtract one week from the season proper.

Let's see who fronts up post Christmas and running before we make assessments about who will be available Round 1.

I agree, I was struck by the focuss on gut running. This includied unrewarded running. Heard Roos a couple opf time commenting on the runnng. Very different from last year

Thanks, but that is not necessary. I was having a crack at Old Dee, and as usual came off second best ...

lol...

sometimes they just dont stick hey !!

I agree, I was struck by the focuss on gut running. This includied unrewarded running. Heard Roos a couple opf time commenting on the runnng. Very different from last year

A few of the players have commented that because the ball is in use and Roos explains what the drill is for in relation to game day beforehand, the gut running is meaningful, noticed on Monday same thing, if you are not participating in the drill, you run around the boundary..........Roos also has the senior players running with the buy in mantra, heard it from Cross, Frawley, Garland and N Jones...........I reckon if you play in a game and you don't run both ways this season, you will not play the next one

A few of the players have commented that because the ball is in use and Roos explains what the drill is for in relation to game day beforehand, the gut running is meaningful, noticed on Monday same thing, if you are not participating in the drill, you run around the boundary..........Roos also has the senior players running with the buy in mantra, heard it from Cross, Frawley, Garland and N Jones...........I reckon if you play in a game and you don't run both ways this season, you will not play the next one

Like big time ^^^^

Based on what I saw at training I recon we might see some big changes for next year. The followng would not surprise me as a starting side

Cross Frawley Terlich

McDonald Garland Grimes

Vince Trengove Watts

Howe Clark Hogan

Blease Dawes Toumpas

Gawn N Jones J Viney

Michie Tyson Firzpatrick Barry

Based on what I saw at training I recon we might see some big changes for next year. The followng would not surprise me as a starting side

Cross Frawley Terlich

McDonald Garland Grimes

Vince Trengove Watts

Howe Clark Hogan

Blease Dawes Toumpas

Gawn N Jones J Viney

Michie Tyson Firzpatrick Barry

It may be pre season blindness, but that looks like a squad that could touch up the saints round 1 to me

A few of the players have commented that because the ball is in use and Roos explains what the drill is for in relation to game day beforehand, the gut running is meaningful, noticed on Monday same thing, if you are not participating in the drill, you run around the boundary..........Roos also has the senior players running with the buy in mantra, heard it from Cross, Frawley, Garland and N Jones...........I reckon if you play in a game and you don't run both ways this season, you will not play the next one

you really have to wonder why its taken so long for a coach to take this commonsense approach...I mean...WTF were the other fools up to !!

you really have to wonder why its taken so long for a coach to take this commonsense approach...I mean...WTF were the other fools up to !!

It's beyond me also...

Simulating match like drills at a high intensity over the course of a couple of hours seems the most logical approach to improving teams. It's football specific running. A tailored running program made for AFL football whilst still working on the skills required.