Training - Monday 13th January, 2014

[dee-luded 2,959]

Thanks for the reports.

I am really starting to worry that we won't c the big three (Dawes, MC and Hogan) on the park at the same time.

Seems like they are always injured and when one gets back someone else of the big three get injured.

They also have to train together which to my knowledge hasn't happened yet.

Time will tell.

big 3++ ?

[dee-luded 2,959]

Not sure how Nicho will improve his kicking once real pressure starts in a game. If he can't he is surely gone in 2014.

plenty of ways, if he can manage it. its not all technique.

the ability to focus while under pressure is the biggest part; not saying he'll learn to do that either.

[1964nowMORE 489]

So the good news it seems is the large majority of our squad, and thankfully our on ball brigade are getting good pre seasons and running hard game like at training. Not ideal that the big boys aren't out there yet, but I'm much more comfortable knowing Jones, Grimes, Michie, Tyson, Cross, Watts, Howe, Tappy, Evans and even Blease are getting great hit outs.

Our back line and mids seem to be up and about, a few issues in ruck and tall forwards....but we did know about Dawes and Hoges is back in a few weeks. Agree with other posters we need them on the track by late Feb for games.

Pretty exciting to read, the fact we have so many players to report on is great, didn't read a thing about Watts on the track, or how Dunn training etc. nice depth finally.

Go Dees.

[Earl Hood 6,086]

I reckon there 's a few sharing that concern ox. But we live in hope!! I remember one (rare) day - a million years ago when Greg Parke and Ross Dillon marked everything that went over the centre and ran the defenders ragged. Love to see something like that again.

Gee I think I remember that game. Early seventies, I guess, especially remember Ross Dillon marking everything that came his way. We had some players then, but never a team.

[Earl Hood 6,086]

But where are the "but he isn't Wines" folk? Still on holidays in SA?

But we haven't any training reports on Wines. He may be really training the house down while burning up the training track at the same time!

[Whispering_Jack 30,140]

Gee I think I remember that game. Early seventies, I guess, especially remember Ross Dillon marking everything that came his way. We had some players then, but never a team.

The other problem was that the pair didn't play in the same side all that often. One of them always seemed to be out injured. Then, suddenly both were gone - Dillon to Norwood SA and Parke to Footscray and we lacked marking forwards for at least a decade after that.

[Bimbo 940]

I reckon there 's a few sharing that concern ox. But we live in hope!! I remember one (rare) day - a million years ago when Greg Parke and Ross Dillon marked everything that went over the centre and ran the defenders ragged. Love to see something like that again.

And remembering the other problem - Nicholson kicked better then both of them!

[old dee 23,791]

And remembering the other problem - Nicholson kicked better then both of them!

Memory is a funny thing Bimbo.

However I doubt there are too many players who have played AFL football in the last decade who are a worse kick than Nicholson.

He makes McKenzie look good.

[Steamin Demon 392]

I just drove past Gosch's paddock and there seemed a fair contingent of players and coaching staff doing some sort of training. I thought today was a rest day, maybe the rehab group?

[Yokozuna 1,004]

I went to training yesterday and thought I would wait and read other peoples reports first.

Not much to add in regards to what was done, just to say that there was a lot of pressure and tackling in the drills today, which i really liked.

Secondly, saw Steven Stretch and I assume his wife and maybe another son (if he has another, not sure), watching training. They were very excited watching Billy and seemed to enjoy the session, although, like many on here, on occassion they did get overly and prematurely frustrated with errors on the track.

One of the main things i saw with some mistakes the mistakes were that they were generally because of 2 reasons, either fatigue or pressure. They trained bloody hard and fast and there was little or no rest in the drills, therefore the players were getting pretty tired, and then some mistakes appeared. It is only natural, and it amuses me when people at training groan or get annoyed when players make an error at TRAINING - not sure how they will improve otherwise.

Also, the pressure put into the drills was great, and when people bemoaned mistakes, I was smiling inside becuase of the constant pressure the other players were putting on.

In regards to players:

* I can ony continue to say how impressive Tyson looks - if fit will be a great get.

* People who continue to downplay Cross' kicking, I clearly wacth another game. He is no gun, but he hits targets and knows his limitations, dont kick too long and hands off if a better option is there.

* Jones continues to train well, his kicking is so, so much better than it used to be.

* Grimes is impressive, was really happy with his strength in all drills and his voice.

* Tapscott continues to train really well, a great improver at this stage.

* Not sure about people saying Trengive looks slow, he was never super quick, but he is looking better than last year. Also others are saying Toumpas is looking fast and I saw Trengove following him easily in one drill!

* Blease looked much fitter and stronger today and was putting on really good pressure and tackling well today, someting i have not seen often. Also saw Watts put on a few strong tackles.

* Someone said Jetta looked fumbly, I was actually impressed with his training thus far. He actually looks quicker than previous. Seems that he has been told he will be a small defender and it might help him to know he has a set position now.

* Watts skills are great and I can really see the benefits of him in the midfield, just have to hope he can find the will to be a tougher.

* In regards to Dawes, he is moving really well and I have no doubt he will be ready for Round 1, just taking precautions and following a set program for his pre season.

* I watched Michie for a while and was impressed with his agility but i did not notice him too much in other drills.

* Barry looks really quick and his kicks can be precision, but it is funny that people bag others for kicking when I have seen Barry do several absolute floaters every session.

* Howe has been great in all sesions watched so far and I think that he is praying that all our other talls are playing cos he will maul any 3rd/4th defender who they play on him.

Other than that I am happy to answer questions on training, as I have been to quite a few sessions so far.

[Wunders 397]

Personally I don't see much difference between Blease and Nicho. Blease isn't a great kick and can't find the footy or play with endurance. Nicholson is soft and really can't kick.

But mainly I want to try Nicholson forward for his sake not the teams. I just see no point of him as a defender. As a defender he's on a fast track nowhere so where is the harm in trying something.

I worked at the Eastern Ranges back in his day and Blease can kick very well.. i remember him and our coach (ex Collingwood player Shane Watson) having a kick to kick and Blease was kicking bullets left or right foot to him (Bucks esk flat hard things) and Watto was no slouch and knew he was something special then. I have been disappointed with his disposal in game as i know he can do so much better. I think it's more to do with him running too fast when he tries to dispose of the ball. I'm sure he and the coaches know this and are working on it though.

Arguments could be made about our ball movement in regards to him finding the footy in the forward line and his injuries pre-season most years really hampering his ability to perform all game (endurance). keep him injury free is the simple answer. I would love to see him get a full pre-season and season in without getting injured and see how he goes. He hasn't had one yet.

As for playing Nicho in the forward line, i think we would all prefer JKH

[Slartibartfast 17,279]

I worked at the Eastern Ranges back in his day and Blease can kick very well.. i remember him and our coach (ex Collingwood player Shane Watson) having a kick to kick and Blease was kicking bullets left or right foot to him (Bucks esk flat hard things) and Watto was no slouch and knew he was something special then. I have been disappointed with his disposal in game as i know he can do so much better. I think it's more to do with him running too fast when he tries to dispose of the ball. I'm sure he and the coaches know this and are working on it though.

Arguments could be made about our ball movement in regards to him finding the footy in the forward line and his injuries pre-season most years really hampering his ability to perform all game (endurance). keep him injury free is the simple answer. I would love to see him get a full pre-season and season in without getting injured and see how he goes. He hasn't had one yet.

As for playing Nicho in the forward line, i think we would all prefer JKH

Like you I've been disappointed with Blease's kicking in games but I've seen him in lower grades and his kicking is terrific. Chris Connolly once said that it takes a few years for elite junior kickers to translate that into AFL because of the change of pace of the game.

Also I think the suggestion was that Nicho is never going to be a defender for us and if he is to succeed he should be tried forward. Not with the prospect of him being highly successful but just to see how he goes.

[DeeZee 7,396]

I think its a no brainer that blease should be a permanent forward pocket.

He doesnt have the engine for the midfield, but his goal sense is excellent, kicked five goals in one game last year.

His speed would make it hard for opposition to run the ball out easily.....just has to learn to tackle better.

[Dinosaur Rover 197]

I think its a no brainer that blease should be a permanent forward pocket.

He doesnt have the engine for the midfield, but his goal sense is excellent, kicked five goals in one game last year.

His speed would make it hard for opposition to run the ball out easily.....just has to learn to tackle better.

Interesting idea and he would burn off defenders on a lead.

[CBDees 3,167]

I think its a no brainer that blease should be a permanent forward pocket.

He doesnt have the engine for the midfield, but his goal sense is excellent, kicked five goals in one game last year.

His speed would make it hard for opposition to run the ball out easily.....just has to learn to tackle better.

Happy to see Blease in one pocket and JKH in the other.

[rjay 24,928]

I think its a no brainer that blease should be a permanent forward pocket.

He doesnt have the engine for the midfield, but his goal sense is excellent, kicked five goals in one game last year.

His speed would make it hard for opposition to run the ball out easily.....just has to learn to tackle better.

Personally think he needs to play up the ground. If he can't develop the engine he won't make it, I think he can.