I managed to get down to training this morning, not many spectators there. The boys all came together in the middle about 15 minutes in. Roosey announced something and there was a big cheer. I am guessing he announced Alex G's elevation off the rookie list. There were many high fives and a few Mr Bean references.

Hogan, Viney doing a few run throughs over to the side early, then disappeared.

Jamar doing laps but did get involved in at least one routine where both he and big Max played as lead up forwards. Gee Max should be a handful playing deep forward if we had control of the midfield. He took a couple cleanly at full extension, what nine feet up and took one cleanly off his boot straps, swung round and put it through.

Fitzy was doing the same up the other end, leading up well and taking clean marks. My only concern was that he often took the mark at full extension above his head on the run. He should be timing his run to take those out in front away from a backman's fists.

I took a day off with a bad cold but work keeps calling. I will provide some more observations a little later.

cheers for the report - keep them coming

Was Dawes anywhere to be seen?

The herald sun made a brief reference to him possibly playing against West Coast but that seems optimistic.

I would say more likely round 6 v Sydney after 2 games at Casey.

Some more observations

I didn't see Dawes or Mitch as we know.

The hyphen, Kent and Strauss were running laps. So was Tapscotts early, gee he looks fit and powerful. He took part in most of the routines before jogging off a bit early, knee is still strapped up but he was moving well and was clean by hand and foot.

But keep in mind today's routines were run under minimal pressure, it seemed to be about honing the skills of kicking on the run to a leading target, running into space, presenting, looking for the best option. Generally our kicking was good, fast and low to a lead. The was some sloppy stuff from the three B's, Byrne, Blease and Barry occasionally. Blease moves so well but struggles at times with his decision making and some poor disposal. He stuffed up one routine and copped a spray from N Jones but took it well and got it right the next time.

When they broke up into their groups the forward group was Fitzy, Pedo, Howe, Toumpas, Bail, Blease and Byrne. Did some innocuous leading and kicking to each other, not sure what it was achieving really. I watched Howe closely for much of the session, never saw him fumble a ball on the ground or in the air, he is looking really sharp.

By the way there was some new bloke leading out from the goal square, if I didn't know better I would swear it was Lucas Cook!!! Oh no come to think of it It was Max King doing lead ups with Fitzy.

Watts trained with the midfield group everytime. In the last exercise the ball was rolled at a mid who then had to try and crash his way through 4 or 5 guys holding big pads, you get the feel of body contact without the bruising. Jack got through this pretty well I thought so did Bernie V who at one stage got completely bowled over. Jones, Evans, Tyson, Cross, Riley all got involved. N Jones seemed to in everything, much higher profile than Grimes on the field I thought. First time I have seen Mitchie he moved well and looks fit and a good size

I think M Jones was working with the backline group. At the end Frawley and MacDonald were going one on one as a coach kicked the ball up high to them. They did a lot of body on body and spoiling work. Grimes, Terlich, Jetta, Frawley, MacDonald, Dunn, Alex G with a big smile all doing a lot of punching away to high balls and running onto the loose ball to set up a clearance.

I get the impression that Riley is a bit of a joker, always seemed to be smiling and having some running gag with a couple of the assistant coaches. He seems un impeded to me, moved well in the routines, ran some serious laps at the end. Doesn't have the most athletic build on the field, he is pretty solid.

Cheers for the report!

I've missed the training reports.

Even though Roos said Max would play at Casey, any chance you think if he trained well enough he may be selected?

Thanks Hood, any news on Garland?

Understand what you are saying and while it is definitely preferable for him to mark with arms stretched forward, if he is taking marks stretching overhead, defenders are going to have to go the chop of the arms and it will be blatantly obvious.

Fitzy was doing the same up the other end, leading up well and taking clean marks. My only concern was that he often took the mark at full extension above his head on the run. He should be timing his run to take those out in front away from a backman's fists.

I'm calling it now - Aiden Riley - will be a huge pickup for us

( Note- I called early on Newton, Bate and Gysberts so my track recording on calling is pretty uninspiring)

I'm calling it now - Aiden Riley - will be a huge pickup for us

( Note- I called early on Newton, Bate and Gysberts so my track recording on calling is pretty uninspiring)

Love it nutbean

Keep going you have got to crack one some day.

Didn't Riley say he was expecting to be playing VFL next week and back for the seniors round three or four?

Thanks Hood, any news on Garland?

No I didn't sight him

No I didn't sight him

426

Cheers for the report!

I've missed the training reports.

Even though Roos said Max would play at Casey, any chance you think if he trained well enough he may be selected?

Well I thought he trained well. He is moving freely, showed that he is quite agile below his knees, handled the ball well and looked like he would be a handful playing deep forward if we kept pumping it in. Spencer is the main man at the moment, he was involved in all the midfield work. Whether Max plays or not may depend on the Saints ruck division. I don't know how they are placed after they lost McEvoy. Spencer, Fitzy and Max together may be seen as a bit top heavy.

Well I thought he trained well. He is moving freely, showed that he is quite agile below his knees, handled the ball well and looked like he would be a handful playing deep forward if we kept pumping it in. Spencer is the main man at the moment, he was involved in all the midfield work. Whether Max plays or not may depend on the Saints ruck division. I don't know how they are placed after they lost McEvoy. Spencer, Fitzy and Max together may be seen as a bit top heavy.

I reckon they will expect Hickey to do the majority of the ruck work so having Gawn and Spencer might give us an advantage if we can run him off his legs, particularly given how much stronger our midfield will be, gee it's strange saying that.

I'm calling it now - Aiden Riley - will be a huge pickup for us

( Note- I called early on Newton, Bate and Gysberts so my track recording on calling is pretty uninspiring)

Has anyone nailed one yet haha! Come on Morton, Deeko still has faith!!

Has anyone nailed one yet haha! Come on Morton, Deeko still has faith!!

Actually - I was onboard Howe when he was mentioned pre-draft and I saw his highlight package.

Really looking forward to see what Riley will deliver for us. I would think that he will be upgraded to the senior list as soon as possible and they will put Clark on the LTI list at the same time. One player that will require some coaches focus is Toumpas - He seems a very driven individual who sets himself very high standards and goals and thus careful guidance and management of him if he indeed spends some weeks playing for Cassey.

I thought Riley is already on the senior list.

He is, but currently on the LTI.

Great reports Hood.

I'm up FNQ.

Could you add ay to the end of each statement?

Great reports Hood.

I'm up FNQ.

Could you add ay to the end of each statement?

ay

Great reports Hood.

I'm up FNQ.

Could you add ay to the end of each statement?

You need more drawl on the ay... More like ayyyyyy

Lots of 'Happy days' fans up in FNQ?

I'm up FNQ.

Oh come on! It's not that bad up there is it?

He is, but currently on the LTI.

Does that mean he can't play seniors for the first 8 rounds? And does being on the LTI prevent players from playing in the seconds during that time?