If you don't read training reports, how are you here?

I guess you missed the second part of my post, sweet

If you don't read training reports, how are you here?

Just for the photos.

It's the reverse of what used to happen with Playboy: "I only buy it for the articles"

Saty requesting some poses from the boys today..

Not sure if I should "like this" but I do

Come on 'olisik', Blease was never tearing it down???

Are you saying he was tearing it up?

So,anyone have a view of which of the following, some of whom we hear a lot about, some very little will play the most games in 2015?

Newton, Petracca, Riley, JKH, Brayshaw, ANB, Michie, Salem or Toumpas?

From a popularity contest on training reports would seem Toumpas and then perhaps Petracca will clearly lead, but I'm thinking Michie and Newton might be the main two from this group - and if I could choose I'd hope Salem and Toumpas were the two.

So,anyone have a view of which of the following, some of whom we hear a lot about, some very little will play the most games in 2015?

Newton, Petracca, Riley, JKH, Brayshaw, ANB, Michie, Salem or Toumpas?

From a popularity contest on training reports would seem Toumpas and then perhaps Petracca will clearly lead, but I'm thinking Michie and Newton might be the main two from this group - and if I could choose I'd hope Salem and Toumpas were the two.

Yup, all are training the house down and will become elite players.

Are you saying he was tearing it up?

Fair chance he was...

So,anyone have a view of which of the following, some of whom we hear a lot about, some very little will play the most games in 2015?

Newton, Petracca, Riley, JKH, Brayshaw, ANB, Michie, Salem or Toumpas?

From a popularity contest on training reports would seem Toumpas and then perhaps Petracca will clearly lead, but I'm thinking Michie and Newton might be the main two from this group - and if I could choose I'd hope Salem and Toumpas were the two.

An absolute lottery. Those guys (combined with Kent, Bail, Garlett and Watts) are all fighting for the same small forward, sub and midfield depth/wing role. So how many games they play comes down to how well they play but also what competition there is and how many spots.

From what I've seen so far:

Brayshaw and ANB: I'll link both of these guys together. I think they'll both play very well at Casey in year 1. But are developing bodies (even for strong 18 year olds) and really best suited as tough inside midfielders. I think they'll be down the pecking order and will just get a taste. 1-5 games each

Petracca: He's got work to do on fitness. But is such a strong kid and natural forward I think he'll be hard to hold out from being the sub and getting more of a taste of it. I expect at least 10 or so games, but could be higher

Toumpas: Super fit. Wing is still a weakness and he's better suited than most on here. All depends on if he steps up on field. He should be looking to cement a spot for most of the season

Salem and JKH: Both are fitter than last year. Both were already around the mark and very good at their best. They'll both be in contention most weeks and play well in the VFL. For Salem a lot may depend on if they wish to drop him back by playing him with more full midfield games at Casey or if they are happy with his production from a half forward spot. 12 games each is probably a fair expectation

Riley: Still rehab running and probably a step down the pecking order. But I expect he'll tear it up at VFL level this year given he's having a proper preseason. I think Roos likes him, but he was gifted games last year. If he's not in the main group by shortly after christmas break then I think he'll not only miss important skills training but not be front of minds in the match committee

Newton: Training well, but so little exposure at AFL level you can't say what the outcome will be

Michie: Another training well. Looking lean and fit, but not burning the track like Toumpy. His lack of ability to so far nail a position might still hold him back from being a regular. But counter to that his flexibility to play different roles might work in his favour.

My thoughts would be that without defined roles in the team (ie tagger, outside skill player, defensive forward) that those last 3 guys shuffle in and out of the side and split 22 games between them. But I'm prepared to be surprised.

So,anyone have a view of which of the following, some of whom we hear a lot about, some very little will play the most games in 2015?

Newton, Petracca, Riley, JKH, Brayshaw, ANB, Michie, Salem or Toumpas?

From a popularity contest on training reports would seem Toumpas and then perhaps Petracca will clearly lead, but I'm thinking Michie and Newton might be the main two from this group - and if I could choose I'd hope Salem and Toumpas were the two.

In my opinion Salem will be the big improver of that bunch. He had legitimate issues leading into last pre-season and had a limited prep.

I think Salem has that all round game that players need - I don't really see any weaknesses, I see Salem as the best player we've landed in a long time.

So Salem aside, I think Toumpas should improve, he'll need to, but given a full prep I can see Jimmy Toumpas playing a sweeping role off the back flank.

Petracca, Brayshaw and ANB are complete unknowns, I wouldn't expect much out of these guys leading into 2015, they are players of the future.

I think where the Toump could be good is at something we've been really poor at - that last delivery inside 50.

At his best early in 2014 season - might have even been in the practice matches - he had the ability to find someone in space i50 and nail the pass.

But it's a matter of him getting it, or of getting it to him enough times, to make a difference.

Like Akum (above) I think there is a role to be played by Toumpas as the handball-receive runner delivering the ball forward with a bit of vision and poise.

But I always keep the lesson of Stanton over at the Bombers in mind. You can't go direct to a specialisation like that when you aren't already a well-rounded midfielder. It is kind of like the curse of the goalsneak - if you aren't up and firing in that role almost every week, your contribution (and career) quickly comes into question.

To throw in another analogy, I would imagine it is a bit like the 'man-child' key position players who arrive at AFL and are suddenly facing opponents just as big or bigger than them, for the first time. It takes a while to relearn and develop to the point that they can play that role again at the top level.

Toumpas as a key link-up player may be a few years away, I'll be happy to see him deliver a solid, responsible and well-rounded midfield effort in the meantime.

I wonder how many levels of hardest running, hardest preseasons can there be, every year I hear this I think it's bull

I think you're still angry....

Like Akum (above) I think there is a role to be played by Toumpas as the handball-receive runner delivering the ball forward with a bit of vision and poise.

But I always keep the lesson of Stanton over at the Bombers in mind. You can't go direct to a specialisation like that when you aren't already a well-rounded midfielder. It is kind of like the curse of the goalsneak - if you aren't up and firing in that role almost every week, your contribution (and career) quickly comes into question.

To throw in another analogy, I would imagine it is a bit like the 'man-child' key position players who arrive at AFL and are suddenly facing opponents just as big or bigger than them, for the first time. It takes a while to relearn and develop to the point that they can play that role again at the top level.

Toumpas as a key link-up player may be a few years away, I'll be happy to see him deliver a solid, responsible and well-rounded midfield effort in the meantime.

I'm not sure what you mean by the lesson of Stanton 'Goffy', could you explain the point?

I wonder how many levels of hardest running, hardest preseasons can there be, every year I hear this I think it's bull

Sounding very angry, are you angry again?

I'm planning on getting along to a few sessions so I'm sure I can write up a report or two and maybe take a few photos

Thanks RB!

I wonder how many levels of hardest running, hardest preseasons can there be, every year I hear this I think it's bull

Obviously you don't read the preseason reports all that much as it was well documented that when Neeld came in and he brought in Dave Misson the comments were that we were light years off in terms of fitness and it would take us at least 3 preseasons to get to the levels that the better clubs were at. And the problem is that we were so far behind that the three preseasons it would take to catch up would only get us to where the good clubs were 3 preseasons ago.

Any of this ringing any bells ?

It does not surprise me at all that the players are saying this regarding the running and training and I don't think it is bull at all.

Again, we can knock Neeld for many things but he certainly implemented a professional fitness regime under Dave Misson ( who had previously worked with Roos)

Are you saying he was tearing it up?

if my memory serves me, i think it was more a case of "throwing it up"

I know im probably being a party pooper here but seriously I wish I the club would update us with the pre season photos or videos. Think its a bit sad we all have to rely on Six6six for his fantastic photos and Saty for his training updates when it wouldn't hurt the club to keep supporters in the loop.

You only have to look at the likes of Hawthorn and Geelong who regularly do this on a daily basis.

if my memory serves me, i think it was more a case of "throwing it up"

Isn't that the umpire's job?

Isn't that the umpire's job?

Now I'm confused, I thought it was their job to make us throw up?

Now I'm confused, I thought it was their job to make us throw up?

So their throwing it up makes us throw up?

Sounding very angry, are you angry again?

no not angry at all just every year you hear that a running session is the hardest ever, I think player have short memories,

no not angry at all just every year you hear that a running session is the hardest ever, I think player have short memories,

No.. I think they have raised bar year on year since Misson has been onboard - exactly like he said he would.

No.. I think they have raised bar year on year since Misson has been onboard - exactly like he said he would.

Correct, I asked him, and there are more players reaching a higher standard than ever before, you only have to read the 'training reports', with players looking fitter, Nev Jetta is looking at improving his 3k time by 20 secs

And yes they are training reports, and each year the optimism rises, but I am beginning to see a Roos coached team, like I said, I thought the footy drills last week were good skill wise but Ben Mathews told me they were 'ordinary' and the players were told that

Correct, I asked him, and there are more players reaching a higher standard than ever before, you only have to read the 'training reports', with players looking fitter, Nev Jetta is looking at improving his 3k time by 20 secs

And yes they are training reports, and each year the optimism rises, but I am beginning to see a Roos coached team, like I said, I thought the footy drills last week were good last week skill wise but Ben Mathews told me they were 'ordinary' and the players were told that

I have no doubt that the intensity of the training has progressively got harder since Misson has arrived.

I do temper my excitement though over the December/January champions until they reproduce during the real stuff.