Training - Friday 19th December, 2014

[Biffen 12,323]

Visual definition of rag dolling.

He made the mistake of letting the kid get up.

This resulted in a goal.

He was overly kind in the tackle.

Spencer should learn from this.

[DeeSpencer 23,087]

RPFC or TDI: If you were to go out on a limb, which of our draftees can you see being in the mix for round 1? I know there's a bit of water to pass under the bridge, but you read different training reports and you see each of Petracca, Brayshaw, Neal-Bullen, Stretch, Oscar Mac, etc. get wrapped up by different posters. What are your thoughts?

Oscar Mac - no. He's a beanpole. With Tom, Dunn and Frost ahead of him I don't think he'll see many preseason minutes and would need to play super well to even be considered.

ANB - no. He trains well. He's got good endurance. But this knee dislocation will probably mean plenty of time in the rehab group whilst they make sure it doesn't happen again plus get his conditioning back and therefore I can't see him being given much of a chance in the earlier preseason games

Stretch - maybe - he had that vital head start of a couple of weeks training. But then has been held back a bit. I could see him getting a bit of preseason footy, maybe coming on in the second half of games. He's a skinny body though so I dont think they'll be too keen to risk him

Brayshaw - maybe - he seems to have an appetite to get involved in training. A natural go getter and I believe he had a small scare on Friday but otherwise has been progressing well in training.

Petracca - maybe/probably- whilst the training intensity is clearly testing him (which is not a surprise) you can see he's got the size, skills and power to not only compete but to beat experienced players. The questions will be on his repeat efforts and adapting to the pace of the game. But if he keeps making improvements then I think he's on track for preseason footy. He does too many classy things to not be given a chance

Last year JKH adapting to training like an absolute pro. He pushed himself in the running, was assured in any skills drills and in any match simulation drills was bobbing up everywhere with his reading of the play and intensity. It's early in preseason but I haven't seen that level from any of the knew draftees. Maybe because the standard of the group has improved. JKH then well and truly backed up his training form in the preseason games. ANB's injury may well cost him time in the preseason games depending on how many of the senior players we play. But otherwise all 4 mids should get a look in for preseason games and form will dictate.

[chook fowler 18,197]

Oscar Mac - no. He's a beanpole. With Tom, Dunn and Frost ahead of him I don't think he'll see many preseason minutes and would need to play super well to even be considered.

ANB - no. He trains well. He's got good endurance. But this knee dislocation will probably mean plenty of time in the rehab group whilst they make sure it doesn't happen again plus get his conditioning back and therefore I can't see him being given much of a chance in the earlier preseason games

Stretch - maybe - he had that vital head start of a couple of weeks training. But then has been held back a bit. I could see him getting a bit of preseason footy, maybe coming on in the second half of games. He's a skinny body though so I dont think they'll be too keen to risk him

Brayshaw - maybe - he seems to have an appetite to get involved in training. A natural go getter and I believe he had a small scare on Friday but otherwise has been progressing well in training.

Petracca - maybe/probably- whilst the training intensity is clearly testing him (which is not a surprise) you can see he's got the size, skills and power to not only compete but to beat experienced players. The questions will be on his repeat efforts and adapting to the pace of the game. But if he keeps making improvements then I think he's on track for preseason footy. He does too many classy things to not be given a chance

Last year JKH adapting to training like an absolute pro. He pushed himself in the running, was assured in any skills drills and in any match simulation drills was bobbing up everywhere with his reading of the play and intensity. It's early in preseason but I haven't seen that level from any of the knew draftees. Maybe because the standard of the group has improved. JKH then well and truly backed up his training form in the preseason games. ANB's injury may well cost him time in the preseason games depending on how many of the senior players we play. But otherwise all 4 mids should get a look in for preseason games and form will dictate.

Agree with the above. All the excitement of the new recruits makes it easy to forget what the likes of Salem, Toumpas, Michie and Reilly bring to the table. There is no need to rush the newbies.

[Tough Kent 2,049]

Thanks GRRM. A most insightful post on where are draftees are at.

[rjay 23,884]

Agree with the above. All the excitement of the new recruits makes it easy to forget what the likes of Salem, Toumpas, Michie and Reilly bring to the table. There is no need to rush the newbies.

I would expect these guys along with Newton to step up.

Salem looks like butter wouldn't melt in his mouth but he is a tough kid, hard at the footy and a great tackle. Expect a big improvement from him in 2015.

[Gorgoroth 12,308]

Yep, SALEM is my tip to blossom this season.

[gsmith12 491]

Thanks for all the reports guys, us interstaters do appreciate the effort.

Compliments of the season to all.

[rpfc 27,413]

One thing I will add to the above is that Brayshaw and Petracca joined in with the forwards when they were running through their leads. So they do not expect them to be everyday mids in 2015. Hooray.

[rpfc 27,413]

Gawn is back in full training

Lumumba won't play midfield, I asked him, he may appear on the wing now and again, what they are practicing is different looks at stoppages, with him on the outside, he will be looking at floating at half back and doing what he does best, intercept marking and then setting up play

Wing is midfield. And from what they were running through moving the ball from HB to HF, Lumumba, Jones, and Tyson were where the kicks were targeted and the space left for.

I think he will be too valuable at HB for this to work very often, but I admire Roos' desire to give it a chance.

[DemonOX 8,529]

Last session for the year and all looking positive so far, big thanks to Saty, RPFC, George on the outer and all other Deelanders for keeping us interstate members/supporters up to date through 2014.

Hope all Dees fans have a Merry Christmas and may 2015 be kinder to all of us

Amen to that brother.

[Bombay Airconditioning 5,870]

Garland would be a walk up start at most clubs, probably all clubs. We underrate him a lot on this site. Playing defence for the MFC over the last number of years hasn't been an easy ask.

Garland would not be a walk up start at every club. Over his career he has been good, reasonably consistent but not what I would call great or elite. TDI has said The Prince is playing off half back, so who misses out. Although Garland at times he may have had to play as a key defender I think he's better suited as a third tall.

Jetta Frost Dunn

The Prince McDonald Howe/Grimes/Garland

Too many names so someone's got to go. The club targeted Frost for a reason, he played 16 games last year, has a bit of go about him and will hopefully form the back half of the spine for years to come along with McDonald.

So The Prince takes a good intercept mark, breaks the lines with his run which is something we desperately need but we still lack an elite kick of half back.

Jetta Frost Dunn

The Prince McDonald Salem/Toumpas/someone-anyone

There is enough experience there to allow us to try someone else who has the potential to be an damaging player for us for years to come.

Edited December 21, 2014 by Al's Demons

[Ron Burgundy 8,584]

Oscar Mac - no. He's a beanpole. With Tom, Dunn and Frost ahead of him I don't think he'll see many preseason minutes and would need to play super well to even be considered.

ANB - no. He trains well. He's got good endurance. But this knee dislocation will probably mean plenty of time in the rehab group whilst they make sure it doesn't happen again plus get his conditioning back and therefore I can't see him being given much of a chance in the earlier preseason games

Stretch - maybe - he had that vital head start of a couple of weeks training. But then has been held back a bit. I could see him getting a bit of preseason footy, maybe coming on in the second half of games. He's a skinny body though so I dont think they'll be too keen to risk him

Brayshaw - maybe - he seems to have an appetite to get involved in training. A natural go getter and I believe he had a small scare on Friday but otherwise has been progressing well in training.

Petracca - maybe/probably- whilst the training intensity is clearly testing him (which is not a surprise) you can see he's got the size, skills and power to not only compete but to beat experienced players. The questions will be on his repeat efforts and adapting to the pace of the game. But if he keeps making improvements then I think he's on track for preseason footy. He does too many classy things to not be given a chance

Last year JKH adapting to training like an absolute pro. He pushed himself in the running, was assured in any skills drills and in any match simulation drills was bobbing up everywhere with his reading of the play and intensity. It's early in preseason but I haven't seen that level from any of the knew draftees. Maybe because the standard of the group has improved. JKH then well and truly backed up his training form in the preseason games. ANB's injury may well cost him time in the preseason games depending on how many of the senior players we play. But otherwise all 4 mids should get a look in for preseason games and form will dictate.

Great post - thanks.

This is exactly the type of post that makes these training session threads absolutely worth reading.

[Machsy 2,856]

I don't know why people still insist on selecting a "back 6" or a "forward 6" when selecting a side.

Do they not realise the game has changed?

Better off just selecting 7 defenders, 7 forwards, 7 mids and a ruckman, and accepting that players will be rotated into non-traditional positions at times.

DEF: Frost, McDonald, Jetta, Dunn, Grimes, Garland, Lumumba.

FWD: Hogan, Dawes, Pedersen, Howe, Garlett, Watts, Kent

MID: Jones, Tyson, Cross, Vince, Viney, Bail, M. Jones

RUCK: Jamar

Can't see Terlich getting many games this year...

Newton & Michie still to prove they deserve a spot.

[Lucifers Hero 36,991]

Many of the more successful clubs now select about 10-12 'on-ballers' with no mid-field per se. Line up then is those plus 3 backs, 3 fwds, 1 ruck, Bench (also mostly 'on-ballers').

Training reports and our recruiting point at Roos wanting about 10-12 'on-ballers' ( + some on the bench) who can play defensively and offensively running hard both ways. Hawthorn and Port are exceptional at this type of line up. Sydney not too shabby either!

In future the 'traditonal' line-up of B, HB, M, HF, F, Followers, Bench will be useful in newspaper diagrams of teams but not for much else.

[Redleg 37,546]

Yep, SALEM is my tip to blossom this season.

Salem and Toumpas are my boys to improve and watch.

[Redleg 37,546]

I am pretty sure Kent has grown. He looked a bit taller when I saw him at training last week.

Anyone have any info?

He is listed at 179cms but definitely looks taller.

Edited December 21, 2014 by Redleg

[Bombay Airconditioning 5,870]

I don't know why people still insist on selecting a "back 6" or a "forward 6" when selecting a side.

Do they not realise the game has changed?

Better off just selecting 7 defenders, 7 forwards, 7 mids and a ruckman, and accepting that players will be rotated into non-traditional positions at times.

DEF: Frost, McDonald, Jetta, Dunn, Grimes, Garland, Lumumba.

FWD: Hogan, Dawes, Pedersen, Howe, Garlett, Watts, Kent

MID: Jones, Tyson, Cross, Vince, Viney, Bail, M. Jones

RUCK: Jamar

Can't see Terlich getting many games this year...

Newton & Michie still to prove they deserve a spot.

Your right the game has changed so I can't understand why people still think Grimes is an automatic selection and there's no need for us to have some elite users of the football coming off halfback. I still use the term back six/forward six because that's how they line up on paper but ideally I'd have both back flankers and one of the forward flanks as midfielders who just so happen know how to use the footy.

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,392]

Great reports from all and I could only add a couple of points:

1. What a great turnout from the fans! It must be a real filip for the players, when the club which has performed so badly during the past year, turn up to a training session and see a couple of hundred excited and eager fans lining the fence.

2. Am amazed at how fit Jamar looks. I've real concerns given his age about his ability to get on the park, but boy he looks as fit as he ever has.

3. Love the look of Petracca and Brayshaw for very different reasons. Petracca is a real bull and has the body to match. Will be a real addition as a "ball getter". Just don't expect the kid to front up round 1. He might be perfectly capable, but with something this good you don't want to burn him. Brayshaw is a really smart operator. He won't be at the bottom of the pack, but he puts himself in the right spot, reads the ball and the play brilliantly, so he will finish a game with some astounding stats one day. Not ready for consideration for a long time, so don't get the hopes up about him either...

4. Am amazed at how we have suddenly strengthened the backs so much. Frost will be a 10 year solid player, while the new Junior Mac looks the goods, although a lot of development still needed. Good to see the two brothers wrestling each other at one stage, and neither giving quarter. Probably like the backyard for the past 10 years! Nice to see a fit Garland as well, and while HL looks to being recruited to the mids, he could always pinch hit down back as well.

5. Still a couple of seasons away is Max King. He is a natural football and knows how to play. Once he has the body he will be something special as well.

6. Hogan and Dawes up forward with Garlett or JKH at their feet.....it's going to be pretty

I think I'll mark you down as a glass half full kind of guy.

[felixdacat 459]

It requires a leap of faith, but if you disregard anything he did before these last two seasons (as I believe judging ruckman under 23 is pretty much irrelevant) then his career consists of:

5 games this year where he; smashed Hickey and had 9 tackles, got towelled by a triple threat of Eagles rucks, battled on against Mumford in the wet, beat Warnock silly and had 5 marks, played under heavy duress (ankle injury) against Gold Coast where he shouldn't have even played but we had no alternative.

8 games last year where he had a crack and threw his weight around unfortunately not too cleverly against the Saints when he got himself suspended.

In marking contests he still battles. If he doesn't improve his coordination against better rucks he wont be of much use around the ground as clearly he's a poor kick. But he's definitely good at scrapping around the packs and has laid some big tackles. He's not Watts in that regard. Watts has never done this:

I have never seen that video before that is pure gold!

[daisycutter 28,484]

that's a cracking video clip

but surely disposing of the ball after being turned nearly 720 degrees has to be holding the ball

[Ron Burgundy 8,584]

That is unreal. The stuff of cartoons.

[Bring-Back-Powell 13,122]

I have never seen that video before that is pure gold!

Pretty impressive that the guy Spencer tackled ended up kicking a goal.

[The Devil Inside 2,147]

Somebody asked about the new recruits playing this year, my thoughts, with Neal Bullen out for now, think Brayshaw will get first crack with Vandenberg the smokey, Brayshaw just looks to be a footy player, everything with the minimum of fuss

Billy Stretch, Oscar Mc and White will get time to develop, all are still growing, so the emphasis is on not breaking them

Spoke to the fitness guys about Petracca's running style, he joins the one or two others who look horrible, they are going to work with him on it, he wastes a lot of energy, this would impact him running out games

Roos has a completely different approach to young players than we have seen in the past, in the NAB cup expect Harmes will be given the chance to show if he is worth elevating and I reckon Hunt and KIng will be given a go before the new guys. We also have Salem, JKH and Toumpas. He will also want to see what Newton can bring to the table and Frost (who I think will be this years bargain pick up)

Spoke to Dean Kent about the size increase, definitely bigger and stronger in the body, thinks he may have grown slightly taller as well, they do more testing after the Xmas break

[Grapeviney 8,815]

thinks he may have grown slightly taller as well, they do more testing after the Xmas break

Can't they just 'test' his height now with a tape measure ?

[daisycutter 28,484]

Can't they just 'test' his height now with a tape measure ?

maybe saty could take a tape measure and some scales to the next session and checkout the whole team

i have been suspicious of a number of measurements on the mfc site