Training - Wednesday 7th January, 2015

[Whispering_Jack 30,674]

The little storm cloud above our heads from the first 2015 training session was that we saw a few injuries or players with niggles that could potentially work out worse than they looked initially. Of course, it started with the skipper who was a no show due to a surfing accident and includes reports that youngsters Jesse Hogan and Christian Petracca left the track early with some apparently minor problems. Hopefully, these things will sort themselves and not turn into an epidemic of injuries as happened last year after the break.

Over to the people at the scene.

[Seraph 1,824]

Going to post some early updates from someone who is there watching - getting relayed to me so wont be too detailed. It's their first time watching training this year.

• Hogan only doing running apparently - not in the match simulation that is taking place. (assuming this is due to the issues from Monday)
• Watts' arms finally looking bigger, still doing rehab
• Jones is umpiring the practice match
• Very hot and windy, probably about 50 watching
• Match sim - starts from wing stoppage, idea is kick to the far wing and spread
• Skills down due to wind (hopefully)
• No Roos to be seen
• HL looking the goods at bursting through packs
• Hogan receiving the ball at FF at the end of the sim

[Demon trucker 1,800]

Oh no panic panic the sky is falling down, get a grip wj

[Whispering_Jack 30,674]

No panic NAA - just keeping an eye on things.

[TGR 1,367]

Injured leaders took all of training this morning. Jones, Trengrove etc ...

Maybe due to "empowerment" and self-driven philosophies, or more likely due to the collective bargaining agreement that can't stop players training if senior coaching staff aren't there.

30 plus degrees for whole session I'd say. Almost 3 hours. As usual, Viney, Cross, and Tyson last to leave the track. As usual, Tom Mc lead them in the 700m 'sprint'.

A lot of wind to the freeway end, which as someone else said, may account for the skill errors. JKH and to a lesser extent Gus, aren't clean often enough.

Like the sessions pre-Xmas, a lot of focus on switching play, and offensive running. 10 minute full ground scratch match also included.

Gus Brayshaw is raw, and I reckon will struggle to get a game for the first half of 2015. His kicking ain't A-grade, and they are also trying to get him used to more contact.

Petracca is on modified with a knee I think, is a massive unit, and will play forward with some rotation through the midfield when the heat is off I'd say.

Bernie might have tweaked his hammy. Watts did laps basically. Hardly saw Hogan.

Nothing much else to say, other than the effort was pretty good on a stinker of a morning.

[The Devil Inside 2,147]

Jones and Trengove took training this morning, it was planned, the coaching group turned up about 20 minutes from the end, Roosy told me he forgot to set his alarm (I also asked him at the end if he could get the 3k run on Friday advertised, so supporters can watch if they want to).

Only Vandenberg wasn't there, neither was Dave Misson so couldn't check why.

McKenzie was back and did whole session.

Jones gashed his heel with the fin of his board, drove back so Club Doctor could stitch it up.

Asked Jack Trengove where his scooter was, he was on crutches, told me he got rid of it as he will be back on his feet soon.

Hogan is fine, I asked him, think he is getting sick of it being an issue, said he is just following his program, light day today.

Watts is close to full training, said a week or so.

Petracca just had a bit of an issue with his knee, strapping there as a precaution, did the session without a problem, said he is glad he is handling the running a lot better, got absolutely smashed over that initial vision by his so called friends and family, laughs about it now.

Alex Neal-Bullen is running with no pain in the knee he dislocated.

Other chats from the questions that appear here.

Jayden Hunt hoping to play half back, gives him time and space to use speed and kicking.

Angus Brayshaw reckons his skills were sloppy today, but feels he is improving something each session, did the right thing by praising Daniel Cross for leading the way, he was sitting next to him when I was talking to him, note because there was no extra running today most players rated it either a 6 and a half or 7, Cross said 5.

Spoke to both Matt Jones and Cam Pedersen, both just happy to be getting through the sessions, Matt Jones prefers to be under the radar, Pedo has missed only 1 session and Matt Jones not at all, both said they are both feeling the benefits of the diet.

Spoke to everybody's favourite Fitzy, same hasn't missed a session, the diet is working really well,, feeling the best he has been.

Any questions feel free, pics will be Twitter Demonpk soon.

[CBDees 3,167]

Going to post some early updates from someone who is there watching - getting relayed to me so wont be too detailed. It's their first time watching training this year.

• Hogan only doing running apparently - not in the match simulation that is taking place. (assuming this is due to the issues from Monday)
• Watts' arms finally looking bigger, still doing rehab
• Jones is umpiring the practice match
• Very hot and windy, probably about 50 watching
• Match sim - starts from wing stoppage, idea is kick to the far wing and spread
• Skills down due to wind (hopefully)
• No Roos to be seen
• HL looking the goods at bursting through packs
• Hogan receiving the ball at FF at the end of the sim

As mentioned, small group there today [although didn't attend whole sessiom].

Re match simulation, I was a bit unclear as to the rationale [of simulation]. The drills I watched had ten players attacking the goal with five [green vests] defending. What a surprise that the attacking players always found targets on their own and only rarely was the sherrin ever tutned over. Maybe i am missing something here but surely it would be better for both attackers and defenders to be more evely matched to acheive real 'match simulation'?

[The Devil Inside 2,147]

As mentioned, small group there today [although didn't attend whole sessiom].

Re match simulation, I was a bit unclear as to the rationale [of simulation]. The drills I watched had ten players attacking the goal with five [green vests] defending. What a surprise that the attacking players always found targets on their own and only rarely was the sherrin ever tutned over. Maybe i am missing something here but surely it would be better for both attackers and defenders to be more evely matched to acheive real 'match simulation'?

If you listen to the talk, it is all about going with your first option if it is open, too many times in the past we have not gone with it and turned it over, so a confidence thing, defenders just there to at least make it like a game

[CBDees 3,167]

If you listen to the talk, it is all about going with your first option if it is open, too many times in the past we have not gone with it and turned it over, so a confidence thing, defenders just there to at least make it like a game

T Y (I didn't listen to the talk)

[Gipsy Danger 1,067]

Jones and Trengove took training this morning, it was planned

Thanks for reports saty, it's great being a country supporter and still being able to keep up with the going on's at the club.

How is Viv Michie going? I've heard very little about him since the season ended last year.

[The Devil Inside 2,147]

Thanks for reports saty, it's great being a country supporter and still being able to keep up with the going on's at the club.

How is Viv Michie going? I've heard very little about him since the season ended last year

Michie, is going ok, was in the 'rehab' group today, been there a couple of times since beginning, can't get anything out of him as to why, could be an issue with something they are keeping an eye on, he says there is no issue so I don't push it, when he does the full session, like a lot we have now, just does everything with the minimum of fuss

Spoke to Ben Newton today as well, again another one who is just doing everything, enjoying it and feeling really fit, not much difference between MFC and Port training except Port train on a Saturday as well.

Also spoke to Oscar McDonald, really cool guy, has absolutely no idea what weight he is or height he is now, thinks he may have grown in last six months, absolutely loving the hard work, looks bigger across the chest and shoulders already

[dazzledavey36 55,360]

Toumpas and Salem?

[Beats 190]

Any questions feel free, pics will be Twitter Demonpk soon

Any idea what the preferred ruck combination is at this point? Are they leaning towards taking 2 ruckmen in or will it be 1 ruckman with pedo/ fitzy giving them a chop out?

[The Devil Inside 2,147]

Toumpas and Salem?

Any idea what the preferred ruck combination is at this point? Are they leaning towards taking 2 ruckmen in or will it be 1 ruckman with pedo/ fitzy giving them a chop out?weh

Toumpas is fine, was just trailing Tommy Mc in the running and his kicking skills are getting better and better, was trying to talk to Matt Jones and Jimmy was with him and kept interrupting and trying to put me off, so head in a good place as well, was absolutely soaked in sweat

If Salem was anymore laid back he would be asleep, Joe Cool personified, just cruised through the training, everything he does is just classy, getting a good solid build on him, seems to have forged a good bond with Jack Viney, silk and steel. I never talk footy with him, today we discussed Everton's lucky draw with West Ham in the FA Cup, West Ham being the team Christian has convinced Jack to follow

Forgot for those worried about Viney's running, last 3k he did in 10mins 7secs, looking and feeling like he could better it on Friday, Salem said he did his in 15 minutes

Forgot about the ruck, who knows, the way it is going by April we will have the whole ruck division including Pedo and Fitzy fit, when they practice, big Maxy does a lot of work out of the square, but then again so does Jamar. If they manage to get King fit rather than kill him, his kicking is excellent, he could play as a lead up forward

[Gorgoroth 13,023]

He should just Skip west Bolton United hamsters and just follow the Wanderers.

[dazzledavey36 55,360]

15 mins for a 3k is pretty poor. Hopefully he improves it on friday.

[The Devil Inside 2,147]

15 mins for a 3k is pretty poor. Hopefully he improves it on friday.

It was a joke DD

[dazzledavey36 55,360]

Oh well good to hear. Was absolutely gobsmacked if that was the case.

[Demanding Success 298]

Just to add a few things,

-you can really see that there are a lot more mids out there with the full ground drills. There just seems to be more guys running and demanding the ball and then delivering. It was good to watch Salem, toumpas, Tyson, viney running and demanding, even harmes and hunt.

-garlett moved smoothly and is a very good kick, especially to someone leading straight at him.

-Lumumba is in everything and seems to get the ball multiple times in every drill. Has great agility and speed off the mark. Also has very fast hands which I haven't really noticed before.

-some easy marks were dropped when some players were on their own. Dawes dropped a chest mark under pressure which should have been hands out. i find this very frustrating. to his credit he used his hands for the rest of the session.

-The kicking was actually quite good with a few errors. The Brayshaw errors were on his left foot. A couple in a row. They were also when he seemed to be changing direction and with no momentum. His kicking on the right was pretty good.

-I have never seen more players doing extra things when training was finished. It was about half the list. It would be interesting to know whether cross is a direct influence on this.

-gawn looks awesome. Was leading out of the goal square in some of the drills and he is completing a lot of running.

-I also thought watts looked a bit bigger.

-I said before last preseason that I thought pederson needed to lose 4 or 5 kgs and he could then contribute. He looks to be fitter again.

-For his size frost is very quick.

-Tmac is a running machine and looks to have put on a couple on the upper body. He and frost could become pretty good pillars at the back.

[Deefender 232]

Another country boy here Devil Inside. Thanks to you and the others for your reports.

Particularly interested to hear a few words on Max King.

I'm really hoping we hold onto him.

Do you reckon he likes it playing forward? - can kick.

[Demon Disciple 12,274]

15 mins for a 3k is pretty poor. Hopefully he improves it on friday.

And what is your 3km PB, DD?

Why don't you try and run at 12km/h for 15 minutes on a treadmill, before saying it is quite slow!

I think you'd change your opinion pretty quickly. Remember that such a speed would be a minimum cruise mode for the players' to get around the ground when not near the contest.

Edited January 7, 2015 by Demon Disciple

[Mad_Melbourne 877]

And what is your 3km PB, DD?

Why don't you try and run at 12km/h for 15 minutes on a treadmill, before saying it is quite slow!

I think you'd change your opinion pretty quickly. Remember that such a speed would be a minimum cruise mode for the players' to get around the ground when not near the contest.

15 minutes for a 3k is very poor for someone of AFL standard, definitely would not been be looked at in terms of drafting

[The Devil Inside 2,147]

15 minutes for a 3k is very poor for someone of AFL standard, definitely would not been be looked at in terms of drafting

It was Salem being funny, he was joking...sheesh...re Max King. they are really pushing him fitness wise, they are still building him, natural footballer, is a really good kick, and reads the play well, Jamar is looking after him, pushing him along, a good Roos project

Forgot to mention the Pig Dog is back in full training

[Mad_Melbourne 877]

It was Salem being funny, he was joking

No kidding, I was highlighting to the post which I quoted how it was clearly a joke.

[DeeSpencer 26,082]

And what is your 3km PB, DD?

Why don't you try and run at 12km/h for 15 minutes on a treadmill, before saying it is quite slow!

I think you'd change your opinion pretty quickly. Remember that such a speed would be a minimum cruise mode for the players' to get around the ground when not near the contest.

I'm not fit at all and don't run much at all since I gave footy away. A demon training session would kill me. But even I'd be some chance to turn the treadmill up and pound out 3km. I know I've got 10 minutes in me at that speed if it was the most important testing of my preseason.

Either way Salem was probably somewhere in the 11 or 12 minutes last year with his illness. Hopefully he's sub 11 which I think is about the standard for AFL midfielders. Even better if he's sub 10:30 which is very good. Saty's post was to highlight Viney is already closing in on the 10 minute elite mark.