Training - Monday, 2nd February, 2015

[The Devil Inside 2,147]

And how did he help set up the goal ? With handball. To my mind Jordie's problem has not been that he handballs too much or that he fluffs some kicks. My issue is he has not involved himself on the outside or put himself forward as an option. I think his opponents know that he will tag them but will not run off them the other way so they don't pay a great deal of attention to him when we have the ball in hand. It does not surprise me Roos is making him play outside linking up as that to my mind is the major weakness in his game.

Saty said last year on asking McKenzie what he need to do to get a regular game - "kick more goals" - I just think he needs to get himself a lot more involved.

( that's not to say he doesn't need to lift his skills by foot because if you only handpass you become predictable - but I would still have Jodie h/ball more than kick - he is just better at it )

Beautifully put Nut, and that is the point, his kicking skills are getting better, only needs to transfer them to game day

[rjay 25,061]

McKenzie is a better player than many give credit, it's one reason why he is still on the list and others like Nicho aren't. He's a better player. His first couple of seasons with us were good but like many his confidence took a hit over the last few years.

He will never be a great kick but if he can be effective that's all we need. Cross is not a great kick either but he is effective. I want to see what Jordie can do this year, if he doesn't come up to scratch he will be moved on.

[Vagg 2,439]

Saty, I sure hope you have a very thick skin because, I for one, want you to keep up the great work of your regular reports. Being stuck here on the Gold Coast (yet, poor me! LOL), I really appreciate the time and effort you put into the reports for us pathetic, unappreciative sods!

Constructive debate on this site is great. But, I cannot abide the constant sniping by some.

[The Devil Inside 2,147]

McKenzie is a better player than many give credit, it's one reason why he is still on the list and others like Nicho aren't. He's a better player. His first couple of seasons with us were good but like many his confidence took a hit over the last few years.

He will never be a great kick but if he can be effective that's all we need. Cross is not a great kick either but he is effective. I want to see what Jordie can do this year, if he doesn't come up to scratch he will be moved on.

Exactly who is mentoring Jordie, doesn't need to be a raking 60 metre cross field kick, just to an open team mate, who can take it forward

There is a good example of what Roos is trying achieve in a photo on my Twitter, Matt Jones is about to handball with pressure coming from Jordie, you have both Daniel Cross and Nathan Jones going past, but Col Garland is obviously better positioned to point out the 'simple' ball, Jones did handball to Vandenberg I think it was, who then kicked down the line to Pedersen who then went inboard to Nathan Jones who had continued his run, Roos applauded

[Maggot 1977 263]

How is Vandenburg travelling TDI ? Being a big bodied mid is he a smokey for elevation or do you have any hunches if anyone is a standout to get elevated to the main list ?

[Wiseblood 24,637]

Spencil is nailing goals, Jordie is in the best 22, Fitzy's pinpointing passes and Matt Jones is kicking truly. Woweee! They're training the house down. Round 1 can't come quick enough!

It's unbelievable stuff mate. Imagine players, without the pressure of gameday and direction from coaches on the field, would hit targets and actually do a few things well. It's like we're in fantasy land...

[dazzledavey36 55,308]

Salem and Toumpas off a half back really has me salivating.

First time in so many years I will get such enjoyment from watching our half backs nailing our targets and hitting up the half forward with their kicking skills.

Travis Johnstone and Aaron Davey were just simply sublime drilling a low hard 40m kick off a half back, and both Toump and Salem have these traits.

[Its Time for Another 4,283]

McKenzie is a better player than many give credit, it's one reason why he is still on the list and others like Nicho aren't. He's a better player. His first couple of seasons with us were good but like many his confidence took a hit over the last few years.

He will never be a great kick but if he can be effective that's all we need. Cross is not a great kick either but he is effective. I want to see what Jordie can do this year, if he doesn't come up to scratch he will be moved on.

I remember another player Roosy used to coach who was a horrible kick when he started. Much worse than McKenzie and ended up being a serviceable if not good kick. He was even suggested by some as the next coach here. Anyone remember a bloke called Brett Kirk. He seemed to go all right, from memory.

[Moonshadow 17,676]

I remember another player Roosy used to coach who was a horrible kick when he started. Much worse than McKenzie and ended up being a serviceable if not good kick. He was even suggested by some as the next coach here. Anyone remember a bloke called Brett Kirk. He seemed to go all right, from memory.

Come on mate, comparing Jordie McKenzie to Brett Kirk is drawing a very long bow. Look at what each achieved at the mid way point of their careers. I'd take Kirk's kicking any day over Jordie's. It's great to see him putting in everything on the track, good on him, but the reality is he's a battler with poor kicking when it matters, during games. Edited February 2, 2015 by Moonshadow

[DeeSpencer 26,068]

Salem and Toumpas off a half back really has me salivating.

First time in so many years I will get such enjoyment from watching our half backs nailing our targets and hitting up the half forward with their kicking skills.

Travis Johnstone and Aaron Davey were just simply sublime drilling a low hard 40m kick off a half back, and both Toump and Salem have these traits.

Salem maybe. Toumpas doesn't have the defensive skills, doesn't really have any natural aerial ability or tackling ability. His kicking is also more effective in space running forward and spearing it on to forward's chests. Salem not only has the left foot that we need from half back but also a quick release, good balance and can hit targets short or long.

[Gorgoroth 13,016]

Salem maybe. Toumpas doesn't have the defensive skills, doesn't really have any natural aerial ability or tackling ability. His kicking is also more effective in space running forward and spearing it on to forward's chests. Salem not only has the left foot that we need from half back but also a quick release, good balance and can hit targets short or long.

I feel the opposite, I'd rather SALEM in the forward half as he has shown how good a set shot he is and how smart he is around the goals.

[Machsy 2,858]

Yes but most of those have not been to training, and just write off a player on the past, Nev Jetta/Dunn/Pedersen being the perfect examples in the last couple of years, I can't wait for the humble pie posts when one of the above surprises

And to give another example Newton had an off day today, don't know what the problem was, he was horrible, helicopter handballs, missed kicks etc

The worst thing about your ubiquitous sycophantic waffle is that it becomes so tedious that I almost want guys like McKenzie to fail at this time of the year.

[Ron Burgundy 8,584]

Saty, I sure hope you have a very thick skin because, I for one, want you to keep up the great work of your regular reports. Being stuck here on the Gold Coast (yet, poor me! LOL), I really appreciate the time and effort you put into the reports for us pathetic, unappreciative sods!

Constructive debate on this site is great. But, I cannot abide the constant sniping by some.

I absolutely agree with this. To those posters (TDI, number 1) who make the effort to attend training and then report it back to us - thank you. I love reading the reports - they enable me to feel more connected with the club and the list.

I'd like someone to confront these faceless snipers face to face sometime and pull them into line. I'm pretty confident they're not as cool as they think they are.

[Ron Burgundy 8,584]

The worst thing about your ubiquitous sycophantic waffle is that it becomes so tedious that I almost want guys like McKenzie to fail at this time of the year.

Well that's plainly stupid.

[Surfer Dee 210]

The thing about training reports is that they are so clearly someone's opinion. If someone writes something about how your most hated player is training well I'd advise you to react the same way as when someone likes a film you don't. Just accept it or maybe politely disagree and offer your take. Simple as.

Love the work TDI. In the offseason I just like to read anything about what's going on. Your reports (and those of others) are the best anything going on round here.

[Machsy 2,858]

Well that's plainly stupid.

Almost.

[Deespicable 2,880]

Thanks for original report Saty.

I was down there last week and was rapt to see that Salem was finally working more with the defensive group and your post confirms there has been a switch in thinking there since the camp.

Whether that's because of Howey's injury or not I don't know, but it does mean we may have a left-foot option down back, which will stop us being quite so predictable with the hockey-style mentality of clearing the ball to the right side.

It also gives him a chance of a game, because with Garlett and Petracca in side now, there's not much room for a small forward.

And at the moment he's a fair way back in pecking order in midfield.

Now he's battling for a spot with Jetta, Grimes and team balance of whether we want a third small defender or not.

[Rainbow 35]

The worst thing about your ubiquitous sycophantic waffle is that it becomes so tedious that I almost want guys like McKenzie to fail at this time of the year.

That is Pathetic!!

[Moonshadow 17,676]

Looking forward to seeing increased competition for spots in the backline this season. With talk of Salem and Toump spending time there and the recruitment of Lumumba, guys like Terlich and Grimes will have to step up another notch. Sure, they all play differing roles, but there is only so many guys that can fit into 6 spots. TMac, Garland, Dunn, Frost, Jetta, Grimes, Terlich, Lumumba, Salem, Toump, and occasionally Watts.

[RalphiusMaximus 6,088]

I don't think JAck Viney is the certain starter a lot of people seem to think he is. Go back over a lot of his work last year and you might question. His attack on the ball was undoubtedly ferocious, but often pointless. He would hurl himself into the fray and not out of it again resulting in another stoppage more often than not. He knows how to get first hands on the ball, now he needs to figure out how to extract it and himself so as to provide real value when he does do.

As for McKenzie, I'm with Saty on that one. Roos told him last year that he had to give more value when we have the ball to complement his defensive game and he's clearly been working on it. There is a reason he won all of those coaches awards. It's because he takes what they say on board and really works hard to do what they tell him. I'll back him to show a much improved output this year to go with his defensive efforts.

[Ron Burgundy 8,584]

McKenzie was actually the most important link man in that final play against Essendon last year.

He still has value.

[dworship 3,342]

The worst thing about your ubiquitous sycophantic waffle is that it becomes so tedious that I almost want guys like McKenzie to fail at this time of the year.

Well that's plainly stupid.

Which part? Machsy trying to pose as an intellectual by using big words or the fact that his dislike of TDI's reports has him wishing players of the Team he follows are failures (almost), but only at this time of year.

[Henrietta Lumbago 331]

Exactly who is mentoring Jordie, doesn't need to be a raking 60 metre cross field kick, just to an open team mate, who can take it forward

There is a good example of what Roos is trying achieve in a photo on my Twitter, Matt Jones is about to handball with pressure coming from Jordie, you have both Daniel Cross and Nathan Jones going past, but Col Garland is obviously better positioned to point out the 'simple' ball, Jones did handball to Vandenberg I think it was, who then kicked down the line to Pedersen who then went inboard to Nathan Jones who had continued his run, Roos applauded

There hasn't been much talk about Brayshaw so far this pre season, which in one way is a good thing. Is their any chance we could see him debut round 1, I would love to see Hogan, Petracca and Brayshaw all debut, although realistically at this stage it will probably only be 1 or 2 of these guys....?? How far off the mark do you think he is mate?

[Mad_Melbourne 877]

I don't think JAck Viney is the certain starter a lot of people seem to think he is. Go back over a lot of his work last year and you might question. His attack on the ball was undoubtedly ferocious, but often pointless. He would hurl himself into the fray and not out of it again resulting in another stoppage more often than not. He knows how to get first hands on the ball, now he needs to figure out how to extract it and himself so as to provide real value when he does do.

I think that is exactly why he is a certain started for the season and barring injury or suspension will play 22 games. He creates 1 v 1 when no other melbourne player would, he attacks the ball pretty much the hardest of anyone in our team and whilst he doesn't always extract it, he is still able to break tackles and move the football forward.

Also in modern football and under Paul Roos a stoppage is a win and I think again this year we will be a team that is stoppage focused

[Ethan Tremblay 30,961]

That is Pathetic!!

No, it's Machsy.