Training - Wednesday, 4th February, 2015

[The Devil Inside 2,147]

Short session today about hour and a bit.

Not there Trengove, Neal-Bullen and King (think he has a health issue).

Rehabbing - Vince, Watts, Terlich, Hunt, Howe, White - 2 on a very short session Dawes (a deload day, said he was resting on his laurels), Newton.

Most of the session squad was broken in groups, defence, midfield, forward, Petracca and Vandenberg trained exclusively with forwards.

Forwards - goal kicking drills, defence - spoiling, midfield - stoppages.

Brayshaw, Salem and Lumumba trained at some stage with defence, rest of time midfieldish.

Last off the track, Cross, McKenzie, Grimes and Vandenberg.

Only the new players will be at AGM tonight, Gus Brayshaw is actually looking forward to attending.

Nathan Jones and Lynden Dunn both very humble when I congratulated them on captain and vice captain. Dawes nearly tore my arm off when shaking his hand, Lumumba same as Jones and Dunn, Cross as well.

Didn't get a chance to ask Garlo, will try on Friday, it was miserable day weather wise, most players just glad to get inside.

Again any questions, feel free and pics will be on Twitter Demonpk, also nice to have a good chat with George on the Outer.

[Vagg 2,449]

Thanks, Saty. Appreciated, as always!

[Ruffles 356]

Got there around 9:45ish this morning and it looked like the boys had just finished warming up.

You wouldn't think it was February ... almost felt like mid-winter out there! The odd shower and cold, gusty winds didn't really make for fun viewing conditions so I was pretty glad it wasn't a long session in the end. Basically all skills and drills from what I could see.

Anyway, I'll note down my thoughts below:

• Vince and Hunt wearing out the boundary line running laps today. Vince did some non-contact drills as well with Terlich, Watts and Howe on the opposite side. Hunt did a bit of kick to kick with a trainer for awhile, then pounded out the km's again.

• Dawes, Newton and White were kicking to each other early but they must've left soon after as I didn't see them for most of it.

• No sign of Trengove or ANB.

• It must've been a good year for coaches / trainers ... they seem to have multiplied like the rabbits this last spring! They were everywhere - it almost felt like they outnumbered actual players.

• McCartney was there, instructing some of the younger fellas and also Spencer with marking. Also did some reflex/off-the-ground hand ball drills 1 on 1 with White.

• Started off with short kicks in groups of 3's then some drills in the middle.

• The team then broke off into forwards, mids and backs for drills.

• The forwards consisted of Hogan, Fitzy, Kent, Garlett, JKH, Pederson, Vandenberg and Petracca. This was good to watch, drills included roving marking contest/stoppage and kicking around the body on the run, from different spots inside 50. After a while the drill was changed so half were in high viz and manned up the other forwards.

  Alternately, each player would be simulating a kick in from the goal square and have to pick one of the other 3 leading players in 1 on 1's, then back to goal kick and repeat. They also practiced dribbling the ball towards goal from either boundary.

  Garlett appeared to kick the most, more accurate than the rest with the dribble goals.

  Then probably Hogan, who ended up on the end of the majority of kick outs following good leads etc.

  Petracca looked pretty comfortable in from of the big sticks. I think I mention it every time, but how are his legs so big?!? Vandenberg looks very solid/big through the upper body, quite a unit.

• Didn't see much of the backs as they were at the other end, but included the McDonald bros, Dunn, Garland, Frost, Grimes and Jetta. Don't quote me on it but pretty sure I saw Lumumba and in there for at least part of it. Salem was there for the last part as well, though did more time with the mids prior to that. They were a fair way away but was all getting ball out of defence, surprisingly ...
• The mids trained in 3 groups, rotating through different drills. The one closest to me was led by Goodwin, who also put on a high viz vest for parts to make up numbers.

  Shame he isn't playing anymore, laid some good tackles! This drill was 2 of Spencer, Gawn and Jamar in the ruck trying to tap to their 'team' (vest or no vest) who would try and clear the ball. This basically involved all players I haven't mentioned above ...

  Toumpas trained with the mids all session, whereas Salem joined the backs after a while.

• After these drills everyone practiced their set shots at the Swan St. end. All looked reasonable, considering the gusty conditions, but then again they were under zero pressure.

• Jones and Brayshaw were keeping score again, trying to put each other off. From what I heard I'm pretty sure Brayshaw actually won today. Career limiting move for him showing up the captain? Jones seems to have taken him under his wing.

• Jetta, Garlett and JKH seem to stick together a lot of the time.

• Salem and Viney also kicking with/against each other. Salem didn't miss too many ...
• O McDonald kicked pretty truly as well, one off his left too.

• Once again McKenzie and Cross were still there when I left, along with Grimes and Spencer, as the last on ground.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

Vandenberg looks a bit like Mark Neeld, but I agree he looks very solid.

[The Devil Inside 2,147]

Nice work Ruffles, saw you were there, so didn't bother too much with the detail in mine, it was a good move from Brayshaw haha, a queston what do you think of Bernie's haricut, said it was staying

[Ruffles 356]

Nice work Ruffles, saw you were there, so didn't bother too much with the detail in mine, it was a good move from Brayshaw haha, a queston what do you think of Bernie's haricut, said it was staying

Haha, thought I was incognito behind the mustache!

[The Devil Inside 2,147]

Haha, thought I was incognito behind the mustache!,

Facial hair doesn't fool me, hats, different matter

The whole squad was in very good spirits today was great to see, that defence drill you saw is the one from Monday, we have been sadly lacking in that area, repeating it until it becomes second nature

[dpositive 1,838]

mention on Whats the Col thread that he (Garland) is rarely mentioned in training reports

Ruffles said he was at the other end with defence

Can anyone add any comment?

[Wiseblood 24,637]

Ripping report Ruffles. You should get down there more often!

[The Devil Inside 2,147]

mention on Whats the Col thread that he (Garland) is rarely mentioned in training reports

Ruffles said he was at the other end with defence

Can anyone add any comment?

The problem? with most of the squad actually being on the park, unless somebody does something really good, really bad, gets a spray etc etc, you hardly notice them.

I spoke to Col Garland the other day, he is fine, finally got rid of all the niggles and issues he has had, feeling really good, realises there is competition for places and is head down bum up, he still does a lot of talking during the match sim, and I have posted a couple of pics of him directing traffic. Think he wants to get back to where he was a year or two ago, think he has to

[george_on_the_outer 7,855]

While it is only February and it IS only training, there was plenty to like about the situation we had today on the track.

I don't need to repeat what TDI and Ruffles have reported, so I'll just add some general observations, and what makes this year different from the past dozen or so

years that I've been at training ...

* The way the training is so much more organised.

As Ruffles noted, the coaches have multiplied like rabbits in the off-season, but it is only good. It means when you have 40+ players turning up, we have the resources to spend one-on-one time with them.

Especially good for the younger ones who can be taken aside or given extra tuition.

Roos runs the show, but then expects all the assistants to get their groups together for specialist work. e.g. Goodwin with the mids, but working on boundary throw ins.

Rawlings with

the defenders, but working on getting to and spoiling a contest, and then following up with delivery out of defence.

* The concentration on kicking.

Now I know this has been a bug-bear of supporters for many years, and we all envy the likes of Hawthorn who deliver flawlessly when needed. However, there has been much more emphasis on clean delivery by foot this year, and again, while it is only training it certainly looks to be having an effect.

Practice makes perfect,

they say, and it looks like it might be happening.

For the whole session I didn't see a kick go astray. Certainly can't say I've seen that before, so hopefully come the season ...

* The competition for spots.

Again it is a month away from any serious type football, but we are in a good place. TDI and Ruffles have told you about who is on limited/restricted work, but of that whole group Howe, Watts, Vince and Terlich were the only ones who played last year. And Watts and Vince must be within days of a return to full training given the speed they are running around the boundary.

Remember the start of last year? Garland, Gawn, Jamar all missing, T.Mac out after 1 game ...

This year for example the backs are Dunn, Garland, T McDonald, Frost, Lamumba, as certainties. Fill the last remaining hole with Grimes, Salem, Howe, Watts, Jetta etc.

In the ruck Jamar, Spencer and Gawn are all fit, with Fitzpatrick looking in the best condition he ever has at the club. 1 ruck last year to start, and we have 4 this year! Can we throw in Pedersen as well?

Forwards are equally endowed with Hogan and Garlett as extras this year.

The mids have added Lumumba (when not defending), and have a full list to pick from save ANB at the moment.

Did I mention draft picks 1 & 2?

Where do they fit in?

A big change from when we pushed the prime draft picks on to the field at the first opportunity in years gone. Expect some interesting viewing

at Casey in the first half of the year.

* Medical management

It's only little things, but we are keeping players on the track now through better management. Watts and Vince allowed to run at will and full pace. Not so Howe who had to run a steady pace with a trainer alongside.

No risks being taken, and problems managed on an individual basis.

Big players ( Dawes) given occasional light sessions to save them from the punishing that happens. Players told to report the slightest injury or suspected problem as soon as it happens. No "getting through it" or "running it out" before the medico's have had a look.

[The Devil Inside 2,147]

Big players ( Dawes) given occasional light sessions to save them from the punishing that happens. Players told to report the slightest injury or suspected problem as soon as it happens. No "getting through it" or "running it out" before the medico's have had a look.

And I thought you weren't listening George haha...really enjoyed the chat today, see you at the AGM

[nutbean 8,838]

I would like to Salem play some of his footy off half back - He didn't get a great deal of the footy at half forward ( being a first year player combined with limited opportunities as a half forward) - he will get more of it at half back and we know that we want the ball in the hands of good users like Salem.

[The Devil Inside 2,147]

I would like to Salem play some of his footy off half back - He didn't get a great deal of the footy at half forward ( being a first year player combined with limited opportunities as a half forward) - he will get more of it at half back and we know that we want the ball in the hands of good users like Salem.

Nut, I think Roos is on the same page, but I think he wants to make Salem a bit more responsible as well, he is so naturally gifted I think sometimes he coasts, not intentionally but knows his footwork or footy nous will get him out of most situations, same with him banging bodies, as George says 'development' isn't where the players look for their first apartrment now

[mrtwister 652]

it was miserable day weather wise, most players just glad to get inside

I expect a win at Etihad this year if this is the case.

[Matt Demon 1,579]

I thought Watts was back in full training? Now he's in the rehab group again?

[AzzKikA 2,371]

Yeah i thought that too Matt.

[Moonshadow 17,678]

Great report ruffles. Cheers

[Salems Lot 2,691]

Thanks to all the reviewers; really useful

[Bobby McKenzie 2,407]

Yeah i thought that too Matt.

You both beat me to it. It's a strange situation when we get so many injuries just training. I can understand contact injuries but we seem to have a lot of soft tissue injury problems.

[hemingway 7,633]

great to have 3 training reports with different insights and emphasis. well done guys. you are either seriously dedicated individuals or have an untreatable case of obsessive compulsive disorder.

I like what I hear from george with a re-emphasis on comments previously made by TDI. As a final aside, have been concerned about our medical management for a long time so good to read about the apparent improvement in managing player injuries. really critical area if we want to have our best on the field.

[The Devil Inside 2,147]

The players who keep appearing in the rehab group are those who didn't start pre season, except White who broke his toe and Howe with a hamstring injury.

Bernie has just had a bit of an issue with hamstring, so they don't want to mess around with it, he was coming back from shoulder injury so perhaps he didn't 'need' the extended break.

Watts reported soreness in the groin, which I am sure started OP bells ringing, he was running fine today and did the full session on Monday, probably just easing him back in

Terlich has had an ankle issue, Hunt a back issue, there is no rush with anybody

[Slartibartfast 18,038]

The players who keep appearing in the rehab group are those who didn't start pre season,

So there are players in the rehab group who are fit but just not up to doing the load the guys who have done a full preseason have done?

Makes sense, if I've got it right that is.

[3Dee 1,153]

yeah.. Watts going on?

[The Chazz 4,077]

great to have 3 training reports with different insights and emphasis. well done guys. you are either seriously dedicated individuals or have an untreatable case of obsessive compulsive disorder.

I like what I hear from george with a re-emphasis on comments previously made by TDI. As a final aside, have been concerned about our medical management for a long time so good to read about the apparent improvement in managing player injuries. really critical area if we want to have our best on the field.

Hemingway, I call it the Sunshine Coast effect. In the weeks leading up to the Maroochydore camp, the smart ass Victorian supporters would hang frequent shite on us Qld'ers. In turn, what we saw, present company included, were training reports of the highest quality, and the raising of the bar to such heights that cocky Mexican's soon realised that their standards were quite poor, and to be considered a "decent training reporter", they needed to lift their games.

On behalf of all Qld'ers that assisted in this change, to the rest of you I say "you're welcome"!!!