Training - Monday 9th February 2015

[old dee 23,872]

You are fine Cc

Enjoyed the report.

[The Devil Inside 2,147]

Re Viv Michie, don't know what it was today, he did stand out a bit more,, maybe just feeling really good about himself, trying to get anything out of him is the old blood and stone trick, but think that is his personality, put a pick of him next to Dom Tyson on ny Twitter to show how good he is looking

Edited February 9, 2015 by The Devil Inside

[old dee 23,872]

Oh please

[The Devil Inside 2,147]

Oh please

Just a bit of fun OD, I have a few femaie followers who can't get enough of Lumumba, Tyson, Michie...I get requests!!!!

[ManDee 7,222]

Just a bit of fun OD, I have a few femaie followers who can't get enough of Lumumba, Tyson, Michie...I get requests!!!!

And only half of them are to shut up. Not me I might ad.

[angrydee 842]

Great first report CC.

Well done. Hope you can get to more sessions.

[Ruffles 356]

McCartney is all around the ground, a word here, a gesture there, a good pick up I reckon

They are both professionals

My order at the moment from what I have seen at training, Ruffles might like a go as well - 1.Jones 2.Tyson 3. Cross 4.McKenzie 5 Newton 6.Michie, - Bernie has to get out of rehab,, but then you have to fit in Matt Jones or Bail, do they occupy a spot in the forward line?, haven't put a foot wrong either

Yeah I'll have a crack - probably not too dissimilar to yours..

1. Jones 2. Tyson 3. Cross 4. Lumumba (though he'll spend time at HB) 5. Vince (yeah he does need to get out of rehab but running-wise he looks fit and has the runs on the board footy-wise, confident he'll be in there!) 6. Viney 7. M Jones 8. Newton 9. McKenzie / Michie (can't separate at this stage)

Thanks to all the other reports, spoilt for choice today!

[AzzKikA 2,371]

Oh please

Yeah i agree, post deleted.

Sorry of the lame attempt at humor.

[old dee 23,872]

Just a bit of fun OD, I have a few femaie followers who can't get enough of Lumumba, Tyson, Michie...I get requests!!!!

No Saty It was aimed at Azzkika but I took a call and umpteen people posted before I got back to it .

was then out of place.

[The Devil Inside 2,147]

No Saty It was aimed at Azzkika but I took a call and umpteen people posted before I got back to it .

was then out of place.

That's all right OD, I phrased it like that anyway as a bit of fun

Ruffles, only point of difference is Viney, hasn't really stood out for me this pre season I am sad to say, have him behind Newton and Michie at the moment

[Pennant St Dee 13,305]

Carrying on from the midfield issue, where do you play Lumumba, is he in the 6, same with Salem and Toumpas, or in the backline or on the bench, as I keep saying difference from the past, 30 odd players fit and firing in February

Spoke to Jade Rawlings today, complimented him on how the backline looks so solid, he even said, he is going to have a problem deciding which 6 or 7 are in the 22, said that was great rather than a problem

That is a good problem to have, in previous years we have been murdered with the lack of midfield rotation, the Swans of 2011-14 have 10/12 players rotating through their midfield

[daisycutter 29,739]

That's all right OD, I phrased it like that anyway as a bit of fun

Ruffles, only point of difference is Viney, hasn't really stood out for me this pre season I am sad to say, have him behind Newton and Michie at the moment

maybe the told viney to tone it down at training to keep the rehab group down to a tolerable size - lol

[The Devil Inside 2,147]

maybe the told viney to tone it down at training to keep the rehab group down to a tolerable size - lol

Jokiing aside Daisy, I am more disappointed, thought he would take it up another notch with another year under his belt, he is just not standing out, he is doing everything and not doing much wrong, so I suppose that is a good sign whereas Toumpas (same year) who is coming from further back has looked a completely different player, of course that could be because he is coming from further back,, personal opinion of course

Edited February 9, 2015 by The Devil Inside

[Red and Bluebeard 2,098]

I attended training this morning from about 9.30am to 11.15am with about 15-20 other fellow onlookers including Mark Stevens, but no sign of TDI with his scooter and iPad... The conditions were good but fairly warm and glary.

On light duties today I noticed Watts, White, Howe and Vince all running laps with Fitzy doing so later on. Kent, Garlett and Garland were in and out of the main group with a few niggles. Dunn had his calf strapped and was taking it fairly easy but later joined the main group along with Petracca and Terlich. Vandenberg seemed to be in full training.

After all the warm ups and stretches the group really didn't get underway until 10am where they split into three groups playing keepings off. It was mainly talls on talls, mids on mids and small forwards on small backs etc. Hogan's aggression for the ball was of note and Riley, Viv and Jetta were impressive with their quick hands and at closing down players quickly, causing turnovers.

Later on, the players had a drill where they kicked the ball from the BP to other side of the HBF where the awaiting player took a running mark and pushed off with speed hitting up an awaiting player near the corridor and then handing that ball off to a player near the centre circle where that player would hit up a player inside the 50 for a goal. The boys were really vocal in this and mostly hit their targets but I must say Pedo and Fitzy dropped a few easy marks and their kicks weren't that great either.

The second drill was a bit more contested with the High Vis (green/white) tops being used. In this drill a coach would kick a ball near the HBF and a player would have to win ball and then kick to the other side HBF where that player would mark the ball and continue to kick down the line to a player near the wing. From there the players would look for options inside the 50 and utilise short passes to score a goal. I found the movement to be really good in this drill and all were hitting up targets under pressure.

The players later split into three groups again where I watched the group closest to me which were the rucks/KPF's and KPB's doing 1 on 1 marking/spoiling contests. Hogan, Jamar, T-Mac and Frost were the standouts for me at winning the contests. Their bodywork and aerial skills were sensational, I'd say Frost and Hogan impressed the most, but O-Mac was also giving Gawn, Spencer and Pedo a run for their money which I liked.

Around 11am they moved into match sim where they were focusing on getting the ball from the back line to the forward line and using run and carry and short passes whilst maintaining possession. The movement was very quick which was good to see and the boys were all talking to each other to help look out for their man. They would often rotate the backs and forwards with miss matches, I think i saw Jetta on Gawn a few times... but the back line were really holding it together and switching opponents so no one got loose. Grimes really impressed with his voice and direction to the players and the same goes to T-Mac. I noticed Gawn looked very damaging down forward marking everything that came his way and kicking straight through the goals every time (he's definitely in my SuperCoach).

All in all it was a moderate training session, I didn't see any players gasping for breath. I think Roos just really wants to cement that quick ball movement into the players whilst also giving the kicker some options.

Players who impressed me today were Frost, Gawn, Kent, Stretch, Viv and Grimes.

P.s this is my first post so go easy on me fellow Demonlanders...

Cheers.

Welcome aboard, CC. Great 1st post. Keep it up! Cool moniker too ...

[old dee 23,872]

That's all right OD, I phrased it like that anyway as a bit of fun

Ruffles, only point of difference is Viney, hasn't really stood out for me this pre season I am sad to say, have him behind Newton and Michie at the moment

I thought Viney had an ordinary year in 2014 I have my fingers crossed for better this year.

[The Chazz 4,077]

Sorry binman I don't agree

They are basically guys who try hard but don't have the necessary ability to lift us out of the bottom four IMO.

These guys need to be replaced by better players or we are not going a lot higher.

Watched the replay of Melbourne v Port Adelaide (Alice game) on the weekend.

Matt Jones was very good against one of the better midfields in the competition. He is a lock for starting 22 come Round 1, and will remain there until someone can take his spot. If that happens, then I know we have made significant improvement. If it doesn't, I don't think it means we are going nowhere/backwards.

He could be our "break out year" player. Apologies Old Dee!

[Redleg 41,448]

And apparently I don't do sarcasm very well.

You don't?

[Redleg 41,448]

Watched the replay of Melbourne v Port Adelaide (Alice game) on the weekend.

Matt Jones was very good against one of the better midfields in the competition. He is a lock for starting 22 come Round 1, and will remain there until someone can take his spot. If that happens, then I know we have made significant improvement. If it doesn't, I don't think it means we are going nowhere/backwards.

He could be our "break out year" player. Apologies Old Dee!

He was also very good in the Tigers game, except for his weakness, disposal. If he can improve his disposal to ok, he could be a good player for us.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

He was also very good in the Tigers game, except for his weakness, disposal. If he can improve his disposal to ok, he could be a good player for us.

He's the classic Melbourne player of the past decade who can either get the ball a lot or use it well, neither both.

I do like his run and carry it must be said.

[old dee 23,872]

Watched the replay of Melbourne v Port Adelaide (Alice game) on the weekend.

Matt Jones was very good against one of the better midfields in the competition. He is a lock for starting 22 come Round 1, and will remain there until someone can take his spot. If that happens, then I know we have made significant improvement. If it doesn't, I don't think it means we are going nowhere/backwards.

He could be our "break out year" player. Apologies Old Dee!

No need to apologise billy just my opinion.

Just a battler who has the occasional reasonable game IMO.

As you have not doubt noticed I am not a fan.

[hemingway 7,631]

I thought Viney had an ordinary year in 2014 I have my fingers crossed for better this year.

Interesting comment on Viney TDI. Although I have enjoyed Vineys attack on the ball and the player, i have also been concerned about his longevity. A more moderate and even paced approach to training in particular might be good for him long-term. How do you rate Newton's pace/speed compared to Michie? Have not seen either Michie or Newton play. We know about Viney.

[Barney Rubble 1,576]

Interested in your opinion on Pedo.

I thought he was in serious trouble under Neeld - almost looked disinterested.

Would it be correct to suggest that Roos may have not only brought out the better part of his talent but also had a very positive effect on his attitude ?

Definitely correct, but applies to the other 21 players left on the list as well.

[Caligula's cohort 1,014]

Nice one cohort.

Your overall standouts are interesting, two in particular.

Viv always seems to be the pedestrian who goes unnoticed. What made him a standout today?

I'm interested in Kent's ability to take the next step this season. Same question as above. Did he consistently hit his targets?

Viv was really vocal today and seemed to be focused on all the drills. He did the little things well (Roos must be happy) his disposal was good, he didn't give his opponent any breathing space and would pounce if they got possession of the ball. He was just more switched on than the rest i'd say. Same goes to Riley and Terlich.

As for Kent, he has class... his reading of the play, his disposals, speed and kick along the wing is fantastic to watch but more importantly he's a competitor and likes to win. I have high hopes for Kent and everything about him says he'll be quality forward for the MFC.

[old dee 23,872]

He was also very good in the Tigers game, except for his weakness, disposal. If he can improve his disposal to ok, he could be a good player for us.

Aunty and uncle comment for me Mr. Leg

[Ruffles 356]

I thought Viney had an ordinary year in 2014 I have my fingers crossed for better this year.

I agree OD and TDI - I had Viney up there due as he appears to have increased his fitness significantly this preseason (3km time trial placings and running drills), plus I may be a little biased... love him! We already know what we're going to get in a contest, I guess I'm expecting his spread and outside game to go up a notch.

So on straight training though I can't argue with your assessment TDI!