Training - Thursday 9th April, 2015

[red and blue forever 944]

Looking forward to hearing about this session... it just may give us some idea who will play on the weekend.

Expecting to hear all the boys are training the house down.

Over to you training reporter dudes.

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,664]

Today at Gosch's paddock.

Picture courtesy Melbourne FC tweet

[hardtack 10,441]

Today at Gosch's paddock.

Picture courtesy Melbourne FC tweet

I can't see any of them smiling... obviously trouble in paradise.

[CBDees 3,165]

Any feedback from training? Nice to see bumper crowds lining the perimeter fence in the photo: easy to tell that it is school holidays. Obviously we either don't have many young supporters or they are staying away because there is bad reception for their iPhones.

[Moonshadow 17,610]

Today at Gosch's paddock.

Picture courtesy Melbourne FC tweet

Can I see someone hiding behind a tree? Only joshin....

Thanks in advance to anyone reporting. Keen to hear if there are players still with significant soreness. Haven't seen our side run both ways so hard in many years!

[The Devil Inside 2,147]

Only no show today was Petracca

Trengove and Hunt rehabbing, including riding a scooter that made me envious

Drills were again concentrating on ball movement, inlcuding a length of the field with matched numbers, but no obvious team set ups they kept changing them around

Stoppage work, with less defenders and then more defenders

Bringing out of defence from half back with less defenders again, picking the right option

Interested spectator today Hassa Mann, good to see at the end players get around him

Vandenberg seems to think he is the one that will make way for Dawes, asked him about how he was drafted, thinks coach may have spoken to George Stone as he knows him, had a few conversations with Jason Taylor pre the rookie draft

Viney got his foot stuck in the turf which kicked up a big sod and went over awkwardly right in front of me, seemed a bit concerned but asked at the end, just [censored] him off he could have been seriously injured at training, is fine

Bernie Vince said he was still not sure whether he was going to get a gig

Casey will have a few Melbourne players again against Werribee for the last praccy game

Pics will be on Twitter Demonpk

Any questions feel free

[Jesse Christ 2,884]

Can you ask Frost where his preferred position is and if he knows where he's lining up on the weekend, and ask Howe where his preferred position is as well? Thaks

[Wiseblood 24,637]

Only no show today was Petracca

Trengove and Hunt rehabbing, including riding a scooter that made me envious

Drills were again concentrating on ball movement, inlcuding a length of the field with matched numbers, but no obvious team set ups they kept changing them around

Stoppage work, with less defenders and then more defenders

Bringing out of defence from half back with less defenders again, picking the right option

Interested spectator today Hassa Mann, good to see at the end players get around him

Cheers for that. It's clear the work of choosing the right option coming out of defence has been worthwhile as it worked plenty of times on the weekend.

[Bring-Back-Powell 14,522]

Vandenberg will make way for Dawes,

That would be disappointing.

[Nasher 33,607]

Hopefully Vanders was just talking out of first year/rookie modesty and not out of any actual knowledge. I'd be disappointed if he was left out.

[Bring-Back-Powell 14,522]

ask Howe where his preferred position is as well?

I think there's little doubt that he prefers it up forward.

If you read the rumours, Howe will leave the MFC unless he returns to the forward line.

[What 18,810]

Howe is looking like an All Australian level defender

He should be kissing Roos feet for turning him into a legitimate gun rather than an inconsistent forward that kicks a goal or 2 and take a hanger every 2 weeks

[Wiseblood 24,637]

I think there's little doubt that he prefers it up forward.

If you read the rumours, Howe will leave the MFC unless he returns to the forward line.

If he ends up being that childish then he is welcome to leave.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

That would be disappointing.

Understatement of the year.

[Arrow 1,257]

Hopefully Vanders was just talking out of first year/rookie modesty and not out of any actual knowledge. I'd be disappointed if he was left out.

I think so, one of the best players I grew up playing footy with was convinced every week he was going to get dropped. He'd kick 3 and have 20 and worry at training whether he'd keep his spot.

Some people are just like I guess.

I'd be more than disappointed if we left AvB out, he's currently epitomising what I've wanted this club to stand for for 10 years- hard work, 1%s and perseverance

[deespicable me 1,472]

I went today.

I have been to a lot of pre-season sessions but none during the season as we get to see the team weekly during games when it matters and I must say there was a completely different feel to todays session as compared to pre-season.

It was very low body contact which makes sense. They were happy to go half pace with a lot of drills. There was a sense of saving it for the main stage.

Some good things to note:

Alex Neal-Bullen joined in full training and without seeing him in a game where he will be judged by all and sundry he looked good, moved well has a good strong body and competed well in stoppage drills.

All players were out there (I think)

Obviously we are hoping for extra confidence in what they are doing and it seemed to be there today

Hogan was playing around like a big kid in the forward 50 arc and there is no doubt a positive change in his body language since the games have started and he has played well. It must be a huge relief. He looks awesome.

Kent looked good. No problem with concussion, he was one of the better trainers, at trainig I reckon his skill level is in the top group at the club and he may be just as good as Garlett in the mid to forward role. He kicked a beautiful goal with ease from outside fifty that just sailed through.

They did specific group work backs, mids, forwards. All drills involved movement of the ball quickly. I watched the stoppages on the far side Jamar and Spencer looked good, Jamar especially, Bernie Vince looked ready to go.

Tom McDonald looked good. He trained well. He ran and used the ball with confidence. Kicked and handballed well. All the backline group were running the ball out of defence well. Very few mistakes and lots of confidence.

In the main full length drill which was about movement from one end to the other match simulation with an emphasis on hand ball, the guys that stood out were Grimes, Matt Jones and Bail. It is good to see them putting pressure on for spots. Grimes was very good. I know a few posters were happy for him to be out but I really hope he improves his game and grabs his second chance when it comes along. His training suggests he thinks he can get back and hold his spot.

Bad things of note.

They were half pace and a bit sloppy at times.

Howe looked a bit sore.

Jack Watts was very lethargic.

And finally a little rant.

Just down the road there were probably 500 plus supporters watching Collingwood. Must have been an organised event. Signage everywhere, coffee cart, face painting etc. The new pavillion they are building will be awesome with a deck overlooking the ground and right next door is their merchandise shop. Well done to them but our little ground has a truck come across the 300 odd metres from our offices with all the gear, there is a kid who has to roll out a 100 metre extension cord and set up (in the weather) a small camera to get footage of training, there is no toilets, no signage, nothing to suggest we are anything but using the ground temporarily, football nomads.

Thank goodness for equalisation otherwise we might have to train on Punt Rd when the lights go red.

The worst part about this token equalisation is that if any of Melbourne, Dogs or Saints happen to get up to the rarified air of the top reaches of the ladder you just watch Eddie carry on how we are only there out of his generosity!

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,664]

And finally a little rant.

Just down the road there were probably 500 plus supporters watching Collingwood. Must have been an organised event. Signage everywhere, coffee cart, face painting etc. The new pavillion they are building will be awesome with a deck overlooking the ground and right next door is their merchandise shop. Well done to them but our little ground has a truck come across the 300 odd metres from our offices with all the gear, there is a kid who has to roll out a 100 metre extension cord and set up (in the weather) a small camera to get footage of training, there is no toilets, no signage, nothing to suggest we are anything but using the ground temporarily, football nomads.

Thank goodness for equalisation otherwise we might have to train on Punt Rd when the lights go red.

The worst part about this token equalisation is that if any of Melbourne, Dogs or Saints happen to get up to the rarified air of the top reaches of the ladder you just watch Eddie carry on how we are only there out of his generosity!

Don't worry about it. The Police will still be able to identify them using biometric scanners.

[AzzKikA 2,371]

Thanks for the report Saty.

[old dee 23,560]

I

I went today.

I have been to a lot of pre-season sessions but none during the season as we get to see the team weekly during games when it matters and I must say there was a completely different feel to todays session as compared to pre-season.

It was very low body contact which makes sense. They were happy to go half pace with a lot of drills. There was a sense of saving it for the main stage.

Some good things to note:

Alex Neal-Bullen joined in full training and without seeing him in a game where he will be judged by all and sundry he looked good, moved well has a good strong body and competed well in stoppage drills.

All players were out there (I think)

Obviously we are hoping for extra confidence in what they are doing and it seemed to be there today

Hogan was playing around like a big kid in the forward 50 arc and there is no doubt a positive change in his body language since the games have started and he has played well. It must be a huge relief. He looks awesome.

Kent looked good. No problem with concussion, he was one of the better trainers, at trainig I reckon his skill level is in the top group at the club and he may be just as good as Garlett in the mid to forward role. He kicked a beautiful goal with ease from outside fifty that just sailed through.

They did specific group work backs, mids, forwards. All drills involved movement of the ball quickly. I watched the stoppages on the far side Jamar and Spencer looked good, Jamar especially, Bernie Vince looked ready to go.

Tom McDonald looked good. He trained well. He ran and used the ball with confidence. Kicked and handballed well. All the backline group were running the ball out of defence well. Very few mistakes and lots of confidence.

In the main full length drill which was about movement from one end to the other match simulation with an emphasis on hand ball, the guys that stood out were Grimes, Matt Jones and Bail. It is good to see them putting pressure on for spots. Grimes was very good. I know a few posters were happy for him to be out but I really hope he improves his game and grabs his second chance when it comes along. His training suggests he thinks he can get back and hold his spot.

Bad things of note.

They were half pace and a bit sloppy at times.

Howe looked a bit sore.

Jack Watts was very lethargic.

And finally a little rant.

Just down the road there were probably 500 plus supporters watching Collingwood. Must have been an organised event. Signage everywhere, coffee cart, face painting etc. The new pavillion they are building will be awesome with a deck overlooking the ground and right next door is their merchandise shop. Well done to them but our little ground has a truck come across the 300 odd metres from our offices with all the gear, there is a kid who has to roll out a 100 metre extension cord and set up (in the weather) a small camera to get footage of training, there is no toilets, no signage, nothing to suggest we are anything but using the ground temporarily, football nomads.

Thank goodness for equalisation otherwise we might have to train on Punt Rd when the lights go red.

The worst part about this token equalisation is that if any of Melbourne, Dogs or Saints happen to get up to the rarified air of the top reaches of the ladder you just watch Eddie carry on how we are only there out of his generosity!

Correctly I might add.

[old dee 23,560]

Any comments on Toumpas guys?

[The Devil Inside 2,147]

Just a few comments from deespicable me post

Watts is fine was taking it easy, as instructed, Howie is fine as well, had a chat to him

Kent is ok, thankfully just got a bit of a bruise in his eye and a cut underneath, cherry ripe to go

I have already had a chat to Frost, he doesn't care where he plays, enjoys the physical side of the game (surprise, surprise), thinks his kicking needs work

As for the rant, the team needs two sets of goals and an oval shaped ground that is well maintained, all the rest is workable

[The Devil Inside 2,147]

Any comments on Toumpas guys?

He just did his normal solid training session, and said his usual cheery hello

[What 18,810]

ootage of training, there is no toilets, no signage,

Surely thats not true?

[AzzKikA 2,371]

Can we please not get on this issue AGAIN. There are a number of threads dedicated to no facilities at training blah blah, please use them.

[binman 42,169]

Howe is looking like an All Australian level defender

He should be kissing Roos feet for turning him into a legitimate gun rather than an inconsistent forward that kicks a goal or 2 and take a hanger every 2 weeks

Just about your best post H_H, mainly because i 100% agree