34 minutes ago, DemonOX said:

It's great to hear all the positive training reports but I am being ultra conservative in my hope/enthusiasm until the REAL stuff starts. 

I note in one of the training reports that marks are dropped and handballs missing targets when under pressure. This is what concerns me most  

There have been far too many false dawns. 

 

Having been to a couple of sessions at Maroochydore this year I'd say overall the skills look to be up a notch from this time last year.

The change in training style to more footy drills and less plain running is also noticeable - This might explain why I've noticed an improvement in skills.

The way I see it this could be because the players are less fatigued from the intermittent running sessions meaning less skills errors being made or because the skills are being honed more because more time is being spent on footy drills, or a combination of both.

It's because of this change in training style that I find it challenging to gauge improvement across the board but I think individually it is pretty obvious who has upped the ante. Gawny, Harmes, Jones & Kent were the most obvious. Gawny is really attacking the play with Gusto, carrying on the improvement he made during the last season. If he stays fit then look out because he will make some opponents look silly. I find it hard to believe but somehow Jones has managed to get better again this year despite his injury. I'm tipping Harmes to find a regular spot this year. He just a goer and there's something about him. Kent is just all class and has got himself fitter. He impressed me last January also an just like Gawny I'm tipping him to be a real star for us this year.

Of the others that have caught the eye:

I like the way Bugg is going about it, he'll be a good pick up.

Watts looks set to have a really good year.

Oliver is a dead set ripper. Once he finds his feet he is going to make the selectors at Vic Country look silly. Love his intensity and awareness around the ball. Booming kick, and great hands.

What I saw of Weidemen was pretty impressive. Good turn of foot and great hands and great foot-skills for a big guy. Mitch Clarke like but a better mark more dual-sided.

Didn't see a lot of Hulett. He is another really good set shot for goal though.

Tyson will poll well at the Brownlow if he can stay on the park.

Overall the team looks fitter and more team oriented than last year.

My first impression of training (despite being more simplistic in nature) was that we have more lefties and hard nuts on the list than this time last year. It's probably the observation that will stay with me the most as the season starts and probably a pretty good place to leave it - I can see us just sneaking into the 8 this year.

 

 

9 hours ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

By all accounts Jones and Brayshaw adore each other in a big bro, little bro way. 

So its fascinating to see them wrestling as if their lives depended on it!  No quarter given!

The serious, snarly expression on their faces in pic 7 is priceless!

Mutual respect.  I think they have very similar mindsets and neither one would insult the other by not giving it 100%. 

Now that Oliver is living at Brayshaw HQ, I'm hoping that Jones can do something similar in mentoring him through his first season.  He's such a great role-model for a young player starting out with his courage and work ethic. 

19 hours ago, Tough Kent said:

Brent Moloney runs the Brent Moloney Football Academy in Noosa for the young blokes in the picture. He has managed to build a relationship with the MFC, hence a lot of the kids getting about in the Melbourne gear.

Brent was invited down by the club for Day 8

Does anyone have an update on reported injuries to McDonald (who sounds like his shoulder will be ok) Terlich groin & Dawes calf

1 hour ago, It's Time said:

Does anyone have an update on reported injuries to McDonald (who sounds like his shoulder will be ok) Terlich groin & Dawes calf

Day 9 Diary: Camp hailed a success

The Day 9 Diary throws no light on the mystery of the injuries said to have been sustained by that trio. The article quotes elite performance manager Dave Misson who says the boys pulled up well. 

So the reports of the injuries are perhaps somewhat exaggerated or alternatively, we'll find out when they next train. It would seem that the next open training session will be sometime next week, probably at Casey Fields.

I saw Dawes and he was not 100 % and stopped training half way through the sessions. Had the calf strapped. Took the boots off and put on the Zoom Pegasus runners. Calf is a continuing problem.  May hold him back again.

9 hours ago, spirit of norm smith said:

I saw Dawes and he was not 100 % and stopped training half way through the sessions. Had the calf strapped. Took the boots off and put on the Zoom Pegasus runners. Calf is a continuing problem.  May hold him back again.

*This is not a recording*

Open training session at Casey Fields tomorrow at 930 am!!