7 minutes ago, Vogon Poetry said:

Got to training about 10.50 to find the rehab group working hard with run throughs.  New addition was Jetta who looked anything but happy.  Tyson and Kent looked good to me, particularly Tyson who had no bandages on either knee and was moving freely.  Lateral movement wasn't an issue so I'd say he is well on the way to a full recovery.  Disappointing to see ANB still in there but he was running well.  Didn't see Brayshaw or JKH. Hope JKH is ok, would hate him to lose more time from the preseason. Liam Hulett was running quite well so that was good news after what appeared a nasty injury last week.

Main group didn't arrive until about 11.30 and did the usual warm up drills - run throughs, short kicking, stretching and a bit of agility work.  Then the main part of the session (until I had to leave for parking issues) was the 10 v 10 WW has referred to.  Seemed a step up to me as there was much more contested stuff and poor old Declan Keilty copped a couple of nasty one and was running laps when I left.  Stand out for me were Jake Spencer who was in everything and Billy Stretch.  He's a lock for R1 the way he's going. Poised and clean, quick and a good decision maker and disposer of the ball.  He's a favourite so I might be overstating it!

Oliver was struggling for the whole session but I think it was just the hot weather and hay fever as he came off for his puffer and then returned and did some 10 on 10 work.  Others to stand out for me were Garlett, Jones, AVB, Lewis and Watts.  Joel Smith was also good and looked comfortable. Hunt is looking stronger and more assured and took a very good contested mark at one stage.  Looks to have stepped up from last year which will strike fear into the hearts of the opposition.

Looked like a significant ramp up in intensity and contact stuff today and as a result there were more turnovers than other sessions I've seen.  Also of interest was that during the 60m run throughs the only players that I noticed bouncing and carrying a ball were Hunt and Frost.  Hunt was bouncing it as he went while Frost not so much.  There was a continued emphasis on non preferred kicking at one point in the early drills.  The other thing that struck me was the use of Spencer and Gawn  as targets when going forward.  The way Jake trained today I'd be surprised if he didn't get a go in the ruck in the practices matches with Max to see how we go with two recognized rucks.  It's never been something that's appealed but if Jake can genuinely step up it could work.

Any questions ask.  I left well before the end I'd imagine so others will have more to add.

Excellent.

Thanks, VP. The point about Spencil could add a very different dimension to our attack. Max knows where the goals are and has turned out to be a reliable kick for goal. If Jake can get the ruck craft improved it'll really stretch opposition defence, much the same as Lobb abt GWS.

Absolutely awesome to hear Spencer starting to step up. Let's hope he can actually replicate on game day. Spencer is a competitive beast who was really only let down by his own ability rather than endeavour. 

 

How does the team fit both Spencer and Gawn into the same team?

Edited January 23, 20178 yr by AllMyTeamsAreWank

4 minutes ago, AllMyTeamsAreWank said:

 

How does the team fit both Spencer and Gawn into the same team?

In my mind it doesn't. 

Can't see a team with both plus Hogan, Watts and possibly Weids.

If weids isnt in the team, maybe. But tbh I think you lose playing two rucks, one needs to be a genuine forward or Paul salmon type.

Just now, Gorgoroth said:

In my mind it doesn't. 

Can't see a team with both plus Hogan, Watts and possibly Weids.

If weids isnt in the team, maybe. But tbh I think you lose playing two rucks, one needs to be a genuine forward or Paul salmon type.

 

Gawn is a such a good ruckman that it would be a waste to leave him down forward as well. Would be interesting to see if we give Spencer a run to try and use him as trade bait. Good experienced ruckmen don't come cheap. 

I was there most of the time and agree with the previous comments. I had the pleasure of  chatting with Saty for the first time.A very friendly gentleman  indeed. We were watching the rehab group and he asked me what is Hannan's preferred foot. I think it's his right but he kicks equally as well with his left. It's hard to tell. A good pick up.It was really hot but they trained really hard.

Spencer has definitely improved his involvement in general play. He has always been quite quick in straight line work, however, it seems to have been a ploy of the coaching group to develop him into a useful cut-out for Max, as Vogon suggested. He no longer has the baby giraffe effect holding him back!

Doubt it will become a best 22 thing but Spencer instead of Weid or Pedda is certainly an option and whilst it's not ideal it probably isn't anything to be scared of if Spencer has improved by as much as his training suggests. Give it a go every now and then to rest Max a bit, use Max to stretch defenders and use Spencil to physically work over opposition in the way Gawn cops it. 

Sydney changed first and second rucks a lot during the season. As did the Dogs. Our midfield needs to not rely on Gawn. And Watts, Hogan etc should carry the forward line regardless of the other tall.

Spencer is certainly training like he has a new lease on (football) life. This may be because the senior coach has had a quiet word.

4 minutes ago, Dingo said:

I was there most of the time and agree with the previous comments. I had the pleasure of  chatting with Saty for the first time.A very friendly gentleman  indeed. We were watching the rehab group and he asked me what is Hannan's preferred foot. I think it's his right but he kicks equally as well with his left. It's hard to tell. A good pick up.It was really hot but they trained really hard.

He's a lefty. But yes, unusually for a Melbourne lefty he has a good right.

1 minute ago, waynewussell said:

Spencer is certainly training like he has a new lease on (football) life. This may be because the senior coach has had a quiet word.

It's probably more because he missed almost all of last preseason with plantar fasciitis. Overall I still think he's a big dopey battler who's about 50/50 to be useful depth yet alone more, but I also can't remember him doing too many full preseasons. He had the knee injury a while back, a few ankle problems and the foot last year. He's been fit and strong for a few years now but it's hard to improve your skills and smarts stuck in the rehab group.

The club needs Spencer training and playing well.  He's in his prime for a ruck and is being developed accordingly.

But he won't be playing AFL footy unless Gawn goes down.

Hannan is definitely a left-footer.

Edited January 23, 20178 yr by ProDee

I spoke to Dom today, he is cool, already improved, did a bit more again, close to running at top speed, did a bit of kicking over distance as well

He was [censored] off when injury happened, but any player is

Brayshaw has a niggly calf,

Nev his quad, said it was from too much non preferred kicking!

Kent said he was ticking over the rehab

 

1 hour ago, Vogon Poetry said:

Main group didn't arrive until about 11.30 and did the usual warm up drills - run throughs, short kicking, stretching and a bit of agility work.  Then the main part of the session (until I had to leave for parking issues) was the 10 v 10 WW has referred to.  Seemed a step up to me as there was much more contested stuff and poor old Declan Keilty copped a couple of nasty one and was running laps when I left.  Stand out for me were Jake Spencer who was in everything and Billy Stretch.  He's a lock for R1 the way he's going. Poised and clean, quick and a good decision maker and disposer of the ball.  He's a favourite so I might be overstating it!

What happened to Dec? Just get roughed up a bit in the contested stuff?

1 minute ago, Drunkn167 said:

What happened to Dec? Just get roughed up a bit in the contested stuff?

Nah, seemed to get tangled up and twisted a bit in a contest, didn't look too distressed at the end of the session

On Spencer, this is only second time at the club that he has got this far in a pre season, has not missed a session, he was outstanding today, galloping through the middle of the ground making himself a target and the players used him, you could see his confidence growing as the session progressed

4 minutes ago, Drunkn167 said:

What happened to Dec? Just get roughed up a bit in the contested stuff?

Something happened on the other side of the ground first up and he was winded or hurt his ribs.  He was then involved is a strong contested situation in front of me where he and (I think) Dion Johnstone collided in a pack of four and both were down for some time.  Rib area again I think.  Unfortunately can't add more than that.

Almost all families are disappointed, and more, if a member is hurt during a training routine. AFL families are no different in that respect. If Dom feels his immediate treatment was lacking in some way then I'm with Dom. This does not mean that our coaching panel and medicos are second rate... far from it, I would suggest this situation comes up at every AFL club from time to time.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-01-23/brayshaw-plays-it-safe 

Can we can the Tyson talk, I spoke to him today, well on the way to full fitness, working his arse off, it was an excellent session today where the players were pounded in 30+deg heat, and they were still going strong at the end

Injuries happen, laughing with Gus, at least it wasn't his head again, light week so he can attack the camp next week

Edited January 23, 20178 yr by Satyriconhome

1 hour ago, Vogon Poetry said:

Got to training about 10.50 to find the rehab group working hard with run throughs.  New addition was Jetta who looked anything but happy.  Tyson and Kent looked good to me, particularly Tyson who had no bandages on either knee and was moving freely.  Lateral movement wasn't an issue so I'd say he is well on the way to a full recovery.  Disappointing to see ANB still in there but he was running well.  Didn't see Brayshaw or JKH. Hope JKH is ok, would hate him to lose more time from the preseason. Liam Hulett was running quite well so that was good news after what appeared a nasty injury last week.

Main group didn't arrive until about 11.30 and did the usual warm up drills - run throughs, short kicking, stretching and a bit of agility work.  Then the main part of the session (until I had to leave for parking issues) was the 10 v 10 WW has referred to.  Seemed a step up to me as there was much more contested stuff and poor old Declan Keilty copped a couple of nasty one and was running laps when I left.  Stand out for me were Jake Spencer who was in everything and Billy Stretch.  He's a lock for R1 the way he's going. Poised and clean, quick and a good decision maker and disposer of the ball.  He's a favourite so I might be overstating it!

Oliver was struggling for the whole session but I think it was just the hot weather and hay fever as he came off for his puffer and then returned and did some 10 on 10 work.  Others to stand out for me were Garlett, Jones, AVB, Lewis and Watts.  Joel Smith was also good and looked comfortable. Hunt is looking stronger and more assured and took a very good contested mark at one stage.  Looks to have stepped up from last year which will strike fear into the hearts of the opposition.

Looked like a significant ramp up in intensity and contact stuff today and as a result there were more turnovers than other sessions I've seen.  Also of interest was that during the 60m run throughs the only players that I noticed bouncing and carrying a ball were Hunt and Frost.  Hunt was bouncing it as he went while Frost not so much.  There was a continued emphasis on non preferred kicking at one point in the early drills.  The other thing that struck me was the use of Spencer and Gawn  as targets when going forward.  The way Jake trained today I'd be surprised if he didn't get a go in the ruck in the practices matches with Max to see how we go with two recognized rucks.  It's never been something that's appealed but if Jake can genuinely step up it could work.

Any questions ask.  I left well before the end I'd imagine so others will have more to add.

VP - does it look like the club were trialling players in different positions, or was it business as usual with players in their usual roles? 

3 minutes ago, Wiseblood said:

VP - does it look like the club were trialling players in different positions, or was it business as usual with players in their usual roles? 

With 10 v 10 all players cover most of the ground but I  didn't notice anyone in an "abnormal" position. Pretty much business as normal as far as I could see.

11 minutes ago, The Stigga said:

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-01-23/brayshaw-plays-it-safe 

'Brayshaw plays it safe'  He'd wanna play it safe with those guns! 

Just now, TeamPlayedFine39 said:

'Brayshaw plays it safe'  He'd wanna play it safe with those guns! 

 

Not to mention that lid. Could crack your stubbie open on that jaw. 

6 minutes ago, AllMyTeamsAreWank said:

Not to mention that lid. Could crack your stubbie open on that jaw. 

I hate to tell you, but I was stood next to him today

 

8 minutes ago, TeamPlayedFine39 said:

'Brayshaw plays it safe'  He'd wanna play it safe with those guns! 

and he is even bigger in real life, he is some serious size now

With ANB and Hannan who are fixtures in the rehab group, think they are adopting the JKH and Hunt model and hopefully making them bullet proof, Crossy really works them over

Hannan is going to be a real asset, can kick goals with both feet, and is really good mark, working on his endurance constantly, so assume they regard that as the one area he needs work on, of course after one season in the Ammos and then one in VFL there will be no AFL base there so to speak

I spoke to Liam Hulett as well, ankle coming along fine should be back in full training at camp next week

As for the 2 young ruckman, this will be their story because of their size etc, working on 'building' them properly, so in and out of the main group