3 minutes ago, Ethan Tremblay said:

Thanks, I've taken up bicep curling. 

must be working, ethan, they definitely looked curley.to me......especially if i scrunch my eyes just a little

17 minutes ago, daisycutter said:

must be working, ethan, they definitely looked curley.to me......especially if i scrunch my eyes just a little

Curls get the girls as they say.

9 minutes ago, Ethan Tremblay said:

Curls get the girls as they say.

ET   could you please call home

Bit surprised JKH didn't go to the Indigenous Camp, an important date for Indigenous players.

Assume it was discussed and with his situation decided it was more beneficial to stay with team

48 minutes ago, Ethan Tremblay said:

Thanks, I've taken up bicep curling. 

Hey, I know what it's like: 'One thousand and one, one thousand and two ... '.

 

Final points from today and then I'll sign off from Maroochy headquarters. In hindsight I'd describe today's session as a slow burn. It turned into the kind of training session that not only highlights the training camp but is also one to build the season upon.

*Not sure if it was mentioned elsewhere but Jetta was at the camp today training in the rehab group, but Garlett and Johnstone were still away.

*More sport specific and game style specific conditioning on display today - I expect our game style to go to a new level of physicality this year, with bodies hitting hard

*From the sound and looks of it they have got the endurance running stuff out of the road really early in the piece and now are really honing in on perfecting the details - Already fit enough.

*I haven't seen any of the other sessions but the Hulk is really putting his best foot forward this year. Really excited to see what he can do.

* All of the ex Basketballer talents emerging in football terms are another highlight for me.

* If we can keep most of our key players fit and healthy throughout the year, look out because other teams are going to have their hands full with the Dees - which is nice to be able say for a change.

Bring on the season - catch you next year.....maybe.

Spoke to Pedersen and commented on his loss of weight. Put my foot in my mouth when I asked him about the whole Chris Dawes situation last year. He just laughed it off when I told him I thought he had better hands but it got awkward when I said Dawes had a great set routine. I basically got him back on my side when I told him I thought he'd play every game.

Called Viney Captain Jack. He loved that. Smith boys sat side by side and told him we needed more Smith's playing the game. Tim and Joel agreed. Nev told me he had family obligations that kept him from Broome but I think Jeff and Dion went up. Declan was charming as was Hannan. Jones was quite staunch as you'd expect and I really gave it to Clarence - McCartney's pet name for Clarry - when I likened him to McKenzie. He told me he gets that a lot and Weeds couldn't control himself laughing. Kent was mopping a bit as he wont be playing the JLT as he is still recovering for rd 1.

Personally I think JKH will play round one and Gawn will go solo in the ruck this year such is his fitness.

 

Rehab group had BenKen, Mitch King, Jetta, Kent and Dom Tyson.  Tyson looks ready to resume.

Garlett and Johnstone missing.

Spoke with Jake Spencer... he had a few twinges so missed todays session. Ready as backup to Big Max.

Apologies for the lateness of this effort.

Really enjoyed yesterday morning's session. Much of what I observed confirmed what we've been consistently told by our track watchers over the past couple of months. I apologise in advance for the eclectic nature of what follows. 

Structurally, can I just say, I love the way the coaching staff divided the session into 4 quarters with the clock clearly simulating match conditions. This is not new but seems to be of increasing focus.The session was very much game sim driven and the large crowd appreciated that. The coaching staff really impress me. Transitions from drill to drill are sharp. Preparation was never found wanting. Feedback was delivered swiftly but they never lingered too long. Heart rates were always maintained. Crossy was fantatstic with the rehab group but this is news to nobody. The level of onfield leadership seems to have gone to another level. I love watching our senior leaders instructing small groups with line managing assistants watching on to ensure the appropriate messages are being delivered and then engaging only when necessary. The vibe in the team is excellent. They're driving each other, challenging each other. Viney and Gawn excelling in this area. The physicality is good. An occasional skirmish is a healthy sign.

The gameplan is definitely being drilled into this team. As mentioned by the Melbourne-based reporters, the play on, quick ball movement is evident. The metronome app confirmed that the accompanying music was maintained between the 120 and 125 beats per minute range and the style of play seemed to mimic the tempo. I'd like to think our coaching staff are this switched on. Let's just pretend that this was indeed an intentional decision.

Disappointing that five key members of our best 22 are in the rehab group. Hibberd, Jetta, Tyson, Brayshaw and Kent all look close to resuming and certainly got a solid workout in the hot and steamy conditions.

Oscar McDonald and Sam Weideman are building nicely. Whilst still some way from AFL key position size they've both taken obvious and considerable steps towards adding the necessary kgs. More importantly both are attacking training in a really focused way. You sense they feel they belong and know that there are spots in our best 22 waiting for them to consolidate.

Jay Kennedy-Harris was an absolute standout for me. He looks really fit and his one touch play was great to watch. His hands are beautiful and he brought a real energy to the session. Aaron vandenberg seemed to be everywhere. Only saw him turn it over once. One of the real positives of the session was the quality ball use I observed from players with a question mark in that area. vandenberg used it really well as did Harmes and Hunt. Hunt was the other highlight for me. He's been a favourite for some time but this session confirmed everything we outsiders have been hearing on Demonland. His linking player is critical and the team is clearly being coached to look for him. His line-breaking pace was electric as always but his disposal at the end of these runs was pleasingly efficient. Neal-Bullen made some mistakes unfortunately, as did some of our first and second year players.

Billy Stretch will play round 1. Hogan looked great. His kicking routine, for me, however, is all over the place. At one stage, he was practicing his routine during a short break and his run up looked exactly like last year. 5 minutes later during game sim his routine looked completely different. What was consistent, however, was the outcome. He wasn't missing many today. I don't care what the routine looks like to be honest as long his efficiency returns to 2015 levels and we don't have to discuss it on here every second week when he misses a couple!

Of the newcomers, Pat McKenna impressed me. He's a really good size and battled manfully against Pedersen in a really demanding contested/wrestling/leading/repeat effort drill. He looks almost as tall and almost as strong as Pedersen. We have some really options in defence now. Pedersen, as advertised, is noticeably fitter but still very broad and strong across the shoulders. It's great to see but also raises the question why it has taken this many pre-seasons at Melbourne to get to this point. Like others, Maynard just looks a player to me. It's like he's entering his seventh or eighth pre-season. Hulett took some nice grabs and the Casey graduates both looked at home.

I was keen to isolate Jack Trengove to see if I could notice any discernable improvement in his speed and acceleration. As others have noted it's difficult in training to do so but at one point when he really put his foot down to find space it appear he did so with more ease than last season. Wishful thinking perhaps.

The real highlight for me was a few tackles. Jack Watts received ample congratulations when he brought down the skipper trying to exit the defensive footy. The boys really do love him and Melksham brought down Hogan in impressive style earlier in the session. Pedersen pulled off a Watts and ran down Harmes when he was trying to clear the ball also. Great to see our key position players doing the less glamorous things at the tail end of a gruelling three hour session.

At the end of the session Oscar McDonald and Billy Stretch seemed to be receiving some extra praise. Maybe they both received the Goody Fifty. Morale within the group was clear for all to see.

Autograph signing and the mingling with the kids is always awesome. The kids and the families keep coming back and this part of the day must play a huge role. The Maroochydore camp and this open session is turning into a nice little tradition.

Happy to respond to any questions about any individuals you might have.

 

Absolutely belter of a report Vibes!

Well done

Edited February 5, 20178 yr by dazzledavey36

Great report Vibes!

How did Tim Smith and Hannan look?

Maynard is a monster.... when I attended training in Melbourne with my son, we both thought he looked physically a lot like Petracca (if not a little bigger!).  Hopefully he will get a run in the pre-season comp.

2 hours ago, Goodvibes said:

..........At the end of the session Oscar McDonald and Billy Stretch seemed to be receiving some extra praise. Maybe they both received the Goody Fifty . ........................

Fabulous report, thanks 'vibes.

Wouldn't it be magic if Billy and O'Mac followed up with outstanding seasons, along the lines of Maxy in 2016?

1 hour ago, The team we love said:

Great report Vibes!

How did Tim Smith and Hannan look?

Hannan was one that I struggled to get a read on to be honest. I'm not actually sure if he completed the whole session. Apologies. Tim Smith was great. It really does appear that we've got a three horse race for the third tall forward role. Pedersen never been fitter, Weideman developing nicely and Smith might be ahead of both of them. And as I said earlier, Hulett had a good session and impressed me with his clean hands in the air. I haven't had the pleasure of watching Tim Smith at Casey but was really encouraged by the way he moves, reads the play in game sim and as has been noted previously, has an uncomplicated and efficient shot for goal.

Not sure if it's been mentioned earlier but Mitch White hurt his ankle in a JKH tackle and had to be rested. Garland hurt his ankle shortly after but was able to resume after some treatment.

Also was going to mention that McDonald (Snr) and Pedersen both competed strongly in the air and it looks like there's no issues with their shoulders.

Vibes how were the two developing ruckman in Filipovic and Mitch King?

Fantastic report Vibes, thanks. One of the best I have read.

 

35 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Vibes how were the two developing ruckman in Filipovic and Mitch King?

FIlipovic made some mistakes but he's a good size and seemed really co-ordinated and you can tell even from a training session that he's got a great attitude and is working hard to improve. Can't add much about King as he was in the rehab group but he's a good size and quite well filled out already for a second year ruck coming back from injury. Seemed to be moving well and there was no evidence of bandages or strapping on his knee.

Thankyou to Goodvibes. Reports such as yours make for a wonderful read at this time of year.

This report below is sourced from a poster known as Brady over at Demonology

"So I headed to Maroochydore this morning expecting the boys to have a pretty solid session, and it definitely was.
Over 3 hours out in the 30+ degree heat. 
I would have left just before midday and they still hadn't finished up. 

The sessions started with some standard kick to kick and lane work before they got into some 12 on 10 full field match stuff. There was a group of 10 on the sideline in a resting group. The two teams would go full tilt for 3-4 minutes before one would swap with the resting team. 
Two players wore orange bibs and would always be on the attacking side to create an outnumber 10 to 12. 
The countdown timer on the scoreboard was set to 25 minutes and they went at it until it was up. 

Over on the other field was the rehab group which today consisted of Tyson, Kennedy, Kent, Spencer, Jetta, Wagner, Hibberd and Brayshaw. Not sure why a few of them were in this group but maybe they were just being managed or have a little niggle or two. 
They were doing laps at a pretty good pace to start with before moving into some 100m runs / sprints 
They then a little later moved into boxing. 
Out on the main field the group went into 15 v 15 full match play. Goodwin would kick the ball to a player in the back pocket then it was on. They went at it until a goal or point was kicked. The ball moved at a very good pace. You can definitely identify the game plan now. 
This went on for another 25 / 30 minutes, before the team headed into the cool room for 15 minutes, I think this was a "half time". 

As Brendan McCartney walked into the rooms he said to all of us supporters watching "don't worry guys, we aren't done with them yet, they've got another 60 minutes of hard work to go, you'll see some tired boys out there soon" he wasn't lying. 
They came back out and the mids split and did some boundary throw in work while the forwards and backs did some contested work inside forward 50, with the forwards trying to stop the backs getting it out. 
Once this finished I decided to head off as it was stinking hot in the sun but I heard one of the coaches say they had around 25 minutes to go "the last quarter" A very big session! 

Some individual performances I noticed - 

Lewis - well as everyone already knows, this guy is all class. He will add a level head out there, calm under pressure and time after time hit the target to a leading Hogan or Weideman coming out of the forward 50. Looking like he has dropped a kg or two. He will add a huge amount to the team. 

Oliver - He was in everything. In the match simulation he would of been one of the leading possession winners out there. Used it well too. I think it could be a good year for him to come. Knows how to find the footy. 

Petracca - Beast! I am so excited to see this guy out there this year. He moves so well and was another who racked up the possessions today. Played across half forward and pushed up into the midfield. 
He could absolutely dominate a couple of games this season. I really believe that. 

Others who caught my eye were Bernie, Hogan, Weideman (who has definitely put on a few kgs) Gawn who just did his thing. 
JKH got a lot of the ball but would have turned it over or shanked the kick probably 50% of the time. He needs to fix this if he wants any chance of making the 22 this year. 


Anyway, overall, having come and watch the boys train at Maroochydore the last 3 years. I can honestly say this has been the best I have seen them train. That might be to do with the time of year it is as we are only weeks away from games but there was such a positive vibe around the group and they went at it full tilt. You can tell they are ready to get stuck into the 2017 season now. 

Cheers and Go Dees!"

what's the general vibe in terms of the backline make-up - the 2 macs, frost, and then the rotating runners, or just two of the mac bros and frost?

5 hours ago, Goodvibes said:

Of the newcomers, Pat McKenna impressed me. He's a really good size and battled manfully against Pedersen in a really demanding contested/wrestling/leading/repeat effort drill. He looks almost as tall and almost as strong as Pedersen. We have some really options in defence now. Pedersen, as advertised, is noticeably fitter but still very broad and strong across the shoulders. It's great to see but also raises the question why it has taken this many pre-seasons at Melbourne to get to this point. Like others, Maynard just looks a player to me. It's like he's entering his seventh or eighth pre-season. Hulett took some nice grabs and the Casey graduates both looked at home.

Great report GV. I just note as an addendum to your comments on Pederson that he has only played 60 games. Its quite bizarre for someone with his skills and years in the game. He can take a grab, he can ruck and he can kick.

I like what he can do and when I watch him he seems to contribute really well but its clear there is something amiss with him in past years. Maybe he is 'uncoachable' as they say, maybe he hasn't had the drive to push himself through pre-seasons. Injuries I don't believe are a huge factor in why he has missed so many games so for me its a bit of a mystery.

If he can get his mind right he absolutely has a spot in the 22 for mine but spots look like they are becoming harder to get.....

Some contradictions in the reports on JKH. One saying he turned it over 50% of the time the other saying he was the standout with maybe one turnover? Any others see him and care to comment? He is a sleeper for us I reckon. Could easily be a player if he gets it right....

5 hours ago, Goodvibes said:

Feedback was delivered swiftly but they never lingered too long. Heart rates were always maintained. Crossy was fantatstic with the rehab group but this is news to nobody. The level of onfield leadership seems to have gone to another level. I love watching our senior leaders instructing small groups with line managing assistants watching on to ensure the appropriate messages are being delivered and then engaging only when necessary. The vibe in the team is excellent. They're driving each other, challenging each other. Viney and Gawn excelling in this area. The physicality is good. An occasional skirmish is a healthy sign.

 

Great report Goodvibes. Doesn't seem that long ago that we couldn't find any "senior leaders". To me, this is one of the most significant changes in the last few years.

52 minutes ago, jnrmac said:

Great report GV. I just note as an addendum to your comments on Pederson that he has only played 60 games. Its quite bizarre for someone with his skills and years in the game.

He only started in 2011 at 24.

54 minutes ago, jnrmac said:

Some contradictions in the reports on JKH. One saying he turned it over 50% of the time the other saying he was the standout with maybe one turnover? Any others see him and care to comment? He is a sleeper for us I reckon. Could easily be a player if he gets it right....

I saw JKH turn it over a couple of times but I also saw him show clean hands every time he met the footy, work incredibly hard to make space and show a willingness to take the game on at every occasion. Some decision making was questionable but overall I thought he was very good. I don't see him as a small forward, I like him up the ground. I think he'll be competing with Stretch for a spot.

55 minutes ago, Redleg said:

He only started in 2011 at 24.

OK. Interesting. You'd reckon an older age recruit would bust his chops to play but I have since read an article where Melbourne told him after yr 1 that if he didn't lift his game he would be delisted despite having a 3 yr deal.