Training 17th Jan

[Decoy 0]

No mention of training yet and that probably indicates a pretty low-key pre season so here are a few words:-

Not the long list of players nursing thigh and OP problems as this time last year.

I couldn't see Jones or Bartram, and Colin was the only one not participating in the drills.

I didn't watch the forwards but the backs included Weetrie, Pettard and Frawley.

All three looked very comfortable in the traffic as they ran the ball forward from the spillage drill. Having not seen any training, Weetra was my pick of the players today; he surprised me how comfortable he was in the traffic and how he moved. Quick off the mark, low centre of gravity and elusive. He moved like a lot smaller player, eg Leon Davis or even Rodan of Richmond though that's where that comparison would end. Buckley was with the backs, Hayes with the forwards, and Nathan Brown with the mids again.

Williams was giving the mids a real work out today including a 60 second drill of two players tackle as many bags and receive a handball in a circle of about 25 metres.

This really stuffed them, then the two players would have to set off on a 400 metre run. Brock really set the pace here. Bate looks to have lost a bit of weight too and has a more mature physique and looked very strong in all the drills. The trainer from Hawthorn seemed a really nice guy, and is still focusing on their running styles. Let's hope it's contributing to the low incidence of OP; Moloney didn't look hampered at all in the drills though a little stuffed at times.

[Jaded No More 68,889]

Thanks for that.

I'm really worried about Sylvia. It's February and he still hasn't started his pre-season.

Not a good sign!

[Roger Mellie 4,011]

Dont be backwards about coming forward Decoy. I dont think I'm the only one who's gaggin to hear what's happening on the track. A question or two:

Did you notice if Whelan and Pickett were there? - both were with the rehab group last training and I think Whelan has been since the break.

Which group did Bell train with?

Ditto Holland?

Cheers for the update!

[Decoy 0]

Sure RM

Whelan was with the backs though not exactly running flat out.

Pickett was with the forwards.

Bell was with the backs too and when hasn't he looked and trained great?

Holland with the backs too; I didn't recognize him at first, he's looking very trim.

We tend to think of him as slow but even though he may not be mobile he was keeping up with Pettard on one occasion racing for the ball. People used to say Fergs needed to bulk up but not so much in the last 12 months.

He's looking strong, not skinny any more, without having lost his mobility.

And yes, Jaded, fourth interrupted pre season in a row for Colin; I remember the first time I saw him walking the boundary at Princes park this time of year three years ago. Hopefully Feb and March can get him up to speed.

[dazzledavey36 54,844]

How did Jace Bode and Daniel Hayes go?

Are any of them a chance to be regular for Sandy 1s?

[Hulett Packard III 166]

Heath Neville?

[Decoy 0]

How did Jace Bode and Daniel Hayes go?

Are any of them a chance to be regular for Sandy 1s?

I didn't see much of Hayes as he was with the forwards.

Bode was with the mids, doing what was required but not standing out.

Only when that 400 metres drill came for him, he was miles behind his 'partner'. That really surprised me as he was a top schoolboy 200 metres runner. Maybe he had a stitch. He's very crab like in his action; a bit like that recently retired WCE on baller, though my feeling is he won't be as good.

Neville was with the backs if it was him I saw. In the drills they were doing he'd have to be exceptional to stand out; though looks to be over his OP; still very young looking.

And BTW that should have been Weetra above, not Weetrie.

[Scoop Junior 3,460]

Thanks Decoy.

Anything on Wheatley?

[Decoy 0]

Did notice Wheatley and he was moving well; I thought the backs were really turned on but not the sort of drills where anyone stands out.

A good report on Demonolgy and pictures from George on the Outer.