Beautiful morning for training.

They appear to not be getting ahead of themselves. Quietly going about their warm-ups.

Rehab had Jack Viney, Joel Smith, Jayden Hunt and Oskar Baker. Unlikely any of them are ready for the weekend. The test group included Aaron vandenBerg and Christian Salem, all joined the main group later.

The players using their voices to encourage, instruct and call for the ball during drills and contests. The coaches encouraged direct football, "not sideways, go straight towards goal ". Also instructing them to create more space at stoppages, "make a larger circle" around the ball.

The backs continue to have Cam Pedersen and Josh Wagner. They practiced plenty of punches and spoils, as well as defensive crumbing.

The forwards working hard on goal kicking.

The mids had Jay Kennedy-Harris and Charlie Spargo working hard in match ups. They had them 30 meters from throw in, so as to encourage positioning and match ups as they ran to where the contest would be.

The simulations used the entire field and all the squad on at one time. Usually it was 2/3rds of the field and a 1/3rd of players rotate off. Seemed direct football was also the style of play. Unfortunately their were plenty of errors, though it was congested play with some hard tackles being made. They all wanted to win and compete.

Josh Wagner (looking fit and strong), Tim Smith and Tom Bugg had steady session.

A few are carrying niggles, as expected this time of year. Tom McDonald getting work on hip, Clayton Oliver foot and lower back, Christian Salem groin.

They will be looking forward to a week off. I didn’t notice Pat McKenna out there.

Dean Kent doing lots of goal kicking practice at the end of training.

A shortish training session, they seemed serious and with purpose.

Bernie Vince and Jake Lever on the track helping with drills and advice.

Plenty of supporters around the track today. The staff were up and about, lots of happiness amongst them. 
  

Edited August 23, 20186 yr by 000

Thanks 000

Interesting to see them opening up the contested space a bit. Absolutely necessary.

Good stuff...good report. Cheers

12 minutes ago, 000 said:

Clayton Oliver foot

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

MFCSS, MFCSS, MFCSS, MFCSS, MFCSS...............................

14 minutes ago, 000 said:

Clayton Oliver foot

But of course.... MFCSS is alive and well! 

How did Hibbo train?

The players due to be tested were Jayden Hunt and Joel Smith.

How did they go?

olivers foot dont tell me

1 minute ago, Demon Head said:

The players due to be tested were Jayden Hunt and Joel Smith.

How did they go?

Jayden was doing a few laps and some ball work. A couple of times he opened up with some fast runs.

Joel needed some physio work on his shoulder, so he is a still concerned about it. Doing some hard runs in timed conditions as well as ball work.

1 minute ago, forever demons said:

olivers foot dont tell me

Just a niggle he was a bit proppy at times, but it didn't slow him down.

thats how all these foot problems start

27 minutes ago, 000 said:

Also instructing them to create more space at stoppages, "make a larger circle" around the ball.

This comment reminded me of the setup at the stoppage in the backline last Sunday that ended in the goal that put us back in front.  Max tapped the ball down in Jonesy's direction, who was boundary side of the stoppage.  In a circle and goal-side, pretty much on their own, were Salem, Tyson & Gus.  The ball fell at Jonesy's foot.  He controlled the ball with his foot, before scooping it up and dishing off a hand ball to (I think) Tyson, who hand-balled to Salem.  While this was happening, Gus had sprinted forward, to take a contested mark of Salem's kick.  Then, a kick down the line to Fritsch, another down the line in front of Hannan, who landed the ball into the arms of Melksham as he sprinted into an open goal.  A true thing of beauty, the entire play -- from stoppage on the back flank to goal, and the lead!  And, it all started with that perfect setup at the stoppage with our ring of players perfectly set up to receive and clear the ball.

So, certainly hope to see it replicated on numerous occasions over the next few weeks!

21 minutes ago, Jaded said:

But of course.... MFCSS is alive and well! 

How did Hibbo train?

Hibbo is good to go.

Moving well, plenty of voice, was matching up against some of our taller players and reliable disposals.

13 minutes ago, forever demons said:

thats how all these foot problems start

Also getting some physio work on his lower back which has happened regularly during the season.

The niggle may be ankle related, though difficult to tell.

He is good to go!

1 hour ago, ding said:

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

MFCSS, MFCSS, MFCSS, MFCSS, MFCSS...............................

He should bloody well go back to 70% handball, 30% kicking it!!! Kicking too much gives you sore feet.

50 minutes ago, 000 said:

Also getting some physio work on his lower back which has happened regularly during the season.

The niggle may be ankle related, though difficult to tell.

He is good to go!

To (once again) borrow and mangle from Life of Brian:

Believer: Only if Oliver was truly injured would 000 deny his injury

000: What? Ok he is injured!

Believer: Oliver IS injured!!!!!

Edited August 23, 20186 yr by binman

Thanks for your training reports over the last little while 000.  They are both well written and very informative.

Given that you have become 'a regular' in this role, I was wondering whether you could provide us with an assessment as to how you have viewed the overall quality of training over the last (say) 4 to 6 weeks.  For example, have you seen improvements (or otherwise) in specific areas such as skill execution, intensity, voice / leadership over that period(?); and have there been any significant changes to the focus of the drills over that period?  I know I'm asking an awful lot, and I recognise there are a number of variables that can impact on quality (such as the weather, and the individual form of the players, etc), so I'll understand fully if you ignore this post.  In short, I guess I'm asking you to put yourself in the shoes of our Match Committee, and tell us whether, iyo, the overall quality of training has recently trended up, down or 'steady as she goes'.  Thanks again. 

Edited August 23, 20186 yr by Deeoldfart
spelling and typo

The Jack Viney pics from training today should get everyone excited.   JV unleashed in an elimination final after all his frustrations and missed games will be a sight to behold.

 

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2018-08-23/training-gallery-august-23

54 minutes ago, Deeoldfart said:

Thanks for your training reports over the last little while 000.  They are both well written and very informative.

Given that you have become 'a regular' in this role, I was wondering whether you could provide us with an assessment as to how you have viewed the overall quality of training over the last (say) 4 to 6 weeks.  For example, have you seen improvements (or otherwise) in specific areas such as skill execution, intensity, voice / leadership over that period(?); and have there been any significant changes to the focus of the drills over that period?  I know I'm asking an awful lot, and I recognise there are a number of variables that can impact on quality (such as the weather, and the individual form of the players, etc), so I'll understand fully if you ignore this post.  In short, I guess I'm asking you to put yourself in the shoes of our Match Committee, and tell us whether, iyo, the overall quality of training has recently trended up, down or 'steady as she goes'.  Thanks again. 

You are right Deeoldfart, very difficult to assess what you ask. The training is for a 1 1/2 to 2 hr period. So much must go on behind closed doors.
Often it is the coaches inputs that give me a hint as to what the teams focus is. They influence the intensity. The trainings purpose is probably dictated by game reviews and strategies.
At the moment, defense and goal kicking seems to be the focus. Last week it was getting the basics right and 20 to 30 meter kicks. It is all guess work though.
The performance on training field is variable and doesn't seem associated with anything in particular. Though after a win they are more joyful and relaxed. After a loss it seems a little heavy. All as we would expect, given human nature.
Sometimes I see players being tested for a role or team inclusion but again, alot is up to interpretation.
The quality of training seems independent of anything.
It is all a bit warm and fuzzy to say definitively what the cause and effect is, (so subjective). Though there are times when they are switched on but whether that is associated with a good performance in the next game, I am unsure.

The general quality of the past 5 weeks seems to be "steady as she goes".

3 hours ago, 000 said:

Dean Kent doing lots of goal kicking practice at the end of training.

Kenty is going to be THE MAN!

3 hours ago, Vagg said:

This comment reminded me of the setup at the stoppage in the backline last Sunday that ended in the goal that put us back in front.  Max tapped the ball down in Jonesy's direction, who was boundary side of the stoppage.  In a circle and goal-side, pretty much on their own, were Salem, Tyson & Gus.  The ball fell at Jonesy's foot.  He controlled the ball with his foot, before scooping it up and dishing off a hand ball to (I think) Tyson, who hand-balled to Salem.  While this was happening, Gus had sprinted forward, to take a contested mark of Salem's kick.  Then, a kick down the line to Fritsch, another down the line in front of Hannan, who landed the ball into the arms of Melksham as he sprinted into an open goal.  A true thing of beauty, the entire play -- from stoppage on the back flank to goal, and the lead!  And, it all started with that perfect setup at the stoppage with our ring of players perfectly set up to receive and clear the ball.

So, certainly hope to see it replicated on numerous occasions over the next few weeks!

We've needed this triangulation and separation all season and yes, it was one of the most beautiful passages of play that you could ever see. 

1 hour ago, 000 said:

You are right Deeoldfart, very difficult to assess what you ask. The training is for a 1 1/2 to 2 hr period. So much must go on behind closed doors.
Often it is the coaches inputs that give me a hint as to what the teams focus is. They influence the intensity. The trainings purpose is probably dictated by game reviews and strategies.
At the moment, defense and goal kicking seems to be the focus. Last week it was getting the basics right and 20 to 30 meter kicks. It is all guess work though.
The performance on training field is variable and doesn't seem associated with anything in particular. Though after a win they are more joyful and relaxed. After a loss it seems a little heavy. All as we would expect, given human nature.
Sometimes I see players being tested for a role or team inclusion but again, alot is up to interpretation.
The quality of training seems independent of anything.
It is all a bit warm and fuzzy to say definitively what the cause and effect is, (so subjective). Though there are times when they are switched on but whether that is associated with a good performance in the next game, I am unsure.

The general quality of the past 5 weeks seems to be "steady as she goes".

Thanks 000.  Really appreciated!

excellent 000

I took my two little boys down to training today

So impressed with how friendly and accommodating all of the players were after training. Happy to say hi and chat, sign autographs, take photos - such legends! ?

6 hours ago, Deemania since 56 said:

Kenty is going to be THE MAN!

Good to see some take the art of goal kicking seriously. 

Good to hear that this talk of applying learnings from the match isn't just that: talk. Spread has been an issue at times but it's reassuring that they are working on it.

 

15 hours ago, Graeme Yeats' Mullet said:

I took my two little boys down to training today

So impressed with how friendly and accommodating all of the players were after training. Happy to say hi and chat, sign autographs, take photos - such legends! ?

They were amazing the lads. My boy went for the first time too and they couldn't get around him enough. Great bunch