Under a lot of pressure to get this report in from the top......

Well, you would have already seen the reports of who wasn't there today, but make what you may of that.  Perhaps an early Christmas, perhaps players on individual programmes, but the stalwarts of the track-watching crew were out there again....rain, hail, shine or in the case of today extreme heat. 

Even BB is now out of rehab! and we recruited dworship to the team before he disappears back to Ballarat.

Naturally, those players who braved the conditions were out on the track a good 45 minutes before the advertised time, but who would blame them?  Compared to previous sessions, this was a "light one".  Still not unexpected given the temperature, and not every session needs to be as physically gruelling, so that the bodies can recover, and also to avoid injury.

BB has given a good run-down on the goings on on the field, so I will only add a couple of observations:

Once again Pickett really caught my eye.  That's because you have to keep an eye on him before he disappears from view.  Dworship made the comment that he has a "turbo button" to go with his normal quick coverage of the ground, which is very reminiscent of a previous owner of the number 36 jumper.  Just when opposition players think they can or have avoided him, suddenly he is back for more.  The other beautiful sight is his ability to get into space, with his opponent trailing by 10m having been burnt off. 

In one passage of play he contested for a mark, but it hit the ground and his opponent gathered the ball....until KP tackled him straight away, then sprung up to receive the handball from his team-mate who had gathered the ball.  Not just one effort but 3 in succession!  Keep and eye out for him, because surely he will be playing very soon.

Everyone is watching Jackson, not unexpectedly, but again there was one passage that just makes the watchers ooh and aah!.  Flying for a pack mark in the forward line, he decided not to grab it, because he was slightly off line.  Instead he leapt up, leaned in and tapped the ball back over his head, but before it had hit the ground, he had recovered it and waltzed into the open goal.  The others in the pack were still sprawled on the ground.  ......oooh .......aaah!

One for DazzleDavey, or one of the juniors observers to have some input.......there was a 17 year old kid, built like the proverbial who participated in a lot of the drills.  Apparently one of the Next Generation academy, name of Deakin?   Any info on him, because he certainly has the body already for the game, and in his brief outing also has all the basics. 

So while there is a closed session tomorrow, sometime, somewhere, that is it until the New Year.  The overriding message is the numbers which we have on the track at this time of the year, and the obviously higher levels of fitness that come about from having those bodies on the ground.  Very few in the rehab group and even then , they cannot be far away.  Jones and Tomlinson already have the core strength and miles in their legs from their careers already, so it is just a case of getting them out there to participate with the group. 

1 minute ago, george_on_the_outer said:

One for DazzleDavey, or one of the juniors observers to have some input.......there was a 17 year old kid, built like the proverbial who participated in a lot of the drills.  Apparently one of the Next Generation academy, name of Deakin?   Any info on him, because he certainly has the body already for the game, and in his brief outing also has all the basics.

According to Max these are Melbourne Academy players from the Casey area. I asked if the Dees had first dibs and he said yes.

One of the smaller academy laid nice tackles on Jordon and Langdon. Got a few pats on the back for those.

2 minutes ago, george_on_the_outer said:

Under a lot of pressure to get this report in from the top......

Well, you would have already seen the reports of who wasn't there today, but make what you may of that.  Perhaps an early Christmas, perhaps players on individual programmes, but the stalwarts of the track-watching crew were out there again....rain, hail, shine or in the case of today extreme heat. 

Even BB is now out of rehab! and we recruited dworship to the team before he disappears back to Ballarat.

Naturally, those players who braved the conditions were out on the track a good 45 minutes before the advertised time, but who would blame them?  Compared to previous sessions, this was a "light one".  Still not unexpected given the temperature, and not every session needs to be as physically gruelling, so that the bodies can recover, and also to avoid injury.

BB has given a good run-down on the goings on on the field, so I will only add a couple of observations:

Once again Pickett really caught my eye.  That's because you have to keep an eye on him before he disappears from view.  Dworship made the comment that he has a "turbo button" to go with his normal quick coverage of the ground, which is very reminiscent of a previous owner of the number 36 jumper.  Just when opposition players think they can or have avoided him, suddenly he is back for more.  The other beautiful sight is his ability to get into space, with his opponent trailing by 10m having been burnt off. 

In one passage of play he contested for a mark, but it hit the ground and his opponent gathered the ball....until KP tackled him straight away, then sprung up to receive the handball from his team-mate who had gathered the ball.  Not just one effort but 3 in succession!  Keep and eye out for him, because surely he will be playing very soon.

Everyone is watching Jackson, not unexpectedly, but again there was one passage that just makes the watchers ooh and aah!.  Flying for a pack mark in the forward line, he decided not to grab it, because he was slightly off line.  Instead he leapt up, leaned in and tapped the ball back over his head, but before it had hit the ground, he had recovered it and waltzed into the open goal.  The others in the pack were still sprawled on the ground.  ......oooh .......aaah!

One for DazzleDavey, or one of the juniors observers to have some input.......there was a 17 year old kid, built like the proverbial who participated in a lot of the drills.  Apparently one of the Next Generation academy, name of Deakin?   Any info on him, because he certainly has the body already for the game, and in his brief outing also has all the basics. 

So while there is a closed session tomorrow, sometime, somewhere, that is it until the New Year.  The overriding message is the numbers which we have on the track at this time of the year, and the obviously higher levels of fitness that come about from having those bodies on the ground.  Very few in the rehab group and even then , they cannot be far away.  Jones and Tomlinson already have the core strength and miles in their legs from their careers already, so it is just a case of getting them out there to participate with the group. 

His name is Deakyn Smith. He is 179cm tall and weighs about 76kg. He's definitely one to watch next year. Played sorta around half back wing and is quite clean with his skills and ball use but also shows a bit of dash.

Played 8 games for Dandenong Stingrays and averaged 10.8 disposals per game. Hope he can improve on that.

4 minutes ago, Demonland said:

According to Max these are Melbourne Academy players from the Casey area. I asked if the Dees had first dibs and he said yes.

One of the smaller academy laid nice tackles on Jordon and Langdon. Got a few pats on the back for those.

Deakin Smith is the academy kid (spelt a funny way)

Chatted to Deakin's dad, 6ft 8in in the old money, Dad didn't do decimal and 98kg, turned 17 in Sep, club snapped him up as Academy

Elite basketballer as well, has American college offers coming at him daily

Another note Harley Bennell came out did a bit of running and then kick to kick with Crossy, both left and right, moving progressively backwards until about 40 metres away, Croosy hardly moved to mark the ball

23 minutes ago, Demonland said:

According to the Training Times page on the Official Site it states "Please note the session on Thursday, 19 December has been relocated and will now be a closed session."

Might wanna refer to my "inside" info above... (no, not really, although I reckon it would be popular with many -- especially our DL track watchers...!  LOL)

2 minutes ago, Satyriconhome said:

Chatted to Deakin's dad, 6ft 8in in the old money, Dad didn't do decimal and 98kg, turned 17 in Sep, club snapped him up as Academy

Elite basketballer as well, has American college offers coming at him daily

Another note Harley Bennell came out did a bit of running and then kick to kick with Crossy, both left and right, moving progressively backwards until about 40 metres away, Croosy hardly moved to mark the ball

Well hang on I must have a different academy person in mind?

3 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

His name is Deakyn Smith. He is 179cm tall and weighs about 76kg. He's definitely one to watch next year. Played sorta around half back wing and is quite clean with his skills and ball use but also shows a bit of dash.

Played 8 games for Dandenong Stingrays and averaged 10.8 disposals per game. Hope he can improve on that.

 

@dazzledavey36 there was an academy kid who was quite tall and built like and had the same gait as Charlie Curnow (similar hair style too). I don't know if he can play footy but if he can look out.

If Deakyn Smith is only 179cm this guy isn't Deakyn Smith.

This is Deakyn Smith

He was at training but was not the tall academy player George was referring to nor was he the Academy player that I made reference to that laid the nice tackles.

5 minutes ago, Demonland said:

This is Deakyn Smith

He was at training but was not the tall academy player George was referring to nor was he the Academy player that I made reference to that laid the nice tackles.

Yeah right..

Well I am intrigued now. Did you blokes manage to get full name?

Edited December 18, 20195 yr by dazzledavey36

Looks like we have two Deaki(y)ns

I have a nice picture of Trac leaving a couple of players in his wake, including Kozzy who got on the wrong end of a 'don't argue'

Fivevstandouts for me in the match sim, Salem, Harmes, Trac, Clarry and Melksham

Nice humourous touch before training, Clarry in his usual head to toe sunscreen, helping Salem apply his

Salem 'this will stop me getting burnt'

Clarty 'nah, you'll still get burnt'

1 hour ago, Baghdad Bob said:

I thought if I got there a bit early today it might be a good idea given the heat.  I was right.  At 8.45 a rather smaller squad than Monday arrived from AAMI.  I usually start with rehab because in previous weeks the rehab boys are out first, but not today.  In fact the rehab tent wasn't even set up.  They play some rather unpleasant music from there and monitor the GPS figures I think but not today.  Finally Tomlinson makes up the entire rehab group today and starts his routine and looks very comfortable.  I'd think he'll be close to fully ready after the break.  It seems like ages since we heard the news of his calf but it's only about 4 or 5 weeks and clearly they are building him up carefully.

About 30 players start with some gentle exercises one involving a player with an exercise band around the other players hips who is in the "up" push up position.  They pull at all different angles and the player must not fall over.  It's then into a lot of different groups with some leading and kicking drills, there are some stoppage drills and a little bit of marking practice.  It's all at a pretty leisurely pace and there's not a lot to report or see really so I start thinking about who is not there.  May, Jones, Viney, Spargo, Hibberd, KK, Melksham(?), Hannan, Baker, Dunkley, AVB, Jetta, TMac, Petty, Preuss, Brown and JSmith are missing along with Neita of course.

But the squad is still big enough to do some three quarter ground match sims but it's all at a notch down from Monday.  The focus is transitioning the ball from the backline to forward line and with fewer player on the ground it's all done very well.  Jackson and Weideman are the forward targets and Lever is giving Jackson a hard time but earns a free from an illegal spoil on the boundary and slots it nicely.  But the best is yet to come for Jackson who takes the ball off the top of a pack and casually strolls into goal.  It's these little cameo's that get you excited.  Not many could do what he did.

Rivers kicks a great goal from a good run and a long way out and gets the applause of everyone and Kossie plays "catch me if you can" a couple of times but of course nobody can.  The young kids are enjoying the slightly slower pace and less congestion  and we are seeing some of the skills come out.  Reports of Jackson's kicking deficiencies seem misplaced as he was kicking off both sides of his body today very well. 

The "best 22" do what the best 22 do when the match sims are on.  Oliver, Harmes and Trac get a lot of it, Gawn wins in the air and the players are just really enjoying the drills.

When match sims finish there is some goal kicking practice and then it's all over by 11.15.  Viney and TMac have ventured down to have a look, Bennell is starting to ramp up his running on the other side of the ground and James Jordan keeps slotting every shot he has.

A good bunch of Demonlanders down there today so others will add their bit and their perspective.  Tomorrow will be a big day I reckon, I'll see if I can get some inside information on where it is.

BB how was the Weid today?

Here is an article from 2017 which welcomes a crop of Next Generation Academy players. Two Deakins (Deakyn) are listed.

• Kobi George (VIC)
• Cody Egan (VIC)
• Deakin Pereira (VIC)
• Ryan Koo Kwet Kim (VIC)
• Deakyn Smith (VIC)
• Declan Gould (VIC) - Pending
• Andrew Moniz-Wakefield (NT)
• Reggie Gallagher (NT)

I'm pretty sure the kid on the left is the unnamed tackler that I observed today.

I'm pretty sure that the tall kid on the left of these two photos is the other Deakin (Pereira). These photos are over two years old now and he has certainly filled out. A big unit.

Must say I am loving the feedback on Jackson thus far. Just maybe that PP to the GC will be a blessing. 

17 minutes ago, old dee said:

BB how was the Weid today?

I think he's training solidly.  He's clunking a few marks and he's being spoiled a few times.  He's being covered by Lever, May and OMac so it's reasonable competition.  If you're glass half empty you'd criticize him and if you're glass half full you'd be happy with him.

He's getting his first real run at preseason this year.  He'll have some pretty solid help in the forward line with TMac, Fritta and Trac all very capable overhead.  The focus of the oppositon will be elsewhere initially I'd have thought.  He'll also have some quality smalls at his feet with luck and his job on a lot of occasions will just be to get the ball to ground.  His kicking for goal today was fantastic as he slotted one from tight on the boundary and another from a fair way out.  He's getting the ball in match sim regularly without dominating but like all forwards he relies on the delivery at least giving him some chance.

Given your view there's nothing there to change it, I'm of the opposite view and happy with what I've seen.

3 minutes ago, Baghdad Bob said:

I think he's training solidly.  He's clunking a few marks and he's being spoiled a few times.  He's being covered by Lever, May and OMac so it's reasonable competition.  If you're glass half empty you'd criticize him and if you're glass half full you'd be happy with him.

He's getting his first real run at preseason this year.  He'll have some pretty solid help in the forward line with TMac, Fritta and Trac all very capable overhead.  The focus of the oppositon will be elsewhere initially I'd have thought.  He'll also have some quality smalls at his feet with luck and his job on a lot of occasions will just be to get the ball to ground.  His kicking for goal today was fantastic as he slotted one from tight on the boundary and another from a fair way out.  He's getting the ball in match sim regularly without dominating but like all forwards he relies on the delivery at least giving him some chance.

Given your view there's nothing there to change it, I'm of the opposite view and happy with what I've seen.

Happy to accept your view BB. As you are aware I have never seen much to suggest he will be more than an average KPF. However I would love to see him prove me wrong and star. No one ever mentions him in reports so I was curious. Thank you for the reply.

Got there late but Bennell’s kick to kick was the highlight. He can kick 40m the same way most of our players kick 15. The ball seems to gather pace as it travels. And that’s with the tiny calves. 

Just a theory but the thing I’d be working on with him before building up his running is his posture. He has big round shoulders and his head is angled forward on his body. It gives him this really aggressive look when he runs but I wonder if it loads up his back than then causes the calf tightness.

I’d have him in the yoga and Pilates room (and even the suspect Chiro bed) getting those shoulders and head aligned in correct positions. Then retraining his gait to take the workload off his calves. 

@DeeSpencer I don’t think there is anyway I can ask this without sounding like I’m having a crack at you but...

Are you a medic? You’re thoughts sounded like someone who has significant knowledge in the area.

1 hour ago, Baghdad Bob said:

I think he's training solidly.  He's clunking a few marks and he's being spoiled a few times.  He's being covered by Lever, May and OMac so it's reasonable competition.  If you're glass half empty you'd criticize him and if you're glass half full you'd be happy with him.

He's getting his first real run at preseason this year.  He'll have some pretty solid help in the forward line with TMac, Fritta and Trac all very capable overhead.  The focus of the oppositon will be elsewhere initially I'd have thought.  He'll also have some quality smalls at his feet with luck and his job on a lot of occasions will just be to get the ball to ground.  His kicking for goal today was fantastic as he slotted one from tight on the boundary and another from a fair way out.  He's getting the ball in match sim regularly without dominating but like all forwards he relies on the delivery at least giving him some chance.

Given your view there's nothing there to change it, I'm of the opposite view and happy with what I've seen.

Would there have been just a hint of increased aggression BB, to warm the cockles of a mature aged person's heart.

10 minutes ago, Engorged Onion said:

@DeeSpencer I don’t think there is anyway I can ask this without sounding like I’m having a crack at you but...

Are you a medic? You’re thoughts sounded like someone who has significant knowledge in the area.

Somewhat but not in this field. My very novice opinion is more from my own back problems. 

Could be completely off the mark when it comes to Harley but I think posture, gait and core strength are so vital for athletes and injury prevention.

The calf operation he had sounds promising but so many of the Suns players from their early years were thrust in to games and clearly not built the correct way.  

Any photos from training today please?

 

Frustratingly, I cannot get the training photos on the MFC phone app to work.

 

If anyone could provide some links to photos it would be greatly appreciated.

The first thing they did when Bennell started was to film his running action

Could actually be tweajks

He is up to half pace in a straight line

If he works over Xmas, could be full pace in no time

Doing little bits of agility

 

@DeeSpencer agree, his kicking is a joy to watch

1 minute ago, Supreme_Demon said:

Any photos from training today please?

 

Frustratingly, I cannot get the training photos on the MFC phone app to work.

 

If anyone could provide some links to photos it would be greatly appreciated.

I will posting some on my Insta and here later, the ones on the website don't compare, not blurred for a start???

Out for the day with my lovely lady, she was impressed with Bennell's kicking as well

 

1 hour ago, DeeSpencer said:

Somewhat but not in this field. My very novice opinion is more from my own back problems. 

Could be completely off the mark when it comes to Harley but I think posture, gait and core strength are so vital for athletes and injury prevention.

The calf operation he had sounds promising but so many of the Suns players from their early years were thrust in to games and clearly not built the correct way.  

So in other words you are just guessing.

There’s a thread on Deakyn Smith for those who’d like to read some more: 

Thanks for the reports and comments, first day of leave today, kicking back on the deck in a pair of hemp beach pants reading a bit of DL before having a siesta. Ahhhhhhh. 

 

Edited December 18, 20195 yr by Ethan Tremblay