TRAINING: Monday 13th January 2020

[Its Time for Another 4,221]

Stafford took Bradke out to do some sprints and then ground ball drills and tackling. He was absolutely stuffed. Looked like he nearly passed out. He had to grab onto Staff at one point to stay standing. He’s doing solo run through again now. 

Edited January 13, 2020 by It's Time

[old dee 23,792]

25 minutes ago, Deeoldfart said:

Great work IT.  Thanks, and keep them coming.

It's now time for the Club to give us an honest, up-to-date and complete injury update.  I'm nervous about May.  KK,  Brayshaw, Bennell, Jones, Tomlinson, Spargo, et al (??).

Deeoldfart surely by this age you realise this will never happen. Injury reports are seldom truthful. The second language of the AFL is lying. 

[Ouch! 2,263]

8 minutes ago, It's Time said:

On what I saw I don’t think you’re right about Gus. 

Guess the main thing with Gus is that he did the 3km time trial on Friday, there could be an issue since then, but prior to today he's been in most of the sessions according to the other training watchers. 

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,782]

29 minutes ago, old dee said:

Deeoldfart surely by this age you realise this will never happen. Injury reports are seldom truthful. The second language of the AFL is lying. 

I assume the first is misinformation.

[Lord Travis 10,730]

Thanks all for reports for those of us that can’t make training.
 

Sounds like some fresh drills today to be more patient and smart around our inside 50 connection. Exactly what we need!

[DeeSpencer 25,713]

2 hours ago, It's Time said:

On what I saw I don’t think you’re right about Gus. 
saying Bennell has had no setbacks is the ultimate I want to hear at the moment and completing the plan. 

Fair enough but if it’s just one day of doing different stuff and not even missing sessions then it doesn’t require an update.

2 hours ago, It's Time said:

Interesting Burgo agility drill going on. Players have to do 3 somersaults along the ground then jump straight up and lay a tackle on a player waiting there. I guess it’s brain training as much as physical. 

Good for injury prevention as well, using different muscles and training how to fall and roll. 

[old dee 23,792]

1 hour ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

I assume the first is misinformation.

Same thing I would have thought LDC.

[Slartibartfast 17,296]

I got caught in traffic on the way to the ground and thought I'd miss a bit but as It's Time has said it was a later than normal start at around 9.30.

As usual over to the rehab group and a quick check as to who isn't there.  Jones, Tomlinson, Baker and Spargo the four in rehab with Jones, Tomlinson and Spargo looking to be more advanced.  Jones hasn't changed his training for about 4 or 5 sessions now and watching him it's impossible to tell what's wrong.  Tomlinson was running very strongly as was Spargo so I'm surprised to hear Spargo is 3 to 4 away but that could be to do with agility on his ankle.  There were many runs around the outer side of the ground by these three and they went for a good 2 hours before heading in.  During that time they did a fair bit of kicking and a small bit of  (sort of) circle work without any signs of a problem.

Baker is a little behind by the look of things but seemed relaxed and raring to go.  About half way through the session Bennell turned up and did his warm ups and then some runs around the outer side of the ground.  No sign of any discomfort but he's only going at half pace.  Again nothing much has changed and it looks like they are playing the long game with him.  Once he had finished his running program he started some casual goal kicking practice.  Around the corner, tight ankle, snaps, set shots you name it he did it and while I was watching he missed two out of about 20.  Unbelievable.

The no shows were Hannan, KK, Neita, AVB, May and Smith.  Of that lot AVB is a usual "misser" of training and we know about the issues of the others bar May.  Missing Hannan was disappointing but it could just be management.  Wednesday will tell.

It's Time has done a great job describing training.  There was stoppage work, forward entry work built around match sims as well as specialist crumbing work, high marking practice, handball drills and some gut running.  I liked it in one match sim where Trac decided to tackle Jackson and while on the ground pushed his head into the ground and then wouldn't let him get up. But Jackson got the better of him and had Trac on the ground at the end of the wrestle with lots of smiles and laughs between the two.  Trac really does keep things fun and involves everyone.  Trac provided the highlight for me in one passage where he was surrounded by a pack of players and dodged and weaved his way out of the pack.  The other highlight was Brown who really did well today.  Marked well and kicked very well which stood out on a day where skills were down and mistakes were made.  I suppose it was their first hitout in a month or so but I'm expecting better later.

Pickett did some really nice things, not so much spectacular but just really neat skills and Jackson continues to impress with his ability to be in general play once his ruck work is done.  Harmes, Oliver and Viney were all busy and Melk and Fritter did well up forward.

I left at about 11.45 when things looked like they were closing down and the smoke was getting pretty bad.  It was a pretty solid session with another to come on Wednesday.

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,782]

9 minutes ago, Baghdad Bob said:

I got caught in traffic on the way to the ground and thought I'd miss a bit but as It's Time has said it was a later than normal start at around 9.30.

As usual over to the rehab group and a quick check as to who isn't there.  Jones, Tomlinson, Baker and Spargo the four in rehab with Jones, Tomlinson and Spargo looking to be more advanced.  Jones hasn't changed his training for about 4 or 5 sessions now and watching him it's impossible to tell what's wrong.  Tomlinson was running very strongly as was Spargo so I'm surprised to hear Spargo is 3 to 4 away but that could be to do with agility on his ankle.  There were many runs around the outer side of the ground by these three and they went for a good 2 hours before heading in.  During that time they did a fair bit of kicking and a small bit of  (sort of) circle work without any signs of a problem.

Baker is a little behind by the look of things but seemed relaxed and raring to go.  About half way through the session Bennell turned up and did his warm ups and then some runs around the outer side of the ground.  No sign of any discomfort but he's only going at half pace.  Again nothing much has changed and it looks like they are playing the long game with him.  Once he had finished his running program he started some casual goal kicking practice.  Around the corner, tight ankle, snaps, set shots you name it he did it and while I was watching he missed two out of about 20.  Unbelievable.

The no shows were Hannan, KK, Neita, AVB, May and Smith.  Of that lot AVB is a usual "misser" of training and we know about the issues of the others bar May.  Missing Hannan was disappointing but it could just be management.  Wednesday will tell.

It's Time has done a great job describing training.  There was stoppage work, forward entry work built around match sims as well as specialist crumbing work, high marking practice, handball drills and some gut running.  I liked it in one match sim where Trac decided to tackle Jackson and while on the ground pushed his head into the ground and then wouldn't let him get up. But Jackson got the better of him and had Trac on the ground at the end of the wrestle with lots of smiles and laughs between the two.  Trac really does keep things fun and involves everyone.  Trac provided the highlight for me in one passage where he was surrounded by a pack of players and dodged and weaved his way out of the pack.  The other highlight was Brown who really did well today.  Marked well and kicked very well which stood out on a day where skills were down and mistakes were made.  I suppose it was their first hitout in a month or so but I'm expecting better later.

Pickett did some really nice things, not so much spectacular but just really neat skills and Jackson continues to impress with his ability to be in general play once his ruck work is done.  Harmes, Oliver and Viney were all busy and Melk and Fritter did well up forward.

I left at about 11.45 when things looked like they were closing down and the smoke was getting pretty bad.  It was a pretty solid session with another to come on Wednesday.

I wonder what impact, if any, the smoke has had on the training program? Has the club modified the program? Are players who might be more susceptible to asthma given lighter loads, etc? As a professional organisation I would expect the club to have consulted with its medical team on how to handle these conditions. 

[Vagg 2,439]

Thanks for all the reports.  Much appreciated!  Just wondering about Hunt.  Don't recall seeing too much mentioned about him.  How's he travelling, and is he training with the Forwards?  Cheers!

[Demonland 72,212]

Thanks @It's Time & @Baghdad Bob for your thorough reports. 

 May’s absence and the silence from the club worries me. 

[pewpewpew 738]

Can’t help thinking we were sold a lemon with May. 

Ability means nothing when sitting on the sidelines. 

[Dee Dee 1,108]

To all you track watchers,
Not many reports on Ed Langdon, how’s he progressing? Fitting in OK?

[binman 42,983]

3 minutes ago, Demonland said:

 

 May’s absence and the silence from the club worries me. 

But probably doesn't surprise you.(the silence that is).  Certainly doesn't surprise me.

[Its Time for Another 4,221]

38 minutes ago, Vagg said:

Thanks for all the reports.  Much appreciated!  Just wondering about Hunt.  Don't recall seeing too much mentioned about him.  How's he travelling, and is he training with the Forwards?  Cheers!

From what I saw he was doing more of the delivery to targets i50. He looks to be focusing a lot more on picking targets and doing good specific passes. We tend to notice the bad ones of which there were a couple but there were a lot of very good passes from him. 

31 minutes ago, Dee Dee said:

To all you track watchers,
Not many reports on Ed Langdon, how’s he progressing? Fitting in OK?

He seems to be fitting in well. He's got good speed and did some really good passes that I saw. Didn't see any obvious bad kicking that he has a reputation for. 

[Vagg 2,439]

12 minutes ago, It's Time said:

From what I saw he was doing more of the delivery to targets i50. He looks to be focusing a lot more on picking targets and doing good specific passes. We tend to notice the bad ones of which there were a couple but there were a lot of very good passes from him. 

Thanks, IT.  So, do you think he's acting more as a HFF?  Or, possibly even Wing?

[Its Time for Another 4,221]

I just read through some of my posts to respond and saw all the typos I couldn't see on my phone. For some reason the Edit option isn't available on most of them. Sorry about that. 

I had a great chat to Nev after training. It's amazing to think of how he and quite a few of the indigenous players are when they first come to the Club or into the AFL system and what a ripping self confident man he has become. Very friendly. He actually came up to me. 

I asked him if there was much of a change under the new regime. He said the main thing now is that they are on to full match sim and game plan work way earlier than he has experienced before. Said probably because so many have come back after the break in such good shape and there are so many of them fit. 

I asked him if there was more emphasis on working on i50's. He shrugged his shoulders and said having all the targets down there like Weid and T Mac meant there were targets to kick to this year compared to in the past. 

I asked about his nephew. He said he's settling in well. 

We exchanged old ankle injury stories. I didn't realise his was so bad in 2012. I never really recovered from mine done playing footy. He has no problem with his. Said he was surrounded with great medicos physios etc. 

 

[Its Time for Another 4,221]

2 minutes ago, Vagg said:

Thanks, IT.  So, do you think he's acting more as a HFF?  Or, possibly even Wing?

That's what he was doing when I saw him. I couldn't tell you in those sims which of those or whether it was both. I didn't see him deep forward. But O Mac was playing deep forward in some of the drills. But then again so did Lever a few times. But this was also in drills where some players were doing leads as decoys. 

[Slartibartfast 17,296]

Hunt:  He's run two very good time trials and hasn't missed a session that I've seen.  His ball handling is clean and he's also competing and taking some good high marks.  He also appears to be training with the mids.  He is a lot taller than you think and has developed into a fairly solid unit.  His speed still impresses and he's capable of some good long kicking but he hasn't eliminated the kick he appears to miss of his instep that swings left.  He'd be a real bonus if he could find his 2017 form and it's not out of the question.  His hair is also quite long!

 

Langdon:  He is just doing what Langdon does.  He's a terrier around the packs, he's clean with the ball and his first few steps are very quick which enables him to find space.  He's also very good at finding space in match sims on the wing and being used.  Hasn't missed a session and his last time trial seemed a significant improvement on his first.  I think he's going to be fantastic for us and will provide something we just haven't had in the past.

[JakovichScissorKick 771]

55 minutes ago, pewpewpew said:

Can’t help thinking we were sold a lemon with May. 

Ability means nothing when sitting on the sidelines. 

 

We gave pick 6 for him, should never have happened.     He  was worth around pick 20 at most.

[Its Time for Another 4,221]

1 hour ago, Baghdad Bob said:

I got caught in traffic on the way to the ground and thought I'd miss a bit but as It's Time has said it was a later than normal start at around 9.30.

As usual over to the rehab group and a quick check as to who isn't there.  Jones, Tomlinson, Baker and Spargo the four in rehab with Jones, Tomlinson and Spargo looking to be more advanced.  Jones hasn't changed his training for about 4 or 5 sessions now and watching him it's impossible to tell what's wrong.  Tomlinson was running very strongly as was Spargo so I'm surprised to hear Spargo is 3 to 4 away but that could be to do with agility on his ankle.  There were many runs around the outer side of the ground by these three and they went for a good 2 hours before heading in.  During that time they did a fair bit of kicking and a small bit of  (sort of) circle work without any signs of a problem.

Baker is a little behind by the look of things but seemed relaxed and raring to go.  About half way through the session Bennell turned up and did his warm ups and then some runs around the outer side of the ground.  No sign of any discomfort but he's only going at half pace.  Again nothing much has changed and it looks like they are playing the long game with him.  Once he had finished his running program he started some casual goal kicking practice.  Around the corner, tight ankle, snaps, set shots you name it he did it and while I was watching he missed two out of about 20.  Unbelievable.

The no shows were Hannan, KK, Neita, AVB, May and Smith.  Of that lot AVB is a usual "misser" of training and we know about the issues of the others bar May.  Missing Hannan was disappointing but it could just be management.  Wednesday will tell.

It's Time has done a great job describing training.  There was stoppage work, forward entry work built around match sims as well as specialist crumbing work, high marking practice, handball drills and some gut running.  I liked it in one match sim where Trac decided to tackle Jackson and while on the ground pushed his head into the ground and then wouldn't let him get up. But Jackson got the better of him and had Trac on the ground at the end of the wrestle with lots of smiles and laughs between the two.  Trac really does keep things fun and involves everyone.  Trac provided the highlight for me in one passage where he was surrounded by a pack of players and dodged and weaved his way out of the pack.  The other highlight was Brown who really did well today.  Marked well and kicked very well which stood out on a day where skills were down and mistakes were made.  I suppose it was their first hitout in a month or so but I'm expecting better later.

Pickett did some really nice things, not so much spectacular but just really neat skills and Jackson continues to impress with his ability to be in general play once his ruck work is done.  Harmes, Oliver and Viney were all busy and Melk and Fritter did well up forward.

I left at about 11.45 when things looked like they were closing down and the smoke was getting pretty bad.  It was a pretty solid session with another to come on Wednesday.

Always appreciate the detail you provide in your reports BB. It's not till you attend a session that you realise it isn't straight forward to observe as much as you do. 

I must admit a rye smile coming down from Sydney when you mentioned smoke. Crocodile Dundee comes to mind. Smoke. You call this smoke. I'll show you smoke. I was sitting there breathing in the clean air. Don't know what you're talking about. 

I must say Trac looks super cut. He could be anything. He's such a special package. Hope this is his break out year into deGoey territory. He's capable of it. 

[Slartibartfast 17,296]

1 minute ago, It's Time said:

Always appreciate the detail you provide in your reports BB. It's not till you attend a session that you realise it isn't straight forward to observe as much as you do. 

I must admit a rye smile coming down from Sydney when you mentioned smoke. Crocodile Dundee comes to mind. Smoke. You call this smoke. I'll show you smoke. I was sitting there breathing in the clean air. Don't know what you're talking about. 

I must say Trac looks super cut. He could be anything. He's such a special package. Hope this is his break out year into deGoey territory. He's capable of it. 

Yes IT, when I wrote about smoke I thought of those throughout the country who would love such clean air.  Perhaps a little insensitive.  If so, my apologies.

[Damo 3,356]

6 minutes ago, JakovichScissorKick said:

 

We gave pick 6 for him, should never have happened.     He  was worth around pick 20 at most.

I reckon he is worth pick 6 if he can survive Pre-season and show us his best.

[old dee 23,792]

11 minutes ago, Damo said:

I reckon he is worth pick 6 if he can survive Pre-season and show us his best.

Needs a big 2020 Damo because his first year was crap!

[Deespicable 2,726]

Had a couple of shopping errands on way home, but saw most of session. Will try and not repeat what has been covered.

Highlight: Trac. Drifted forward during match sim. Lever fell and he was forced into a Tim Watson style jump over the top of him and then turned and snagged one truly. He also had a dust-up with Action Jackson. Jacko snared him in a nice tackle and Trac gave him a bit of razz back and Trac was constantly cheeky with jibes throughout most drills. he's ready to play midfield, hence why Harmes is training off half-back and looking exceptionally good in the role of a right-side clearer.

For the fans: Satay reckons he'll play all year in the VFL and if it came to touches at training then the stats men would say no way to Kozzie. But watch him closely. He's electric. He's the same mould as Cyril, built strongly through the hips and as a result, even though he's tiny height wise, he can hold his own. He'll play at some stage - maybe even Rd 1 if he does well in our two praccy games. And by well, that means five touches! He ain't an accumulator, he's a matchwinner! 

For the haters: I've said previously that ANB has been in our top two trainers previously and is a monte to play Rd 1, but (queue disbelievers and nasty trolls), Oscar may be playing himself into a spot in Rd 1. With Smith and May not there again, Oscar has had to step up and he's done a couple of things that I doubted he could rin the past two sessions - spoilt cleanly and outmuscled his opponent and I'm told he was pretty handy in the time trials as well - although 3km is way different running to the legspeed that he lacks. The only player who clearly had the wood over him at training today was his big brother Tom who tossed him aside like a ragdoll a couple of times. It's for that reason that I am still very wary to say that Oscar can hold his own on bigs and I'd be having Petty train with the backs every now and then just for security. But Oscar's disposal skills means when there's system down back, he is an asset.

Lowlight: Obviously May hurt himself on Friday in the time trial, but Joel Smith's absence again is more of a worry. Praying he is just flu stricken and not more OP. VDB was missing today (one session doesn't make a summer) while Hannan continues to be an absentee. I did see him rehab train late December, but he never looked comfortable - knee issues are plaguing him.

Rehab club: I reckon you'll find Jones (hammy), Tomlinson (calf) and Spargo (foot) back in the main gp in the next week. Baker is still a couple of weeks away at least, while Harley got a huge cheer from a few of the guys for just doing a few run-throughs. I reckon he did about 20 of them and had no obvious discomfort so maybe, just maybe.    

Five debutants this season (and in debut Rd order):

Pickett Rd 1: as stated above, I'm in the lovers club already. He may only get five touches in Perth, but at least three will create goals. He'll be in and out all season as he learns to cope with AFL intensity.

Jackson Rd 2: I reckon they'll take him as emergency to Perth and then play him the next week at our first home game of season v GWS. He's more mobile than Weed, Tomlinson (based on last year) and even Petty. Whacko Jacko looked great as a forward today and brought down Trac with his second effort. Trac took his headband off him in return and it did seem most of the boys liked getting into him, but he has that Jesse type arrogance about him (must be a Perth thing). Once in, may play whole season if he remains uninjured.

Toby Bedford Rd 4: He hurt his ankle today, but he's been lively all pre-season. He's not as explosive as Kossy but he now gets his role. When he was playing match sim today, it was a bold new order with Kossy, Bradtke and Bedford making Jetta and Wags work overtime. I reckon he'll be switched in and out of the side with Pickett much of the year.

JJ Rd 6or7: I suspect the week after we play Richmond there'll be a push to bring this guy in to our midfield and based on today, he'll play before Sparrow gets a game this year. During match sim drill it was evident just how quick Jimmy's hands are and how accurate. One came just after Sparrow had butchered a release handball and as a result the comparison was stark. Yes JJ needs to keep working on his speed, but he'll be the prime mover in the VFL this year and at some stage will get the call-up. 

Trent Rivers Rd 6 or 7: This guy may surprise everyone and be our best pick of this year's draft. He's quick, can leap and is a nice kick. He was mega impressive in the tackling drill today - kept breaking free. My only worry is that he still looks like a little kid and I hope they don't rush him in too early. But having said that, if Joel Smith is out for long, then Rivers and his pace may be summoned earlier than even I think.

Obviously Langdon will be playing Rd 1 - he has just fitted in seamlessly (an everyready engine). Tomlinson may be playing Rd 1 as well, but too early to make a call on that. Brown is a chance as well as he keeps presenting, but he has stamina, not speed like Whacko.

Finally, there's lot of players whom I generally don't mention because we all know they are quality but you couldn't help but notice the work of Gawny today. The big fella made the midfield/ruck drills an issue because he was just so good at tapping to his teammate that it rendered the contest ineffective because there was no way anyone could stop his team.