?️ BAGHDAD BOB'S TRAINING REPORT

? SIX6SIX’S PHOTOS

AFL training sessions

Date: Monday 20 January
Start time: 9.45am
Location: Gosch's Paddock

Air’s clean - go for it!!!

I’m at training today. I put myself right on top of the rehab group and heard Harley Bennell tell one of the fitness staff he had a tight spot in his calf. HB said he had felt it before on previous occasions. He got a rub on it, and is no longer training. The fitness guy asked him how he was feeling. “Pretty flat”, was the reply. 
Let’s hope it’s just awareness.

3 minutes ago, Tough Kent said:

I’m at training today. I put myself right on top of the rehab group and heard Harley Bennell tell one of the fitness staff he had a tight spot in his calf. HB said he had felt it before on previous occasions. He got a rub on it, and is no longer training. The fitness guy asked him how he was feeling. “Pretty flat”, was the reply. 
Let’s hope it’s just awareness.

That's very disappointing for all concerned if he's done his calf again.

It's obviously way too much to expect the MFC to be involved in a fairy tale comeback story.

Terrible news! Must’ve happened just after Pav posted the following 

 

 

Edited January 20, 20205 yr by dr.dee

41 minutes ago, Tough Kent said:

I’m at training today. I put myself right on top of the rehab group and heard Harley Bennell tell one of the fitness staff he had a tight spot in his calf. HB said he had felt it before on previous occasions. He got a rub on it, and is no longer training. The fitness guy asked him how he was feeling. “Pretty flat”, was the reply. 
Let’s hope it’s just awareness.

As he was arriving and heading around to rehab, I said hi and asked how he’s coming along... his reply was a smile and “fine”. Also saw him (from a distance, but positive it was him) doing dribble kicks for goal from the AAMI Centre pocket, later on.

He didn’t do his calf. He felt a tight spot. Not ideal, but they pulled him up before he could do any further damage. 
As suggested, he seemed in pretty good spirits when he walked a few laps with May, ball in hand.

I think it would’ve been ambitious to expect Bennell to make it through to playing without any setbacks. Let’s hope he’s up and running sooner rather than later.

12 minutes ago, Tough Kent said:

He didn’t do his calf. He felt a tight spot. Not ideal, but they pulled him up before he could do any further damage. 
As suggested, he seemed in pretty good spirits when he walked a few laps with May, ball in hand.

I think it would’ve been ambitious to expect Bennell to make it through to playing without any setbacks. Let’s hope he’s up and running sooner rather than later.

Agree, you have surgery on a muscle bit of scare tissue and it is just waking everything up.  He will have tight calves and need to manage them.  He is the cream on a pretty good trade and draft period, no essential but a big bonus if he does get through 

If Bennell is playing a game for Casey by June he will have done very well indeed. Chronic calf issues and virtually no footy in 4 years. 

don't expect much from Bennell this year, hopefully he can get his body right and prove he can play a few games in a row

Good to see AVB in the thick of it and looking fit, also Joel Smith looking good early with the main group drills then was sent to the rehab group to do sprints when the match sims started. Joel looks super fit to me. One guy who caught my eye was Tom Sparrow he looks like a footballer now, Built up his body, is moving beautifully and has clean hands, disposal needs some work of course. He played a few games last year but then got injured. Any thoughts from others where he might fit in? 

4 minutes ago, Earl Hood said:

One guy who caught my eye was Tom Sparrow he looks like a footballer now, Built up his body, is moving beautifully and has clean hands, disposal needs some work of course. He played a few games last year but then got injured. Any thoughts from others where he might fit in? 

As we’re well stocked for inside midfielders, I’m  hoping they develop him or Lockhart as a small defender to replace Jetta. Jetta and Hibberd look to be right near the end, so we need to groom more smaller defenders to replace them. Plenty of tall defender depth, but not so much on the small side.

If Bennell has any setbacks even minor I simply cannot see him getting a contract with the Demons. We have enough injury prone players who cannot get onto the park as it is. 

20 minutes ago, Earl Hood said:

Good to see AVB in the thick of it and looking fit, also Joel Smith looking good early with the main group drills then was sent to the rehab group to do sprints when the match sims started. Joel looks super fit to me. One guy who caught my eye was Tom Sparrow he looks like a footballer now, Built up his body, is moving beautifully and has clean hands, disposal needs some work of course. He played a few games last year but then got injured. Any thoughts from others where he might fit in? 

 

13 minutes ago, Lord Travis said:

As we’re well stocked for inside midfielders, I’m  hoping they develop him or Lockhart as a small defender to replace Jetta. Jetta and Hibberd look to be right near the end, so we need to groom more smaller defenders to replace them. Plenty of tall defender depth, but not so much on the small side.

I'm a fan of Sparrow. My opinion is that he will grow into a burst half forward role, a little like Kent used to play for us, and eventually down the track may play some inside mid also (fair way down the track that is).

Once he gets his tank up to be able to do it through a whole game we'll start to see the burst he can put on which is a real asset combined with his aggression.

Sparrow reminds me of a young Harmes. Physically capable and willing at the content. Skills and decision making need work.

Id like to see him get 25+ a week at Casey for a stretch just so it’s 25 times he has to use the ball and improve. 

If he does play in the short term I’d like to see him used like Harmes has been as a tagger. Could end up half forward or half back due to his good aerial game but he’s going to need to improve his ball use for that to happen. 

With umbrella in hand I went to training, getting there early in the expectation that we'd start a little earlier to avoid the weather.  We didn't.  Only Saty beat me and we chatted until, as usual, Vanders arrived first and did some stretches before the rest wondered accross from AAMI.

Spargo, Baker, Tomlinson and Petty headed to rehab and as we countered down the rest the other absentees were OMac, KK, Hannan, Neita, May and Melksham.

Smith was with the main group initially which I thought was odd given he's missed a bit but as it turned out he was over to rehab after some initial drills where he did some running before heading off half way through the session.  Joney was out of rehab and in the main group for all but the match sims and Tomlinson looked like he just wanted to get out there.

In rehab they all look to be doing the same sort of exercises/running except Petty was not doing the intense agility work of the others.  They are clearly managing something and I suspect it's a groin issue of some sort.  Oscar Baker was doing more intense running this week and really looking at Spargo and Tomlinson you'd wonder why they are not in full training.

After a while Bennell strolled past and did his normal routine which doesn't appear to have changed in a month or so that I've seen so nothing much to report there.  May appeared and did mainly walks around the boundary with a light bandage behind his knee where the cyst was obviously removed.  I had a brief chat to him and he said he was fine and running a bit ahead of schedule. He is a really approachable and nice guy.

There were a series of different drills for the different groups with a lot of focus on delivery of the ball inside 50.  The drills are organised very well and it's all very efficient.  The players were on the track for a good 2 hours today and there is no rest or down time.  Different players obviously know exactly what drills they'll be involved in and it's all seemless.

The match sims started with the usual suspects doing well.  At one stage Weid ran back with the flight of the ball and missed a mark he should have taken.  But 30 seconds later he took a great contested grab and from then on didn't miss a beat.  Sparrow was busy and just looks like a footballer with a great build and Harmes again had leather poisoning.  Vanders tackling was a highlight in the sims and the drills, he's quick over the first 5 metres and catches many unaware.  Jones, Brayshaw and the first year players sat out the match sim.

After that there were a few ball movement drills where Rivers was impressive, Kossies delivery to leading forwards was a highlight and Vanders was in everything. 

And to finish;  Dunkley and Jordon were with the mids, Hunt, Bedford were with the forwards and Harmes continues to train with the backs.  Bradke was also with the forwards and not the rucks and Jackson was with the rucks.  If anyone still has concerns with Jackson's kicking - don't.  He can kick both left and right foot and is capable.  His closing speed continues to impress but he is a bit unsure with his ball handling at times but that will come.

Any questions, let me know.

44 minutes ago, Earl Hood said:

Good to see AVB in the thick of it and looking fit, also Joel Smith looking good early with the main group drills then was sent to the rehab group to do sprints when the match sims started. Joel looks super fit to me. One guy who caught my eye was Tom Sparrow he looks like a footballer now, Built up his body, is moving beautifully and has clean hands, disposal needs some work of course. He played a few games last year but then got injured. Any thoughts from others where he might fit in? 

With Harmes playing a more half back role I'd say Sparrow might get some time in the midfield maybe rotating with Petracca from half fwd. He might also get a bit of a run with role at times to teach him the ropes.

36 minutes ago, Baghdad Bob said:

The match sims started with the usual suspects doing well.  At one stage Weid ran back with the flight of the ball and missed a mark he should have taken.  But 30 seconds later he took a great contested grab and from then on didn't miss a beat.  Sparrow was busy and just looks like a footballer with a great build and Harmes again had leather poisoning.  Vanders tackling was a highlight in the sims and the drills, he's quick over the first 5 metres and catches many unaware.  Jones, Brayshaw and the first year players sat out the match sim.

After that there were a few ball movement drills where Rivers was impressive, Kossies delivery to leading forwards was a highlight and Vanders was in everything. 

From your comments it appears the Weid is doing well. Correct?

35 minutes ago, Lefty said:

If Bennell has any setbacks even minor I simply cannot see him getting a contract with the Demons. We have enough injury prone players who cannot get onto the park as it is. 

We have an open list spot that we may as well fill. Unless it is a serious set back or is looking unlikely to respond favorably to training, I suspect he'll get a 1 year contract so we can see him through the full rehab.

We don't expect him to play until half way through the year, so why would we pull the pin in Feb after a minor set back or simply soreness?

I'm really hoping the drafting of Jackson has made Weid really hungry to cement his spot in the side. I think only 2 maybe 3 of T Mac, Weid, Petty and Jackson play in the forward line, and if he wants to be in that 2 or 3 really needs to earn it.

It might be the kick in the [censored] he needs. Having said all of that, from all reports, Jackson's speed and agility may not mean he is the typical "ground ball liability" that most talls are.

anywhere I can see photos?

Anyone has any inside info regarding KK? Can we just assume he is done? Has not been seen in month. 

1 hour ago, old dee said:

From your comments it appears the Weid is doing well. Correct?

OD I've always been a fan because I've seen attributes.  I've also seen one fantastic game on the big stage and a few servicable games.  I also think that I can see reasons for his slow progress with injury and interupted preseasons coupled with the "big men take time".  I've also heard from those close to the club that his agression and courage is not in question and his attitude if first class.  He's training well but as I keep saying I don't really know what that means.  James Strauss and Sam Blease were great trainers and Sam won a couple of rising stars.

We'll just wait and see.  Sam's done nothing wrong at training but he hasn't done anything that would allay your fears that he's no good.

Edited January 20, 20205 yr by Baghdad Bob

5 minutes ago, Baghdad Bob said:

OD I've always been a fan because I've seen attributes.  I've also seen one fantastic game on the big stage and a few servicable games.  I also think that I can see reasons for his slow progress with injury and interupted preseasons coupled with the "big men take time".  I've also heard from those close to the club that his agression and courage is not in question and his attitude if first class.  He's training well but as I keep saying I don't really know what that means.  James Strauss and Sam Blease were great trainers and Sam won a couple of rising stars.

We'll just wait and see.  Sam's done nothing wrong at training but he hasn't done anything that would allay your fears that he's no good.

I swear this is the best summary of Weid I've read. 

Ask the evidence I've seen points to "it should click at some point", and reports from inside the club suggest attitude and application are correct. That doesn't mean he will make it, but I haven't seen anyone articulate why they think he won't make it with evidence apart from "doesn't do enough".

My fingers are firmly crossed. 

30 minutes ago, deanox said:

I swear this is the best summary of Weid I've read. 

Ask the evidence I've seen points to "it should click at some point", and reports from inside the club suggest attitude and application are correct. That doesn't mean he will make it, but I haven't seen anyone articulate why they think he won't make it with evidence apart from "doesn't do enough".

My fingers are firmly crossed. 

Past performance is the evidence.

I hope I'm wrong, but if 'Weideman' was a TV program, it would have been cancelled because of poor ratings. I accept that footballers, like TV shows, sometimes need more time to prove their worth. And like some TV shows, after poor starts they eventually fire. I hope Weideman is like one of those.

2 hours ago, Lefty said:

If Bennell has any setbacks even minor I simply cannot see him getting a contract with the Demons. We have enough injury prone players who cannot get onto the park as it is. 

The club would surely be realistic enough to know Harley would have a setback  or two along the way.