?️ DEESPENCER'S TRAINING REPORT 01 (Rehab) | DEESPENCER'S TRAINING REPORT 02 (Forwards Drill) | DEESPENCER'S TRAINING REPORT 03 (Handball Mini Game) | DEESPENCER'S TRAINING REPORT 04 (Match SIM)

?️ GEORGE'S TRAINING REPORT

?️ WAYNEWUSSELL'S TRAINING REPORT

?️ BAGHDAD BOB'S TRAINING REPORT

? HARDTACK'S PHOTOS

I’ll link any training reports to the top of this post for ease of reference when they come in. 

AFL training sessions

Date: Wednesday 22 January
Start time: 9.45am
Location: Gosch's Paddock

As the pre season continues we are still not seeing much of Kade Kolodjashnij and with every passing week, the doubt about his future must grow.

Does anyone know what stage he’s at?

Melksham was a noted absentee from training on Monday. It will be interesting to see if he trains today.

We sorely missed his forward entries for most of last year so his importance to the team cannot be underestimated. 

On KK, a few years ago Heritier Lumumba retired after the drafts due to injury and he couldn't be replaced. 

Does anyone know if the rules have changed since then to allow players to be replaced on lists in the March special draft if a player is a long term injury?

  On 21/01/2020 at 23:05, Whispering_Jack said:

On KK, a few years ago Heritier Lumumba retired after the drafts due to injury and he couldn't be replaced. 

Does anyone know if the rules have changed since then to allow players to be replaced on lists in the March special draft if a player is a long term injury?

Yes, inactive list players can be replaced in the preseason supplemental period. Or in the midseason draft.

Melksham boxing

May jogging 

Bennell kick to kick 

Spargo, Oscar, Baker, Tomlinson rehab. Petty and Smith were with the rehab guys but have gone back to the main stuff. Nathan Jones back in with the forwards 

Forwards doing a drill that works the ball to the wing then in board 45 then a handball to a runner who hits a leading target. Simple stuff that really should be flawless even in the blustery conditions but I’m impressed by Weid, Nibbler, Hunt and Kossie being very sharp. Jones is still a cut above most as well 

Blustering conditions and fatigue playing havoc with the keepings off handball mini games. One group trying to work the ball around the backline. The other half going wing to wing. Harmes, Langdon, Petracca excellent with work rate. But not many excelling with skills.

Not sure there’s a player on the list who can tackle Kossie when he’s shake and baking. Maybe Nev. Or Vanders - who I hope is having his usual Wednesday off. 

  On 21/01/2020 at 23:10, DeeSpencer said:

Melksham boxing

May jogging 

Bennell kick to kick 

Spargo, Oscar, Baker, Tomlinson rehab. Petty and Smith were with the rehab guys but have gone back to the main stuff. Nathan Jones back in with the forwards 

I wonder what's wrong with Melksham? 

Tomlinson seems to be spending a lot of time in rehab. 

Match sim. Blues v Greens with 2 players in pink bibs going both ways (Sparrow and Hunt). Seems roughly probables v possibles

Lever, Jetta, Harmes, Salem, Hore

Gawn, Oliver, Viney, Langdon, Petracca, Gus

T Mc, Weid, Fritsch, Jackson, Kossie 

Harmes from half back hits Viney in the corridor who snaps on his right to keep it moving to Petracca. Trac darts it up the corridor to Pickett who dishes off to Jackson running inside 50 for the open goal. 

First bit of this was messy but the blues are finding their rhythm. R

  On 22/01/2020 at 00:17, DeeSpencer said:

Match sim. Blues v Greens with 2 players in pink bibs going both ways (Sparrow and Hunt). Seems roughly probables v possibles

Lever, Jetta, Harmes, Salem, Hore

Gawn, Oliver, Viney, Langdon, Petracca, Gus

T Mc, Weid, Fritsch, Jackson, Kossie 

Harmes from half back hits Viney in the corridor who snaps on his right to keep it moving to Petracca. Trac darts it up the corridor to Pickett who dishes off to Jackson running inside 50 for the open goal. 

First bit of this was messy but the blues are finding their rhythm. R

Most exciting part about this was reading Viney was kicking on his right!

(Great reporting, by the way)

  On 22/01/2020 at 00:06, Demonland said:

I wonder what's wrong with Melksham? 

Tomlinson seems to be spending a lot of time in rehab. 

 

I saw Tomlinson walking up and down Portsea back beach in early Jan with I assume his partner. He was in bright pink shorts too. Was hard to miss. Looked in a fair bit of discomfort so would assume still a bit away. Big boy though, ripping shape!

Thanks for the reports @DeeSpencer

Baghdad Bob may report soon, but the internet was down at his home base...and photos to follow from Hardtack and son...

In rehab: Tomlinson, Baker, Spargo, May, Oscar with Smith and Petty joining them when the contact stuff in the main group began.

No sign of KK, Hannan, VDB, Neitzke, and Chandler.

Melksham came out and was doing only kick to kick for a short while, but only on his left, then worked with the physio for an extended period....abdominal? back?  impossible to say.

May was only walking post surgery, but should be back with the main group and running, very shortly.

Bennell had a couple of light runs and was kicking both feet without ever missing, either at goal or to another player in the rehab group.

So I counted 32 in full training, but given the ease of movement from Tomlinson, Spargo and Baker in their exercises, they should be back in the very near future.  Oscar and Smith and Petty looked to be only a minor step away from the main group today, and joined in the final bit of match simulation with the main group. 

I'll leave it to others to report on the goings on, but really this was similar to other Wednesdays, with plenty of practice of ball movement and positioning, with lots of "keepings off" in various forms.  Not much match type stuff. 

over to the others......

I got there at 9:30 and left at 11:10. Didn't see KK, VDB, Chandler, Hannon, & Neita.  I spent the first 40 minutes close to the rehab group, Bennell, May, Tomlinson, Baker, Smith, Petty, Spargo, Melksham, OMac. Bennell started quietly, but built up to 35/40 metre kicks off both feet, occasional runs, and several handball receives. He was out there for most of the time I was there. I think he will play before June. May ran a lot, but seems a few weeks from ramping it up. Tomlinson was working hard and can only be days away from joining main group. By the way, Tomlinson is big... bigger than May when side by side. Oscar did a big bunch of 150 runs and doesn't seem to have anything much wrong with him. Petty and Smith close to full training. Spargo also not far away. Melksham just did a long, strenuous boxing session.

Observations of the main group... Langdon is an asset, very fit, running both ways & elusive. Pickett and Bedford very impressive. Picket's step is a thing of beauty. I expect both to play in early rounds. Jackson has all round ability! His kicking style is a little awkward but seems effective. I have him at least on a par with Weideman at this stage, as is Brown. The regulars are all where you would expect... Max might have even gone up a cog with his fitness.

Jones is far from a spent force. Harmes and Hibberd worked very hard throughout, with the former a little off with decision making. Viney is as fit as he has been for quite some time. Jordan is developing quite well and Rivers is a handy pick up. Fritsch continues to impress with his marking and goal sense. Jetts is back!

A couple of other observations... Sparrow worked extremely hard, chased and tackled with intent, however, I have others ahead of him at this stage. Bradke is improving but is light. Lockhard trained well, lots of dash and willing tackler.  

  On 22/01/2020 at 01:36, waynewussell said:

Jordan is developing quite well and Rivers is a handy pick up.

Is it too much to ask for these two to debut together in a winning team just so the Herald Sun can use the headline "Baptism of Fire"?

I'm pretty obsolete this training session really as the other reports probably let you know the main issues.

Smith and Petty were in and out of training but did the match sims so there's nothing much to see here.  Brayshaw did the match sims but stood out some of the handball and running drills and I'd imagine they are just managing his work load.  Tomlinson, Spargo and Baker continue with their rehab and look as good as fit to me and at one stage were doing some of the keepings off drills the main group do from time to time.  Bennell is just quietly going about his business, he seems very popular amongst the group and it's hard to see him not being picked up at this stage. 

In the match sims Tommy Mac seems "back".  His ball handling was excellent, he was selling candy when in general play and he looked confident and involved.  Viney is also very impressive.  I think we've forgotten how good he can be and he's having his best PS in years having hardly missed a session I've been to.  He's in everything, his kicking seems to have more penetration and he's very clean with the ball.  Oliver also is doing very well but we've come to expect that and Harmes continues his very impressive PS.

Without wanting to go on about it too much I was again impressed with Jackson.  He just seems to be able to get involved which is not something first year players find easy.  His kicking is fine and he was surer with the ball today taking some good grabs.  Kossie is also getting involved but the standout improver for mine (coming off a very low base) is Bedford.  I doubted he's make it after his first year but he's really starting to look a chance now.  He's got lots of good attributes other than finding the ball but he did that today.

Gus got an awful knock where you don't want one today and I thought that might be it for him but after about a 10 minute rest he was back out there. He'll be a sore boy tonight if my experience is anything to go by!

Overall, like DS, I thought the skills were really good today in difficult conditions.  The ball handling was sharper and the kicking much improved from last week.  It was a good session.

  On 22/01/2020 at 00:00, DeeSpencer said:

Blustering conditions and fatigue playing havoc with the keepings off handball mini games. One group trying to work the ball around the backline. The other half going wing to wing. Harmes, Langdon, Petracca excellent with work rate. But not many excelling with skills.

Not sure there’s a player on the list who can tackle Kossie when he’s shake and baking. Maybe Nev. Or Vanders - who I hope is having his usual Wednesday off. 

Sorry but you will have to go to the re-education camps if you repeat anything that DerWayne says

  On 22/01/2020 at 00:06, Demonland said:

I wonder what's wrong with Melksham? 

Tomlinson seems to be spending a lot of time in rehab. 

He started with a minor calf as I understand it. Given how these injuries have a history of hanging around I am hoping they are being ultra cautious with him

  On 22/01/2020 at 02:01, Baghdad Bob said:

I'm pretty obsolete this training session really as the other reports probably let you know the main issues.

Kossie is also getting involved but the standout improver for mine (coming off a very low base) is Bedford.  I doubted he's make it after his first year but he's really starting to look a chance now.  He's got lots of good attributes other than finding the ball but he did that today.

 

Didn't he finish 2nd in the Time trial?

I hope he ends up as a small defensive fwd but he could also ultimately take over from Nev.....

Expect Jonesy to be ripping for round 1. Bloody legend. 

I have watched a bit of Bedford, at training i think he is more like Daniel Rioli type, rather than a Eddie Betts  if that comparison makes sense? , moves well and i dont think would be anchored to the FP, if he plays he may be up the ground a bit i reckon. 

Anyway he is really coming on and from other reports i think he is the bolter of the pre season so far.

Is there any possibility whatsoever that club can give us an update on KK? I understand that unfortunately it's pretty much a lost cause but reports on Smith and May recently were prompt and detailed. I think it has nearly been 6 weeks since he's been on the track. Would be good to know.

  On 22/01/2020 at 02:01, Baghdad Bob said:

I'm pretty obsolete this training session really as the other reports probably let you know the main issues.

Smith and Petty were in and out of training but did the match sims so there's nothing much to see here.  Brayshaw did the match sims but stood out some of the handball and running drills and I'd imagine they are just managing his work load.  Tomlinson, Spargo and Baker continue with their rehab and look as good as fit to me and at one stage were doing some of the keepings off drills the main group do from time to time.  Bennell is just quietly going about his business, he seems very popular amongst the group and it's hard to see him not being picked up at this stage. 

In the match sims Tommy Mac seems "back".  His ball handling was excellent, he was selling candy when in general play and he looked confident and involved.  Viney is also very impressive.  I think we've forgotten how good he can be and he's having his best PS in years having hardly missed a session I've been to.  He's in everything, his kicking seems to have more penetration and he's very clean with the ball.  Oliver also is doing very well but we've come to expect that and Harmes continues his very impressive PS.

Without wanting to go on about it too much I was again impressed with Jackson.  He just seems to be able to get involved which is not something first year players find easy.  His kicking is fine and he was surer with the ball today taking some good grabs.  Kossie is also getting involved but the standout improver for mine (coming off a very low base) is Bedford.  I doubted he's make it after his first year but he's really starting to look a chance now.  He's got lots of good attributes other than finding the ball but he did that today.

Gus got an awful knock where you don't want one today and I thought that might be it for him but after about a 10 minute rest he was back out there. He'll be a sore boy tonight if my experience is anything to go by!

Overall, like DS, I thought the skills were really good today in difficult conditions.  The ball handling was sharper and the kicking much improved from last week.  It was a good session.

Was Gus working on his ball handling in preparation for tonight?

  On 22/01/2020 at 02:07, jnrmac said:

Didn't he finish 2nd in the Time trial?

I hope he ends up as a small defensive fwd but he could also ultimately take over from Nev.....

I can't see that in any scenario.