I got down to Casey today. It was good to be back watching the boys live. I waltzed into the ground and moved around at will, until Benny Gibson came over and told me I was welcome to stay, but that I had to stay in a certain part of the ground. So I stood just in front of Jeff Farmer and Matty Whelan who were on the hill chatting for hours!

Some observations:

-Brayshaw, Pickett and Lockhart made up the re-hab group. (Although vandenBerg and May spent time working away from the group with the fitness staff.) Gus did quite a bit of light running and kicking. They ran Kozzie into the ground.

-Jordan Lewis was there today. He even did the interval running with the players at the end of training.

-Choco ran a drill early where the focus was on kicking. He was very vocal and dead against players kicking around corners.

-Clayton Oliver was wearing a pink hat at training. I'm not sure why, but I overheard he was wearing it because he came first in something.

-T-Mac was a stand out for me. He marked and moved well. He seemed to be involved in everything.

-Jake Lever was by far the most vocal on the ground. He likes dropping the f-bomb, does old Jake.

-Jayden Hunt was training with the defenders. Melksham was with the mids and spent a lot of time out on the wing in match sim.

-Kobe Farmer and Deakyn Smith were training with the group. Both looked lively at times without standing out.

-A lot of the drills were focussed around ball movement, defensive structures and delivering the ball inside 50. There was a lot of stopping of the play by coaches to talk through the way players were setting up on the ground at various times.

 

I'm happy to answer any questions.

Pounced on this thread like a dog on a steak.

Didnt think i cared about training reports, but i obviously do.

Bring on the real stuff.

Thanks for the report TK

Excellent report.  Thanks TK.

Sounds like Petty and Hibberd are out of rehab so I assume they were with the main group?

6 minutes ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

Excellent report.  Thanks TK.

Sounds like Petty and Hibberd are out of rehab so I assume they were with the main group?

Thanks mate.

Petty did the whole session. Hibbo was in a tracksuit top and didn't do much at all outside of some light ball handling. James Harmes was the only player that I didn't spot today.

I appreciate the effort to get along @Tough Kent

 

I don't think T-mac is the answer for us, but applaud him for his endeavor to trim down and put his best foot forward. 

 

29 minutes ago, Tough Kent said:

I got down to Casey today. It was good to be back watching the boys live. I waltzed into the ground and moved around at will, until Benny Gibson came over and told me I was welcome to stay, but that I had to stay in a certain part of the ground. So I stood just in front of Jeff Farmer and Matty Whelan who were on the hill chatting for hours!

Some observations:

-Brayshaw, Pickett and Lockhart made up the re-hab group. (Although vandenBerg and May spent time working away from the group with the fitness staff.) Gus did quite a bit of light running and kicking. They ran Kozzie into the ground.

-Jordan Lewis was there today. He even did the interval running with the players at the end of training.

-Choco ran a drill early where the focus was on kicking. He was very vocal and dead against players kicking around corners.

-Clayton Oliver was wearing a pink hat at training. I'm not sure why, but I overheard he was wearing it because he came first in something.

-T-Mac was a stand out for me. He marked and moved well. He seemed to be involved in everything.

-Jake Lever was by far the most vocal on the ground. He likes dropping the f-bomb, does old Jake.

-Jayden Hunt was training with the defenders. Melksham was with the mids and spent a lot of time out on the wing in match sim.

-Kobe Farmer and Deakyn Smith were training with the group. Both looked lively at times without standing out.

-A lot of the drills were focussed around ball movement, defensive structures and delivering the ball inside 50. There was a lot of stopping of the play by coaches to talk through the way players were setting up on the ground at various times.

 

I'm happy to answer any questions.

Great report TK

How was BB looking and moving? Any obvious knee discomfort?

34 minutes ago, Tough Kent said:

I got down to Casey today. It was good to be back watching the boys live. I waltzed into the ground and moved around at will, until Benny Gibson came over and told me I was welcome to stay, but that I had to stay in a certain part of the ground. So I stood just in front of Jeff Farmer and Matty Whelan who were on the hill chatting for hours!

Some observations:

-Brayshaw, Pickett and Lockhart made up the re-hab group. (Although vandenBerg and May spent time working away from the group with the fitness staff.) Gus did quite a bit of light running and kicking. They ran Kozzie into the ground.

-Jordan Lewis was there today. He even did the interval running with the players at the end of training.

-Choco ran a drill early where the focus was on kicking. He was very vocal and dead against players kicking around corners.

-Clayton Oliver was wearing a pink hat at training. I'm not sure why, but I overheard he was wearing it because he came first in something.

-T-Mac was a stand out for me. He marked and moved well. He seemed to be involved in everything.

-Jake Lever was by far the most vocal on the ground. He likes dropping the f-bomb, does old Jake.

-Jayden Hunt was training with the defenders. Melksham was with the mids and spent a lot of time out on the wing in match sim.

-Kobe Farmer and Deakyn Smith were training with the group. Both looked lively at times without standing out.

-A lot of the drills were focussed around ball movement, defensive structures and delivering the ball inside 50. There was a lot of stopping of the play by coaches to talk through the way players were setting up on the ground at various times.

 

I'm happy to answer any questions.

Thanks TKent.  Between you and @Lucifer's Hero giving us training reports, I finally feel a twinge of excitement for the coming season.

Just now, Better days ahead said:

Great report TK

How was BB looking and moving? Any obvious knee discomfort?

Thanks mate.

BB seems to be moving quite well and wasn't restricted at all. I watched him closely in one on one duels and we certainly won't be relying on him to take contested marks. Maysie had his measure in the square and moved him around quite easily. Brown is very vocal on the ground and was definitely happy to have input into discussions around ball movement into the 50.

 

5 minutes ago, Tough Kent said:

Thanks mate.

BB seems to be moving quite well and wasn't restricted at all. I watched him closely in one on one duels and we certainly won't be relying on him to take contested marks. Maysie had his measure in the square and moved him around quite easily. Brown is very vocal on the ground and was definitely happy to have input into discussions around ball movement into the 50.

In fairness, May is one of the better one on one defenders getting around. 

Thanks for the great report 

44 minutes ago, Tough Kent said:

I'm happy to answer any questions.

Many thanks, TK. Anything on JJ and Aaron Nietschke, including in what group they were?

9 minutes ago, Tim said:

Many thanks, TK. Anything on JJ and Aaron Nietschke, including in what group they were?

They both trained with the mids. It was interesting watching them in the drills where they were up directly against Trac, Oliver and co. JJ in particular held his own and broke away from a couple of contested situations with the footy in hand. JJ AND Nieta did the interval running together and are very similar in size and running ability.

1 hour ago, Tough Kent said:

I got down to Casey today. It was good to be back watching the boys live. I waltzed into the ground and moved around at will, until Benny Gibson came over and told me I was welcome to stay, but that I had to stay in a certain part of the ground. So I stood just in front of Jeff Farmer and Matty Whelan who were on the hill chatting for hours!

Some observations:

-Brayshaw, Pickett and Lockhart made up the re-hab group. (Although vandenBerg and May spent time working away from the group with the fitness staff.) Gus did quite a bit of light running and kicking. They ran Kozzie into the ground.

-Jordan Lewis was there today. He even did the interval running with the players at the end of training.

-Choco ran a drill early where the focus was on kicking. He was very vocal and dead against players kicking around corners.

-Clayton Oliver was wearing a pink hat at training. I'm not sure why, but I overheard he was wearing it because he came first in something.

-T-Mac was a stand out for me. He marked and moved well. He seemed to be involved in everything.

-Jake Lever was by far the most vocal on the ground. He likes dropping the f-bomb, does old Jake.

-Jayden Hunt was training with the defenders. Melksham was with the mids and spent a lot of time out on the wing in match sim.

-Kobe Farmer and Deakyn Smith were training with the group. Both looked lively at times without standing out.

-A lot of the drills were focussed around ball movement, defensive structures and delivering the ball inside 50. There was a lot of stopping of the play by coaches to talk through the way players were setting up on the ground at various times.

 

I'm happy to answer any questions.

How’s May looking? Does he look to have kept up his fitness? 

Just now, Demons11 said:

How’s May looking? Does he look to have kept up his fitness? 

He looks fantastic. Lean, engaged and he mopped up everything. I'm not sure why he was taken from the main group to work with one of the fitness staff, but he did a heap more running and work whilst there so he is definitely fit.

 

6 minutes ago, Tough Kent said:

He looks fantastic. Lean, engaged and he mopped up everything. I'm not sure why he was taken from the main group to work with one of the fitness staff, but he did a heap more running and work whilst there so he is definitely fit.

Thanks mate. 
Great report!!! 

Great report Kenty.  Many thanks for your efforts. Anything to suggest whether Fraser Rodman will live up to the recent Demonland hype?

Just now, Deeoldfart said:

Great report Kenty.  Many thanks for your efforts. Anything to suggest whether Fraser Rodman will live up to the recent Demonland hype?

Thanks mate.

Rosman trained with the mids and was used as a wingman. He covers the ground very well and I couldn't believe how he was passing some accomplished runners in the interval stuff.

He got his hands on the footy a bit during match sim and definitely didn't panic. His ball drop is unique, but he was certainly trying to spot up targets in wet and greasy conditions. They work with this kid and I think he will become a player.

I arrived down at Casey (God's Country) around 9.15am and stayed until 11.30am. 

The players began with forward 50 entries, they were about 60 out and delivering it to leads near the goal square and forward pocket focusing on low bullet entries and then switched play to kicking out of forward line. Chocco was leading these drills and lead most of the drills all morning for the main group. 

Rehab we had Hibberd, Pickett, Brayshaw and Lockhart. Hibberd did the least of the group so he seems a fair way off, whatever his injury may be. Vanders and May joined the rehab group later in the session and conducted individual programs. Mostly repeat running. As mentioned by Tough Kent Petty is fully training with the main group which is encouraging.

From what I've seen with the new recruits, Rosman is training with the mids, Bowey with defenders and Laurie with forwards. Rosman was the standout for me of the new recruits. He is fast, athletic and runs all day. Bowey is lighter than I expected he definitely needs a few pre seasons in the gym but I loved his kicking. Laurie has strong legs but small upper body and shoulders he also impressed me with his repeat running and endurance which was conducted towards the end of the session. 

The second drill it was a keepings off scenario 8 (yellow bibs) vs 6 (no bibs) starting from the back 50 and using handball receive to clear space and then go through the corridor with run and carry and hitting up a free player inside the 50. 

The third drill, forwards and backs were playing on each other while the mids played on each other. Lewis and Yze were coaching the midfield group. From what I saw Sparrow, Jordon, Nietschke, Vanders, Melksham all training with the mids. Viney and Trac the standouts for me and Clarry also sharp. 

I also made my way across the other side of the ground and Ben Gibson came over to me and told me to vacate back to the entrance area due to Covid precautions. I had a brief chat with him and I voiced the issue with him that not enough content is being put on the MFC website and encouraged him to do more interviews and podcasts to which he said they'll bring out a podcast tomorrow. But IMO I believe MFC should be doing a lot more to provide content for their supporters. 

They finished the session with interval training i.e run 50 metres, jog 30 metres and walk 10 metres and repeat continually around the boundary for about 10 - 15 minutes. Rosman and the new kid Smith were the standouts. They just ran all day basically lapping players. Poor Ben Brown was in a world of pain, i'm sure he would be thanking Burgess later for that session. 

Jeff Farmer was in attendance and chatted away with Matty Whelan the entire time. Yze and Goody came over later and had a good 30 minute chat with them. Farmer was impressed with training and mentioned it was like nothing they did back in the day. Farmer has lost a lot of weight and credits it to being off the booze... he's sitting on about 85kgs. 

I got some very good information that Lachie Ash (Pick 4 from 2019 draft) won't be renewing his contract from GWS and wants to be back in Victoria. His preferences are Melbourne and Geelong. My source said he heard it from two of people. 

That's about all the news I have for today. I hope you all appreciate the report. Cheers!

 

 

TK. Thanks , your visit was well worth it, great write up 

5 minutes ago, Caligula's cohort said:

I got some very good information that Lachie Ash (Pick 4 from 2019 draft) won't be renewing his contract from GWS and wants to be back in Victoria. His preferences are Melbourne and Geelong. My source said he heard it from two of people. 

Very interesting. Anyone know who he supported growing up?

Edited January 18, 20215 yr by adonski

8 minutes ago, Caligula's cohort said:

kicking. Laurie has strong legs but small upper body and shoulders he also impressed me with his repeat running and endurance which was conducted towards the end of the session. 

The second drill it was a keepings off scenario 8 (yellow bibs) vs 6 (no bibs) starting from the back

CC. Ditto.   Great report. Many thanks 

OMG these reports are sensational, how exciting to some info.  Many thanks 

35 minutes ago, Demonland said:

 

So Lewy is back then? I asked in a different post but it wasn’t confirmed? What is his offical role?

I happened to be in South Gippsland last night so I too made it through the mist to the Casey Fields Blvd.

Turned up at the same time as the Wiz and thought I'd mostly stay outside the fence, didn't want to get blasted by the crew pressure washing the building.

The early reports have most of what I noted. Gus in rehab. Kozzie and Lockhart put through a fair bit of work. Lockhart had a wrist taped up.

Hunt with the backs. Melksham mids. Chandler forward. (Tommy Mc forward too).

After a decent run to warm up Choco started them with a point to point kicking drill and he was vocal about keeping your weight through the ball not leaning back and not kicking around corners.

Then in to some backs kicking it up to half forward and then finding an inside 50. I saw a fair bit of Bowey in this one and he hits his targets comfortably.

8 on 5 or 6 (I wasn't quite sure) that was a bit of a mess. Certainly some work to be done there.

The mids did a handball clearance style game and Petracca was the clear standout not surprisingly. Meanwhile the forwards and backs were working moving it inside 50. There was one piece of play where Laurie was looking inside to his right foot then casually put it on his left and hit a target down the line that impressed me.

The forwards and backs rotated through a 4 on 4 top of the goal square drill that was designed to crumb a contest. Fritsch swooped on to it nicely but managed points. At one stage Brown forced a nice contest against 2 that Jacko crumbed and goaled from but the next time May bodied him and took the intercept.

Meanwhile most of the group were doing a 2/3rds of the ground match sim kind of drill with a spare winger starting off the back of the stoppages. That was Rosman for a fair bit and he looked comfortable getting involved. I don't think he'll be hitting up short kicks all that often but his kicking action looked better than what I expect and he seemed to have good distance. Maybe the best piece of play was Vanders (who looks so fit he might've run home across the NSW border) getting it off the back of the ball up, hitting up one target, running for a handball receive and hitting T Mc on a lead at CHF who swung around and picked out Jacko on a lead.