1 hour ago, Tough Kent said:

 

I'm happy to answer any questions.

I am wondering if T-Mac was training forward or back ? Thanks ?

1 minute ago, JimmyNurru said:

I am wondering if T-Mac was training forward or back ? Thanks ?

Forward. He got on to the end of a few and kicked a few goals. He presented really well and seemed to be moving a better.

47 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. 

Huge news if true. He’s a 19 year old pick 4 with AFL games pumped into him. Elite pace and good kicking skills. Could become a gun halfback or winger. Could solve our other wing issue to go with Langdon, or form a partnership with Rivers owning the flanks. If we could snag him it would be huge.

1 hour ago, Demonland said:

 

I like the look of this: It must be to our advantage to have Lewis involved.

Thanks for the reports!

Was Petty training with the forwards or backs?

 

 

Fantastic, thanks to all. Really appreciate it. 

We nearly had more supporters at training, in Casey, than an MCG home game, well done all.

Thanks TK, CC & DS great to get the inside info on training, much appreciated.

Thanks for the great info on todays training report?

My first visit to Casey since the Saints preseason game maybe three years ago. The place has changed enormously, all for the good. Match simulation was well underway when I arrived at 10.30 (Note to self, arrive by 9.45 if possible).It’s not easy watching since the arena is sealed off and a grassy knoll, yes one of them, obscures vision at certain points.

I cannot claim to have gained much from the match sim witnessed except Gawn and TMac were opposed in marking duels: TMac as a forward and Gawn defending. Of the five or so contests witnessed they broke even, both marking strongly and both spoiling well. There was a clear emphasis on smaller players on hand for spillages and handpasses. The intensity was high with repeat contests coming in rapid order. TMac looks trim. Langdon and Hunt both busy as was ANB.

Max then went off to ruck duelling with one of the coaches. Big dude in a T-shirt. Others might have a name. The emphasis seemed to be on Max protecting the ball drop from his heavier opponent.

I note what TK said above about rehabbers but I thought it included May who looked proppy walking but then did some run throughs, and Kozzy who was taking potshots at goal where the match sim was not active and did some jogging away from the main group.

While this was going on they went into a drill - yellow bibs V Demon gear - where the gig was moving the ball out of defence in a controlled fashion. A coach kicked the ball into a defensive pocket to a yellow bib (couldn’t swear who) who then had to find a target upfield. Most moves were successful with three or four possessions before the forwards were able to win it back. There was no red mist. It was very deliberate and players were taking all their allowed time to make a decision. Forwards did apply good pressure. There was only one rank turnover at the start of the drill and as it was on the far side from me I couldn’t see who it was.

Nibbler kicked a sweet scrambled pressure goal and seemed to enjoy that as much as a game day goal. Weid marked strongly and kicked truly after allowing nicely for the Casey wind. Ditto Fritter.

The main group went into a low intensity fartlek sequence of laps: walking for 30 metres or so, then sprinting at maybe 80% intensity for 15 metres, then walking, sprinting again and so on and completed a few laps like this. Groups included Brown and Weideman; Melksham and Sparrow; Nietschke and Jordan; Bedford, Hunt, Langdon & Tomlinson; Fritsch, Spargo & Brown; May, Petracca, Laurie; TMac, Hunt maybe Hore together; Jackson, Lever, Bradtke. I have no idea if their groupings mean anything.

Then the most interesting stuff happened. Mark Williams took Jones and Rivers as one pair, Oliver and Petty as another and had them simultaneously turning and short passing across their bodies to one another, then gradually increasing the passing distance and finally kicking to goal. He was clearly instructing them about balance, showing how to take short steadying steps before kicking, how to hold their heads over the ball, having a line through their body to the kicking leg. At one point Williams was walking alongside Jones, gesturing to his head and then kicking leg as though talking about where Jones was looking as he moved in to kick. It was clear some fundamentals were being taught. He grabbed Oliver and did this short stepping shuffle before the kicking action, possibly talking about balance. This went on for some time until the group enlarged to include Petracca, Chandler, Salem, Farmer, Lever, Bedford, Hunt and Jetta.

Williams was telling them stuff (wish I had him bugged) about their kicking and then they started a drill when the ball was passed maybe 30 metres to one player who was then marked  by his opponent who gave him a light shove in the chest. The player with the ball pushed away and kicked quickly to an opposing pair who did the mark-pushoff-quick-kick thing again. Over and over. It was about quickly being in position to make a decision, so despite the slow moves from the back pocket there’s an urgency otherwise.

Elsewhere the big dude who duelled with Max was now down near the goals instructing Tomlinson and Weideman about positioning their bodies. A defender and a forward together. Hmmm, economy of instruction. He then took Weideman away, firing short five metre passes at either side of his body, forcing Weid to handpass returns from both sides of his body. This pair worked their way around to the wing with this rapid fire routine.

Finally there was some goal kicking practice. Brown with his long run walks back as far as Dennis Lillee but kicks straight. ANB was practicing goal front snaps under pressure as was Rosman.

 

That’s all I have.

29 minutes ago, TeamPlayedFine39 said:

Thanks for the reports!

Was Petty training with the forwards or backs?

 

 

Mainly with the Backs. But he played forward on occasion. I think he'll be our Mr. fix it if we are down on key talls. 

Hell yes, fantastic reports guys. Thank you for all your time and efforts. 

Great reports, how was Weideman looking?

34 minutes ago, pitmaster said:

Max then went off to ruck duelling with one of the coaches. Big dude in a T-shirt. Others might have a name. The emphasis seemed to be on Max protecting the ball drop from his heavier opponent.

Elsewhere the big dude who duelled with Max was now down near the goals instructing Tomlinson and Weideman about positioning their bodies. 

Thanks ‘Master.

Sounds like Greg Stafford.

We went from getting no reports to being spoiled with half a dozen great ones.

@Caligula's cohort even teased us with an early trade rumour.

Bring on Round 1.

1 hour ago, Lord Travis said:

Huge news if true. He’s a 19 year old pick 4 with AFL games pumped into him. Elite pace and good kicking skills. Could become a gun halfback or winger. Could solve our other wing issue to go with Langdon, or form a partnership with Rivers owning the flanks. If we could snag him it would be huge.

I know we don't have any 2021 1st round picks, but do Geelong? I know they traded their future pick for Holmes, but do they have another stashed away?

Kicking fundamentals at preseason training, praise be to the lord above (or below), hallelujah!!!!! 

How funny to hear Jonesy is getting kicking training at this stage of his career. Welcome Mark Williams! 

Edited January 18, 20214 yr by Cards13

1 hour ago, loges said:

Great reports, how was Weideman looking?

Looks very fit. As I mentioned a nice contested grab and a measured-for-the-wind goal from about 40m. Seemed to be in a lot of action and was singled out for special instruction with Stafford (thanks Tim). Moved nicely in the handball drill. The only spill/miss was one of Stafford's.

3 hours ago, Caligula's cohort said:

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. 

Must be one of those people that sends back a $15 steak for not being "medium". Fight that good fight

3 hours ago, Demonland said:

 

There is a God. Lewis back with the Red'nBlue. What an asset ... Yze, Chocko and Lewis. Drop the unmentioned one and we have a Premiership.

Thanks @Tough Kent, @Caligula's cohort, @DeeSpencer and @pitmaster for the wonderful write-ups.

 

Cracking efforts that I really appreciate.

I realise it is only mid January at training however l feel as if  things are on the up  for the boys and  the injuries are few which is  a change to recent years. 
Hoping it continues with minimal problems which will set us up for a good year, 

Edited January 18, 20214 yr by nosoupforme

56 minutes ago, pitmaster said:

Looks very fit. As I mentioned a nice contested grab and a measured-for-the-wind goal from about 40m. Seemed to be in a lot of action and was singled out for special instruction with Stafford (thanks Tim). Moved nicely in the handball drill. The only spill/miss was one of Stafford's.

Weideman, TMac, Lever and are times ANB have been training with a guy who shares the workouts on Instagram. I’d say those guys would be about as fit as you can be atm 

Great to see AVB at training (going by the photos),.

thought he would be away a bit longer due to border issues.

wow.....from boiled lollies to chocolates

thanks, watchers