Q 1 When is a stick not a stick?? (Answer at the end)

Q Does a Picket Fence standing behind a Cyclone Fence constitute an oxymoron?

"Try not to stay too static or cute, bananna's decay to brown, squashy fruit! Change is the seed to personal growth, a call to seek your directional oath. And submit to lifes challenges those on the field, results in success a valuable yield!"  PF 2021

What a magnificent day to be at training. Reminded me of........ Thursday 4th September 1987 venue JUNCTION OVAL at 4.00 pm approx. 34 years ago. There were thousands there watching the John Northey coached Demons emabark on there last training session before the elimination final vs Nth Melbourne. Why do I bring this up now? Read on.....

Training summary, Drills, Skills and Manuevers

All drills simulated match conditions and particularly handball run and carry, precise use of the football, taking the game on, pace, pressure and class. All the BIG GUNS were there, Robby, Jim, Big Earl, Yeata, Bails, Strawbs, Danny, Stretcha, Warren Dean, Stephen Newport, Balls Grinter, Dirty Dave Williams, Willo, and what do you know, training was exemplary, exciting, flashy, and done at 100% There were no errors, players were just sublime and skills was the highest I have seen ever! I will never forget it, Nor will anyone else who was also there . Ah sweet dreams are made of these! Who am I to disagree!? 

Segue Friday 12/3/2021

Perfect day perhaps a tad hot and every known flying insect was also on hand witnessing proceedings, here is my report.

ALERT DRONE AHEAD 

Yep thats right first thing I saw was a drone hovering above players training of course obligatory house music was a Tad better than previous sessions with Jazz influenced seductive grooves emanating from the cavernous sound system. Ahhh that's better 

NO SHOWS

Quite a list Steven May,  Majak Daw, Adam Tomlinson, Kossie, Rosman, Weeds, and I also didn't see Vanders or Hibbo, they may have been there but did/nt see them. Also didn't see Bowey but did see Deakyn Smith and I think Baily Laurie walking laps. Also not sure if Gus was in attendance

REHAB 

Ben Brown, Joel Smith , Christian Salem

SKILLS DRILLS AND MANEUVERS

1 HOT POTATO/DODGEBALL

Consisted of two teams orange and blues all creating options for handball under extreme pressure close in

2 KAMIKAZE RUN AND CARRY 

Players in criss cross formation choosing cotrect option and giving of with precise handball and or kick

3 TACKLE -GRAPPLE

Close in contact ball in flight and grabbing player at moment he gets ball

4 CORRIDOOR MATCH SIMULATION

Two teams orange/whites shirts vs Blues in whole ground almost with rectangle boundaries running the ball up and down corridor.

5 QUARTER CORRIDOOR MATCH SIM

Same as above but using a 20 meter rectangle to work in

OBSERVATIONS 

Probably the best thing for me was Ben Brown stepping up his training routines he ran laps kicked the footy and looked unhampered and pretty darn fit. His legs look definitively muscly

Best trainers today were Nibbler, Clarry, Jacko , Max, Langdon and special mentions to Melky who looks over his injuries. Jack Viney also looked good and although apparently he has been ruled out match 1 he does look almost ready to go. Mitch Brown also joined in main group and moved well but left training slightly early. The intensity of training was better today than wednesday and the integrity and intent seemed to be quick movement, choosing best options and delivering the ball seamlessly. As we know though you can train the house down and still be found wanting in the cauldron of real match pressure. The downsides were the players missing. I think Steve May would have to be doubtful and I'm not sure I would risk Christian Salem at this piont.

Thats about it and before I forget the answer to above question 

When is a stick not a stick? 

when its a 

Given I saw one today I broke my personal best 100 m dash time and beat a hasty retreat

P.F

 

Edited March 12, 20214 yr by picket fence

Picket you have made my day, absolutely love your reports they are unique and really well done.

Thanks for making the effort and keeping us updated.

Glad your retreat was successful!

Thanks Picket, greatly appreciated and thanks for the fond memories of 1987 a year that should have been and nothing worse than seeing a "Joe Blake" up close and personal really gets the adrenalin pumping...!!!!!!!

29 minutes ago, picket fence said:

"Try not to stay too static or cute, bananna's decay to brown, squashy fruit! Change is the seed to personal growth, a call to seek your directional oath. And submit to lifes challenges those on the field, results in success a valuable yield!"  PF 2021

 

PF 2021 quoting PF 2021. 

A thing of beauty!

thanks PF....  8 days to go.

Thanks PF.

Hopefully Salem is taking it easy this week and will fully train next week. If he's done a genuine hammy then the club should be upfront and rule him our for round 1 rather than the misleading line of hamstring awareness/tightness.

Perhaps May is not allowed to train under the new protocols until day 5 or 6?? Sounds like a lot of players are going to miss games this year through concussion.

 

 

first of all Picket, thanks for your reports - as someone who cant get to training i certainly appreciate them!

Id really be interested to know how our training matches up with a geelong or a richmond. would be good to compare standards/drills etc etc to see where we are at, but that would probably be a full time job!

Thanks again Picket; amazing work.

Any chance of a Round 1 best 22 based on training groups and fitness?

 

 

Got a feeling BBB will play next Saturday.

1 minute ago, Clintosaurus said:

Got a feeling BBB will play next Saturday.

Thats a BIG call

5 minutes ago, Clintosaurus said:

Got a feeling BBB will play next Saturday.

No chance of that. There are strict time based recovery protocols after knee surgery. Doesn't matter how good he is feeling he won't play until the appropriate time has passed.

What is with the lack of inanity and exclamation marks? Has picket been trolling DLand this whole time?

I’m confused, but thankful. Cheers picket.

4 minutes ago, P-man said:

What is with the lack of inanity and exclamation marks? Has picket been trolling DLand this whole time?

I’m confused, but thankful. Cheers picket.

 

The jokes on us, Picket has never actually been to training.

Really entertaining report Pickett and had the lovely original touch of setting the scene. Just one question.

In view of what supposedly happened against Footscray were you expecting something different?

1 hour ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

Hopefully Salem is taking it easy this week and will fully train next week. If he's done a genuine hammy then the club should be upfront and rule him our for round 1 rather than the misleading line of hamstring awareness/tightness.

 

Why would we communicate that to Fremantle for no good reason. He's an important player that teams put time in to. I'd have him in the line up until a minute before the bounce 

6 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

Why would we communicate that to Fremantle for no good reason. He's an important player that teams put time in to. I'd have him in the line up until a minute before the bounce 

Agree.  This has to be said too often.  We should curb our desire to know everything and criticising the club for not being open when it is in the club's interest to keep some things underwraps.  I assume when such info is released publicly by the club, that they are aware other clubs will know anyway.

My most abiding memory of training during the 1987 finals (we attended all Thursday sessions) was the joy and excitement amongst the fans and the camraderie and confidence of the players. And then we had huge winds against north and south.

It was a great time to be a demon.

 

20 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

Why would we communicate that to Fremantle for no good reason. He's an important player that teams put time in to. I'd have him in the line up until a minute before the bounce 

Fair enough but it annoys me when for example a Troy Chaplin gets interviewed on SEN with Dwayne Russell on Monday  and declares Salem a near certain starter for round 1 and that he would've played Vs the Dogs had it been a home and away game.

Casey have a practise game tomorrow? Hence why there maybe a few players missing on the track.

Picket is Melksham, Hibberd, Viney and Salem right to go 

1 minute ago, WERRIDEE said:

Picket is Melksham, Hibberd, Viney and Salem right to go 

more details please

2 hours ago, willmoy said:

Really entertaining report Pickett and had the lovely original touch of setting the scene. Just one question.

In view of what supposedly happened against Footscray were you expecting something different?

Good question, the Answer, if Goody reckons his plans and strategies are working why would he change. If you are asking me did I see an increase in urgency and approach, I would have to say no more or less than what I have witnessed already

33 minutes ago, WERRIDEE said:

Picket is Melksham, Hibberd, Viney and Salem right to go 

I think Melksham is Viney almost but I do have doubts on Hibberd ( he didn't train today) and if Salem is in any doubt which I think he is I would not risk him. Certainly he does not seem to be fully stretching out as yet and is still in rehab!

I too was at that session back in 87. Another lasting memory was that slow warm down lap at the end of training, so close to the boundary fence you could touch the players. The air was simply electric. And when the boys entered the stadium on the Sunday afternoon, Robbie led the group to fence for their warm up lap, again to the frenzied cheering of the red and blue faithful who had waited 23 years. Genius strategy. We were never going to lose that day. That 6 week block leading into this game is etched on my memory and will last forever.

Awesome work Picket, perhaps you've found your own "directional oath" here? Not just a training report but a work of art.

memories of 87 tugging at my heart sigh. That remains THE footballing ride of my life. I don't think theres any better footballing memories for me than the lead up to,  and the first 2 and 3/4 finals. And yes, Im sure Casey felt a long way from there. I think only winning a GF could better that....hope I live to see it. Maybe 2021?