As we have a bye to assess our strategies and planning for next week, I revisited  one of my earlier training reports ( Feb 12 ) to see how the seeds planted are ready to bear a remarkable fruit in Finals 2021.I reprint for those of you who might have missed it Cheers PF

ORIGINALLY POSTED 12TH FEB

Ventured to Casey this morning to find the arena "bathed" in light. Thinking I might have stumbled on part two of "Close Encounters of the Third Kind”, I was somewhat intrigued to see that the lights at Casey had in fact been turned on!!

Warmups consisted more or less of similar to last Friday, before segueing into a full scale practice match between the navy blues and the royal blues. Unless you knew the numbers, the colors were somewhat indistinguishable!

Here is my report.

NO SHOWS,  VINEY, KOSSIE, BEN BROWN, HIBBO, JOEL SMITH??? There might have been others but being outside the ground again made it difficult to distinguish

LIMITED DUTIES    MITCH BROWN, SPARGO, GUS , MELKSHAM

MATCH REPORT   The match ups were interesting with the navy blues containing what I believe to be the probables against the possibles, although having said that players who made up most of last year’s  list were sprinkled between the two sides.

RANDOM HIGHLIGHTS AND A FEW LOW ONES AS WELL

Game split into 4 about 15-20 min quarters, stiff wind blowing northerly away from the city, umpires were AFL list, I hink.

Trent Rivers played well across HBF and has become more at home and composed with the footy.

Ed Langdon was all over it on the wing and won possession after possession.

Harry Petty was played down back and whilst he did a few nice things, was not noticeable. 

James Jordan has skills and played well in a variety of roles.

Vanders was back and was involved in a few bone jarring tackles and was his usual imposing self. At one stage Max took umbrage to his fierce tackling and let him know about it.

Clayton "Minestrone" Oliver was in everything and was the catalyst to so many clearances. His disposal was crisp and clean. It was between Max, Langdon and for BOG. The name "Minestrone" for me conjures up the fact that in one you get everything ... That was choo choo today!

L.J WOW ... has he come of age? Took  marks, kicked three goals, rucked, roved and was a catalyst - is ready to impose this year!

Harmes played ON BALL resting on a half forward flank and was back to his best. Expect to see him more in midfield this year.

Bailey Laurie and Jake Bowey -  take a bow recruiting team led by team Jason Taylor. Both are quick, decisive with hand and foot and both are excitment machines destined to play early this year, probably Bailey Laurie more so at this stage.

Fraser "The Freak" Rosman, WOW, Today took the MOTD and also kicked TGOTD. Was instrumental in some set ups and will play early. Faded towards the end but ... is exciting.

Trac just cannot be tackled he is soooo elusive just reminds me of myself in my heyday LOL ... Played like he did last year.

Tom McDonald was quiet early (matched up against Steve May) but kicked 2 or 3 good goals.

Similar to last week where I singled out Chunky Jones, today it was NEV JETTA'S turn to wind back the clock with a really good display down back.

Fritta was fritta laconic BUT dangerous.

Max did as he liked and whilst this is good please God if he or Clarry gets injured >>>>> ?

Others to impress were Aaron Nietschke, will be a formidable ruckman, Jay Lockhart, Toby Bedford, Kade Chandler and Aaron Bradke, Hunt was busy of the hbf and Chunky decisive

POSITIVES   As above, plus plenty of endeavour skills seemed better under pressure and players looking for smart options, we should have plenty of scope for multi options and a very strong second tier who are sure to put pressure on for game day spots in the ones.

NEGATIVES  We still have issues with kick out strategies. other teams seem to be able to do this at will but we struggle and a few times played on only to bomb hopefully. we stiil will over rely on our core group , but i can see visible narrowing of superstars and next tier. Hitting targets under pressure needs to be the focus

No slitherers seen today thankfully 

Cheers PF

Edited September 4, 20213 yr by picket fence

Thanks for this excellent report.

What an indictment of player development at the club.  The only player that seems to have improved since February is Harrison Petty.  😁

And I cant resist but has Fritta become any more talkative?

And can you check your training archives for that early Roos training session where Fitzpatrick? attempted to kick and missed the ball.  That would be a good read.

Not meant to be an indictment Jontee , in fact if you read between the lines and in subsequent reports I was very happy and saw discernable improvements in training quality, execution of skills, drills replicating real game scenarios and professional coaching and training standards by the players

Edited September 4, 20213 yr by picket fence

Yep nice report...in stark contrast to the vitriol you sprout at Viney, Spargo and the rest of the team during any given Game Day thread the minute we are 2 goals down....but carry on.

Edited September 5, 20213 yr by Wadda We Sing

1 hour ago, Wadda We Sing said:

Yep nice report...in stark contrast to the vitriol you sprout at Viney, Spargo and the rest of the team during any given Game Day thread the minute we are 2 goals down....but carry on.

If you read my comments re last game I iterated that it was Vineys Best game for a while and I also praised Spargo as well.... but carry on.

23 hours ago, picket fence said:

Not meant to be an indictment Jontee , in fact if you read between the lines and in subsequent reports I was very happy and saw discernable improvements in training quality, execution of skills, drills replicating real game scenarios and professional coaching and training standards by the players

If injury free and with a pre-season under his belt, where do you see Laurie slotting in Picket?

Ive pictured him in the Sam Mitchell mould?

 

I think the Dees brains trust would have seen Laurie developing better this year than Bowey, but Laurie had quite a few setbacks with injury and therefore confidence. Bowey on the other hand has made every post a winner as we have seen. Laurie could be another Sam Mitchell as he has a nice skill set. Will be interesting to see what a big pre season creates for him next year

Edited September 5, 20213 yr by picket fence

32 minutes ago, picket fence said:

I think the Dees brains trust would have seen Laurie developing better this year than Bowey, but Laurie had quite a few setbacks with injury and therefore confidence. Bowey on the other hand has made every post a winner as we have seen. Laurie could be another Sam Mitchell as he has a nice skill set. Will be interesting to see what a big pre season creates for him next year

They were my intitial thoughts PF. I'm certainly not over it to your extent but try and keep up. 

Ahh, those pre-season reports were an age ago. Much appreciated, too, Mr Fence.

Someone should ask the club  if there have been any slitherers out at Joondalup. We also need a rating on the pies/bacon and egg rolls.

Bit of grassroots connection would be a nich touch while we're all going mad.