A couple of nice plays others haven’t mentioned yet:

Really nice to see the trademark Laurie sidestep and inside 50 hit up. Opens the candy store to no other than Clarry. 
 

And I really liked how Deakyn Smith bought time for himself, balanced up and backed his left foot. He has really nice defensive skills, if he can use the ball well too he’s got a good future 

This training report has left me feeling very ... moist 

@picket fencehow did Blake Howes look?

Kozzie’s chase-down of Jayden! I replayed that bit several times, at first to make sure it was Jayden, and then  because it’s a joy to behold. They are all looking so fit and ready to go. Makes me even more excited for the season to start. 
#47DaysToGo

Glad they trained in the morning. If they'd left it until this afternoon, they would need to be wearing scuba equipment. That's some storm that has just come through Melbourne. I assume Casey is about 4x worse, because, well, it's Casey.

Thanks Picket, your reports are absolutely sensational!

Edited January 28, 20223 yr by jules7

4 minutes ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

Glad they trained in the morning. If they'd left it until this afternoon, they would need to be wearing scuba equipment. That's some storm that has just come through Melbourne. I assume Casey is about 4x worse, because, well, it's Casey.

We have had 2 minutes rain in my part of melbourne, hardly enough to wet the concrete so far LDC. 

Thanks PF another great report so detailed I can visualise it. They definitely aren’t resting on their laurels.!!

6 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Andy Moniz Wakefield looked pretty classy in that clip also.

Kozzy just seems like he'll go up another level. Couldn't believe my eyes how he easily ran down Hunt.

The Jacob Van Rooyen clunk has me excited. Not only that but his ability to leap over Joel Smith who probably has one of the highest vertical leap at the club. Is it me or did that contested mark remind me of Aaron Naughton? very impressive.

Yes he is our Aaron Naughton  I have thought that. It just shows you what a footballer needs is ONE BIG ASSET or TRICK to hang your hat on to be elite .

Of course as we all know you have to kick the goals after a mark. 

BBB says Hi!!! Tmac says Hi!!! JVR will say Hi also!!! 

Where or what team did Sam play in?

You have got to implant yourself in the play as best how you can and be noticed.   AMW and DSmith did at training apparently . 

Edited January 28, 20223 yr by daisycutter

2 hours ago, mauriesy said:

Sack that red backline group, they're hopeless! 😁

and it was plainly obvious that the umpire murdered us.....😃

I’m up on the Gold Coast and had dinner in a restaurant last night where there was a table of three young blokes, one of them, the Suns’ gun recruit Mac Andrew. I’m no expert but he doesn’t look as if he’s put on any weight. 😀 But we were in a pasta joint so that’s a start!

First Trac now Kozzi chasing down Hunt easily. I’m going to take the negative view and assume Hunt is now some slower than Brock McLean 😂

43 minutes ago, adonski said:

@picket fencehow did Blake Howes look?

Yes was invloved and is a nice cut of a lad and posseses very good skills and moves well

38 minutes ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

Glad they trained in the morning. If they'd left it until this afternoon, they would need to be wearing scuba equipment. That's some storm that has just come through Melbourne. I assume Casey is about 4x worse, because, well, it's Casey.

Just copped a hammering here in Berwick, need Gordon Tracey and Thunderbird 4 down here.

Great grab from JVR!

Love that left foot pass to Kozzie from Deakyn Smith. Assume that is his opposite 👌

demonland's very own news hound picket fence braving the elements at casey fields

Young fella wearing Wrecker’s old number showed some toe and smarts. One to watch out for coached by that doyen of AFLNT youth coaches Mr Scotia at Nightcliff FC.

16 minutes ago, Tarax Club said:

Young fella wearing Wrecker’s old number showed some toe and smarts. One to watch out for coached by that doyen of AFLNT youth coaches Mr Scotia at Nightcliff FC.

Moniz -Wakefield, he is indeed a beauty!!

As usual, fabulous report and follow up answers picket!

4 hours ago, picket fence said:

I come from a land down under
Where Demonlanders flow and weather looks like thunder
Can't you hear, can't you hear the thunder
You better run, you better take cover.

 

Oh! Do you come from a land down under (oh yeah yeah)
Where women and mens teams get set to plunder oh yeah
Can't you hear, can't you hear the thunder
You better run, you better take cover.

And so it came to pass that I set out with sunscreen, raincoat, steel capped boots, enough insect repellent to drown an army of flying, stinging insects and a slingshot to ward of any slitheras in sight to come down to the smouldering furnace that was Casey Fields. Was it hot?? It was hotter than when I took 9/26 all those years ago. now with the pleasantries out of the way lets get into the training report. as the above song title suggests the players were indeed hard and strong at work.

MODIFIED DUTIES 

Mitch Brown, and later Jake Lever, and Majak Daw

SKILLS, DRILLS AND MANOUVERS

SET 1A 

players were split into 2 groups in group 1 A Players were inside a marked witches hat configuration of about 40 meters x 40 m and were playing a highly energised game of corridor keepings of. The idea was to take possession and before being tagged select best option and dish of.

SET 1 B

The other group did 3/4 ground match sims but with the added pressure that the coaches after a set play had been executed or a goal scored instead of returning to the centre the ball might be thron back into play from the opposite forward pocked or ball randomly kicked into play from any position on the ground. The idea seemed to be attack when you have the ball but then just as quickly defend resolutely when you haven't got the ball.

SET 2 This drill reminded me of an army of Cybermen running in formation in an absolute Blitzkrieg wave rolling relentlessly with ball in hand creating multiple overlaps and passing to next group of 4 and either handballing back or bypassing the footy to the next wave of players all surging forward it was a tsunami of beautiful free flowing ball  movement with scarcely any errors. Skills were quick and handball and or kicks were precise and effortless. this was done at 100% intensity.

SET 3 Goalkicking practice from every concievable match sim. There were set shots, corner shots, inside out shots, reverse angle shots inside out torpedo punt shots, the only shots missing were Shot glasses full of a delicious beverage or five!

SET 4 Full on match simulations two quarters of 20 minutes many highlights which I will now speak about under player watch

PLAYER WATCH AND ASTUTE OBSERVATIONS FENCE STYLE

TOMMY MAC Just an incredible performance today in drills and also match sims, he kicked at least 3-4 goals and took some very strong marks

CLAYTON OLIVER EXILLERATINGLY BREATHTAKING. just cannot be stopped and does what he likes, at one stage he was tackled by 3 players got a kick away to TRACC who was again prominant , who then got it to JV ditto just as prominant who got it to SPARGY who Goaled

JACOB VAN ROOYEN Wow is this kid gonna be something!! Took 3 pack marks and moved effortlessly in a forward line chock full of class.

FRASER ROSMAN Starting to get some confidence and did a few nice things and runs hard all day was pitted against Ed Langdon

DEAKIN SMITH will play this year runs to good spots and skills are developing niceley

ANDY MONIZ-WAKEFIELD This kid should also play this year, he zipped into play many times showing a great turn of speed and excellent disposal

BEN BROWN. Gee he was impressive, he is much fitter this year and as a forward roams far and wide. takes sticky fingers marks often

JAKE MELKSHAM Just when a few thought he was cooked he trained the house down and kicked some very classy goals and set up well as a forward.

OTHER RANDOM OBSERVATIONS

The players are extremely fit , quick and hungry, skills are at an all time high and every player knows instinctively the style of play required and also set plays in any match situation. There is genuine harmony within the group and the mantra of selfless footy resonates with this scribe. PF

 

Great report Picket! We have all missed your calm, unbiased assessment of how the boys are training. Very glad that you are back from your holidays! 👍

6 hours ago, rjay said:

Let’s hope he plays in as many Dees premierships as did RDB#31

5 hours ago, Dee Zephyr said:

 

#6 and #11 shaking hands, like friends?   Where is the mongrel? 🤗

4 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Andy Moniz Wakefield looked pretty classy in that clip also.

Kozzy just seems like he'll go up another level. Couldn't believe my eyes how he easily ran down Hunt.

The Jacob Van Rooyen clunk has me excited. Not only that but his ability to leap over Joel Smith who probably has one of the highest vertical leap at the club. Is it me or did that contested mark remind me of Aaron Naughton? very impressive.

JVR has already sent a message to Sam - Sam, are you up to the challenge?  I really and sincerely hope so.  And Aaron Naughton ?…. didn’t have a great GF but then he wasn’t alone I guess.  Overwhelmed like most of his mates. 

4 hours ago, Fat Tony said:

Me too. At 194cm Van Rooyen will need a decent leap to be a key forward at AFL level (which is small for a key forward these days) and he looks to have excellent judgement/timing. 

vide supra 

3 hours ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

Glad they trained in the morning. If they'd left it until this afternoon, they would need to be wearing scuba equipment. That's some storm that has just come through Melbourne. I assume Casey is about 4x worse, because, well, it's Casey.

And VFL park probably had an ice storm

2 hours ago, Whispering_Jack said:

I’m up on the Gold Coast and had dinner in a restaurant last night where there was a table of three young blokes, one of them, the Suns’ gun recruit Mac Andrew. I’m no expert but he doesn’t look as if he’s put on any weight. 😀But we were in a pasta joint so that’s a start!

Mac Andrew? 

Edited January 28, 20223 yr by monoccular

Let’s not get carried away just yet with our young blokes - it’s only pre-season training time and the practice matches are still a good few weeks away.

I’m wondering whether the club updates player statistics at the start of every season. Luke Jackson definitely looks bigger than when he first came to the club both in terms of weight and height. I would be surprised if JVR isn’t bigger than the 194cm he’s credited for which was his height at the start of 2020.

Was the Weed there and if so any comments?