TRAINING: Friday 4th February 2022

[picket fence 15,543]

3 minutes ago, Cards13 said:

Intergalactic planetary… another dimension… another dimension… well now don’t you tell me to smile…you stick around I’ll make it worth your while…

"Come up and see me make me SMMMILLE , I'll do what you want, Running Wiiillld"

Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel! Great Cool Tune check it out ya all! 😁

[Docs Demons 1,674]

1 hour ago, picket fence said:

Answering a few enquiries, Joel Smith played well in defence and Moniz Wakefield has been training really well. Not quite as prominent today. If T Mac is injured Id almost go with MAJAK. Interestingly Clarry, Jack V and Tracc ALWAYS play in the same teamtoday it was blue, also tellingly Lever and May also only play in the same team and today it was Red.

You cannot get into the ground so my view is always from outside the Fence looking in at ground level. Would LUURVE to sit elevated in the stand but No Dice with COVID. Two other people were watching training. Cheers PF

I'm surprised Picket you didn't beam yourself up to the Enterprise and hover over the ground for a better look.

[kallangurdemon 513]

7 hours ago, picket fence said:

LUKE DUNSTAN The more I see of him the more I think he plays very similarly to Stephen Powell. Gets in good positions and his disposal is very good.

Pleased to read the comment on Dunstan s disposal .That has been  the serious  the only serious knock on his game .If it is not an issue he will be in our best 22.

[Dr. Gonzo 22,617]

2 hours ago, Action Jackson said:

DeeSpencer I'd suggest looking at other sides lists to get an idea of how good our depth is.

There is no other side with as much depth as we have and in every position on the ground covered.

Really the only spot we don't have multiple ready to go options is the ruck...... but then no other team has the number 1 ruck and an upcoming ruck who will probably be top 10 by the end of 2022....

Gawn, Jackson, Daw- not a bad cohort of rucks, doubt many other teams have 3 genuine ruck options on their list

[demon3165 2,073]

Does Daw look a lot trimmer or is my eyesight going? 

[Supreme_Demon 3,015]

10 hours ago, kallangurdemon said:

Pleased to read the comment on Dunstan s disposal .That has been  the serious  the only serious knock on his game .If it is not an issue he will be in our best 22.

That's great to hear! That was definitely one of my concerns regarding his disposal. Gone are the days of just kicking the ball blindly up in the air towards our forwardline.

Let's hope he has been improving his kicking skills with the help of Mark "Choco" Williams.

[DeeZone 7,941]

I agree Jontee that was the best training report ever, thanks Picket that was a ripping third dimensional Report. The boys look super fit and it is great to get that first hand reporting from someone in the know. You have set the Gold Standard now.!!!

[Mike 243]

Great write-up, thanks picket fence!

[BDA 20,620]

"It's life Jim but not as we know it"

Great report as always @picket fence. You have found your true calling in life

Great to see everyone going hard. Hopefully those you mentioned only have minor knocks

I can't wait for the season to get going. I can smell it in my nostrils

[DeeSpencer 23,474]

13 hours ago, Action Jackson said:

DeeSpencer I'd suggest looking at other sides lists to get an idea of how good our depth is.

There is no other side with as much depth as we have and in every position on the ground covered.

Really the only spot we don't have multiple ready to go options is the ruck...... but then no other team has the number 1 ruck and an upcoming ruck who will probably be top 10 by the end of 2022....

There's a few teams that might have a better spread of exposed AFL talent. The Dogs are one. But I don't want to rehash the depth argument across the comp, and certainly most teams aren't flush for back ups.

My point is more that we've already got all our highly drafted players from the '17, '18 and '19 drafts and Bowey in the best 23 now.

Apart from Laurie who will probably push for games we aren't exactly stacked for highly rated young talent outside the best 23 in that 2-5th year age range where guys often take a big leap forward. That's not a bad problem to have given how many young players we have in a premiership side, but it's always nice to find 1 or 2 players that you weren't expecting.

The guys we do have - Baker, Chandler, Bedford, Turner, Rosman, D Smith - would all be a bit of a shock to see in the side regularly. But I would've said the same thing if you told me Sparrow and JJ would play (or be sub) in just about every game last year. Those 2 were seriously hard workers who adapted early to raising the standards. If every player has now caught on and the full team is training with a far greater purpose and intensity then there might be some surprises from our lessor know group of youngsters.

[picket fence 15,543]

3 hours ago, demon3165 said:

Does Daw look a lot trimmer or is my eyesight going? 

Majak is the fittest he has been for some time, his elevation to the Senior side will be no surprise to me😁

[Whispering_Jack 28,091]

21 hours ago, picket fence said:

CAPTAINS LOG STARTDATE 422022

We have found ourselves stuck in timewarp and are seeing visions of something not yet identified.

Captain Kirk. "Spock it seems we are trapped in a time warp from which we may never return"!

Spock . "A time warp from which we may never return? Why Captain, I can't believe my ears"!

Captain Kirk " Neither can we Spock", Neither can we"!

Uhura "Captain I’m getting a voice message from somewhere called Casey Fields. From someone or something called Picket Fence"!

Captain Kirk "Picket Fence sounds like a Romulan! Put it on speaker!”

Training notes almost a three three and a half hour training session, a few casualties crackle crackle BANG CRACKLE STATIC 

Uhura "I'm losing him … “

Captain Kirk “A three and a half hour training session? Bones what do you make of it"?

Bones McCoy" Sounds brutal some sort of games are played requiring levels of conditioning which go far beyond human endurance. Must be super fit!"

Spock “Captain I’ve run a scan and it seems this Picket Fence is a native of planet Earth and attends training conducted by Melbourne Football Club, as a sort of Scribe"

Kirk "Fascinating. Keep communique channels open Uhura Spock, Bones, Lets Beam down and find out more, Scotty get ready to beam us down.”

Scotty "Aye aye Captain but I'm not sure the Dilithium Crystals can take too much more'"!

Mr. Sulu " Captain there is a strange figure crew cut with a beard starting to materialize holding something in his hand"

WTF IS IT? 

STAND BY 

Uhura "Captain, I’ve downloaded this Picket Fence summary, I'll put it through computer and relay, NOW”

Arrived at training at 9.15 for what turned out to be a marathon training session lasting over 3 hours probably closer to 3 and a half and was it a brutal and punishing session. No beg pardons about training loads and INTENSITY. In fact I can't ever recall a longer or tougher session There were several notable injuries throughout which I will get to. A brisk wind was blowing down the ground towards the south end and although fine this contributed marginally to some skill errors by foot.

REHAB Mitch Brown who ran a lot and hit the bike

INJURIES Spargy went down after a hit to the head and was escorted of not to be seen again. Mild concussion a possibility. T Mac went down and limped of the ground with what could be an ankle injury. Both these occured in Simulated Match Practice. Then just near the end of training Trac was being attended to by a trainer/Doctor by what could have been a lower leg possibly ankle injury. He too walked gingerly of the ground but was not escorted by training staff. Hopefully all are minor.

SKILLS , DRILLS AND MANOUVERS

Drill 1 Possesion kick and weave In formation

Drill 2 Full match simulations RED VS BLUE 4 QUARTERS of about 20 mins each

Drill 3 a Tackling practice 3 b One on one grappling push of and then kick to leading player 3 reps by each pitted one on one player 3 c short kick handball and corridor football type style drill in small space 3 d Running running and more running.

MATCH SIMULATIONS AND PLAYER WATCH 

CLARRY CYBORG Just cannot be stopped hence name Cyborg not being disrepectful, he is just like an indestructible man, again he just takes on the tackler and is impossible to stop, runs all day tank just got bigger and disposals are elite

KADE CHANDLER Will clearly press for a place this year his skills and pace are major weapons and he knows where the goals are

JACOB VAN ROOYEN Blink and he's gone, he is very elusive and not dissimilar to Bailey Fritta. He also took a magnificent contested mark from 20 out and duly converted.

MAJAK DAW was respectable in the ruck vs Max and his work around the ground and in stoppages was very good. Also took a strong contested mark about 30 out and converted.

JAKE BOWEY Has found another gear and continues to use the ball well and in my view is already better than Caleb Daniel which say plenty!

FRASER ROSMAN Was pitted against Ed Langdon and got plenty of quality ball. is noticeably fitter this year.

MICHAEL HIBBERD as hard as a cat’s head. Just does not know when to quit was prominent in match sims

TOBY BEDFORD Was eye catching with some of his moves dazzling with pace and flamboyance - might be a wild card this year.

DEAKIN SMITH Very steady in back half, never flustered and has telescopic arms.

DAN TURNER ditto!

STEVEN MAY and JAKE LEVER are rarely beaten and know each other’s games so well, it appears a telepathy exists among them

BBB Watch out if he stays fit we might have a 70-80 goal Key Forward. Clunked marks, Kicked goals and roams far and wide.

BLAKE HOWES, JUDD MC VIE, BAILEY LAURIE, All flashed into the play with deft hands and very precise disposal.

MAX, JACK V, CHRISTIAN S all were their usual excellent selves.

LUKE DUNSTAN The more I see of him the more I think he plays very similarly to Stephen Powell. Gets in good positions and his disposal is very good.

SAM WEIDEMAN Took one great contested grab in the square and converted and did several useful things

JAMES JORDAN AND TOM SPARROW Both had there fair share of the ball and used intelligently and tellingly.

ADAM TOMLINSON Making some big strides one or two errors but a very solid game I thought.

FINAL THOUGHTS 

As iterated this was as hard a session that I have seen and it proves one thing to me … that the defence of the Premiership is foremost in the minds of the players and coaches who clearly want mo more. There are just no passengers in this team and the healthy competition being created builds a strong unified culture of excellence. No beg pardons, No shortcuts, just hard relentless footy played at breakneck intensity. Welcome back we are hear to ROCK AND ROLL  P.F

Meanwhile back on the Enterprise

Mr Sulu. ''That figure is materialising, I've seen his face before its ITS MAX GAWN and what's he holding""??

Captain Kirk " It looks like a cup a trophy of some sort and whats that number on it 

Spock. "2022!!! FASCINATING"!!

Captain Kirk "WE MUST LEARN MORE"!

Excellent work Mr. Fence. As you know, Melbourne has recruited a number of Klingons from another galaxy. Wondering if you could elaborate on young Van Rooyen  - was he competitive in the match simulation (apart from his mark and goal)?

[Fat Tony 4,532]

15 minutes ago, picket fence said:

Majak is the fittest he has been for some time, his elevation to the Senior side will be no surprise to me😁

Majak looked excellent in the VFL last year. I reckon he’d get a game at almost every other club in a Jackson role. 

[picket fence 15,543]

31 minutes ago, Whispering_Jack said:

Excellent work Mr. Fence. As you know, Melbourne has recruited a number of Klingons from another galaxy. Wondering if you could elaborate on young Van Rooyen  - was he competitive in the match simulation (apart from his mark and goal)?

Van Rooey is Nick Reiwoldt like in his lead up patterns and already cat like reflexes. He looks the type that creates something from nothing and although raw looks to be an astute pick up. As iterated can clunk marks and likes to take front positioning

[demon3165 2,073]

52 minutes ago, picket fence said:

Majak is the fittest he has been for some time, his elevation to the Senior side will be no surprise to me😁

I don't think he will make it but it's good to see that he has given himself a chance by getting fitter. 

[FireInTheBennelly 4,027]

17 hours ago, Cards13 said:

Intergalactic planetary… another dimension… another dimension… well now don’t you tell me to smile…you stick around I’ll make it worth your while…

With these minor injuries, are you thinking sabotage?

[Apocalypse XXXI 243]

28 minutes ago, FireInTheBennelly said:

With these minor injuries, are you thinking sabotage?

Kryptonite?

[DeeSpencer 23,474]

2 hours ago, Fat Tony said:

Majak looked excellent in the VFL last year. I reckon he’d get a game at almost every other club in a Jackson role. 

He never really made it as a forward, but if he could ruck 50:50 he could make an impact. Still think his best footy was down back and if he is at peak fitness and still got something in the tank he could make a smart pick up for a team looking for a chb next year. That would turn what’s already a great comeback up a notch. Great to see him out there and I reckon Max loves the challenge his athleticism gives him at training 

[Demon Disciple 11,132]

1 hour ago, demon3165 said:

I don't think he will make it but it's good to see that he has given himself a chance by getting fitter. 

From where he has come from, if he is able to get back to enjoying life, then he is a success.

[Bitter but optimistic 21,556]

3 hours ago, picket fence said:

Van Rooey is Nick Reiwoldt like in his lead up patterns and already cat like reflexes. He looks the type that creates something from nothing and although raw looks to be an astute pick up. As iterated can clunk marks and likes to take front positioning

Picket,  do reckon this kid will push ahead of Weid in the pecking order?

Or is it too early to make that assessment? 

Another terrific report BTW !!!!!!!

[Damo 3,019]

I think if Majak makes it, and I hope he does, is as a forward and part time ruck. He doesnt have as good an instinct to be a backman but up forward as a pea he can straight line to a lead and pack mark/bring it down. His accuaracy has gotten better over the years. We also Have the propensity to have more injuries with talls up forward. If however a back is needed, Petty and Tom Mac can chop out again leaving space for Majak. Also he would have to be the best knock ruckman in the AFL without at least a part time gig. Im a big fan.

[John Demonic 4,873]

2 hours ago, Bitter but optimistic said:

Picket,  do reckon this kid will push ahead of Weid in the pecking order?

Or is it too early to make that assessment? 

Another terrific report BTW !!!!!!!

If he did, that would make Weid Jacobs ladder.

(Bdum Tish)

 

[picket fence 15,543]

2 hours ago, Bitter but optimistic said:

Picket,  do reckon this kid will push ahead of Weid in the pecking order?

Or is it too early to make that assessment? 

Another terrific report BTW !!!!!!!

Hello Uncle, Im not writing Weeds of by any stretch but Van Rooyen looks very good! Majak also looks impressive on the track. DEPTH DEPTH and more will complement an already potent and exciting list🤩

[Demonised 1,216]

On 2/4/2022 at 3:16 PM, george_on_the_outer said:

All will be fine @picket fence and earth people. 

Petracca, Spargo and TMac are all in the sick bay under the watchful eye of Dr. Leonard McCoy. 

Based on his medical skills, they should be back on the track tomorrow!

 

He's a doctor, dammit, not a football coach!

[monoccular 16,394]

10 hours ago, picket fence said:

Majak is the fittest he has been for some time, his elevation to the Senior side will be no surprise to me😁

After the really tragic events (a word often overstated) leading up to and including his pelvic fracture, it is truly amazing that Majak is in a position to play footy at any level, let alone to be even in contention for a back up position in an elite AFL Premiership team.

This is a fantastic endorsement of his own resilience and of OUR club’s now elite culture and support.

Go Majak ….. I hope that you can continue to make a contribution to our ongoing success.  Your presence as a back up last season, putting pressure on those ahead of you while providing a fall back option, even without playing a senior game, should not be underestimated.  The flag was a genuine full club success story.  

Edited February 5, 2022 by monoccular