Down for my first look at our squad, A beautiful day with quite a few out early. The defenders doing some passing to each other on the wing and the rest having goal kicking practice.

Once the session starts, they go about it earnestly, with a no nonsense physical trainer taking the reins. Quite regimented in the warm-up and when doing the runs. There is no room for ambiguity.

After the warm-up, they are into 3 groups and 3 stations. Strength, goal snaps and a power station. They then go to a drill which is working across each other with precision kicks. Williams with the one-liners and keeping them amused. The next one is similar but with the space opening up making for longer kicking.

They go into simulations. A bit rusty for the first couple of plays, but it doesn't take long till they get the ball movement right, or the defensive press causing turnovers.

After sims comes some running. Still pretty mild as they only do 4 laps, though within time limits and different groups running at times, appropriate to size and age.

My impressions are:

Trent Rivers is looking stronger and bigger, as is Jordon.

Tom Sparrow looks fit, as does Laurie.

Bayley fritch as skilled as ever, though appears to be on a slightly modified program, and did not participate in sims.

Grundy the same and was doing his own running program.

Deakyn Smith, Moniz-wakefield and Hibbs on a modified program that appears to be about fitness as they spent all their time running.

Spargo and Chandler in everything during sims.

Howes and Woewodin working with Viney.

JVR has great hands and is bringing the energy.

Goodwin wants more from Pickett.

Pettraca and May struggling with the running.

Hunter was struggling with connection, Schache looks the better one at the moment.

Farris-white has a fair bit of work to do on his kicking style, appears to have a good endurance engine.

Mathew Jefferson was mainly working alongside Farris-white and both didn't participate in sims. He appeared a touch nervous as he dropped some simple chest marks and had a little difficulty finding connection when drilling his kicks. Needs to also work on fitness.

Not at training:

Salem, Lever, TMac, Lever, Brayshaw, Gawn, ANB, Oliver, Langdon, Melksham, Tomlinson, Petty, Joel Smith, Ben Brown.

Edited November 30, 20222 yr by kev martin

With the Kozzie comment, can you elaborate? Did you mean Goody expected more from him because he wasn't up to expectations or do you mean that Goody is expecting and pushing Kozzie to achieve big things this year?

Thank you Big Kev. Marvelous!!! You are our 'go to guy' at Gosch's Paddock. Just add UFO's Aliens and Martians you'll soon rival Picket Fence out there on the *Outer Limits!

Edited November 30, 20222 yr by Tarax Club
*Casey Fields

14 minutes ago, Deestiny Awaits said:

With the Kozzie comment, can you elaborate? Did you mean Goody expected more from him because he wasn't up to expectations or do you mean that Goody is expecting and pushing Kozzie to achieve big things this year?

It was a bit tongue in cheek from Goody.

He was running at the back of the pack during laps and Goody wanted him to be leading them round. Expecting and pushing to achieve more.

His response was to move into the centre and on the outside (running extra meters) of the pack.

He is looking strong, fit and appears setting himself for a big year. Beautiful handling and kicking of the ball during sims, also had plenty of run in him. Becoming a good tactician, in that he set up a few plays off the back area. Looks like he could be working for a mid position. 

Edited November 30, 20222 yr by kev martin

12 minutes ago, kev martin said:

It was a bit tongue in cheek from Goody.

He was running at the back of the pack during laps and Goody wanted him to be leading them round. Expecting and pushing to achieve more.

His response was to move into the centre and on the outside (running extra meters) of the pack.

He is looking strong, fit and appears setting himself for a big year. Beautiful handling and kicking of the ball during sims, also had plenty of run in him. Becoming a good tactician, in that he set up a few plays off the back area. Looks like he could be working for a mid position. 

Thanks a lot KM  very helpful. 

18 minutes ago, Tarax Club said:

Thank you Big Kev. Marvelous!!! You are our 'go to guy' at Gosch's Paddock. Just add UFO's Aliens and Martians you'll soon rival Picket Fence out there on the *Outer Limits!

I had a sense there was something floating above me at one stage.

It was a drone from Victory's training session. 

Great morning on Gosch's with both AFL and A-League doing their things.

Edited November 30, 20222 yr by kev martin

Thanks mate - much appreciated for those of us unable to get along to training ourselves

Couple of questions if I may

Who would you pick first as a tall forward (schache or JVR)? assuming TMAC and BBB not available 

Surprised that Trac was struggling with the running - he looked very fit in pics and thought he'd been doing some special training overseas?

How was Kozzies demeanor? We are all a bit nervous about where his head space is at.

Hunter is supposed to have elite footskills - think it's a matter of just getting used to playing group? Does he look fit ? keeping up in the running ?

 

 

8 minutes ago, Sydee said:

Thanks mate - much appreciated for those of us unable to get along to training ourselves

Couple of questions if I may

Who would you pick first as a tall forward (schache or JVR)? assuming TMAC and BBB not available 

Surprised that Trac was struggling with the running - he looked very fit in pics and thought he'd been doing some special training overseas?

How was Kozzies demeanor? We are all a bit nervous about where his head space is at.

Hunter is supposed to have elite footskills - think it's a matter of just getting used to playing group? Does he look fit ? keeping up in the running ?

 

 

That’s not accurate. 
 

You might be. 

28 minutes ago, Sydee said:

Who would you pick first as a tall forward (schache or JVR)?

Schache is taller but I think JVR has the energy. I would get JVR in there. Looks like he wants it.

 

28 minutes ago, Sydee said:

Surprised that Trac was struggling with the running

He and Steven May lost contact with the group they were running with and ended on their haunches.

Probably just that pain that comes from the first few exertions to a new season.

Ran hard and was heavily involved during the sims. 

28 minutes ago, Sydee said:

How was Kozzies demeanor?

Professional attitude.

 

28 minutes ago, Sydee said:

Hunter is supposed to have elite footskills - think it's a matter of just getting used to playing group? Does he look fit ? keeping up in the running ?

Agree about "getting used to the playing group". 

He is fit, has an AFL ready body, and ran well in his group.

Edited November 30, 20222 yr by kev martin

2 hours ago, kev martin said:

Down for my first look at our squad, A beautiful day with quite a few out early. The defenders doing some passing to each other on the wing and the rest having goal kicking practice.

Once the session starts, they go about it earnestly, with a no nonsense physical trainer taking the reins. Quite regimented in the warm-up and when doing the runs. There is no room for ambiguity.

After the warm-up, they are into 3 groups and 3 stations. Strength, goal snaps and a power station. They then go to a drill which is working across each other with precision kicks. Williams with the one-liners and keeping them amused. The next one is similar but with the space opening up making for longer kicking.

They go into simulations. A bit rusty for the first couple of plays, but it doesn't take long till they get the ball movement right, or the defensive press causing turnovers.

After sims comes some running. Still pretty mild as they only do 4 laps, though within time limits and different groups running at times, appropriate to size and age.

My impressions are:

Trent Rivers is looking stronger and bigger, as is Jordon.

Tom Sparrow looks fit, as does Laurie.

Bayley fritch as skilled as ever, though appears to be on a slightly modified program, and did not participate in sims.

Grundy the same and was doing his own running program.

Deakyn Smith, Moniz-wakefield and Hibbs on a modified program that appears to be about fitness as they spent all their time running.

Spargo and Chandler in everything during sims.

Howes and Woewodin working with Viney.

JVR has great hands and is bringing the energy.

Goodwin wants more from Pickett.

Pettraca and May struggling with the running.

Hunter was struggling with connection, Schache looks the better one at the moment.

Farris-white has a fair bit of work to do on his kicking style, appears to have a good endurance engine.

Mathew Jefferson was mainly working alongside Farris-white and both didn't participate in sims. He appeared a touch nervous as he dropped some simple chest marks and had a little difficulty finding connection when drilling his kicks. Needs to also work on fitness.

Not at training:

Salem, Lever, TMac, Lever, Brayshaw, Gawn, ANB, Oliver, Langdon, Melksham, Tomlinson, Petty, Joel Smith, Ben Brown.

Thanks for the report Kev, beat me to the punch. The work this morning was of a similar structure to Monday’s session, and like that session I was impressed with the general intensity of the work. Two different types of match sim; one in a congested smaller space using handball to move the ball backwards and forwards while maintaining the “shape” of their set ups, the other using most of the oval to move the ball by foot and run in support. It was demanding enough work for the first week, and shows that these days players are expected to be in physical condition to go straight into game plan work and skills work without having to waste valuable pre-season time “getting fit”.

Kade was very busy, and was attempting spoils on big guys as well as his ever-present effervescence and intensity. Looking at Jefferson in the kicking they did late in the session I actually thought he looked quite comfortable and had nice hands; the running was a bit of a challenge for him, but that’s something that will come in time and with work. In regard to the running KFW was pretty darn good for such a young tall.

As I said about Monday’s session, it was great again seeing a lot of senior players being part of the match sims. As Kev mentioned, there were also other senior players who did their own work separate from the main group. 

At one point in the warmup on the eastern side of the oval Grundy had to retrieve a footy that had bounced its way onto Punt Road and into the gutter. Welcome to the DIY MFC, Big Fella!

I also chuckled at Mark Williams during the running yelling at a group “don’t let the new bloke beat you” as Lachie Hunter led that group past where I was standing.
 

 

 

 

Will we be back out on Friday? Unsure how the preseason schedule normally works

55 minutes ago, Clayton spirit said:

Will we be back out on Friday? Unsure how the preseason schedule normally works

I expect they will have a run from about 9.30 am.

13 minutes ago, kev martin said:

I expect they will have a run from about 9.30 am.

What’s the usual start time for Monday and Wednesdays?

1 minute ago, Demonland said:

What’s the usual start time for Monday and Wednesdays?

 9.30 am, seemed to be the official start time. A few were out earlier. (I am guessing)

Might come on Wednesday

21 hours ago, kev martin said:

It was a bit tongue in cheek from Goody.

He was running at the back of the pack during laps and Goody wanted him to be leading them round. Expecting and pushing to achieve more.

His response was to move into the centre and on the outside (running extra meters) of the pack.

He is looking strong, fit and appears setting himself for a big year. Beautiful handling and kicking of the ball during sims, also had plenty of run in him. Becoming a good tactician, in that he set up a few plays off the back area. Looks like he could be working for a mid position. 

Kozzy, Trac, Oliver starting mids, with Viney on rotation would be magnificent if Kozzy can step up

 

@Top End Dee ask a question about Kyah Farris-white 

His kicking style was very stilted, ungamely, he was getting coached on taking shots on goal. Nearly every ball, he more or less lobbed into the area (really hit under the ball). He was fairly accurate. 

Jefferson was paired up with Farris-white for the entire session. They ran the boundaries together, at one stage all the coaches took particular notice of their last run, when Farris-white burned Jefferson. They were even wearing the same number, 47.

 

 

1 hour ago, kev martin said:

@Top End Dee ask a question about Kyah Farris-white 

His kicking style was very stilted, ungamely, he was getting coached on taking shots on goal. Nearly every ball, he more or less lobbed into the area (really hit under the ball). He was fairly accurate. 

Jefferson was paired up with Farris-white for the entire session. They ran the boundaries together, at one stage all the coaches took particular notice of their last run, when Farris-white burned Jefferson. They were even wearing the same number, 47.

 

 

The eye of the beholder, Kev. I was actually quite happy with his kicking and ball handling; he had an economical and effective action to my eye.

2 hours ago, 1964_2 said:

Kozzy, Trac, Oliver starting mids, with Viney on rotation would be magnificent if Kozzy can step up

 

If we do move ahead with this, i assume Chandler is elevated into the starting 22 to rotate with Kozzy in the FP. 

What roles then exist for Sparrow and Harmes if Viney rotates through the middle. Cant see both of them playing the HF/Mid role. 

Brayshaw back to HB seems logical, with Hunter taking the defensive wing. 

Lucky we are going to have a 5th sub because one of Harmes, JJ, Sparrow, ANB was probably going to miss otherwise or become the medi-sub

There will be so many players trying to break into the squad from Casey too- Tommo, J. Smith, Woey, Laurie, Bowey, JVR, Howes, Turner, Dunstan - hopefully we are a bit more proactive this season in bringing in players at various points to keep the team fresher than last year. 

35 minutes ago, Gawndy the Great said:

If we do move ahead with this, i assume Chandler is elevated into the starting 22 to rotate with Kozzy in the FP. 

What roles then exist for Sparrow and Harmes if Viney rotates through the middle. Cant see both of them playing the HF/Mid role. 

Brayshaw back to HB seems logical, with Hunter taking the defensive wing. 

Lucky we are going to have a 5th sub because one of Harmes, JJ, Sparrow, ANB was probably going to miss otherwise or become the medi-sub

There will be so many players trying to break into the squad from Casey too- Tommo, J. Smith, Woey, Laurie, Bowey, JVR, Howes, Turner, Dunstan - hopefully we are a bit more proactive this season in bringing in players at various points to keep the team fresher than last year. 

From the start hopefully !

I'd give it a 1% chance of Kozzie attending more than 1 centre bounce per quarter

Were there any train ons?

2 hours ago, WERRIDEE said:

Were there any train ons?

No

2 hours ago, WERRIDEE said:

Were there any train ons?

There will be one soon,