TRAINING: Monday 16th January 2023

STINGA'S TRAINING REPORT

Went with a friend to watch training this morning.  They have 3 sets of temporary grandstands set up next to the rooms for spectators and get a good view of everything.

Fritsch was the only absentee and J Smith was on the bike for the whole session.

Everyone in their own numbers except JVR in 44,   Kye Turner is 47 and Burgoyne 33.

Started off with goal kicking which has been described before.

Then an agility routine where where they ducked around ski poles whilst marking short kicks, receiving and giving handballs.  Then a couple of other similar groups (of which there were 3 of 15 or 16 players).  In one a ball was tossed in with 5 in white tabbards trying to intercept or tackle whilst other team handballed it around.   At this stage one of the groups was all the tall players probably 194 or more and their skills below their knees were great.  The had to at least bounce handball through the group a couple of times.  When you saw 16 such tall players together you realised we are going to be a tall side, even if 6 are at Casey.  May's anticipation and tackling stood out.

Then whole ground long kicks one way, punch to defend and switch with handballs from defence then run and handball or short kicks to the other end.  Very slick movement.  It was in this that I saw Grundy on a few occasions just take off and try and get ahead of the play into the forward line.  From that and previous reports,I think that is what he is going to do.

They then did different versions of match practice which included free kicks, 50 metres etc.   In this it stood out just how far  the 1st and 2nd year players are behind the senior players  Hibberd, May, Lever and Petty work really well together.  Of the new players  Hunter stood out - just kept hitting targets and got a bit of the ball.   Grundy was very mobile but Max dominated.  Schache took one good mark but that's all I saw him do.  The 2 Turners were OK but a level below the others.   Burgoyne was in the match practice but didn't seem to do much.  Kozzie was quiet but looked good if that makes sense.

Brown was very good, TMac and Bowie were OK  JVR was impressive.  Chandler and Spargo got involved. Trac, Oliver, Viney Langdon, Brayshaw, Harmes and Sparrow were a level above the rest.  ANB was quiet and at one stage came off with maybe a groin issue, but came back on.  Thommo did well - looks to have lost weight and moves a bit freer.  Salem, Melksham, Jordan, Dunstan and Laurie were quiet.  

The young ones do well in the skills drills but just don't have the body or presence to impact in the match play.  Seston has a body that could compete but a long way behind.  Howes is probably the closest but will take him a while.