TRAINING: Friday 20th January 2023

[Demonland 73,140]

TOUGH KENT'S TRAINING REPORT

I journeyed out to Casey today and was fortunate enough to watch two quarters of match simulation. Here is a brief rundown of random occurrences/thoughts.

First of all, there was no Jake Lever (ankle) or Joel Smith involved. AMW is still in rehab and was running strongly.

It was Blue (Probables) v Red (Possibles) JvR was in blue. Ben Brown, T-Mac, Hibbo and Tom Sparrow were in red.
Gus Brayshaw started at half back for blue and stayed there all game.

Josh Schache rucked for the red team against Max/Brodie.

Adam Tomlinson played in the Lever role.

First goals were to Blue team through Fritta and JvR. Rooey followed his goal up with another strong mark but missed a very gettable goal. He contested strongly all game.

The half forwards all pressed up the ground high, leaving lots of open space behind them.

It was obvious that we have been told to move quickly from defence. They went short a lot and also moved the ball on by hand to defenders streaming through from behind. There was a definite urgency in the way they moved they footy.

Max took a mark on the lead, but missed a gettable goal.

Lachie Hunter was in everything.

Kozzie and Clarry were dominant.

Salo was very industrious off half back and looked like the Salem of 2021.

Promisingly – Brodie Grundy finished the quarter off with 2 goals, one from a strong grab and the other from a handball over the top. At the break – Blue were 4-5 to Red 0-1.

Chandler took the game on and evaded many tackles. However, I think his lack of a right foot might hurt him at senior level as he did run himself into trouble a few times.

Ben Brown took a strong pack mark, but missed a very kickable goal.

Kye Turner got a fist in a few times and looked strong in the air.

Taj Woey got a little bit of the footy.

Koz did a run-down tackle in the square, but only managed to hit the post.

Melky was in the blue and missed two consecutive snaps on goal. I would say that he is very much in their round 1 plans.

Sparrow snagged a goal from a push in the back from Clarrie.

Fritta got a goal out the back – evidence of the open forward line apparent there.

Ben Brown got one on the lead and goaled.

Hunter hit Fritta on the chest. Fritta in turn kicked it out on the full from deep in the pocket.

Viney was in everything. Nibbler, who was in red, was also busy.

In the second half, Grundy took three marks leading up at the footy. He was a highlight for me. He competed strongly, and if he couldn’t mark it he made sure he brought it to ground.

When Max was in the ruck, Grundy started forward. When Grundy was in the ruck, Max started forward. The ruck at the time would then drop behind the play.

Kye Turner, playing on JvR, showed some real dash. He was good. took no part in the match sim.

Hunter missed a very gettable goal after marking a Spargo chip. He was very vocal on field. He was my other highlight. I think Blue won the second period by a couple of points.

YOKOZUNA'S TRAINING REPORT

I also went to training. They worked really hard, was a long session, and the intensity was up. So the worry about missing skills is nothing. Nobody is prefect and when working so hard with very little rest, errors will happen. 

In the match sim I was happy to see more efforts to switch the ball (we didn’t do much of that last year) and also trying to spot up a short 45 kick to open the ground up or get out of congestion.

Stand out players for mine:

Trac, Viney in the middle were too good and strong - Oliver ran well so has recovered from his illness. 

Grundy was really good - very positive signs.

Melksham was great, missed a couple of shots but was almost BOG for mine. 

Fritsch also dominant and so classy. 

Was impressed with JvR jumping at the ball and his run ing - seemed very quick and much fitter. 

Kozzie also dominated with and without the ball. 

From the backs Salem was very classy and used then all well and I really liked the look of number 47 - I think he was Kye Turner.

Other notable/impressive players:

Really impressed with Woey today - first time I had seen him get so much of the ball. 

The reds had less possessions so they did struggle to get a lot of it - Woey, Sparrow and Jibbers were there best.

Like Hunter too - used the ball well and finds/creates space. He and Langdon will be a great wing duo. 

I also liked the attack om the ball of some of the younger guys like Deakyn Smith/Judd McVee/Chandler

Overall I was happy with what I saw - all having a red hot crack under pressure and fatigue - senior players doing well - young guys looking better and some new ball movement.

GATOR’S TRAINING REPORT

Lots of targets missed in the modern day circle work pre match sims.  But it was pretty frenetic and there were some great passes too.

Match sims:

Standouts were Petracca, Viney, Pickett, Hunter, and Salem is moving like Salem of 2021.  Spargo was very involved also, while Grundy got better the longer it went.  He isn't a great contested mark, but he'll pluck them occasionally and he fights tooth and nail once it hits the deck.  Don't write off Hibberd.  He's moving well and contested strongly.  Schache took one good mark.  He played as the red team's alternating ruckman, along with Farris-White.  Does he compete like a big man? The talent is there. 

Oliver looked good.  He's physically looking imposing. Brayshaw played in defence.  It was a ''high'' back role. After match sim the fwds, backs and mids all did extras within their own groups and Brayshaw stayed with the defenders.

Of the younger brigade Woewodin was great early, Kye Turner really impressed me, Rivers is looking strong and intense, JvR kicked a couple and took one excellent mark. He turns 20 one month into the season, so he's not some skinny 18 year old who'll take a long time to contribute.  He'll be good in 2023. 

There's something about McVee also.  He's a really nice kick and has footy IQ. Disco Turner took a nice grab but had to be helped off later after a marking collision.  I'm not sure if he came back on, but I don't think there was much in it. Bowey was busy.  It's going to be a tough team to crack.

They finished off doing 100 metre sprints, then 80 and I think 70.  They were still going when I left. Some were doing it tougher than others but Sestan was doing better than I expected.  Unfortunately, I barely sighted him during match sims. He found it hard to get involved.  But those sessions happen, especially with a young player.  And he may have got more ball than I realise.  When they've got caps on, like he did, you miss things.  He lined up at HF.

Chandler was OK.  He tries to do a bit much at times, but is clever.  I can't get excited by him, but I appreciate why others expect him to get games this year.

All in all it was a good session with a few of the young guys impressing.  I wouldn't take much notice that a few senior guys were in red.  They have to balance it out from a competitive point of view.  There was plenty of good play and plenty of turnovers, but that's what happens when you play yourself and both sides know what each other is trying to do.

Adams, Verrell and Burgoyne did a lot of boundary running.

Jake Lever was in good spirits.  He was repeatedly walking up and down the outside steel steps in front of the pavillion before heading over to a stationary bike.  Once or twice he was vocal in his encouragement to those training.  No doubt he'd prefer to be out there, but he was walking freely and seemed in good spirits.

Gawn ran off at good speed and I didn't even suspect an injury at the time. He didn't return.  We've all seen players hobble off by two trainers after bad hamstrings, so I expect it's not severe.  Let's hope at worst it's a regulation hamstring with a 21 day recovery.