Thanks for the reports, guys .the insights by Andy and others are very much appreciated 

47 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Some good reports on Jefferson it seems?

Keen to hear how Deakyn Smith and Schache went in the match sims.

I didn’t notice Deakyn that much today. I have been impressed with Schache over the few sessions I’ve been to this preseason. I noticed he dropped a few marks today which was unusual because he has been pretty clean with his hands to date. 

1 hour ago, Demonland said:

TMac, Brown & JVR all look in great nick out on the track. Would not want to be a round 1 selector. 

Surely we can't have all three and 2 ruckman (far too top heavy for the modern game).... or can we?🤔

Ripper of report lads 🔥

Excellent Training Reports, thankyou. 
Just wish this was from last Week, when i made the trek into Gosch’s and nobody was there…

Oh well it was a beautiful sunny morning….

1 hour ago, Demonland said:

It’s evident that this year we’ll be bringing the ball back into the guts more rather than always predictably going along the wings and kicking into the forward pocket. 

This is exciting to hear... it's much better to watch as a supporter too.  If they're moving it quick, it can be hard to stop - although if it was the only way we moved the ball, teams would clog the corridor so we ideally need to be comfortable doing it multiple ways.

Did you notice designated players taking the corridor kick eg Bowey, May, Rivers etc or are they encouraging all players to do it?

Thanks Demonland, Delightful, DdSpencer, Startibart and all posters, another great effort it was like being there.🤘👌👍✅💕

Pretty willing session from what I saw between 10:05 and 11:20.

One big full ground drill that seemed to be a mix between 3 cone kicking, some defenders involved and hit up kicks. I couldn’t work out who went where so good on the players getting this one sorted. Otherwise periods of match sim for about 10 minutes at a time mixed in with some high tempo small handball drills. 

Standouts:

Fritsch, playing as a lead up target on team white and just racking it up in the corridor and facilitating nicely. 

Sparrow, showed an exceptional turn of speed to take the game on and used it well. Tracked back in defence hard. Looks ready for more midfield time 

Oliver was Oliver. Gawn dominated the air early. Grundy got involved at ground level, he links up in traffic very naturally. Liked the work of JJ on one wing, and Langdon had the better of Hunter on the other.

From the young guys Jefferson was really good. You can see the way he reads the play and times his leads. Even showed the ability to push back in to a defender then hit up. Only one mark that I’d even remotely call contested but plenty of others with natural extension towards the ball. Then he makes calm decisions with the ball.

Kyah also had a good day. He’s a proper tall ruck so can make an impact at marking contests even if he’s still learning positioning and timing, then he has the athleticism to get back on to the ground ball first. It will be 5 years until we know for sure if he’s any good but early signs are he has the tools.

Schache has moments were his tank to present to space really looks the goods and his skills are solid. But he got worried out of a chest mark when 3m clear on a lead and he had a one on one with Gus that was halved but they were side by side competing. Not sure his fatal flaw has improved.

Deak Smith had some willing contests but didn’t stand out. McVee throws in some classy moments with a cheeky underground handball and the likes.

 

Thanks to all track watchers for the training reports.

Exciting to hear Kozzie is shredding it further up field, but we need him in the forward 50 for both goal scoring power and defensive pressure. Where ever he plays though, just sign him up long term please!

Rivers is another I’m hoping entrenched himself in the team this year. He could be a gun half back and struggled for form last season after an injury interrupted start. If Salem is going to miss a chunk of the year, Rivers will be one who needs to step up. 

My first preseason venture out to training today, and I believe there’s going to be major headaches about filling the 2 key forward positions

Brown is moving very freely and looks strong 

TMac is probably the pick of the bunch looking leaner and moving unencumbered 

JVR is everything you want from a KPP with skills, agility, and ‘attitude’ aplenty

Fritsch of course picks himself 

KEV MARTIN'S TRAINING REPORT

David King was apparently there this morning and will be on SEN “soon” to share his observations. 

Great reporting guys! We've been pretty spoilt in the last few days with coverage!

3 hours ago, Demonland said:

They’ve broken up into the white versus blue keepings off game with a pink vest on the middle that plays on both teams. 

Kozzy in pink in one group. Lingers in pink in the other. 

Spargo now pink. 

Now Bowey 

One group keeps changing the pink vest. Lingers still the pink vest in his group. No one ever anywhere near him. 

Most important question of all, Andy…

who looked best in pink?

 

Beautiful morning for it.

They are getting to the stage where there is plenty of push. The drills and sims were done with intensity and voice. There was an extra sim's session, making 4/5 in total for 6 minutes each, with hardly a rest during, as the ball kept moving.

Goody was encouraging them to all run the transition hard. Most had to push hard up the field. At times, it looked like our backs ran so hard they were playing as forwards.

They were often getting their passes over the backs to the forwards leads. Seems like they are working on creating an open forward line.

Some defensive structure to hold the ball in the forward area worked well.

By the end, many ended up on the haunches.

They have stepped up the tackling in the handball games, they were also encouraging them to break the tackles with fends and steps away from the defender.

A bit different from last year, in that they don't separate into their lines (forward, back, mid) very often.

Thought Burgoyne did well, got plenty of it by running hard and getting separation, also used his shimmy/step to find clear air.

K.Turner was always chasing and couldn't get in it.

D.Smith was looking good, beat his opponent a few times and laced the ball to the next player.

Moniz-wakefield missed a few hit ups, wasn't alone, as a few of the 1 to 3 year players did the same early in the sims.

Jefferson has amazing long arms and his hand are gold. Needs to bulk up, but is looking like a potential.

Spargo was in everything. 

Petracca getting lots of intercepts. 

Oliver and Kossie the stand outs.

Tmac is looking powerful and getting some good acceleration. 

Lever left early and with no May there, our lack of backline structures made it easy for the forward thrusts.

Petty up one end and Tomlinson the other didn’t get much support from the others, especially with the forward push, they were frequently isolated without the usual zoned area.

Not sure if the cohesion between the group of best 30 and the rest is great. At one stage, Lever asked judd McVee what his name was in a drill. Hoping it was tongue in cheek.

Hunter got hit in the collision with Hibbo who corked his thigh, got it strapped and was running it out. Lachie then smothered a ball off Max's boot with his head. He didn't appear dizzy, but that was the end of the session for him. Maybe getting the concussion tests.

Our intensity is causing many niggles early on in our preseason.

Talked to a volunteer, he tells me the practice match out at Casey will be curtain raised by the, Casey Demons team versus Richmond VFL.

 

I haven’t had a minute to compile my observations but will get to it in the next hour or so.  

 

4 hours ago, DeelightfulPlay said:

Just about to rock up after 10 hours on the train to Melbourne.  Don't think I'll be much good for insights but will add anything that catches my eye!

Thanks mate

i knew the trains were bad but 10 hours? you come in from Belgrave?  how many bus transfers?

 

*sorry just being dumb

5 minutes ago, Demonland said:

 

Out of contract star???

He has a contract. Will have a contract all bloody season, he is a kid. RELAX!

23 minutes ago, DubDee said:

Out of contract star???

He has a contract. Will have a contract all bloody season, he is a kid. RELAX!

The next few months are going to be tough if you get upset by that.

 

Thanks Kev I can take plenty of this, great report.!!

30 minutes ago, Demonland said:

 

I like the goal kicking drill - running in a straight line, About time!

29 minutes ago, Demonland said:

 

Well well fancy that when you kick it straight over the man on the mark....

King labels untried Demon a “walk-up starter” as Grundy still finding feet at Melbourne