It’s a beautiful morning at Gosch’s Paddock. I’ll record my observations as the morning progresses but I have to leave early so hopefully some other Trackwatchers can fill in the gaps. 

Here is a compilation of all my posts/observations from training. A disclaimer: all observations are observed through one eye whilst wearing rose coloured glasses.

REHAB:

Melksham, Woey, Hunter (Concussion wearing yellow), Brown

NO SHOWS:

Salem (Thyroid), Grundy, Fritsch, Adams, Joel Smith

Blue Team:

May, Harmes, Melksham, Petracca, Brown, Kozzy, Nibbler, Bowey, Moniz-Wakefield, Dunstan, JVR, D. Smith, Jordon, Schache, Tomlinson, Jefferson, Laurie, K. Turner

White Team:

Max, Farris-White, Brayshaw, Viney (#24), Lever, Petty, Howes, Sestan, Spargo, Disco,  Chandler, Rivers, TMac, Sparrow, Clarry,  Langdon, McVee, Verrell 

I have a sneaking suspicion that Kye Turner just got the last list spot. Players in a huddle cheering and patting someone on the back & ruffling his hair. 

I didn’t notice Burgoyne here today. 

Melksham doing some running with the trainer. 

Brown and Woey also with trainer doing some work with one of the trainers. 

A game of European handball with a footy is being played in the middle of the pitch as a warmup. 

Langdon & Petty in long sleeves as the temperature climbs. 

Fingers crossed but I really think Trac’s kicking has improved. We’ve seen him have a spectrum of in play disposal from sublime to [censored]. I’ve noticed a significant improvement at training sessions. 

As a follow up to my criticism a few weeks ago of Laurie’s disposal I have noticed a significant improvement with his kicking. 

For the kicking into the pocket doomsdayers the current drill has players kicking from about the fifty to a lead deep into the pocket. 😱

Melksham, Brown & Woey all doing gym work in the open air shed. 

They’ve broken up into 3 separate groups for 3 separate drills. The smallest group is Jefferson, Verrell & Farris-White doing marking work with Chaplin body on body with them  

Another group is the keepings off handball drill in a small circle with big bodies like Max, Petty, May, TMac, Tomlinson, Schache, JVR, Lever, Disco Turner and K Turner without tackling.

The rest are doing a keepings off handball drill in a bigger circle with tackling. 

Bowey being tended to by a trainer. Something to do with lower leg, ankle or foot. He came off earlier but came back on. Trainer has left him and he has returned to the drill. 

Field has been split down the middle (length ways) and two separate half field match SIMs taking place sans tackling with players in yellow vest (changing) who are on both teams. 

There was almost a cataclysmic event as both Viney and Trac almost collided in a non contact drill. Both pulled up in time much to Viney’s disappointment. 

JVR received a handball from Trac running through the middle at full pace and lace outs a beautiful long pass to Bowey on a lead. JVR has an agility that isn't always present in key position players. I'm not suggesting he could play in the midfield but he moves really really well for a big man.

TMac’s on the run kicking has improved too. It cannot be underestimated how much we missed TMac late in the season for his work up the ground and in the 50m arc. He looks super fit. 

Dunstan has come off the track and is doing short sprints with a trainer to assess what’s going on. He’s returning to training now. 

Hunter kicking high to one on one contests between tall forwards and defenders. 

One on one opponents

May vs Schache

Petty vs Max

Tomlinson vs TMac

Lever vs JVR

Disco vs Farris-White

K Turner vs Jefferson

Disco Turner out bodying young Jefferson

Petty took a great contest chest mark on TMac

Some of the one on ones from the key position players had the players start with their back to the kicker so they were going into the contest blind. 

Mids doing a similar one on one contest drill but when the ball spills two others are at the fall of the ball contesting the spill. 

Split into two groups for the keepings of handball drill with tackling and a yellow vest player in the middle playing for both teams. Tackling intensity is high. 

Full ground match SIM underway

Hunter despite the broken nose is taking part in the SIM albeit with the fluoro hat. 

JVR has kicked a couple of goals getting out the back of his opponent when a high long ball has come in from fifty and he has waltz the ball into goal. 

Trac just makes it look so easy with his lateral movement in traffic. So much power. 

As I’ve mentioned every training session I’ve been to Kozzy is a magician in traffic. I would hire him to navigate my way up Punt Rd in peak hour.

Viney is everywhere.

Clarry doesn't appear to be hampered at all by his finger or thumb. There is no strapping and he is no longer wearing the don't touch fluoro yellow hat.

It really doesn’t need to be said as we’ve seen it last two seasons but Langdon’s work rate from deep in defence, up the wing and deep into the forward line is just phenomenal. 

Spargo’s tackling work is mint. Sparg’s was often used as a link up along the wing and would look to bring it back in board with his clean & accurate disposal. 

Maxy’s marking is top shelf.

Rivers disposal into the forward line is beautiful. Regarding a questions about whether River's was playing as a midfielder for the match SIMs - Hard to tell because all the play is generated from full back ie: almost like from kick outs but not in terms of being set plays from kickouts. Playing today in the half back to half forward arc closer to the boundary. 

If JVR doesn’t mark it his follow up work is top rate. He doesn’t stop trying to win the ball and his ground work is fantastic for a big man. A lot of power in the hips. 

Schache not playing as a key forward. Playing up the ground possibly replacing Grundy who is absent today as ruck positionally. We traded Schache in as a replacement for Weid and with Grundy absent he is playing that role. On the training track I have liked what I've seen from Schache and believe he can offer us more than we got out of Weid. Time will tell.

Hunter’s delivery all around the ground (with the exception of one howler) and especially into the forward 50 is pinpoint. 

Match SIM is over.

Lots of mini drill stations set up around the ground. 

One of them has ground ball contests between a big and a small. TMac vs Spargo and Schache vs Chandler. 

A snap for goal from the boundary station. 

One on one marking contest either in the air or to a lead. Trac vs Viney and Harmes vs Sparrow. 

Jefferson vs Farris-White in contested marking contests taken by Stafford. Both taking turns being the forward and defender. I guess they are teaching both of them the defensive part of the position and also combatting having a defender on you as you're marking.

Two other drills on the other side of the field but I can’t tell what they’re doing. 

Actually one of them appears to be a ball-in drill simulating once the ball is tapped down and each player involved has his turn to mop up the ball once it hits the ground. 

Kye Turner signing papers handed to him by List Manager Tim Lamb.

That’s all from me. The boys look like they’re changing from boots into runners so perhaps they are going to do their sprints and warm down. 

In summary; not one house in the Richmond area is left standing after we once again trained the house down.

DEMON JACK'S TRAINING REPORT

TRACATTACK'S TRAINING REPORT

KEV MARTIN'S TRAINING REPORT

SLARTIBARTFAST'S TRAINING REPORT

Hot air balloons sighted over Malvern on my way into the city this morning. Perhaps the club has arranged for its winning SSP candidate to make a surprise entry landing in the centre of Gosch’s Paddock for the start of training?

REHAB:

Melksham, Woey, Hunter (Concussion wearing yellow), Brown

NO SHOWS:

Salem (Thyroid), Grundy, Fritsch, Adams

Blue:

May, Harmes, Melksham, Petracca, Brown, Kozzy, Nibbler, Bowey, Moniz-Wakefield, Dunstan, JVR, D. Smith, Jordon, Schache, Tomlinson, Jefferson, Laurie, K. Turner

White:

Max, Farris-White, Brayshaw, Viney (#24), Lever, Petty, Howes, Sestan, Spargo, Disco,  Chandler, Rivers, TMac, Sparrow, Clarry,  Langdon, McVee, Verrell 

 

Burgoyne or Turner there?

I have a sneaking suspicion that Kye Turner just got the last list spot. 

players in a huddle cheering and patting someone on the back. 

I didn’t notice Burgoyne here today. 
 

19 minutes ago, Whispering_Jack said:

Hot air balloons sighted over Malvern on my way into the city this morning. Perhaps the club has arranged for its winning SSP candidate to make a surprise entry landing in the centre of Gosch’s Paddock for the start of training?

Don't let the Americans know. 😄

Melksham doing some running with the trainer. 

Brown and Woey also with trainer doing some work with one of the trainers. 

A game of European handball with a footy is being played in the middle of the pitch as a warmup. 

Yeah I'm thinking Turner will take it now. 

Turner has the last spot. Confirmed. 
 

Burgoyne was offered the chance to stay with Casey when he was invited to train if he didn’t make it onto the list. Wonder if he’ll take that opportunity. 

Langdon & Petty in long sleeves as the temperature climbs. 

Anyone know why Viney has been wearing the #24 of late?

6 minutes ago, 12345_54321 said:

Turner has the last spot. Confirmed. 
 

Burgoyne was offered the chance to stay with Casey when he was invited to train if he didn’t make it onto the list. Wonder if he’ll take that opportunity. 

So, it’s Hip Hop Turner as distinct from Disco Turner.

41 minutes ago, Whispering_Jack said:

Hot air balloons sighted over Malvern on my way into the city this morning. Perhaps the club has arranged for its winning SSP candidate to make a surprise entry landing in the centre of Gosch’s Paddock for the start of training?

Oh I hope not he might get shot down!

Fingers crossed but I really think Trac’s kicking has improved. We’ve seen him have a spectrum of in play disposal from sublime to [censored]. I’ve noticed a significant improvement at training sessions. 

4 minutes ago, Demon Jack said:

Anyone know why Viney has been wearing the #24 of late?

His normal one is at the cleaners? 

3 minutes ago, Demon Jack said:

Anyone know why Viney has been wearing the #24 of late?

 

Some good kicking on display at the moment. Trac has his laser reticle working beautifully. Has absolutely drilled a few kicks.

Bailey Laurie has put on a bit of size since I last saw him in action. Hope he gets a chance this year.

Not a lot of low bullet pass kicking from White so far. He kicks it quite high but typically finds the target.

Watching Pickett burst through congestion is like a drug. 

Viney and Trac nearly collide going after the same ball but stop at the last second, thus preventing the explosion that destroys all life on Earth.

May and Schache break even in a one on one marking contest. Schache does well to break free to chase and retrieve the loose ball.

Tomlinson giving TMac a lesson in body work at the moment.

EDIT: Although as I post that, McDonald returns serve.

Seston shrugs off a Dunstan tackle to break clear.

Dunstan looked like he was in a little bit of bother but seems ok now.

Laurie with a very clever tap on to a running Deakyn Smith.

Petty clunks a beauty against JVR.

Lever very vocal in the back 50.

May cuts off Petty's kick to Gawn and bursts forward, kicking to the advantage of JVR.

Trac is winning every contest he's involved in. Looks set for a better of a season.

Also, Viney looks more physically imposing and threatening than he ever has, which is saying something! The 'JV made me cry' thread is getting a few bumps this year I reckon.

I saw Fritta on the bike for a bit in the open air gym area. Don't think he participated in anything else.

TRACATTACK'S TRAINING REPORT

KEV MARTIN'S TRAINING REPORT

SLARTIBARTFAST'S TRAINING REPORT

Just now, Demon Jack said:

Some good kicking on display at the moment. Trac has his laser reticle working beautifully. Has absolutely drilled a few kicks.

 

As a follow up to my criticism a few weeks ago of Laurie’s disposal I have noticed a significant improvement with his kicking. 

Bailey Laurie has put on a bit of size since I last saw him in action. Hope he gets a chance this year.

Not a lot of low bullet pass kicking from White so far. He kicks it quite high but typically finds the target.

For the kicking into the pocket doomsdayers the current drill has players kicking from about the fifty to a lead deep into the pocket. 😱

Melksham, Brown & Woey all doing gym work in the open air shed. 

They’ve broken up into 3 separate groups for 3 separate drills. The smallest group is Jefferson, Verrell & Farris-White doing marking work with Chaplin body on body with them  

another group is the keepings off handball drill in a small circle with big bodies like Max Petty May TMac Tomlinson Schache JVR Lever Disco Turner and K Turner without tackling

The rest are doing a keepings off handball drill in a bigger circle with tackling. 

Watching Pickett burst through congestion is like a drug. 

Bowey being tended to by a trainer. Something to do with lower leg, ankle or foot. He came off earlier but came back on.

Trainer has left him and he has returned to the drill.