Veteran Demonland Trackwatcher Picket Fence once again ventured down to Casey Fields to bring us the following observations from the Demon's Preseason Training Session.

NO SHOWS

Didn’t notice J.V and Chandler, Bailey Fritsch but they may have been there!

INJURIES MODIFIED DUTIES

MAX, CLARRY, GUS (Although he was doing plenty of Running), THOLSTRUP, PETTY (Who also ran for the first time!)

SKILLS , DRILLS AND MANOUVERS

After warmups and Run Throughs, players broke of into  Groups doing a variety of

• Close in Handball through traffic to hit clean target with players pressuring.
• One on one Groundhog Day ground ball gets.
• Telescopic Talls in Marking contest situations
• Pressure the ball carrier, two meters away closing fast to kick to a lead.
• Match sims ( See below for details)
• Half ground transitioning including stoppage work on both boundary side wings and emphasizing manned positioning and quick breakaways using precise handballs to break out of traffic and finding leading player on lead or further handball, chip kicks to favored positions to free up play and present scoring options closer to goal. Red vs Whites, this also had an element of keeping the ball in forward line and using lateral movements and handball before finding a target. So, it was as much about forwards and positioning and defense creating a chess like impenetrable phalanx!

PLAYER WATCH AND MATCH SIM

TOM SPARROW I mean wow just wow this guy is ready to launch, has confidence picks great options and really will excite through the midfield this year.

LACHY HUNTER Has lost weight and dare I say it has picked up a yard of pace, was involved in plenty and looked rejuvenated and classy.

JACK BILLINGS, Classy ball user who always hits targets and linked up beautifully today, will play major parts in games.

SHANE MC ADAM The missing piece in the forward line puzzle, just oozes class, goal sense and links up magnificently, can also take a hanger and a half

KOZZY, Just mesmerizing today total excitement machine

SPARGO Yeah righto , he was really good today involved linked up and kicked a few goals and was busy.

MONIZ-WAKEFIELD Starting to find his feet was involved in a lot of link ups and used his pace and skills to great effect and could be a surprise early inclusion if he keeps this form up.

ADAM TOMLINSON Used his pace to run of the back half and set up many plays.

JED ADAMS, I took notice of him a couple of times with great run of Half back and also astute ball use. Looks a player.

MARTY HORE Looked right at home of half back, is an intercept king and used the ball to advantage. He could also get an early look in.

CHRISTIAN SALEM I’m sure it was him ( remember I’m on the other side of the fence) and he looked really good unhampered by recent injuries and looked fresh, pacey and involved with effortless and crisp disposal.

JOSH SHACHE, Took a couple of really good, contested marks and converted effortlessly, I hope he has improved enough to make the difference and looked particularly good today.

KYAH FARRIS WHITE Rucked well today and looks like if he develops a bit of mongrel could be a hell of a find.

TRENT RIVERS Looks like Mr. Universe with his swagger and relentless attack on the ball.

FINAL THOUGHTS

T. Mac wasn’t bad in defense and training levels were up from last week I thought. Ball movement was quick , precise and forward entries were purposeful and effective. Given some of the exhilarating  and exotic weaves out of defense and forwards moving to effective scoring positions this training session said a lot to me about the increased pace and intent to rectify past deficiencies which have sabotaged our last two years of finals performances.

Nice one .

Brilliant as usual mate, thanks so much for your work.

 

I’m absolutely ensorcelled in your player note and their sagacious insights!

Like I’ve been saying for a while now, JT is best in the business and Hore, McAdam, Billings & Fullarton are all pick-ups that add to the 22 mix & will help optimise our best 26 in a big big way without giving up much at all. 
 

Really encouraged by AMW, Hunter, Laurie & Rivers reports so far this pre season as well. Let’s hope it all keeps coming together, but tempering my expectations by knowing 17 other clubs have similar reports.. even though we know ours are more accurate 😊 

Bonza report!

On 16/12/2023 at 07:13, Nudge said:

Brilliant as usual mate, thanks so much for your work.

 

I’m absolutely ensorcelled in your player note and their sagacious insights!

Like I’ve been saying for a while now, JT is best in the business and Hore, McAdam, Billings & Fullarton are all pick-ups that add to the 22 mix & will help optimise our best 26 in a big big way without giving up much at all. 
 

Really encouraged by AMW, Hunter, Laurie & Rivers reports so far this pre season as well. Let’s hope it all keeps coming together, but tempering my expectations by knowing 17 other clubs have similar reports.. even though we know ours are more accurate 😊 

Bonus points for using the word ensorcelled.

Dictionary

Definitions from Oxford Languages · Learn more

ensorcell

verb

ARCHAIC

past tense: ensorcelled; past participle: ensorcelled

1. enchant; fascinate.

   "he was a child when the power of a mythic image first ensorcelled him"

Thanks Picket 'Noah' Fence. Brilliant as usual. Tommy Sparrow is a fave of mine. So happy he's ready to launch. That'll shove a sock in a few mouths.

Never understood why we didn't keep Hore.

Glad he's back.

Thanks PickettFence.

On 19/12/2023 at 13:07, redandbluemakepurple said:

Dictionary

Definitions from Oxford Languages · Learn more

ensorcell

verb

ARCHAIC

past tense: ensorcelled; past participle: ensorcelled

1. enchant; fascinate.

   "he was a child when the power of a mythic image first ensorcelled him"

From the old French..... sorcerer.

Perhaps to put under a spell. 

Has Tom been training " back " all the time?

I've been away but know he didn't really test his abilities to turn/ manoeuvre prior to the horrible Finals game last season.

Running straight out the the backline would seem  be a a sensible option.

Back to the future for Tom .He was good down there..a swap with Petty