TRAINING: Tuesday 27th February 2024

[Demonland 71,866]

I headed down to Gosch’s Paddock this morning for the Captain’s Run in the lead up to tomorrow night’s practice match against the Blues. 

The squad that took the field was indicative of the lineup for that match at Ikon Park. 

Likely Selections based on the groupings of players at the Captain's Run today at Gosch's Paddock.

Main Group: Gawn, Viney, May, JVR, Lever, Petracca, McVee, Windsor, Billings, Langdon, Bowey, Schache, Rivers, ANB, Fritsch, Sparrow, Chandler, Kozzy, Laurie, K Brown, Tomlinson, Howes, Salem

Casey Group: TMac, KFW, Sestan, Tholstrup, Hore, AMW, Adams, Fullarton, Verrell, Jefferson, Weowodin, Clarry

Injured Players: Melksham (Knee), McAdam (Calf), Hunter (Calf), Spargo (Achilles), Petty (Toe), Smith (Suspended), B Brown (Knee), Turner (Stress Fracture) --- of these players Melksham, McAdam and Petty were on the track early. Others may have been but not when I was there and I was there 25 mins before the start of training.

Early on the track: Melksham & McAdam

Melksham having shots at goal from 50

McAdam running laps as is Melksham now.

Just on McAdam and his injury.

I went to training over a month ago when McAdam was jogging along the boundary presumably after he first sustained this current injury and was just beginning his rehab. From my untrained eye he does not look that much further along in his recovery. Granted at that time he looked uncomfortable and today he didn't look uncomfortable but I have no idea how far away he is from returning to full training. That first training session I reported him running laps could have been a few days ago. Melksham looked fitter and more ready to return to training than McAdam in my uneducated opinion. To quote the Castle "It's just the Vibe". I have no medical training and I don't know if there has been a relapse or recurrence of the injury or perhaps that's just how he runs so make of that observation what you will.

Can see Petty in Red walking back to AAMI 

Main group hits the field. No Clarry in the group but Salem is there.

The final practice match is indicative of the Opening Round lineup so I’ll go out on a limb and say Clarry won’t play in Opening Round. Having said that, Kozzy is training in the main group and will likely play in the Practice Match but is not available through suspension for the first match so there is a position up for grabs.

No Verrell in the main group so assume that Schache will be the backup ruck. 

Salem looking fit and sharp. 

Square drill player kicks to a player at another point on the square who marks and handballs to a running player who kicks to another point of the square etc. repeat  

Skills for the most part look sharp however there is very limited contact/pressure in Captain's Run sessions.

Players on witches hats shaped in a diamond running and handballing to another player at another point in the diamond culminating in a player receiving and having a ping for goal on the run from 40 out. 

Split into lines:

Centre Bounce: Max, Viney, Trac, Langdon, Sparrow, Salem, Windsor

Backs: May Lever, McVee, Bowey, Howes, Rivers, Tomlinson

Forwards: JVR, Schache, Kozzy, ANB, Chandler, Laurie, Fritsch, Billings, K Brown

Tactical drill without tackling. Very quick ball movement end to end. Skills look sharp but no pressure. 

Drills starting from different points of the ground. 

Most starting off with Bowey. 

Other drills starting from a ball up or throw in. 

Very uneven number of players in white singlets as the opposition. Most of them the coach and assistants. 

Seconds doing some basic drills on the rugby oval next door. 

Clarry in long sleeves despite the warm morning heat.

Looks like the main group is winding down with forwards having shots for goal.

Couple of mids are doing one on ones from a tap down from the ruck.

Couple of the defenders lining up to either have the ball drilled into the from Chaplin from close in or kicked high in the air. 

That’s a wrap. Easy Captain’s Run session on the eve of our last Practice Match. 

Most players have gone back to the rooms. Trac, Viney, Chandler, Windsor, Howes, Fritsch, K Brown, Kozzy & Bowser having shots for goal.

Baring any hitches the 23 that trained today will be the starting 23 tomorrow night and with the exception of Kozzy (and fingers crossed no injuries) will likely be the 22 for Opening Round. With Kozzy out of OR there is a spot up for grabs so perhaps it could be Clarry. Also someone could impress in the 2s tomorrow and claim a spot.

KEV MARTIN'S CAPTAIN'S RUN OBSERVATIONS

Beautiful morning for a run, minimal wind, and the day has a little crispness to it (started warming up as the session progressed).

They weren't showing much joy as they went about it (to be expected, Gus and other issues).

I was told that earlier on, Petty was having a run and a kick.

McAdam's was running harder with his program, and Melky was working well in his rehab (no strapping).

Good to see that Fullaton is ready to go, as was TMac who were in the VFL squad (no Casey players).

Starting 23 out there for a simulated captain's run. Looks like K.Brown is a forward. Originally was trialled as a mid and Tholstrup as a forward. I reckon K.Brown is seen as progressing stronger than Tholstrup and so gets the chance. Hope they rest, K.Brown in the 4th quarter tomorrow and give Tholstrup a late run. Given that the others didn't join the 23,  however I assume the game will be only the 23 that ran out today.

Goody ran most of the session. Great to him him using his whistle, and getting heavily involved by structuring/voicing what he wants. Usually he delegates more often to the others. Nothing like an up and about Head Coach. 

They were switched on in the drills, plenty of noise, and excellent skills. Really enjoyed seeing the small fwds working on and executing lovely passes into the tall fwds by Billings, Laurie and Kossie. Thought Fritsch fumbled the ball and missed some easy goals today. JVR is ready to hit the big time. Schache was one paced, though no errors. Had a discussion with a fellow supporter who reckons (I agreed), Tomlinson could play well up fwd, though unlikely. 

May clumsy and losing his feet (could have been the sun in his eyes), hoping he can get his 'mojo' on, which he had in previous sessions.

Salem looking strong, training with the mids, plenty of composure, energy, and run.  

Windsor moves so well over the ground.

Viney, on target to be the best I have seen of him.

Tracc still with some anxieties when kicking set shots for goal (appeared to have). Two out of three hit the right spot.

No contact at all. Last time I saw any tackling drills was ages ago, and the tackling during sims has been diminished/less impact. They hit each other hard prior to the Christmas break, now more about the defensive structure, run and transition. I am a bit worried as we have not done this type of drill in order to prepare to be 'hard'. Hoping, they have been working on it in the closed areas. We cannot drop our early games otherwise the media will get on the 'going backwards bus'. Tomorrow is not as important as the away trip to Sydney, but gee I hope we bring some tackling pressure. 

Go Dees

[WERRIDEE 5,464]

Why do they continue to go with Schache and Tomlinson has got me beat we are going backwards.

Seniors

B: Lever, May, McVee

HB: Salem, Tomlinson, Rivers

C: Windsor, Petracca, Langdon

HF: Billings, van Rooyen, Neal-Bullen

F: Chandler, Fritsch, Pickett

FOLL: Gawn, Sparrow, Viney

IC: Bowey, Laurie, K. Brown, Schache

SUB: Howes

 

Casey

B: Freeman, Adams, Hore

HB: Connelly, McDonald, Lual

C: Steele, Oliver, Woewodin

HF: Sestan, Verrall, Tholstrup

F: Moniz-Wakefield, Jefferson, Farris-White

FOLL: Fullerton, White, Szybkowski

IC: Peters, Shipp, La Planche, Valentine, Edwards 

[Dingo 1,059]

7 hours ago, Demonland said:

I headed down to Gosch’s Paddock this morning for the Captain’s Run in the lead up to tomorrow night’s practice match against the Blues. 

The squad that took the field was indicative of the lineup for that match at Ikon Park. 

Likely Selections based on the groupings of players at the Captain's Run today at Gosch's Paddock.

Main Group: Gawn, Viney, May, JVR, Lever, Petracca, McVee, Windsor, Billings, Langdon, Bowey, Schache, Rivers, ANB, Fritsch, Sparrow, Chandler, Kozzy, Laurie, K Brown, Tomlinson, Howes, Salem

Casey Group: TMac, KFW, Sestan, Tholstrup, Hore, AMW, Adams, Fullarton, Verrell, Jefferson, Weowodin, Clarry

Injured Players: Melksham (Knee), McAdam (Calf), Hunter (Calf), Spargo (Achilles), Petty (Toe), Smith (Suspended), B Brown (Knee), Turner (Stress Fracture) --- of these players Melksham, McAdam and Petty were on the track early. Others may have been but not when I was there and I was there 25 mins before the start of training.

Early on the track: Melksham & McAdam

Melksham having shots at goal from 50

McAdam running laps as is Melksham now.

Just on McAdam and his injury.

I went to training over a month ago when McAdam was jogging along the boundary presumably after he first sustained this current injury and was just beginning his rehab. From my untrained eye he does not look that much further along in his recovery. Granted at that time he looked uncomfortable and today he didn't look uncomfortable but I have no idea how far away he is from returning to full training. That first training session I reported him running laps could have been a few days ago. Melksham looked fitter and more ready to return to training than McAdam in my uneducated opinion. To quote the Castle "It's just the Vibe". I have no medical training and I don't know if there has been a relapse or recurrence of the injury or perhaps that's just how he runs so make of that observation what you will.

Can see Petty in Red walking back to AAMI 

Main group hits the field. No Clarry in the group but Salem is there.

The final practice match is indicative of the Opening Round lineup so I’ll go out on a limb and say Clarry won’t play in Opening Round. Having said that, Kozzy is training in the main group and will likely play in the Practice Match but is not available through suspension for the first match so there is a position up for grabs.

No Verrell in the main group so assume that Schache will be the backup ruck. 

Salem looking fit and sharp. 

Square drill player kicks to a player at another point on the square who marks and handballs to a running player who kicks to another point of the square etc. repeat  

Skills for the most part look sharp however there is very limited contact/pressure in Captain's Run sessions.

Players on witches hats shaped in a diamond running and handballing to another player at another point in the diamond culminating in a player receiving and having a ping for goal on the run from 40 out. 

Split into lines:

Centre Bounce: Max, Viney, Trac, Langdon, Sparrow, Salem, Windsor

Backs: May Lever, McVee, Bowey, Howes, Rivers, Tomlinson

Forwards: JVR, Schache, Kozzy, ANB, Chandler, Laurie, Fritsch, Billings, K Brown

Tactical drill without tackling. Very quick ball movement end to end. Skills look sharp but no pressure. 

Drills starting from different points of the ground. 

Most starting off with Bowey. 

Other drills starting from a ball up or throw in. 

Very uneven number of players in white singlets as the opposition. Most of them the coach and assistants. 

Seconds doing some basic drills on the rugby oval next door. 

Clarry in long sleeves despite the warm morning heat.

Looks like the main group is winding down with forwards having shots for goal.

Couple of mids are doing one on ones from a tap down from the ruck.

Couple of the defenders lining up to either have the ball drilled into the from Chaplin from close in or kicked high in the air. 

That’s a wrap. Easy Captain’s Run session on the eve of our last Practice Match. 

Most players have gone back to the rooms. Trac, Viney, Chandler, Windsor, Howes, Fritsch, K Brown, Kozzy & Bowser having shots for goal.

Baring any hitches the 23 that trained today will be the starting 23 tomorrow night and with the exception of Kozzy (and fingers crossed no injuries) will likely be the 22 for Opening Round. With Kozzy out of OR there is a spot up for grabs so perhaps it could be Clarry. Also someone could impress in the 2s tomorrow and claim a spot.

KEV MARTIN'S CAPTAIN'S RUN OBSERVATIONS

Beautiful morning for a run, minimal wind, and the day has a little crispness to it (started warming up as the session progressed).

They weren't showing much joy as they went about it (to be expected, Gus and other issues).

I was told that earlier on, Petty was having a run and a kick.

McAdam's was running harder with his program, and Melky was working well in his rehab (no strapping).

Good to see that Fullaton is ready to go, as was TMac who were in the VFL squad (no Casey players).

Starting 23 out there for a simulated captain's run. Looks like K.Brown is a forward. Originally was trialled as a mid and Tholstrup as a forward. I reckon K.Brown is seen as progressing stronger than Tholstrup and so gets the chance. Hope they rest, K.Brown in the 4th quarter tomorrow and give Tholstrup a late run. Given that the others didn't join the 23,  however I assume the game will be only the 23 that ran out today.

Goody ran most of the session. Great to him him using his whistle, and getting heavily involved by structuring/voicing what he wants. Usually he delegates more often to the others. Nothing like an up and about Head Coach. 

They were switched on in the drills, plenty of noise, and excellent skills. Really enjoyed seeing the small fwds working on and executing lovely passes into the tall fwds by Billings, Laurie and Kossie. Thought Fritsch fumbled the ball and missed some easy goals today. JVR is ready to hit the big time. Schache was one paced, though no errors. Had a discussion with a fellow supporter who reckons (I agreed), Tomlinson could play well up fwd, though unlikely. 

May clumsy and losing his feet (could have been the sun in his eyes), hoping he can get his 'mojo' on, which he had in previous sessions.

Salem looking strong, training with the mids, plenty of composure, energy, and run.  

Windsor moves so well over the ground.

Viney, on target to be the best I have seen of him.

Tracc still with some anxieties when kicking set shots for goal (appeared to have). Two out of three hit the right spot.

No contact at all. Last time I saw any tackling drills was ages ago, and the tackling during sims has been diminished/less impact. They hit each other hard prior to the Christmas break, now more about the defensive structure, run and transition. I am a bit worried as we have not done this type of drill in order to prepare to be 'hard'. Hoping, they have been working on it in the closed areas. We cannot drop our early games otherwise the media will get on the 'going backwards bus'. Tomorrow is not as important as the away trip to Sydney, but gee I hope we bring some tackling pressure. 

Go Dees

Thanks for an amazing report.

 

[Docs Demons 1,788]

5 hours ago, WERRIDEE said:

Why do they continue to go with Schache and Tomlinson has got me beat we are going backwards.

Seniors

B: Lever, May, McVee

HB: Salem, Tomlinson, Rivers

C: Windsor, Petracca, Langdon

HF: Billings, van Rooyen, Neal-Bullen

F: Chandler, Fritsch, Pickett

FOLL: Gawn, Sparrow, Viney

IC: Bowey, Laurie, K. Brown, Schache

SUB: Howes

 

Casey

B: Freeman, Adams, Hore

HB: Connelly, McDonald, Lual

C: Steele, Oliver, Woewodin

HF: Sestan, Verrall, Tholstrup

F: Moniz-Wakefield, Jefferson, Farris-White

FOLL: Fullerton, White, Szybkowski

IC: Peters, Shipp, La Planche, Valentine, Edwards 

All good to keep having a go at the Schach attack and Tomo Werridee but try and be positive every now and again. Maybe they are our best alternatives at present and we need/have to run with them unless you have a better plan? alternative at the moment. 

[WERRIDEE 5,464]

1 minute ago, Docs Demons said:

All good to keep having a go at the Schach attack and Tomo Werridee but try and be positive every now and again. Maybe they are our best alternatives at present and we need/have to run with them unless you have a better plan? alternative at the moment. 

I'm pretty positive with the rest doing well. I just can't stand Schache and Tomo they let the team down time and again. My alternative was to play Hore ahead of Tomlinson and go small up forward. Excited to see how Jefferson, Tholstrup, K. Brown, and Windsor go.