Veteran Demonland Trackwatchers Kev Martin, Slartibartfast & Demon Wheels were on hand at Gosch's Paddock to kick off the official first training session for the 1st to 4th year players with a few elder statesmen in attendance as well.

KEV MARTIN'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS

Beautiful morning.

Joy all round, they look like they want to be there. 

21 in the squad. Looks like the leadership group is TMac, Viney Chandler and Petty. They look like they have slimmed down, especially the top half. Perhaps less upper-body work in the gym. Viney's thigh are huge.

Nathan Jones brought the exuberance to many in his interactions. 

Chaplin was stamping his method into the forward work. Three across the line, the flankers staying wide, though with some synchronising as they turn and run. The delivery, then getting a flanker to be front and centre, as the other stays wide. Appears he wants them to turn quickly and make angles or direct/sharp runs at the ball carrier.

Bassett working quietly, working on getting the outside run happening at the stoppages. 

Gus (the training assistant), led the Remembrance (lest we forget) ceremony for the minutes silence. Teared up as the RAAF jets overflew us on there way to the shrine, good timing.

The squad was doing the basics well. In a few of the drills barely a ball hit the ground.

 I was impressed with the camaraderie, vocal noise and connection, we have a good lot of youngsters.

Jed Adams looks like a leader, learnt some lessons from the Lever in the shape of being vocal.

TMac was in boots, that's the first time in ages I have not seen him start the pre-season in runners. Foot problems are well behind him. 

The only one who looked little rusty was, Windsor. 

Jefferson is my tip as a big improver. Often led the running group he was in.

Sestan has slimmed down and looking good.

Turner and Howes are getting bigger, and as was pointed out by another tracky, so is Verrall. 

None of the new players, Campbell or Sharp were there.

There were 6 technicians lining around the computer screens.

Seemed like many of the Administrators and powers that be, turned up (No Green).

When they did some contact drills, both Tholstrup and Bowey disengaged from the group.

The main effort in tackling drills, was as Choco called out, 'drive them low and keep going at the arms'.

Salem and Fritsch were running laps. Fritta was looking fantastic as he out did Salo, who was straining at times.

Goody was watching them very carefully, I had the impression he liked what he saw, as did I.

11 hours ago, demon3165 said:

I'm interested if their 20-40 metre passes are low and hard and kicking over someone in between those metres quickly..

The kicking drills ran by Choco were quite extensively and the first after the warm-up.

15 meters apart and in pairs they kick right and left foot. Then variations occur. Spin (360°) to the left, kick, spin again to the right, kick, place the ball on the ground, pick up and kick, place the ball behind, spin and kick. Repeat at 30 meters. At one stage they included two balls, but only one kicking over the top as the other ball is handballed flat. 

The next kicking drill was more complicated. They had six starting positions. Three on two lines. The middle group in bibs, attempted to intercept the passes, by those in the outside lines. The outside lines would pass to the other line, down the line, or diagonal. I think they had a system going so it wasn't haphazard. It created a variety of kicks.

Choco empathises that he wants the ball to spin well, and for sharp, direct actions. I think he will create even more drills with a variety of difficulty and skills.

SLARTIBARTFAST'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS

The session went for around 90 minutes and as far as I could see all 1 to 4 year players were there with Woey in 12 and Jed Adams in 19. It was pretty much a non contact session with the normal handball drills, lots of running and a little bit of field ball movement stuff. Good to see none of these boys in any sort of rehab group.

Of the oldies Tmac, Viney, Chin, Marty Hore, Petts and Bowser did the full session with the young blokes and Salo and Fritta did a lot of lap running and a bit of kicking away from the group.

It's really not possible to take much out of the session but Duke, Kolt and Disco sort of stood out but others would have picked others. Kentfield was there and he is one big unit.

I was a bit disappointed Trac and Clarrie weren't there as it would have made a bit of a statement but it probably means nothing.

DEMON WHEELS' PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS

Managed to make it down to training as well, beautiful day for it. Not a huge amount to report but here are a few of my observations:

No players appeared to be in rehab, although Bowey did appear to spend a bit of time away from the main group during the bigger drills (if I recall correctly).

Jefferson certainly looks a bit stronger, nothing too dramatic but just looks to have filled out a bit across the shoulders and arms. Reckon he'd measure about 2 inches taller if he wasn't so hunched.

The running drills were in groups with the first and fastest featuring only Chandler, McVee and Windsor.

The tall players were all in the last 2 groups and while they were only doing 200m sprints no one really looked too off the pace which was pleasing. Kentfield, Verrall, Adams, Jefferson etc all keeping up.

Was great to see Jonesy back out there, this time in the sky blue coaches t-shirt. He was high-fiving and getting around all the players like he was still one of them.

Great to see the older heads of TMac and Viney out there leading the way.

Fox News was down with their cameras so might have been wanting to catch a glimpse of Trac or Clarry if they had turned up.

Personally I hoped to see McAdam as I'm keen to see a fit version of him pre-Xmas but hopefully he'll appear in the next few sessions.

McVee, Windsor and Turner probably the players that caught my eye the most.

TED LASSO'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS

I managed to stop in for a little look, but i am not great at training reports so i will do my best. 

Everyone looked in really good shape from a fitness perspective, the players look lean, are running really well and i think it's really encouraging for the young guys to look this fit and ready to go before pre-season even starts.

Jacob Van Rooyen looked noticeably stronger to me, i'd be shocked if he doesn't take a really big step this year, I agree with other posters thoughts on Jefferson and Windsor, both stood out, Jefferson looks like he's done an enormous amount of work. 

One thing that really stood out for me was the impact of Nathan Jones, the entire group looked like they got a real lift from him being there, and you could see right away he is going to settle in really well to coaching life. 

It looks as though a lot of players have been given homework around their running, which probably reflects the change in game plan

Goody looks like the absolute weight of the world has been lifted off his shoulders, it seems the break and release of some pressure has done him an enormous amount of good. 

I know it's very early but the entire vibe of the club felt much more lighthearted, fun and energetic than i can remember it being since maybe 2021.

Wonderful stuff  brings a smile to my face.

I can be disillusioned until January 

2 hours ago, 640MD said:

Wonderful stuff  brings a smile to my face.

I can be disillusioned until January 

You’ve got until March at least.