PRESEASON TRAINING: Wednesday 13th November 2024

[Ditcha 463]

I attended some of the training today. Richo spoke to me and said not to believe what is in the media, as we will good this year. Jefferson and Kentfield looked big and strong.  Petty was doing all the training. Adams looked like he was in rehab. 

[Slartibartfast 17,189]

Sparrow and Rivers trained today. Seston and Windsor stood out. Kentfield is a really big unit. Adam’s doing lots of running and not looking in any discomfort. 

[kev martin 9,766]

What a contrast to Monday's weather.

No rain for the first hour (though was wet), then it came tumbling down and got cold.

Hardens then up and makes them concentrate on execution of skills.

 

Edited yesterday at 01:35 by kev martin

[Demonland 71,313]

I was going to head down this morning but alas this weather. Hopefully Friday is nicer.

[Demonland 71,313]

 

[Demonland 71,313]

20 minutes ago, Slartibartfast said:

Sparrow and Rivers trained today. Seston and Windsor stood out. Kentfield is a really big unit. Adam’s doing lots of running and not looking in any discomfort. 

Any other of the 5 year plus players there today including the ones that were there on Monday?

[Slartibartfast 17,189]

Monday’s plus Riv and Sparrow. That’s all. 

[kev martin 9,766]

24 in the squad today.

Fritsch doing his own program. He has put on a fair bit of upper-body muscle. 

The Sparrow and Rivers have turned up. Sparrow has very little fat, his skin folds must be near zero. Riv's has also filled out, looking strong.

Unsure about Jed Adams, pulled out of the squad to do some work with the trainer, could be calf/Achilles awareness.

Windsor, Tholstrup and Bowey, were pulled from the contact craft sessions. All participated in everything else.

Bassett was much more vocal this time. Jones was animated and giving plenty of directions, it was Chaplin who was doing most of the work as Goody again sat back and observed. Troy was really active in making sure the forwards lead and make space. He was also instructive in the outside 50 area, making sure they get the right patterns and delivery.

Petty (unhindered, body is in good shape) in the backline, as was TMac (focused on outside run).

Forwards included Kentfield, JVR, Jefferson, Verrall and Sestan in the sims.

AMW, has impressed me, gained plenty of confidence, side stepping them all, and tackling/pressurising well.

JVR a bit rusty.

Jefferson was marking well in the wet, unlike a couple of the others.

Brown looks like he is only in second gear untill he gets the ball.

Sestan is difficult to tackle. In the drill, a little hip swivel and a tight body turn, they fall off him, including Viney who had surprise all over his face, like grasping for the wet soap. 

Got a feeling they will rotate McVee through the mids. 

[Demonstone 22,307]

37 minutes ago, Slartibartfast said:

Adam’s doing lots of running and not looking in any discomfort. 

Adam who?

[Tarax Club 3,884]

7 minutes ago, Demonstone said:

Adam who?

 

1 hour ago, Ditcha said:

 Adams looked like he was in rehab. 

Adam's rib

Edited yesterday at 01:43 by Tarax Club

[#11-TonyAnderson 765]

Got to training today (from Tamworth) and got soaked. Was fascinating to see what they get up to. Sparrow, Viney, TMAC, and Chandler doing fast laps towards the end. Rivers and Petts doing slower laps towards the end. Met the ‘Ghostwriter’ 😊

[waynewussell 5,220]

Got down to Gosch's for an hour before the rain set in. Kev has offered some excellent observations so only a few things I can add. I'm usually very positive in general about all things MFC, so excuse me if I note a few negatives on the way through. 

I was looking for improvement. On that scale, I was impressed with Jefferson's movement, pace and marking up forward. Roo looked good, but regularly ran to a spot on the spread (which was a focus of forward patterns) that was ignored by the incoming ball carrier. Verrall looked good in the ball movement exercises from the backline, agile and clean by hand and foot. Key backs were McDonald (who looked fit and sharp), Howes (who gathered cleanly and created change of direction), Hore (injury free and fit), Judd (Rolls Royce, who was also used further up ground), AMW (I have him in my starting 23 in 2025) & Verrall (on occasions). Woewodin looks fit and balanced with ball movement. 

Things that disappointed (because they were evident during 2024 season)

Tholstrup occasionally gets into trouble with a fumble that allows defender to close him down and tackle.

Brown sometimes holds on to it for too long, kicks under pressure and misses targets.

Bowey seems in two minds with the ball, slows down flow and misses target enough to put the receiver under unnecessary pressure.

Set shots, when taken, were still 50/50 proposition.

Things that excited... 

Windsor continued on his merry way

Rivers looked composed and strong (at one point he ran down Viney and tackled him to the ground in a face plant. No 7 was surprised but not impressed!).

Sparrow is trim and looks to have added a little speed to his movement.

[Demon Time 38]

1 hour ago, kev martin said:

Petty (unhindered, body is in good shape) in the backline, as was TMac (focused on outside run).

Petty in the backline is what I've been waiting to hear - huge result

[binman 42,631]

1 hour ago, Demonland said:

I was going to head down this morning but alas this weather. Hopefully Friday is nicer.

The reason we have only won one flag in the last 60 years is soft supporters like you.

[Dr. Mubutu 829]

40 minutes ago, waynewussell said:

Got down to Gosch's for an hour before the rain set in. Kev has offered some excellent observations so only a few things I can add. I'm usually very positive in general about all things MFC, so excuse me if I note a few negatives on the way through. I was looking for improvement. On that scale, I was impressed with Jefferson's movement, pace and marking up forward. Roo looked good, but regularly ran to a spot on the spread (which was a focus of forward patterns) that was ignored by the incoming ball carrier. Verrall looked good in the ball movement exercises from the backline, agile and clean by hand and foot. Key backs were McDonald (who looked fit and sharp), Howes (who gathered cleanly and created change of direction), Hore (injury free and fit), Judd (Rolls Royce, who was also used further up ground), AMW (I have him in my starting 23 in 2025) & Verrall (on occasions). Woewodin looks fit and balanced with ball movement. 

Things that disappointed (because they were evident during 2024 season)

Tholstrup occasionally gets into trouble with a fumble that allows defender to close him down and tackle.

Brown sometimes holds on to it for too long, kicks under pressure and misses targets.

Bowey seems in two minds with the ball, slows down flow and misses target enough to put the receiver under unnecessary pressure.

Set shots, when taken, were still 50/50 proposition.

Things that excited... 

Windsor continued on his merry way

Rivers looked composed and strong (at one point he ran down Viney and tackled him to the ground in a face plant. No 7 was surprised but not impressed!).

Sparrow is trim and looks to have added a little speed to his movement.

 

 

Thanks ww. If these quibbles were enough to get even to you, then we KNOW they have to be there.

[Gorgoroth 12,920]

48 minutes ago, waynewussell said:

 Roo looked good, but regularly ran to a spot on the spread (which was a focus of forward patterns) that was ignored by the incoming ball carrier.

 

 

Was this because he was running to the wrong spot or we didnt kick it to him, but will be coached to look for him in that spot?

[waynewussell 5,220]

1 minute ago, Gorgoroth said:

Was this because he was running to the wrong spot or we didnt kick it to him, but will be coached to look for him in that spot?

It was a matter of timing his run. I noted that he wasn't using his voice loudly enough to draw attention. He was definitely being coached on all of this after each forward thrust. The spread by Roo, Turner and Co was excellent. We have to feed Kossie and Fritta into this new dynamic... Exciting times ahead!

[binman 42,631]

47 minutes ago, waynewussell said:

Got down to Gosch's for an hour before the rain set in. Kev has offered some excellent observations so only a few things I can add. I'm usually very positive in general about all things MFC, so excuse me if I note a few negatives on the way through. I was looking for improvement. On that scale, I was impressed with Jefferson's movement, pace and marking up forward. Roo looked good, but regularly ran to a spot on the spread (which was a focus of forward patterns) that was ignored by the incoming ball carrier. Verrall looked good in the ball movement exercises from the backline, agile and clean by hand and foot. Key backs were McDonald (who looked fit and sharp), Howes (who gathered cleanly and created change of direction), Hore (injury free and fit), Judd (Rolls Royce, who was also used further up ground), AMW (I have him in my starting 23 in 2025) & Verrall (on occasions). Woewodin looks fit and balanced with ball movement. 

Things that disappointed (because they were evident during 2024 season)

Tholstrup occasionally gets into trouble with a fumble that allows defender to close him down and tackle.

Brown sometimes holds on to it for too long, kicks under pressure and misses targets.

Bowey seems in two minds with the ball, slows down flow and misses target enough to put the receiver under unnecessary pressure.

Set shots, when taken, were still 50/50 proposition.

Things that excited... 

Windsor continued on his merry way

Rivers looked composed and strong (at one point he ran down Viney and tackled him to the ground in a face plant. No 7 was surprised but not impressed!).

Sparrow is trim and looks to have added a little speed to his movement.

 

 

Good to hear Sparrow looks in good shape.

A real crossroads year for Captain Jack I reckon.

After our flag, whilst i never pegged him as an out and our star, I thought he would go up a couple of levels and be a key member of the team.

The roles he has been asked to play probably haven't helped, but he has really plateaued in the last couple of seasons I reckon.

Hopefully he can still go up a couple of levels. If he can't he mind find himself out of the team.

[Demonland 71,313]

25 minutes ago, binman said:

The reason we have only won one flag in the last 60 years is soft supporters like you.

It's my kryptonite. 🌧️

On the plus side at least the boys got to practice some wet weather football.

[waynewussell 5,220]

Does anyone who attended training know who the bloke was that Bill introduced to the whole squad early on in the session?

Edited yesterday at 03:37 by waynewussell

[Vagg 2,439]

2 hours ago, Demonland said:

I was going to head down this morning but alas this weather. Hopefully Friday is nicer.

A Fair weather supporter, huh, Andy?

[Demonland 71,313]

16 minutes ago, Vagg said:

A Fair weather supporter, huh, Andy?

Let's just say I've bookmarked the Drip Line chart for the MCG.

https://mcg.org.au/_/media/files/mcg/general/undercover-seating.pdf

[Demonstone 22,307]

20 minutes ago, Vagg said:

A Fair weather supporter, huh, Andy?

Feeling a little low about not attending as well.  Hope the gin house was worth it.  

 

[DistrACTION Jackson 8,604]

2 hours ago, kev martin said:

24 in the squad today.

Fritsch doing his own program. He has put on a fair bit of upper-body muscle. 

The Sparrow and Rivers have turned up. Sparrow has very little fat, his skin folds must be near zero. Riv's has also filled out, looking strong.

Unsure about Jed Adams, pulled out of the squad to do some work with the trainer, could be calf/Achilles awareness.

Windsor, Tholstrup and Bowey, were pulled from the contact craft sessions. All participated in everything else.

Bassett was much more vocal this time. Jones was animated and giving plenty of directions, it was Chaplin who was doing most of the work as Goody again sat back and observed. Troy was really active in making sure the forwards lead and make space. He was also instructive in the outside 50 area, making sure they get the right patterns and delivery.

Petty (unhindered, body is in good shape) in the backline, as was TMac (focused on outside run).

Forwards included Kentfield, JVR, Jefferson, Verral and Sestan in the sims.

AMW, has impressed me, gained plenty of confidence, side stepping them all, and tackling/pressurising well.

JVR a bit rusty.

Jefferson was marking well in the wet, unlike a couple of the others.

Brown looks like he is only in second gear untill he gets the ball.

Sestan is difficult to tackle. In the drill, a little hip swivel and a tight body turn, they fall off him, including Viney who had surprise all over his face, like grasping for the wet soap. 

Got a feeling they will rotate McVee through the mids. 

 

How does Verrall look in the drills? I hold out hopes he can become a solid ruck/forward, given I don't think he has the size to be a number 1 ruck.

[waynewussell 5,220]

10 minutes ago, DistrACTION Jackson said:

How does Verrall look in the drills? I hold out hopes he can become a solid ruck/forward, given I don't think he has the size to be a number 1 ruck.

Verrall may surprise. He is mobile and seems well balanced at ground level. He dishes off well by hand and takes good options.