TRAINING: Monday 18th November 2024

[Demonland 71,639]

Demonland Trackwatchers ventured down to Gosch's Paddock for the final week of training for the 1st to 4th Years until they are joined by the rest of the senior squad for Preseason Training Camp in Mansfield next week.

WAYNE RUSSELL'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS

No Ollie, Chin, Riv today, but Rick & Spargs turned up and McDonald was there in casual attire. Seston, and Howes did a lot of boundary running, and Tom Campbell continued his work with individual trainer in non-MFC attire!

7 hours ago, Demonland said:

Was Spargs participating in the main training?

No, just mild jogging and stretching

I arrived early enough to witness Fritta and Salem competing in a spirited goal-kicking competition. There was much bragging and rule modification going on. At one stage a trainer was called on to adjudicate if the kicker wasn't overstepping the boundary line. It was a close thing, but Fritta claimed to be ahead before I moved on.

Tom McDonald turned up in his casual gear and chatted to Tom Campbell on the boundary. Raised a question mark for me over a possible injury. No evidence to confirm this though.

The main activity, when I was there, was the competitive, 9 v 8 ball-movement from goal to goal. I concentrated on the younger brigade. Speaking about goals, the set shot routines were a big improvement on previous sessions, with Roo, Kentfield, Disco and Jefferson all slotting goals. The 9 v 8 exercise lacks the pressure of a full team scenario, but ball movement is rapid. Today, Kynan B got his hands on it a lot and was more successful hitting targets. Windsor, Tholstrup, Bowey and AMW all provided excellent link up during transition.

Jed Addams was good today, looking more confident and reading the ball well to out-position his forward opponent. He also took a couple of strong grabs. Petty also keeps the young forwards under pressure with his size and speed.

WINTER DAN'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS

Multiple successive ball movement sessions.

Half ground, full, then super small dense.

Bowser the standout with some piercing kicks. 

Turner making things happen up fwd too. Think it was him with a great double spin out of two tackles. 

Howes (on laps) not the skinny stick anymore. 

Pup has filled out too. Liked his evasiveness, playmaking, good low kicks ( bit of Jagga about him).

7 hours ago, Demonland said:

Was Spargs participating in the main training?

No he wasn't unfortunately. 

DITCHA'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS

I attended some of the training. I was made to feel old seeing Viney, Brown, and Woey standing next to each other because I can remember their father's playing in the same team. It was good to see Lever at training doing some kicking on the side. Jefferson looks very good. 

FRITTA AND TURNER'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS

Last time I sought the shade but this time the sun, and now a fickle wind.  It is fly season in melboure but luckily one of the other track watchers shared the repellent.  Thankyou.

Only about 20 or so players running around.

Windsor did most of the drills but pulled out to do some work on the boundary a couple of times, then back into it.

Howes and Sestan had some hamstring? awareness so did some stretching and running on the boundary.

Lever was there doing some weirdo stretching exercises then running the boundary to build up fitness.

Spargo was also doing similar, but still running in straight lines.  Told to concentrate on rhythm and mechanics rather than speed.  Hopes to be back in full training after Xmas.

Tom Campbell running laps to build fitness.  Still hasnt got his proper kit yet, and when you look at the size of him I dont think there will be any spares lying around.

Viney leading from the front and addressed the players at one of the breaks.

Sparrow and the Roo look like they enjoy training.

There was much run and carry through the center and Boweys delivery stood out.

TMac in civvies watching on.

ROOST IT FAR'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS

Dropped past today and on my observation Adam’s looks the real deal and Jake Lever looks to be in great nick. Good to see Charlie Spargo up and running and Tholstrup looks fitter and was in plenty. The highlight was Bowey’s kicking. He could be a weapon off half back with his precise, low and hard passes. As usual Jack Viney looks magnificent. 

WHERE DEMONS DARE'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS

I made my way down from Wodonga to watch training for the first time since 21' and brought my wife along with me which she enjoyed. Fritta and Salo were there well before the rest of the boys had turned up and had worked up a real sweat. They finished their training with some goal kicking games trying to out do one another. The boys were aiming to hit each of the 4 posts and whoever hit it, won the game. They followed that with some drop punt kicks from the boundary where Chocco came over and offered some guidance he said "kick the ball high up in the air" which they both did and totally shanked the kick. They were quite animated about and I could hear them laughing away at each other so it was good to see them in high spirits. 

The rest of the boys started making their way to the track around 10am about 25 all up in attendance and I saw Tom Campbell doing his rehab in front of me. He didn't look to be in any discomfort, I think he just has some catching up to do. Tom is waiting to get a new training kit, which won't come out for a while yet so that's why he's unfortunately stuck in his casual gym clothes. Sestan, Spargo, Howes, Lever and Windsor on occasion also in the rehab group doing individual routines. Spargo had mentioned how bored he was with his rehab as he was limited in what training he could do, so I felt for him. TMac on the boundary watching on. 

Some observations I did notice were that the players are still sprinting to the boundary line for a drink and taking a minute rest break. Viney had called everyone in to chat about one of their drills and he was talking about how well the players in the white bibs were performing and that everyone else had to work harder to cover ground and defend better. Bowey spoke up also showing his leadership qualities followed by McVee. 

I was impressed with Turner during some of the sims, you can see him improving each time and even did a fancy double spin to evade two tackles but then got pinned on the ground by McVee. Some of the hits were pretty physical this early in the pre-season which was good to see. Jeffo is filling out nicely, he's a confidence player so I hope he can learn from JVR how to be an aggressive forward but he'll come good this year I believe. Sestan and Laurie looking leaner now so I expect them to get a few games this year. Kentfield has a really nice size about him but just needs to working on his fitness/conditioning. Verrall a good size also. 

Important to note that Petty was in everything today and in really good shape. He was even in the second best running group when they were doing half ground 80% pace running on the boundary towards the end of the session. He's in for a big year if he stays injury free! I also heard Oliver is in a really good space and his hand is the best it's been in years so he is fit and firing to go. 

Anyway I'm on my way back to sunny Wodonga now. 

I'm backing us in to have a big year in 2025 and playing finals. 

Let's Go Demons! 

KEV MARTIN'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS

I like being down at the track watching them go through the rigours.

They are still into skills and drills. The running component of previous preseasons is minimal. They did a few sets of boundary 250 meters hard runs, just enough to get them on their hunches, after the sims finished. A few got extra runs. My guess is they are getting the kilometres via the drills. At one stage Goody hollered for them to sprint back up the field after a sims action. They did it willingly. The run to boundary area after completions, and as a group, is encouraged.

They were a bit off in the sims. That gusty wind caused miss-hits and fumbles. The coaches really want them to do the basics well.

Viney is ready to go. His efforts and running are exemplary.

Petty is vocal, wants the ball and is setting up many of the plays that come out of the backline.

JVR is warming into the training. Looking better every time I see him.

Bowey not missing anything, some beautiful hits up through the centre, no room for errors kind of passes. Adams was trying to do the same thing but got picked off or missed  the target a few times.

AMW is nearly always first to the ground ball.

Brown is moving very well when he gets the ball. Finds that space that allows him time to make good decisions.

Jefferson and JVR were looking for leads off the back of the defenders blind spots.

Lever was running with a funny gait. Maybe protecting his achilles tendons.

Campbell is large, he has maturity about him, and moves with some agility for a big man. I can see him being a bit of a protector.

The vocal levels were boisterous, at one stage in the sims just about every one of them found voice.

They are enjoying it.