Demonland Trackwatchers braved the sweltering heat to bring you their Preseason Training observations from Gosch's Paddock on Monday morning.

SCOOP JUNIOR'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS

I went down today in what were pretty ordinary conditions - hot and windy.

When I got there, they were doing repeat simulations of a stoppage on the wing and then moving the ball inside 50. There seemed to be an emphasis on handballing out of the stoppage, usually there were 3 or 4 handballs to chain out until a player received it in space and could then carry the ball forward. I thought the handballing was sharp and accurate but it is training against your mates in December.

I thought Clarry got some great reads off hands in the stoppages and did step through the stoppage to come out the front rather than just give it off as soon as he got it. Langford also had two lovely reads, getting the first possession on the move from the stoppage. On the second occasion, he won it and stepped his way through the traffic to clear out the front.

After that, they did some tackling on the far side of the ground.

This was followed by more simulations, this time moving the ball from half back on a slow play. The emphasis here appeared to be on kicking a way through when the oppositon's defensive structure was set. There was barely any handballing in this drill, with almost all of the movement short kicks. There seemed to be a desire to kick on 45s and particularly a 45 into the corridor if an option opened up. Eyes seemed to look for the corridor, but if no option presented, it was then moved out wide. There were no long bombs or kicks over the mark. Not suggesting this is a game plan thing - more likely it was just a drill to practice short kicking in tight areas.

Then finally, before I left, they split into 3 groups. The small backs did more 45 degree kicking, with Brown and Windsor in this group. The mids did ground ball work and the forwards had goal kicking practice.

From what I saw, Spargo ran along the boundary at a good speed. Lindsay and Fullarton also did boundary runs. Not sure what happened with Disco but he also did boundary runs and didn't appear inhibited. Lever looked further behind in his rehab. Petty was with the backs during the sims, along with TMac and May.

Also not sure what happened with Melk but Chandler dinked a kick into space and Melksham was running on to it (with the flight of the ball). He made a long sustained sprint to get there and then pulled up and grimaced a bit after it. I didn't see him grab anything but it was the sort of action where you can twinge a leg muscle.

As others have said, thought Kozzie looked great running through the middle. On one play him and Trac fought for the ball on the ground. It was closer to Kozzie and he grabbed it, bounced up to his feet and sidestepped another player almost in one fluid movement and then cleared it.

Tough session in that kind of heat - these guys really are impressive athletes.

3183 DEE'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS

Went along today with my lad - I didn't keep detailed notes of all the training, but from what I saw:

Practice drills getting the ball from forward half stoppage and delivery into 50

Close up 2v3 inside work/tackling

Stoppage drills

Part match sim, with the ball being started from a ball up in various parts of the ground

Short, full ground sim

Running exercises

Some general observations:

JVR looking very commanding now.

Harvey Langford looks VERY likely - doesn't look out of place at all. Laid a couple of great tackles on Viney, which Viney loved.

Kossie looks very sharp - he just finds space and time and his kicking is elite.

I like the look of Tom Campbell - certainly a strong unit, who loves the contest. I'd imagine Max is quite happy having a legit ruck to contend with.

I thought some of the disposal was still not great, despite it being a practice, although the wind was very strong across Gosch's

Great to see Chunk out there. It was also interesting to hear Troy Chaplin coaching the forwards, very commanding presence.

Not sure who the coach was in the middle of the main sim, but seemed to be running the entire session. Barking out orders and instructions, had everything under control!

Good to see Spargs back in the fold - participated in the first few drills and then running for the rest of the session along with Xavier Lindsay. Poor Tom Fullarton running lap after lap.

I think Chandler will be the new ANB.

KEV MARTIN'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS

Oliver was looking great in the sims. Moving well to space, getting his hands on the ball easily in the congested areas, and linking to others. Had a word to Choco about him. Still says he has some improvements to go. I think he was saying his fitness isn't primed yet. 

Jed Adams had a central lock down role on various forwards, in the sims. He got his fist to plenty of balls and was first to it for the ground ball. Working very well. May was lurking in the left or right pocket to intercept plenty of balls. Backline looking strong. A gusty wind helps them as the hit up players missed a few times. They also had the occasional difficulty getting the ball out.

Jefferson's hand weren't as good today, but stepping up for some good clunks was JVR.

Fritsch is looking eager, he has determination about him, 

Tmac is still looking good, reading the play well and outpointed the forwards.

McVee and Windsor, looking very classy, with plenty of participation, both are ball magnets.

Viney's not taking prisoners, hitting all and sundry hard. Moving well, and creating links through his leads and gut running. 

Lever had the lime green cap on when participating in drills, (the no tackling piece). He is running the boundary with enthusiasm and really striding out. Leadership in spades when on the field.  

Spargo in with the forwards, playing that high up and delivery into the 50.

I didn't see Woey out there today.

Verral was rucking, along with Gawn and Campbell in sims and structures. 

We have three elusive indigenous players out there. Mentha is gaining confidence, skills, especially his kicking, is improved (rarely missing), moves beautifully to a d in spaces. George moves very similar to him, though Kossie is starring. They all have a smile going and are clearly loving being at it together. Mentha has regularly got visitors down here. Socially, he appears good for Kossie.

The kolt is really maturing. Rarely missing his disposals anymore and making the right decisions. 

Previous drills had all of them doing some bouncing of the ball. Today (last training as well), they didn't practice that skill.

The tackling drill and defensive style in sims had plenty of intensity. Get worried when they go hard at each other.

Talking about hard, they didn't go easy with the exertion required because of the heat. Coaches and trainers pushed them. At the end of one sim they could barely get up a run, that they have been doing to the sheds. 

I think I saw Melky tweek a hammy. Probably an early Christmas for him.

All the previous rehabber's had time with the main group. 

FRITTA AND TURNER'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS

Obviously not an ideal day for training with the heat and strong wind but.....

The boys were out early at 9.30.  The shed was packed with iced drinks.

The full squad participated in the drills for about the first 45 minutes with the exception of McAdam ( absent feeling a bit crook) and Woey ( on the bike and then watched on). George in nos 23.

All the drills this year emphasied fast ball movement, winningb the contest in the middle and then passing to the fwd.  Considering the conditions this drill went well.  It was great to see Spargs (not Charles ok) participating.

After about 45 minutes Spargo, Lever , Sestan, Lindsay (Xave), Turner and Fullarton pulled out.  Sestan had something checked out then joined back in, Spargo, Lever and Lindsay on a modified program, Turner had a foot issue and not sure about Fullarton.

AJ looked like he had face planted in a bucket of sunscreen

Viney asked them to keep the noise up and Spargs replied with 'fffff yeah.

Tracca no legionaires hat

Roo tackles well.

I would give me left leg to be able to kick like Fritta.

Had a quick word with TMac who said his brother Oscar was doing well.

Left about 11.15 with drills still going and Langford, Mentha and AJ running the boundary.

The boys look fit and the vibe is good,  About 20-30 track watchers in attendance.

On 16/12/2024 at 14:46, Demonland said:

think Chandler will be the new ANB.

I have my suspicions that Chandler is being developed for the role. A very good runner, tough at it, a great kick, gets the goals, evasive and prepared to two-way getting into the play, tough as nails, gives out free body contacts both offensively and defensively. Tank - not sure it can be brought up to ANB's standard but certainly, one of the best up forward.