TRAINING: Wednesday 15th January 2025

There were a number of Demonland Trackwatchers at Gosch's Paddock this morning to bring you their observations from Preseason Training.

KEV MARTIN'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS

They were going hard at each other. The sims were in two 15 minute blocks. The second block finished a few minutes early, they gathered and had another 7 minutes at it. I think they were asked to compete, as they would play against an opposition. There was plenty of niggle, between some of them. At the end of the contest they supported each other with a of bump and slap. Some heavy collision occurred, biggest and worrisome was Clarry and May both aerial and front on, into each other. A minute on the deck and up. Heard some calls of, get up. May with a back niggle, Clarry back in. McAdam in a hit, and had a delayed reaction, as he went to ground. Talked with the trainer, did some stretches and got back into it. Tmac appeared to limp after a clash of legs in a tackle. Vines and Laurie also in hard hits.

Rehab had, Woey in the light green cap (my guess would be concussion protocols), Fullarton running extensive laps, Tracc and Turner working together early on, Lever and Max. No Jefferson. There were two run-on players. Spargo still in runners and not with the main group.

Good to see Melky in full training, did extra laps, the same with Salem. Fritsch in full training now, appears happy. Four wings during the sims had Billings and Langdon matched, and the other side had Sparrow and Sharp. Petty played forward. Adams had to look after the backline as the tall for a few plays and did really well. Johnson is looking good. Lindsay is in full training. He is something of a ball magnet, had plenty of involvement, moves well to space and has a lovely pass. He attempted a few long kicks which didn't come off, fell short. Langford was not as prominent today. McVee looking good, as is AMW, and so are Bowey and Rivers. Kossie had plenty of the ball, though got caught a few times. I think they have given him the licence to do whatever he wants. Mentha did the same thing though shrugged the tackle and delivered a long pass with precision, afterwards he was encouraged to handball when initially tackled.

They separated into backs (looking low in numbers) and the forwards with the mids. Chaplin continues to enforce the structures he wants. Many of the forwards are talking and encouraging each other about positioning and what the intention is. Even when a play goes well but not to what Chaplin wants he voices his expectations. JVR was making good leads into small spaces. The smalls working hard to create mismatches and blocks. McAdam playing high forward and being used to deliver. Missed a few hit ups, got intercepted, or made the wrong decision. He is not having any trouble getting the ball.

WAYNE WUSSELL'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS

Tracc and Disco running laps together.

Campbell has legs like tree trunks and is very fit. Handled the ball well and was good by foot in the wet weather. Standby for round 1 debut!

Fullerton jogging slow laps.

Now in full ground, even numbers sim. AJ just took a big mark at the top of goal square!

One of the young train on players outpoints Ollie Sestan on the wing and handballs to Ed.

May out bodies AJ, Hore mops up.

Just had a word to Choco about the train on player who out pointed Sestan. He said he was on the NGA list and was our first choice if we have one. I was so stoked to be talking to the great man, I forgot the name of the player!

JVR involved and damaging as key forward. Petty also playing forward and very creative

Tracc, Rick & Jai just ran past at a hot pace!

Max running steady laps. Chin brings Windsor down in great tackle.

Sparrow brings Viney down (now in full head bandage).

Jefferson not sighted today.

Fritta in yellow vest but in full ground sim, gets ball to Clayton, who kicks long to JVR… gutsy spoil my AMW… ditto again a little later.

McAdam was in full training up to this recent competitive sim. I can see a few blokes on the bikes at present. Too far away to pick up who they are.

Yep, McAdam is in the sim, just took a good mark at half forward.

Further thoughts on today's match sim.

Petty is aggressive in contests, even against teammates. AMW spoilt his marking attempts a few times, but when the opportunity arrived, Petty slammed AMW into the turf. He was an effective and physical forward today. A smother while standing on the mark resulted in much applause and verbal support from teammates.

Rivers was a standout in all activities. He takes the game on at pace and is strong enough to push opponents away.

Ollie did what Ollie does best... accumulates... distributes... runs all day.

Langdon is also doing what he has done for years!

Tholstrup gives 100% but there is still room for improvement in ball handling and delivery. He puts himself in the right places and demands the ball.

Tom McDonald continues to train at the highest levels. Injury free and reminding everyone that he is a topliner in defence.

Don't need to look any further than Marty Hore to cover for Rick.

AJ continues to do impressive things in match sim. It won't be for want of trying if he misses out on early selection.

Fritsch, also looking to have put injury concerns behind him, is having more involvement further from goal .

Tom Sparrow is another who gives 100%. I feel he is sometimes underrated here.

Roy was here and he kept close to Kossie. Didn't stand out in match sim.

I didn't notice Kentfield or Spargs, and there were up to three others who took part in match sim that I didn't recognize.

DITCHA'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS

I attended some of the training session this morning. Match sim was full on with May, Clarry, and McAdam going down to the ground after heavy collisions. All got up, and were OK. Choco arranged for young girls with Max Gawn face masks to have Max sign the face masks. Choco was speaking to everyone that attended training. 

SLARTIFASTBLAST'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS

I thought Lindsay was very impressive. Quick, clean, lovely kick, positioned himself well, was very involved. For someone that hasn’t done much full training for a while he was very good.

Howes played well.  Used his body well in marking contests and was strong one on one.  Keeps his feet well in contests. He’s a slow burn but he can definitely play.