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These photos are off my iPhone so apologies for quality. These are a sequence of the players doing the 150m sprints in pairs. You can see from the faces how hard they are working. This is KK and J Smith who were always the lead pair. You can see the next pair just starting. That's Miso first in on the right. He had a stop watch and was counting them off. A lot of them had their own heart rate monitors and timers on their wrists. ANB and T Mac. You can see how they've matched pairs in their running ability Good to see Fritschy already in his second season matched with the Skipper Sparg's not throwing up yet but in a feet not touching the ground mood with JKH Good to see Melk back in the main group at least for running and with his best mate. This is why we got both of them These guys were always the last pair. Maynard is just getting back into full training after 6 months or so out. Not sure why Frosty is there.They weren't lagging too far behind although Maynard was tiring by the end. These two were separated from the rest. I reckon it's another sign of how professional the training is nowadays. Ruckmen clearly can't run like elite running midfielders so why make them try to compete against people they can't and don't need to because they have a different role. But put them against someone else they are closely matched two and they'll be able to push each other much further. Same goes for all the other pairs. It's smart organisation and attention to detail. What I also really like about this photo is the look on Gawny's face. This is not the joker Gawny face, this is the professional sportsman driving himself to continue to be the best player in the competition in his role. That is the very serious Gawny face fighting the pain barrier. You can also see what a monster Preussy is. This photo doesn't do him justice. He looks about 20% wider than Gawny. He's a huge package. I'm sure having Gawn to compete against constantly will be raising the bar for both of them. I'd love to know what it's like compared to what he was doing at North. Saty good question for you to find out. Best mates paired together. Attention to detail again. Happy players. Successful team. You can see the pain Hibbo's putting himself through. This is the preparation stuff we don't usually know about during the season. Funnily enough Melksh looks like he's suffering less even though he's just coming out of rehab. Shows you how they stay in rehab a long time because when they are released they are back up to the standard of the main group and can slot straight in to the main training. Wagner brothers paired together. I guess they did a lot of this at Casey but they must be loving it with the big boys. Petty is keeping up with them pretty comfortably. He looks like he's a very good package of skill and athleticism. This is the group jogging back between 150m sprints running past the trainers in red who were picking balls up for them to pass to each other and back as they jogged back to start the next 150m.

Got there with Mrs Worship and a semi regular training watcher whose opinion I respect and who doesn't post here. The huddle was a big thing for me in that it is so obviously player driven. The coaches and support staff just stand back with grins on their faces. For those of you who cannot attend/ or have attended sparsely over the years, I can say that I've had my rose coloured glasses on over the last 7yrs I've been able to get to training (usually 2 or 3 times a year). The difference now is amazing and the level at which they are training prior to Xmas is so, so different to the past. Mrs Worship thought she would be bored after 45mins but couldn't believe how good it was to watch for 2 hrs. That was largely because there was always something different happening and the skill level was very sharp even when they had been deliberately fatigued. What a wonderful change from bygone years. Some particular highlights for me; * at some stage, under the new rules, Preuss will grab the ball out of the centre ruck ball up and kick an 80m torp for a goal (did this 2 or 3 times while we were there). * Our friend who has been to a number of earlier sessions said it has been amazing seeing May, KK and Preuss come on as they had really struggled with the fitness and to some extent skill level in the early sessions. This bodes well for their commitment and our staffs ability to get them up to speed quickly. This also left me with the feeling we can get more out of them than their previous clubs. * Max and Preuss really look like they get on well together however Max is enjoying showing who is top dog. Preuss may have some comeback in the long accurate kicking department however. * Near the end of the session it was big boy marking/spoiling one on ones between Max, Weid, Preuss and May with Jade Rawlings sending maybe 20 sky balls in their direction. Frustration was evident as anyone teamed up against May lost the contest. (cannot wait to see Tomahawk have the smirk consigned to history when playing against us in the future). Oh and Ben Brown might be in for a shock also. Not so highlights and in some cases awaiting further and better particulars; * Maynard was getting a bit of work on his groin near the end of the session (hopefully just tightness) * TMac was very quick to get his kicking boots off and walk back barefoot at the end. * Hannan still wasn't sighted. Other random obs, anyone in rehab doesn't wear a number, the only exception to this appears to be Preuss but we think they haven't been able to supply training tops big enough yet. Chandler really looks like he could be something. Likewise thought Bedford will really benefit from the program and may contribute earlier than some might expect. The other new faces really didn't look out of place without being outstanding. Having said that KK really does look classy. Pretty much agree with the other comments from those who attended.

A day on the paddock from six Enjoy ==> https://www.smugmug.com/frame/slideshow?key=tSGMjx&autoStart=1&captions=0&navigation=0&playButton=0&randomize=0&speed=2.5&transition=fade&transitionSpeed=2&clickable=1

==> https://www.smugmug.com/frame/slideshow?key=tSGMjx&autoStart=1&captions=0&navigation=0&playButton=0&randomize=0&speed=2.5&transition=fade&transitionSpeed=2&clickable=1

I watch my footy from the top deck of the stands at the 'G. Love getting the overall look and watching plays evolve and play out. So when I attend training it is mostly a blur from the boundary with too many concurrent activities for my old eyes and brain to resolve (I am a survivor from '64). I am therefore hugely impressed with and grateful for the training reports from close to the action. Thanks to all the posters who stick to recording observations and facts and eschew speculation and gratuitous comments about our team. The reports make it clear that all the players are pushing themselves as hard as they can depending on their individual circumstances, their needs and the training programme set for each of them. Of course it's all through rose coloured glasses. But if we can't praise our players and show confidence now we never will. It's the fix I need to make it through the summer months.

IMO clubs who have adopted family values over pokies should be rewarded by the AFL, as otherwise the clubs like Hawks, Blues and Bombers have an advantage in income, derived from gambling, which is so harmful to so many.

Here is the circle jumping set to some 90s Hip Hop.

Can't make it on Friday so decided to have a last look before 2019. It was slightly windy, but the standard of kicking appears up a notch - it was only four years ago when the only blokes likely to hit another player lace up were Jonesy and Wattsy. Now almost everyone can nail a pass keeping it low. Everyone has their favourites, but my two standouts on the track were Joel Smith - he played as a forward in a short spell of close to genuine match practice - and Bayley Fritta - whose left foot passing from a very undermanned midfield was Salemesque. Most of our young heroic midfielders - Angus, Olly, Trac and Harmesy trained with the remedial group early along with hardworkers VDB and Stretch plus big O-Mac, Jayden, Jetta and Marty Hore. It was possibly our best ever rehab group and Marty looks class - a bit reminiscent of Warren Dean. he wil add to our left-foot clearance contingent. Pleasingly Jayden kept the ball low and hard all morning - maybe someone has been advising him. Olly and Baker primarily did laps. Lever and Jack Viney made very short appearances. Jake just did a few kicks and Jack did a few run throughs, although dad Todd lasted the whole session, catching up with Matt Jones at one stage. No sign of Jordy or Melky. It was hard not to notice how lively both Weid and Frosty were, Hibbo was also very impressive and while he may hunch over like an old man a lot, our new boy Steven May hit more targets than Michael Diamond. Two other things stood out to me. The sense of calm watching training that now exists because we now have a back-up ruckman. I am not sure Preussy's athleticism is going to let him play as a forward, but if Gawny does get injured at some stage next season, we now don't have to alter the game plan. And Casey midfielders are going to love him. The other thing was that T-Mac has taken his lack of fashion to a new level - he has added pink boots to his white sock repertoire. Not quite Warwick Capper, but a job in Richmond as a meter made awaits him when he retires.

His athleticism also means that he can be a weapon when the ball hits the deck with his pressure and tackling ability. Goody loves to keep the ball in our half and lock it in for long periods, and J Smith can go a long way to helping us do this.

Wind up warning. Good to see even admin struggle.

Trac's not going anywhere and can't be compared to the other 2 mentioned. I know you don't see it but he has improved each season.

Dropped in to the Demons Shop for a birthday present for our "3" legged friend. That photo is not a thank you smile. I have a feeling its a WTF have you done to me now. Anyway I love it. So does my son. My wife and daughter who are the dogs alpha and beta weren't impressed. Especially when they found out how much it cost.

Thanks for the compliments everyone. It was great to make a training session and see what the recruits etc look like up close and personal. Not too close and personal though. Age is nasty. I really need those optical sunglasses. Couldn't see what the rehab group were doing on the other side of the ground and like when you know you are old when the Police start looking very young, the new draftees look like babies. They're now younger than my son. Oi! But all jokes aside the draftees other than Tom Sparrow do look very light and look like they are going to need quite a lot of building up. Toby Bedford was a standout in that bunch and Sparrow looks pretty good. I didn't really see it but apparently Jordan's kick is a real weapon. Bradtke is a stick. Agree. The kicking out drill just shows you they are working on new strategies all the time. I still hold great hopes that Frosty will come good by fixing the brain fades. He's a special package of height, strength, agility and speed. Garlett looks much happier. Looked like he was enjoying himself which is the main sign I reckon we want to see from him. He just oozes class. If you marked a virtual cross in front of a player and said drop a ball right there with just the right amount of force, he'd hit the spot every time. Can't help but think that silky delivery is best used entering 50m. He's such a born footballer, knows how to read a game so well and such natural talent. He looks like he's never going to build into a big bodied player but you can see a lot more muscle definition already. There's been many great players over the years who are no bigger than him. Baker has bulked up a lot. Still just running laps while he gets the conditioning after doing those hammies at the end of the season. Petty is another that oozes class. Silky skills. Good pace for his build. Was holding his own in the 150m running drills. Apparently regarded very highly internally. Not quite sure how things will end up for him with May, Lever, O Mac, Frost, J Smith, Keilty, etc etc. Smith will play a different role. Maybe he'll end up being better than O Mac and Frost. Otherwise not sure. same for Keilty. Jeez May is a good package. On top of everything we now about him as an elite full back his skills are elite and he has really good agility and pace for his size. He's one of the most significant pickups we've had. I guess because he's a backman and not a midfielder or key forward his move to us didn't get the same amount of coverage as others but he's a significant pickup.

EF start of the third or last qtr I think when Viney hip and shoulders Selwood to his [censored] and gives away a free. Selwood then tries to play on and gets caught by Jack with his 57th tackle for the game and wins the ball back.

Melkshams 55m bullet pass to Gus in the game v doggies, Gus to Hogan - goal. Magical. But Melkshams pass was just breathtaking.

Melbourne vs Essendon in the Grand Final. Payback for 2000 is coming.

I listened and it was pretty dull. Most of the questioning was of the style of "I think this, I think that, I will expound at some length, what do you think about that?" Hib response: "yeah, nah, I reckon that's about right." Eg one of the two hosts said that Nathan Jones hogs most of the publicity events for MFC. Gawn has overtaken him for fame but NJ's inked up arms are more famous again. Hib: "yeah that's about right" But at this time of year, can't really expect anything too earth-shattering. The "highlights": Missed out on meeting Natalie Portman as the "older boys" were not back at training. Club hit a brick wall in the prelim. Didn't review it much as a group. Put it behind them. "The way we play is right but need to do it on the big stage" Thought WC would win GF based on prelim. Is May overweight? Maybe by a kg or two but so far, doing drills, he has fitted straight in. KK also fit in quickly, to play on wing? Lever will leave no stone unturned to get fit. How to fit in all of them including OMac & Frost? Maybe play May at FF at times. Is club ready for 6 on 6? Haven't gone through that yet. Mostly fitness, getting used to contact. Doesn't expect things to change much, although Adelaide playing 2 spare won't happen. Teams will find ways to counteract it. Fortunately Hib plays footy better than he interviews but that's mostly on the hosts who saved his voice by suggesting the answers in the questions. I reckon they spoke at least as much as Hib. (Andy Maher current world champ at answering his own questions.)

Joel Smith looks like an absolute beast . I can see him in a role similar to an Elliot Yeo when he plays on a wing and drifts forward and back. Looks like he is building a strong fitness base to perform strong role for us next season.

Nothing has changed. I suspect that “values” are not part of their mission statement.

I know how you felt Hemingway. Cairns often gets State swimming teams in winter training at the fancy, FINA certified Tobruk pool. One morning I was training in the lane next to some girl wearing an Australian cap who could not of been more than 17 years old. I was doing 200m freestyle sets. She was doing butterfly kick, no arms, just kick and was still going past me. And I’m pretty sure it was just her warm up. For me it doesn’t matter if it is a stage show or sport it is always a privilege to watch someone who is truly world class. I am no great swimmer but she could have been a different specie.

Only other one that has come close to challenging that ones already posted in this thread would be Dom Sheed, just under 2 minutes to go in the GF. The look on the crowd's face will never get old.

All I know Gough, which is not much, is that my best races and training sessions ended with a spew. Carefully avoiding coach, other athletes and officials. My favourite race was 800 but once I joined senior ranks and did not have the kick graduated to 1500-5k. I remember being well beaten to the line in a club race by a 400m runner, an Olympian of the day, who cruised past me effortlessly with 250 to go. He was running an 800 for training and I realized that this was the future of 800m running at the national and international level. So I stopped taking the 800 seriously that day. Once of my criticisms of Aus distance running over the years is that Aussies train and race for state and national success not international success. There are exceptions but this has been the normal practice. This means that most male and female athletes race at a shorter distance than they should. The great Cuban Alberto Juantorena was an example of someone who got it. He raced in Mexico over 400 and 800 and on that day middle distance racing was changed forever at a world level. Cathy Freeman was an Olympic and World Champion 400m but gee she would have been unstoppable over 800m. I guess in her case, she didn't need to and only ever wanted to run 400m. She can't be criticized, but there are many other Aussies who would have performed better by racing at a longer distance than running their favourite distance. Like you, I now ride a bike.

Nice. You have to be a certain age to get that. I did 1500's at school and 800's a bit after school. Broke an ankle playing footy in my late 20's that was the end of the very mediocre running and playing career. Been a cyclist every since. Alas only worked out how to stop throwing up a few years ago on the other side of middle age. There's a lot of people who would have preferred I'd worked that out many decades ago.

Thats some of the best training I've read Its Time.. can you please move to Melbourne and post more often thanks! Thanks to the others also for the finer details of training also!

Jetta knocking Selwood on his [censored] in Final #1 Jetta knocking Mitchell on his [censored] in Final #2 both fair bumps, brilliantly and deliberately executed early in both games to set the tone. Jetta found a new level in finals

Not a play per se but I love the emotion and I was celebrating in the exact same way and the roar I produced was the exact point that I lost my voice which only returned late in the next week.

Must admit, I certainly thought that TMac would be a great forward - in the backline, despite all of his marking, mobility and kicking skills, he continuously heralded and exposed his kicking intentions. This is not such an issue in the deep forward line where he is poised to kick 80 goals a season (!). As for Frosty, well, having seen a few early highlight reels from his early days interstate, he could have been everything, given time and opportunity. He is proving that now - a guaranteed hot onion clearance machine with enchilada habanero chilli wheels to run, carry, dodge and lead a pack of defenders into hopeless chasing - and to enter the marking contests successfully from the side like Neitz used to - hot as hell as a CHB movement machine and feeder (his kicking is greatly improved both for passing and clearance distances) - particularly now that May is going to be the fullback, Hibberd and Jetta are going to feed-run as well, as will Salem with Lewis' backline steerage, and OMac is playing at Casey.

I spent a night researching what makes you throw up in extreme exertion. It's a critical overload of acidic carbon dioxide in your stomach which you don't expel under exertion because you breath too fast and shallow to expel it all. The acid builds up in your stomach until it reaches a critical point and you have to throw up to get rid of it. I started breathing very deeply on major hill climbs. In order to do it I had to gulp air like a goldfish. Didn't look pretty but I've never thrown up again. I eventually adjusted to breath deeply without looking and feeling like a goldfish.

Had a good chat to Charlie Spargo at the end. He said he didn't expect to play so many games and to walk straight in and play finals after the teams been out of them for so long. I told him I read about him throwing up in the last session. He said some do some don't and he seems to be one that does. I gave him my secret tip on how to stop throwing up in intense exertion as I used to do it all the time bike riding at the top of hills. He liked it and said he's going to try it. So when he starts blitzing next year, you'll all secretly know why.

Selwood loosing his shiit and giving away that free kick to Melksham was soo very enjoyable to watch as well. Jack Viney's the tackling machine's effort that whole game was absolutely sensational. Has set a new standard for a player comming back from injury - take note Jake Lever!

This is great, keep the clips coming. What about ANB’s sealer against the Crows in Adelaide? Most would have been able to breathe again after thinking it was almost the Geelong game all over again.

Joel Smith looks like an absolute weapon with the build he has now. Combined with his athleticism and improved footy IQ, I’m wondering if he could really blossom next year? Just in the small amount of vision I’ve seen, he looks to have the technical aspects of ball control at a whole new level. Would put my mind more at ease with Lever’s recovery and the end of Lewis’s career.

Saw an article on Robert Shaw and he described Salem as the most skillful of the players that he coached at Brighton Grammar and that he could turn a game in 15 minutes. Kelly and Watts were others he coached. Pretty big wrap on Salem and suggests he has improvement left in him.

Frosty can be a weapon. The classic 80-100m players who can run away from any opposition and drive the ball long into the forward line. It doesn't have to be "lace out" just so long as the opposition are put under pressure and forced to defend in our forward line. Can't kick goals from anywhere else. If used tactically and strategically at the right times will make a huge difference to the game plan.

I’m unexpectedly here. Down from Sydney and the timing worked out nicely. You can read about training but it’s something else being here. The main group are doing repeat 150metre sprints over and over. As they finish they jog back through a group of trainers who throw balls at them or ground balls which they pick up and pass back. Or at other times they go straight into shots on goal but very rapid and then jog back for the next 150. When you are right next to them you see just how brutal the running is. A lot of the running is in pairs with equally matched runners. I love what I’m seeing. They are clearly training them to execute skills straight off maximum exertion. It’s real game simulation rather than just running around recovering then do some gentle kicking. As you’d expect nowadays it’s super organised. No particular standouts in the running. However I did see ANB kick a goal straight through the middle. Halle bloody lujah. Preuss and Gawn were doing their own run throughs. I hope they get on they’re spending a lot of one on one time together. Preussy is a monster. Now running shoes off and footy boots on. The whole group have gone into a tight huddle in the middle. Someone has started up a chant and the whole group repeats the chant as one. Different phrases over and over. Finished by chanting I have no fear and jumping up and down on the spot. Incredible sense of commeraderie.

I've had lots of twists and turns over this and similar issues over the years and I've battled my own "demons" often enough. Now I reckon [censored] it - no one holds a gun to your head and makes you play a pokie. No one shoves a ciggy in your mouth and makes you inhale. No one tips booze down your gob and makes you drink it. Surely at some point we must take responsibility for our own actions. How [censored] weak has society become?

No idea. He was not present at last Friday's session either.

One of his punts today managed to hit the jumbotron, reportedly it sits 90 feet above the field.

This seems to be a case of rotten luck rather than rushing a player back.

You couldn't get much slower (cautious) than Docherty in his recovery. He could've played this season but Carlton didn't bother as they were so woeful. Had he been right to go round 1, Docherty's recovery would've been 16 months. This recurrence was just rotten luck rather than being rushed back to play. Feel for the bloke.

Great thread. Clarry's look away handball to JKH at Kardinia Park or whatever it's called these days.

He's become their link man/designated kicker from defence...a lot of the footy goes through him so I'm guessing his stats are good for super coach... In real footy he's the one you tag now.

I don't think we really wanted him doing this, though. It came out of necessity when Lever got injured. I think there was a stat showing that after Lever went down we had Max spending more time helping out in the defensive 50, rather than getting a chop out inside our own. Hopefully when Lever returns, and with the addition of May, that we can have both Max and Preuss causing headaches at stoppages and deep in our forward 50.

It’s not that surprising that one season in the thirds and then the arse wasn’t quite enough to institutionalise him to be honest, WJ. Probably had the opposite effect in fact.