Our man on the spot Bendigo Demon traveled to Adelaide for our back to back games in the City of Churches and brings you his observations from the Demon's training session at Hisense Stadium.
Slow start so far!! About 30 spectators, 2 dogs, and an old bloke asking security if the bar is open. Few kids enjoying a kick on the ground.
Kids etc cleared off the ground, looks like things are happening.
Crowd has swelled to over 100, unfortunately no coffee van, (or for the old bloke, no bar open either.)
Slow start, Jake Melksham working really hard with trainers, looks super fit, players wandering out now. Tom McDonald is in runners with left knee strapped. Steven May and Clarry with main group. Clarry wearing hand guard.
Ben Brown in sneakers, no sign of Kade Chandler, Shane McAdam, Josh Schache and Kolt here too. I get the feeling McAdam * might play. Lot of love for him from staff and players.
* ADMIN EDIT: Shane McAdam was listed as 3-5 Weeks away in the last Injury Report.
Kade Chandler in sneakers with heavy strapping on right knee. He’s limping noticeably, can’t see him getting up.
Kolt, Shaw, Shane McAdam, Tommo, Bill Laurie and May all training with team from Saturday. BBB and Chin only 2 not with main group. Lots of laughter.
Tom McDonald and Trac are in rehab group.
I know Steven May is as tough as nails, but he still looks in some discomfort even doing just basic stuff.
Tom Mac and Trac have joined main group
So, apart from BBB and Chin, all players named are doing run through. BBB walking laps. Chin doing rehab stuff, very low key. BBB doing kick to kick, Chin has started that too.
Trac is in cotton wool, doing 50% 60 metre run throughs. He exudes the impression everything isn’t ok. Sorry to be negative.
Main group doing lots of ball handling, Tom McDonald fetching balls behind goals and kicking out etc. Clarry handling ball ok, May moving much more freely.
Trac back with main group.
Trac looks fine, no strapping, just not his normal self. The only people with noticeable strapping are Chin and Tom McDonald
As training progresses (very casually) and the boys start handing out little footys, BBB and Chin are alternating on the bike. Clarry is in seemingly no discomfort, Steven May still seems sore, Tom McDonald did stuff all, Trac was VERY limited and had a long chat with Goody, Chin was very down, shaking his head, BBB walking ok, but not trying to do anything intense. Everybody else seemed ok, BUT, I am 58 and I could have completed that training no problem!!
And that’s it for today. I will be back Wednesday for more updates.