joeboy

There were 3 official - looking photographers at training today along with a Fox Sports' vehicle .

No , I don't think Spencer is quick enough to drop in short ; the kicks to him were invariably to the flanks .

Sylvia was not as outstanding as he'd been at other sessions , whilst Davey was SMOOOOTH in everything he did.

As expected an obvious rise in intensity was evident from the outset this morning. The standard was significantly up on the five previous sessions that I've attended. Of the players who would have been walk up starts for Saturday's match if fit ,who were not training ,were :Junior, Jamar, Robbo, Wheatley, Watts and Rivers. Today's session was the first time I'd actually seen Jurrah join in all exercises and he was used in strategic plays so he might even get some game time on Saturday (though my money is on him not being selected due to 'conditioning') Spencer was often used as the go-to man at kick outs, with the crumbers running next to him, for obvious reasons. IMO the training standouts today were McLean, Valenti, Garland, Aussie (whose skills are sublime for so early in the season) and ... Newton (unlike the weekend's game where he was crap, today he was holding his marks on the lead, and showed agility, strength and interest). BTW Rivers was walking laps, slowly, but without a limp; Wheatley and Jamar ran laps then went on a bike ride to the local pool (after asking permission); Robbo was running laps and having goal kicking practice, but still appears proppy and somewhat hefty; Junior was not sighted (by me).

Not from my observation . He DID play well but he HAS trimmed down .

Actually by the looks of Petterd today , the guy in the photo may have eaten 2 of him . The Petterd I saw today was whippet-like in build and movement , and had a great game .

IMO Brock and Moloney were surprisingly inconspicuous, whilst Bell got the ball a few times without much impact. I imagine that the first 2 were just given the job of finding their feet on the playing field again after being cruelled by injuries over the last 2 years.

Not all gloom and doom -Robbo and Watts were message boys so they did plenty of running ; Jurrah was having kicking practice with Blease pre game ; Wheatley told me he had a minor back related ailment ; Jamar was walking and jumping fences unhindered ;and no major concerns after today's game , assuming Rivers only suffered a slightly twisted ankle .

It seemed quite a minor strain and he was walking around later without a noticeable limp . With only limited game time today I doubt he will be risked next weekend .

Buckley was impressive IMO, and probably in the top 3 or 4 on the field. Four goals to Aussie gave him BOG with Miller, Petterd and Buckley vying for the other votes.

Good call . From my observations at training Valenti has certainly fined down and looks and moves remarkably like Jones , but with hair . I remarked last week that he and Sylvia vied for most impressive movers at training ( in that session )

no discernible difference

Newton was acting ' sheepishly ' after the event , and did make an effort to apologize , but this ' incident ' coming on top of his attempted physicality against Jones last week , was not necessarily a bad thing IMO . Perhaps it indicates a new and aggressive edge to his game in conjunction with an obviously stronger body

The most notable feature of training today was that there was no sign of ANY of the indigenous crew . Surely they can't all be playing in the All Stars game . Wheatley didn't train and was noticeably limping . Jamar was walking laps minus the moonboot . Robbo was training at around 75% capacity , and was participating in most manoeuvres . Rivers ( yay ) was not inconvenienced by anything and will definitely be available for selection in our first pre season hit out . Moloney was in everything and dispelled earlier reports that he may be feeling some inconvenience from a niggling injury . Newton crashed to the ground quite heavily in a marking contest and was not consoled by Garland whom he had earlier pushed into the fence. Valenti and Sylvia were my picks as the standouts at training , and I have seen nothing to dispel my earlier claim that this is Sylvia's year - barring injury . Dunn's thighs are massive and he actually looks out of proportion because of this , but he ran the lines well and fast , so the buildup may be intentional . I noticed Zomer for the first time ever today , and he actually impressed with his body size , agility, and kicking . Petterd and Grimes have also bulked up appreciably and may offer salvation off the half back line .

I accept your apology begrudgingly - how could you confuse me with Yze Magic ? Furthermore I have managed to renegotiate a better and longer contract , SO I WILL RETURN , whether anyone likes it or not !

Hey Don 24 , stop talking crap out of your smallgoods. ( Is Don is not good ) Sylvia has been far from a favourite of mine in the past and I've NEVER 'talked him up ',pre season , but if you'd been to training this year ( and I've been 3 times ) you'd see exactly what I meant and you'd be gushing over him too. If you're referring to my weekly 3 word player analysis where you insist I'm 'known for talking rubbish ', rest assured the column won't be returning this year due to a breakdown in contract negotiations and the economic meltdown .

If you'd seen Sylvia at training this year , and I've seen him 3 times , you would swear you were looking at a new player . His body shape is outstanding and his endeavour has been McLeanesque . This is certainly a player who is rejoicing in a newfound confidence in his fitness and work ethic. Barring injury , this is his year , mark my words .

It is a fair distance for most supporters , but the effort will be thoroughly rewarding . There is no doubt that the players are loving the environment and playing surface , and with such a close proximity to a huge council - run swimming pool complex , the players must feel they've hit the jackpot .

I was at training early and saw an energetic hour of precision ball movement ( both with footballs and tennis balls ) As a disappointing contrast to my observations of training last week where Moloney and Rivers were standouts , both of these players were conspicuous by their absence from competitive work , with the former looking downcast whilst running laps , and the latter taking no active part at all other than yelling obscenities at his active team mates . Further disappointing news is that Jurrah did little running either , and was last seen heading into the change-rooms with a medical - type person . On the positive side , however , Sylvia trained as if there was no tomorrow ; he looks terrific and his body language was all positive . Of further significance , IMO , was that Newton actually looks as if he's interested in playing league football now . He has certainly bulked up and his physical and intimidating short stoush with Jones , suggests that he is a man on a mission . I took note of Aussie's training after reading yesterday how he feels more confident of himself and his place in league football , and there is no doubt that he is more at home in this environment now - his toned body and calm demeanor reflecting a confidence in purpose and desire . Everyone's favourites , Davey and McLean ,were enthusiastic livewires , and the latter , in particular , was always vocal and encouraging .

Any telltale dampness on the sheets ?- from the fever of course !

Fully agree . There is no logic to the appointment - Junior will be lucky to make the starting 22 for most of the year .

Not me - I was on my own . I was the tall , slim , suntanned .............

Jack Watts was running laps, barechested at training today, still looks alarmingly slight. If he's really put on 6kg he must have been a real beanpole a month ago.

So do we have a sponsor yet or not ?

....and your namesake too , for that matter .