waynewussell

TMac has been the best of the defenders at this stage of preseason. He comes in for Lever, who is still to join main group.

This.

I got timed out the first time when I was up to my Visa card security code… swearing could be heard a block and a half away! I was then placed at 30500 in the queue to re-select. Four hours later I finally secured two tickets. Ticketek (and club) system ridiculously complex.

Difficult to follow your point. Chandler is obviously being considered for a leadership role by the club.

Obvious from watching training these early days; we are very fit and transferring the ball with speed (and often, but not always, precision). However, until they start real, full ground match sim, it's a bit like dancing with your sister! Apart from communicating who is not there, and who is in rehab, and who may have picked up a niggle, it's now difficult to be enlightening about projections regarding our progress in 2025. All I can say is that Langford plays round 1 and he improves us. Johnson is putting pressure on key Talls (forwards) with his intensity and athleticism. Tracc is back bigger than before, Clayton is on course to burst back into eye-catching, high disposal, mid-dominance. McDonald is fitter than he has been for a couple of years and Campbell is a legit, road-tested Max-back-up option!

Parking meter beckons… chat later.

Noticing Nathan Bassett much more today. He is taking the main, full group ball movement activity, with Goody looking on. Bassett barking instructions constantly

One unknown mature standing with Goody

Fritsch sighted

and Brown

Haven’t laid eyes on Fritsch or AMW yet

Looks like very close to 100% attendance. Kelani is back. Same group in rehab.

No... Jeffo will never be expected to learn how to second ruck!

... So well that I haven't noticed him, even though I have observation of Bassett's influence on my list of important tasks, I usually get distracted by some other matter. Perhaps other track watchers will have something to add on this topic.

Windsor's run won't be lost playing off half back. In 19 games in 2024 he kicked 8 goals as a winger. I see him getting shots at goal from HB by being involved in a chain. Houston kicked 7 goals in 2024, Zorko kicked 9. I don't think we lose much in goals by playing Windsor off HB.

He's certainly doing a power of running through and over obstacles, building up leg/foot strength and flexibility. It's reassuring to have McDonald and Petty in peak fitness at this stage.

There is the regular sound of body slapping into body, at times it gets quite willing. Tracc soaks up the physical stuff, no obvious scars there!

Jefferson now looks at home among the big boys. He is stronger and able to jostle for position without being shoved aside. He is enjoying the work and has good goal sense, with crafty snaps and some length when required. I get the feeling he now knows he belongs.

Yes. Stonger in the contest, marking and spoiling well, has that break-away speed. I'd say he has put on more muscle.

Have to head off now. I look for other’s more detailed observations to come.

The competitive, 1 on 1 marking with the talls was great to watch. Disco out pointed Maysie with his regulation sticky fingers. MCDonald got the better of Max. Jeffo also competed well.

Players broken into several groups now for contested work