kev martin

I am not that kind of tracker. Occasionally say gidday to them, not much more. I do barrack and offer my thoughts and support when I see something, with the players. Rarely to the coaches, other than a thank you for the work. They know better than me what gets the best out of the players. You could always email the club. Probably get put into the spam folder though.

Going straight down the alley when someone is defending infront of the lead was a problem today.. They often attempt the long get over the back kick, which is good in sims, but is easily defended during a game. That angle kick seems to be done by the skilled. Some get rushed, others as you say don't see the play, or just not good at this aspect. Angles are definitely encouraged, as well as kick to advantage by the coaches. Execution is the what makes a genuine star out there.

They had the scoreboard out and running today. They used it during full sims. It seems the score is based on more than just goals and behinds. There is also a reading for possession of the ball. Today the possession percentage in the first 3 minutes was 6% bibs and 65% non-bibs (some time in dispute). Bibs came back at them as the sims continued. Amazing that they are getting their competitive juices flowing early. This pre-seasons training is similar to when they are in home and away mode. Skills, structures, and processes are emphasised. They are doing very little running, and seem to have come back in great shape. Perhaps they all had a running program during their break.

I thought the same thing. Looks like Chaplin gets along well with Goody. Last Monday they were seen walking off into the setting sun together, or at least crossing the Yarra from the Paddock. It is a Goody/Chaplin team at the moment. Be interesting to see how the "oldies" adapt to the new methods. Seems like Chaplin will also have a fair bit of say in how he wants the mids to deliver the ball. It was the group he was hanging around with when the forward structured sims begun. He would talk and instruct the forwards after the action.

From today's forward structure in some sims. Looks like they are going with a 4 man set-up. 3 marking players high up, well spaced. One leads back, one leads forward and the other towards the boundary. When the ball transitioned in, Chaplin would call "go", he wanted the energy and acceleration to his system. The fourth (Sestan) was just outside the fifty and central to the game as he became the first receiver from the mids, and became the kicker. Though they only had two defenders in there, AMW and Petty, they stuffed up a few times. Mostly they were supportive. Early on in the stuff ups, a few got serious (Turner and JVR, "basic kicks" needed) and pushed Sestan (who responded well) to get it right. There was also a flood of players (small flankers) into the area after the first entry, often into the straight out and 30 infront, which worked once the ball became a ground ball get. Tough conditions as these sims happened in the rain and wind. I hope Chaplin has an abundance of plays in his "scrap book", as the players seem to be responding to him, with clear understanding of purpose and intention. Execution on the other hand, may take time. I reckon repeat, repeat and repeat again.

My impression is that most of them are looking lighter in the upper-body and skin folds are minimal. Hoping it relates to a faster game speed from us. Judd was looking spindly. His arm, maybe longer 😄.

I saw him in the forwards group. May have missed Verrall's backline work. Perhaps he will be a swing man, or as a possible ruck backup, so needs to be training everywhere player.

Laurie and Fritsch Didn't see Salem.

24 in the squad today. Fritsch doing his own program. He has put on a fair bit of upper-body muscle. The Sparrow and Rivers have turned up. Sparrow has very little fat, his skin folds must be near zero. Riv's has also filled out, looking strong. Unsure about Jed Adams, pulled out of the squad to do some work with the trainer, could be calf/Achilles awareness. Windsor, Tholstrup and Bowey, were pulled from the contact craft sessions. All participated in everything else. Bassett was much more vocal this time. Jones was animated and giving plenty of directions, it was Chaplin who was doing most of the work as Goody again sat back and observed. Troy was really active in making sure the forwards lead and make space. He was also instructive in the outside 50 area, making sure they get the right patterns and delivery. Petty (unhindered, body is in good shape) in the backline, as was TMac (focused on outside run). Forwards included Kentfield, JVR, Jefferson, Verrall and Sestan in the sims. AMW, has impressed me, gained plenty of confidence, side stepping them all, and tackling/pressurising well. JVR a bit rusty. Jefferson was marking well in the wet, unlike a couple of the others. Brown looks like he is only in second gear untill he gets the ball. Sestan is difficult to tackle. In the drill, a little hip swivel and a tight body turn, they fall off him, including Viney who had surprise all over his face, like grasping for the wet soap. Got a feeling they will rotate McVee through the mids.

What a contrast to Monday's weather. No rain for the first hour (though was wet), then it came tumbling down and got cold. Hardens then up and makes them concentrate on execution of skills.

Interesting that they aren't using Casey. The Tracc influence? By the way, the surface of Gosch's is looking and feeling great. Plenty of give, and the scuff marks and divots have been worked on (filled over during the men's off-season).

Judd appears about the same size as last season.

Yes Though Choco does need a bit more empathy, in my opinion. He can be quite abrupt and self indulgent. As a qualifier, he loves giving his time and insights to anyone.

The kicking drills ran by Choco were quite extensively and the first after the warm-up. 15 meters apart and in pairs they kick right and left foot. Then variations occur. Spin (360°) to the left, kick, spin again to the right, kick, place the ball on the ground, pick up and kick, place the ball behind, spin and kick. Repeat at 30 meters. At one stage they included two balls, but only one kicking over the top as the other ball is handballed flat. The next kicking drill was more complicated. They had six starting positions. Three on two lines. The middle group in bibs, attempted to intercept the passes, by those in the outside lines. The outside lines would pass to the other line, down the line, or diagonal. I think they had a system going so it wasn't haphazard. It created a variety of kicks. Choco empathises that he wants the ball to spin well, and for sharp, direct actions. I think he will create even more drills with a variety of difficulty and skills.

Forgot to mention Marty Hore. He was looking good and working hard on his fitness, leading in some of the group runs. Would imagine he is going to do all he can to give himself a chance to play or at least be ready if he gets a call up to the main team.