I come from a land down under
Where Demonlanders flow and weather looks like thunder
Can't you hear, can't you hear the thunder
You better run, you better take cover.
Oh! Do you come from a land down under (oh yeah yeah)
Where women and mens teams get set to plunder oh yeah
Can't you hear, can't you hear the thunder
You better run, you better take cover.
And so it came to pass that I set out with sunscreen, raincoat, steel capped boots, enough insect repellent to drown an army of flying, stinging insects and a slingshot to ward of any slitheras in sight to come down to the smouldering furnace that was Casey Fields. Was it hot?? It was hotter than when I took 9/26 all those years ago. now with the pleasantries out of the way lets get into the training report. as the above song title suggests the players were indeed hard and strong at work.
MODIFIED DUTIES
Mitch Brown, and later Jake Lever, and Majak Daw
SKILLS, DRILLS AND MANOUVERS
Set 1a
Players were split into 2 groups in group 1 A Players were inside a marked witches hat configuration of about 40 meters x 40 m and were playing a highly energised game of corridor keepings of. The idea was to take possession and before being tagged select best option and dish of.
Set 1b
The other group did 3/4 ground match sims but with the added pressure that the coaches after a set play had been executed or a goal scored instead of returning to the centre the ball might be thron back into play from the opposite forward pocked or ball randomly kicked into play from any position on the ground. The idea seemed to be attack when you have the ball but then just as quickly defend resolutely when you haven't got the ball.
Set 2
This drill reminded me of an army of Cybermen running in formation in an absolute Blitzkrieg wave rolling relentlessly with ball in hand creating multiple overlaps and passing to next group of 4 and either handballing back or bypassing the footy to the next wave of players all surging forward it was a tsunami of beautiful free flowing ball movement with scarcely any errors. Skills were quick and handball and or kicks were precise and effortless. this was done at 100% intensity.
Set 3
Goalkicking practice from every concievable match sim. There were set shots, corner shots, inside out shots, reverse angle shots inside out torpedo punt shots, the only shots missing were Shot glasses full of a delicious beverage or five!
Set 4
Full on match simulations two quarters of 20 minutes many highlights which I will now speak about under player watch
PLAYER WATCH AND ASTUTE OBSERVATIONS FENCE STYLE
TOMMY MAC Just an incredible performance today in drills and also match sims, he kicked at least 3-4 goals and took some very strong marks
CLAYTON OLIVER EXILLERATINGLY BREATHTAKING. just cannot be stopped and does what he likes, at one stage he was tackled by 3 players got a kick away to TRACC who was again prominant , who then got it to JV ditto just as prominant who got it to SPARGY who Goaled
JACOB VAN ROOYEN Wow is this kid gonna be something!! Took 3 pack marks and moved effortlessly in a forward line chock full of class.
FRASER ROSMAN Starting to get some confidence and did a few nice things and runs hard all day was pitted against Ed Langdon
DEAKIN SMITH will play this year runs to good spots and skills are developing niceley
ANDY MONIZ-WAKEFIELD This kid should also play this year, he zipped into play many times showing a great turn of speed and excellent disposal
BEN BROWN. Gee he was impressive, he is much fitter this year and as a forward roams far and wide. takes sticky fingers marks often
JAKE MELKSHAM Just when a few thought he was cooked he trained the house down and kicked some very classy goals and set up well as a forward.
OTHER RANDOM OBSERVATIONS
The players are extremely fit , quick and hungry, skills are at an all time high and every player knows instinctively the style of play required and also set plays in any match situation. There is genuine harmony within the group and the mantra of selfless footy resonates with this scribe. PF
https://twitter.com/melbournefc/status/1486871278124662784?s=20&t=Crk0zJj5NjfFAn-NfI_FzQ