Demonophile

Dean Bailey was a guest on SEN 1116’s ‘Hungry for Sport’ segment this morning. It was a 15 minute interview. Basically, the upshot was: Flexibility – Players have shown aptitude to be flexibility from its varied training venues through to the need for some players to be up to speed in a number of positions. DB said he is looking for footballers over athletes, and wants to improve those aspects (flair, ability, etc) that got them on to an AFL list, ie play to the players strengths. Expectations – Strong belief that we can win. MFC will go out to win every game / quarter from the NAB Cup to the regular season. Playing Style – DB identified that we have a strong forward line. We have very strong contested one-on-one marks in Neita and Robbo. DB advised that we will specifically be trying to get the ball in quickly, increase our inside 50s stats and kick more goals. Players who Surprised – DB identified Daniel Bell (size, strength and speed) in particular and also Lynden Dunn, Colin Garland and Simon Buckley (attitude) as players who have surprised him (based on his perception from Port Adelaide days). Leadership – (KB queried selection of Adem Yze and Brad Miller) DB advised that players were given guidelines as to what behaviour, characteristics and values constituted "leadership". DB stated that the issue of "leadership" is one that is subject to on-going review, ie it is not just a one off process, it is one that must be shown/demonstrated on and off the field. Behaviours need to reflect what we want to see going forward. He cited Kane Cornes, Dom Cassisi and Josh Mahoney as prime examples of players who became recognised leaders at Port after being "overlooked" for a time. Coaching Panel – On the issue of Josh Mahoney KB asked about the coaching panel. DB said that he had been directly involved with both Josh and Sean Wellman – both quality people, smart, show common sense and have a good work ethic. He referenced Paul Williams as a second year developing coach and that we have two development coaches in Kelly O'Donnell and Mark Williams. DB stated that with the number of players under 24 that the coaching panel reflects the nature of the list (my words "young and developing"). 2008 Draw - DB is not phased by the draw. He said that 13 or 14 matches at the G is brilliant after only getting on it once or twice a season while with Port. Nathan Carroll - DB said that the leadership team had spelt out behaviour and guidelines to all players and that Nathan had crossed the line one week later. Brad Green's Omission from Leadership Team – DB said that Brad was disappointed. The leadership team spoke to Brad about the areas of improvement. DB said he treats both Brad and Jeff White as leaders of the club and that both are in for very good years. New Dees getting an Early Taste – DB said that Cale Morton is in line for one game in the NAB Cup. He also said that Stefan Martin, Aussie Wonaeamirri and Shane Valenti would probably get a game in the NAB Cup. All in all, I thought that DB handled himself well – he sounded thoughtful and answered the questions honesty and with good humour. The more I hear of DB the more impressed I am. I think we have a keeper here. Underlying impressions I have of DB are that he is very, very down to earth guy who will tell it as it is, reputations don’t count for much. On balance, attitude and work ethic will be rewarded over someone who is seen as a player with brilliant skills but suspect work ethic.

Did the newly re-appointed skipper, Neita, lead the team out onto the green-topped Moorabbin training track yesterday? No, that honour went to the birthday boy, Cale Morton. Neita and the boys made quite a show of the event calling on all the boys to get behind Cale as he led the team out of the sheds on his 18th birthday. Notable absentees being Nathan Jones and Lynden Dunn. I also don’t recall seeing Whelan, Bartram or Rivers. I was not there for the entire session and it is possible that they may have been doing an alternative training session/s in another part of the facility. The players did a brief warm up under the watchful eyes of BB, culminating in what I assume was a 1km time trial. The players went off in a staggered start with Brock leading out on his own followed shortly thereafter by the quicker runners, with the slower ones bringing up the rear. I think completed his 1km in 2.59 with the last players in approx. 3.49 (less there starting time differential). In the absence of Chunk Jones, Willo paced Brocky for the last ½ to ¾ of a lap. BB was very happy and complimentary in his appraisal of the results. While the likes of Cheney, McNamara, Spencer, Grimes did not participate with the main group, Cale Morton (‘Morts’), Addam Maric (‘Archer’) Meesen, Martin, Wonaeamirri were in the thick of things on the track. The players did a combination of old and (to me) new drills, based on set plays (mids and forwards) and forwards leading in patterns designed, in my mind, to spread out the opposition, create space for other forwards and/or running mids. If I’m not right – highly likely – then it at least it is another example of more miles being put into the players legs. General observations I make are the increased level of vocalisation on the track, players in groups, forwards, mids, backs discussing tactics, positioning options in preparation for the next contest. I certainly get the feeling that all the players are learning and communicating with each other and generally being more aware of collectively and individually controlling the space around them and their team mates. A simple thing like running patterns and/or blocking to free up a player, to my mind is not something we have done well in the past. Additionally, the players seem to be enjoying training a lot more than I have seen in previous years. The new coaching style seems o have invigorated the more seasoned players as well as ‘teaching’ the newDees. While I deliberately didn’t focus on any player or group, Morton, Meesen and Maric of the newDees stood out to me. Of the older types Yze, Brock and Bater looked good.

No doubt a real key to any team's season is to be relatively injury free, particularly to that team's key players. Additionally, the first half dozen games set the tone for the rest of the season. In '07 we not only lost key players each week, we lost a high proportion in the first half of those games. We consequently lost all flexibility to rotate players, change match ups, rest players, etc., and duly never recovered in those games or ultimately for the rest of the season. A combination of lost morale, key players (including loss of fitness on return in several cases) and loss of depth took their toll. As has been said by others our best 25 is as good as any (perhaps one key defender and a back-up ruck short - All teams have one or two weaknesses, Geelong 07 notwithstanding). Our problems in '08 will be injuries, early losses and the lack of depth or experience to turn around such adversity in the latter two-thirds of the season. This combination will prove almost insurmountable next year I fear. I believe that Bailey will also play youth over more experienced 'depth' players wherever possible. This will result in short term pain - which I am prepared to accept at this time in order to promote the young guys. In my view if we scrape into the 8 - a possibility if we have a good run - so be it. Either way we need to continue with the youth policy started this year. I believe we only have 12 - 14 players, in position, that will form the nucleus of the 2010 - 2012 team. We need to 'mine' the next two drafts (if that means trade off some of our tradeable 26 - 30 age group I'll accept that as well) to fill the current gaps. We also need to get ahead of the game in some area instead of following the trend of the current premier, ie 'bigger bodied Brisbane midfield' 'player accountability Geelong' etc. Following trends 2 - 3 years too late gets overtaken by the next premiership model. You forever chase your tail. Late starts to several key players does not inspire me with confidence at this point in time - Rivers, Whelan, Davey, Moloney, Bartram, Sylvia, nor does the age and injury susceptability of key forwards in Neitz and Robbo. Pessimism aside, i'll be there in 08 cheering the boys on in a very important year for the dees. Lets all get on board in 08 - join the club and attend matches.

Just to tidy up and finalise this thread the last three numbers to be allocated are: 35 - Trent Zomer 39 - Austin Wonaeamirri 44 - Shane Valenti Number 38 is the vacant number in the numbers allocated

DD36 - See separate thread re 'Training 17 December'. Hope it helps.

Got to training at Sandy about half way through today’s session. It went until approx 11.00am. If it started on time (8.30am) it went for 2.5 hours. At the end the players went down to the beach for a cool down, salt water, treatment. When we got there circle work was in progress (eight to ten in a circle with ‘piggy in the middle’, at times harassed by another player). The players split into several groups in a pretty full on training session. There were four teams competing in separate 2 on 2 simulations. The simulations varied from a handballing, touch-football match and a combined handball and kicking match. The ‘match’ rules required all members of the team to be constantly in motion. With immediate play -on after turnovers and all players required to run over the halfway line for a score to count fitness and concentration were required attributes. It was all about fitness, concentration, decision making and players thinking and running to provide options. The players still have a fair way to go with this (particularly the desions making and provision of multiple option – perhaps concentration and playing nouse are really the issues here!!) There was a fair bit of talk, from encouragement through to angst, from the playing group, when someone or other stuffed up and good encouragement from the coaches. Ooze really stood out in this exercise with his fitness, decision making skills, nouse and voice. A couple of times the groups ran two laps with Brock, Chunk and John Meesen (and once Robbo) leading the way (up to 40 – 50 metre gap to the rest). There was also interspersed a ‘six spoke’ running and kicking drill. All in all a lot of running was completed by the group. While I didn’t look much at the individuals involved Aaron and Jared Rivers did not participate in the main groups running a separate series of 150 – 200 Metre timed ½ to ¾ sprints. Clint and Matty Bate did mostly ball work. Paul Wheatley and Matty Whelan did a fair bit of walking the boundary line early in the session. At one stage Addam Maric went into the change rooms and picked up a ball near the boundary line approx 30 metres from goal on a severe angle and casually did a ‘daicos’ that split the middle (literally!). The newbees did stretching exercises towards the end of the session under the watchful eyes of the conditioning coaches. I have never seen them running so much in a session, and, apart from the few 800s all on it was match related. From discussions with a number of players there appears to be a great spirit amongst the players generally. The new guys are very enthusiastic and the older guys seem to be willingly taking on a mentoring role. In conclusion it was an impressing session, good running, targets being hit (albeit under minimal pressure) and equal parts of encouragement / angst expressed by coaches and players alike. Like 'Big Kev' used to say "I'm excited"!

My daughter got several signatures at training today. Aussie's signature doesn't have a number on it, unlike the other players. She didn't get Trent's signature. As an earlier poster identified Clint is now #3. I think only #s 35, 38, 39 and 44 are left.

New numbers I can confirm are: 10 Cale Morton 16 Jack Grimes 19 Addam Maric 25 Kyle Cheney 26 John Meeson 30 Tom McNamara 33 Stefan Martin 42 Jake Spencer

I went to training yesterday. After previous disappointments I now ring the club first on 96521111 to confirm location. The rehab group as previous indicated by Goodoil concentrated on handball drills and with asst coach Williams starting by throwing one or two balls at and between the players who are staggered in a semi-circle fronting Williams. He then progresses to drilling mongrel kicks from close range to improve reflexes, ball handling etc. The player who misses the ball or fumbles it goes to the far left and when time is up the player who is at the far right side is deemed the winner - of what I don't know. The fit players were split into several competing groups (tops vs skins) and did a number of drills from touch footy style, one with tennis balls and another with footballs (handballing). Others did kicking drills and/or running drills similar to a beep test however instead on all being in a line it appeared they each ran a separate 'u' shaped track. As compared to previous years it appeared the players were doing a fair bit of running as part of these exercises. There was no 'all in' running drills. In another exercise groups of 4 players, lead by a captain, had to run and handball across the width of the oval running criss-cross patterns to avoid two defenders. Several teams were put through this drill and then it was expanded to two teams combining to avoid up to six defenders. While Sampi was with the rehab group (with Davey along with the others id'd by Goodoil) both he and the other players were definitely including and accepting of him. He appeared to be enjoying himself - as did Davey in particular. It will be interesting to see him when he joins in training proper. In all they trained for in excess of 2 hrs and it was pretty hot.