Damo

My selection headache is that the one player Id have in, instead of Frost or Pederson is Spencer. I think this is a game where we really need to help Gawn out. No point saying we fought the hard fight and poor Gawny was overwhelmed by the Mummy. The difference between Frost or Peterson and a resting Spencer in the forward line is not large. The hardness he will bring to the contest when Max takes a break is. No use crying over someone who cant play but I can imagine Mummy dominating by mid 3rd quarter.

Id see him as in the mix for a forward pocket or HFF. Maybe not 1st choice but if Garlett or Watts are unavailable, I can see Jack as a medium smart thinking leading forward, like Delidio or Bartel. He is/was good overhead.

For me its also how many players are tackling mean. My view is that its Jack Viney's influence.

Ive seen him kick across his body in play from 50 or more although I cant remember if they were accurate. I think its the set shot thats shorter.

I think we will see Jack Grimes a lot this season, as he is adaptable to a few positions. He may be not in top 22 right now but its a long season.

He seems to have regressed to where he was before the start of last season. He had cleared most of it up. It didnt look that bad at training as it did yesterday.

I would have Oliver in for Grimes. Grimes slows down after he takes possession and takes a second before he looks up to see both his options and his opposition. Always does it, I dont think its fixable. Oliver speeds up. Sees 360 degrees. Its obvious already. Any position Grimes plays Oliver will do better IMO, but doesnt have as good a tank.Yet/Maybe.

Ralphy, In my lone training report I surmised that a few players were lackadaisical in their approach to training that day. I highlighted Watts and Petracca - who wasnt in the main group, as 2 who seemed very happy and relaxed in contrast to Trengove and ANB who seemed dedicated to their task. There may have been others who had said the same thing, but I withdraw my comments. After watching the Port game on the weekend and Watts efforts around the ground and his endevours to go up in front of packs for marks, I was happy to be wrong. The glass is a lot more full for me after last Saturdays game. I expect the Tracc to thrill me soon.

Spencer is the antithesis of bruise free football. His collision style is in line with what I saw on Saturday. Im surprised Tyson was not marked down as injured as he would be full of bruises. Happy as I am with Gawn, I realise he may be rested for games or Spencer might get a run instead of Frost. Like Matt Jones, Spencer isnt gifted with lots of talent but uses what attributes he's got very well.

Hogan and Gawn are indispensable. If either are missing, the next bests in their roles are a fair way back and Im a bit of a Spencer fan. They are both looking that good.

Gee Id love to see competitive beast next to Watts name.

I think Petracca's odds of $8 will lengthen to about 15's or more soon after round 1. As he isnt training with the main group as yet, I cant see him being picked. So about round 2 or 3 will be a good time to get on IMO. Thats my plan anyway.

Being on the wing opens up a whole half of players for JG to pass to.

I saw plenty of Jack Watts dialing in his training and C Salem and Tyson not hitting targets. I didnt want to speak about it because Salem gets a pass but Watts wont change. I saw complacency from coaches and players but I cant comment because I hadnt gone to any other training and may have missed something. I saw Watts get the opportunity to take a good pack mark and he pulled up. I dont think that supporters need to hear that. I saw Trengove act like one of the best forwards on the field and thats my stated interest. I also said that I may be over stating how good he looked. I will say he may get a guernsey before the Trucc who was half hearted and not hitting targets at kick to kick. He is happy as Jack. I only want to belittle the glad handlers like yourself who wow way too easily.

I didnt see him doing the contested work. I did see him working as a forward. I said that in the other thread.

Not as quick as Garlett who I thought trained as hard as he could, which shattered a preconception of mine. He looked quick but Lumumba looked like Usain Bolt at 3 quarter pace! Jack led fast to the right spot for Kent and I think ANB to kick it past the 50 and he accelerated and it was a one grab out high in front. Twice. He also seemed to be leading his sprints past me back to goal mouth. I could be wrong and I missed others or it may have just been "his day" at training. Sometimes that happens. He looks like he is on a mission and he must be close.

Jack Trengove looked to be comfortably in the best 22 yesterday. I was trying to be objective but his clean hands and foot (!) and his fast leads were very good and his professionalism in training shone.

I went today from 2 till 3:00 maybe later. I havent really read all previous reports. I was looking for leading and kicking skills and they did that on my side coming out of the back 50 hitting up a player coming from the pocket to the wing. Lucky we are good at grabbing half volleys as sometimes it was the lead and other times it was the kick. it was 50-50 successful/good, there was no pressure. The good players were good, but thats about 8 or 10. Hogan whose body is like a 200 cm version of Leigh Mathews, short legs, long body; is just outstanding. Could play in the middle. Kicks long low passes to a spot where he expects his teammate to be. Watching him kick he pushes the ball out and connects with the very point beautifully. Or else boots it truly from 50 or so. Next is Trengove, ANB Brayshaw Garlett and Garland who hit targets and lead with timing and took hard fast one grabbers. Ppl cheered Garlo for something when I 1st got there. He was very good to my eye. Viney, Gawn and Salem were ok but I prob missed the good sh!t. Too many others were hit and miss. Watts sh!ts me. He is the nicest guy Ive ever seen. The love was all around. Id swap him for Robbie Muir. If you dropped a mark (im counting 2 grabs as a drop) or lead wrong or kicked a softy under no pressure to a player who had to stand under it, you still got a high 5 from the dude at CHF. His hands will be sore right now but Im sure he has lots of lanolin. Im happy with inside work and defense. Dunn and big Mac are grouse. I perked up watching Tom and Jesse toy with the kids in a push and mark, when they battled each other it was a bull fight for a second or 2. i had them 5/3 Hoges way. Forwards and delivery to them is however, my pet hobby horse. We arent good as we could be. It may have been an easier run day after harder days but seeing North belt the suitcase out of the under 25s - well thats the little papers story, it seemed half a ballarat. Everyone looked very fit. It was my 1st training session this summer and by 3:20 I jumped back on the scooter. Everyone seemed happier than me.

I understand momentum to have a mass behind it. I wasnt kidding that I was with you, but Id have used the word "Promises". Just because things need to run to plan and the phrase "As long as...." isnt vital to our improvement.

I was right with you up till "momentum"

The biggest worries are Hogan - we expect too much and he has no good tall support. Watts Dawes and Pedo are incapable of helping him much and if Hogan is injured, they are not likely to step up. Small forwards - I worry about Jeff, although he has had a couple of good years. I have no reason to trust Kent yet. If we are giving games to Grimes, Heretier or Watts, we will not be very good as they dont contribute anywhere near enough I pick 8 wins. I do however like the big Spanner. I think Spencer will get chances and take them.

I havent seen any training reports where he has been competing in the air. But I may have missed them.

Walks his English bulldog pup at Elsternwick Park, he is dumb, shy and friendly. Well both are.

If we play well, its vitally important. If the annual pre-season over-expectations bring us back to earth, then its an unnecessary distraction.

Where do you think Dion will be next year, Redleg?