Dan005

Oh lord, how did we not get a touch in that!

Blease's dash has been impressive, right?

I know it's going to be damn tough, but any positives amongst the gloom? Clark's competitveness, Jones still putting in a good effort, yep I'm struggling, but I am trying.

Just caught myselt yelling at the TV, again, this can't be good! Sylvia, where is the awareness

Hmm, Morton, disappointing effort there....

Oh no, take the shot DunnY!

OK, free kick count getting a little ridiculous

Not a great 1st quarter, but can't be too different to reasonable expectations I guess, Some positives were Tommy Mac and Rivers in defense and Magner's clearance work. Is it a concern he seems out No.1 contested ball winner in just his 2nd game?

Where was the option, geez!

Nice long bomb, need a few more like that.

I've joined Demonland League as Roughnuts, bring on a good competition and some banter!

Hey all, Had another look today, last chance before having to head back to work. Good session to observe, initial running which was then followed by several drills with ballwork and even some contested work. Groups split into blue and white teams, initially there there were 2 groups, one down each end, I was watching the session run by Neeld who was very vocal, the teams had to work the ball from defence with the aim to get the ball into one of the two nets at one end of the field. Was good to see the intensity shown by most of the players. It was then spread to a full ground ball movement session, mostly by foot. The ball was moved in groups from one defensive areas all the way down the length of the ground in about 4 kicks ending in a shot at goal, the group was vocal and very encouraging, and in general the skills were high. They then did some match simulation work, a 7 minute session which seemed to tire the boys towards the end of the session, big focus on keeping the boys moving and not slacking off. Was interesting to see the skills on display at this early stage of the season. Watched Grimes do a lot of work with the fitness crew, really focusing on agility and movement, seems he is making good ground, so want to see him have a better season injury wise so looks like they are taking a long term approach. Sylvia had the ball in his hand for first time tho wasn't in main session, maybe he is slowly being reintroduced as have been previously only running solo. Is it just me or is Gysberts always grimacing when running, always looks to be struggling, but maybe thats just his look? Thinks thats all I noticed.

The goal I saw Clark get was with him running back with the flight of the ball into the square, still impressive, but no, it wasn't the straight forward lead and mark. Having said that, it was very congested in the match simulation with all the players in only one half of the ground. It was more about stoppages than goal scoring. I am not writing off Davey, just commenting on what I noticed, its good he is with the main group, guess thats a step in the right direction. Oh, and welcome Faceplant, don't let any snide comments get to you, the more the merrier on here I say.

Howdy folks, I went out this morning and had a look at the session. Did seem like 3 * 1km time trials. The squad was split into 3 groups of about 10 each, the first group as mentioned by Swooper was led well by Nicholson and JT right on his tail. Standouts in the other groups were Joel Mac killing it in group 2, Dunn and Green behind him. Mitch Clark was a good performer in the last group, sharing honours with Fitzgerald who seems to run well for a big man, he sorta lopes along. Bail, Petterd and LJ were running together but didn't do the full program. Few other observations were that Davey really was struggling, hard to tell what was wrong with him but he was looking proppy and certainly alongway from the speedster we loved in previous seasons, hope he can make some improvements and show his worth to the side. Col Sylvia was running along again, and seemed to be doing a better pace than Monday. Grimes was also gaining speed and looking more impressive. Late arrivals to main session group were McKenzie, Spencer and Tapscott. I asked Tapscott when he was likely to join the main group and he hoped just after Xmas but didn't ascertain reason for being out of full training. Noticed no Watts today, wonder if it was just a day off. Post running they did some group drills and some match simulation, the coaches running the show from various stoppage positions, making the players run to new spot on group to contest, a lot of running on and off the ground with like for like players. Mitch Clark and Stef Martin kicked one or two that I noticed. That's it for today. Cheers

FIrst visit to training for me today, sure was a great day for it. Have we received clarity as to why Sylvia is still not with main group, is or was it a calf? He did many a lap today by himself at a moderate pace, sure didn't seem to be pushing it. For Sylvia he looked a lot less 'cut' than usual, so perhaps has added a few kilo's over the preseason. Another running alone for an extended period was Bail, but he was sure flying and didn't look impeded by any obvious issue. Jurrah's running buddy is more like a deer than a rabbit, he kinda praces along, anyway, I am digressing. He didn't seem to be overdoing it, but stayed on the park for about 3/4 of the session, but no matchplay. Grimes still looks a little off the pace, as he and Pettard and a few others were doing more specialised rehab on other side of field. Jamar also seemed to be taking it rather easily. Some of the handball drills were interesting, a big emphasis on getting through traffic with hands and making good quick decisions. Some excelled better than others, they did a keepings off drill with kicking also which was interesting to see some skills under pressure, a few shanks were well criticised at times, good to see expectations were high. That's my take, have week off work due to injury, hope there is another session down there later in week.

Another 'No' here, he should be left to concentrate on his role in the team. He doesn't seem the type that would want the extra responsibility, but thats just my take.

Very impressive indeed. He seems very level headed and also confident in his abilities. We need someone tough and ruthless, hope he can bring this to our club, its certainly needed.

Maybe the game plan is keep handballing til they get it? Interesting philosophy, but its how it looks at times.

What do you say about that kick Morton?

How about holding the ball... sheesh!

Awesome, have joined Dreamteam league, more spots available...

Have played in this competition for past two years and really enjoyed the format. Would be keen on a spot, perhaps a 2nd league could be in order.

Top work.. I'd lose the glove on Green, but its no biggie!

Nice thread all... Good to hear some positivity in one of these threads for once. The Social Club idea has got me thinking, even if it was an unofficial thing to start with, anything Club related would take a long time to set up, but yes, somewhere to sit and have a beer before and/or after the game that is within walking distance to the ground would be a great thing. Its rare to ever see an establishment/pub (in my experiences anyway) dominated by the red and blue colours, and if there was such a thing I would be rapt to visit.

Well Cheers Theo for the information, is good to hear something positive even if it is quite speculative at this stage. Other than reading the Demon Diaries on the MFC website I wonder if there are any other bits of information or interesting stories to come from the China trip...