keajai

Tapscott trained this morning and seemingly moved fine

Warnock trained this morning so seems to be the designated emergency

Was it after Bailey sat down with Jones in the third or last quarter, arm around him, that Jones lifted his output (included a goal) and had much bigger impact on the game? I think Bailey was chosen for his ability to develop players and a team. Over the course of the year Bailey must have set improvement objectives and milestones for the key fundamentals of his game plan. Maybe kick in's are low on the development priority this year as opposed to hardness/ferocity at the content. He probably feels it is important not to overload his young side with areas to improve, instead focussing on fundamentals, getting them to a solid base and building on them. I agree that our kick in's are generally poor and need work, but have other areas improved under Bails? On our poor starts and firing up pre game. Some of the goals conceded in the opening quarter came from sloppy free kicks (Jones) which indicates players were potentially over aroused before the game, so maybe sprays don't always help? I'm not sure Bails is a premiership coach, but at the moment I am not sure I can fault his player development this year, the list he is building, nor the game style he is developing. Yes, we have been inconsistent and that is frustrating for all. But surely that is a pitfall of growing side. (NB I was o/s for 6 weeks in May and June so missed some of our losses so I am a bit biased)

Funny you mention this... I was at a function during the year, were Dean Bailey presented to a group of melbourne supporters a few months back He spoke about various players and gave a presentation with video clips highlighting his point of view. He specifcally mentioned Sylvia and said that when he was drafted and in his early years he had some great attributes for a powerful midfielder, but no speed, so Bails & Co developed a program over the past few years to improve that speed & leg strength. Another example of how Bails is a very good coach at developing a young list

I believe Fitzpatrick is being monitored closely because he has chronic fatigue (apparantly A Lynch is mentoring him in this respect). He was at the Thursday training and was in his civies but moving freely.

Hi Guys I rolled along for a gander at training today and made the following observations; - Boys were in high spirits with about 25-26 players doing some light ball work, before breaking into groups and doing specific stuff for their positions - Of those who trained all had played last week (except Petterd & Martin) and PJ, Miller, Hughes, Jetta, Cheney, Mckenzie and Gysberts. Slyvia also did not train at all but was in attendance for the meeting - No rehab group to speak. Petterd ran some laps lightly, however the rest were doing gym work inside i believe - Cheney had a long chat with DB in the centre of the ground. About what not sure - Gysberts looked very good, tall with nice hands - Mckenzie trained and moved well - Jetta looked okay, but a fraction proppy, him and Bennell did some kicking right in front of me and both have nice ball control and sharp skills - Garland left the track with a blood nose from a knock, i assume he is fine From the session I think PJ, Mckenzie, Hughes, Cheney and Gysberts are inclusions in the 25 man squad, id expect at least Petterd (obviously) and Martin to be omitted from the 22 Also will head down to Casey this weekend on will post my thoughts.