Slartibartfast

@Docs Demons @DemonOX @Demon Spofforth @kallangurdemon This is an early request to tomorrow's track watchers from you're Melbourne brother. Players of interest will be: Kossie who didn't train with the group last Monday and seemed to be having shots at goal with the rehab group in media of the camp to date. We need some information. Is Melk running yet? Boxing workout last week. Is Oscar Baker in the main group yet. He was hoping to be so. What was Dunkley doing? Dubbed the "invisible man" by some he was truly invisible on Monday. Any progress reports on Hannan would be welcome. Thanks for any input you can provide.

This is an early request to tomorrow's track watchers from you're Melbourne brother. Players of interest will be: Kossie who didn't train with the group last Monday and seemed to be having shots at goal with the rehab group in media of the camp to date. We need some information. Is Melk running yet? Boxing workout last week. Is Oscar Baker in the main group yet. He was hoping to be so. What was Dunkley doing? Dubbed the "invisible man" by some he was truly invisible on Monday. Any progress reports on Hannan would be welcome. Thanks for any input you can provide.

You're seduced by the sizzle not the steak.

I watched him at training one day have about 20 shots at goal from his and other difficult positions. I reckon he got 18 of them. This shot was no fluke. Oh how I hope Harley gets better and plays for us. It would be truly exciting.

Great report Dworship, very much appreciated. I suspect that they have been doing most of the match sims (serious ones like this) at the closed sessions at Casay. Firstly because they want them away from prying eyes and secondly because Casey is a full sized ground. I suspect Hannan is a long way away. He was doing some run throughs prior to Christmas at about half to three quarter pace and I was hoping he would be close to joining the group after the Christmas break having continued the preparation over the break. But he hasn't trained at Gosch's since Christmas so I assume that he's a good 6 weeks away. I'm pretty sure (just from my observations) that he has OP to some degree and I imagine they will treat it very conservatively. It's just great to have so many on the track for such an extended period. Thanks for taking the effort, it's made my Saturday!

No mate, by making this comment you've potted him again and tried to show what a good bloke you are by dressing it up as restraint. And you've done it twice so you've got double your money. Why don't you show some real restraint and shut up about him this season. If he fails then you were right and you can remind us again of your great wisdom. Not that we'll need reminding.

I'm pretty obsolete this training session really as the other reports probably let you know the main issues. Smith and Petty were in and out of training but did the match sims so there's nothing much to see here. Brayshaw did the match sims but stood out some of the handball and running drills and I'd imagine they are just managing his work load. Tomlinson, Spargo and Baker continue with their rehab and look as good as fit to me and at one stage were doing some of the keepings off drills the main group do from time to time. Bennell is just quietly going about his business, he seems very popular amongst the group and it's hard to see him not being picked up at this stage. In the match sims Tommy Mac seems "back". His ball handling was excellent, he was selling candy when in general play and he looked confident and involved. Viney is also very impressive. I think we've forgotten how good he can be and he's having his best PS in years having hardly missed a session I've been to. He's in everything, his kicking seems to have more penetration and he's very clean with the ball. Oliver also is doing very well but we've come to expect that and Harmes continues his very impressive PS. Without wanting to go on about it too much I was again impressed with Jackson. He just seems to be able to get involved which is not something first year players find easy. His kicking is fine and he was surer with the ball today taking some good grabs. Kossie is also getting involved but the standout improver for mine (coming off a very low base) is Bedford. I doubted he's make it after his first year but he's really starting to look a chance now. He's got lots of good attributes other than finding the ball but he did that today. Gus got an awful knock where you don't want one today and I thought that might be it for him but after about a 10 minute rest he was back out there. He'll be a sore boy tonight if my experience is anything to go by! Overall, like DS, I thought the skills were really good today in difficult conditions. The ball handling was sharper and the kicking much improved from last week. It was a good session.

What did you think of training Hardtrack?

OD I've always been a fan because I've seen attributes. I've also seen one fantastic game on the big stage and a few servicable games. I also think that I can see reasons for his slow progress with injury and interupted preseasons coupled with the "big men take time". I've also heard from those close to the club that his agression and courage is not in question and his attitude if first class. He's training well but as I keep saying I don't really know what that means. James Strauss and Sam Blease were great trainers and Sam won a couple of rising stars. We'll just wait and see. Sam's done nothing wrong at training but he hasn't done anything that would allay your fears that he's no good.

With umbrella in hand I went to training, getting there early in the expectation that we'd start a little earlier to avoid the weather. We didn't. Only Saty beat me and we chatted until, as usual, Vanders arrived first and did some stretches before the rest wondered accross from AAMI. Spargo, Baker, Tomlinson and Petty headed to rehab and as we countered down the rest the other absentees were OMac, KK, Hannan, Neita, May and Melksham. Smith was with the main group initially which I thought was odd given he's missed a bit but as it turned out he was over to rehab after some initial drills where he did some running before heading off half way through the session. Joney was out of rehab and in the main group for all but the match sims and Tomlinson looked like he just wanted to get out there. In rehab they all look to be doing the same sort of exercises/running except Petty was not doing the intense agility work of the others. They are clearly managing something and I suspect it's a groin issue of some sort. Oscar Baker was doing more intense running this week and really looking at Spargo and Tomlinson you'd wonder why they are not in full training. After a while Bennell strolled past and did his normal routine which doesn't appear to have changed in a month or so that I've seen so nothing much to report there. May appeared and did mainly walks around the boundary with a light bandage behind his knee where the cyst was obviously removed. I had a brief chat to him and he said he was fine and running a bit ahead of schedule. He is a really approachable and nice guy. There were a series of different drills for the different groups with a lot of focus on delivery of the ball inside 50. The drills are organised very well and it's all very efficient. The players were on the track for a good 2 hours today and there is no rest or down time. Different players obviously know exactly what drills they'll be involved in and it's all seemless. The match sims started with the usual suspects doing well. At one stage Weid ran back with the flight of the ball and missed a mark he should have taken. But 30 seconds later he took a great contested grab and from then on didn't miss a beat. Sparrow was busy and just looks like a footballer with a great build and Harmes again had leather poisoning. Vanders tackling was a highlight in the sims and the drills, he's quick over the first 5 metres and catches many unaware. Jones, Brayshaw and the first year players sat out the match sim. After that there were a few ball movement drills where Rivers was impressive, Kossies delivery to leading forwards was a highlight and Vanders was in everything. And to finish; Dunkley and Jordon were with the mids, Hunt, Bedford were with the forwards and Harmes continues to train with the backs. Bradke was also with the forwards and not the rucks and Jackson was with the rucks. If anyone still has concerns with Jackson's kicking - don't. He can kick both left and right foot and is capable. His closing speed continues to impress but he is a bit unsure with his ball handling at times but that will come. Any questions, let me know.

1. I'd like to see AVB and Weideman play meaningful seasons. If this happens we are a significantly better team. 2. I know it's not one thing but I want to see two (or more) fringe/developing players became good AFL quality players. Suspects are Jackson, Pickett, Rivers, Jordon, Sparrow, Lockhart, Dunkley, Spargo, Baker, Chandler and Smith. 3. I'd like to see Bennell fit and firing. All of these things lead to a much better team and list. That wins games and all the rest will follow.

I think I saw you Yoko trying to stop your daughter running onto the ground to join the players!! I rarely comment on OMac because it invites comments like Chook who, despite the suggestion that social media might have been the reason for his absence last year, found it necessary to suggest that : on toilet paper? I mean, after all the crap this bloke has gone through, some still find it necessary to post these sort of comments. I just don't get it. But his kicking at training was elite, both left and right foot, and he was one of the cleaner ones with the ball. I also agree with you about Brown, he was very good yesterday. But I did think the standard was down on its preseason level and will be interested to see what it's like tomorrow.

Yes IT, when I wrote about smoke I thought of those throughout the country who would love such clean air. Perhaps a little insensitive. If so, my apologies.

Hunt: He's run two very good time trials and hasn't missed a session that I've seen. His ball handling is clean and he's also competing and taking some good high marks. He also appears to be training with the mids. He is a lot taller than you think and has developed into a fairly solid unit. His speed still impresses and he's capable of some good long kicking but he hasn't eliminated the kick he appears to miss of his instep that swings left. He'd be a real bonus if he could find his 2017 form and it's not out of the question. His hair is also quite long! Langdon: He is just doing what Langdon does. He's a terrier around the packs, he's clean with the ball and his first few steps are very quick which enables him to find space. He's also very good at finding space in match sims on the wing and being used. Hasn't missed a session and his last time trial seemed a significant improvement on his first. I think he's going to be fantastic for us and will provide something we just haven't had in the past.

I got caught in traffic on the way to the ground and thought I'd miss a bit but as It's Time has said it was a later than normal start at around 9.30. As usual over to the rehab group and a quick check as to who isn't there. Jones, Tomlinson, Baker and Spargo the four in rehab with Jones, Tomlinson and Spargo looking to be more advanced. Jones hasn't changed his training for about 4 or 5 sessions now and watching him it's impossible to tell what's wrong. Tomlinson was running very strongly as was Spargo so I'm surprised to hear Spargo is 3 to 4 away but that could be to do with agility on his ankle. There were many runs around the outer side of the ground by these three and they went for a good 2 hours before heading in. During that time they did a fair bit of kicking and a small bit of (sort of) circle work without any signs of a problem. Baker is a little behind by the look of things but seemed relaxed and raring to go. About half way through the session Bennell turned up and did his warm ups and then some runs around the outer side of the ground. No sign of any discomfort but he's only going at half pace. Again nothing much has changed and it looks like they are playing the long game with him. Once he had finished his running program he started some casual goal kicking practice. Around the corner, tight ankle, snaps, set shots you name it he did it and while I was watching he missed two out of about 20. Unbelievable. The no shows were Hannan, KK, Neita, AVB, May and Smith. Of that lot AVB is a usual "misser" of training and we know about the issues of the others bar May. Missing Hannan was disappointing but it could just be management. Wednesday will tell. It's Time has done a great job describing training. There was stoppage work, forward entry work built around match sims as well as specialist crumbing work, high marking practice, handball drills and some gut running. I liked it in one match sim where Trac decided to tackle Jackson and while on the ground pushed his head into the ground and then wouldn't let him get up. But Jackson got the better of him and had Trac on the ground at the end of the wrestle with lots of smiles and laughs between the two. Trac really does keep things fun and involves everyone. Trac provided the highlight for me in one passage where he was surrounded by a pack of players and dodged and weaved his way out of the pack. The other highlight was Brown who really did well today. Marked well and kicked very well which stood out on a day where skills were down and mistakes were made. I suppose it was their first hitout in a month or so but I'm expecting better later. Pickett did some really nice things, not so much spectacular but just really neat skills and Jackson continues to impress with his ability to be in general play once his ruck work is done. Harmes, Oliver and Viney were all busy and Melk and Fritter did well up forward. I left at about 11.45 when things looked like they were closing down and the smoke was getting pretty bad. It was a pretty solid session with another to come on Wednesday.

Very good indeed! Preuss was the only one to get the last goal from a tight angle about 35 metres out. Jordan skimmed the inside of the post according to the players. I didn't think it did but goal review wasn't installed!

Sparrow is a solid player both physically and as a footballer. He moves well, his kicking is solid and his hands are pretty clean. I'm unsure of his lateral movement (not a negative, not a positive) because I've just not noticed it and I'd want a bit of evidence on that before I form a solid judgement. In my view it's a critical attribute. I do know there was some disappointment that he got injured last year as he would have got some game time in the seniors. All in all he's really just beginning. He had a good preseason last year and a few games in the seniors (due almost solely to injury) and then just went at Casey. My suspicion is he'll be a good solid player who might find a permanent role over time and will be good depth. He's done nothing to hurt his chances this PS but he hasn't jumped out of the box either. For me the one that has progressed from last year and has some really good AFL attributes (speed, kicking, good lateral movement, clean) is Chandler. It's very early days but he's my smokey based on "dancing with your sister" training. I agree with BRFE that Bedford has come on - looks like he's got some self belief this year - and has gone from a really long shot to much better than that. He's got great endurance (second in the two 3K time trials) and his skills are neat. The reality is that if we stay reasonably fit there are lots of players you'd like to see get games but many won't. Jordan, Chandler, Sparrow, Rivers, Jackson, Pickett, Lockhart, JSmith and Dunkley all show a bit. The fun will be to see which ones get a go and take their chance.

No, trained fully with no concerns.

I headed down to training early as we usually hit the track well ahead of schedule. Vanders was the first to arrive and did a slow lap with a few leg stretches as well. Saty was next but I didn't take much notice of him but he seems to have eaten well over Christmas. Jones, Hannan and Tomlinson arrived and wondered over to rehab with Baker joining them a few minutes later. Bennell was there doing nothing and did so all day. I didn't see him do any training at all. KK and May were missing as well as Joel Smith. The main group arrived about 5 minutes later and did some gentle running and exercises and then over to the tan for the 3K trial. Needless to say ANB led them home with Bedford only 15 metres behind. Nibbler looked as though he'd at least done the run this time compared to the first 3Ker when he seemed to hardly break into a sweat. Cory Wagner, Langdon and TMac were next in (from memory) and over the next few minutes they all arrived. Preussy beat Max home and all the mids were well bunched. Back to Gosch's for what is now called a craft session with the players breaking into about 3 groups and doing drills that have already been documented. Then finally we got a three quarter ground match sim drill but it didn't seem flat out to me and there was little if no tackling although it did get a bit willing at times. It was hard to pick a standout with lots involved at various stages. TMac, Weid, Petty, Fritsch and Melk were the main forward targets and they rotated throughout the drills. Overall players to impress me were Pickett who kicks just as well on both feet, Vanders who seems to be "right", Trac (again) with a mention to Weid who handled the ball well and kicked with confidence. At the end there was a goal kicking competition involving Trac, Fritta, Jordan, Preuss and Hunt. They took shots until they were eliminated and I won't tell you the answer just yet - I'll let some healthy speculation take place. All in all a warm up session I'd say. Conditions weren't easy but they weren't terrible either.

I'm certainly no expert and have never claimed to be and I confess to not anticipating the effect last year's disastersous preseason would have on team performance. What I've learned over the last 12 months or so is how important a preseason is. We've heard so often players who are having good seasons say it started with the preseason. I didn't listen to that as I should have. Misson told the Board that our preseason would impact our start and of course injury before the first match and during the season didn't give us any chance to gain momentum. Burgess said a team that had as many have post season operations and so many off the track was always going to be in a bad position. Elite sportspersons who come back after injury always take time to return to their best form. We've seen it in many sports countless times and I can't see why footy would be any different. And Saty if your assertion that it was all mental is correct that's the most depressing of scenarios. Let's see how this season goes, it will tell us a lot.

Throws seed on barren ground. Those that don’t understand now either don’t want to or just never will.

Jack Watts deserves a mention.

I'm a bit sick of this stance. Do you think Goodwin hasn't rewatched the game? Do you think the assistant coaches haven't rewatched the game? Do you think they didn't take that game into account when making decisions about player's future? Do you think they didn't watch to see where our system fell down and how WCE dismantled us? Do you think they didn't watch that game as part of each individual player's preseason preparation? Of course Goodwin has watched the game and so have the assistant coaches. What they haven't done is sit down with the players and go over it the way they go over most games. They know the players know what happened. There is no point sending the players off with a review of that game in their minds at the end of the season. They would have wanted to send them away with a much more positive message. And before you say "well that didn't work" just review the presentation by Mahoney at the Members Information Night to realize why we had a shocking 2019. It had nothing to do with "not reviewing the game".

Saty they weren't ready physically. If what you're suggesting is right nobody would consider practicing. Tennis players, golfers, cricketers and the list goes on. They'd do a few running and gym sessions and not lift a bat, racket or club. We all know that's not the case. They practice what they do before a game. They hit ball after ball after ball This is important in an individual sport but doubly so in a team sport because not only do you have the individual skills that need honing you have a game plan to mesh with 21 other players that needs hours of practice. In 2019 we didn't have that and it showed in every facet of our game. People often use Oliver as an example of someone who "didn't need a preseason to have a good season". Rubbish. 2019 was a shadow of his 2018 and if your assertion is correct it should have been better given his age and the natural progression that should have taken place. People are focusing on the injury toll but it's the preseason. The skills practice so many missed out on. The game plan execution so many missed out on. The match fitness so many missed out on. It's been reported that the PA players went to the three quarter time huddle knowing we were shot physically. All they had to do was keep running. They did and they won easily despite the game being in the balance at that point. We weren't physically ready and we were not "ready to go". It's quite simple really.

Written on 2nd July and was ahead of the curve. Subsequent information provided by the club confirmed it. It's the greatest reason to have the greatest optimism going into 2020. Bring it on!