Swooper

I don't really go for the current clash strip. I know Schwabby and his heritage mantra are gone, but I have to say I do like the thought of something like our heritage jumper but in reverse - red with navy strip down the front.

He is just doing some consulting work for them, it is not a wide ranging or ongoing role.

I popped down for most of the session, but was catching up with a mate from overseas, so didn't watch it that closely. Watts was doing rehab running with Taggert. Dawes, Grimes and Gawn were all doing shorter interval running for much of the session. Did some longer running towards the end. Interestingly, Blease spent quite a bit of time with all the new draftees doing specific, small group drills. Main group drills really focused on working the ball in confined spaces and some tackling. They finished off with some larger, full ground drills. My boy Jimmy Toumpas looked great on the track today. Viney also was right at the feet of the Russian for all the stoppage drills. Given the load the boys have had in recent weeks it was still a very solid session.

I stopped on my way past this morning, around mid-session. They were doing 1km repeat gut runs. Looked like hard work. Will come back with more later.

Agree - I noted that the training drills / structure looks pretty much the same as what they were doing towards the end of last year. Perhaps part of this 16 month pre-season? No Rodan on the track. Agree TMac looks to have filled out a bit more. Also I saw Trenners kick the ball a good distance (taking into account the wind) and moving freely for those with fears about possible OP.

Fitzy was at AAMI last week doing a running program, so he's up and about. Also saw quite a turn out last Friday - Jetta, Trenners, Watts, Howe, Dunn, TMac, Nicholson, Gawny etc

The Swans don't just gift games to their kids. They are made to earn it and as a result certain toughness and ruthlessness is imbued at the club. We have clearly seen that simply playing the kids will not get us there.

Well Grimes was in full team training kit, while Gys was just in a white T-Shirt - not that I'd read into that.

Gys and Good Times Grimes doing gut running around AAMI this AM. Good to see.

Morton was doing a session with Misson this morning down at AAMI.

Have to say I agree with you. There is nothing to be gained from committing to him. Effectively he is saying if the MFC pass him up he is there for a GWS/GC. Do they really want him that bad??!!

Wife is a Cat and gets her nose a little out of joint when there is too much talk of Demons. My method - link having a chocolate milk with Dad to wearing her Dees jumper as a bib! That and get them down to meet Sylvia and Watts - both awesome with the kids. If the child knows how passionate their parent is it goes a long way. Someone at the Club needs to commission a kids book so we can get hearts and minds at an early age.

If you ask me, PG would have been fully aware that it would be posted - especially with the disclaimer attached. Now he's playing the moral high ground. Sure what he said has merits, but he of all people should understand that there is a time and a place (often not the media) for comments on matters. Anyone who thinks that the world is owed one long stream of conscious is kidding themselves. What was he trying to achieve? Whoever wrote above about he what action he took at the time to back his moralistic stance as other sides took similar courses of action was spot on. As far as I am concerned Gardner should not be regarded as an MFC man and he knows it.

Can someone pls PM me too if they have one?!

Interesting to hear Leigh Matthews talking on the weekend about a return to prominence of the 'squat' player. Said that that body type is really suited to the way footy is evolving and close inside work.

The final round merger game was one of the greats. Played with great passion and intensity. I still remember my sorrow thinking I had perhaps for the last time seen my beloved Demons. Even though we have not achieved success since them, I am still grateful to Don Scott for leading Hawthorn to a no.

Anyone know the most up-to-date approach with OP. It seems to be that they try to manage them through it, rather than rest - would it just come back. Interested to know.

I got past training again this morning and Trenners was not part of the main session. Just some kicking with Bail and Watts - Watts was straight off the ground, followed by a long chat with Craig.

Saw him in sunnies yesterday and thought WTF? I thought it was Neeld at first!

Didn't look like it.

Bate, Dunn & Couch all with the 'green bib' team (read reserves). Martin was doing lap work with Gys, Strauss, Leigh Williams - not part of the main group. Tapscott was with the Blues. Watts and Grimes were doing light run throughs at the back and not part of the main ball movement match simulation. I would assume a lighter session to manage the load. Indeed, I'd love to have Jade Rawlings out there. He's got mongrel in him and goes hard at the boys. He really is the driving force on the track. In fact he was in the back-six for the match simulation (taking Watts' place I presume) and going hard!

Was just down at training and I'd say by the match simulation Morton, Davey & Sylvia are out. Green and Moloney were with the blue team - looked like the 1sts. Training was with real intensity. Hard and contested. Interested to see the Line Development coaches over-seeing with Neeld, Rawlings etc right in there with the players coaching intently. Rawlings' intensity impresses me.

Agree. He is very impressive. Compared to some of the drivel that comes out of the mouth of Green, he is excellent. Composed, assured, oozing leadership. We got that one right for sure. He sets the standard. I'm glad he's not 'one of the boys' and is seriously committed to being all he can be.

What do you want them to say? Quite simply what we are serving up is sheyt. Not too many ways you can slice and dice that. It is all down to actions from here on in. Bugger the website expose', twitter updated. Just need to get on with it.

I popped past training today for 20-25mins and in the full ground ball movement / press drills / line-coach mid drill meetings, Watts was with the back six - Bennell too.