Dee Zephyr

Carlton out to $2.45 with Tab. I'm sure I saw as low as $2.25 for them yesterday.

Smith moved well throughout the session and by observing him from ground level I was surprised at how smooth and quick he moves. Watching him move with confidence was pleasing and my first thought was, he would be a great match up for Cripps when he has a stint forward. I realise his selection has surprised a few but Goody has shown us before the faith he has for certain players. Best example, Wagner. Wagner missed the first part of the season and was brought in on the back of one game for Casey.

Sorry, I don't have any info on those two.

Like he hasn't missed a beat!

Apologies to those who missed the updates as I was posting them on the Match Day/Team Selection thread. I arrived as the team was doing their warm up and instantly noticed Viney, Tyson, Jones, Watts, Salem and Bugg were not present. Of the long term injuries only Vanderberg was there. Once the warm up concluded the team was split into several groups for some ball work. That is when I noticed Trengove in a group of 4 having a lazy kick to kick. The other 3 were White, Maynard and Vandenberg. That basically proved to me Trengove would not be selected this week. On the other side of the ground was Weed, Spencer, Ben Ken, Keilty, King and Johnstone doing some light drills. This also ruled out Weed. Hogan, Pedders and T Mac were competing in one on one marking drills with each winning their fair share. I thought this set up might be the one to go with up forward on Sunday. Shortly after, the team was split into respective positions for more ball work. Backs were made up of Oscar, Wagner, Jetta, J Smith and Frost. Frost looked unrestricted in movement but did consult the doctor pointing out his buttock area for a few short minutes and then was back into it. This drill basically consisted of high kicks and spoiling. The midfield set up was interesting. Max and Pedders would contest ball ups and the mids would try and win clearances. The players in that group where JKH, Lewis, Vince, Harmes, Stretch, Hannan, Oliver, Trac, Melksham and Brayshaw. There were two teams of 6 in this drill and they looked as sharp as ever. Forwards were Hogan, Garlett, Kent, ANB and T Mac. This was a simple drill of high kicks and some contested marking. Hunt and Hibberd were together in what seemed like a link up type of drill. One of the coaches would kick to them and in turn they would turn quickly with the ball and kick it to another coach. This drill lasted about 10 minutes. Next, they moved to a half ground match simulation. The defence as mentioned above lined up on the forwards also mentioned above. Hunt and Hibberd were also in this drill along with Brayshaw. The ball would start at the back of the centre square with Lewis usually starting the movement and the ball would move up the field quickly to the forwards. This pleased me the most, Hogan and Garlett were moving quick and looked sharp throughout. Hogan is clearly keen to get back in there and he was a sight for sore eyes. From his marking to ground ball winning he looked great. A lot of love for this guy from teammates and coaches. He was even dirty at himself for not taking clean marks and missing targets by a short distance, Jesse just breathes football. Simply awesome watching him train. The ball movement was crisp and precise most times and the boys definitely look refreshed and eager. To finish off they participated in a leisurely type of drill where the final link would be a defender trying to snap or banana a goal from all over the place. The whole team roared when Oscar snapped a beauty ala Buddy style from 40m out. Celebration by Oscar was great too. Brought a laugh to everyone watching this as Frost and Smith were trying opposite foot snaps on the run. Pleasant viewing. Players slowly made their way out of the track and stopped for endless photos and autographs. Whilst that was going on Brayshaw continued to run with Cross and was clearly putting in the hard yards. He participated in the whole session and still had energy to keep on running. Fantastic sight. Clearly the positives were Jesse, Gus and to a lesser extent Garlett in which he looked really nippy and clean with ball. Another positive is the team got through the session well and let's hope they replicate it on Sunday. Did I mention how good it was to see Jesse out there?

Sorry, I was posting updates on this thread from training today. None of the injured brigade were present apart from Brayshaw. He completed the whole session and also stayed back for extra work with Cross. He's looking good. No Bugg also, I read he is away for a bit.

I observed Jesse closely today at training and the one thing I noticed, every time he took a mark where he needed more than one grab he would spend the next few seconds talking to his hands in frustration. Also when he missed a target by foot even by a short distance, same thing. The guy is a star in our eyes already but his willignesss to improve and minimise simple little flaws is quite outstanding. A Carlton friend from way back told me the same thing about Diesel Williams when he watched the Blues train all those years ago.

From observing the set ups at training today, Hannan trained with the midfield group. ANB, Jeffy and Kent with the forwards so I wouldn't be surprised if ANB runs with one of them. Do we then use Kent or Jeffy on the other?

I like the pointing to the goals by Trac once he realised Watts no longer had the option to give it off. Basically saying this is your moment Jack! Also, thanks to the ump that paid the holding the ball against Sidebottom on defensive 50 and mistakenly gave the ball to Tyson to take the kick. As it turned out the turnover from Tyson led to that brilliant goal. Frost and ANB were the tacklers yet Tyson ended up with the kick somehow.

Gold, Gold, Gold!!! We should all feel a tad guilty though, we partly contributed to his injured hamstring by watching it over and over.

Surprising indeed, I'm sure the club has granted leave for him to make some extra cash and get some sun.

Seems you were spot on, the wife just pointed out that instagram has Watts in Byron Bay a day ago.

No argument here, I should have been more specific, was agreeing on the big percentage increase from last year to this year.

Frost completed the whole session and seemed unrestricted throughout but I did notice him rubbing the back of his leg a few times.

One of the most pleasing sights was Gus involved in everything. The only one that has stayed back to put in the extra yards with Cross.

Looks like the session is wrapping up. One of the last drills was a fun type where defenders would finish of the play by trying to snap goals from all over the place. Big roar from the team when Oscar snapped one from 40 out. Boys seem in great spirit.

Split into respective positions now. Max and Pedders contesting ruck battles with the midfield trying to win the ball in a clearance type of drill. Hannan, Vince, Oliver, Trac, Stretch, Lewis, Melksham, JKH and Harmes make up that drill. Hunt and Hibberd working on their own as this looks a link up type of drill. Tmac, Kent, Hogan, Garlett and ANB are the forwards. Frost, Wagner, Smith, Jetta and Oscar the defence.

Hogan, T Mac and Pedersen contesting one on one marking contests with Rawlings with each winning their fair share. Looks like we might go with 3 tall forwards and one of Tmac and Pedders to relieve Max.

Lol, realised the error!

24 players now involved in a half ground match simulation, Jesse looking mobile as ever along with Jeffy. Gus involved in this drill also. Weed and Trengove not in this drill which leaves me thinking Smith, Kent, Wagner, Stretch and JKH fighting for the final four spots. Once again Jesse looking really sharp and focused!!!

Players were split into 3 of four groups for some short sharp ball movement type of drills. Hard to gauge which of the extended bench will play as all are here and participating but one thing I noticed is Trengove is training in a group that only consists of White and Maynard.

Arrived at training a short time ago and all of the MFC listed players are participating. No sign of any injured players present. Players going through the warm up at the moment. Frost is involved but I did notice him approach a doctor and point to his hamstring/buttock area. After a two minute consultation Frost is back out there.

I'll be attending training this morning, hope to see a few from the Demonland team down there. The inclusion of Jesse and Jeffy has definitely lifted the mood around the place.

Great signs for the club and a valid point on the Bombers fans dropping off in the past couple of seasons.