Earl Hood

But they will be playing JLT’s on Heard Island in summer by then.

It’s the haircut, makes him look slimmer?!

Well training at Casey is about as closed door as you can get! I mean does anyone actually live out there?

I have been to 4 or 5 sessions this year I think and noted the high numbers in rehab but the rehab work has been pretty solid for the most part. Plenty of running of course and heaps of drills with the balls. The only players that have been limited in their preparation to the point it will impact on round 1 availability are Jones (laps, boxing only for many sessions) and Lever, laps and more laps and perhaps Baker (laps, more laps). As I mentioned in yesterday’s training thread, I spoke to Justin Plapp who was really unbeat about the rehab group and that players were now coming back to full training regimes from a solid base of work that they have all been doing.

Yes it was a very light session. I spoke briefly to Justin Plapp who said a number of players pulled up sore after Saturday’s training, guessed they were not used to wet weather footy. He was upbeat about the squad and how they are training, that the rehab group is getting smaller by the week and that Clarrie is back to full training. As KK ran past he commented that he is going to be very good for us this season.

They are probably made in China these days!

Could be a car, a nicE type of car too!

Not Panama disease there as well?

No recent banana stories from the usual suspects? Just to keep this thread from attrifying! If that is an actual word?

But the rehab group has been working hard back in Melbourne, a lot of running, ball work including kicking drills. Just not doing physical contact stuff and match simulations. So I see no problem as I think they will be ready to go later in February.

I really hope J Smith stays fit and shows his full potential this year. I really think the sky is unlimited for this bloke if all goes right, good height, great leap, very mobile etc. It seems they want him to play forward, hopefully it works this year.

New rules allow Carltank to draft in a replacement, so said a Carltank spokesperson today.

Have we covered the good place with Ted Danson? Just loving series one and two.

Church Bingo is acceptable I believe.

Watching training today MR I would broadly agree with your summary, in principle at least. The only differences I had from your observations and they are just minor issues - he did train with the main group for the whole session and early on did routines in a small group of mids that included Harmes, Fritsch, Gus, AVB, Kolodjashni, and Sparrow. This group seemed to be the outside mid group of receivers who will receive from the insiders. And the insiders were mostly in the rehab group, Clarrie, Jones, Viney. Make of that what you will but he is definitely still in the running for a position on the outside wing but competition is stiff. And he did well in the game simulations in between managing the magnet board and organising the oranges.

Well he slotted the one after he took that mark. I think he is a reasonably accurate shot on goal.

I am loving what I see of J Smith as a forward, was only at training briefly but during the full oval play simulation I noted his full tilt lead out of the square to take a mark on his chest/shoulder as his body seemed to be tilted forward at 45 degrees to take possession. The opposing backman had no hope of spoiling the incoming ball. I still think he could be great value on a wing but looking at KK, Fritsch and Stretch, maybe we have those roles covered?

I called out “buzzword bingo” half way through reading your post!

You lucky bastard!!!

Sheer luxury, I say!

Great memories, was there behind the goals with my niece, it was her first game live I think. What a game!

Spot on, as I have said before I hope we can construct a game plan that includes Preuss and AVB for the potential hurt factor that great sides always have. Preuss at training seems to have it, size, mobility, hand-eye coordination, reasonable speed. Now those physical attributes don’t guarantee success on game day but fingers crossed. And you are right the top heavy theory was blown away by WC this year with 2 big ruckman, a lumbering McGovern down back and J Kennedy up forward. Big men all over the field and they won a premiership by keeping the ball in the air as much as possible, with nimble smalls ready to pounce on a loose ball.

Milton the Monster?

Watching some slow TV on SBS on demand, the Indian Pacific 3 hour version, riveting TV but the journey is a bit rushed for me, like T20 cricket. Can’t wait for Saturday’s 17 hour version of Perth to Sydney by train non stop!

Fair enough as I say Happy New Year to all and especially to to Sir Michael Pallin for x%%#@ sake for services to Monty Python or who knows what, while some such as I soldier on with little recognition! Such is life.