Training - Friday 15 January

[cityslick1]

Cooler and blustery conditions greeted the players today for their Friday morning session. I was happy to see a lot of match like simulation, though the wind made it difficult to hit targets and get end to end / lead up football in full swing. There was a heavy emphasis on defence and allowing zero room, and like the real stuff, defence dominated most of the play. Plenty of balls being cut off, which you can read as either being good or bad. I'd personally like to have seen more targets hit... and subsequently marked, despite the pressure.

Reid and Elliott (back) missing, which was a real shame. Still didn't spot De Goey, unless he was hidden by a cap. Happy to be proven wrong. Treloar also on the sidelines doing v limited lateral movement stuff. Gee this boy's touch and kicking skills look first class, but he is a long way back in preparation. Either taking a cautious approach, or it was a major op, or he is behind schedule, as the guy isn't even running at the moment. Strong build though... just need to get him fit and involved. Doubt he'll play NAB cup. Aish ran laps and then joined in some of the reduced game simulation drills, which was exciting to see.

First impressions were that there was a sh*tload of handballing going on. Was and is no doubt a focus of the coaching team this pre / season, so expect to see attempted and controlled possession by hand, until there is an end receiver with clear vision of the lead up half / forwards, or straight line space in front of them, to increase the chances of precise delivery. There was even an old boiler on the sidelines who yelled out 'too much handball' at one stage. Had to laugh, but he was prob right. Coaches heard him, but gave no reaction. No rushed kicks out of packs at all... all quick taps or in close handballs until clear possession is won. There was also a lot more tackling / pressure today, with a few players receiving some heavy hits, with little sympathy from players or the coaches. Competition for spots is obv v high, and no one is willing to give an inch. The middle quarter or so of training was match like, in a narrow corridor / mini ground, again with the directive to clear the ball out from tight situations, and get fluid football / link up play going in tight situations. Greenwood and the now joining Aish doing well in this drill, along with Pendles and Adams. Crisp and varcoe also doing well as the receivers. I'll skip straight into the player comments, to try and give a more detailed overview...

Varcoe - was in a lot of the play, running to space, receiving, kicking to targets... which was not common, with so much emphasis on handballing. Looks good, though he did miss a few targets. Wind maybe a factor. Kicked a nice goal and stayed at the end for more self imposed individual sprint work, after already doing a load with the main midfield / HB / HF group. Working hard and looking fit and motivated. Was an elite junior and I dare say is looking to become so again.

Greenwood - was again in a lot of the midfield work. This strategy suits him, so did well. Looks good and 100% fit. Will start.

Trav - looking v fit, never been as trim I'd guess. Looked quicker in the sprints... Leading from the front for the big guys. Did well. Didn't dominate the match like simulation, but did kick a goal. Goal kicking at the end was accompanied by a trainer... not an ex player from what I could see, so I would say it was a psychologist. Started nailing a few, which was great to see... then missed a few, which was a minor letdown. Fit and focussed, just wondering if he's past his peak. Would love him to dominate again.

Fasolo - looking good again. In a lot with no Elliott there. Often a target on the HF line, and was getting around the ground to mark back on the HB line. Great delivery as well, which is why he'll be so valuable to the team. Looks set to make a name for himself.

Witts - v fit and trimmed. Played in the ruck and up forward. Didn't get onto much in the forward line, but will rest there when he's not rucking. Didn't stand out, but is getting around and across the ground well. Would love to see him dominate more, as he towers over opponents, but lacks the leap and a bit of reading the play. Did well in the goal kicking drill.

Grundy - Ruck and up forward. Tenacious competitor. Did better in the sprints this time... working in front of Darcy most times, which was quite impressive. Not a runner's body, but pushed hard and was strong in the ruck. Looks to be fitter than this time last year. Strong but still ripped. Goal kicking v hit and miss though. Kicking overall has little penetration.

Darcy - smooth mover, reads the play well, athletic. Played up forward and did well. Couple of strong marks, followed by goals. Likeable guy, chirpy, coaches and teammates getting around him. still has a bit of filling out to do, but is the real deal and will be valuable part of our forward line for the next 10 years. Player of the future. Still think he could kick 40 goals this season, whilst developing. Tank needs a bit of building, but has class and all the tools.

Sidebottom - chipping away in the midfield. Again valuable in the handballing / clearance work. Looks to be cruising in the practice stuff, but really impressed in the repeat sprints at the end. V fit and quicker than expected. He and Pendles dominated what was a quite intense drill. Impressive by the two leaders, though Sidey had Pendles pipped over the full journey. Massive tank and stronger now. Hopefully primed for the real stuff.

Adams - v fit looking. Has also trimmed down a bit, but still strong. Quicker than expected in the sprints, and also valuable in close in the game. Maybe the game plan is designed around our players and strengths...
Did well to kick a couple of goals from set shots. Looks focussed and working v hard. Future captain material... think he'll be our next one. Scott burns mk 2?

Aish - came on for the reduced game simulation and impressed straight away. Got the ball a lot, was poised, and fired out to other mids with ease. Smooth mover and has the ball on a string at times. Will have to feature in the midfield structure.

Crisp - involved in a lot, competitive. Nice low kicks to targets. Inside / outside mids that can run all day have so much value, and crispy brings this. Think he will play more outside, with the tough nuts we've got above, but lives to go and get his own ball as well. Same again please jack.

Brown, Frost, Maynard and Oxley played in defence and did a lot of clearing etc. Not easy with all of the pressure coming from further up he ground, and the blowy conditions, so a few missed kicks and oob. Maynard looks a player for the future, but I'd still have Oxley in before him at his stage. Just needs some more experience and should be v handy.

Mason - rucked all day and did well in the goal kicking drills. Reads the play well and cut off a few kicks. Not confident kicking in field play, but has improved and should continue to do so. Ran well, covered a bit of ground. Still skinny, but a handy backup.

Caff - fit. Gee... Did extra sprint work at the end at full pace. V impressive. Wasn't involved much in the game drill, bit of a slow mover with ball, so may still be finding his touch and reading of the play, but the boy can repeat sprint. Obv what made him a good tagger in the first place. Handy depth player who will keep the taggers honest.

Happy to answer any questions to help jog my memory...

[Dave The Man]

Thanks Again Mate.

Good to hear Aish back into training

[Mossi]

cityslick1 another great report, With you and Neil we are blessed this pre-season!
Aish looks like being destined in the midfield did you notice where he is placed when the ruck contest is being set up and was he playing with Pendles or against him. What the midfield is going to look like in a few months is an exciting thought!
Like your observations on Sidey .... This, cross my fingers (No Injuries) could be that consistent year we are all looking forward for Steel to have.
Unlike the Hawks when they win the ball look wide and its usually the second kick that is the attacking kick, it looks like Buckley as per last year with the addition of Treloar and Aish and the "Master" Pendles wants that first kick to count.
A few have laid into the boys for average delivery into the forward line that usually comes from kicks under pressure, well this could be an answer to improve that statistic. No doubt we will be able to kick more to advantage.
Have you been able to per-sieve any gel or special understanding in ball movement between players.

[stui magpie]

Great report mate, interesting that Cox rucked all day, how did he go in the contests?

[warburton lad]

Are the boys training Monday?
If so, anyone know what time?
About time The Lad returned to give a report, rather than rely on others who have done a super job btw!!

[MightyMagpie]

[Dave The Man]

[kymbo5@yahoo.com.au]

Thanks for the report - appreciated.

[think positive]

Yep great stuff, ta

[A Thinking Magpie]

I was there on Friday Reid was doing a lot of running in front of the Glasshouse. He looked slim and fit.

There was a lot of handball to ensure procession versus a blind kick. It was windy and a number of kicks were being cut off by the opposition.

I could not believe the restaurant was closed and you could not even buy a coffee on a day publicised by the CFF as a day to come down for an open session.

[cityslick1]

^^^ that's next Friday.

Cox did ok in the ruck duels, holding his own, but being beaten for strength. Not many clear taps to advantage by anyone from memory. He's still a reserves ruckman, but gets around the ground well, and is more involved these days. He cut off a kick at one stage, handballing off... Which is prob his directive in general play. Like a lot off bb'ers, seems to read the play well and looks to intercept passes. Goal kicking good at the end.

Will also mention that Tom Phillips looked good... marked and goaled whilst playing on Pendles, looks v fit and strong for a rookie, and wanted to get involved. Knowing his running capacity as well, he could surprise for a game later this year. Should feature at some stage in the nab cup.

[cityslick1]

Boys come out between 9.30 and 10. Goes til 12 noon

[A Thinking Magpie]

HI Cityslick..

You are right and hopefully it will be open..

[stui magpie]

[magpieazza]

Wow thanx cityslick1, greatly appreciate your time and effort.


The excitement is having about 10 quality midfielders rotating through the middle and Broomhead is a potential gun and one that could fit into the side beautifully.

How is he going?