Collingwood Pre-Season Training Report: 5/1/09

[Johnson#26]

Collingwood Pre-Season Training Report: 5/1/09:

Although the dreary summer months rarely present an opportunity for supporters to heighten their enthusiasm for football, New Years Day acts as a reminder that a new football season is set to be ushered in. With this in mind, Collingwood took to the track for the first time in ’09 on Monday morning, seeking to create much needed momentum, for the NAB cup opener against West Coast in Perth is only but a month away.

The main group conducted a series of sprints over at Olympic Park, and upon arrival were led by Luke Rounds, Sharrod Wellingham and Alan Toovey, the group partaking in a casual kick-to-kick warm up before finding their feet with a lap of the oval and a series of stretches.

The group then began a handball drill, running the ball through the centre square in pairs. Following this, some longer kicking was incorporated into the drill, allowing the recently rookie listed John Bennell to show his wares.

The Indigenous youngster appears to have all the tools, possessing a sharp kick on both sides of the body, whilst his brilliant leap is sure to catch the eye of the Collingwood supporters in the years to come. For a player of his stature (174cm), the spring in his heels is quite amazing, and his familiar running gait (appears very similar to Brad Dick when on the run) may see him become a fan favourite if he is able to break his way into the senior line up.

Following this, four smaller versions of circle work broke out across the ground, which gradually gained in pace and in length, John Anthony and Chris Dawes acting as two of the more vocal players on the field. The main group then began a simple ball-carrying drill, which focused on moving the ball past a series of tacklers by hand at the southern end of the ground.

Soon after, a full-ground drill, which was much like a tackling drill (with three players normally holding tackle bags, and blocking the run of attacking players), only on a larger scale. Ben Johnson's left foot was a key in the attacking player's ability to find space.

Just prior to leaving the track, the players split into three separate drills: goal kicking (including John Anthony, Alan Didak, Leon Davis and Danny Stanley), ruck work with coach Darren Flanagan (Cameron Wood, Lachlan Keefe, and rovers Anthony Corrie and John Bennell), and kicking on the run to a leading forward, while a smaller group of players played kick-to-kick, until the session was finished.

Travis Cloke was a notable absentee, owing to an incident on New Years Eve which left him with facial injuries, whilst the club’s pair of International Rules stars, Dale Thomas and Scott Pendlebury, are entitled to some extra time off, as is Martin Clarke, who remains back home in Ireland.

[Podpicken]

Excellent report, mate. Scares me that Marty is still in Ireland. I would cry if one of these Christmas breaks he didn't come back. He has so, so much potential and is already a solid player for the Pies. Just imagine what he could be doing when he peaks. I don't think he's near his peak, to be perfectly honest. But he is building ... other teams beware.

[The Collingwood Turtle]

[favourites 2008]

Cheers Luke, Did Meddez train today, if so how is he looking.

[Dave The Man]

Will Brian from Mulgrave have any Pics?

[DaVe86]

thanks mate...training should really heat up now...hopefully i can make it down one day and we can have a good chat about the 09 prospects.

[pietillidie]

Thanks as usual J26.

Any more signs that Heater might be spending a lot more time around the middle? (He certainly looked a lot more aerobically fit in recent pics).

[favourites 2008]

Training 7th Jan

http://www.collingwoodfc.com.au/tabid/5586/Default.aspx?newsid=71167

There was a definite buzz around Gosch’s Paddock with over 200 supporters looking on in the first open session of 2009.

Luke Rounds was a highlight during this drill, capitalising on his superior ball usage he developed at the Geelong Falcons.


Jaryd Blair was impressive on offense, moving the ball through tight spaces and delivering it to his teammates on the wing. In one particular play, the 172 centimetre Blair sidestepped a closing Thomas and speared a 35 metre pass to Sharrod Wellingham who was open on the wing.

[BlackAndWhiteSince87]

Was kid central down there today.I think Ive found the merchandise shops cash cow too-jumpers with a 13 on them.

[DaVe86]

All sounding positive at this stage. I got a big feeling about Daisy in the next 2 years. Will really make his mark and put his doubters to bed now.

Got a big feeling about Blight as well.