News 2015 preseason training news and updates

[Shai]

Few things i noticed today:

Simpson, Stanley, SJ and Cowan did not train
Blease, Toohey, Clark, Hartman, Bates, McIntosh, Horlin-Smith and Menzel were on a modified program. Did a lot of laps and strait line running drills, also Menzel did some kicking, jumping, marking and kick a great snap goal from outside the boundary line around 30m out!
As the players we warming up one of the coaches was being interviewed and he mentioned 2 main things: That the players have been doing 60kms a week and that Guthrie, Caddy and Smedts have been the most impressive on the track. I watched Smedts closely after that and he was impressive in the running drills, only a step behind Duncan and Guthrie. Another encouraging sign was that during the last open session was that all his contested work was with either Caddy or SJ and he wasn't being thrown off the ball, very competitive.
Bews trained hard and during the chase drill Selwood couldn't get near him, however by the end of the drill he was barely keeping up with Hawkins.
I tried to keep an eye on the new players but the fact that the jumper numbers weren't correct didn't help; Cunico is small but he very fast and was very clean with most things he did, Gore looks ready to go right now I wouldn't be surprised if he played a few senior games next year and the big guys (Read and Lucey) both looked athletic and decent kicks but there wasn't much pressure. Read moves and looks more like a KPP to me, looking forward to watching him in the vfl this year.

Bad points - Simpson, Stanley, SJ and Cowan did not train
Hartman, Horlin-Smith were on a modified programs.
however by the end of the drill he (Bews) was barely keeping up with Hawkins.

Good points - The players have been doing 60kms a week and that Guthrie, Caddy and Smedts have been the most impressive on the track. I watched Smedts closely after that and he was impressive in the running drills, only a step behind Duncan and Guthrie.
Another encouraging sign was that during the last open session was that all his contested work was with either Caddy or SJ (You previously stated Stevie did not train.?) and he wasn't being thrown off the ball, very competitive.
Bews trained hard and during the chase drill Selwood couldn't get near him,
I tried to keep an eye on the new players but the fact that the jumper numbers weren't correct didn't help; Cunico is small but he very fast and was very clean with most things he did,
Gore looks ready to go right now I wouldn't be surprised if he played a few senior games next year and the big guys (Read and Lucey) both looked athletic and decent kicks but there wasn't much pressure. Read moves and looks more like a KPP to me, looking forward to watching him in the vfl this year.

Just 4 the record I believe we got a steal with Gore..

 

[Daniel McL]

Sad to hear Thurlow still isn't back yet I don't want him to miss too much more pre-season

 

[Bobby_]

great news to hear Smedts busting his gut. Not that he hasn't in the past but to be training alongside the other midfielders it may suggest he's going to be running through the midfield this year.
I really hope so.

 

[Cattery]

Thanks betchsta (and Daniel McL)

 

[betchsta]

Who's the bloke in the top photo betchsta?

Yes it was big daws being put through some light ruck work with Matthew Knights this morning.

 

[you pick one]

This to me is not the face of a man fighting any Demons excuse the pun.

 

[betchsta]

It was definitely exciting to see Menzel out on the track this morning, Does give me hope even if it was only running & a few basic drills, Was nice to see him drill a goal from the boundary line.

 

[The rabbi]

If he managed 20 possessions in just one or two games I'd be ecstatic.

I will be happy if he can manage to avoid tearing a hammy off the bone or completely destroying his achilles tendon whilst putting on his boots.

 

[you pick one]

I will be happy if he can manage to avoid tearing a hammy off the bone or completely destroying his achilles tendon whilst putting on his boots.

Sounds Very Brad Ottens.

 

[Willo_]

I know he has a minor calf strain but wow Clark looks in bloody good nick in that first photo... it's the big IF, but IF he gets his body 100% and keeps it he could be an absolutely inspired pick up

 

[Teriyakicat]

This to me is not the face of a man fighting any Demons excuse the pun.

It's not the body of the tubby-tummy bloke we saw in that fake photo around Christmas time, either, is it? He's certainly looking like the sea-change has worked for him.

 

[Turbocat]

The coach I spoke to said Cowan is an "old school" footballer. What do we think that means?

Melbourne Grammar ? Thats old school but perhaps not what they meant. Bit like "sleeps like a baby"

 

[Moggy]

We should take a moment to recognize and celebrate that Tom Hawkins is looking fit, trim and healthy.
It's easy to forget that we were fearing for his career this time 12 months ago after his wretched end to 2013.

 

[Jimmy Yamazaki]

I know he has a minor calf strain but wow Clark looks in bloody good nick in that first photo... it's the big IF, but IF he gets his body 100% and keeps it he could be an absolutely inspired pick up

Clark started his off pre-season training first for the team, been apparently hitting it hard since he joined us. You get the feeling he's going to pay us back big time if he can stay out there.

 

[Strangled Cat]

I shouldn't get so excited about seeing pics containing buff young men, but I seem to do so every year in late Jan/early Feb! I swear that I'm otherwise heterosexual....

 

[Stan The Caddy]

I shouldn't get so excited about seeing pics containing buff young men, but I seem to do so every year in late Jan/early Feb! I swear that I'm otherwise heterosexual....

Not that there's anything wrong with that...

 

[Gavin Excell]

We should take a moment to recognize and celebrate that Tom Hawkins is looking fit, trim and healthy.
It's easy to forget that we were fearing for his career this time 12 months ago after his wretched end to 2013.

Yes - the most important player our list

 

[ChookNorris]

Don't I feel like a goose... Apparently Sj was there on light duties. Video up on AFL app

 

[Willo_]

Don't I feel like a goose... Apparently Sj was there on light duties. Video up on AFL app

In your defense it would have been hard to see him if he was in the rooms

 

[Cataholic]

Don't I feel like a goose... Apparently Sj was there on light duties. Video up on AFL app

You weren't on heavy duties last night, were you?

 

[Turbocat]

great news to hear Smedts busting his gut. Not that he hasn't in the past but to be training alongside the other midfielders it may suggest he's going to be running through the midfield this year.
I really hope so.

me too , its the spot I think of his best chance. Ive seen him break away from a pack situation in the VFL , and it looked good. He need to think of the ball as a hot spud.

 

[Strangled Cat]

Not that there's anything wrong with that...

It kind of makes me wish I was female. I could admire our players legitimately in that way and not brush it off as just a "man crush".

 

[Stan The Caddy]

It kind of makes me wish I was female. I could admire our players legitimately in that way and not brush it off as just a "man crush".

Well, I reckon if you have more than one man crush (mine is Jimmy) then they probably aren't man crushes!

 

[Vdubs]

Well, I reckon if you have more than one man crush (mine is Jimmy) then they probably aren't man crushes!

Ironic?

 

[Stan The Caddy]

Ironic?

Haha!