Training 2024 training updates.

[Kirby]

We have Bolton saying “we’re lucky to have you mate” to JDG….
And yet turn the script back 18 months ago and he was effectively being taken for granted by some fans (not all) and wanted run out of the club.

Crazy how a series of events have played out since and how differently things could have looked if he wasn’t here with us.

Only dickheads wrote off JDG back then.

The true believers knew what we had and stuck with him.

 

[Eric Shin]

JDG AA this year surely


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[Hardas]

Bottom line - if we didn't have Jordy, we wouldn't have won the flag.

He has that special knack of kicking the crucial goals, doesn't he.

 

[Daicosian silk]

Well it took a while today but Annabella has finally put a long 1 up on Fb.

Unlike the grey morning light of recent sessions, the sun shone radiantly the patchwork sky dotted with cottony clouds, became almost a blank deep blue as the clouds dissipated.

The first players - Howe, Steene and Hill emerged at 9.25 which caused some ripples of excitement among the swelling group of fans who had arrived later today. They were followed closely by a large proportion of the squad. As is customary those on the oval took one of the many available footballs and indulged in some desultory kicking with their mates.

Attendance at the session: all of Elliott, Kreuger, Crisp, Checkers, Tew, and Carmichael did not answer in the affirmative to the coaches’ roll call, while Josh Daicos and Jakob Ryan asked to be on light duties today. They spent some time running on the outer side of the ground. Josh seemed capable of breaking into quick dashes when he wished, so he can’t be that far away from rejoining the main action. Those hoping to be added to our list were in attendance again, and nothing at this juncture will disabuse me of the notion that Eyre must be first selected. Will be interesting to see if the coaches concur and how they rate the likes of Sullivan and Bytel if they're going to balance the additions from a height perspective.

There were a few others who appeared destined for the infirmary at times, but Lazarus like, they shook off their ailments. Hill ran off with a trainer early in the session pointing to his calf, but returned ten minutes later and rejoined the fray seemingly unhindered by injury. Similarly, Ash who had previously, briefly sought the sanctuary of the changerooms, pulled up short during the match simulation, which required the attention of trainers. Momentarily, like Boxer, he appeared to be headed to the knackery, as he resembled a broken-down horse but after rehearsing some of the limbering up exercises, including knee lifts, he reconnected with the white team and stationed himself in the forward. zone.

Preluding training proper, McRae once again acquainted himself with the whole line of onlookers. When he asked what my occupation was, he replied with “I was a poor teacher.” I informed him that I thought being an education practitioner had stood him in good stead with the way it helps with his fostering of good inter-personal relationships with his players and maintaining a rapport with the media and sundry groups. He rewarded me with a broad smile. He proceeded to ask the kids among the faithful what school they go to and if they return next week like one of his daughters. To another question he responded that “Maggie’ doing very well!”. He usually spends up to half an hour fraternising with the adoring mob, though some were not very complimentary regarding the lack of food and drink stations, and abhorred the state of what most euphemistically call the ‘bathroom’, when ablutions etc. are required.

To the delight of the fans, McStay then immersed himself among the fans and was happy to provide signatures and suitable poses for the photo requests. He remarked that “It’s early days yet” [in his recovery], and elaborated by suggesting that “Time will tell.” [regarding a return before the finals] As Dan was interacting with the fans, Mason Cox called out “Always giving back to the club Dan!”

Wade’s long whistle was the signal for the start of official training at 9.36. On the digital scoreboard, they had a countdown clock of forty minutes for they called ‘Warmup/handball’ There were many of the usual drills on the menu today, with some improvisatory routines, such as one dividing a group into two for some high octane tackling between players in both teams.

Today there was some ululating from a group of players after the sound of the whistle and they predictably were assigned to three groups as per usual. The outer side was the station where the extra warming up took place, and today there was a lot of aggressive jumping in the mix. Another group focussed on close-in handball skills with a liberal dose of ground balls added to the medley of tricks, while the group closer to the far end, alternated between kicking and handball with an emphasis on tackling to complement these motions.

Therein followed a bit of sprinting with individuals in the spotlight as they ran, and this was accompanied by some raucous shouting and collective clapping.
There were then activities conducted over four stations – one involving a ruck tapping to players receiving and running off to create an attacking chain heading for goal, - one reprising the handball/groundball scenario – one focussing on marking practice with players using the tackling bag as their springboard to elevate themselves, while the last group made honing their tackling techniques their primary focus.

Thereafter they sprinted for the refreshment area, making some of the spectators feeling the pinch under the burning sun, jealous onlookers as the players quenched their thirst.
The next instruction surrounded the forming of four teams each with five players opposed to one another. It was called ‘five by five’ and the captains were announced, all of whom were names not in the leadership group such as Cameron, Lippa and Schultz. Two poles at either end served as the goals, and the coaches accompanying each group constantly called out the scores 3-2, four all etc. This drill was very competitive with mutual encouragement from teammates and turnovers were also alluded to by the coaches. A couple of standouts here were the noting of Beau’s elusive speed and how Fin’s extra strength enabled him to run through tackles. The usual suspects like Nick were able to more easily evade tackles in the confined space defining each mini-match.

Following this, the whole squad cleaved into two groups with a focus at one end on kicking for goal, while at the opposite end there was a lot of work around players being trained to move in chains but fire for goal at the opportune time. Mitch was good here, while Nick dobbed a long major.
After this was a whole ground ball movement activity with lots of overlapping as four footballs 3were used to keep the activity in motion. There is much emphasis here on practising the switching inboard and across the ground to hit the moving target. Likewise handball skills are honed as players move swiftly ahead of the player dishing out the ball expected to be propulsive in the way they keep the play flowing. At times the skills were a bit ragged with some passes going awry but there was also some precision which was conducive to fluent actions and ball movement.

Then after some more refreshment, following this protracted activity, the smalls went to the John Cain Arena end, while those less vertically challenged, assembled at the car-park end. The latter formed pairs who competed aerially one on one to a Maynard kicked ball. It was interesting to see the likes of Eyre, Teackle, Steene et al compete with the more seasoned types. Those at the other end, honed their ground ball skills with some handball chains and shooting for goal, accompanying this.

Thereafter was the match simulation which was an abbreviated version of some of the recent match play. Fewer players involved meant there was no interchange bench again. When goals were kicked there was almost confected enthusiasm among the teammates, maybe to distract them from this arduous task in the punishing heat.
Maynard refrained from this again but he was subjected to a lot of running which left him enervated on the sidelines.

Random player observations:

JDG – Complete with bucket hat to ward off the sun, the #2 impressed all session but shone in the match simulation with his ballistic work in the middle ensuring he left those in pursuit in his wake and he offered raw strength in combination with sure skills all over the ground.

Harry – arguably his best session yet. Nominally playing defence, he was ubiquitous. Not only was he shading his opponents but he was running hard, even bobbing in the forward line to add attacking ballast to his teammates in the black tops. His kicking is accurate, while his pace is incisive.
Nick – as prominent as ever but found himself having to rush more as he was often trapped in congestion but he lit up the majors again as he tirelessly ran for his white clad team. The heat saw him down on his haunches at one stage which shows that the players are being tested endurance wise.

Steene looked very promising at times. His hands seem surer now, while he can alternate between attack and the ruck. He hit the scoreboard and he moves well for a big man.

Beau was opposed to Sofrinidis who looked anonymous today and he danced around in attack to kick some impressive goals and showcase his damaging speed. He sharked quite a few goals today off the pack, and some were long snaps.

Reef was opposed to Moore and found it harder to break clear today as he was placed under defensive pressure but his running patterns are good and he is competing well. He looked sharp in all the drills.

Mitch was everywhere and what is noteworthy is that he appears to select options within his kicking limitations and he is rarely missing targets at the moment. He snapped a couple of majors.

Fin traversed the corridor well and he complemented his running with neat skills and a growing willingness and capacity to take on the play, maybe born of his more robust body which enables him to match more mature physiques.

Howe played forward for the white team and impressed with his marking and some conversion. While many are agnostic regarding his attacking credentials, at times he has demonstrated some forward craft.

Harrison impressed at times and combined well with JDG to propel his team forward with alacrity at times.

Noble – one can tell that he’s busting his boiler in order to regain his spot. At one point he took five bounces as he raced forward and drove the white team into attack after shaking off some opponents. He is trying hard in all facets of the game, leaving no stone unturned. Is the burgeoning facial hair an attempt to look tougher? Aesthetically it doesn’t pass the pub test.

Murphy and Moore were very vocal in defence calling for defenders to “Set up now!” and “Protect him!” ad nauseam. The skipper has the loudest, deepest voice among the group, while Murphy excels in the gestural stakes.

Allan is competing well and looks ready to take the next step as his confidence has grown commensurately with his body strength and now he feels ready to be unleashed at the next level. When eyeing him at close quarters, he blends in well with AFL bodies.

TJ was missing today and he looks the only one too callow to expose in the seniors, though one would hope that Ryan gets to strut his stuff again soon so that we can monitor his progress.

Cameron was excellent against all comers in the one on one duels with his fellow big men. He uses his body strength and sticky hands to advantage.
Frampton’s one on one style today was an attempt at ragdolling his direct opponent.

Schultz the nuggety ball of muscle seems to link well with his teammates and use his trusty boot to good effect. Will be interesting to see the complexion of the forward line with some killer smalls vying for spots or all occupying the space at the foot of a combination ofCheckers/Ash/Reef, and one of the ruckmen.

Eyre – took some good grabs and looked capable one on one in that dedicated drill.

Hill a bouncy, energetic presence who narrowly missed the ignominy of being run down by Frampton as he strolled a bit recklessly through the middle caught a little unaware of the marauding troops behind him.

Great write up. Extra marks for the Animal Farm reference! Poor Boxer

 

[neilk]

Great write up. Extra marks for the Animal Farm reference! Poor Boxer

New words learnt today:

desultery
ululating
confected
enervated

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

Only dickheads wrote off JDG back then.

The true believers knew what we had and stuck with him.

The dickheads were low in numbers but very loud

 

[Kirby]

The dickheads were low in numbers but very loud

They’re very quiet now

 

[jc37]

I thought lose De Goey window effectively over.
Looking back at 2022 draft we would have got pick 20 for him unless we did a deal with St Kilda and there are no players picked after, that have shown anything near what he could do.

 

[12kilos]

The true believers which in my opinion were most of us never wrote off the bull! J.D.G.
Except for a very small minority of woak load supporters!
To them!: remember with 4 minutes to go when we were losing to the lions, Degoey N Daicos and Pendels wrote themselves into Collingwood folklore , in our most glorious history!
It's now undisputed! Degoey is an Collingwood all time legend!

 

[Apples]

Wracking my brain trying to figure out who Mooney's source at the Pies could be. Let my see..........

 

[Anzacday]

Wracking my brain trying to figure out who Mooney's source at the Pies could be. Let my see..........

Maybe Scoot on down to training and see if you can work it out.

 

[cityslick1]

That would be Brendan McCartney

 

[neilk]

That would be Brendan McCartney

Is he still around? Thought he only came in for a short period as a consultant.

 

[well left]

That would be Brendan McCartney

Has to be him or Selwood.


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[Soups]

We are going to be very very good again this year.

 

[Rohan25]

It’s definitely not Selwood. Mooney said it was someone who was a big part of their premiership years at Geelong.

Selwood was drafted by West Coast in 2007 and only joined Geelong in 2016.

McCartney makes more sense.

 

[Jen2310]

 

[JuniorB]

You can see in that little clip one reason why Pendles will be a great coach.

 

[anshell]

You can see in that little clip one reason why Pendles will be a great coach.

That’s true.Unfortunately he will be a great coach at another club,as I think McRae will be coach for life at Collingwood,or as long as he wants the job anyway.

 

[ElliottsMaggies]

That’s true.Unfortunately he will be a great coach at another club,as I think McRae will be coach for life at Collingwood,or as long as he wants the job anyway.

Pendles has always said he'd coached elsewhere after retiring from playing football.

 

[Sea fog]

Pendles has always said he'd coached elsewhere after retiring from playing football.

I take from Pendles that he will go to another club to learn the trade but has not ruled out a head job at Pieland. The mistake that Shaw and Bucks made was not going elsewhere, not that there is any evidence that they could have really become great coaches anyway.

 

[Babylove]

Jen2310 Do you know if the boys are training on Monday and if so what time? I’m possibly going to be in Melbourne on Monday and if I am I was thinking of calling into the club

 

[Jen2310]

Jen2310 Do you know if the boys are training on Monday and if so what time? I’m possibly going to be in Melbourne on Monday and if I am I was thinking of calling into the club

Yup @ 9:30

 

[ElliottsMaggies]

I take from Pendles that he will go to another club to learn the trade but has not rule out a head job at Pieland. The mistake that Sha3 and Bucks made was not going elsewhere, not that there is any evidence that they could have really become great coaches anyway.

Yep, that's what he has said. He'd coach elsewhere first after retiring from footy.

 

[JuniorB]

I take from Pendles that he will go to another club to learn the trade but has not rule out a head job at Pieland. The mistake that Sha3 and Bucks made was not going elsewhere, not that there is any evidence that they could have really become great coaches anyway.

He won't push out Fly, but I would think he'll be back at some stage.