Apples' Training Reports

[SchuPie]

Thanks for the report

I think Faz is set for a huge year - if he and Billy can both rip it up and Moore can build on 2016, it'll go a long way to us making the eight

 

[rand corp]

Excellent report Mazza, great thread thank you all

 

[Obese Arachnid]

Conditions: Warm and sunny
About 4 spectators present at 9:30 which was a little surprising. Later about 25 fans attended.

Not training:
Josh Daicos
Callum Brown
Kayle Kirby (although he was sighted on the sidelines)
Sam McLarty
•It was suggested by other track watchers that these boys were being rested after Friday’s sizzling hot training session.

Not in full training:
Tom Langdon: came onto field late. Walked and ran laps. Still some time away from the looks of his condition.
Ben Crocker: Ran laps
Ben Reid: Ran laps and near full pace. Doesn’t look far away. No bandages.
Matt Sharenberg: Joined in some of the drills and then ran laps.
Daniel Wells: ran laps for most of the session. Did some 100M sprints. Not far off.
Brayden Sier: Did early ball warm up skill work, then ran laps. Behind the expected schedule.

••I was told that urine samples had been taken before training by an outside company.
••I wasn’t aware that training had begun last Friday in the extremely hot weather. I was told that a time trial was run with the following top place getters:
1. Steele Sidebottom
2. Tom Phillips
3. Levi Greenwood

Training began with players split into 3 groups for kicking skills.
Later groups played in congested handball drills. Emphasis was on very fast disposal. It looked to me a lot like the way the Bulldogs played late in the year; very quick handballs that went backwards, sideways and backwards over the head.

Then match simulation took place. Two teams were pitted against each other. Much of the play began from boundary throw-in and ball ups. One ruckman (Grundy or Mason Cox) worked on getting the ball down to his designated rover.
The players took three minute breaks and were replaced by others in this match play.
This drill went on for about an hour. This was implementing a game plan and emphasis was on fast movement from defence into the forward line.
•Lachlan Keefe played defence against Darcy Moore.
Levi Greenwood continued his pre-Christmas form. He looks lean and very fit. Dominated around the ball. Also prominent were, Treloar, Pendles and Goldsack. At the end of this drill, Daniel Wells walked over and took Josh Thomas aside and was making suggestions about positioning. Nice to see him taking on a leadership role so early.

Now all players take part in 15 minute goal-kicking drills at the Yarra end.

If the players thought the session was over now, they were in for a very rude shock. After 90 minutes they were to undergo some very gruelling running sessions. The players were split into 2 groups. Players sprinted 100m, then jogged 100m, before sprinting again. Levi Greenwood won most of the sprints in his group. Brodie Grundy, who looks super fit, won a couple of sprints too edging out Greenwood. It was terrific to see Josh Thomas work very hard to win 3 or 4 of the sprints in his group. Also impressive were Sidebottom, Crisp, Sinclair, Varcoe and Philips.

Now there’s an all-in 300m lap. And it’s a tussle between Greenwood and Phillips. Greenwood outstays Phillips with Sidebottom third.

Now it’s back to the 100m sprints. Grundy and Crisp beat Greenwood this time.

Now the players are lined up on the Glasshouse side in two groups for a 400m sprint. Jesse White wins from Lyndon Dunne, Ben Sinclair and Josh Thomas in Group 1.
In Group 2, Levi Greenwood burns them off. Phillips is next and then Pendles, Howe, Treloar and Broomhead.

Some Observations:
Levi Greenwood – I don’t think I’ve seen a player so dominant during a pre-season before. He’s won time trials, 400m sprints, 100m sprints and sizzled in match play. He’s lean, fit and very determined to win a spot in a highly contested position in the team.
Jamie Elliott – looks super fit. Took part in all drills and did some nice things in the match plays. Very good to see.
Tim Broomhead – was prominent throughout training in all drills. Was opposed by Will Hoskin-Elliott and had the better of that duel.
Lachie Keeffe and Josh Thomas – both these boys have returned fit and raring to go. Obviously they have worked very hard over the past 2 years. For Thomas to do so well in the sprints is really pleasing. I wonder if the Club was allowed to organise training for them or if they had to organise this themselves? Whichever it was, it has worked.
There was a new boy on the track that we couldn’t name. He took part in all drills and match practice. I’m taking a stab here and calling him as Rookie, Henry Shade from the Gold Coast Suns. Good size and is quite a nice mover.
Alex Fasolo – took part in full training. Was heavily strapped on left shoulder. Did OK in a Fasolo kind of way.
Chris Mayne – not prominent but worked hard. Is looking very lean and fit.
Brayden Maynard – Trained hard. Looks to have gained a yard or two. Was at the front of most sprints.
Tyson Goldsack – worked very hard. Stood out in match play with decision making. Disposal a bit hit and miss.
Jack Crisp – I thought Crispy was outstanding today. Really vocal and aggressive at the ball.
Lynden Dunne – Didn’t notice him a great deal except for his disposal when he got the ball. Penetrating kick. Did very well in the running work too.
Jess White – Perhaps the best I’ve seen him train. Seemed to be everywhere. Has great speed; I hope he uses that consistently.
Jeremy Howe, Josh Smith and Jack Ramsay were all good too.
They say you play as you train and it’s no wonder Pendles, Sidey and Treloar are such consistent players for us. They always work hard. Treloar was like a big kid today. At one stage he asked a coach what the next drill was and when told, punched his palm and cried “Yes!” with enthusiasm. Made me laugh.

In closing, if I were writing a headline for training today it was be this:
Levi Greenwood Continues His Scintillating Form at Collingwood Training.

Next training session is Wednesday at 9:00am.

Bravo Sir.

 

[Pedro]

Fantastic write up once again Mazzarjo

 

[The Royal Sampler]

Thanks heaps for your take on training, Mazzarjo.

It won't be long before I start getting into a lather about the least little tidbit of Pies news... woo hoo!

 

[PicaBoo]

Glad to see Levi and Jesse doing well. We need that depth.

 

[BLS World Wide]

Great write up really enjoyed the read

 

[TheGreatGrundy]

Great write up - Mazzarjo! Appreciate your effort. One question. How does Grundy win a 100m sprint? And others you say? Is he THAT fast! Why is his presence on the forward line always described as 'lumbering' when he seemingly has speed to burn?

 

[TheGreatGrundy]

One other question. Grundy v Cox in the ruck. Who won those duels?

 

[robertg22]

That was a great read, thanks. Sounds like quite a few key players are in very good shape.

 

[Apples]

Great write up - Mazzarjo! Appreciate your effort. One question. How does Grundy win a 100m sprint? And others you say? Is he THAT fast! Why is his presence on the forward line always described as 'slumbering' when he seemingly has speed to burn?

I was as surprised to see it as you are to read it. I commented to another spectator that it was a surprise to see Grundy moving so fast. He replied that it was the missing piece of the puzzle and that he had worked very hard over the summer.
Regarding the ruck situation, there were no contests. At stages both Cox and Grundy took turns. They did not compete as such.

 

[TheGreatGrundy]

I was as surprised to see it as you are to read it. I commented to another spectator that it was a surprise to see Grundu moving so fast. He replied that it was the missing piece of the puzzle and that he had worked very hard over the summer.
Regarding the ruck situation, there were no contests. At stages both Cox and Grundy took turns. They did not compete as such.

I meant to say 'lumbering' not 'slumbering', though I suppose they're not totally mutually exclusive words. So the rucks got a free hit! Good idea. We don't want injuries from bone crushing ruck contests at this stage of the year.

 

[eddiebankbalance]

Nice report.

Anything happening on thursday?

 

[Matt_352]

Any news re McCarthy? Still running laps?

 

[Apex36]

Any news re McCarthy? Still running laps?

All draftees were at docklands for induction yesterday.

 

[Matt_352]

All draftees were at docklands for induction yesterday.

Ok

 

[DaVe86]

Excellent read. I really look forward to any reports over the off-season.

A few things that immediately stood out for me.

1. I can't wait to see Levi in the pre-season games. I don't think we've seen the best of him yet at Collingwood. He played some really good games last year as a tagger, and I think this is how he'll be best utilised. I'd hate to see him pitted as a defensive forward where he won't get to utilise his clearly improved aerobic capacity.

2. Lachie Keeffe reportedly back in defence. I think this is where he should be training. We have a shortage of tall forwards, but I just don't think Keeffe is overly suited to the role.

3. Mason Cox has been doing a lot of work in the ruck. With Witts gone, and only a rookie as genuine back-up, it seems the club has decided Cox is the 2nd choice ruckman. I think it is essential Cox works on his ruck-work as he is 211cm and really doesn't have the skill-set to make it as a stand-alone KPP forward. His best chance is as a ruck/forward. At his height, he could be a terrific option.

4. Brodie Grundy's pre-season has been huge. The first reports of this were way back at the 5year and under training camp where he turned some heads. I haven't heard much about him since, but to hear he was leading sprints is an unbelievable effort. Remember in his first season he barely even made it across the line in the 2km time-trial. Now he is leading sprint work at the end of a gruelling session. I reckon lock him into all your fantasy sides!

5. Really concerned about Brayden Sier. Not sure what the issue is, whether it is injury or just hasn't returned in shape. Either way, this was an important pre-season for Sier given last year was really just a development year. Most draftees only get 2 years to prove themselves, so he needs to get himself right. At this stage, he is just completely off the radar.


One question, was Aish in full training?

 

[Troglodyte]

Fantastic write up and always appreciated, particularly by those of us who live interstate. Sounds like most of the players have come back in great shape... hope the form can carry over into matches (I was in Melb last year at this time and went to a training session. Based on what I saw I thought 2016 was going to be huge. Fast ball movement, end to end with no errors, highly skilled players, lots of goals... then came round 1).

 

[doodles98]

Great write up. Thanks for taking the time to do it. I like where you said "Fasolo did OK in a Fasolo kind of way". We all know what you mean.

 

[JB1975]

Great write up. Thanks for taking the time to do it. I like where you said "Fasolo did OK in a Fasolo kind of way". We all know what you mean.

I took that to mean that he very casually took his urine test on the boundary without spilling a drop.

 

[Apex36]

Excellent read. I really look forward to any reports over the off-season.

A few things that immediately stood out for me.

1. I can't wait to see Levi in the pre-season games. I don't think we've seen the best of him yet at Collingwood. He played some really good games last year as a tagger, and I think this is how he'll be best utilised. I'd hate to see him pitted as a defensive forward where he won't get to utilise his clearly improved aerobic capacity.

2. Lachie Keeffe reportedly back in defence. I think this is where he should be training. We have a shortage of tall forwards, but I just don't think Keeffe is overly suited to the role.

3. Mason Cox has been doing a lot of work in the ruck. With Witts gone, and only a rookie as genuine back-up, it seems the club has decided Cox is the 2nd choice ruckman. I think it is essential Cox works on his ruck-work as he is 211cm and really doesn't have the skill-set to make it as a stand-alone KPP forward. His best chance is as a ruck/forward. At his height, he could be a terrific option.

4. Brodie Grundy's pre-season has been huge. The first reports of this were way back at the 5year and under training camp where he turned some heads. I haven't heard much about him since, but to hear he was leading sprints is an unbelievable effort. Remember in his first season he barely even made it across the line in the 2km time-trial. Now he is leading sprint work at the end of a gruelling session. I reckon lock him into all your fantasy sides!

5. Really concerned about Brayden Sier. Not sure what the issue is, whether it is injury or just hasn't returned in shape. Either way, this was an important pre-season for Sier given last year was really just a development year. Most draftees only get 2 years to prove themselves, so he needs to get himself right. At this stage, he is just completely off the radar.


One question, was Aish in full training?

I think Sier is still on a restricted program because of his back.

 

[cleomenes]

Can't get enough of this.

 

[Vinnie Vegas]

Great write up - Mazzarjo! Appreciate your effort. One question. How does Grundy win a 100m sprint? And others you say? Is he THAT fast! Why is his presence on the forward line always described as 'lumbering' when he seemingly has speed to burn?

Because a "sprint" in the AFL it's 20-40 metres, and so the #1 factor in it is acceleration, not top speed. Grundy's top speed is probably decent, but his acceleration is lacking, so he isn't effective on the lead.

 

[Matt_352]

I think Sier is still on a restricted program because of his back.

This

 

[doodles98]

No mention of DeGoey I notice. Was he still inside at the buffet doin some bacon training?