Training 2024 training updates.

[Markfs]

I'm curious to know this too.

One thing that I've learnt in my research prag, is that some of us will never be popular ...even with the best BF personna. I think we're in that boat...

 

[Apex36]

Essendon other teams have had that happen prior to then bottoming out after a massive run of mid table finished topping up through late 2000s.
Richmond, North and Dogs also had their time doing it. Richmond then went tankville to build the core of the next 3 flag team before then topping up with rookies and mature recruits for filling wholes.


My point is no team has done it by neglecting the draft for mature vfl players and at some point we are in for a proper rebuild.

I don’t think anyone has said otherwise have they?

 

[Apex36]

Is it really? If so, I don't know why he changed. I liked kinda's posts and nearly had him off the smok and onto biro's

It 100% is. Probably wanted a fresh start but it’s tough to hide behind a new username when you’ve been a prolific poster with a specific writing style and some pretty outlandish opinions.

 

[BillyElliott]

You might be having fun now, but do you want us to be easy on you when you become a new person?

I have no intention of pretending to be someone else.

 

[Markfs]

I have no intention of pretending to be someone else.

well if you do, just remember to use a good name. Your current one is good but I always questioned kinder's ....I never quite felt comfortable with the smock....it might be an age thing

 

[TheVillageIdiot7]

Since the sleuths have cleared up the BF problem of the week....

Back on to training.....
Thanks for posting Jen, Apples and others.

Just on Eyre.
Some of the efforts looked really soft when competing 1v1.
Way too soft.

Hard to know what the objective was as to whether to compete or not, but he just didn't seem in control of the contest.
Might have just caught him on a bad day, but multiple instances of poor bodywork and lack of intensity doesn't bode well.

 

[KinderSmock]

KinderSmock hasn't been posting because he's been in rural Tasmania on holiday where the internet doesn't exist.

 

[KinderSmock]

It 100% is. Probably wanted a fresh start but it’s tough to hide behind a new username when you’ve been a prolific poster with a specific writing style and some pretty outlandish opinions.

Such as buddy?

 

[manicpie]

KinderSmock hasn't been posting because he's been in rural Tasmania on holiday where the internet doesn't exist.

There you are Smoky. I thought the other guy couldn't be you. tough break about tassie, it's only really good trout fishing

 

[manicpie]

Since the sleuths have cleared up the BF problem of the week....

Back on to training.....
Thanks for posting Jen, Apples and others.

Just on Eyre.
Some of the efforts looked really soft when competing 1v1.
Way too soft.

Hard to know what the objective was as to whether to compete or not, but he just didn't seem in control of the contest.
Might have just caught him on a bad day, but multiple instances of poor bodywork and lack of intensity doesn't bode well.

Yeah, but what about smok

 

[TheVillageIdiot7]

Yeah, but what about smok

He's gone missing as well.

 

[Markfs]

i suppose this opens up the question about running two personnas currently. I wouldnt have the brains to maintain the subtle differences....

Anyway, the training looks good this week...

 

[Jen2310]

Since the sleuths have cleared up the BF problem of the week....

Back on to training.....
Thanks for posting Jen, Apples and others.

Just on Eyre.
Some of the efforts looked really soft when competing 1v1.
Way too soft.

Hard to know what the objective was as to whether to compete or not, but he just didn't seem in control of the contest.
Might have just caught him on a bad day, but multiple instances of poor bodywork and lack of intensity doesn't bode well.

Wasn’t yesterday no? But guess everyone can have a bad day. But thought he was really good yesterday. Overall he has been pretty good but his defensive efforts in match play and drills yesterday I thought really stood out.


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[BillyElliott]

Wasn’t yesterday no? But guess everyone can have a bad day. But thought he was really good yesterday. Overall he has been pretty good but his defensive efforts in match play and drills yesterday I thought really stood out.


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Does the club need to be deciding on any of the ssp's by the end of this week?

 

[Jen2310]

Does the club need to be deciding on any of the ssp's by the end of this week?

They don’t. If you don’t plan on adding anyone post Xmas. Given we have the max allowed players


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[TheVillageIdiot7]

Wasn’t yesterday no? But guess everyone can have a bad day. But thought he was really good yesterday. Overall he has been pretty good but his defensive efforts in match play and drills yesterday I thought really stood out.


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Thanks Jen.
Like i said hard to gauge from only a few frames.

Was looking for the new guys and just noticed how soft in the attack on the ball/body and very slow second efforts.
Happened more than once from what i could see.

Anyway, just something i noticed from the vision.

 

[Jen2310]

Thanks Jen.
Like i said hard to gauge from only a few frames.

Was looking for the new guys and just noticed how soft in the attack on the ball/body and very slow second efforts.
Happened more than once from what i could see.

Anyway, just something i noticed from the vision.

Fair enough. Maybe was an off day I can only go on each session as I see it and a few people thought he really stood out yesterday.
He’s got a lot of potential.


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[Fruit]

Would this be the first time that Ash Johnson has done a full preseason? If so we could see a real spike in his performance and hopefully two way running.

 

[Jen2310]

Would this be the first time that Ash Johnson has done a full preseason? If so we could see a real spike in his performance and hopefully two way running.

Does look like he has improved in some areas so that’s a positive.
Still stuck in the habit of looking good then going missing though

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[TheGreatGrundy]

It was the walking wounded this morning.

Dean, Carmichael didn't complete the session. Dean was seen in the polo and casual clothes after the session
Hill hurt his shoulder in a drill, and had to get it strapped up. Was then running in the rehab group
Sofonidis hurt his ankle in a contest with frampton, and left the track
Eyre and Steene left briefly but both finished the session no issues

Dean is preparing us for another major injury. Hill hurt his shoulder last training session too. Sofonidis cannot afford time off or we'll have no form on which to select him.

 

[Jen2310]

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[BillyElliott]

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Can't wait. Thank goodness it's in Victoria.

Just a pity you have to walk through some Carlton paraphernalia first..I'll close my eyes.

 

[No SPIN]

Training Report Monday 11th December

Overcast, cool and drizzly.

It felt like old times walking into a Victoria Park with leaden skies and persistent drizzle this morning. I realised, as I took my seat in front of the Ryder Stand, that I’d been coming here for 60 years. That’s a constant in my life like no other.

Today, despite the weather, it felt fantastic to be back. Thanks to a broken ankle and then a broken leg, it’s almost two years since I’ve ventured to training.

Pendles, Sidey, WHE and Howie weren’t present and according to Tew, probably won’t be back until after Christmas. Not sure how Tew knows this, but he said it in his interview later.

This session lasted over 2 hours and after one hour the players looked ready to drop. That’s because most took part in an exhausting series of 50 metre sprints. They’d run the 50 then line up and go again. I lost count how many times they did it, but it must have been 30 or more. Half way through the torture, a few players looked worse for wear; Brody Mihocek looked out on his feet and trailed the pack noticeably.

The front runners looked to be doing it easily: Lipinski, Jack Bytel, Q, Nick and a big bloke sporting No.32 (Teakle??) led every charge. At the end of this session, the players retired to the Ryder Stand side for drinks. One advantage of training at Vic Park is the proximity to the players it affords. I was sitting beside the old reserves bench and the waft of Voltarin and body sweat was strong.

Craig Macrae, on his first day back from Harvard, addressed the players after a few minutes. I couldn’t catch all of it, but I did hear some of his speech.
“What do we do here when it gets tough? We keep working. There’s no judgement, but we want your best. Aim for your best. We want your best. We won’t judge you.”

The players then broke up through various drills for the next hour or so. At one stage, the drizzle became heavier and we retreated upstairs into the Ryder stand. For a while the players broke up into four groups, each overseen by coaches. The drills were all based on quick ball movement by hand and foot.

Then a match sim of sorts took place in the centre of the ground. This was run by Leppitsch. Basically the players worked within a small square of space where they moved the ball at lightning speed. The tackling was ferocious. I had never seen this drill before, but the overwhelming impression was of controlled chaos. It was exciting to watch. Beau McCreery loved this drill – he was everywhere and his tackling was bruising.

After another break, the players worked in black, white and yellow teams, with two playing at any one time. I noticed that Justin Leppitsch and Hayden Skipworth were now upstairs, standing near me. Leppa held a walkie talkie communicating with somebody on the ground.

Then the players went into what I can only describe as modified match-simulation.

The walkie-talkie was working overtime here. At one stage Leppa lost his cool as a player did not stand the mark well enough. A few expletives were directed toward Joe Richards. Then the players were called in and after a chat, went back to match-sim work. Skipworth suddenly shouted to another coach on the boundary, “Tell them now….go now.”
I presume this is a cue to begin some set-play. He then ran down to the field to oversee this drill.

Later during this sim, Macrae blew the whistle as a player marked and readied to kick for goal.
“Shot after the siren. This is an after-siren kick.” The player took stock, breathed heavily, and took the shot. It might have been Ed Allen, but I’m not sure.

After the session had finished DeMattia and Tew did an interview with a pack of journos, one of whom was Xander McGuire. They were thrown the usual general questions and did their best to answer them. Both seemed media savvy already. Both confident young men.

A few players received treatment during the morning. Bobby Hill looked a bit ‘wingy’ at one stage and left the track. He returned later. Charlie Dean started OK, but then came and spoke to a few trainers near me. He’d been inside and showered already. Not sure what happened to him.

An hour into training, Quaynor walked towards the physios clutching at his hamstring. He then received heavy duty thumb treatment to the upper hammy/buttock region before walking off for the day.

A few players stood out to me this morning; admittedly I went with the idea of watching them closely. One was Jack Bytel, who worked hard, and possesses speed and skill. He appears strong close-in and has a tank. Today he looked as if he could turn around and do it all again. I can see why we have given him a shot.

I kept an eye on McInnes also. Every time I see him I wonder why he isn’t a regular. He’s got the pace, the physique and the height. Then I realise why. He just doesn’t make an impact. Ditto Macrae – I really want him to succeed, but he just seems to be pretty vanilla in just about every area.

Kreuger looks so impressive; a man mountain. Surely he could replace McStay? Then in match play, the ball is kicked long. Kreuger is in perfect position against Nathan Murphy. Kreuger slips, Murphy marks and runs away. I thought he trained pretty well and told Mr Apples so. “You always like him and then he does that. He falls over or gets injured.”
I’m not giving up on him just yet.

Beau McCreery, Markov, DeGoey, Mitchell and Nick were super. At one stage today I watched a drill with a player running toward a pack. Suddenly he kicked sideways without missing a beat and hit McInnes on the chest. “Who’s number 45? He did that like Daicos!” I said to Mr Apples. ‘It is Daicos….he‘s changed jumpers.” So tricky picking up some of them today. There were two players wearing 14 and Nick wore number 2 and then number 45.

The players were all heading off to Coffee Club whatever and wherever that is, with somebody in the group picking up the tab from what I could gather – there was plenty of good natured ribbing over this.

And another thing: little things that you don’t see unless you’re there and they happen in front of you.
Jamie Elliott making the newbies feel at home, slapping hands encouraging and acknowledging them.
Nathan Kreuger getting so angry with himself after stuffing up.
Macrae seeking even more info from the trainers.
Players and coaches yelling “Help him up, help him up,” after a player hits the deck following a McCreery bone-cruncher.
Two, yes two drones hovering overhead!
And Nick Daicos - sublime always and apparently he’s organising a pair of black boots for Jarrod Wade. Is there anything he cannot do?

Everything seemed sweet today at Vic Park; it’s December and we’re Premiers.

great post.
I'm keen on Bytel and very glad to hear your positive comments.
Mids who are capable of kicking well on both sides of the body offer a clear skill advantage in that position IMO - how competent is Bytel in this regard? Is he as good as Fin?

 

[BillyElliott]

 

[Markfs]

Does look like he has improved in some areas so that’s a positive.
Still stuck in the habit of looking good then going missing though

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geez jen... the guy has played his post school footy to have fun and to make a quid to pay the bills. It's tough when he have to chase people even when you wont catch them. Hard to teach an old dog new tricks...