Last day of holidays today so I thought better get down to training and watch the boys for the last time until they play at Norwood Oval.
Unfortunately the numbers on the restricted training program increased by a further two today with Schubak and Marsh joining the other 8. They seemed alright but obviously couldn't have been 100% or they would have been training with the main group.
Managed to speak to everybody's hero - yep - Daniel Schell!!!
He is actually a very nice chap to talk to and told me that he suffered from bursitis at the back of the knee for the last third of last year which required an operation at the end of the year. He said that the op was successful but now he has groin soreness, but says he would rather have his injuries now than when the season starts.
The main training squad appeared at 9 16 am and were down to 33, with the 10 missing on restricted programs, which once again included Carey and Burns, both of whom moved freely. The 33 was soon reduced to 32 when Hentschel seemed to jar his back while doing a foot passing exercise, was given a back massage while lying on the ground and then went inside - hopefully he will be okay next week.
After various skill exercises the training program ended with a competitive scratch match consisting of two 20 to 25 minute halves.
The key forward positions were rather depleted, with Carey, Stevens, Hentschel, Bock, Schell, Marsh plus Welsh and Burns watching from the sidelines. Rutten played at CHF but only managed 1 mark for the whole scratch match. It was hard to tell who it was who was on him but I think that it was Aidan Parker - Rutten was soundly beaten although he tried hard and probably would do better in the back lines.
It was a bone-crunching no holds barred fierce tackling match with the competition from spots bringing out some excellent footy - just what Ayres who was watching from a specially constructed elevated tower stand would have wanted.
It started in ruck with Biglands and Clarke each trying to prove that they were the Crows' number 1 ruckman. I gave it to Clarke because his tap-work was first-class. As suspected Edwards played as a mid-fielder resting on the HF flank and kicked the first 3 goals of the match. McLeod cruised the oval like a Rolls Royce embarrassing other players at time with his acceleration. Bodey probably had more of the ball than anyone while Nigel Smart and Ben Hart were as good as ever. Gallagher played as a rover and had plenty of it as did Ladhams. The only problem with the midfield will be that they can't all get in!!!
Goodwin kicked a couple from FF and had a couple of runs on the ball with good effect, while Shirley didn't look out of place. Nelson and Perrie did though, with the former being shown up for pace on a few occasions.
There were a couple of pleasant surprises, with young Smith standing Burton who was playing HF flank and frustrating the living sh*tter out of him. Honours definitely with Smith. Jericho played on a HF flank and is a very strong grab, very mobile and really surprised me. He did well. Crowell also did well up forward and kicked 3 off memory.
One of the major highlights of the whole trial was the contest between Reilly and Johnstiffy on a wing. Stiffy took the honours early but Reilly with blistering pace and some clever ball-handling ended up taking the honours, until he went off 5 minutes before the end after copping a knock on a knee. They sent him straight in for treatment although he was moving okay and an official told me after that they were just being cautious. He will play AFL this year will young Reilly.
There were others regulars such as Stenglein etc who all had good moments, but as yet I haven't mentioned the stand-out of the whole trial - Kenny McGregor at CHB. He was impassable and not only marked everything on offer but kept running forward and kicked a couple of goals as well.
Well, that's my stint at training sessions finished unfortunately - back to work on Monday!!
Unfortunately the numbers on the restricted training program increased by a further two today with Schubak and Marsh joining the other 8. They seemed alright but obviously couldn't have been 100% or they would have been training with the main group.
Managed to speak to everybody's hero - yep - Daniel Schell!!!
He is actually a very nice chap to talk to and told me that he suffered from bursitis at the back of the knee for the last third of last year which required an operation at the end of the year. He said that the op was successful but now he has groin soreness, but says he would rather have his injuries now than when the season starts.
The main training squad appeared at 9 16 am and were down to 33, with the 10 missing on restricted programs, which once again included Carey and Burns, both of whom moved freely. The 33 was soon reduced to 32 when Hentschel seemed to jar his back while doing a foot passing exercise, was given a back massage while lying on the ground and then went inside - hopefully he will be okay next week.
After various skill exercises the training program ended with a competitive scratch match consisting of two 20 to 25 minute halves.
The key forward positions were rather depleted, with Carey, Stevens, Hentschel, Bock, Schell, Marsh plus Welsh and Burns watching from the sidelines. Rutten played at CHF but only managed 1 mark for the whole scratch match. It was hard to tell who it was who was on him but I think that it was Aidan Parker - Rutten was soundly beaten although he tried hard and probably would do better in the back lines.
It was a bone-crunching no holds barred fierce tackling match with the competition from spots bringing out some excellent footy - just what Ayres who was watching from a specially constructed elevated tower stand would have wanted.
It started in ruck with Biglands and Clarke each trying to prove that they were the Crows' number 1 ruckman. I gave it to Clarke because his tap-work was first-class. As suspected Edwards played as a mid-fielder resting on the HF flank and kicked the first 3 goals of the match. McLeod cruised the oval like a Rolls Royce embarrassing other players at time with his acceleration. Bodey probably had more of the ball than anyone while Nigel Smart and Ben Hart were as good as ever. Gallagher played as a rover and had plenty of it as did Ladhams. The only problem with the midfield will be that they can't all get in!!!
Goodwin kicked a couple from FF and had a couple of runs on the ball with good effect, while Shirley didn't look out of place. Nelson and Perrie did though, with the former being shown up for pace on a few occasions.
There were a couple of pleasant surprises, with young Smith standing Burton who was playing HF flank and frustrating the living sh*tter out of him. Honours definitely with Smith. Jericho played on a HF flank and is a very strong grab, very mobile and really surprised me. He did well. Crowell also did well up forward and kicked 3 off memory.
One of the major highlights of the whole trial was the contest between Reilly and Johnstiffy on a wing. Stiffy took the honours early but Reilly with blistering pace and some clever ball-handling ended up taking the honours, until he went off 5 minutes before the end after copping a knock on a knee. They sent him straight in for treatment although he was moving okay and an official told me after that they were just being cautious. He will play AFL this year will young Reilly.
There were others regulars such as Stenglein etc who all had good moments, but as yet I haven't mentioned the stand-out of the whole trial - Kenny McGregor at CHB. He was impassable and not only marked everything on offer but kept running forward and kicked a couple of goals as well.
Well, that's my stint at training sessions finished unfortunately - back to work on Monday!!
