Crows training update 24/1/2003

[macca23]

Thanks to my good mate, who braved the heat this morning, and went down to training and was good enough to take a few notes for us.

They started training an hour earlier than normal and after a few skill exercises played 4 quarters of approximately 15 minutes each, with what appeared to be virtually the full 18 per side. Players who didn't take part but watched on after completing their modified programs were Carey, Stevens, Bickley, Massie, Schell, Begley, and Welsh. He said that Carey and Stevens, the 2 key forwards, moved and kicked well during their program and are obviously being wrapped up in cotton wool at the moment so nothing can happen to them.

Marsh started at FF for one of the sides and changed in ruck with Biglands against Clarke who rucked solo against the both of them. Unlike previous weeks he thought the 2 of them were on top of Clarke this week. In fact he was very happy with Marsh and thought that he was actually trying his arse off!! Perrie played the role of permanent FF for the other side and kicked 3 goals.

He said that they had obviously been told to play to a different game plan today to that of last week. There was a lot of tagging which resulted in a lot of play in close. Ben Hart tagged Edwards whether he was on the ball or up forward and took the honours, although Edwards had some good moments. Bode played HBF on Burns who was on a HFF, and while Rockin' Ronnie had his moments too, honours went to Bode.

While there was a lot of heavy traffic, Ayres spent a lot of the time on the ground encouraging the backmen on both teams to attack the footy, run down the ground and attack the goals where possible. Of course Smarty was only too happy to oblige as was Crowell, who also caught his eye.

A lot of players played in different positions to where they have been, such as Burton and Stenglein both on the wings, Smith at CHF, Perrie up forward, Crowell up back and so on, all with good results.

There was a multitude of goalkickers but those with muliples were

Smith , Perrie (3)

Mcleod, Ladams, John****, Burton (2)

Obviously with 36 players or so on the ground to choose from there were many good players. His best 6 were as follows:

1 - McGregor - outstanding at CHB and easily BOG. My mate said he went huge. Marked nearly everything within sight and spoiled those he didn't mark - great rebound as well.

2 - Goodwin - knocked up getting the footy and used it well.

3 - Burton - burnt on a wing and ran riot all over the ground. Took 3 speccies and marked solidly all match. Kicked 2 as well.

4 - John**** - back on a HBF and played a blinder before going forward for a short stint and kicking a couple of goals.

5 - Perrie - fought like a tiger at FF and besides kicking 3 kept the ball in the area.

6 - Bode - played a negating role at HBF on Burns and was well on top.

He said he could have named another dozen and gave special mentions to Roo, Smart, Hart, McLeod, Mattner, Nelson, Doughty, Ladhams, Stenglein, Bassett, Schuback and Crowell.

My mate made the same comment as last week that while they look hard they look slightly less bulked up (except McGregor) and much quicker. While the game was played in a different manner, the emphasis definitely remained on moving the ball quickly and contesting fiercely.

 

[noddy]

Great stuff once again macca & is very heatening to hear about Ken McGregors form at chb but can you tell me who his opponent was ?

 

[Stiffy_18]

Originally posted by macca23
He said he could have named another dozen and gave special mentions to Roo, Smart, Hart, McLeod, Mattner, Nelson, Doughty, Ladhams, Stenglein, Bassett, Schuback and Crowell.

Good stuff macca23 . Once again a great post mate

So whats happening with Hentschel, Reilly and Bock. Did they take part in the hitout???? Did Jason Torney play????

Was Rutten good and who was he matched up on??????

Cheers

 

[Damp Squarie]

Topstuff again Macca ...thanks mate.
Go Ben Marsh!!!

 

[macca23]

Rang my mate to ask your questions Noddy and Stiffy but he's not home. I'm going out again tonight but I'll post as soon as I get the answers.

 

[Nige_Bix]

It surprises me that there are so many regular scratch matches - is that normal? Good to see that they are able to play and adapt to different plans.

I'm chuffed to hear about McGregor going well - could be the improver of the year - not just for Crows but for the whole comp. Hope he can shrug off that Pavlich "shadow"

Thanks for the report - a great read!

dzm

 

[macca23]

Originally posted by dezzmo
It surprises me that there are so many regular scratch matches - is that normal? Good to see that they are able to play and adapt to different plans.

They certainly are playing more than last year, every week in fact, and started playing them much earlier as well - before Christmas this pre-season. They are all being played on a no-holds barred basis as the competition for spots, particularly across the centre line and among the on-ballers is enormous. Ayresy obviously intends to have us coming out running at a 100 mph. In contrast Carlton played its first competitive scratch match this week.

Each week seems to have a slightly different game plan.They vary from playing with an open Pagan's paddock type forward line, to playing the on-ballers as leading full-forwards (Goodwin and Ricciuto), open games with no tagging to heavy tagging etc.etc..

Also quite a few players are playing in different positions from week to week. For example Bodey has been a wingman one week, a HFF the next, on-baller the next and a HBF this week - and done very well in every spot. Burton has been a FF, HFF, on-baller and a wingman in each of the the last 4 weeks. John **** has played wing, HFF, HBF and so on.

 

[Nige_Bix]

Hmm - maybe its because we need to adapt for different matches and indeed times within matches - perhaps not be too predictable!

I agree - about starting at 100% - i'd say he's desperate to beat the power. dzm

 

[Stiffy_18]

Originally posted by macca23
They certainly are playing more than last year, every week in fact, and started playing them much earlier as well - before Christmas this pre-season. They are all being played on a no-holds barred basis as the competition for spots, particularly across the centre line and among the on-ballers is enormous. Ayresy obviously intends to have us coming out running at a 100 mph. In contrast Carlton played its first competitive scratch match this week.

I just hope that we do not peak too early as a result of a heavy pre-season. Last thing we need is to be drained by the time finals come around.

 

[macca23]

Just heard Neil Craig on 5AA and he said that it is all about establishing a culture of winning and expecting to win. He said that while all players want to be winners and part of a winning team, not all of them know the path how to achieve that personally.

He said that Charlie Walsh who was a real winner in his own profession has been invaluable in helping the coaching staff assist the players to understand this and how to get there.

He said that expectations of the Crows this year were much higher than last year, and he could not see why that should not be achieved. He agreed that on paper it was possibly the Crows' best ever list and the challenge was to make that become a reality.

He ducked the question of Carey at CHF or FF beautifully, saying that after 12 months out and a lot of personal trauma, the expectations of Carey were not high and they would be easing him into the game and seeing how that went - he would be just another player. ( I thought yeah, right, that's why we chased after him so hard and moved heaven and earth to get him - looks like another way of saying FF to me )

When asked whether the media had been treating Carey unfairly in recent weeks he said that came with the territory and that Wayne would have expected that.

The whole interview really revolved around the mental aspects of football and how to make players tougher in that area. I would think without a doubt that Craig is the brainstrust in that area at west Lakes.

 

[Stiffy_18]

Originally posted by macca23
The whole interview really revolved around the mental aspects of football and how to make players tougher in that area. I would think without a doubt that Craig is the brainstrust in that area at west Lakes.

I would go as far as to say that Craig is the heart and soul of the Adelaide Crows' coaching panel. The sort of input he puts into AFC is absolutely tremendeous and he is one of the most inteligent man you will ever meet. A true champion in his profession. Hope we can hold on to him for his entire career

 

[Damp Squarie]

Craig is topshelf and probably the ingredient that got us two flags if the the truth be known.

As far as peaking too early goes Id rather that than getting off to a slow start. These days the coaching start know how to manage the team that may look jaded at about round 18.

Charlie Walsh ( who I dont reckon would take any sh1t ) should be good at getting the younger players thru the pain barrier if nothin else. He d be keen to impress too.

 

[macca23]

Originally posted by noddy
Great stuff once again macca & is very heatening to hear about Ken McGregors form at chb but can you tell me who his opponent was ?

McGregor was actually playing full back on Marsh and Biglands changing, but also chancing his arm and coming right up the ground to mark or spoil - he was everywhere, according to my mate, covering the whole back line. Both Biglands and Marsh rucked well and played well around the ground but got caned by McGregor when at FF.

As for Stiffy's queries, Hentschel played at CHF on Rutten and kicked 3 goals - my mate forgot to give me those. Honours about even he thought. Reilly played wing and did many good things but had his colours lowered by Stenglein. He couldn't remember seeing Torney or Bock which either means they didn't play or had relatively quiet ones.

Another one that he thought definitely deserved a mention on reflection was Gallagher, who played very well as an on-baller.

 

[Stiffy_18]

Originally posted by macca23
McGregor was actually playing full back on Marsh and Biglands changing, but also chancing his arm and coming right up the ground to mark or spoil - he was everywhere, according to my mate, covering the whole back line. Both Biglands and Marsh rucked well and played well around the ground but got caned by McGregor when at FF.

As for Stiffy's queries, Hentschel played at CHF on Rutten and kicked 3 goals - my mate forgot to give me those. Honours about even he thought. Reilly played wing and did many good things but had his colours lowered by Stenglein. He couldn't remember seeing Torney or Bock which either means they didn't play or had relatively quiet ones.

Another one that he thought definitely deserved a mention on reflection was Gallagher, who played very well as an on-baller.

Top stuff macca23. Hentschel kicking 3 on Rutten sound promising for Trent

 

[macca23]

Channel 10 showed a brief snippet of Crows' training on the news tonight. For a player who's supposed to be suffering from everything upwards of loss of limbs, to leprosy and rumoured near death according to the very worried opposition supporters down the road, Carey was training at full pace and looked raring to go - strange about that!!! Just goes to show - wishing doesn't make it happen!!

Also strange how little has been said by them about their star recruit being injured and unable to participate in general training for some time now.