Managed to have an out of office appointment this morning - just happened to be at the Crows' training down at West Lakes!!! 
It was an excellent session, marred only by the setback suffered by Mark Stevens in a clash with Massie and McGregor.
Players who were on the restricted list for 1 thing or another were Welsh, Bickley, Begley, Hentschel, Schell and John**** with Edwards absent (don't know why) plus rookies Skipworth and Bratton. None of these looked particularly bad and most of them should be back with the full squad soon.
I managed to speak to Scotty Welsh who was doing solo sprints under supervision, and he said that the operation was successful. His main task now is to get full suppleness and flexibility back into his groin muscles instead of the tightness created by the operation. He was really upbeat on his progress.
After about 30 minutes of the mandatory warm-ups and skill exercises they played a 4 quarter competitive scratch match of 20 minutes each quarter. 17 players on each side, and very evenly matched with the scores being 14 goals odd to 13 goals odd.
As is the case every week, they lengthen the play time, but the intensity never drops. We nearly had round 2 for Nigel, after he slung Burton by the neck, who certainly didn't appreciate it - but then thought better of it.
Carey lined up at FF against Bassett with Stevens at CHF against McGregor. Carey found it very hard there against Bassett with Smart lending a hand as well, and was restricted to 3 possessions (2k, 1hb) in a very crowded forward line. Missed one he should have kicked.
In the 2nd quarter Carey lined up at CHF, and McGregor got a taste of what it is like to stand the best CHF in the game in the past 20 years. Carey appeared to be playing in cruise mode but got upwards of 10 possessions for the quarter, setting up 3 goals in the process. What a class act!!! Ayresy took him off after 2 quarters as planned and he spent the rest of the game on the sidelines having some kicks with officials etc.
Boy, was I impressed with Ronnie Burns!! Played as a HF flanker and on-baller and bobbed up everywhere. Kicked 3 himself, and showed great pace and skills. The prophets of doom and gloom who say that he will add no value to Adelaide are guilty of wishful thinking.
Goodwin was magnificent as an on-baller and resting up forward. Had a million kicks and kicked 7 goals. Ricciuto is in great touch and definitely outgunned Stenglein at centre. although Stinger did many good things. McLeod did as he liked when he liked and still is the Rolls Royce to watch - classy and smooth.
I can see why Torney is rated so highly. He is a superb defender with excellent judgement. Never put a foot out of place. He will add something to the defence. Bode started off the game as if it was his own footy and had another good game as did Gallagher who is pressing hard for a spot in the mid-field as an on-baller, not a wingman. Nelson also played well as an on-baller and got a lot of the ball.
Nigel was vintage Nigel - played really well with a mountain of anticipation and dash. Bassett was excellent at FB, while Biglands dominated the rucks against Clarke - jumped right over him. Perrie played well at CHF, although his opponent Matt Smith did many good things.
Of the young brigade Reilly absolutely caned Crowell and Porthos will probably prove to be correct when he said that he will be the best of the current crop of juniors. Very classy youngster with a big future. Schuback played very well as a roaming crumbing forward and is right up to the standard. Rutten played very well at FB and will make the grade. Mattner who played FF on him kicked 2 but was playing out of position IMO. Jericho was played on a HB flank again and is a very accomplished player - seen him twice now and have been impressed both times.
I watched Adan Parker very closely and he played as the 3rd defensive tall on Ben Marsh and creamed him. Not an attacking rebound player at this stage but hates to give his opponent a crumb.
Multiple Goalkickers
Goodwin (7)
Perrie (4)
Gallagher, Burns (3)
Riley, Mattner (2)
Best players: Goodwin, Ricciuto, Reilly, McLeod, Bode, Burns and Smart
Honourable Mentions (alaphabetical): Bassett, Biglands, Gallagher, Mcgregor, Nelson, Parker, Perrie, Rutten, Schuback, Torney
Probably my last training report as they are away at Mt Gambier next week and then the matches start at Norwood Oval the next week. Hope they have been of some interest.
It was an excellent session, marred only by the setback suffered by Mark Stevens in a clash with Massie and McGregor.Players who were on the restricted list for 1 thing or another were Welsh, Bickley, Begley, Hentschel, Schell and John**** with Edwards absent (don't know why) plus rookies Skipworth and Bratton. None of these looked particularly bad and most of them should be back with the full squad soon.
I managed to speak to Scotty Welsh who was doing solo sprints under supervision, and he said that the operation was successful. His main task now is to get full suppleness and flexibility back into his groin muscles instead of the tightness created by the operation. He was really upbeat on his progress.
After about 30 minutes of the mandatory warm-ups and skill exercises they played a 4 quarter competitive scratch match of 20 minutes each quarter. 17 players on each side, and very evenly matched with the scores being 14 goals odd to 13 goals odd.
As is the case every week, they lengthen the play time, but the intensity never drops. We nearly had round 2 for Nigel, after he slung Burton by the neck, who certainly didn't appreciate it - but then thought better of it.
Carey lined up at FF against Bassett with Stevens at CHF against McGregor. Carey found it very hard there against Bassett with Smart lending a hand as well, and was restricted to 3 possessions (2k, 1hb) in a very crowded forward line. Missed one he should have kicked.
In the 2nd quarter Carey lined up at CHF, and McGregor got a taste of what it is like to stand the best CHF in the game in the past 20 years. Carey appeared to be playing in cruise mode but got upwards of 10 possessions for the quarter, setting up 3 goals in the process. What a class act!!! Ayresy took him off after 2 quarters as planned and he spent the rest of the game on the sidelines having some kicks with officials etc.
Boy, was I impressed with Ronnie Burns!! Played as a HF flanker and on-baller and bobbed up everywhere. Kicked 3 himself, and showed great pace and skills. The prophets of doom and gloom who say that he will add no value to Adelaide are guilty of wishful thinking.
Goodwin was magnificent as an on-baller and resting up forward. Had a million kicks and kicked 7 goals. Ricciuto is in great touch and definitely outgunned Stenglein at centre. although Stinger did many good things. McLeod did as he liked when he liked and still is the Rolls Royce to watch - classy and smooth.
I can see why Torney is rated so highly. He is a superb defender with excellent judgement. Never put a foot out of place. He will add something to the defence. Bode started off the game as if it was his own footy and had another good game as did Gallagher who is pressing hard for a spot in the mid-field as an on-baller, not a wingman. Nelson also played well as an on-baller and got a lot of the ball.
Nigel was vintage Nigel - played really well with a mountain of anticipation and dash. Bassett was excellent at FB, while Biglands dominated the rucks against Clarke - jumped right over him. Perrie played well at CHF, although his opponent Matt Smith did many good things.
Of the young brigade Reilly absolutely caned Crowell and Porthos will probably prove to be correct when he said that he will be the best of the current crop of juniors. Very classy youngster with a big future. Schuback played very well as a roaming crumbing forward and is right up to the standard. Rutten played very well at FB and will make the grade. Mattner who played FF on him kicked 2 but was playing out of position IMO. Jericho was played on a HB flank again and is a very accomplished player - seen him twice now and have been impressed both times.
I watched Adan Parker very closely and he played as the 3rd defensive tall on Ben Marsh and creamed him. Not an attacking rebound player at this stage but hates to give his opponent a crumb.
Multiple Goalkickers
Goodwin (7)
Perrie (4)
Gallagher, Burns (3)
Riley, Mattner (2)
Best players: Goodwin, Ricciuto, Reilly, McLeod, Bode, Burns and Smart
Honourable Mentions (alaphabetical): Bassett, Biglands, Gallagher, Mcgregor, Nelson, Parker, Perrie, Rutten, Schuback, Torney
Probably my last training report as they are away at Mt Gambier next week and then the matches start at Norwood Oval the next week. Hope they have been of some interest.
