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Crows Training update 8/1/2003
Finally got out of bed early enough to go to Crows' training session at 9 am this morning.
It started exactly on 9 00 a m and began with a warm up lap, although one would imagine they may well have done a fair bit of warming-up inside.
They trained for the next 75 minutes almost non-stop, doing various skill exercises. Interestingly enough Brett Burton spent some of this time away from the main pack practising goal-shooting with Darren Jarman. Hmmmmm. For the last 10 to 15 minutes of the session they broke up into 2 groups - KPP's and others. While the bigs finished with goal-kicking practice, the others used half the oval to practice moving the ball up and down the ground repeatedly, either by hand or by foot. It was excellent to watch as the skill level was high and the ball was moving at great speed. Sadly, a competitive scratch match wasn't on the agenda for the day.
As the whole session basically involved skills, running and ball movement, the smaller players obviously stood out more than the taller players. There were some real stand-outs for the session apart from the regulars such as Bode, Edwards, Ladhams etc. I can see why there are wraps on Reilly - he was the stand-out of the whole session. Nice size, super quick, balanced and very good disposal with either foot or by hand - great skills. James Begley trained dashingly and I liked what I saw there - taller than I had remembered too. Jason Schubak wasn't too far behind this pair either. Others who caught the eye were Shirley, Gallagher and Torney while Rutten was the best of the big men. The lemon of the session was Ian Perrie whose kicking was a disgrace - rarely if ever hit the intended target.
Standing alongside them, both Rutten and Hentshel are big boys, both physically equipped to play at AFL level this year if given the opportunity. Matthew Smith, although tall and reasonably solid, is still developing and I doubt that he will play AFL this year.
Those who didn't train with the main group were Carey, Burns, Bickley, Stevens, Massie, Bock and one other I couldn't identify - possibly one of the rookies. Did not see Scott Welsh at all which was a bit of a worry. This smaller group did modified running and kicking the ball to each other, all under supervision.
I had to chuckle when Carey came out to train with the smaller group on the side. What a chick magnet!! When the 20 or so women (out of about a crowd of 200) watching training spotted the King, they abandoned watching the main group instantly and flocked to where he was passing the ball back and forth with Bickley!!
Some of the guys followed shortly after that as did the Channel 10 cameraman. Carey ended up with quite a large crowd watching him not train!! 
He looks awseome!! I had the good fortune to talk to him, and asked him how the hammy was. He told me that it is 100% but that his training program is 1 day on and 1 day off, and today was his day off - he was just having a couple of kicks with Bicks. Nice to see that he was still there on his day off.
Bickley's left leg is very wasted from the break etc. Looks about half the size of his right from the knee down. He's got a lot of work ahead of him to get back to where we'd like him to be. I'm not so sure that he will be there for round 1, although there is still some time to go.
Nothing very much wrong with Burns though. He was moving okay and doesn't look too bothered by his corky.
The session was very polished and professionally organized. It's very obvious that the Crows intend to start with a rush as they did last year, as they are well advanced with their running and ball work at this stage.
Finally got out of bed early enough to go to Crows' training session at 9 am this morning.
It started exactly on 9 00 a m and began with a warm up lap, although one would imagine they may well have done a fair bit of warming-up inside.
They trained for the next 75 minutes almost non-stop, doing various skill exercises. Interestingly enough Brett Burton spent some of this time away from the main pack practising goal-shooting with Darren Jarman. Hmmmmm. For the last 10 to 15 minutes of the session they broke up into 2 groups - KPP's and others. While the bigs finished with goal-kicking practice, the others used half the oval to practice moving the ball up and down the ground repeatedly, either by hand or by foot. It was excellent to watch as the skill level was high and the ball was moving at great speed. Sadly, a competitive scratch match wasn't on the agenda for the day.
As the whole session basically involved skills, running and ball movement, the smaller players obviously stood out more than the taller players. There were some real stand-outs for the session apart from the regulars such as Bode, Edwards, Ladhams etc. I can see why there are wraps on Reilly - he was the stand-out of the whole session. Nice size, super quick, balanced and very good disposal with either foot or by hand - great skills. James Begley trained dashingly and I liked what I saw there - taller than I had remembered too. Jason Schubak wasn't too far behind this pair either. Others who caught the eye were Shirley, Gallagher and Torney while Rutten was the best of the big men. The lemon of the session was Ian Perrie whose kicking was a disgrace - rarely if ever hit the intended target.
Standing alongside them, both Rutten and Hentshel are big boys, both physically equipped to play at AFL level this year if given the opportunity. Matthew Smith, although tall and reasonably solid, is still developing and I doubt that he will play AFL this year.
Those who didn't train with the main group were Carey, Burns, Bickley, Stevens, Massie, Bock and one other I couldn't identify - possibly one of the rookies. Did not see Scott Welsh at all which was a bit of a worry. This smaller group did modified running and kicking the ball to each other, all under supervision.
I had to chuckle when Carey came out to train with the smaller group on the side. What a chick magnet!! When the 20 or so women (out of about a crowd of 200) watching training spotted the King, they abandoned watching the main group instantly and flocked to where he was passing the ball back and forth with Bickley!!
Some of the guys followed shortly after that as did the Channel 10 cameraman. Carey ended up with quite a large crowd watching him not train!! He looks awseome!! I had the good fortune to talk to him, and asked him how the hammy was. He told me that it is 100% but that his training program is 1 day on and 1 day off, and today was his day off - he was just having a couple of kicks with Bicks. Nice to see that he was still there on his day off.
Bickley's left leg is very wasted from the break etc. Looks about half the size of his right from the knee down. He's got a lot of work ahead of him to get back to where we'd like him to be. I'm not so sure that he will be there for round 1, although there is still some time to go.
Nothing very much wrong with Burns though. He was moving okay and doesn't look too bothered by his corky.
The session was very polished and professionally organized. It's very obvious that the Crows intend to start with a rush as they did last year, as they are well advanced with their running and ball work at this stage.
Thanks Stiffy!! I have just reset the clock!! 
Funny how it becomes a relief for boredom for anyone else. Carey is actually a good guy to talk to, and although this might surprise you, was recruited for his football ability, as are all footballers. Once we get into player's morals all is not white in more ways than one at Alberton either.
