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- May 18, 2006
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Righto guys, here is the promised Training Report on our Baby Blues from the Gabba:
As we live in the most western suburb in Brissy and it usually takes forever to get to the Gabba, we left home about 4.45 to allow for peak hour traffic and parking. All I can say is hallafriggenluya that we did. We were there and in the ground by 5.20 and guess what? Some of the boys were already on the track having a bit of kick to kick. The coaches and staff were all out by 5.25 and training got underway just after 5.30. So much for the mooted 6pm start.
They started off with a bit of goal kicking practice at the Main St. end which had a net erected behind the posts; This didn’t stop the sherrins flying into the corporate boxes a floor above ground level. Bomber and Skinny were the main ferrets who were retrieving and kicking back to the boys on the park. Whilst most of the squad was doing warm-up exercises and lead and short pass stuff at about CHF, JR, Clokey, Eddie and Fev were taking shots from different angles and distances. I reckon there was about 80% conversion with Clokey and Fev particularly accurate.
Ratts called everybody together at 5.45 and trotted them down to the school end. They huddled around for a few minutes listening intently and then did a routine of exercises for a few more minutes. I figure the boys were taken to the opposite end away from the supporters so we couldn’t hear what was said.
They then proceeded to do a series of run-throughs to the centre and back again. Next up was a kick to kick in a mini circle work formation. Just before 6.00, they were called over to the Vulture St. wing for what appeared to be a moving handball drill in a triangular format. I don’t want to be accused of sugarcoating, but stuff me dead, this was the dead set best drill I can remember any Carlton squad performing since I have been watching them (late sixties). Five minutes of full speed and not one fumbled or spilled ball. Every handball hit the target. If they could duplicate that against the Brions and beyond, we will all be very pleased.
The group then moved back into the corridor and split into four. A bit hard to describe this one but Group 1 was at CHF, Group 2 was on the Stanley St wing; Groups 3 and 4 were down the School end in front of goal and deep in the pocket. 1 and 2 started out by kicking to 3 & 4. When 3 took possession, instead of passing back to 1, they went diagonally to 2. Likewise when 4 took possession, they passed to 1 and so on. This was performed for 5 minutes or so and similarly not one dropped pill. Hammer was the only player to fumble an incoming kick, but he recovered without spilling it. Very impressive from the boys.
They finally came back down our end and did more mini circle work with some of the boys having shots on the way through. I was particularly happy about 1AW’s disposal of both sides. Army seems to have improved in this area as well. I thought that Grigga seemed a bit quiet. Expected him to be jumping out of his skin seeing that he has just got back in the side. Santy did all the team things and was his usual motivated self, but his kicking penetration seemed below his usual standard.
Hammer, Krooze and Santy all seemed to be following the same instructions. As they lead out for incoming passes, they all seemed to time their runs so that they marked at full stretch in front of their faces. I can’t believe the improvement in these guys at this skill.
Finally, the boys got together and did a final lap around the boundary. They slowed down as they came past their diehard fans. As if to acknowledge our support, there was a few winks, waves and grins (Juddy particularly). Almost all of the watchers cheered, wished the boys well and gave a standing ovation.
They say that you play as you train. If this session was any indication, then we will pump these ferals. We don’t care who they put on the park. We are Carlton…**** the rest.
As we live in the most western suburb in Brissy and it usually takes forever to get to the Gabba, we left home about 4.45 to allow for peak hour traffic and parking. All I can say is hallafriggenluya that we did. We were there and in the ground by 5.20 and guess what? Some of the boys were already on the track having a bit of kick to kick. The coaches and staff were all out by 5.25 and training got underway just after 5.30. So much for the mooted 6pm start.
They started off with a bit of goal kicking practice at the Main St. end which had a net erected behind the posts; This didn’t stop the sherrins flying into the corporate boxes a floor above ground level. Bomber and Skinny were the main ferrets who were retrieving and kicking back to the boys on the park. Whilst most of the squad was doing warm-up exercises and lead and short pass stuff at about CHF, JR, Clokey, Eddie and Fev were taking shots from different angles and distances. I reckon there was about 80% conversion with Clokey and Fev particularly accurate.
Ratts called everybody together at 5.45 and trotted them down to the school end. They huddled around for a few minutes listening intently and then did a routine of exercises for a few more minutes. I figure the boys were taken to the opposite end away from the supporters so we couldn’t hear what was said.
They then proceeded to do a series of run-throughs to the centre and back again. Next up was a kick to kick in a mini circle work formation. Just before 6.00, they were called over to the Vulture St. wing for what appeared to be a moving handball drill in a triangular format. I don’t want to be accused of sugarcoating, but stuff me dead, this was the dead set best drill I can remember any Carlton squad performing since I have been watching them (late sixties). Five minutes of full speed and not one fumbled or spilled ball. Every handball hit the target. If they could duplicate that against the Brions and beyond, we will all be very pleased.
The group then moved back into the corridor and split into four. A bit hard to describe this one but Group 1 was at CHF, Group 2 was on the Stanley St wing; Groups 3 and 4 were down the School end in front of goal and deep in the pocket. 1 and 2 started out by kicking to 3 & 4. When 3 took possession, instead of passing back to 1, they went diagonally to 2. Likewise when 4 took possession, they passed to 1 and so on. This was performed for 5 minutes or so and similarly not one dropped pill. Hammer was the only player to fumble an incoming kick, but he recovered without spilling it. Very impressive from the boys.
They finally came back down our end and did more mini circle work with some of the boys having shots on the way through. I was particularly happy about 1AW’s disposal of both sides. Army seems to have improved in this area as well. I thought that Grigga seemed a bit quiet. Expected him to be jumping out of his skin seeing that he has just got back in the side. Santy did all the team things and was his usual motivated self, but his kicking penetration seemed below his usual standard.
Hammer, Krooze and Santy all seemed to be following the same instructions. As they lead out for incoming passes, they all seemed to time their runs so that they marked at full stretch in front of their faces. I can’t believe the improvement in these guys at this skill.
Finally, the boys got together and did a final lap around the boundary. They slowed down as they came past their diehard fans. As if to acknowledge our support, there was a few winks, waves and grins (Juddy particularly). Almost all of the watchers cheered, wished the boys well and gave a standing ovation.
They say that you play as you train. If this session was any indication, then we will pump these ferals. We don’t care who they put on the park. We are Carlton…**** the rest.
