Training 02/01/08

[ImperialPurple]

Had the opportunity to drop by this morning. I was there for about half an hour and man were they working hard!

I've seen a few training sessions over the past couple of years, and this was by far the hardest I have seen them run that I can remember. I know there were fresh back from their break, and this would have been their first session so they would have been very keen and enthusiastic... but they were seriously pushing it.

Got a look at the new rookie ruckman Brent Connelly - he looked pretty quick with decent skills for a big fella. By big I mean tall, but he is pretty bloody skinny! Not as skinny as Nockers was when he first arrived, but not a lot of meat on him. The other new rookie, Luke Pratt, was running hard - he looked knackered after one particular tussle where he won a contested ball, then ran it hard down field and kicked long to a leading forward. While on rookies - I didn't notice Smithy out there, or Dunn, but Mourish was there and being encouraged (yelled at...???) by Harvey to "run harder Calib, run harder"... to which he responded and got a "better Calib, better" from the coach.

There was a lot of running and set play work, also a bit of one-on-one body work (led by Chris Scott).

I didn't see Pav, Hase, Black, Webster, Wiz, Schammer, Macca, McPharlin, Crowley - and MCarr was running laps alone (shirt off - looks fit! ), JCarr was running up and down the far side and Thornton was just doing some kick-to-kick and skills.

Palmer looks like he fits right in; Hinkley is fast and his kicking looked okay to me in the drills they were doing - although this might not necessarily be the case in match conditions.

There was one bit where a high ball was coming in and Fossie (my buddy Fossie that is) was chasing MJII who had a head start on him, and Harves yelled out - catch him Fossie! Foster caught up with him, then won the ball and cleared it to a runner. Harves yelled - good work Fossie!

All in all it was a good session to watch. It was in full swing when I got there and was still going in full swing when I left. Good vibe.

 

[peppy la pew]

Thanks for the post IP, sounds like a few senior players are easing back after the break.

Macca was running at a country oval down south this morning, as have a few players over the xmas period. I guess they can't afford to undo all the hard yards put in before the new year.

 

[poshman]

IP did you see anything of my buddy drummy? Needs a breakout year this year.

 

[ImperialPurple]

Drummy's added a few kgs - his arms look huge! He was in amongst it, looks very fit and strong.

 

[inferno66]

Imperial what sort of role do you expect Drummy to play this year? Drummy is a versatile player that can play in the fowardline, backline or wing.

 

[Lach72]

Imperial what sort of role do you expect Drummy to play this year? Drummy is a versatile player that can play in the fowardline, backline or wing.

Yeah, IP, at the last management group meeting, what did you discuss for him?

 

[dominguez]

Thanks for the update IP.

The senior players get an extra week because they came back early iirc. Matt Carr must have voluntarily rocked up.

 

[pinkus maximus]

Imperial what sort of role do you expect Drummy to play this year? Drummy is a versatile player that can play in the fowardline, backline or wing.

he'll play as a 3rd tall forward i reckon

although i think he could become a very good chb

 

[macca69]

Got a look at the new rookie ruckman Brent Connelly - he looked pretty quick with decent skills for a big fella. By big I mean tall, but he is pretty bloody skinny! Not as skinny as Nockers was when he first arrived, but not a lot of meat on him.

Yeh Brent's an interesting one. Looks real quality at times, but looks like a real plodder other times. Moves quite well given his size, but really needs a running coach - he has an awful running technique IMO.

IMO his best attribute, which probably wouldn't have been evident on the training track is his footy smarts. His tap work and reading of the play is very impressive for a ruckman. Can also push forward and take a mark (very good set shot also).

What Harvs has to fix apart from his running technique is getting him more comfortable with the physical side of things. Hopefully once he bulks up he gets better in that area, but for me that was really held him back this year. If anyone can get that into him it'll be Harvs obviously, but even he will have his work cut out here IMO. If he can get this area of his game right, he could be a very good get as a rookie.

 

[The Night Shift]

Cheers for the update IP.
Did you see the Brockinator at all?

 

[Cheetah]

Had the opportunity to drop by this morning. I was there for about half an hour and man were they working hard!

I've seen a few training sessions over the past couple of years, and this was by far the hardest I have seen them run that I can remember. I know there were fresh back from their break, and this would have been their first session so they would have been very keen and enthusiastic... but they were seriously pushing it.

Got a look at the new rookie ruckman Brent Connelly - he looked pretty quick with decent skills for a big fella. By big I mean tall, but he is pretty bloody skinny! Not as skinny as Nockers was when he first arrived, but not a lot of meat on him. The other new rookie, Luke Pratt, was running hard - he looked knackered after one particular tussle where he won a contested ball, then ran it hard down field and kicked long to a leading forward. While on rookies - I didn't notice Smithy out there, or Dunn, but Mourish was there and being encouraged (yelled at...???) by Harvey to "run harder Calib, run harder"... to which he responded and got a "better Calib, better" from the coach.

There was a lot of running and set play work, also a bit of one-on-one body work (led by Chris Scott).

I didn't see Pav, Hase, Black, Webster, Wiz, Schammer, Macca, McPharlin, Crowley - and MCarr was running laps alone (shirt off - looks fit! ), JCarr was running up and down the far side and Thornton was just doing some kick-to-kick and skills.

Palmer looks like he fits right in; Hinkley is fast and his kicking looked okay to me in the drills they were doing - although this might not necessarily be the case in match conditions.

There was one bit where a high ball was coming in and Fossie (my buddy Fossie that is) was chasing MJII who had a head start on him, and Harves yelled out - catch him Fossie! Foster caught up with him, then won the ball and cleared it to a runner. Harves yelled - good work Fossie!

All in all it was a good session to watch. It was in full swing when I got there and was still going in full swing when I left. Good vibe.

Good to hear the Shadow is stepping up. Thanks IP!

 

[ImperialPurple]

Cheers for the update IP.
Did you see the Brockinator at all?

It causes me much shame (and fear I must say) to admit I didn't notice Brock. He may have been with the guys over the scoreboard side of the ground...

...or maybe he informed Harvs he was joining the senior group and has given himself another week off.

 

[ImperialPurple]

Imperial what sort of role do you expect Drummy to play this year? Drummy is a versatile player that can play in the fowardline, backline or wing.

Geebus inferno... don't ask me hard questions. I'm the one who provides the entertainment features, not the editorials...

 

[dockers_bengals]

thanx I.P. Didnt Mcarr have end of season surgery so he may still be on rehab and may be required to be there.My buddy Elvis "the highlight reel" Mcpharlin was probably tired from doing gigs with the band and needed rest.Pav and hase where busy at their pub.Black was still tired from the perth cup day.schammer was still at his mums in Vic.Well we know where the wiz was,at Northbridge canvasing people about the evils of the drink.

 

[inferno66]

Geebus inferno... don't ask me hard questions. I'm the one who provides the entertainment features, not the editorials...

Awww don't be so modest

 

[ImperialPurple]

Good to hear the Shadow is stepping up. Thanks IP!

He got a nice pat on the bum and nod of encouragement from Mundy after Harvs told him he did "better". He looks to have slimmed down a bit also.

 

[ImperialPurple]

Yeh Brent's an interesting one. Looks real quality at times, but looks like a real plodder other times. Moves quite well given his size, but really needs a running coach - he has an awful running technique IMO.

IMO his best attribute, which probably wouldn't have been evident on the training track is his footy smarts. His tap work and reading of the play is very impressive for a ruckman. Can also push forward and take a mark (very good set shot also).

What Harvs has to fix apart from his running technique is getting him more comfortable with the physical side of things. Hopefully once he bulks up he gets better in that area, but for me that was really held him back this year. If anyone can get that into him it'll be Harvs obviously, but even he will have his work cut out here IMO. If he can get this area of his game right, he could be a very good get as a rookie.

Well fingers crossed he hardens up a bit. TBH I didn't notice a funny running style, but then i was looking all over and not just at him. But a lot of really tall blokes run funny IMO.