Training 10th

[AndyWalkersGirl]

A warmer morning and smoke from the Victorian bushfires awaited the players arrival at 8:30am.

A series of elaborate stretching exercises followed. Any late starters to a new year fitness regime could do worse than to observe and replicate these exercises as they appear to address all major muscle groups . Next came a series of what seemed micro-managed play management. For example, players would crouch with one foot off the ground and then use the grounded foot to propel them forward whilst releasing a handball to a team-mate or to launch for an attempted mark. It sounds a trite observation, but it did quickly show up a number of players who a much more awkward when forced onto their opposite side.

The handball game played on Monday was again revisited, although this time it was played on the northern side of the ground making it difficult for me to observe individual efforts. There was however plenty of voice. This exercise has now been repeated at at least three of the sessions I have seen this summer and and suggests a current emphasis on clearance work and creating space.

Next was a circle work session, where the players huddled in the centre square and then peeled off to lead to each corner of the centre square so as to perpetuate the movement of the ball around the group. A similar exercise followed where two groups were located at each flank and the ball moved from one flank to the next where one group would lead and mark and then feed off to a runner from the other group at that flank. This situation presented minimal pressure and so was a good opportunity to observe the ‘cold’ skills of some of our recruits. Benjamin just appears to float across the ground , not quite as laid-back as Rhyce used to be, but he maintains pace with any of his team-mates so easily, even in run-throughs where they are striding out. I am looking forward to seeing him really stretch out against some of the AFL speed demons in the months and years to come. His kicking today was pretty good and he hit leading targets easily over 40m plus. Lets just hope Braddles and others can teach him to decelerate and deliver just like that in a game situation and he will become a very damaging running player. Grigg appears to present the same potential. His disposal from his favoured side was pretty good again today even when he appeared to have pushed up the pace a notch. Anderson seems a bit of a jack-in-the box, with a handy leap and seems a bit taller than I expected. His disposal is not quite as accomplished as others and I would like to see perhaps him and Benjamin being tutored in kicking by Braddles.

Players were called to the centre of the ground at the end of this exercise. It was funny to hear TD call out to Fev ‘Where do you think you are going?” before demanding he and fish remain in the Lygon Street goal square for a couple of minutes of extra marking practice. Fev didn’t sound to pleased at this and protested citing that he was tired when TD said he was soft and looking for the easy way out by heading for the shade. TD then barrelled in a couple of long bombs for Fev and Fish to contest. Fev, presumably still smarting from TD’s bake, took a trade-mark strong mark with the first effort, however Fish got the next couple. Quite interesting to note TD would do this. Most of the time I have seen him he appears to be at pains to posititvely reinforce players he is working with. Maybe this is a sign that much more will be expected of Fev and that he is beyond the kid-gloves used with some of the recruits.

TD also called aside Cameron Cloke for some leading practice, pointing out that Clokes has the power, but that the key is in the first few steps and he needs to work on taking small steps initially rather than striding out from the first step of a lead. Maybe that Mark Nailey was on to something! Cloke again worked hard , even though you can tell he is not keen on changing direction quickly.

The groups then split into three run by each of the assistant coaches. Someone asked about the role of the assistants and I think it is fair to say that they are running most of the exercises at the moment. From a long way away it appears that Pagan is simply observing, I have not heard him shout an instruction yet this year.

Crosisca took a group that assembled in front of the Heatley Stand and they practiced punching from behind. One player worth mentioning is Saddington who has discarded the heavy bandaging he had last year and seems to be moving really well. He has pretty safe hands and was reliably fisting the ball back to Crosisca. I think if Jason can stay fit then it will be a super bonus for us as having Saddington, Carlos and T-Bird should mean we can afford to move big Lance back to the forward line. Lance, Fev, Fish and Josh with perhaps Betts and Skinny waiting for crumbs makes for a potent attack.

Most players left the ground at about 10:30. However , I am very pleased to report that it was not until after 11.00 that all players were gone as Murph, Stevo, Braddles, Ratts and Ackland remained for extra clearance work. About 20 minutes of this time appeared to be a Braddles lecture to young Murph on where to be and how to lose a tagger. In a couple of the simulations it was great to see Braddles/Ratts win clearances and I am sure that Stevo/Murph would have learnt a lot.

A big big thank you to pj_canus at talkingcarlton.com for that.

I'm really grateful that pj puts up these reports, because it really means a lot to the supporters who can't go to training. To those that do go, please don't hesitate to share your things

thank you again pj_canus -

 

[AlecDuncan]

A big big thank you to pj_canus at talkingcarlton.com for that.

Fantastic work. Thanks.

 

[Effes]

I think pj_canus asked for a hyperlink to be included AWG

 

[AndyWalkersGirl]

http://www.talkingcarlton.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=14151

 

[roly]

thanks for that fantastic

 

[HBF]

Fantastic read AWG. Thanks for the link from TC and great write up by pj_canus.

 

[blues4flag]

These reports are great - thanks AWG for posting them here, and of course pj_canus for taking the time to write these.

 

[mediumsizered]

Sounds like Braddles is really going to be an enormous asset to the club. Certainly with him & Ratts working together, our young midfielders are going to be learning from the best. There is no reason why, in 2-3 years time, our midfield won't be matching it with the best in the AFL. It is just great to see some of the club's legends imparting their knowledge on to the youngsters.

 

[HBF]

Couldn't agree more MS. Can you imagine how much our young kids will learn from these 2 champions.

 

[AndyWalkersGirl]

Don't thank me, i was just passing on some much loved and anticipated info.

All thanks go to the people who put the time and effort into the writing and the sharing

Nice work pj_canus

 

[OEGB]

are the farther sons still training at carlton?

 

[marcmurphy3]

are the farther sons still training at carlton?

I haven't heard anything about Jake but Tommi is. Apparently he's been pretty impressive.

 

[Silvagnis]

are the farther sons still training at carlton?

Sheldon is farther away from Carlton than any of them.

 

[drusswaylander]

Sounds like Braddles is really going to be an enormous asset to the club. Certainly with him & Ratts working together, our young midfielders are going to be learning from the best. There is no reason why, in 2-3 years time, our midfield won't be matching it with the best in the AFL. It is just great to see some of the club's legends imparting their knowledge on to the youngsters.

Spot on mate If our kids can't learn from these blokes something is wrong It is just fantastic to see them at the club. One of the real off-field coups.

 

[as0l0]

outstanding report, loved reading every word

 

[Lingsface]

good to hear about benjamin he could be anything! the smoothest mover ive seen and personally i wouldnt be wanting to run into him when hes in top gear after a couple of pre seasons, will be a big guy.

 

[russel-jet]

hi guys.. new to bf... good to hear that clinton is doing well... has some real potential played footy against him at school level and he chopped.. was with him on new years and he says he really settled in at the club.. can see him debuting next yr!

 

[drusswaylander]

Benjamin does look the goods