This morning's scheduled 9am training session got under way at 9.25am as the majority of the group wandered onto Max Basheer Reserve to being their standard warm up, consisting of a kick to kick, light jog and some stretching.
With the first year players back from their induction camp at AFL headquarters in Melbourne, the group was larger today, meaning that the restricted group also grew a little. Nick Gill, carrying a right calf injury, Trent Hentschel, Kris Massie and Rhett Biglands were joined by first year players Myke Cook, Patrick Dangerfield, Aaron Kite and Jared Petrenko. They were put through their paces with Matthew Clarke, who came up with some interesting handball drills. Petrenko spent some time with a trainer running laps.
Greg Gallman was on the bike for the whole session and was later joined by Rhett Biglands and Luke Jericho, who has a bruised heal. Andrew McLeod did not take part in today's outdoor training session, nor did Tony Armstrong I think.
The first drill of the day was pretty laid back; the players were spread around the oval and were just kicking a couple of balls around. At one point they stopped and stretched and resumed with some tricky trainers trying to get in their way.
This was followed by a larger kick to kick with three main groups, half on either side of the oval.
Continuing preparation for the Round 1 NAB Cup clash against Collingwood in Dubai, which is less than a month away, a practice match soon got underway.
Game 1
A white board was brought out to the centre of the ground with Neil Craig and co running through positions and tactics. Brad Moran was given the Crows guernsey to shoulder Blue in the ruck against Scott Stevens for White. Today there was an array of coloured bibs handed out to several players, who appeared to attack for White. Bernie Vince was red with Chris Knights and Richard Douglas in yellow.
Blue had the stronger forward line, but Kurt Tippett (w) nabbed the first goal of the game. It was a smooth piece of play with David Mackay (w) streaming away from the ball in the centre, carrying the ball to 50, handballing to Jarrhan Jacky (w) who then passed to Tippett in the goal square. Tippett followed up with a set shot, and now had two quick goals under his belt.
The ball made a late arrival to Blue's forward line, although it was put into use with Nathan van Berlo (b) on the receiving end of Brent Reilly's (b) pass inside the 50. van Berlo steadied for a set shot and got a goal.
Jarrhan Jacky (w) was looking creative up forward for White, although with a quick snap across the goal front, the ball just squeezed through for a behind.
More so than last week, the ball was being worked around a lot and passes backwards to free players were not uncommon. Blue lost possession and White were able to move the ball quickly down to their end. The ball was there to be contested on ground and it was Mackay (w) who cleanly gathered and kicked an easy goal.
Jacky (w) continued to look sharp and cleverly stayed down from a pack to crumb the ball off the ground and finish with a goal. The next time the ball crept into White's forward line, Blue were able to intercept and clear the ball. Brent Reilly (b) scored the second major for blue, with a nice snap shot at goal.
Blue's impressive forward line of Sellar, McGregor, Porplyzia and Goodwin (presumably taking McLeod's role) needed to make an impact. Brett Burton was working up forward for blue, but not in the action of the game, giving advice from the goal square.
Jason Porplyzia (b) was the first scorer of Blue's assigned forward line, but missed from a tight angle. White worked the ball out of the centre and first year player, Taylor Walker (w), marked on the 50 before kicking long towards goal. Jacky (w) just missed the mark deep in the goal square and a behind was recorded.
van Berlo (b) continued to dominate for Blue, but wasn't having much luck in front of goal, missing from a set shot. Ken McGregor (b) kept the scoreboard ticking over and kicked truly from a set shot on the 50m line. Blue started to get the ball moving quickly from the centre and found Porplyzia (b) alone just inside 50, however he missed again. White played the counter attack and moved the ball quickly back down their end from the kick in. New recruit, Andy Otten (b), took the saving mark in the goal square.
Simon Goodwin (b) was delivered the ball out wide and then chose to kick inwards to van Berlo (b) who carried through with a goal. Blue got the clearance away at the centre ball up, but Proplyzia (b) again missed, his kick going travelling well wide. White worked the ball back down their end, but turned it over to Blue, although a highlight was a strong tackle from Jacky (w). Finishing off for the first game, van Berlo found the ball in his hands again but missed with a running shot at goal deep in the pocket.
Despite White dominating early Blue were able to work their way into the game and finish with the lead.
Score (20mins):
Blue - 4.4 28
White - 4.2 26
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Jonathon Griffin emerged from the rooms and was running some sprints with Cook and Kite. Hentschel (with his right knee not strapped) and Massie had also moved onto running but were going at a slower pace.
The drill between mini games was the same as last week. The ball was passed to two competing players in the 50, with the player who delivered the ball receiving a ball from the trainer and following through with a shot at goal. A player deep in the pocket received a ball from a trainer and passed across the face of goal to the opposite pocket. The player who receives the ball then runs down through the centre of the ground, ignoring a lead from a player on the wing who would continue running. That leading player would then eventually receive the ball at about the 50m line and have a shot at goal. Meanwhile, the ball would be brought in in the pocket, where this player would then kick long to a leading player on the wing. They would receive the ball and pass to another leading player and the cycle would start again.
Game 2
The White tops appeared from the centre as Neil Craig called his troops in for a pre match brief. Maric was handed the guernsey and lead Blue's ruck against Tippett in White. Mackay stood out in yellow as did Vince, again in red and Shirley in orange.
Blue's forward line was the same, Burton passing on advice to Sellar, Porplyzia, McGregor and Goodwin. They were pitted against Moran, Johncock, Rutten and Stevens for White. White's forward line consisted of Bock, Knights, Jacky and Walker at FF. On the other hand, Blue's backline was Otten, Campbell, Basset and Symes.
Jacky (w) started spectacularly for White, taking a mark from a huge leap, but his effort's were not rewarded as he hit the post from a tight angle about 10m in front. Blue were after a quick reply, although Moran (w) intercepted and looked to clear the ball, but turned the ball over with a woeful kick which landed in Porplyzia's (b) lap. Porplyzia converted for a goal.
Blue continued to attack with Goodwin (b) on the receiving end of a pass from the centre. Goodwin then dished off to van Berlo (b) but he missed from a set shot on a slight angle. Stevens (w) came up with the goods at the other end, kicking a goal on the goal line from Mackay's (w) pass.
White were gathering momentum, Bock (w) scored easily, running into an open goal. Goodwin (b) steadied the flow and converted from a set shot on a slight angle.
In the next throw up, Tippett (w) got crunched after several players fought over the ball and had to come off. There were no obvious signs of injury, leaving me to guess that perhaps he was winded. Subsequently, changes were made with McGregor moved into the ruck for White, rookie James Moss (b) was sent up forward and Moran also came off.
Jacky (w) continued to pose a threat up forward, having kicked a goal from the pocket after a clever pass from Bock (w). Doughty (b) attempted to get his name on the scoreboard but missed from a set shot. Blue were bale to regain possession of the ball, Sellar (b) taking a mark in front of Rutten (w), but mucked around with it too much and run out of time as the final whistle blew.
Score (20mins):
Blue - 2.2 14
White - 3.1 19
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Next was a bit of a surprise, as the players split up into two groups in each 50 of the ground for some goal kicking practice. There didn't appear to be any set drill, with most players having shots at goal.
Griffin, Dangerfield and Gill started running laps, incorporating short bursts of sprints into their steady pace. Jared Petrenko moved onto the bikes for a bit.
Johncock left the track at this point and Burton was also noted to be now inside. The rest of the main group limbered up with some stretching and jogging before proceeding to a familiar drill.
Three quarters of the ground was in use as Blue's aim is to score and White's to pass the ball to the trainer at the opposing end. Several players wore coloured tops, Jacky and Knights in orange, Thompson and Campbell in yellow and Vince in red. As last time, the defending team were forced to do ten push ups if the attacking team scored. Ball movement was a little slower; with players taking their time to ensure their team would stay in possession.
After a switch of the attacking and defensive sides it was time for a quick break, players breaking into a kick to kick across the oval.
The break was brief and the above drill resumed. This time rookie, Brodie Martin, was given the trainer's job of being the 'go-to' player for the defensive side.
Training wrapped up shortly afterwards with some players staying behind. Taylor Walker was kicking with a trainer and Porplyzia and Ed Curnow were goal kicking. In the centre of the ground, Moran, Thompson, van Berlo and Goodwin were working with Matthew Clarke on what appeared to be positioning around the centre circle. Their chat lasted a few minutes before everyone headed back to the rooms. Although van Berlo stayed out for a few more minutes with Clarke, going through his position at ball ups etc.
Overall, it was a fairly impressive two and a half training session and you should be able to see some photos from the club on their new website in March
EDIT: Pics are up.
With the first year players back from their induction camp at AFL headquarters in Melbourne, the group was larger today, meaning that the restricted group also grew a little. Nick Gill, carrying a right calf injury, Trent Hentschel, Kris Massie and Rhett Biglands were joined by first year players Myke Cook, Patrick Dangerfield, Aaron Kite and Jared Petrenko. They were put through their paces with Matthew Clarke, who came up with some interesting handball drills. Petrenko spent some time with a trainer running laps.
Greg Gallman was on the bike for the whole session and was later joined by Rhett Biglands and Luke Jericho, who has a bruised heal. Andrew McLeod did not take part in today's outdoor training session, nor did Tony Armstrong I think.
The first drill of the day was pretty laid back; the players were spread around the oval and were just kicking a couple of balls around. At one point they stopped and stretched and resumed with some tricky trainers trying to get in their way.
This was followed by a larger kick to kick with three main groups, half on either side of the oval.
Continuing preparation for the Round 1 NAB Cup clash against Collingwood in Dubai, which is less than a month away, a practice match soon got underway.
Game 1
A white board was brought out to the centre of the ground with Neil Craig and co running through positions and tactics. Brad Moran was given the Crows guernsey to shoulder Blue in the ruck against Scott Stevens for White. Today there was an array of coloured bibs handed out to several players, who appeared to attack for White. Bernie Vince was red with Chris Knights and Richard Douglas in yellow.
Blue had the stronger forward line, but Kurt Tippett (w) nabbed the first goal of the game. It was a smooth piece of play with David Mackay (w) streaming away from the ball in the centre, carrying the ball to 50, handballing to Jarrhan Jacky (w) who then passed to Tippett in the goal square. Tippett followed up with a set shot, and now had two quick goals under his belt.
The ball made a late arrival to Blue's forward line, although it was put into use with Nathan van Berlo (b) on the receiving end of Brent Reilly's (b) pass inside the 50. van Berlo steadied for a set shot and got a goal.
Jarrhan Jacky (w) was looking creative up forward for White, although with a quick snap across the goal front, the ball just squeezed through for a behind.
More so than last week, the ball was being worked around a lot and passes backwards to free players were not uncommon. Blue lost possession and White were able to move the ball quickly down to their end. The ball was there to be contested on ground and it was Mackay (w) who cleanly gathered and kicked an easy goal.
Jacky (w) continued to look sharp and cleverly stayed down from a pack to crumb the ball off the ground and finish with a goal. The next time the ball crept into White's forward line, Blue were able to intercept and clear the ball. Brent Reilly (b) scored the second major for blue, with a nice snap shot at goal.
Blue's impressive forward line of Sellar, McGregor, Porplyzia and Goodwin (presumably taking McLeod's role) needed to make an impact. Brett Burton was working up forward for blue, but not in the action of the game, giving advice from the goal square.
Jason Porplyzia (b) was the first scorer of Blue's assigned forward line, but missed from a tight angle. White worked the ball out of the centre and first year player, Taylor Walker (w), marked on the 50 before kicking long towards goal. Jacky (w) just missed the mark deep in the goal square and a behind was recorded.
van Berlo (b) continued to dominate for Blue, but wasn't having much luck in front of goal, missing from a set shot. Ken McGregor (b) kept the scoreboard ticking over and kicked truly from a set shot on the 50m line. Blue started to get the ball moving quickly from the centre and found Porplyzia (b) alone just inside 50, however he missed again. White played the counter attack and moved the ball quickly back down their end from the kick in. New recruit, Andy Otten (b), took the saving mark in the goal square.
Simon Goodwin (b) was delivered the ball out wide and then chose to kick inwards to van Berlo (b) who carried through with a goal. Blue got the clearance away at the centre ball up, but Proplyzia (b) again missed, his kick going travelling well wide. White worked the ball back down their end, but turned it over to Blue, although a highlight was a strong tackle from Jacky (w). Finishing off for the first game, van Berlo found the ball in his hands again but missed with a running shot at goal deep in the pocket.
Despite White dominating early Blue were able to work their way into the game and finish with the lead.
Score (20mins):
Blue - 4.4 28
White - 4.2 26
----------
Jonathon Griffin emerged from the rooms and was running some sprints with Cook and Kite. Hentschel (with his right knee not strapped) and Massie had also moved onto running but were going at a slower pace.
The drill between mini games was the same as last week. The ball was passed to two competing players in the 50, with the player who delivered the ball receiving a ball from the trainer and following through with a shot at goal. A player deep in the pocket received a ball from a trainer and passed across the face of goal to the opposite pocket. The player who receives the ball then runs down through the centre of the ground, ignoring a lead from a player on the wing who would continue running. That leading player would then eventually receive the ball at about the 50m line and have a shot at goal. Meanwhile, the ball would be brought in in the pocket, where this player would then kick long to a leading player on the wing. They would receive the ball and pass to another leading player and the cycle would start again.
Game 2
The White tops appeared from the centre as Neil Craig called his troops in for a pre match brief. Maric was handed the guernsey and lead Blue's ruck against Tippett in White. Mackay stood out in yellow as did Vince, again in red and Shirley in orange.
Blue's forward line was the same, Burton passing on advice to Sellar, Porplyzia, McGregor and Goodwin. They were pitted against Moran, Johncock, Rutten and Stevens for White. White's forward line consisted of Bock, Knights, Jacky and Walker at FF. On the other hand, Blue's backline was Otten, Campbell, Basset and Symes.
Jacky (w) started spectacularly for White, taking a mark from a huge leap, but his effort's were not rewarded as he hit the post from a tight angle about 10m in front. Blue were after a quick reply, although Moran (w) intercepted and looked to clear the ball, but turned the ball over with a woeful kick which landed in Porplyzia's (b) lap. Porplyzia converted for a goal.
Blue continued to attack with Goodwin (b) on the receiving end of a pass from the centre. Goodwin then dished off to van Berlo (b) but he missed from a set shot on a slight angle. Stevens (w) came up with the goods at the other end, kicking a goal on the goal line from Mackay's (w) pass.
White were gathering momentum, Bock (w) scored easily, running into an open goal. Goodwin (b) steadied the flow and converted from a set shot on a slight angle.
In the next throw up, Tippett (w) got crunched after several players fought over the ball and had to come off. There were no obvious signs of injury, leaving me to guess that perhaps he was winded. Subsequently, changes were made with McGregor moved into the ruck for White, rookie James Moss (b) was sent up forward and Moran also came off.
Jacky (w) continued to pose a threat up forward, having kicked a goal from the pocket after a clever pass from Bock (w). Doughty (b) attempted to get his name on the scoreboard but missed from a set shot. Blue were bale to regain possession of the ball, Sellar (b) taking a mark in front of Rutten (w), but mucked around with it too much and run out of time as the final whistle blew.
Score (20mins):
Blue - 2.2 14
White - 3.1 19
--------------
Next was a bit of a surprise, as the players split up into two groups in each 50 of the ground for some goal kicking practice. There didn't appear to be any set drill, with most players having shots at goal.
Griffin, Dangerfield and Gill started running laps, incorporating short bursts of sprints into their steady pace. Jared Petrenko moved onto the bikes for a bit.
Johncock left the track at this point and Burton was also noted to be now inside. The rest of the main group limbered up with some stretching and jogging before proceeding to a familiar drill.
Three quarters of the ground was in use as Blue's aim is to score and White's to pass the ball to the trainer at the opposing end. Several players wore coloured tops, Jacky and Knights in orange, Thompson and Campbell in yellow and Vince in red. As last time, the defending team were forced to do ten push ups if the attacking team scored. Ball movement was a little slower; with players taking their time to ensure their team would stay in possession.
After a switch of the attacking and defensive sides it was time for a quick break, players breaking into a kick to kick across the oval.
The break was brief and the above drill resumed. This time rookie, Brodie Martin, was given the trainer's job of being the 'go-to' player for the defensive side.
Training wrapped up shortly afterwards with some players staying behind. Taylor Walker was kicking with a trainer and Porplyzia and Ed Curnow were goal kicking. In the centre of the ground, Moran, Thompson, van Berlo and Goodwin were working with Matthew Clarke on what appeared to be positioning around the centre circle. Their chat lasted a few minutes before everyone headed back to the rooms. Although van Berlo stayed out for a few more minutes with Clarke, going through his position at ball ups etc.
Overall, it was a fairly impressive two and a half training session and you should be able to see some photos from the club on their new website in March
EDIT: Pics are up.
. No wonder we have closed sessions
