Training 16/01/09

[Colin D'Cops]

Waking up after viewing and posting a bit too much on here last night, getting up this morning was a bit of a struggle. Put the alarm on for 7, got up at 7:15 then left the house by 7:30 to arrive just before 8.

When I got to La Trobe, just before training, the players were doing some kick to kick drills. Just a casual warm-up. Then the coaches called them in to instruct them what was going to eventuate throughout the morning. After that, they were off.

The mod group, the group that didn't participate in most/if not all training drills, consisted of Gumbleton, Pears, Prismall, Carroll, Winders & Laycock.

They ran a lap, with some bouncing the footballs of course. They then proceeded at the completition of that warm-up to start some handballing drills. Many used their voice, but Lloyd & McVeigh in particular were using their voice more so than others. Really stamped their authority in that excercise.

They than proceeded to do a kicking drill, where there were four stations you have to move to, in a square shape fashion. The main standouts throughout this excercise were Jetta, Slattery & Lonergan. Not only did they hit most of their targets, but once they got rid of the ball they showed great dash.

Bellchambers was quite impressive throughout the morning I thought. Hit most of his targets by foot, has transformed some puppy fat into some muscle and his work below his knees were above average. He'll be hotly contesting that 2nd ruck role against Laycock me thinks.

Dempsey was solid throughout the morning but nothing overly flash. Did all the drills, looked like he had put a bit of extra muscle on which you will see in a photo I'll post later, and still has that good pace off the mark.

Quinn, our prized Irish recruit, looked at home in the Essendon guernsey and got plenty of encouragement from his teammates throughout the morning, especially from Lloyd, Myers & Lucas. Showed great bursts of speed, has improved his kicking technique a little from the end of last year but he still needs plenty of work on his skills and touch in general.

Lovett was above average this morning, showed his usual bursts of pace and generally hit his targets throughout the session. Was quite vocal throughout the morning and is showing signs of getting back into some career best form.

Will post photos later in the evening, so stay tuned for them.


If you have any questions, feel free to ask me and I'll try my best to answer it as detailed & as honest as possible.

 

[Skeeta Olly]

Nice report GS, appreciate it.

A couple of things.

1. How are Winders and Prismall going? I do realize you said they trained in the modified group, but what drills did they end up participating in that would have tested either their back (Winders) or Knee (Prismall). (running, short sprint at a reasonable %, etc)

2. How is Stanton going? During the preseason before Christmas, he was getting really involved, showing leadership and quote the heraldsun "training the house down".

 

[Colin D'Cops]

1. How are Winders and Prismall going?

2. How is Stanton going?

Winders was doing repeat sprints and Prismall was jogging for the majority of the session. Both looked quite impressive actually, doesn't look like they're too far away from participating in most/if not all the drills.

With Stanton, to be completely honest, I didn't spot him out there. I was looking around the park to see where he was but couldn't spot him. Either he was a player always on the other side of the oval or he just wasn't at training this morning, I'm not sure.

 

[Lance Uppercut]

do we know why Gumby is back in the Mod Group? Hopefully just precautionary?

 

[Colin D'Cops]

I'm not a hundred percent sure, but Gumby looked to be moving freely, so I'm guessing the staff are carefully managing his workload. Which is understandable given his recent injury history.

 

[Smyth94]

do we know why Gumby is back in the Mod Group? Hopefully just precautionary?

I'd assume its precautionary, he's completed most of the training sessions so I'd imagine the fitness staff would be easing him up a little throughout the pre-season

 

[Lotch]

The mod group, the group that didn't participate in most/if not all training drills, consisted of Gumbleton, Pears, Prismall, Carroll, Winders & Laycock.

They ran a lap, with some bouncing the footballs of course. They then proceeded at the completition of that warm-up to start some handballing drills. Many used their voice, but Lloyd & McVeigh in particular were using their voice more so than others. Really stamped their authority in that excercise.

Bellchambers was quite impressive throughout the morning I thought. Hit most of his targets by foot, has transformed some puppy fat into some muscle and his work below his knees were above average. He'll be hotly contesting that 2nd ruck role against Laycock me thinks.

Lovett was above average this morning, showed his usual bursts of pace and generally hit his targets throughout the session. Was quite vocal throughout the morning and is showing signs of getting back into some career best form.

Thanks for the report Source

Once again glad to see Spike's leadership qualities. Your thoughts on Bellchambers are the same as mine - Competition for second ruck should put pressure on Laycock to improve.

Sounds like Lovett can bounce back and get to his best... even kick a few goals next year.

Also wondering why Gumby is back in mod group and how did Myers and Houli train?

 

[Beerfish]

Nice one buddy. Up on the board so quick too. What service! Cheers.

 

[Colin D'Cops]

Also wondering why Gumby is back in mod group and how did Myers and Houli train?

I think they're just managing Gumby's workload very closely this preseason because of his recent injury history, but he also missed the last training session I went to (late Dec) so I'm a little worried. There were whispers at the ground this morning that Gumby's hamstring is a little tight from a few people standing nearby, but they're just on-lookers as well so I wouldn't take that as gospel.

Myers trained well, was using his voice a fair bit like most and showed some leadership qualities with some of the young kids, giving them encouragement and showing them a few tricks of the trade.

Houli was a little cheeky this morning, O'Donnell told him off a few times to put the ball down whilst the coaches were still talking/setting up, but he also trained very well. Nothing flash, but very solid.

 

[Wahooti Fandango]

Great work GS. How did Winders look? Did it look as though he is well on the way to full recovery?

 

[Colin D'Cops]

How did Winders look? Did it look as though he is well on the way to full recovery?

Winders looked physically sound, but he didn't participate in any of the drills. Was doing repeat sprints for the majority of the session. He looks close to resuming full training, but not as close as say within a fortnight. Should be raring to go in a fortnights time I reckon.

 

[Wahooti Fandango]

Winders looked physically sound, but he didn't participate in any of the drills. Was doing repeat sprints for the majority of the session. He looks close to resuming full training, but not as close as say within a fortnight. Should be raring to go in a fortnights time I reckon.

Good to hear.

 

[The Donners]

Thanks GS for that report and I love your enthusiasm at lighting the match at both ends (is that the right saying? )!

Question, why is Gumby doing modified training?

 

[bomber69]

Cheers for the report GS, how was Mcveigh moving? Does he look to be over the toe injury? And was Lonergan (my new adoptee) training well? I know you gave us that little snippet of his kicking drill, but anything extra that you havn't mentioned would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Burzum]

Great report GS

 

[Bomberlicious]

Great stuff, GS.

Good to hear about Bellchambers - I was most impressed with his efforts late last year, here's hoping he can kick on & give Laycock the boot up the bum he needs.

 

[ghostdog]

Cheers for the report GS.
Good to hear McVeigh giving a strong voice. Thinking about that in context with his comments on Hurley = leadership aspirations me thinks, and that's awesome.
Also good to read the news on Bellchambers' progress.

 

[daffo]

Quick question on McVeigh. I noticed that he wasn't in the mod group. Does this mean he is going through all the drills etc? how is his speed/fitness going?

Thanks for the report.

 

[Colin D'Cops]

Question, why is Gumby doing modified training?

I think they're just managing Gumby's workload very closely this preseason because of his recent injury history, but he also missed the last training session I went to (late Dec) so I'm a little worried. There were whispers at the ground this morning that Gumby's hamstring is a little tight from a few people standing nearby, but they're just on-lookers as well so I wouldn't take that as gospel.

Answer above.

 

[Colin D'Cops]

Quick question on McVeigh. I noticed that he wasn't in the mod group. Does this mean he is going through all the drills etc? how is his speed/fitness going?

He basically trains the way he feels like at the time. One moment he's participating in the main group, then in the next half an hour or so he'll switch to running repeat sprints. He didn't want to overwork/push the boundaries, maybe the staff are closely monitoring his hamstring, don't want anything to snap again there or his career could be in danger.

He still seems to have a spring in his step but a slight fitness query is above his head. Should be fit after a NAB Cup game or two though, he knows his limits and his body in general.

 

[Colin D'Cops]

...how was Mcveigh moving? And was Lonergan (my new adoptee) training well? I know you gave us that little snippet of his kicking drill, but anything extra that you havn't mentioned would be greatly appreciated.

He basically trains the way he feels like at the time. One moment he's participating in the main group, then in the next half an hour or so he'll switch to running repeat sprints. He didn't want to overwork/push the boundaries, maybe the staff are closely monitoring his hamstring, don't want anything to snap again there or his career could be in danger.

He still seems to have a spring in his step but a slight fitness query is above his head. Should be fit after a NAB Cup game or two though, he knows his limits and his body in general.

Lonergan would have to be included in the top five best performers this morning without a doubt.

Maintained his high intensity in most excercises and loves the contest, even though it's still only training. I've got high hopes for him this year, could be that one that takes that next step from an above average young gun to an elite footballer. Will be a good one to follow throughout the year.

 

[kelvin_sheedy]

Gumby had hamstring tightness a few weeks ago.

 

[Hirdy_5]

Thanks GS,

How was Mcphee and Welsh looking ? Good to hear about Bellchambers and Lovett, sounds promising.

 

[Giggidy Giggidy]

Thanks GS, nice work!

Great to hear that Leroy was a standout in the kicking drill and showed the commitment/endurance to back up his efforts after disposal. Does he look like he's put on any bulk? Would be great to see him rotate through the middle this year, but needs more size or he'll often get pushed around too easily.

Good news about Bellchambers, but I would still suspect that Laycock is a fair way ahead in the immediate future. Look forward to him making a big impact in a couple of years time though.

Hoping and praying that Gumby in the mod group is just precautionary..... would hate for him to miss out on a full preparation again in 2009

 

[tristo]

Thanks GS, top stuff.

Any news on Watson, Welsh, Houli?