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I ventured down to training tonight (my wife who is due to give birth in 2 days suggested we pop down for a look...what a woman!...giving serious thought to naming the little fella Mark Rupert) to see how preparation was going for the Brisbane game...
The major point of interest was of course the Roo. As posted in the Roo thread, he looked great considering it was his first main session for some time...compared to his recent playing performances his mobility/agility, pace off the mark, and ball work are all up to scratch. At one point he became the defensive player in a close-in handball/evasion drill...while the others generally were at 75% when defending Roo laid a couple of crunching bumps lifting the training intensity immediately...he means business and if he pulls up well from tonight then he will surely play!
Knights also completed the session and showed no ill effects from his back injury.
Also had a good look at Meesen. He has a 'certain something', covers the ground very well despite his awkward running style, good skills but i am yet to decide whether he is lazy or 'laconic'. I am hoping there is simply a touch of the Mark Waugh's about him, with his high skill level for a guy his size coming across as almost too easy, giving the appearance he is lacking intensity. Still nowhere near strong enough, almost an oversized wingman, but a good prospect. Both he and Griff need to gain 5+kg this off-season, even with clever use of the body they simply are not big enough. Cannot wait to see him action again this week.
Watching the goalkicking with interest, expecting that with the lack of match-day pressure the accuracy would be far better. Unfortunately it wasn't the case. So many misses and so many mis-kicks, really disappointed with the skill level of many players in front of goal. Gill of course was practicing hard and did not stand out as worse than most of the others...dunno if thats a good or bad thing
. Mattner an interesting one...terrible set shot but when kicking around his body or on the run was highly skilled. Knights practiced multiple shots on the run from 35-40m out near the end of the session...powerful leg, no distance issue but i swear no two kicks followed the same trajectory or spin, has some major inherent flaws in his kick, i just hope he can improve it in the off season. Campbell the other guy that i noticed around goal in the 'junk time' at the end of the session, was kicking them from everywhere. There is no room in the side at present but i seriously hold out hope he is Bode's successor.
Other random musings...
Porps...stickiest hands in the business. At one point he was passed the ball and instead of marking it conventionally or even with a one-handed open palm, he put his hand toward the ball like a suction cap Kouta style as it gravitated straight in...clunk!
Tippett (unlike Griff and Meesen) has a great physique. Spent most of the session running laps but his standing skills work and goalkicking looked reasonable for a guy with limited footy background.
Hentschel...dunno what the apparatus is but Mackay was throwing balls onto the 'bouncy net thingo' which then rebounded at all angles, at pace. Hentschel was standing only a metre or so from the apparatus and took the ball with ease, half the time one handed. His ball skill/handling way better than 95% of the other players. Gee i hope his knee comes good cos in footy terms i dont think he will take too long to regain touch...absolute natural.
Gallman...first time i have seen him. Good size and athleticism, very good foot skills. Didn't look out of place at all, though was berated by Craigy after fumbling a handball receive!
Sellar...i can see why we picked him up, great skills and athleticism. Goos intensity on the track. How tall is he now? Would not surprise if he become an AA ruckman one day, though i hope he answers our forward woes.
Well, thats it for now...cannot wait to see Roo lead us to victory this week!
The major point of interest was of course the Roo. As posted in the Roo thread, he looked great considering it was his first main session for some time...compared to his recent playing performances his mobility/agility, pace off the mark, and ball work are all up to scratch. At one point he became the defensive player in a close-in handball/evasion drill...while the others generally were at 75% when defending Roo laid a couple of crunching bumps lifting the training intensity immediately...he means business and if he pulls up well from tonight then he will surely play!
Knights also completed the session and showed no ill effects from his back injury.
Also had a good look at Meesen. He has a 'certain something', covers the ground very well despite his awkward running style, good skills but i am yet to decide whether he is lazy or 'laconic'. I am hoping there is simply a touch of the Mark Waugh's about him, with his high skill level for a guy his size coming across as almost too easy, giving the appearance he is lacking intensity. Still nowhere near strong enough, almost an oversized wingman, but a good prospect. Both he and Griff need to gain 5+kg this off-season, even with clever use of the body they simply are not big enough. Cannot wait to see him action again this week.
Watching the goalkicking with interest, expecting that with the lack of match-day pressure the accuracy would be far better. Unfortunately it wasn't the case. So many misses and so many mis-kicks, really disappointed with the skill level of many players in front of goal. Gill of course was practicing hard and did not stand out as worse than most of the others...dunno if thats a good or bad thing
. Mattner an interesting one...terrible set shot but when kicking around his body or on the run was highly skilled. Knights practiced multiple shots on the run from 35-40m out near the end of the session...powerful leg, no distance issue but i swear no two kicks followed the same trajectory or spin, has some major inherent flaws in his kick, i just hope he can improve it in the off season. Campbell the other guy that i noticed around goal in the 'junk time' at the end of the session, was kicking them from everywhere. There is no room in the side at present but i seriously hold out hope he is Bode's successor.Other random musings...
Porps...stickiest hands in the business. At one point he was passed the ball and instead of marking it conventionally or even with a one-handed open palm, he put his hand toward the ball like a suction cap Kouta style as it gravitated straight in...clunk!
Tippett (unlike Griff and Meesen) has a great physique. Spent most of the session running laps but his standing skills work and goalkicking looked reasonable for a guy with limited footy background.
Hentschel...dunno what the apparatus is but Mackay was throwing balls onto the 'bouncy net thingo' which then rebounded at all angles, at pace. Hentschel was standing only a metre or so from the apparatus and took the ball with ease, half the time one handed. His ball skill/handling way better than 95% of the other players. Gee i hope his knee comes good cos in footy terms i dont think he will take too long to regain touch...absolute natural.
Gallman...first time i have seen him. Good size and athleticism, very good foot skills. Didn't look out of place at all, though was berated by Craigy after fumbling a handball receive!
Sellar...i can see why we picked him up, great skills and athleticism. Goos intensity on the track. How tall is he now? Would not surprise if he become an AA ruckman one day, though i hope he answers our forward woes.
Well, thats it for now...cannot wait to see Roo lead us to victory this week!
Interesting to hear about the goal kicking. As that is one point that has let us down since the Ayres era, one would think they'd spend a fair amount of time on it.
