Players were out right on time for this morning's main training session of the week, getting out onto Max Basheer Reserve at 8.45am.
Today the main group started with some stretching, jogging and more stretching. Their first drill focused on handballing and adverting opposing players. Two defenders were positioned inside a marked square and would have to try and intervene the ball as it was moved around by they other players, mainly situated at each corner.
Whilst this was all going on, the restricted group spent some time going over their skills. Today the group was formed by Armstrong, Biglands, Gallman, Cook, Petrenko, Hentschel and Moss. Throughout the session different players would move onto different tasks, whether it be jogging, skills and more on hands ball work such as marking.
Back to the main group, they moved onto their usual kick to kick followed by kicking the ball around the ground to anyone.
Once their warm up was complete they broke up into two separate groups. Each group was split up into white and blue and split again, as only half the players would contest the ball. They were working within a set space, about a large rectangle, and the ball would be thrown up with the aim to handpass the ball around without turning it over.
Young Dangerfield stepped out of this drill and received some work done on his right hamstring. Also whilst this drill was going on, Gill and Jericho were working in the 50. Gill was mainly focusing on picking up the ball off the ground outside 50 and delivering into Jericho making a lead. Hentschel, Cook and Petrenko were jogging laps.
Next up was a 'trial' game:
Game 1
As we edge closer and closer to our first competitive hit out for the season, this mini game was not taken light heartedly with the introduction of an umpire.
White's forward line up was Griffin, Walker, Tippett and Edwards who were pitted against Blue's Basset, Rutten, Bock and Curnow (with players corresponding to their opponent eg. Griffin and Basset).
Blue's forward line was also a good mix of Sellar, McGregor, Burton and Thompson with Moran, Massie, McLeod and Doughty their respective opponents for White.
Maric slipped into the guernsey in the ruck for Blue and Stevens was in White against him.
Several players also wore coloured tops for blue, Goodwin in green, Douglas in orange, Porplyzia in yellow, van Berlo in orange and Symes in red.
The ball was delivered quickly into Blue's forward line, although Rutten's (w) class and extensive experience of the game, lead him forward of the ball in front of Walker (b).
Players were kept on their toes' early as the ball moved around for a while, spending time through the centre where both teams found it hard to find a break into their forward line. Thompson (b) eventually collected for Blue after a poor turnover from McLeod (w), although he missed from a set shot.
McGregor (b) had the next scoring opportunity, but missed from a quick snap at goal.
Broken Hill lad, Taylor Walker (w), scored the first major of the game. He goaled from a quick pass inside 50 on the run. He was also granted the next scoring opportunity of the game, receiving a free for a push in the back, he missed from a set shot on a slight angle.
Thompson (b) was back in the thick of things for Blue, he received a free kick and an additional 50 metres after Doughty (w) ran over the mark. Although he only converted a point off a horrible kick.
White were having more trouble getting the ball inside 50 than Blue, but overall kicking for both sides wasn't very direct and it reflected on the scoreboard.
Blue - 0.3 3
White - 1.0 6
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After a short break where the players converged in the centre of the ground for a run down, play resumed with some slight changes to both sides.
Game 2
White ventured in with a similar forward line as before with Edwards, Walker, Tippett and Vince who were manned by Blue's Curnow, Moran, Bock and McLeod.
Kicking goals for Blue were Burton, Rutten, Thompson and McGregor (who did come off part way through and was replaced by Kite) against Campbell, Sellar, Doughty and Massie for White.
Maric retained his spot for Blue in the ruck but went head to head with Griffin from White.
It was Maric (b) who got he ball rolling nicely for Blue, converting from a set shot on a far wing just minutes into the game.
As the ball threatened White's defence, Griffin (w) snuck back to lend a hand and block up some space.
Otten (w) showed his agility, dodging a couple of tackles and finding space to carry through with a disposal.
Burton (b) eventually took a juggling mark in scoring distance of goal, but chose to pass to Porplyzia (b) in the centre of the ground who finished with a goal.
Blue were clearing the ball well from the centre, Porplyzia (b), van Berlo (b) and Symes (b) were working well at the feet of Maric. For White, Mackay amongst the action.
The ball again found itself down Blue's end, Burton (b) unleashed some of his signature to flair to keep the ball inside the boundary and dish off to Douglas (b) for a shot on the run. Douglas had run a long way to receive the ball and missed with his shot.
Kite then changed jumpers and pulled on a White top and positioned himself up forward against Moran (b). Moran (b) was able to get away and deliver the ball into Blue’s goal square after streaming down the wing to free himself up. After the contest in the goal square, the ball was returned to the centre for a ball p even though no score had been recorded.
Porplyzia (b) continued to present well and kicked a quick goal for Blue. Basset (b) has no hesitations in moving up the ground to help out at around CHF for Blue.
The game was brought to a close and a whiteboard was presented to the players, perhaps to remind them of the planned tactics.
This game was a little for free moving and throw ins and ball ups were at a minimum.
Blue - 3.1 19
White - 0.1 1
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The main group then moved on to a drill and Cook, Hentschel and Gill from the restricted group, pulled on a white top each and took up a defending role. The ball would begin in the pocket where it would be kicked across the face of goal to a leading player, a player then leads towards the 50 metre line on the wing and receives the ball. They then look inboard, where a player would have to contend with Hentschel, before they passed down the centre to either Burton, Griffin or Tippett on the 50. They then pass on to a player leading into the pocket who takes a running shot at goal. The ball was worked back basically the same way, but was kept more in the centre of the ground. Although down the other end, Sellar and Gill were going head to head to contest the ball. Later on Kite, Jericho and Walker were going against each other.
Hentschel came off briefly and returned with his knee strapping removed, but then returned to the rooms at the completion of this drill.
They players moved on to the next drill, which appeared to be centred around goal kicking, but as on Monday, I missed most of it as my mum and I had a chat with David (afccomau).
Next up it was White v Blue, but this drill involved only 3/4 of the ground. It was the same drill which the players have completed over the past few weeks, where one team is scoring and the other defending.
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Another 'mini game' then got underway, again with Maric and Griffin in the ruck although they would alternate playing for Blue and White. I missed most of this too as David came around for another chat. But I was able to gather a few things. Various changes were made to the previous teams and the ball was sometimes returned to the centre even if a score had not been recorded. Assistant coach, Peter Jonas, was having a few kicks for White on the 50, generally just receiving the ball, before bombing away into White's attack.
Otten (w) snuck forward for White and gained the ball from Walker and averted a Rutten (b) tackle before having a snap shot at goal deep in the pocket. Unfortunately, his effort was only partially awarded as the ball hit the right point post.
Jacky (b) tried to convert from tight in the pocket, but missed to the right for a point.
Douglas (b) kicked a good goal from the run on the 50 metre line, after another good run down the centre.
Mackay (b) was again, looking sharp in the centre and Reilly (b) kept the scoreboard ticking over for Blue, slotting a nice goal through on the run.
---
At this point, Stevens left the field and another 3/4 game begun, although tis one was a little different. At the ball ups in the centre, the White midfielders would lie on the ground and once Blue had cleared the ball away, uncontested, White would get up. Once the ball was worked into Blue's goal square, they would then try to work it back to the opposing 50 metre line.
Things then started to settle down, the players going through a running kick to kick. They originally started with three groups, before moving into two large bunches at either side of the ground with several balls going at once.
Afterwards, Thompson, Tippett and Maric all had set shots in front of their peers before most players were called in for an extensive chat. Most players then headed back to the rooms.
Quite a few players stayed behind with Sellar, Burton, Jacky, Moran, Maric, Thompson and Knights all fine tuning their goal kicking. Griffin was working with ruck coach, Matthew Clarke, on around the ground ruck work. They appeared to be focusing on positioning. Sellar and Griffin also took turns at working on their tackling with several trainers.
So that's about it for today's session which went for about two and a half to three hours
Some pics will be up shortly, and I'll work on something about the draftees (I've been keeping Campbell's Chunky waiting).
Today the main group started with some stretching, jogging and more stretching. Their first drill focused on handballing and adverting opposing players. Two defenders were positioned inside a marked square and would have to try and intervene the ball as it was moved around by they other players, mainly situated at each corner.
Whilst this was all going on, the restricted group spent some time going over their skills. Today the group was formed by Armstrong, Biglands, Gallman, Cook, Petrenko, Hentschel and Moss. Throughout the session different players would move onto different tasks, whether it be jogging, skills and more on hands ball work such as marking.
Back to the main group, they moved onto their usual kick to kick followed by kicking the ball around the ground to anyone.
Once their warm up was complete they broke up into two separate groups. Each group was split up into white and blue and split again, as only half the players would contest the ball. They were working within a set space, about a large rectangle, and the ball would be thrown up with the aim to handpass the ball around without turning it over.
Young Dangerfield stepped out of this drill and received some work done on his right hamstring. Also whilst this drill was going on, Gill and Jericho were working in the 50. Gill was mainly focusing on picking up the ball off the ground outside 50 and delivering into Jericho making a lead. Hentschel, Cook and Petrenko were jogging laps.
Next up was a 'trial' game:
Game 1
As we edge closer and closer to our first competitive hit out for the season, this mini game was not taken light heartedly with the introduction of an umpire.
White's forward line up was Griffin, Walker, Tippett and Edwards who were pitted against Blue's Basset, Rutten, Bock and Curnow (with players corresponding to their opponent eg. Griffin and Basset).
Blue's forward line was also a good mix of Sellar, McGregor, Burton and Thompson with Moran, Massie, McLeod and Doughty their respective opponents for White.
Maric slipped into the guernsey in the ruck for Blue and Stevens was in White against him.
Several players also wore coloured tops for blue, Goodwin in green, Douglas in orange, Porplyzia in yellow, van Berlo in orange and Symes in red.
The ball was delivered quickly into Blue's forward line, although Rutten's (w) class and extensive experience of the game, lead him forward of the ball in front of Walker (b).
Players were kept on their toes' early as the ball moved around for a while, spending time through the centre where both teams found it hard to find a break into their forward line. Thompson (b) eventually collected for Blue after a poor turnover from McLeod (w), although he missed from a set shot.
McGregor (b) had the next scoring opportunity, but missed from a quick snap at goal.
Broken Hill lad, Taylor Walker (w), scored the first major of the game. He goaled from a quick pass inside 50 on the run. He was also granted the next scoring opportunity of the game, receiving a free for a push in the back, he missed from a set shot on a slight angle.
Thompson (b) was back in the thick of things for Blue, he received a free kick and an additional 50 metres after Doughty (w) ran over the mark. Although he only converted a point off a horrible kick.
White were having more trouble getting the ball inside 50 than Blue, but overall kicking for both sides wasn't very direct and it reflected on the scoreboard.
Blue - 0.3 3
White - 1.0 6
---
After a short break where the players converged in the centre of the ground for a run down, play resumed with some slight changes to both sides.
Game 2
White ventured in with a similar forward line as before with Edwards, Walker, Tippett and Vince who were manned by Blue's Curnow, Moran, Bock and McLeod.
Kicking goals for Blue were Burton, Rutten, Thompson and McGregor (who did come off part way through and was replaced by Kite) against Campbell, Sellar, Doughty and Massie for White.
Maric retained his spot for Blue in the ruck but went head to head with Griffin from White.
It was Maric (b) who got he ball rolling nicely for Blue, converting from a set shot on a far wing just minutes into the game.
As the ball threatened White's defence, Griffin (w) snuck back to lend a hand and block up some space.
Otten (w) showed his agility, dodging a couple of tackles and finding space to carry through with a disposal.
Burton (b) eventually took a juggling mark in scoring distance of goal, but chose to pass to Porplyzia (b) in the centre of the ground who finished with a goal.
Blue were clearing the ball well from the centre, Porplyzia (b), van Berlo (b) and Symes (b) were working well at the feet of Maric. For White, Mackay amongst the action.
The ball again found itself down Blue's end, Burton (b) unleashed some of his signature to flair to keep the ball inside the boundary and dish off to Douglas (b) for a shot on the run. Douglas had run a long way to receive the ball and missed with his shot.
Kite then changed jumpers and pulled on a White top and positioned himself up forward against Moran (b). Moran (b) was able to get away and deliver the ball into Blue’s goal square after streaming down the wing to free himself up. After the contest in the goal square, the ball was returned to the centre for a ball p even though no score had been recorded.
Porplyzia (b) continued to present well and kicked a quick goal for Blue. Basset (b) has no hesitations in moving up the ground to help out at around CHF for Blue.
The game was brought to a close and a whiteboard was presented to the players, perhaps to remind them of the planned tactics.
This game was a little for free moving and throw ins and ball ups were at a minimum.
Blue - 3.1 19
White - 0.1 1
---
The main group then moved on to a drill and Cook, Hentschel and Gill from the restricted group, pulled on a white top each and took up a defending role. The ball would begin in the pocket where it would be kicked across the face of goal to a leading player, a player then leads towards the 50 metre line on the wing and receives the ball. They then look inboard, where a player would have to contend with Hentschel, before they passed down the centre to either Burton, Griffin or Tippett on the 50. They then pass on to a player leading into the pocket who takes a running shot at goal. The ball was worked back basically the same way, but was kept more in the centre of the ground. Although down the other end, Sellar and Gill were going head to head to contest the ball. Later on Kite, Jericho and Walker were going against each other.
Hentschel came off briefly and returned with his knee strapping removed, but then returned to the rooms at the completion of this drill.
They players moved on to the next drill, which appeared to be centred around goal kicking, but as on Monday, I missed most of it as my mum and I had a chat with David (afccomau).
Next up it was White v Blue, but this drill involved only 3/4 of the ground. It was the same drill which the players have completed over the past few weeks, where one team is scoring and the other defending.
---
Another 'mini game' then got underway, again with Maric and Griffin in the ruck although they would alternate playing for Blue and White. I missed most of this too as David came around for another chat. But I was able to gather a few things. Various changes were made to the previous teams and the ball was sometimes returned to the centre even if a score had not been recorded. Assistant coach, Peter Jonas, was having a few kicks for White on the 50, generally just receiving the ball, before bombing away into White's attack.
Otten (w) snuck forward for White and gained the ball from Walker and averted a Rutten (b) tackle before having a snap shot at goal deep in the pocket. Unfortunately, his effort was only partially awarded as the ball hit the right point post.
Jacky (b) tried to convert from tight in the pocket, but missed to the right for a point.
Douglas (b) kicked a good goal from the run on the 50 metre line, after another good run down the centre.
Mackay (b) was again, looking sharp in the centre and Reilly (b) kept the scoreboard ticking over for Blue, slotting a nice goal through on the run.
---
At this point, Stevens left the field and another 3/4 game begun, although tis one was a little different. At the ball ups in the centre, the White midfielders would lie on the ground and once Blue had cleared the ball away, uncontested, White would get up. Once the ball was worked into Blue's goal square, they would then try to work it back to the opposing 50 metre line.
Things then started to settle down, the players going through a running kick to kick. They originally started with three groups, before moving into two large bunches at either side of the ground with several balls going at once.
Afterwards, Thompson, Tippett and Maric all had set shots in front of their peers before most players were called in for an extensive chat. Most players then headed back to the rooms.
Quite a few players stayed behind with Sellar, Burton, Jacky, Moran, Maric, Thompson and Knights all fine tuning their goal kicking. Griffin was working with ruck coach, Matthew Clarke, on around the ground ruck work. They appeared to be focusing on positioning. Sellar and Griffin also took turns at working on their tackling with several trainers.
So that's about it for today's session which went for about two and a half to three hours
Some pics will be up shortly, and I'll work on something about the draftees (I've been keeping Campbell's Chunky waiting).
