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) I found a report on today's training session.
It was only a small part of today's training but the part that stood out for me was the 4 on 4 handball drill with teams alternating possession over about 30 to 40 metres. It was seriously tough and brought applause from the coaching staff at its conclusion.
Brilliant performers were Carrazzo, Benchy, Walks and Bower. Crunching tackles were applied by Kennedy and Benchy whilst Aisake showed a bit of the sleeping mongrel when someone manhandled him and got more than he bargained for in return.
The session started with an impressive speed session - back and forth across the rugby field in groups of 5. This is pretty regular feature of training these days and the boys are looking damn fast. Even former slowcoaches like Teague and Blackie are running fast.
TD then took charge for a bit of close range handball and short kicking in lines.
Kicking and running across the centre square followed with the players initially positioned at the 8 points of a #. The quality of running from the speed session is clearly evident in this activity.
Then the 4 on 4 handball work - worth more applausebecause the intensity was outstanding.
The team then split into 2 groups (at either end) with the ball being kicked high to various one on one contests and the smaller guys running to crumb. I watched at the Legends end to get a break from the sun and was captivated by the performance of Hampson who marked everything that came within reach and completely dominated Waite whether playing as the forward or the defender. Aisake was also fairly impressive as a defensive combatant - great reach and an awkward guy to out position.
End to end (limited physical contact) match practice again focused on speed and accuracy of ball movement. Carrazzo excelled in both areas with some excellent foot passes. Hampson and Jacobs took some nice marks. Walker was very active in the midfield. Kouta looked like the Kouta we all remember with awe. Blackwell impressed and showed enough speed and confidence to run with the ball on several occasions. Cloke was impressive as an on-ball link man - he definitely has more to offer in this role than the Bear did because Cloke has the energy and effort to run to make position. Aisake was placed under pressure when he marked in front about 40 metres from goal and missed left with his set shot. The play was halted and he was told to try again - same result - and again before he slotted the goal. Great to see Wiggo take part.
Which players wil provide the biggest improvement in 07? - Kouta, Skinny and Stevo look like different players to the ones who plodded through pre-season and much of the season last year. Look for these guys to have a major impact on the 2007 season.
http://www.csc.actebs.com.auMy fav part of the session was when some took their tops off...
Fev has an injured back which is why he hasnt been training fully.
Before and after the session every player had to do a lap of PP, so they did 2 laps all togehter. The they started the session off with sprints.
The Intra Club match is on the 5th of Feb. They had a 10 minute one today.
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http://www.talkingcarlton.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=14374Went along to training today and loved it. Beautiful day and good talent on show.
There was a drill were the team was divided in two and ran the ball back and forwards with help and opposition. Physical force was used here, happy to get away with no injuries!
It was very very agressive with bumps and elbows flying evrywhere.
Bentick floored Gibbs with a great tackle and Gibbs was slow to get up and ginger from then on... Same happened to Bower thanks to Bentick again i think who is soft and was hiding a sore left shoulder. Many other players involved with heaps of great tackles and bumps. Real hunger and determination.
Hartlett was aggressive in this drill an impressed me today, the first time I have noticed what all the fuss is about
Murphs ran like the wind and was hard to catch as a result going all the way on his own as a result
Steven was great as was Scotland, Simmo (who now looks like a pr0n star) and even Russell threw abit of weight around.
Setanta took them on and ran the ball out on his own aswell a couple of times.
They went into a full ground drill at one stage which was a match type simulation and I was watching the match ups in the tall timber department.
Hampson was an absolute standout, in fact he was the biggest stand out for mine at training today, he will kill them!
Hampson beat Waite, Jacobs and pretty much anyone else thrown at him. He has really good clean skills too...
Jacobs gave Waite a bit of a bath in the one on one stuff, but was beaten soundly by Hampson as I have mentioned.
Murph was sublime as usual.
Bower had a few good clearing runs with good kicking to advantage.
Walker ran and presented all day, is set for a huge 07'
There was a player wearing 43 in the yellow top who impressed me with his skill, anyone now who he was?
The O'Hailpen boys trained well without standing out.
At one stage Azaki took a mark about 40 meters out and missed to the left. Play was halted and he tried again, missing to the left again but by less. The ball came back again and this time he put it straight through to the roar of his teammates.
Kouta stood out for the fact that he is so experienced and kouta after all. I hope the youngsters are studying him.
Joe Anderson was quick out there, involved in plenty and hitting targets.
Josh Kennedy did well in his contests and has filled out a little. Showed good skills on his left at one stage returning the ball to TD.
In the end they played a game which involved putting a footy about 50 meters away and every one had a crack at trying to put the ball as close as possible.
A few players like Mclaren got close and then skinny stepped up and went foooomp and the ball was next to it.
They erupted and skinny danced around arms in the air and went and stood right next to it as if to protect his glory.
It was looking as if he would win it comfortably when Carrots went foomp himself and laid it just as close or even closer (I couldn't tell).
The boys erupted again and Carrots went up and shook skinny's hand as if to say bad luck from what I could tell.
That was it and a couple of boys stayed out for a kick.
The O'hailpens were practicing with Hampson and Libba. Libba said that'll do boys and Setanta said no he has to finish with one he's happy with, and the very next one he hit Hampson lace out and then he he agreed to end the session.
Down the other end Bower and Edwards were practicing there set shots at goal under TD watchful eye, who was telling them not to lean back when kicking as that is were you lose control of your kicking and the ball will drift to the side (drifts to the right for a right footer).
Bower didn't missed many and I was impressed with his skills.
Edwards it a tank already with a beard to boot (does not look like a teenager) His kicking was pretty good to with not many missing.
Cain Ackland meanwhile was out running the full length of the field in sprints, back and forth back and forth...
That’s about all I can remember at the moment, if I remember more I shall add it to this thread...
Cheers,
Mars.
.
http://www.csc.actebs.com.auManaged to get down to training yesterday.
And as other posters have stated (well done RR) the intensity of some the drills impressed me but moreso the skills executed under that intensity.
The lads had a real crack.
In one drill Blackwell brought Stevo to ground in a tackle as he was h/balling off and Stevo retaliate with a stomach punch such was the competitive juices that were flowing.
Compared to the WCE session I saw two weeks ago, yesterdays session was louder and more intense.
But then again I think the WCE as slightly behind with their prep at the moment having started later. One of the benefits of finishing last I guess.
Noticed Braddles and Ratts got involved in the match practice drill. Both look fit and could still get plenty of the ball today. Oh! for the good old days. Was impressed with a warm-up kicking drill Libba, Ratts & TD were doing whilt the group was doing their running drill. Age has not wearied them. plenty of banter amonst the coaching staff. Really good atmosphere down their for all connebted with the group. Was even treated to a sing song by Red to Eddie thru the session.
Managed to have a chat to Joe Anderson after training and if his enthusiam is anything to go by, he'll be a big asset for us in years to come.
Bring on the season!
He moved really well all morning, as did Murph, Hartlett, Saddington, Carrazzo and Stevo. 
Gibbs' disposal was outstanding and Grigg is mighty quick!!![C4[2]Yo`DooR](https://www.bigfootycontent.com/avatars/m/21/21849.jpg?1742370429){kind=avatar}
