Quite the early start this morning for both players, coaches, support staff and fans, training getting under way at 8am to beat the expected temperature of 36 degrees. Training returned to Max Basheer Reserve for the second main session of the week.
As usual, the players started with a kick to kick followed with a light jog around the oval.
They moved quickly onto the first drill, which incorporated a number of skills and some stretching. Three lines were positioned within about 10-15m of each other. The players in the middle line started off with the ball before either kicking or handballing to on running players from the first line. Now in possession of the ball, the players in the first line then handballed back to the middle line. As they passed the middle line, the middle players would either throw the ball up or drop it on the ground. The players from the first line would continue running to retrieve the ball and then finally pass on to the third line. The third line would kick the ball back to the middle line, run through to the other side and then the cycle starts again.
In intervals, a coach would blow a whistle and all the players would stop to stretch. Some training staff also moved into the middle line to apply pressure to the oncoming players.
During this time, Nick Gill came out and hopped on the bike. He was the only player on the bike for the whole session. Trent Hentschel came out not long after, his knee wasn't strapped and he didn't do much work outside at all. Jonathon Griffin and Rhett Biglands came out later and hang around for a bit, watching and then going through some handball drills.
The next drill involved the group being split up into three groups. About two players would stand on each corner of the marked square. Two players would take to the centre and have to apply pressure to a player running through trying to get a handball away to a player on one of the corners. The two players in the centre were marked by not wearing tops, and despite some people commentating about Graham Johncock's fitness he doesn't look to be unfit.
Still just easing into things for the morning, a larger kick to kick was up next. There were three groups split in half down the oval, kicking over a distance of about 50m.
Game 1
Considering our game against Collingwood is now a month away today, it was pleasing to see a bit of a competitive hit out. Out came the white tops for Blue (b) v White (w). With no toss, white were playing to left of screen first.
With two of our main ruckman on the sidelines, Ivan Maric was given the main role first up (clearly notable in a guernsey) against Scott Stevens. The players were hungry for the ball, with numerous starts to get the ball moving as packs were formed at the ruckman's feet.
Luke Jericho (w) scored first for the morning, leading Greg Gallman (b) in the 50, Jericho had a half snap at goal which resulted in a point. As on Monday, Andrew McLeod (b) was up forward head to head with good mate Graham Johncock (w).
The next score came from Maric (b) who received the ball from McLeod (b); however Maric recorded a point from his set shot. Young James Sellar (b) put the first goal on the board, easily running into goal from a Brett Burton (b) pass.
Ken McGregor (b) quickly followed up, putting blue clearly in front. Burton (b) also got into the action, scoring a goal from within the pocket. However, white was not without reply, Jericho (w) with the follow up goal. White continued to go forward, Brent Reilly (w) slotting a goal from a Simon Goodwin pass (w). Trent Hentschel was up white's end, not playing, but giving out some advice.
White continued their offence, Kurt Tippett (w) taking a mark out front of Moran, then passing to Scott Thompson (w) for a goal on the run. David Mackay (w) was the next goal scorer, cleverly staying down from the pack; he slotted one through nicely from the goal square. van Berlo (w) then marked within side 50, after some careful ball movement from the white team, and kicked a goal. Burton (b) finished up for the term with a point after the ball hit the post. Scores (20mins):
Blue - 3.2 20
White - 5.0 30
During this 'mini game' if someone from blue scored a point, then all of blue would have to do ten push ups, although if blue scored a goal, white would have to do ten push ups and vice-versa.
Overall, this quarter was generally quick paced with the players staying evenly spread out and using the centre corridor. There were no throw ups and only a few ball ups.
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A break from the game didn't mean a rest, the next drill moving through as fast as the game. Groups were spread out all over the ground, with players rotating through most groups. It started with a player making a lead on the closest wing, marking the ball and then passing on to a leading player in the centre of the ground. This player then runs down the ground and passes to two players in the 50, both competing for the ball (first up down our end was Tippett and Bock). Once the player has passed to either of the competing players he then receives a handball, from one of the academy guys, and has a running shot at goal.
This same player then moves into the left pocket, where he receives a ball from an academy guy, and kicks to the opposite pocket. The player who receives the ball then runs and kicks to a leading player at about CHF. This player then passes about 30m down field, where he would handball to a running player who would follow through for a shot at goal. The waiting groups would apply pressure to the oncoming player. Vince and Jericho were going head to head at one point, as were Reilly and Jericho and Porplyzia and Stevens. This drill lasted for 15mins.
Game 2
The second half of the main game then got under way. Maric was still identified in the Crows guernsey but this time he was playing against McGregor (w), some other players also changed position. I was able to work out each team's forward line and defence. Up forward for white were Mackay, Stevens, Jericho and Porplyzia and down back for blue were Massie, Moran, Symes and Gallman. Kicking goals for blue were Sellar, Tippett, McLeod and Burton and down back for white was Bock, Rutten, Johncock and Basset.
It was a bit of a slower start to this game, with white taking their time to work the ball around their 50, with McGregor (w) eventually marking out in front of goal. He missed and a point was recorded. However, he then followed up marking the ball again and this time kicking truly for a goal.
Scott Thompson (w) got the clearance away for white, streaming out of the centre with a hurried kick deep into white's 50, but Massie (b) marked strongly and saved a goal for blue. Soon after, Brent Reilly (w) received the ball in kicking range for goal and slotted one through. In need of a score, blue were able to work the ball down their end, only for it to go through as a rushed behind, at least no one was doing push ups this time
Goodwin (w) kicked a behind from a running shot at goal and down the other end; Burton (b) kicked a goal form a set shot in front of goal. Porplyzia (w) got into the action, kicking a point from a snap shot, although Douglas had it easier (b) but still missed from a shot on the run. Porplyzia (w) had a chance to redeem himself, but missed from a set shot. Douglas (b) then followed up with another point on the run.
The call was 'Back please' from a coach and blue moved back crowding white's forward half of the ground. White still found a way, with Scott Stevens (w) kicking a goal. Burton (b) got the last score of the game, finishing up with a set shot at goal from about 50 out. Scores (20mins):
Blue - 2.2 14
White - 2.4 16
Unlike last game the players used the wings a lot more and where not as direct, this resulted in three throw ups for the term and also a lower score for both teams. Although in either game none of the players would look back for a kick, they seemed keen to set the ball up at a reasonable angle in front of goal.
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The next drill was sort of like a game, still white v blue, but only 3/4 of the ground was used. Blue were attacking and white defending. This time Moran wore the Crows guernsey for the blue team, although he was still up against Maric who was white. The aim for the blue team was to score; the aim for the white team was to pass the ball to the trainer in the fluoro top at the centre half back line for blue. Four players were off, two for each team.
James Sellar scored a goal for blue, meaning as before, white were on the ground doing 10 push ups. Next up, instead of starting in the centre the ball was thrown up on the wing. McLeod scored the following goal on the run. As the forward 50 was crowded, blue would have to work the ball around before finding a mark inside 50 for a shot at goal. van Berlo was a target, but missed, forcing him and his team mates into 10 push ups. Sellar was getting frustrated with himself if he missed a tackle or dropped a mark and the ball was worked out of the 50, although later on he took a strong pack mark and finished with a goal. Poprlyzia scored a point and different drill began.
Two separate groups worked at either end of the oval, both completing the same task. Two players would go head to head to receive a trainers kick into the 50, Moran was against McGregor at one end. A player standing around the 50m line would then run towards the back of the pack as three other players would follow the flight of the ball towards the competing two. If not marked, one of the ground players would clear the ball, kicking to a leading player in the 50 who would then pass to a player in the centre of the ground. Other match ups included Massie v Jericho and Tippett v Stevens.
Nearing the end of the session, players completed some stretches before moving on to the previous drill, where only 3/4 of the ground was used. Maric was back in the guernsey against Moran and this time the wings were getting more of a workout. After going up for a pack mark, Kurt Tippett landed at the bottom of the pack and grabbed his ankle. He looked to be in some agony but was able to walk it off and continue to drill.
Warming down included a kick to kick, similar to the main one earlier in the morning, except now a trainer would handball to the running player after he got his kick away and the player would handball back to the trainer.
The group then retreated back to the rooms, but Tippett, Douglas, Maric and Porplzyia all stayed out for about an extra 5 minutes kicking some goals. McLeod was on hand to help. After showing some frustration in the earlier game, James Sellar stayed out to do some tackling with a group of trainers. It was fairly simple, with the trainers forming a circle with one going in the middle with the ball. Sellar would have to tackle to them to the ground before getting up and tackling another one with a ball. He look pretty spent afterwards.
Someone in the other thread asked about David Mackay, he's not doing too badly. I think he could work nicely in the forward line as a crumber. During the two quick games he wasn't really dominating, but still was able to find the ball, just not using it as well. On the other hand, Bernie Vince looks to have stepped up a notch he was very lively in the centre.
I hope I haven't bored you all to death
EDIT: Pics up.
As usual, the players started with a kick to kick followed with a light jog around the oval.
They moved quickly onto the first drill, which incorporated a number of skills and some stretching. Three lines were positioned within about 10-15m of each other. The players in the middle line started off with the ball before either kicking or handballing to on running players from the first line. Now in possession of the ball, the players in the first line then handballed back to the middle line. As they passed the middle line, the middle players would either throw the ball up or drop it on the ground. The players from the first line would continue running to retrieve the ball and then finally pass on to the third line. The third line would kick the ball back to the middle line, run through to the other side and then the cycle starts again.
In intervals, a coach would blow a whistle and all the players would stop to stretch. Some training staff also moved into the middle line to apply pressure to the oncoming players.
During this time, Nick Gill came out and hopped on the bike. He was the only player on the bike for the whole session. Trent Hentschel came out not long after, his knee wasn't strapped and he didn't do much work outside at all. Jonathon Griffin and Rhett Biglands came out later and hang around for a bit, watching and then going through some handball drills.
The next drill involved the group being split up into three groups. About two players would stand on each corner of the marked square. Two players would take to the centre and have to apply pressure to a player running through trying to get a handball away to a player on one of the corners. The two players in the centre were marked by not wearing tops, and despite some people commentating about Graham Johncock's fitness he doesn't look to be unfit.
Still just easing into things for the morning, a larger kick to kick was up next. There were three groups split in half down the oval, kicking over a distance of about 50m.
Game 1
Considering our game against Collingwood is now a month away today, it was pleasing to see a bit of a competitive hit out. Out came the white tops for Blue (b) v White (w). With no toss, white were playing to left of screen first.
With two of our main ruckman on the sidelines, Ivan Maric was given the main role first up (clearly notable in a guernsey) against Scott Stevens. The players were hungry for the ball, with numerous starts to get the ball moving as packs were formed at the ruckman's feet.
Luke Jericho (w) scored first for the morning, leading Greg Gallman (b) in the 50, Jericho had a half snap at goal which resulted in a point. As on Monday, Andrew McLeod (b) was up forward head to head with good mate Graham Johncock (w).
The next score came from Maric (b) who received the ball from McLeod (b); however Maric recorded a point from his set shot. Young James Sellar (b) put the first goal on the board, easily running into goal from a Brett Burton (b) pass.
Ken McGregor (b) quickly followed up, putting blue clearly in front. Burton (b) also got into the action, scoring a goal from within the pocket. However, white was not without reply, Jericho (w) with the follow up goal. White continued to go forward, Brent Reilly (w) slotting a goal from a Simon Goodwin pass (w). Trent Hentschel was up white's end, not playing, but giving out some advice.
White continued their offence, Kurt Tippett (w) taking a mark out front of Moran, then passing to Scott Thompson (w) for a goal on the run. David Mackay (w) was the next goal scorer, cleverly staying down from the pack; he slotted one through nicely from the goal square. van Berlo (w) then marked within side 50, after some careful ball movement from the white team, and kicked a goal. Burton (b) finished up for the term with a point after the ball hit the post. Scores (20mins):
Blue - 3.2 20
White - 5.0 30
During this 'mini game' if someone from blue scored a point, then all of blue would have to do ten push ups, although if blue scored a goal, white would have to do ten push ups and vice-versa.
Overall, this quarter was generally quick paced with the players staying evenly spread out and using the centre corridor. There were no throw ups and only a few ball ups.
---
A break from the game didn't mean a rest, the next drill moving through as fast as the game. Groups were spread out all over the ground, with players rotating through most groups. It started with a player making a lead on the closest wing, marking the ball and then passing on to a leading player in the centre of the ground. This player then runs down the ground and passes to two players in the 50, both competing for the ball (first up down our end was Tippett and Bock). Once the player has passed to either of the competing players he then receives a handball, from one of the academy guys, and has a running shot at goal.
This same player then moves into the left pocket, where he receives a ball from an academy guy, and kicks to the opposite pocket. The player who receives the ball then runs and kicks to a leading player at about CHF. This player then passes about 30m down field, where he would handball to a running player who would follow through for a shot at goal. The waiting groups would apply pressure to the oncoming player. Vince and Jericho were going head to head at one point, as were Reilly and Jericho and Porplyzia and Stevens. This drill lasted for 15mins.
Game 2
The second half of the main game then got under way. Maric was still identified in the Crows guernsey but this time he was playing against McGregor (w), some other players also changed position. I was able to work out each team's forward line and defence. Up forward for white were Mackay, Stevens, Jericho and Porplyzia and down back for blue were Massie, Moran, Symes and Gallman. Kicking goals for blue were Sellar, Tippett, McLeod and Burton and down back for white was Bock, Rutten, Johncock and Basset.
It was a bit of a slower start to this game, with white taking their time to work the ball around their 50, with McGregor (w) eventually marking out in front of goal. He missed and a point was recorded. However, he then followed up marking the ball again and this time kicking truly for a goal.
Scott Thompson (w) got the clearance away for white, streaming out of the centre with a hurried kick deep into white's 50, but Massie (b) marked strongly and saved a goal for blue. Soon after, Brent Reilly (w) received the ball in kicking range for goal and slotted one through. In need of a score, blue were able to work the ball down their end, only for it to go through as a rushed behind, at least no one was doing push ups this time
Goodwin (w) kicked a behind from a running shot at goal and down the other end; Burton (b) kicked a goal form a set shot in front of goal. Porplyzia (w) got into the action, kicking a point from a snap shot, although Douglas had it easier (b) but still missed from a shot on the run. Porplyzia (w) had a chance to redeem himself, but missed from a set shot. Douglas (b) then followed up with another point on the run.
The call was 'Back please' from a coach and blue moved back crowding white's forward half of the ground. White still found a way, with Scott Stevens (w) kicking a goal. Burton (b) got the last score of the game, finishing up with a set shot at goal from about 50 out. Scores (20mins):
Blue - 2.2 14
White - 2.4 16
Unlike last game the players used the wings a lot more and where not as direct, this resulted in three throw ups for the term and also a lower score for both teams. Although in either game none of the players would look back for a kick, they seemed keen to set the ball up at a reasonable angle in front of goal.
---
The next drill was sort of like a game, still white v blue, but only 3/4 of the ground was used. Blue were attacking and white defending. This time Moran wore the Crows guernsey for the blue team, although he was still up against Maric who was white. The aim for the blue team was to score; the aim for the white team was to pass the ball to the trainer in the fluoro top at the centre half back line for blue. Four players were off, two for each team.
James Sellar scored a goal for blue, meaning as before, white were on the ground doing 10 push ups. Next up, instead of starting in the centre the ball was thrown up on the wing. McLeod scored the following goal on the run. As the forward 50 was crowded, blue would have to work the ball around before finding a mark inside 50 for a shot at goal. van Berlo was a target, but missed, forcing him and his team mates into 10 push ups. Sellar was getting frustrated with himself if he missed a tackle or dropped a mark and the ball was worked out of the 50, although later on he took a strong pack mark and finished with a goal. Poprlyzia scored a point and different drill began.
Two separate groups worked at either end of the oval, both completing the same task. Two players would go head to head to receive a trainers kick into the 50, Moran was against McGregor at one end. A player standing around the 50m line would then run towards the back of the pack as three other players would follow the flight of the ball towards the competing two. If not marked, one of the ground players would clear the ball, kicking to a leading player in the 50 who would then pass to a player in the centre of the ground. Other match ups included Massie v Jericho and Tippett v Stevens.
Nearing the end of the session, players completed some stretches before moving on to the previous drill, where only 3/4 of the ground was used. Maric was back in the guernsey against Moran and this time the wings were getting more of a workout. After going up for a pack mark, Kurt Tippett landed at the bottom of the pack and grabbed his ankle. He looked to be in some agony but was able to walk it off and continue to drill.
Warming down included a kick to kick, similar to the main one earlier in the morning, except now a trainer would handball to the running player after he got his kick away and the player would handball back to the trainer.
The group then retreated back to the rooms, but Tippett, Douglas, Maric and Porplzyia all stayed out for about an extra 5 minutes kicking some goals. McLeod was on hand to help. After showing some frustration in the earlier game, James Sellar stayed out to do some tackling with a group of trainers. It was fairly simple, with the trainers forming a circle with one going in the middle with the ball. Sellar would have to tackle to them to the ground before getting up and tackling another one with a ball. He look pretty spent afterwards.
Someone in the other thread asked about David Mackay, he's not doing too badly. I think he could work nicely in the forward line as a crumber. During the two quick games he wasn't really dominating, but still was able to find the ball, just not using it as well. On the other hand, Bernie Vince looks to have stepped up a notch he was very lively in the centre.
I hope I haven't bored you all to death
EDIT: Pics up.
confused
prior to R1, he would have to have a great pre-season to get into the first 22.
