Training News

[Dave The Man]

What was then news form todays Traning!?

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

How did Paul Medhurst go?

 

[Dave The Man]

How did Paul Medhurst go?

Wasn't There!

 

[FIGJAM]

With the notable exception of Nathan Buckley and a couple of other senior players who have another week of leave up their sleeves, the Magpies returned to the training track at Olympic Park in Melbourne on Monday.

And it was a youngster with virtually no football experience at all, but who's already being compared with Buckley, who led the way.

Irish teenager Martin Clarke, set to be named by Collingwood as a rookie for 2007, managed to street the field in the Pies' 'A Grade' time trial, bringing a smile to the face of assistant coach Guy McKenna.

"His run just then was fantastic," McKenna said of Clarke, who hails from a small town in Northern Ireland called Kilkeel, but who's now looking to make a name for himself in the AFL.

McKenna describes Clarke, who shapes up as a midfielder or flanker, as "a great kid and a competitive bugger" and paid him what must surely rank as the ultimate compliment at Collingwood.


"He's almost seen as, and I'm putting big wraps on him here, almost the Nathan Buckley of Gaelic Football, and … we expect him to pick up the game quickly," McKenna said.

"(But) running is one thing, finding the ball is another."

Travis Cloke performed well in his time trial, but his brothers Cameron and Jason did not attend the session. Their future at Collingwood remains problematic with the club yet to formally announce its delistings ahead of Tuesday's final deadline.

Brodie Holland, who has a another week of leave owing and All-Australian forward Alan Didak who's in rehab after post-season knee surgery, were conspicuous by their absence but McKenna said that the squad collectively was in top shape.

"Great condition, even better morale, and I know it's a long time before the first ball gets bounced in anger but just the general collective feeling of the group is pretty positive," he said.

"We're obviously disappointed with the way we finished off last year so the boys have come back and from all the results so far they've come back in good nick."

One player determined to make a good impression early is former Fremantle forward Paul Medhurst who has already signaled to his new club that he would like to take a step up into the midfield.

"His head's spinning a bit, but he's that type of kid who will adjust to that pretty quickly and be very good for us," McKenna said.

"He'd like to add a string to his bow. We know he can kick goals, we know he can set up goals. Can he do that from the midfield? That's a question he and (senior coach) Mick (Malthouse) will answer when they sit down together."

Personally I thought McKenna's comparrison of Clarke to Bucks was a bit light on.

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

Personally I thought McKenna's comparrison of Clarke to Bucks was a bit light on.

He's keeping a lid on it, we all know he's better than that.

 

[didakleon]

a rocca last in running, ten news. he was struggling on the footage.

 

[Coin_Toss]

a rocca last in running, ten news. he was struggling on the footage.

Too early (in the preseason) to call. Pebbles needs at least a few weeks to get rolling.

 

[MarkT]

I had hoped we keep Cameron Cloke but his non appearance along with Jason's would appear telling.

 

[Dazman]

Medhurst in the midfield...pfft

 

[Coin_Toss]

I had hoped we keep Cameron Cloke but his non appearance along with Jason's would appear telling.

They weren't the only two though, a few players were absent.

 

[altonapiefan]

Medhurst was at training as was shown on Ten News

 

[Dazman]

When is the last day for list changes to be announced? I wouldn't think Cam's got no chance just because he didn't train.

As for Jason...he gawn. Will go to Essendon in PSD me thinks.

 

[King Woodie]

I love the fact that Clarke was the first person to beat Buttifant.

It was great what McKenna said about Clarke not even using his arms. Apparently a few of the boys down at the club are already calling him "Rex" as in Tyranosauras Rex, because when he runs he looks like one - ie long legs and good pace, but with arms tucked in away at his side and not moving.

The kid's biggest deficiency so far is his lack of match experience. I hope he plays every minute of the preseason games somewhere through the midfield and backline just to start learning about the game, even if he is not ready on form. Would be good for him.

 

[spartan-magpie]

what the deal with clarke? i dont know a great deal about him.. other than he is irish and seems to have a good motor. is the boy strong?? We need a some tuff players... Tuff teams win flags.. Daisy and Pendles should be very good to brilliant..... but without bonafide strongmen we will never win a flag.. and Rocca is no strongman... he needs a minutes rest for a metre run.. any info would be appreciated.

 

[Vinnie Vegas]

Well I mean, it's not totally unreasonable to be very excited over this kid.

I mean, it's essentially the equivalent of a Gaelic team taking someone like Dale Thomas and trying to convert him to Gaelic football.

I mean sure, he's changing codes, but he still has bucketloads of natural talent.

 

[Jabso]

Stop the presses. Martin Clarke is Northern Irish.
Vinnie you better change your location to "The Northern Irish Wonderkid"

 

[Vinnie Vegas]

Stop the presses. Martin Clarke is Northern Irish.
Vinnie you better change your location to "The Northern Irish Wonderkid"

Done.

 

[Bay Pie]

Done.

I hope you guys give the kid heaps of credit if he becomes a player because, while humourous, you have been very sarcastic about him.

 

[FIGJAM]

I hope you guys give the kid heaps of credit if he becomes a player because, while humourous, you have been very sarcastic about him.

And people continue to remain under the misconception that we are joking!

 

[King Woodie]

With respect, Vinnie, I think it is even a greater degree than what you said. The kid was extremely highly rated by his assessors in Ireland, to the extent that he was termed a once in a generation Gaelic player. Admittedly he hadn't yet played at the highest level, but he was extremely highly rated. Even more so than Dale Thomas. I don't think it would be unfair to say a Chris Judd type IN HIS OWN GAME - yet to be seen how he will transfer to AFL, but the hope is he will be reasonably able.

In terms of type, he is a running machine largely. He will not be a tough type of player - which is not to say he will be soft, or even not an inside player, but he will probably not be a "bang crash" player, despite it being said that he is good in traffic. His great asset at the moment is said to be his running ability and his determination. Having said that, that is why I think the main type of player we should be targetting is one or two tough, strong midfielders (Selwood, Proud), because with these two types, plus a running machine like Clarke, and add a Pendlebury on a wing, a Thomas on a wing/flank, a floating Didak, a Nichols possibly, and a Scott Reed in a few years time, our midfield will be extremely well balanced, versatile and talented, with a mix of speed, stamina, toughness, and skill.

Shapes up pretty well.

 

[ouu 5]

Too early (in the preseason) to call. Pebbles needs at least a few weeks to get rolling.

he should have started 2 weeks ago...... getting paid $500,000 per year and looking like that really isnt good enough

 

[Jabso]

Done.

I said Northern Irish!

 

[Vinnie Vegas]

I said Northern Irish!

You only get so many letters - It didn't fit.

 

[MAGP1ES]

he should have started 2 weeks ago...... getting paid $500,000 per year and looking like that really isnt good enough

My fear is he is too old. Watching players constantly run off him this year was heart breaking. Various players from various teams did it through out the year. They were able to get alot of run from their back line by running off pebs. He just couldn't chase. VERY unfit. Fingers crossed a full pre-season can get him back in half decent shape.




As for Martin good to hear he is having a go and I hope toi see at least one full game of seniours from him in 2007. Daisy did it why can't he.

 

[loki04]

With respect, Vinnie, I think it is even a greater degree than what you said. The kid was extremely highly rated by his assessors in Ireland, to the extent that he was termed a once in a generation Gaelic player. Admittedly he hadn't yet played at the highest level, but he was extremely highly rated. Even more so than Dale Thomas. I don't think it would be unfair to say a Chris Judd type IN HIS OWN GAME - yet to be seen how he will transfer to AFL, but the hope is he will be reasonably able.

In terms of type, he is a running machine largely. He will not be a tough type of player - which is not to say he will be soft, or even not an inside player, but he will probably not be a "bang crash" player, despite it being said that he is good in traffic. His great asset at the moment is said to be his running ability and his determination. Having said that, that is why I think the main type of player we should be targetting is one or two tough, strong midfielders (Selwood, Proud), because with these two types, plus a running machine like Clarke, and add a Pendlebury on a wing, a Thomas on a wing/flank, a floating Didak, a Nichols possibly, and a Scott Reed in a few years time, our midfield will be extremely well balanced, versatile and talented, with a mix of speed, stamina, toughness, and skill.

Shapes up pretty well.

Its not just his endurance running in the UK tests the club done on him he was also in the top bracket of our club for sprints as well , also he has a huge vertical leap and from what I've heard about the way he goes about the gaelic game is a naturaul at finding the ball. Plus he has all ready had to cope with being tagged even by 2 people yet still was bog so is by no means a lonie type player.