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By a strange coincidence, I just happened to find myself down at West Lakes at 9 am this morning. An even greater coincidence was that was exactly the same time that Crows training started today. 
There were quite a few not taking part in full training. Carey and Roo were training inside, although Roo came out for some running work at one stage. Parker and Krueger weren’t there at all and I have no idea why not. Disappointing as they both have been among the stand-outs at training.
Further to that there were another 8 players in the injury group. Hart and Smart have returned from the world of extra-terrestrial beings and abandoned their moon boots, and were joined away from the main group by Riley, Clarke, Stenglein, Torney, Ladhams and Bassett. None of these players looked particularly injured, but their oval work was confined to no more than some handball exercises, and some very short kicking. No running though, apart from Hart and Smart who finished with some slow running after about 30 minutes or so. The regular track watchers were surprised as well because all but Hart, Smart and Torney had trained with the main group the day before. Hopefully it’s nothing more than resting a few twinges.
Only 30 players were left to take part in the main group’s training, which started with warm-ups followed by running agility exercises. The main thrust of the whole session was the delivery of the ball into the forward lines. Once again they broke up into two groups, rotating in turns as backmen and forwards. The backmen would work it out into free space, generally by criss-crossing and then switching sides of the oval, before bringing it back through the centre. The mid-fielders’ job was then to raise the eyes and select the best forward option, whether that be the loose man or one who had got away from his man. This exercise lasted well over an hour.
The stand-outs were Perrie, Begley, Watts, Biglands and Macca. Others to really catch the eye were Schuback, Bode, Jericho, Mark Stevens, Scott Stevens and Bock.
A few observations:
Watts. What a draft pick this kid will be!! Our future long term CHF and looked really good when in this position today. Can mark anything and took a real screamer on the back of Matthew Smith (I think Smith was the ladder). Needs a little attention from Jars to his kicking as he has a slight sideways tilt on the ball at the point of impact when kicking, which occasionally leads to error.
Perrie. I’m going to stick my neck out and say he will have even a better year than last year. Trained superbly and marked and kicked like a player who really believes in himself. His pre-season has been outstanding.
Begley. Another one who I’ll be amazed if he doesn’t have a good year. This is his first pre-season for some time and he is flying at the moment. Excellent today.
Jericho. Looking forward to seeing him in competitive work to see if he’s got it or not. Has an excellent physique, speed to burn and kicked beautifully today.
Scott Stevens. Definitely going to be a handy pick up. He’s stood out right through the pre-season. Unfortunately looks like he’s gone to the Tredrea school for shooting for goal, as he sprays them everywhere. We’ll be holding our breaths every time he’s kicking for goal!!
Mark Stevens. Looks to be enjoying training at the moment and moving well. Only trains 3 days a week on the track and the balance indoors on the bike and pool. Trained well again today.
Schuback. I’d be surprised if he doesn’t get games this year – he’s had an excellent pre-season. Looking forward to seeing him in the early games.
Macca. Cruised around like a rolls Royce – just doing it easy. He’ll be back in the mid-field this year.
Bode. Trained really well, but Radar is right – the colour of his hair is sh*t-house. (Just threw that one in for the girls
)
Biglands. The man mountain of muscle is superbly fit. Will take the # 1 ruckmen’s role this year.
Once again, there was no genuine competitive work, and while Ayresy can say what he likes, they are definitely on a different program this year, with the intensity being saved up for later.
There were quite a few not taking part in full training. Carey and Roo were training inside, although Roo came out for some running work at one stage. Parker and Krueger weren’t there at all and I have no idea why not. Disappointing as they both have been among the stand-outs at training.
Further to that there were another 8 players in the injury group. Hart and Smart have returned from the world of extra-terrestrial beings and abandoned their moon boots, and were joined away from the main group by Riley, Clarke, Stenglein, Torney, Ladhams and Bassett. None of these players looked particularly injured, but their oval work was confined to no more than some handball exercises, and some very short kicking. No running though, apart from Hart and Smart who finished with some slow running after about 30 minutes or so. The regular track watchers were surprised as well because all but Hart, Smart and Torney had trained with the main group the day before. Hopefully it’s nothing more than resting a few twinges.
Only 30 players were left to take part in the main group’s training, which started with warm-ups followed by running agility exercises. The main thrust of the whole session was the delivery of the ball into the forward lines. Once again they broke up into two groups, rotating in turns as backmen and forwards. The backmen would work it out into free space, generally by criss-crossing and then switching sides of the oval, before bringing it back through the centre. The mid-fielders’ job was then to raise the eyes and select the best forward option, whether that be the loose man or one who had got away from his man. This exercise lasted well over an hour.
The stand-outs were Perrie, Begley, Watts, Biglands and Macca. Others to really catch the eye were Schuback, Bode, Jericho, Mark Stevens, Scott Stevens and Bock.
A few observations:
Watts. What a draft pick this kid will be!! Our future long term CHF and looked really good when in this position today. Can mark anything and took a real screamer on the back of Matthew Smith (I think Smith was the ladder). Needs a little attention from Jars to his kicking as he has a slight sideways tilt on the ball at the point of impact when kicking, which occasionally leads to error.
Perrie. I’m going to stick my neck out and say he will have even a better year than last year. Trained superbly and marked and kicked like a player who really believes in himself. His pre-season has been outstanding.
Begley. Another one who I’ll be amazed if he doesn’t have a good year. This is his first pre-season for some time and he is flying at the moment. Excellent today.
Jericho. Looking forward to seeing him in competitive work to see if he’s got it or not. Has an excellent physique, speed to burn and kicked beautifully today.
Scott Stevens. Definitely going to be a handy pick up. He’s stood out right through the pre-season. Unfortunately looks like he’s gone to the Tredrea school for shooting for goal, as he sprays them everywhere. We’ll be holding our breaths every time he’s kicking for goal!!
Mark Stevens. Looks to be enjoying training at the moment and moving well. Only trains 3 days a week on the track and the balance indoors on the bike and pool. Trained well again today.
Schuback. I’d be surprised if he doesn’t get games this year – he’s had an excellent pre-season. Looking forward to seeing him in the early games.
Macca. Cruised around like a rolls Royce – just doing it easy. He’ll be back in the mid-field this year.
Bode. Trained really well, but Radar is right – the colour of his hair is sh*t-house. (Just threw that one in for the girls
)Biglands. The man mountain of muscle is superbly fit. Will take the # 1 ruckmen’s role this year.
Once again, there was no genuine competitive work, and while Ayresy can say what he likes, they are definitely on a different program this year, with the intensity being saved up for later.
He could be the tall defender that we are after
