cryptor
Brownlow Medallist
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- May 11, 2008
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- Hawthorn
Thanks to The_Axeman for providing me with the time of training. I braved the cold, wet and windy conditions of Waverley Park to bring you another training report. I don't know if anyone else from on here was there this morning but if so please add your thoughts as it's very hard to keep an eye on everything that's going on.
I'm going to do my report on a player by player basis. Some players I didn't really notice but I put extra effort into looking out for the new guys.
In general - Absolutely sublime skills across pretty much the entire list in what were quite poor conditions. If I didn't have rain pissing down on my head and wind slapping my face then I would've thought it was perfect conditions there today just from watching the ball handling. Good energy coming from the group with plenty of talking and joking going on. They seem relaxed and confident but at the same time performed drills with the intensity and commitment of a team that haven't quite managed to win a premiership. If there was one thing I took away from today (other than frostbite) it's that complacency and lack of drive won't get this group in 2015.
Roughead - Big fella probably loved that the sun wasn't out scorching him today. Wasn't really watching for him but he did miss a shot for goal so bad that the ball ended up in someone's backyard. Then proceeded to take shots from next to the point post and got most of them.
Lewis - Left the track early with Duryea. Probably did 75% of training all with the main group. Didn't seem to be anything wrong though.
Suckling - For the most part he was training with the main groups but did do some running sessions with Whitecross for about 15 minutes.
Mitchell - Bad news is anyone who thinks we're going to be able to replace this bloke immediately upon retirement with someone with even 50% of the class, talent and smarts he has is kidding themselves. I recall watching him closely during a mini match simulation where he barely paid his direct opponent lip service while directing about half a dozen of his team around him into the exactly the right positions to eventually squeeze Litherland deep into the defensive pocket with the ball. Forcing Lithers to have to attempt a kick across goal where Mitchell was able to cut it off himself and waltz into an open goal. If football was chess then Sam Mitchell is Garry Kasparov. Good news is that he looks a million bucks, not a sign of slowing down.
Gibson - Just the usual from Gibbo. Looks fit and ready to go. Doesn't appear to be at all hampered by his pectoral injury from last year.
McEvoy - Looks very lean but still a big boy. Without his number on his back or a player standing next to him to give you an idea for scale you wouldn't guess he was a ruckman with how clean his disposal is.
Duryea - Didn't really notice him today so not sure what he got up to. Left the track early with Lewis after doing about 75% of training. Has strapping/bandage just below one of his knees (think it was left) but it didn't seem to be bothering him.
Burgoyne - Just class. Nothing out of the ordinary to report.
Hill - Didn't notice him at all today and quite possibly wasn't out there at all. Someone else who was there today might be able to confirm.
Whitecross - Spent most of his time doing running sessions and a few non-contact skills sessions with the main group. Left the ground about 50% of the way through training with Spangher. Just appeared to be time management.
Frawley - Didn't really notice him out there. Did watch him for a couple minutes during a mini match simulation. Still seems to be getting his head around our gameplan as he almost had his taken off by a close range kick from Hodge when he accidentally crossed his path while they were trying to work it out of defense. Other than that he looks very fit and disposal is clean.
O'Rourke - I assume he was out there but I didn't notice him as I couldn't pick his face out from a distance.
Birchall - See Burgoyne.
Hodge - Vocal as you'd expect. Could basically slap the coaches light blue training bib on him and not bat an eyelash. Natural leader and I'd be surprised if he doesn't become a senior coach one day (hopefully not too soon).
Smith - Overheard him saying to one of the boys as he walked down the steps to the field "I reckon a sunny 35 degrees with a slight breeze is the perfect training conditions". Take whatever you want from that because other than that I didn't really look out for him today except for when he got the ball in match simulation. Run and carry with a nice long kick to a target. Seemed to be one of the main guys who brings the energy to the group.
Lake - He was out there and participating with the main group. Didn't really take notice of him though.
Ceglar - Not sure if he was out there.
Gunston - Pretty sure he was out there as I heard his named called a few times but I think he was always at the opposite end of the ground that I was viewing from as I walked around.
Hale - Just lumbered around as usually does. Took a signature diving mark inside 50 directly in front 40m out at the end of the match simulations. Hit the post.
Sicily - He was one I paid special attention to during a mini match simulation as he was playing on another player I wanted to keep a close eye on (Heatherley). I've heard people compare him to Fyfe in the last 12 months and I have to agree with them. Very similar players and while he isn't yet anywhere near Fyfe's level and may not ever be that good he is definitely one I expect to see make his debut in 2015. Could also get reported in his first game because he is a major hot head. Very obviously hates getting beaten in any contest and that is just in a little match simulation at training.
Breust - Was late out on to the track by a couple minutes and other than that I didn't really keep an eye out for him.
O'Brien - Didn't really notice him out there a part from a shot on goal he took during match simulation. 40-50m out on the boundary. I think he got it.
Stratton - I think he spent about 15 minutes doing some handball stuff with the guys who weren't participating in the main drills but other than that trained with the main group.
Schoenmakers - Kept an eye on him for a few minutes during one of the match simulations. Looks fit and moving a lot better than he ended 2014. Managed to corral Shiels to the boundary at one stage with some aggressive lateral movement which would've tested not only his knee but his confidence in it also. And then got the HTB decision with a strong bear hug tackle to go with it. Was playing exclusively as a forward from what I saw. Ran hard and was generally clean with his disposal and made good, quick decisions.
Shiels - Wasn't really looking for him but whenever I did notice him he was running. Work rate is supreme.
Spangher - Had a tiny amount of strapping just below his right knee. Didn't participate with the main group. Did a lot of handball stuff on the sidelines and running sessions. Was quite vocal and joking around with the blokes he was doing the handball sessions with (L.Langford, Shem and not sure who the other was). Very vocal and good energy from him too. It's obvious why he is popular among the group.
Puopolo - One of the last ones to make it onto the track. Trains how he plays - 100%.
W.Langford - Didn't really look for him but he did force me to take notice at one point during the match simulation. He read the tap down in a stoppage so well that he took it cleanly right from the tap at speed and burst away to deliver it deep into 50 leaving everyone else at the stoppage flat footed. Looks keen to carry his GF form into 2015.
Brand - Didn't see him out there. Didn't recognise him at least.
Litherland - Burnt off pretty much everyone who tried to chase him during match simulation drills. Only ever really got caught on the back of intense Hawks defensive team pressure. Kicking has improved noticeably in my opinion. His long kicks have similar distance but a lower flight path so they appear to be more accurate and get to their targets quicker. Never timid, always looks to take the game on.
Simpkin - Heard "Joffa" called a few times during match simulation but didn't really notice him.
Rioli - Trained with the main group except for a few running sessions where he'd jog 50m before sprinting the next 50m. Did that for a few minutes and then finished it up with some jogging. Obviously stress testing the hammy. Couldn't be touched during any match simulation drills.
Webster - Didn't see him, but wasn't looking for him either.
Anderson - Had a smile on his face every time I saw him in the drills. During match simulations he wouldn't get to all that many contests but when he was at them he did really well. I don't know if it's work rate, not knowing where to run or if he was playing a certain role but that is the only negative about him I could see.
Willsmore - Didn't see him, wasn't looking.
Woodward - Wasn't really looking for him but he popped up a lot at stoppages during match simulation. Very Sam Mitchell-like the way he burrows into the packs, gets to his feet and kicks the ball out in one motion.
Hartung - Never stopped running. Insane work rate. Was part of 2x 4-man running groups on the far wing at the start of training. Not sure who the other 3 were in his group but he finished a good full 2 seconds in front of second place every time. A mobile speed camera car near the ground got set off multiple times as he went by. Was in nearly everything during full ground match simulation linking up play all over the place.
Save for injury he will debut round 1 and will be a regular in 2015.
Howe - Didn't recognise him out there.
Miles - Same as Howe.
Pittonet - Was paired up with McEvoy in a drill that required the guys to carry their partner on their back for a minute. He did better than you might think. Spent a lot of time on the sidelines with other new players and rookies doing handball drills.
Heatherley - As mentioned he matched up on Sicily in some match simulation. Two blokes who both hate to lose any sort of contest was pretty entertaining. Was very good one on one and also was very good at positing himself as part of the defensive unit to cover space between multiple players. Could probably make his debut this year.
Grimley - Didn't really notice him out there except when he jumped onto Hartung's back as part of the drill mentioned above. His feet were barely off the ground from that position.
Hardisty - Didn't get to see him doing any of the running sessions but his handball is very quick and clean. As has been mentioned numerous times his kicking needs some work. Took a few snaps at goal during some goal kicking practice which looked awkward and some only managed to dribble through even though he kicked from distances you'd expect it to go through on the full. He did seem to kick them more often than not. Spent time with other rookies doing handball stuff on the sidelines later in the session.
Miller-Lewis - Unfortunately didn't notice him out there.
L.Langford - Skinny but uses his body well. Needs to bulk up a bit but looks promising. Didn't participate with the main group. Took his shoe off at one stage so might be having an ankle, foot or toe complaint... but could also have just been re-adjusting his drenched sock.
Shem - Big rig. Don't think he spent any time with the main group. I think he was part of a rehab group. Lots of hand balling stuff, nothing interesting.
Clarko - You wouldn't think he'd had a crippling disease 6 months ago the way he looked. Very fit, almost looks like he could play. Was taking a few snaps from next to the behind post with Roughead. Went 2 from 3 (clipped post on 3rd with the whole list watching and waiting for him from the centre square).
Any questions? I can probably expand on most players I've written stuff about but obviously not the ones I've got doughnuts for.
I'm going to do my report on a player by player basis. Some players I didn't really notice but I put extra effort into looking out for the new guys.
In general - Absolutely sublime skills across pretty much the entire list in what were quite poor conditions. If I didn't have rain pissing down on my head and wind slapping my face then I would've thought it was perfect conditions there today just from watching the ball handling. Good energy coming from the group with plenty of talking and joking going on. They seem relaxed and confident but at the same time performed drills with the intensity and commitment of a team that haven't quite managed to win a premiership. If there was one thing I took away from today (other than frostbite) it's that complacency and lack of drive won't get this group in 2015.
Roughead - Big fella probably loved that the sun wasn't out scorching him today. Wasn't really watching for him but he did miss a shot for goal so bad that the ball ended up in someone's backyard. Then proceeded to take shots from next to the point post and got most of them.
Lewis - Left the track early with Duryea. Probably did 75% of training all with the main group. Didn't seem to be anything wrong though.
Suckling - For the most part he was training with the main groups but did do some running sessions with Whitecross for about 15 minutes.
Mitchell - Bad news is anyone who thinks we're going to be able to replace this bloke immediately upon retirement with someone with even 50% of the class, talent and smarts he has is kidding themselves. I recall watching him closely during a mini match simulation where he barely paid his direct opponent lip service while directing about half a dozen of his team around him into the exactly the right positions to eventually squeeze Litherland deep into the defensive pocket with the ball. Forcing Lithers to have to attempt a kick across goal where Mitchell was able to cut it off himself and waltz into an open goal. If football was chess then Sam Mitchell is Garry Kasparov. Good news is that he looks a million bucks, not a sign of slowing down.
Gibson - Just the usual from Gibbo. Looks fit and ready to go. Doesn't appear to be at all hampered by his pectoral injury from last year.
McEvoy - Looks very lean but still a big boy. Without his number on his back or a player standing next to him to give you an idea for scale you wouldn't guess he was a ruckman with how clean his disposal is.
Duryea - Didn't really notice him today so not sure what he got up to. Left the track early with Lewis after doing about 75% of training. Has strapping/bandage just below one of his knees (think it was left) but it didn't seem to be bothering him.
Burgoyne - Just class. Nothing out of the ordinary to report.
Hill - Didn't notice him at all today and quite possibly wasn't out there at all. Someone else who was there today might be able to confirm.
Whitecross - Spent most of his time doing running sessions and a few non-contact skills sessions with the main group. Left the ground about 50% of the way through training with Spangher. Just appeared to be time management.
Frawley - Didn't really notice him out there. Did watch him for a couple minutes during a mini match simulation. Still seems to be getting his head around our gameplan as he almost had his taken off by a close range kick from Hodge when he accidentally crossed his path while they were trying to work it out of defense. Other than that he looks very fit and disposal is clean.
O'Rourke - I assume he was out there but I didn't notice him as I couldn't pick his face out from a distance.
Birchall - See Burgoyne.
Hodge - Vocal as you'd expect. Could basically slap the coaches light blue training bib on him and not bat an eyelash. Natural leader and I'd be surprised if he doesn't become a senior coach one day (hopefully not too soon).
Smith - Overheard him saying to one of the boys as he walked down the steps to the field "I reckon a sunny 35 degrees with a slight breeze is the perfect training conditions". Take whatever you want from that because other than that I didn't really look out for him today except for when he got the ball in match simulation. Run and carry with a nice long kick to a target. Seemed to be one of the main guys who brings the energy to the group.
Lake - He was out there and participating with the main group. Didn't really take notice of him though.
Ceglar - Not sure if he was out there.
Gunston - Pretty sure he was out there as I heard his named called a few times but I think he was always at the opposite end of the ground that I was viewing from as I walked around.
Hale - Just lumbered around as usually does. Took a signature diving mark inside 50 directly in front 40m out at the end of the match simulations. Hit the post.
Sicily - He was one I paid special attention to during a mini match simulation as he was playing on another player I wanted to keep a close eye on (Heatherley). I've heard people compare him to Fyfe in the last 12 months and I have to agree with them. Very similar players and while he isn't yet anywhere near Fyfe's level and may not ever be that good he is definitely one I expect to see make his debut in 2015. Could also get reported in his first game because he is a major hot head. Very obviously hates getting beaten in any contest and that is just in a little match simulation at training.
Breust - Was late out on to the track by a couple minutes and other than that I didn't really keep an eye out for him.
O'Brien - Didn't really notice him out there a part from a shot on goal he took during match simulation. 40-50m out on the boundary. I think he got it.
Stratton - I think he spent about 15 minutes doing some handball stuff with the guys who weren't participating in the main drills but other than that trained with the main group.
Schoenmakers - Kept an eye on him for a few minutes during one of the match simulations. Looks fit and moving a lot better than he ended 2014. Managed to corral Shiels to the boundary at one stage with some aggressive lateral movement which would've tested not only his knee but his confidence in it also. And then got the HTB decision with a strong bear hug tackle to go with it. Was playing exclusively as a forward from what I saw. Ran hard and was generally clean with his disposal and made good, quick decisions.
Shiels - Wasn't really looking for him but whenever I did notice him he was running. Work rate is supreme.
Spangher - Had a tiny amount of strapping just below his right knee. Didn't participate with the main group. Did a lot of handball stuff on the sidelines and running sessions. Was quite vocal and joking around with the blokes he was doing the handball sessions with (L.Langford, Shem and not sure who the other was). Very vocal and good energy from him too. It's obvious why he is popular among the group.
Puopolo - One of the last ones to make it onto the track. Trains how he plays - 100%.
W.Langford - Didn't really look for him but he did force me to take notice at one point during the match simulation. He read the tap down in a stoppage so well that he took it cleanly right from the tap at speed and burst away to deliver it deep into 50 leaving everyone else at the stoppage flat footed. Looks keen to carry his GF form into 2015.
Brand - Didn't see him out there. Didn't recognise him at least.
Litherland - Burnt off pretty much everyone who tried to chase him during match simulation drills. Only ever really got caught on the back of intense Hawks defensive team pressure. Kicking has improved noticeably in my opinion. His long kicks have similar distance but a lower flight path so they appear to be more accurate and get to their targets quicker. Never timid, always looks to take the game on.
Simpkin - Heard "Joffa" called a few times during match simulation but didn't really notice him.
Rioli - Trained with the main group except for a few running sessions where he'd jog 50m before sprinting the next 50m. Did that for a few minutes and then finished it up with some jogging. Obviously stress testing the hammy. Couldn't be touched during any match simulation drills.
Webster - Didn't see him, but wasn't looking for him either.
Anderson - Had a smile on his face every time I saw him in the drills. During match simulations he wouldn't get to all that many contests but when he was at them he did really well. I don't know if it's work rate, not knowing where to run or if he was playing a certain role but that is the only negative about him I could see.
Willsmore - Didn't see him, wasn't looking.
Woodward - Wasn't really looking for him but he popped up a lot at stoppages during match simulation. Very Sam Mitchell-like the way he burrows into the packs, gets to his feet and kicks the ball out in one motion.
Hartung - Never stopped running. Insane work rate. Was part of 2x 4-man running groups on the far wing at the start of training. Not sure who the other 3 were in his group but he finished a good full 2 seconds in front of second place every time. A mobile speed camera car near the ground got set off multiple times as he went by. Was in nearly everything during full ground match simulation linking up play all over the place.
Save for injury he will debut round 1 and will be a regular in 2015.
Howe - Didn't recognise him out there.
Miles - Same as Howe.
Pittonet - Was paired up with McEvoy in a drill that required the guys to carry their partner on their back for a minute. He did better than you might think. Spent a lot of time on the sidelines with other new players and rookies doing handball drills.
Heatherley - As mentioned he matched up on Sicily in some match simulation. Two blokes who both hate to lose any sort of contest was pretty entertaining. Was very good one on one and also was very good at positing himself as part of the defensive unit to cover space between multiple players. Could probably make his debut this year.
Grimley - Didn't really notice him out there except when he jumped onto Hartung's back as part of the drill mentioned above. His feet were barely off the ground from that position.
Hardisty - Didn't get to see him doing any of the running sessions but his handball is very quick and clean. As has been mentioned numerous times his kicking needs some work. Took a few snaps at goal during some goal kicking practice which looked awkward and some only managed to dribble through even though he kicked from distances you'd expect it to go through on the full. He did seem to kick them more often than not. Spent time with other rookies doing handball stuff on the sidelines later in the session.
Miller-Lewis - Unfortunately didn't notice him out there.
L.Langford - Skinny but uses his body well. Needs to bulk up a bit but looks promising. Didn't participate with the main group. Took his shoe off at one stage so might be having an ankle, foot or toe complaint... but could also have just been re-adjusting his drenched sock.
Shem - Big rig. Don't think he spent any time with the main group. I think he was part of a rehab group. Lots of hand balling stuff, nothing interesting.
Clarko - You wouldn't think he'd had a crippling disease 6 months ago the way he looked. Very fit, almost looks like he could play. Was taking a few snaps from next to the behind post with Roughead. Went 2 from 3 (clipped post on 3rd with the whole list watching and waiting for him from the centre square).
Any questions? I can probably expand on most players I've written stuff about but obviously not the ones I've got doughnuts for.
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