Preview Training reports, pics, training discussion, mustachioed 80s heartthrobs

Robbo's my hero

Brownlow Medallist
Joined
Jun 6, 2007
Posts
10,027
Likes
15,843
Location
Sunbury
AFL Club
Carlton
Other Teams
Sunderland,Pelicans, LA Kings
It's for a new reality TV series, commissioned when Mick was still in charge. It's called:

I'm a Carlton footballer, get me outta here.
I remember last season's series:

I'm a Carlton supporter, get me outta here.:eek:

More horror than reality.
 

(Log in to remove this ad.)

Matty411

Norm Smith Medallist
Joined
Sep 21, 2012
Posts
5,705
Likes
11,180
AFL Club
Carlton
Agreed - McKay looks impressive already. When he fills out and into his body a bit more though, look out.

Can see him and Charlie dominating our forward line for years to come all things going well.

But lets see a bit of football from them first… We know all too well how often training does not = on field performance.
 

omdd

Team Captain
Joined
Oct 1, 2010
Posts
325
Likes
926
Location
Coburg
AFL Club
Carlton
Didnt mention it before and i might be biased but i liked what dick's done so far in training, i know most would have him getting delisted but i thought for a young guy who hadn't played a senior game yet coming into a backline that was getting smashed every week he did well. He doesnt stand out at training but every time he was involved in a drill he did everything right.

If anyone has any questions on a particular player that hasn't been mentioned im sure one of us who attended today saw them in some capacity just ask!
 
Last edited:

chipzac

Club Legend
Joined
Jan 10, 2011
Posts
1,132
Likes
1,359
AFL Club
Carlton
Didnt mention it before and i might be biased but i liked what dick's done so far in training, i know most would have him getting delisted but i thought for a young guy who hadn't played a senior game yet coming into a backline that was getting smashed every week he did well. He doesnt stand out at training but every time he was involved in a drill he did everything right.

If anyone has any questions on a particular player that hasn't been mentioned im sure one of us who attended today saw them in some capacity just ask!
Thanks for the info on Dick. As for another who hasn't been mentioned much, I'd be interested in knowing how Gowers is going, too. And, in your opinion, who seems to be doing the best out of Gorringe, Korcheck and Phillips?
 

omdd

Team Captain
Joined
Oct 1, 2010
Posts
325
Likes
926
Location
Coburg
AFL Club
Carlton
Thanks for the info on Dick. As for another who hasn't been mentioned much, I'd be interested in knowing how Gowers is going, too. And, in your opinion, who seems to be doing the best out of Gorringe, Korcheck and Phillips?
Tbh havent noticed gowers in the slightest, the club must see something in him if he was the only one kept on from last year. Maybe someone else has some info on him. From the rucks Phillips by a mile. Korcheck is a work in progress he does some nice things then he does some disgusting things like kicking for goal on the run and nearly kicking the ball 2km in the air, but give him time and we might have a player. Gorringe has done well so far but hasnt done anything special if that makes sense? hes just done whats required, not sure what the knocks on him are but he looks to have all the tools to make it.
 
Joined
Feb 1, 2015
Posts
1,435
Likes
5,184
Location
Contract Negotiations.
AFL Club
Carlton
Decided to go down again today and have another squizz. Running is still the big ticket item and no matter what drill the coaching staff employed running was a major component...even if it was just time to rehydrate, the players were expected to sprint over to the drinks station. There should be no excuses in 2016 for players being unable to run out matches with the mileage being put into their legs. Bolts has no issue giving them a bit of curry either telling Rowe his heart beat wasn't high enough. Daisy left DVR trailing a long way behind in the "walk, jog, run, sprint" drill. Whiley seems to be free of the achilles problem that ruined his preseason last year and he seems to be moving without restriction. He covered the ground extremely well during the competitive drills and given he's a nice size, I wouldn't be at all surprised to see him thrive under the "collective" style of play Bolts is introducing to the playing group.

Blues In Motion - Running.jpg

Blues In Motion - Virtually all drills consisted of a large volume of running (click to expand)

Charlie Curnow's unique burly build doesn't stop him getting around the ground at rapid pace and repeated efforts don't seem to slow him down at all. His efforts throughout training were first class and worked hard to engage his teammates at every opportunity. His disposal by foot was surprisingly crisp and longer kicks seemed to have decent penetration. Also very sure with his hands when marking the ball. The boys obviously haven't given him a nickname yet as they all still call him Charlie. While he'll never be built like Cripps or Gorringe, strengthening his core with a couple of preseasons should make him a valuable asset that will make him an extremely awkward customer for the opposition. Jack & Gmac were in the rehab group with Walker, Kreuzer, Murphy and a couple of others.

Blues In Motion - Charlie Curnow.jpg

New Blue Blood - Charlie Curnow marking at full stretch during training (click to expand)

One of the things you notice with the draftees is that their reaction times to a given situation are just that fraction of a second behind their more seasoned teammates. There was an agility drill that finished with a strong lead to the ball on command of Bolton and just that fraction of a second longer in situational awareness to respond to a command put Cuningham 2 metres behind his teammates (see pic below). That will all change with a little bit of experience though. Otherwise he looks every inch a footballer. Nice pace and always easy to spot on the track. Might just be me, but he looks to be taller than 184cm.

Blues In Motion 1.jpg

The Agility/Lead on Command Drill seemed to have a touch of dancing with the stars about it as players shimmied and shook between the poles before leading.

Providing they can keep him fit, Phillips may well prove be the steal of the trade period. Would easily justify pick #28 on his own if he fires. Massive leap and built like a Mack truck. Strong clean hands when marking, has sound disposal and pretty good when the ball is on the deck. Korchek continues to improve and although he's a bigger unit than Phillips, he doesn't have the same reach due to the greater athleticism Phillips possesses. Still training track form is one thing, match conditions are quite another. I'm not sure what they have in mind for Gorringe. The guy looks like a bigger version of Cripps as far as build goes, but there's nothing that grabs your attention apart from his build that makes you think we've grabbed a gun here. Reminds me of Rhys Stanley who is more an athlete than footballer at this stage. We'll have to see if Bolts can develop him somewhat.

Blues In Motion - Rucks.jpg

Soaring to new heights. Phillips and Korchek practice their ruck work (click to expand)

Thomas "seems" to be fit and hopefully we get some reasonable output from him this year. Anyone who is worried about Clem shouldn't be as the kid has some definite bounce in his step and looks to be jumping out of his skin. He's certainly not overweight and I think he's just the victim of having a chubby face. He's another one that I think will really blossom over the next couple of years now that we've got a coach with some development skills and believes in "investing in people". All the Irish lads were on deck and I'm really looking forward to seeing how Byrne in particular develops under Bolts as well.

Blues In Motion - Tuohy.jpg

When Irish eyes are smiling. Zach Tuohy in action (click to expand)

Today was a step up in intensity from the previous opens sessions I've seen and given that the playing group will be up in Gold Coast next week I'd doubt there'd be another this year. Just as a little help for those looking to attend the next open training session, I found it a lot easier and closer to park in Gardiner St behind the ground. Parking tickets from the machine are 80 cents per hour and you can park there for up to 11 hours directly behind the ground. Just remember to tip-toe past the hobos so you don't wake them from their slumber and cop a mouthful of abuse.

Blues In Motion - Jamo.jpg

Everyone loves Jamo (click to expand).
 

(Log in to remove this ad.)

Kruzering

Norm Smith Medallist
Joined
Oct 7, 2008
Posts
6,942
Likes
7,675
Location
Blackburn
AFL Club
Carlton
Other Teams
LA Lakers
Didnt mention it before and i might be biased but i liked what dick's done so far in training, i know most would have him getting delisted but i thought for a young guy who hadn't played a senior game yet coming into a backline that was getting smashed every week he did well. He doesnt stand out at training but every time he was involved in a drill he did everything right.

If anyone has any questions on a particular player that hasn't been mentioned im sure one of us who attended today saw them in some capacity just ask!
Dick is the worst kick at the club, and that was before bell left.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

HARKER

Hall of Famer
Joined
Oct 15, 2008
Posts
49,867
Likes
63,921
Location
Melbourne
AFL Club
Carlton
I thought his kicking was ok. Will keep a closer eye on it next year.
Dick's action seems fine but the length of his kicks don't always hit their targets...........too short/too long.

Expect to see more shorter, punchier kicks, next year. Plenty of practice around keeping things low, direct and sharp.
I see the end of the "Hail Mary' bomb. Hallelujah!!!
 

Cripps 'n' Blue Bloods

Sir Cripps of Carlton House
Joined
Mar 26, 2015
Posts
6,658
Likes
10,986
AFL Club
Carlton
Other Teams
Melbourne Tigers Philadelphia 76ers
Dick's action seems fine but the length of his kicks don't always hit their targets...........too short/too long.

Expect to see more shorter, punchier kicks, next year. Plenty of practice around keeping things low, direct and sharp.
I see the end of the "Hail Mary' bomb. Hallelujah!!!
I'm biting my tongue right now. I've been told that there's been enough jokes about Matthew D. :(
 

HBF

Flying Scotsman
Joined
Sep 24, 2002
Posts
133,727
Likes
67,694
AFL Club
Carlton
Dick's action seems fine but the length of his kicks don't always hit their targets...........too short/too long.

Expect to see more shorter, punchier kicks, next year. Plenty of practice around keeping things low, direct and sharp.
I see the end of the "Hail Mary' bomb. Hallelujah!!!
Unless we get injuries i'd be surprised if we saw him in our best 22. Purely a depth player this year imo.
 
Joined
Sep 26, 2004
Posts
34,469
Likes
25,116
AFL Club
Carlton
Other Teams
MUFC, LAL, PSG
Moderator #1,669
I was impressed with Dick at times last year but he's not one to produce anything flashy.

Certainly not a best 22 player but he's someone who can come in and play his role without much fuss. Was not expecting much of him last year but, particularly towards the end of the year when he was able to string a few games together, he showed that he does not look completely out of place at AFL level.

Obviously has plenty to work on but he does present as a solid all-round footballer who despite being in the system for a few years already, is still just 21 and has scope for further improvement.
 

Matty411

Norm Smith Medallist
Joined
Sep 21, 2012
Posts
5,705
Likes
11,180
AFL Club
Carlton
Great optimism indeed re Matty D. All I can say is that some of our 'general defenders' are going to have to play a few positions this year as it'll be impossible to play more than a few of them in that role in the seniors. Guys who's primary position is argubly general defender/half back flanker:

Buckley, Tuohy, Sheehan, Dick, Docherty, Simpson, White, Rainbow, Gowers.

Add to these Daisy, Byrne, Walker and Plowman and we've got some amazing competition.

Of these, I can see Bucks, Sheehan, Doc, Simmo, Daisy and Casey playing midfield minutes; White, Dick and Plowman can play tall; and Walker will most likely play forward... so the likes of Rainbow and Gowers really need to impress if they're to get a crack at the seniors - Gowers double time with his rookie status.

Early days, but it seems our starting back six will look something like this:

White, Jamison, Weitering
Buckley, Rowe, Tuohy

with Doc, Daisy and Simmo spending time down back.
 
Top Bottom