Hard to follow PCD's report, but here's my first crack after heading down to my first ever open training (thanks to their trip to the Sunshine state).
Blues Training – Southport Sharks – 15.12.15
I came in around 10:30 thinking they’d nearly be finished – ended up going for another 90 minutes (some even stayed out after the boys started going into the rooms. Bolts is working them hard, and that sun was testing even the fittest of them.
Had a bit of a chat to Lachie (
Plowman) who was on crutches. Nice guy who didn’t stop smiling – even after having his surgery on Monday. He was optimistic about next year despite being out of full training for 10 weeks. He hoped to be rid of the crutches very soon.
Weitering and
Sumner were boxing for most of the last half, with
Kerridge,
Charlie and
Jamo joining them at times.
Dennis was on a bike for almost the entire time I was there – no arm guard or tape so not sure what was going on.
Wood joined him on the bike for around half an hour at one point, too.
Gee
Casboult is one huge man – but such a top bloke (
said not to expect any double cobras in 2016 – might leave it in the past). Spent most of training standing around by himself with his right leg/knee strapped. He didn’t seem to be in much discomfort but maybe just a precaution.
They spent a large part of each quarter in groups, splitting off into backs, forwards and mids – with the four rucks then pairing off for 1v1 contests.
Kreuz and
Korcheck were paired up and the American more than held his own. Kreuz didn’t look bad but I was impressed by ‘Paycheck’ in his competitiveness – he also won as many contests, if not more v Kreuz which was great to see.
Phillips and
Gorringe then went at it. Phillips looks controlled and confident in the contest, whereas Gorringe seemed to have to try a bit harder.
I got a decent look at the defenders, who were working on zones/closing space.
Sheehan and
Tuohy were in control as
White was kicking into the D50 who struggled to find a target cleanly. Thought that may’ve been the point (kick to contest) OR they were just doing well. Otherwise, he looked pretty fit and is a top bloke.
To me, the whole flavour of the day seemed to be
pressure. In everything they did - it was all about putting on as much pressure as possible to simulate game-day.
The last quarter saw most of the side in a game-style match practice between the arcs as has been reported recently. There was A LOT of voice and intensity – was surprised by how much talk there was among the group during the match simulation stuff.
Gibbs, Daisy and Ed impressed from what I saw and all have incredible voice/leadership – they just never stopped instructing/talking. Doc, Tutt, Wright and Whiley also got a bit of the action, too – good to see with Doc as it shows he may see more mid time during 2016.
The last session was a 1v1 forward/defender excersise whereby the forward had to break away to collect/dispose of the ball before stepping their opponent and racing back to the line.
Rowe and
Foster were first cabs off the rank – was good to see ‘Fozzie’ burn away, showing nice agility.
The other one of notice in that drill was where
Jones took on
Tuohy and got owned. Tuohy and just so good defensively – wore him like a glove, visibly annoying Jones (to my amusement).
Side notes:
Bolts is so small but boy does he have presence. All eyes are glued to him when he speaks – just commands so much respect but also seems such a likeable guy. Was lucky enough to hear him talking in a group drill towards the end of the 1v1 scenario – was talking about controlled aggression, and I found myself hanging off every single word. Definitely made the right choice here Carlton.
Glass-McCasker – seemed to be getting work on a hip injury when I got there then didn’t partake in much else… interesting to see how bad it was.
Smith – Didn’t see much of him out there but he was training with the forwards when they split off.
Jones just isn’t going to make it in my honest opinion. He looked lethargic and just sort of wandered around for most of the drills. Did well with his burst speed to get the ball a few times in the simulation but I don’t think I saw him dispose of it correctly once. He did try and bust a few tackles and get free but it failed on numerous occasions – getting wrapped up and brought to ground completely.
Daisy moving very well and just has a great presence. Was impressed by his kicking, too – think this could be his year, though I still have doubts over whether he can return to his best.
Gibbs has really stepped up leadership-wise, bringing the young blokes in and taking on a big brother type role. Suffice to say, if he was telling me something, I’d bloody do it.
Ed Curnow leads the way with everything he does... Has been said before but I think he'll be one to step up next year - taken over Carrazzo’s role in the midfieldand as a leader definitively. Has great voice as well – always encouraging the boys to ‘keep it simple’ and ‘do it right’.
Boekhorst was rocking a Whiley-style mo and when I asked whether it would stay for the proper season, I could not get a straight answer #mogate
Got a quick glimpse of
Cripps at the end after looking for him during to no avail. Is very fit and seems to be oozing leadership in everything he does - not just in his actions, but whether that be a quiet word or encouraging pat. He's the real deal and (I said to a fellow supporter) will win a Brownlow in the coming years, no doubt at all.
Of the new draftees…
Harry is huge but will take a good few years to grow into that massive frame. When he does though, look out. Seemed to be a good kid as well after talking to him.
Charlie is such a likeable character – was sparring with Jamo for a good while. Love the pairing but I did ask Jamo after training whether it was intended in a ‘mentor’ capacity (which it’s not) but he does rate both Curnow boys very highly (had glowing words for Ed).
Cuningham is so quiet – hardly noticed him around the group, but his speed and agility will be a welcome addition to our side.
I can see Charlie and David (as well as Weitering) playing a good number of games this year.
SOS didn’t really do much today – ran some repeat sprints with Tutt at one point, then spent a bit of it just watching.
Overall, was a tough session out in the heat but it was good to see most of the side in full training and giving it 100%.
Also, very pleased with how welcoming and nice the guys were when they were heading to the rooms. Andy Phillips, Casboult, Doc, McKay, Bucks, Jamo and Gibbsy are all legends.