Training @ Skilled 26/1

[BlueNWhite]

Hi all,
Stopped by training today to check out the boys work out on this fine national day of celebration, and got some pics to go with the report...

Training consisted of break out skills in groups to start with
(Mids, backs, forwards, rucks), a mini 'match' in the middle and break out skills work at the end, followed by interval running to finish off..

During the 'match' some noteworthy performances included:
Ottens moving freely and quickly throughout the course of the match, including an excellent contested mark in a congested forward line, followed by a conversion through the big ones...looks in terrific condition
Stokes gathering loads of possessions and looking VERY hungry throughout the match
GAJ getting in amongst it and getting loads of possessions... looking good for the season ahead, he's in fine touch. His hair is ridiculous, as much as we love him...
Mooney presenting very well across half forward, collecting plenty of contested possessions...
Varcoe got amongst it...didn't get a lot of the pill but moves well and looks the goods. Silky skills this young gun!
Kelly hungry, very hungry. Balked around a few and got hands on the pill a bit...
Smithy/Corey got heaps of it and moved well.

Worrying signs...
Ling still looking sideways and kicking laterally. Did push very hard and had great follow up 2nd and 3rd efforts in the heat. Looks like he's moving faster than last year
Scarlo limped through one of the last drills with what looked like a tweaked ankle. Didn't look too serious...
Gardiner still doesn't look up to scratch and messed around with it when he got it...
Egan had a serious dose of the fumbles today.
Blake see Egan
NABS didn't get much of it all and looked lost on the lead...

Other notable observations
Hank - looks like he's being groomed for the back line. Snagged a couple of nice contested marks and booted a goal...just...kicking action is still just awful.
King was on the sidelines doing skills and kicking goals. Looks lean as and in good knick...
Mackie was sitting with Kinga for the latter half and didn't take part in training...eating an apple sitting on the masseuse table... EAT A STEAK FOR GAWDS sake....still very lean lookin'
Tomahawk stuck his head out and sat on the interchange about half way. He's a massive kid....
Harley looks great and absolutely cut... spent a bit of time getting stiff muscles worked by the physio but didn't seem anything too serious.

Lonergan! Played the match and moved well. Did some skills work with the rookies Selwood, Varcoe, and two others i didnt recognise (me thinks Reynolds and Hogan)

Plenty of pics located....here!
http://picasaweb.google.com/hutchaye/CatsTraining

 

[carn_the_cattas]

I was also at training, and I don't mean to be picky but it was actually Varcoe that was training. Djerrkura was absent. At least I think so, but I'm not completely sure.
Anyway, Varcoe did look the goods and seems to be finding his feet.

Otto's mark in the forward line was terrific. One on one with Blake with Reynolds trying to speccie him and someone else coming from the side.

I though Playfair was alright. His kicking wasn't too bad. Has improved a bit.

It was a great sight seeing Tommy Harley spinning out of tackles and getting a bit of the ball.

Gazza hasn't lost his touch. He kicked a couple goals. One on the run and the other from a set shot.

N.Ablett wasn't as good as he was last time I went down to look. Maybe this was because Hawkins wasn't playing and there was more focus on him.

West, Gamble and Hogan were training in a separate group. West looks in good shape.

 

[carn_the_cattas]

Oh, and Selwood looked like an established player running around with the likes of Bartel, Corey and Ling.

 

[WE Are Geelong]

Great reporting and pictures BlueNWhite. I was also at training and yes it was Varcoe and not Djerrkura but I was only certain after asking someone myself so it wasnt that easy to tell which means Varcoe has 'beefed up' from last year and looked good and moved very well on the half forward line...he will play NAB Cup on that showing I would think.

Whilst I am not being picky either as I agree with most of what you wrote BNW...I felt Ling was probably the best player in the 'mini' match they played and is running a bit quicker from slimming down quite noticeably. He didnt always take the right option I agree but did far less sideways kicking than last season I felt...I could be wrong thats just how i saw it...he seemed to have more time by running harder to make position...

Kelly was also very impressive just his whole attitude to training for the time I was there was excellent...interestingly for me I had both Kelly and Ling outside my 'best' side recently so if they keep that up that wont last long at all... I think they are already 'back in' to be honest...

Ottens is huge and was good as mentioned....I felt the two rookies Reynolds and Davenport showed a bit but Davenport made some errors once in possesion but even still he knew where to find the footy which is something.

I think you will find that it was West, Gamble and Grima who were in a different group...and West did look very fit. Gamble is bigger and Grima looks like a good boxer from the sparring I saw him do! Another from that draft Owen looks bigger and did a couple of good things in the mini match...might be one to watch as time goes on...

Overall they trained for two hours and to me seemed to be trying to simulate match conditions all the way through training, taking short breaks but always quickly getting back into an activity and by the end of training they looked quite stuffed...skills are still an issue and decision making isnt going to magically fix itself but the boys are working hard and I guess it will come in time hopefully...one interesting aspect of the mini match is they simulated flooding techniques and they still found it hard to mark up targets but they are working on it....the style of play they adopted was just play on at all costs so that will be different to 2006...it was a non contact style of match so wasnt a full dress rehearsal yet...

Otherwise just read above all the info is there to read nothing really to add...

 

[cats2rise]

Thanks alot, great little update.

 

[Lynch takes a mark]

Plenty of pics located....here!
http://picasaweb.google.com/hutchaye/CatsTraining

I think thats the first time ive ever seen blue sky at skilled

great pics, good to see young Selwood is over the knee injury

 

[BlueNWhite]

Varcoe = OOPS! I thought from the increased bulk on him (having seen neither of them in the flesh before today) it was Jerka.

I've also loaded up a video of some of the mini-match onto youtube...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_64-kPX4DU

I'll agree on Ling - he looked a lot faster and got a bit of it, I just have a thing about that guy going sideways, it frustrates the jesus outta me...

 

[scottydeewah]

Decision making will improve a little if the fitness improves.

 

[Copernicus]

Thanks for the reports, guys, a good read and it seems like some of the players have taken on a new attitude. Let's hope we'll see some more encouraging signs in the NAB Cup (just so long as we don't win it again....it's a jinx!). I'll be very happy if Kelly keeps coming along.

Anyway, cheers for that, and the pics too.

 

[carn_the_cattas]

Make sure you all get down to the intra-club match on Saturday, Feb 17th. Thats the weekend before the NAB Cup.

 

[Go Hoops]

The following is a fairly general report on the training run. Two things stood out for me. One was the comments on the difference in the methods and intensity of the pre-season training - so much for that egg head we had last year. Secondly, Tom Harley obviously feeling we need to toughen-up. Maybe he went over the top [I wasn't there] but I do think it's an area where we could do with some improvement.

http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,21124626%5E20322,00.html

 

[carn_the_cattas]

I didn't notice the Tom Halrey bump. I may have left before it happened, not sure.
But what I did notice was a guy with a book and binoculars sitting near us. I assumed it was an opposition spy. I think I was right because Mackie, King, Steven Hocking and a few other club officials kept looking up at him.
Anyway, it was a fiarly good training session by the boys.

 

[grantyc77]

Thanks for the update guys, bit hard to see first hand in Egypt will be eagerly watching this site for future updates, so keep it up.

The paper said Charlie Gardiner played well, anyone agree with that? 7 games to get his 50, do you think he will get there? Will be interesting.

 

[CF]

Good work guys thanks for the reports

 

[wazza0406]

Anyone know why Crackers Keenan said this morning that Ablett is gone for the year?

 

[grantyc77]

Anyone know why Crackers Keenan said this morning that Ablett is gone for the year?

Which Ablett?

 

[Mooney_d'King]

Anyone know why Crackers Keenan said this morning that Ablett is gone for the year?

Hair transplant?

 

[BlueNWhite]

Ablett looked fine to me, ran out the entire session at full intensity, no sign of anything wrong. Another crackers b*****t article...

 

[BlueNWhite]

Ablett looked fine to me, ran out the entire session at full intensity, no sign of anything wrong. Another crackers b*****t article...

 

[mariascats]

Sorry to butt in on this thread, but I don't know how to start a new thread. I would like to advertise a night we are having to thank Peter Riccardi, in conjunction with his new footy club, West St. Peters. We had organised this before the GFC announced the date of the Peter Riccardi night they are having. The club is aware of the night and are supportive.
This is a copy of the invitation.
Peter Riccardi





Tribute Night


Say thanks to Peter for his years with THE CATS and welcome him to the next part of his football life.

​

​

​

Saturday February 17th​

7-11pm​

​

West St Peters Club Rooms​

Ballarat Rd

Geelong

​

MC-??????????​

​

Cost $40 per person​

Finger Food and Drinks at bar prices​

​

​

​

Proceeds to West St Peters Football Club. ​

​

A donation / $10 of every ticket sold will be made in the name of Michelle Riccardi to the Andrew Love Centre at Barwon Health​

​

For more information contact Maria Moor 0402 154 054

Cheque or money order to PO Box 53 Ormond 3016 by Feb 7th.
Your ticket will be mailed to you prior to Feb 17th.
Numbers are limited

 

[Oscarlett]

Mariacats - A fantastic reason to add to Bigfooty - but it deserves a thread of it's own. Please work it out.

 

[Rockford]

So now there are two sets of look-a-likes. When Johnson shaved his head he looked a lot like Chappy. Now that Varcoe has bulked up and has the shaved head too he looks a lot like Djerrkura.

 

[Stoney]

Great reporting and pictures BlueNWhite. I was also at training and yes it was Varcoe and not Djerrkura but I was only certain after asking someone myself so it wasnt that easy to tell which means Varcoe has 'beefed up' from last year and looked good and moved very well on the half forward line...he will play NAB Cup on that showing I would think.

Whilst I am not being picky either as I agree with most of what you wrote BNW...I felt Ling was probably the best player in the 'mini' match they played and is running a bit quicker from slimming down quite noticeably. He didnt always take the right option I agree but did far less sideways kicking than last season I felt...I could be wrong thats just how i saw it...he seemed to have more time by running harder to make position...

Kelly was also very impressive just his whole attitude to training for the time I was there was excellent...interestingly for me I had both Kelly and Ling outside my 'best' side recently so if they keep that up that wont last long at all... I think they are already 'back in' to be honest...

Ottens is huge and was good as mentioned....I felt the two rookies Reynolds and Davenport showed a bit but Davenport made some errors once in possesion but even still he knew where to find the footy which is something.

I think you will find that it was West, Gamble and Grima who were in a different group...and West did look very fit. Gamble is bigger and Grima looks like a good boxer from the sparring I saw him do! Another from that draft Owen looks bigger and did a couple of good things in the mini match...might be one to watch as time goes on...

Overall they trained for two hours and to me seemed to be trying to simulate match conditions all the way through training, taking short breaks but always quickly getting back into an activity and by the end of training they looked quite stuffed...skills are still an issue and decision making isnt going to magically fix itself but the boys are working hard and I guess it will come in time hopefully...one interesting aspect of the mini match is they simulated flooding techniques and they still found it hard to mark up targets but they are working on it....the style of play they adopted was just play on at all costs so that will be different to 2006...it was a non contact style of match so wasnt a full dress rehearsal yet...

Otherwise just read above all the info is there to read nothing really to add...

As good as it feels to say "i told ya'll so" ... Lingy may have been out of YOUR best 22 - but he was never out of OUR best 22.

Kels was in bad form last season - at his best (granted all players at their best) he would clearly be ahead of Prismall, Stokes, Gamble and all those boys who were getting game time at Kel's expense late in 2006. He is an exceptional footballer regardless of what people on this board are trying to convince themselves otherwise.

 

[Asty]

As good as it feels to say "i told ya'll so" ... Lingy may have been out of YOUR best 22 - but he was never out of OUR best 22.

Kels was in bad form last season - at his best (granted all players at their best) he would clearly be ahead of Prismall, Stokes, Gamble and all those boys who were getting game time at Kel's expense late in 2006. He is an exceptional footballer regardless of what people on this board are trying to convince themselves otherwise.

Kelly at his best is probably in any clubs best 22.
I was disappointed with ling last year and wouldn't be supprised to see him spend time in the magoos this year if he continues the same way. Possessions dont count unless used to the advantage of your team.

 

[Stoney]

Kelly at his best is probably in any clubs best 22.
I was disappointed with ling last year and wouldn't be supprised to see him spend time in the magoos this year if he continues the same way. Possessions dont count unless used to the advantage of your team.

True ... however lets face the truth of the matter -

Ling getting 30 possessions (lets assume 15 kicks and 15 handballs) his handballs normally hit targets, and of his 15 kicks, maybe 6 will be forward and 9 will be either short or sideways.

Prismall (for example) will get 15 possessions and at best, hit 10-12 targets.

It is still better having Ling actually getting the football twice as much and chipping it to a player such as Hunt, Chapman, Ablett and co who can do something constructive. Sure if he stuffs up or kicks short with 10 of his 30 possessions - thats still 10 more times he's got the ball attempting to make something - 10 times the chance he could hit a target than Prismall who frankly just doesnt get enough of the pill when the game is there to be won.

30 possessions with 10 clangers is still better than 15 possessions with 2-3 clangers. Until our so called young guns Prismall, Stokes, Gamble, Tenace and even Rooke (Ling can tag also - anyone with endurance can do this role well - lets not get too caried away with the Max hysteria) learn to win the ball sufficiently at crunch stages of the game - Ling will still get the nod ahead of these players.