Training today

[Pedro]

I'm only going to be very brief, but just a few things from training today to share.

Absentees from training today were Nick Maxwell (obviously), Sean Rusling, John Anthony, Anthony Corrie, Ben Johnson and Kevin Dyas. Pretty sure that everybody else on the list, including rookies and young Camilleri were at least there. Rocca warmed up with the main group, but when it came time for the drills and end to end stuff, he migrated to the 2nd oval with a couple of the training staff on his own do do some leading work. He was later seen having some goal kicking practice. He was easily slotting goals from outside 50.

Before they got into some full ground match type play, they worked on moving the ball from one end of the ground to the other. I had a bit of trouble seeing whats what, as they all played straight up the middle of the ground!! Beautiful to watch actually and although its an exercise without pressure, the skills were sharp. First time I've seen him, but Keefe is quick, and he goes alright. I wouldn't be making too many bold predictions, but he has a bit of ability.

The match simulation was interesting. Didak stood out like a beacon. He was everywhere. Actually even throughout all the other drills, he was everywhere. Worked as hard as anybody out there. Daisy spent pretty much all his match time on the HBF. Would't be surprised to see him play plenty in the back half this year.

Brad Dick is one seriously skilled footballer. Every time I've seen him play though he has been broken in half by someone. I hope he can stay injury free because he will be exciting. He is still very light though and I'll probably close my eyes everytime he goes near the pill.

Stanley was pretty good. Takes a nice grab. Ben Reid is a lot more solid and took some good marks on fast leads. What was encouraging though was his ability to swing around and let fly with a couple of seriously good passes inside 50. No signs of the horrible kicking that we saw last year. He should be in the side from round 1 imo.

The other one worth mentioning was Medhurst. Played the match sim at full tilt and looked the goods. Not sure how fit he is but what he does he does well, and you wouldn't know he's been missing from his match time today.
Thats about it. Happy to answer questions though.

 

[unplugged]

Sidebottom looking good for a run this week?

Thanks for the report though!

 

[Skade]

Thanks Pedro, great news about Medhurst hope he's back to his AA best.

 

[Snag Breac]

Thanks, Pedro - good news on the Rocca front at last! And re: Medders too.

 

[Optimax]

Thanks mate, good report

 

[abs_of_STEELE]

Thanks for that, some promising signs.

 

[Porkaspies09]

yeh great news about rocca and medy , i would love to see rusty and beama get a run next match

 

[Gymnorhina tibic]

Daisy HBF with Heater - that could work, imagine trying to structure a forward line against that.

 

[Vinnie Vegas]

Brad Dick is one seriously skilled footballer.

Does anyone else want to say it?

 

[Col Davies]

Does anyone else want to say it?

Got a good head up?

 

[Pedro]

yeh great news about rocca and medy , i would love to see rusty and beama get a run next match

Not sure what to think with Rocca. His kicking was fine. He was able to sprint/lead at pretty much full pace. He looked like he was on train tracks a bit though. I didn't see him doing any change of direction type stuff.

 

[Coin_Toss]

Get on Didak for All-Australian honours this year. He's set for a big one!

 

[Porkaspies09]

Not sure what to think with Rocca. His kicking was fine. He was able to sprint/lead at pretty much full pace. He looked like he was on train tracks a bit though. I didn't see him doing any change of direction type stuff.

ok mate thanks for that info nice stuff

 

[Optimax]

Not sure what to think with Rocca. His kicking was fine. He was able to sprint/lead at pretty much full pace. He looked like he was on train tracks a bit though. I didn't see him doing any change of direction type stuff.

Since the Achilles injury rocca never really changed direction, even at his best he often came off like a steam train

 

[alfiiee]

Yeah how did Beams and Sidebottom go ?

Now that Maxwell is in do you have personal opinions on who you think will/should get a run and who will make way??

Are the above 2 a chance?

 

[Chief Ten Beers]

Where's Rusling? Sick? Injured again? I can't keep up anymore.

 

[Gymnorhina tibic]

Does anyone else want to say it?

I have been trying to formulate a Dick joke but give up - pray tell.

 

[Vinnie Vegas]

I was referring to the fact that just today we had been informed that Brad Dick needs to improve his skills by a certain poster in his list review.

 

[Optimax]

I was referring to the fact that just today we had been informed that Brad Dick needs to improve his skills by a certain poster in his list review.

I already have a pictorial post in that thread explaining my views vinnie, Vader does a mighty fine job of many things

 

[Pedro]

Yeah how did Beams and Sidebottom go ?

Now that Maxwell is in do you have personal opinions on who you think will/should get a run and who will make way??

Are the above 2 a chance?

First time I've seen both guys and they were impressive. They aren't your typical 1st year draftees who lack size and presence. Both were solid. They both looked good in close. Sidebottom played down back and took a lot of the kick outs in the match practice. Beams played more in the middle. They were solid rather than outstanding. It was hard to stand out above Didak though. He's in a league of his own imo. Jmac was the other young player who I thought was pretty good. On a more disappointing note, Dawes was pretty ordinary imo.

Who plays in the NAB game? Who knows. Sidebottom as a guess, but I don't know who he'd replace. Wellingham maybe.

 

[Lockyer24]

Mega news if Medhurst is back to his best. I thought he'd be crap for most of the year due to his lack of pre-season

 

[Skade]

I was referring to the fact that just today we had been informed that Brad Dick needs to improve his skills by a certain poster in his list review.

I thought that was what you where referring to Vinnie. Sounds like getting some size on dick will be his problem not his kicking skills.

Is Dawes carrying an injury?.....seems to have dropped off.

 

[DNine]

I would look at either or both of Cook and Stanley to make way for Beams and/or Sidebottom. I just can't seem to warm to those two.

Not great to hear Dawes has dropped off for this session. What we have to remember though, is players need a quiet one here and there, to re-energise for the stuff that counts. I think he has been doing alot of competing with Nathan Brown over the Summer, and that is hard work. He is just learning the ropes, it is not important he burns it up ALL the time. He will be intereting to watch in the game V Richmond, thats where I want him to shine.

 

[Dave The Man]

\ On a more disappointing note, Dawes was pretty ordinary imo.
.

Has Dawes burnt himself out because he was mentione as a Real Star early in the Pre-Season.

Could he be have be having problems with his knees like he did early last season?

 

[loki04]

Dawes looks like a cofidence player so last week may have put him in a bit of a rut, a few things go right early in nxt weeks games and he will be a different player.