Training 2015/16 preseason training (discussion)

[DeanS]

Please tell me that's his thumb popping up from the desk.

 

[wayToGo_]

View attachment 205315

I think you may have peaked a little early with this post.

 

[PurpleReign]

Some players are a joy to watch whether they're playing, training or just walking thru gateway shopping centre with the family. (Ok that last one was a little bit creepy). I'd happily pay an admission fee to watch son son train. Some players are able to "switch on" when required but sonny just is incapable of switching off. He is just a great big bundle of energy, enthusiasm and talent. He took a wonderful mark on the wing today during one of the drills. Definitely leading the TTHD award this summer. Once again I was impressed by Griff. He has a relatively small window of opportunity left in his career to make a mark in the AFL and he appears determined to make the most of it. He's fit, footy smart and set for a big season. I hope this is his year.

 

[FD2646]

Went down for about an hour with 2 of my kids, who despite having Maccas still found was to annoy each other (and me) resulting in my early departure. A vast majority were on the track in what could only be described as difficult, hot and humid conditions - the most notable absentee I believe being fyfe as I couldn't see him anywhere, but others without 2 restless kids may have seen him. Players seemed involved in a number of skill based drills which incorporated running such as handball keep it offs and leading and kicking drills across the Centre square. After this the squad was broken in two and engaged in some match sim across opposite sides of the ground. Individually some of my observations were:
Weller has definitely added muscle and whilst I am in the group which considers his kicking to be elite, he did miss 2 targets in match sim that I thought unusual, but it's still pre-season!
Blakely has trimmed down but his kicks are still too loopy.
Mundy, sonny and hill glide across the turf and consistently kick worm burning passes to the leading player.
Good to see Pav and Sandi on the track and looking fit.
Darcy tucker showed good foot skills in the drills.
Mora partook in all drills and was twisting and turning with no issues (thank god!).
Finally apologies to those under the fig trees, I would have introduced myself but the kids wanted to get cracking. Hopefully you lot can add some more details.

 

[PurpleReign]

I was on the terraces so I couldn't see who was coming or going but all the first year players seemed to disappear before the more brutal second half of training. The rehab guys came out at the end of the session for a bit of light running and Bennel just walked laps. The second half of the session consisted of all of the remaining fit 2nd year and beyond players. Marc Webb ran the session, I didn't see RTB.

 

[Freo Blood]

What is the lowdown on Bennell, does he have a documented issue or will he be right to go for the start of the season?

 

[Harry Reems]

I managed to find a shady spot under the Moreton Bay Fig Trees with many of our regular training watchers on the terraces today. It does appear however that full pre-season training does not resume until the 11th of January due to the fact that there was only about 30 players actively participating in the training drills, plus no sign of Ross Lyon or the media.

Through the gym door I could see Zac Clake, Nat Fyfe and Michael Apeness, whilst Clancee Pearce and Cam Sutcliffe emerged to jog a few laps, and Harley Bennell came out and walked laps only with a trainer and a football.

It appeared that there were 6 players in the gym that I could see.

Harley doesn't look injured and doesn't have any strapping on his calf, so I am not sure why he is only walking and not doing much else at the moment.

The rest of the squad was broken up into two groups and practiced their ball movement skills from one end of the ground to the other.

Mora contines to train the house down, even if he does miss the odd target or two.

Sonny, Ballas and Chris Mayne were all really good today as was Matt Taberner who was marking, leading and kicking really well.

Weller and Blakely look ready to take the next step to me, whilst I still haven't got used to many of the new faces out there.

The boys were done by 11.00am so I expect a big session on Monday.

 

[enoenoeno]

Managed to get down to training today for first time - so without repeating the above for me Sonny and Mundy were the clear standouts, Ballas was playing more out of the midfield and zipping about, also Weller noticeably has put on a lot of size. Was great to see Mora out there, and didnt look out of place at all. Was under the fig trees with my little one so wasnt able to follow things completely, but though Tabaner was sloppy today, to the point where after he did actually mark one (he dropped at least 3), took a lazy shot at goal which missed. Sonny standing behind him didnt hold back yelling out to the group as a whole something like " no sloppy kicks at training, we train like we play, FFS step up!". Good to see / hear.

The other thing I noticed at training was the amount of short low flat kicks that were being attempted. A lot more short passes to targets, with a lot of heat on the footy. This resulted in a few dropped marks etc due to the force of the kick. They ran the drilling repeatedly of coming out of the half back flank and either switching play or getting it quickly up the middle to the leading forwards.

As others have noted there were a number missing from the main session who came out after the others had gone inside to cool down ... Bennell was walking laps of the oval for the last part of the session and then was just kicking at goals as the rehab group got to work. The rehab group consisted of: Yarran, Balic, SOS, Clarke, A Pearce, Deluca (I think), Ubergang (I think), and then a late starter in Fyfe. Remarked to one of the other training watchers that he seemed to be moving freely and was doing all the rehab drills, also mucking about with the footy so clearly he is just being kept in cotton wool. Didnt poke my head in the gym (just the team store), but there did seem like there were quite a few players missing generally (Apeness etc) but again I wasnt paying full attention)

 

[jedi mind tricks]

I went to training via Tony's Bratwurst stall and he confirmed he is an Eagles man. He loves the Demons but it was the Perth Demons that he follows as he grew up in their territory in East Vic Park.

Thanks for the info and what has that to do with the fig trees?

 

[DannyTheDoorman]

I have to work tomorrow so won't be there but looking forward to some reports tomorrow and feeling quite jealous of those that will be able to make it.
Enjoy! I'm with Salim & JMT, I find it a place of great peace sitting under the figs.

E Shed I went to training via Tony's Bratwurst stall and he confirmed he is an Eagles man. He loves the Demons but it was the Perth Demons that he follows as he grew up in their territory in East Vic Park.

 

[DannyTheDoorman]

Thanks for the info and what has that to do with the fig trees?

Sorry It was meant for E Shed and yes it has nothing to do with the Monk's sanctuary.My Apologies

 

[beetz]

What is the lowdown on Bennell, does he have a documented issue or will he be right to go for the start of the season?

Pretty sure Freo have learned from GC's mistake and NOT roomed him with a cocaine dealer.

Jokes aside, I am 100% confident Bennell is going to knock all the critics and earn back A LOT of respect. Even had a cheeky flutter on him for the Brownlow.

 

[jedi mind tricks]

What is the lowdown on Bennell, does he have a documented issue or will he be right to go for the start of the season?

He was doing gym work and popped out for a few laps. He didn't have any strapping on or a compression bandage. Hope he's just being monitored.

 

[E Shed]

E Shed I went to training via Tony's Bratwurst stall and he confirmed he is an Eagles man. He loves the Demons but it was the Perth Demons that he follows as he grew up in their territory in East Vic Park.

ah cheers for that. I suppose when we were talking about footy back in the day (and it was the 80's) it would have been the WAFL we were talking about! Didn't even think of that.

 

[simpsonwillo]

I was there to watch training this morning and can't add much more than has already been said. I left and went to the markets, only to return a little later(about midday) to check out the team store to find Harley Balic and Silva doing hard run throughs in seeeeeering heat Gee these boys work hard!

 

[PurpleReign]

Is it just me or does Johnno look particularly lithe and agile this summer. His body shape is more like a first year player. He's a long way ahead of where he was this time last year. If I recall correctly, this time last year he was doing lengths of the oval on Po's scooter. Pav was also bounding about like a youngster.
I did laugh at one play today. In one match sim Sherro kicked to Ballas who was being closely checked by Tanner. Tanner easily spoiled the ball but straight after this play about 10 others gave Sheridan individual advice about where the kick should have gone. With so much advice on offer I guess his team mates were suggesting he could have and should have kicked it anywhere by there.
My last thought for the day is Crozier. Of all the up and coming players he is my absolute favorite. I often think back to the enormous potential he displayed in a good Friday game for east Perth some years ago now. But watching him today I couldn't help but think that maybe Weller has moved ahead of him now and Langdon and a couple of others are closing in too.
Actually one more thought, I was quite taken by Sandi's white and metallic red boots today but as I looked across the elaborately colored boots of the players I noticed Chalky was wearing black. Now there's a diamond who wants to stay coal.

 

[sherrif]

Is it just me or does Johnno look particularly lithe and agile this summer. His body shape is more like a first year player. He's a long way ahead of where he was this time last year. If I recall correctly, this time last year he was doing lengths of the oval on Po's scooter. Pav was also bounding about like a youngster.
I did laugh at one play today. In one match sim Sherro kicked to Ballas who was being closely checked by Tanner. Tanner easily spoiled the ball but straight after this play about 10 others gave Sheridan individual advice about where the kick should have gone. With so much advice on offer I guess his team mates were suggesting he could have and should have kicked it anywhere by there.
My last thought for the day is Crozier. Of all the up and coming players he is my absolute favorite. I often think back to the enormous potential he displayed in a good Friday game for east Perth some years ago now. But watching him today I couldn't help but think that maybe Weller has moved ahead of him now and Langdon and a couple of others are closing in too.
Actually one more thought, I was quite taken by Sandi's white and metallic red boots today but as I looked across the elaborately colored boots of the players I noticed Chalky was wearing black. Now there's a diamond who wants to stay coal.

I went to training as well and agree completely with the above. The session consisted of a ton of kicking and our skills looked to be improving massively.

Something I noticed with all the kicking was that the relatively small number of errors made those who made mistakes stand out.

Johnson is looking fantastic and an absolute ton more mobile than a year ago. He always hits the target.
Blakey has too much loop in his kick and still need to work on his foot skills.
Mora is looking exceptionally athletic, but the clear weakness in his game is his short kicking. At one point today he missed three targets n a row.
Hughes also still has some work to do on his foot skills. He seems to take slightly longer than others to get the ball to boot. To be honest he missed a lot of kicks today.
The star in the kicking drills was Walters (as said by others). Tucker also kicked the footy fantastically.
I would disagree that Tabs looked good today. He is moving very well and looked quick on the lead, but he fumbled the ball on a number of occasions. At one point Walters gave him a serve for not taking his goal kicking practice seriously.
Smith and Collins looked terrific following around their man. Smith has definitely improved significantly since a year ago.
Hannath took some terrific marks today. Another player who has improved a ton.
Spurr's kicking was truly terrible in match sim's today. Ill leave it at that. Ballas fumbled a ton IMO as well.

On a positive note Barlow looked really quick in handball and transition drills today. Sheridan is also looking terrific IMO. Langdon made some fantastic zig zagging runs in the match sims.. TTHD goes to Walters with second place shared between Langdon, Neale and Barlow.

 

[meima]

What is the lowdown on Bennell, does he have a documented issue or will he be right to go for the start of the season?

Not sure just see him walking with physio few time.

 

[meima]

I went to training as well and agree completely with the above. The session consisted of a ton of kicking and our skills looked to be improving massively.

Something I noticed with all the kicking was that the relatively small number of errors made those who made mistakes stand out.

Johnson is looking fantastic and an absolute ton more mobile than a year ago. He always hits the target.
Blakey has too much loop in his kick and still need to work on his foot skills.
Mora is looking exceptionally athletic, but the clear weakness in his game is his short kicking. At one point today he missed three targets n a row.
Hughes also still has some work to do on his foot skills. He seems to take slightly longer than others to get the ball to boot. To be honest he missed a lot of kicks today.
The star in the kicking drills was Walters (as said by others). Tucker also kicked the footy fantastically.
I would disagree that Tabs looked good today. He is moving very well and looked quick on the lead, but he fumbled the ball on a number of occasions. At one point Walters gave him a serve for not taking his goal kicking practice seriously.
Smith and Collins looked terrific following around their man. Smith has definitely improved significantly since a year ago.
Hannath took some terrific marks today. Another player who has improved a ton.
Spurr's kicking was truly terrible in match sim's today. Ill leave it at that. Dallas fumbled a ton IMO as well.

On a positive note Barlow looked really quick in handball and transition drills today. Sheridan is also looking terrific IMO. Langdon made some fantastic zig zagging runs in the match sims.. TTHD goes to Walters with second place shared between Langdon, Neale and Barlow.

Son son is so good even I am in the far end notice his run and mark. Forward set up remain pav , tab ,mayne and Griff or hannath.

 

[Eski3]

I legitimately think Langdon will push into the 22 before Weller and Blakely

 

[jedi mind tricks]

I legitimately think Langdon will push into the 22 before Weller and Blakely

Before Blakely yes as we have plenty of in and under players but Weller looks every bit as good as him.

 

[jedi mind tricks]

Is it just me or does Johnno look particularly lithe and agile this summer. His body shape is more like a first year player. He's a long way ahead of where he was this time last year. If I recall correctly, this time last year he was doing lengths of the oval on Po's scooter. Pav was also bounding about like a youngster.
I did laugh at one play today. In one match sim Sherro kicked to Ballas who was being closely checked by Tanner. Tanner easily spoiled the ball but straight after this play about 10 others gave Sheridan individual advice about where the kick should have gone. With so much advice on offer I guess his team mates were suggesting he could have and should have kicked it anywhere by there.
My last thought for the day is Crozier. Of all the up and coming players he is my absolute favorite. I often think back to the enormous potential he displayed in a good Friday game for east Perth some years ago now. But watching him today I couldn't help but think that maybe Weller has moved ahead of him now and Langdon and a couple of others are closing in too.
Actually one more thought, I was quite taken by Sandi's white and metallic red boots today but as I looked across the elaborately colored boots of the players I noticed Chalky was wearing black. Now there's a diamond who wants to stay coal.

Hi Purple were you the guy with the binoculars and umbrella?

 

[Unique Name]

Anything to note on Alex Pearce?

 

[Fred Ziffel]

Fred Ziffel Did you plant the Jacarandas? That can be the price for allowing training watchers to attend otherwise they may boot us out?

They have them in all the promotional models and videos of the facility. They look great and now it looks like they are going to have a Dockers tractor parked under them.
I think the club may be amenable to a dedicated facility for the training watchers.

 

[sherrif]

Anything to note on Alex Pearce?

He was in the gym again today. Not surprisingly they seem to be focussing on putting muscle on him.