2016 Pre-Season (All news, press conferences, training reports, Photos)

[L Dizz]

WOW - not heard that phrase for a long time! Without wanting to sound skeptical, might wait for a second opinion.

Thanks for the report much appreciated.

I went down for a look too. I wouldn't have said the skills were sharp, but they were definitely far improved from when I popped along a couple of weeks back. I concur that Bell looked good, he must have just had a bad day the last time I saw him.

Wounded Lion didn't mention it, but Keays and Hipwood were training too, although they didn't complete the running. Keays looks a real energetic type, while you could be forgiven for getting Hipwood mixed up with the goal posts. He needs to be locked in the gym for a year only putting the weights down to eat steak. But he has good hands.

The usual names were running well, although Claye Beams looks to have improved a bit.

Looking forward to Monday

 

[Wounded Lion]

I went down for a look too. I wouldn't have said the skills were sharp, but they were definitely far improved from when I popped along a couple of weeks back. I concur that Bell looked good, he must have just had a bad day the last time I saw him.

Wounded Lion didn't mention it, but Keays and Hipwood were training too, although they didn't complete the running. Keays looks a real energetic type, while you could be forgiven for getting Hipwood mixed up with the goal posts. He needs to be locked in the gym for a year only putting the weights down to eat steak. But he has good hands.

The usual names were running well, although Claye Beams looks to have improved a bit.

Looking forward to Monday

My definition of sharp was based on this time of the Pre season. If they were to kick/handball that way during a Home & Away game, say hello to another 10 goal loss!

 

[winged1]

Faked a client meeting this morning and popped down to training.

Skills were pretty sharp given it was quite slippery from the humidity and the breeze was strong.

Paine, Taylor, Gardiner, Rockliff, Merrett, Harwood, West, Watts, Freeman & Hammelmann were doing laps the entire session but looked in good nick. Rehab group was Beasley, McGrath, Dawson & C.Hanley.

No sign of Stefan Martin or Dayne Beams, must be returning a bit later.

Tom Bell moving really well along with Mitch Robinson, I can see both playing a permanent half forward role pushing into the midfield.

Michael Close absolutely killing the running sessions, always leading his group by 5 meters in the 400's around the boundary.

Funny moment, Josh Watts was doing laps for 30 minutes and was absolutely spent as he finished near the change rooms. Cian Hanley walks out the rooms with no shirt on and Gatorade in hand to yell "that was a lovely warm up Wattsy!"

It was greeted with much laughter from the players and staff, classic Irish Larrikinism!

Absolutely punishingly hot today too, should run them into shape pretty quickly. Thanks for the update.

 

[M Malice]

Absolutely punishingly hot today too, should run them into shape pretty quickly. Thanks for the update.

who needs Dubai.

 

[winged1]

who needs Dubai.

Exactly, shit of a place too. If I never set foot in Abu Dhabi or Dubai again I will be happy.

 

[carnthemlions]

Exactly, shit of a place too. If I never set foot in Abu Dhabi or Dubai again I will be happy.

Dubai is interesting because it's so bizarre. Abu Dhabi just looks (and feels) like a pretend city that's sprung up in the middle of the desert.

 

[LIONS08]

The lions put up some info and footage about the 3km time trial

The Senior boys were greeted with a 3km time trial at the Brisbane Army Barracks on their return Monday afternoon, in hot and windy conditions.

Lions High Performance Manager Damien Austin believes that the 3km time trial is a good guide to see where the boys are at.

"I think it’s good to get a feel for where the group is at and where there is room to improve, and the 3km TT is one of those areas which gives me a good guide,” Austin said.

"In previous years they have completed 2km TT, so how they adapted to 3km was part of the challenge.

"We’ve had some payers come back and make a statement with their running and shown what they're capable off, while some new players in Tom Bell & Ryan Bastinac have shown they are ready to go also.

"The challenge is to set high standards, do the small things well and just get better every day."

The Top Three:
1st. Nick Robertson

2nd. Marco Paparone

3rd. Tom Bell

Damien Austin was also impressed by the running of Ryan Bastinac, Michael Close, Claye Beams, Rohan Bewick and Allen Christensen.

It would be absolutely massive if Bundy could get fit next year and take his game to the next level. The kid has some serious skills and if he can spend more time in the middle and rest up forward it could be extremely valuable for us!!

 

[lionshine]

The lions put up some info and footage about the 3km time trial

The Senior boys were greeted with a 3km time trial at the Brisbane Army Barracks on their return Monday afternoon, in hot and windy conditions.

Lions High Performance Manager Damien Austin believes that the 3km time trial is a good guide to see where the boys are at.

"I think it’s good to get a feel for where the group is at and where there is room to improve, and the 3km TT is one of those areas which gives me a good guide,” Austin said.

"In previous years they have completed 2km TT, so how they adapted to 3km was part of the challenge.

"We’ve had some payers come back and make a statement with their running and shown what they're capable off, while some new players in Tom Bell & Ryan Bastinac have shown they are ready to go also.

"The challenge is to set high standards, do the small things well and just get better every day."

The Top Three:
1st. Nick Robertson

2nd. Marco Paparone

3rd. Tom Bell

Damien Austin was also impressed by the running of Ryan Bastinac, Michael Close, Claye Beams, Rohan Bewick and Allen Christensen.

It would be absolutely massive if Bundy could get fit next year and take his game to the next level. The kid has some serious skills and if he can spend more time in the middle and rest up forward it could be extremely valuable for us!!

Yep I expect Bundy to take the next step next year. Will finish top 5 in the BnF again despite stronger competition (Due to less injuries… hopefully anyway!).

 

[BrizzyBandit]

Just want to thank the people for writing up what they see at training.
They are my favorite posts to read.

As a Melbourne based fan I love hearing the observations of fellow fans who know the players as well if not better than I do.

Thanks family!!

 

[Big Sauce 21]

When do the draft players start ?

 

[Mr Ripper]

When do the draft players start ?

Monday

 

[SizeMatters]

If I got some time I might even pop on down. Really want to see Bastinac...

 

[Milux]

Im glad to see the 3 km time trial back. Hoepefully this is a sign of good fitness bases to come. We should see aerobic fitness increase almost immediately and the mass of these kids over the next few seasons. Pritty glad to have this well credentialled Austin with us. Hopefully far superior to Burton.

 

[a mayes ing]

Hope someone can go down and take some pictures or report back to us on how the draftee kids go.

 

[blynd_freddie]

Monday

When do the sausages stop?

 

[Wounded Lion]

I'll be heading down again, will report back later tonight.

 

[James North]

Hope someone can go down and take some pictures or report back to us on how the draftee kids go.

Might try to take some pics AMI.

 

[SizeMatters]

If I got some time I might even pop on down. Really want to see Bastinac...

Blah... Maybe not.

 

[Mr Ripper]

When do the sausages stop?

Never?

 

[Mr Ripper]

 

[James North]

Great seeing the new guys doing drills.

 

[James North]

Hudson helping Schache perfect his star jumps...

 

[James North]

Plenty of enthusiasm... First time the group has been together for a while I guess.

 

[Milux]

Hudson helping Schache perfect his star jumps...

Hudson. The pure athlete.

 

[James North]

Everyone in team training kit - Dayne Beams in a black tee.

Hanging with William.