- Jun 28, 2013
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- AFL Club
- Hawthorn
Apologies ? I didn’t want it to stop.Made it to Arctic park this morning during the middle of summer go figure. Thanks to those that have provided a report. My son likes to sit up high to get a view of the whole ground while I like to walk around to be as close to the action, players and coaches as possible getting a different perspective. We don’t see each other much for a couple of hours
but l love talking about what we saw afterwards.
Started with some hard running drills. Then the boys focused on quick clean ball movement using numbers/each other as options covering the entire ground. Consistent with the other training sessions so it should be a big part of our game plan. Exciting times ……… get it in quick into the forward line.
Just before the match sim spoke to one of the trainers. Dimma is definitely playing forward. Club is really happy with the Wiz but got the impression that the practise games leading into Rd1 will determine if he plays or not as we don’t want to throw any of the kids unnecessarily into the fire. Having said that the Wiz has plenty of tricks that has him in good stead to avoid getting burnt.
Soon after the match sim started I sat myself right near the goals with Chol surrounded by Wiz, Ginnivan, Dimma, Moore and Bruest. Fn brilliant. With in 5 or so minutes Dimma took 2 solid marks and kicked truely both times. I’m now definitely on the Dimma bandwagon moving into the forward line as he is a beautiful kick at goal and in general play, can take a mark, brave as they come, great defensively and has forward nous. Could be a big surprise! And then there is the Wiz. Wow. The three things I witnessed 1) ball came in fast he sprung up high above everyone (because he read it the best) tapped the ball forward to himself while running onto it under pressure in congestion one touch gather followed by a quick clean handball straight to a team mate in a better position. 2) a high ball came in he read it quicker/better than everyone else running towards goal clean one touch gather kicks a goal across his body along the ground …… bread and butter stuff. He knows where the goals are made it look easy. 3) probably the best one when he was 15 out on a 45 degree angle. The ball came in and he read it the best again. One touch gather with someone on his tail ……. then placed the ball onto his boot lighting fast (all in the one action/within the same step) which hit the post. Would have been a pisser! We will see some unconventional snaps/goals coming out of no where from the Wiz mark it down. After watching him closely he reads the play so much quicker than everyone else. This already gives him a yard or two then throw in the turbo gear changes from standing start to top speed in a couple of steps with the ability to change direction at the same time ……. he is as slippery as they come. He also has a spring like leap. We’ve got a good one here. Chol is great for our forward structure. Even if he doesn’t mark it. He was having a good crack today. Has a beautiful routine when kicking at goal but didn’t realise how good his field kicking was. His vision kick touch and efficiency is superb for a big man. Nice skills. As Lewis was doing some running along the boundary line asked him how he was travelling. He is more disappointed then us with his current setback trust me but he’s not far away so all good. As he was standing near the goals Sammy made his way over and yelled out, “ hey Mitch where are you going to play when there are 8 others who want to sit in the goal square like Chol, Wiz, Dimma, Moore, Ginnivan”. Lewis replied, “move me up the ground if you like”. Was good to see Lewis showing his leadership giving advice to Ginnivan and co re creating space etc and Sammy sitting on the fence having a chat with Ky.
Couple of other observations.
Worps, Nash, Newk all busy today …… this is our core midfield group that will turn up every week to do a job. They are all seasoned footballers now and will backup from last year. Frenchie looked really good today. He’s a ball magnet and is clean by hand or foot. Add in Day and Ward …….. can see us having a midfield group that will match it with any other. Newk is starting to get a little bit of that Ablett snr hunched shoulders no neck look about him
Ramma looked bigger. Took a couple of pack marks and noticed he is confident in using his body more in contest work. He’s also very good below the knees for his height. Progressing well to hopefully become that second ruck/resting forward.
Chol is a great character at the club creates nice vibes among the group. During kicking for goal practise tries to put others off, betting for coffees etc. At the end walking back up the stairs I asked him how’d you go with the coffee tally today …….. with a big smile he said he is owed plenty.
DGB is looking thicker around the thighs and trunk but his running ability well ……..
Weddle is Weddle just seems to be running all over the place was mainly training with the backs but could see him playing anywhere eventually. Always stands out on the training track.
Amon is a total pro serious character and deliberate with everything he does.
While practicing shots at goal Huss is a beautiful/accurate kick reading the wind/conditions well. Smart footballer.
Towards the end of training the players were doing some goal to goal sprints. I said to Andy why don’t you take the boys to the spot where I use to see you train during your playing days on Waverley Rd. He said that he would hit this hill each year on Xmas day and would run up and down it a few times. Once saw him throwing up on a hot day after pushing himself. Could see that he was a bit chuffed that l spoke to him. Said he once took Crawf there just to show him the spot. Crawf ran up and down it 10 times and he told everyone about it
Apologise for the long winded report ……. more like a story
