Official Pre-Season Training Times, Photos and Discussion Thread

[Twinkletoes]

You've outdone yourself Be. Cheers mate.

Great turnup. Fantastic reports.

All appreciated as we couldn't get there either.

 

[the big lebowski]

Majak seems to have bulked up abit, looking good
It sounds like it was a great day and training session, thanks for all the pics and videos

It is quite funny hearing young kids squeal in delight when Majak touches the ball at training.

He will sellout stadiums if he's any good.

 

[GarnerSmash]

No doubt, I am talking about specific instances where I saw him sit out 2-4 mins of the drills.
This only happened a couple of times that I saw. He walked to the side took a couple of minutes and then was back into it.

I noticed a number of blokes do this. Boomer sat out occasionally, as did Harps from memory, although Cunnington probably did it more. Mind you, they were at it for 3 and a bit hours. Cunners looked good at times in tight spaces but sold his mates into trouble from time to time.He needs to become more aware of whats going on. It's like at times he just isn't fully present.

Most of the blokes look stronger and fitter for sure. Hansen was smashing some of the interval training stuff, making the others look bad, especially in dragging weights behind him or pushing weight in front. Taz, well, if he plays like he looks then I pity all full backs. He played up forward in al drills.

When he had ball in hand Basti looked like he was in the matrix, anticipating player movements around him and getting through traffic with ease. The kid is a freak in close.

Atley looks fit as f***, with extra size around the shoulders. Black is looking good size wise too. Even Sammy Wright pushed his way through a few tackles too, one which led to him running in and slotting one from 40m.

Great spirit out there too, with the guys really egging each other on towards the very end. One thing is for sure ,the team are not going to lack in the fitness department this year.

 

[Old Skool]

Most of the blokes look stronger and fitter for sure. Hansen was smashing some of the interval training stuff, making the others look bad, especially in dragging weights behind him or pushing weight in front.

If he is stronger, then he will become more confident and the rise in aggression will appear. I have noticed that he seems to have put on some lean upper body muscle.

If he can get some continuity, then I'm expecting a breakout season.

Cunners, I think will take a while longer. Inside mids rarely click before 22.

 

[Passmore]

I only get down to training 2-3 times a years, and what I did notice was the intencity and urgency that the boys went about things. There seems to be an expectation amongst the group. They seemed to have "grown up".

The body shapes of the group in general was amazing. I know the first year players wern't there, but the 2-3 years boys now look like men.

Harper, Atley, Cunners, even LA all look in amazing shape. And Cruze has gone from a short chubby kid to a little nugget. And I dare say if Maj doesn't cut the mustard in the big league, he'll be on billboards modelling reg grundies. Talk about ripped

What I did notice in the stoppage and match simulations was Criuze doing some defensive work. Is there a run with role in the wind?

Also Atley and LA working in the defensive zone. Shaun looks to have the pace and body to match with the smaller forwards if that the way Brad decides to go for now, and LA was really leading the way from HB, instructing others. Shaun still need to tidy up the disposal. He's fine when he drilling them 60, but he seems to find trouble when finessing 20-30m passes. But he's a good kid, with a thirst to improve so I'm not gnashing teeth about this.

Scotty Mac also seemed to be comanding his defensive zone. He probably now looks around and sees himself and one of the older heads. Azza's the same. Both look like they have really grown with the way they approach their footy.

And how about Harps!!. It's how much he does at this stage, it's how he does. **** me, it's a thing of beauty when he has the ball. A little fient here, a burst of exelleration there, he'll dribe a man to poetry before 2012's out.

The most pleasing thing comapred to Aus Day 2011, was the overall health of the group. Christ, last year we had more blokes in rehab work that were actually training. This year the numbers sitting out match work were small, however they were still all doing significant training.

Gagging for Feb 7. There is so much competition for places that it's going to be one willing and intense intra-club.

 

[Passmore]

Cunners, I think will take a while longer. Inside mids rarely click before 22.

I think you've been the one to describe Cunners as a "slow burner". I'm seeing a similar improvemnt curve to Adam Simpson. I know Simmo played in the '96 flag, but it was still probably until mid '98 when he really "made it"

I reckon we'll see increments of improvement over the next 24 months, then all of a sudden the footy world will be "gee this blokes a good player"

 

[GarnerSmash]

And how about Harps!!. It's how much he does at this stage, it's how he does. **** me, it's a thing of beauty when he has the ball. A little fient here, a burst of exelleration there, he'll dribe a man to poetry before 2012's out.

Definately.He sold plenty of candy but almost imperceptibly. This bloke will play midfield, and very, very well. He and Basti will brig the class to a brutal midfield.

 

[GarnerSmash]

If he is stronger, then he will become more confident and the rise in aggression will appear. I have noticed that he seems to have put on some lean upper body muscle.

If he can get some continuity, then I'm expecting a breakout season.

Cunners, I think will take a while longer. Inside mids rarely click before 22.

Cunners can look great, especially his movement and evasiveness in close, but then he'll be off the pace in the next play or look like he's not really taking an active part. The kid can play but pehaps he is still a little immature footy wise.

 

[Passmore]

Anyone else notice that the HS photographer seems to have a "thing" for Maj. Ten photos and half contain him?

 

[year of the roo]

Anyone else notice that the HS photographer seems to have a "thing" for Maj. Ten photos and half contain him?

Once you photo Majak, you don't go back.

 

[giantroo]

No doubting that Magic Majak sells papers!!

 

[Ziebs07]

Popped along to watch the boys for about an hour. Great weather and turnout

First session I saw was full ground kicking drills. Was very impressed with not only the skill level but the way the boys lead hard and took overhead marks at pace. Standouts in this drill were Campbell, Adams, Harper, MacMillan with Tarrant and Edwards having the best hands.

Next the boys moved on to 6 v 6 drills, moving the ball from a contested situation to the forward line. Unfortunately the skill level dropped off a bit, but I guess it could be attributed to the defensive pressure. Absolute standout in this drill, as others have mentioned was Basti. Time stands still when he has the ball, similar to Pendles. Other standouts were Garlett, Harper and Anthony.

Some other general observations about players:

Grima: Looks like he is back to full fitness. Great to see because in 2010, I rated him our most important player

Boomer: Just a class above everyone on the track. It's not hard to see why he is a champion. Didnt make a mistake the whole day

Ziebell: In great shape. Still huge across the chest, but now has turned all that puppy fat into lean muscle. Seems to have built a tank to play full time midfield

Anthony: As always, made space and racked up the possies. Hit every target by foot and seems to have cleaned up his disposal. Will add something to our backline this year

Black: Great agility and kicking skills for a big man. Might just be the answer to our KPF problem

Campbell: Regained the zip and confidence in his hammies.

Garlett: Might not have as high a ceiling as others, but if you picked a team on form alone, he would walk into our best 22. Stood out in most of the drills with his clean hands. I hope he gets an extended run this year

Majak: Well it's hard not to notice him. Saw him take on 4 blokes in one run. Eventually was tackled and bundled out of bounds, but it was exciting nevertheless. Coaches took a different view and advised him to use his hands next time. Hope he cracks at least 1 game this year

 

[Old Skool]

Black: Great agility and kicking skills for a big man. Might just be the answer to our KPF problem

Can he take contested marks? This is the only remaining question.

My gut feeling is that he's best suited to a leading forward role.

 

[Shagga is all Class]

Lindsay Thomas playing ON THE BALL and looking amazing.

High half forward for me after the end of last year but he can be Wells like in the open field and that left foot is lethal.

Instinctive footballer who needs to be on the move.

 

[DunderHead]

Doesn't have the build to play true KP. He's slippery like a snake though and I reckon he'll cause real match-up issues.

 

[year of the roo]

Any training happening this week? Nothing on the website.

 

[Dan]

Any training happening this week? Nothing on the website.

Just had a look on the website and still no update

Anyone know when next open training session is?

 

[Twinkletoes]

Just had a look on the website and still no update

Anyone know when next open training session is?

I've no idea when the next open training session is planned for at Aegis Park, but the team's in Ballarat this week for their community camp, which includes Tuesday's intra club game.

 

[Old Skool]

No doubting that Magic Majak sells papers!!

EXCITING North Melbourne rookie Majak Daw could miss the NAB Cup series as he works to overcome a knee injury.

The 20-year-old big man had been hoping to use the pre-season competition as a potential springboard to his highly anticipated first AFL match, after spending the past two seasons developing his game in the VFL.

But Daw, who managed two NAB Cup games last season, encountered problems with his right knee after returning from the club's training camp in Utah. He had surgery just before Christmas to correct the problems. "My knee was playing up a bit late last year and there was a lot of swelling in it," Daw said yesterday as he took part in North Melbourne's community camp in Ballarat. "So I just went in for an arthroscope and they cleaned all the gunk out of it.

"I am coming through all the rehab well, but I don't think I will be in contention for NAB Cup just yet. Personally I'd love to be able to play, but I still have some work to do to catch up on my fitness.

...."I understand the excitement around him, but Majak has still got significant improvement on and off the field before he plays (AFL football)," Scott said.....


http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/longer-wait-for-majak-daw-show/story-e6frf9jf-1226264168373

I agree, I'm tipping another year of development for Maj.

North Melbourne plays an intra-club match at Eureka Stadium at 5.30pm tonight, with 46 fit players available.

The Roos had less than 30 in the corresponding game 12 months ago.

Huh? We only have 46 players on the list.

I'm tipping 44 out of 46 (Richo and Maj missing).

 

[MagicalRoos]

Huh? We only have 46 players on the list.

I'm tipping 44 out of 46 (Richo and Maj missing).

41 (+Wells, Lynch and Curran)

 

[GarnerSmash]

40 - no Kennedy either.

 

[tazaa]

wait for it.. Injury Crisis hit Aegis Park!

 

[ginosec]

40 is great news, there was not much more than one fit on-field squad. This year we can almost make two. I suppose we will still top up the two teams with North Ballarat players? Can anyone confirm that?

 

[jezaroo]

Maj, Wells, Lynch, Wright, Kennedy, Garlett, Sirra, Curran & Richo all missed.

Travis Tuck was one of the top-ups, a wirey solid tackling machine.

The rest were all from NB i think.

 

[Glory Days]

Maj, Wells, Lynch, Wright, Kennedy, Garlett, Sirra, Curran & Richo all missed.

Travis Tuck was one of the top-ups, a wirey solid tackling machine.

The rest were all from NB i think.

Any news on why Sirra, Garlett and Sammy Wright missed?