Here is a report from over at Extreme Black n White on what seems to be the training from today.
Today a greyer sky dotted with fluffy cloud and cooler conditions greeted the players but gradually the sun poked through and it warmed up appreciably.
Jamie Elliott who was missing on Thursday did not present at the session today, though he did on Saturday. He reportedly contracted COVID so might be on a modified program at this juncture. Likewise, Darcy Cameron missing in action on Thursday, was also absent. He apparently was granted leave to attend his brother’s wedding, presumably in Western Australia but he hasn’t resurfaced yesterday. Nathan Kreuger appeared with his arm in a sling and walked a slow lap while chatting to others. The speculation from the bleachers was that he looks like he’s had surgery again. Evidently, he hurt his shoulder again pre-Christmas. This, coupled with the frenetic way he plays, does not augur well for any serious longevity from the big #15. Ruscoe who was not sighted on Thursday was back and completed the whole session.
Fin Macrae who gingerly walked laps on Thursday, appeared early in the session on the outer side of the arena and graduated to high knee lifts and some practising of lateral movements but he did not stay out too long and his recovery appears to be slow and incremental, which is a pity after his good showing in the time trial shortly after the young players returned to training.
JDG who was sporting the blue hat(perhaps the non-contact colour) this year did everything bar the final sim and he and Beau McCreery completed some running at the river end while this took place.
Moore seems to have made quite a big of progress since Thursday’s training. He discarded the bucket hand in favour of showcasing his blond bun and graduated to running. He ran along the outer side quite a number of times before doing some half laps of the ground at a fair pace and notably as his running progressed he stepped up and stretched out fully. He also did the resistance work and then some ball work, including integrating some core body aspects to it with Roughy, and on balance looks like he hasn’t lost conditioning despite the layoff.
The session consisted of a lot of building blocks towards the match simulation. The group warm-up after the initial kicking around in spontaneous fashion, was mainly based around the resistance ropes, followed by some ball drills. After this there was an emphasis on effecting tackling skills, ball movement by hand and foot some evasive work whereby players had to elude tacklers and dish off to a teammate. There were several stations to hone these skills and players transitioned through them several times. There was some whole ball movement activities using most of the ground, and a drill with cones whereby players had to practise running and retrieving the ball over short distances and this was done repetitively. The final simulation was different today in that they use the ground wing to wing as their boundaries for the match play.
During this last segment, Howe appeared to have picked up a niggle and after indicating an issue with his lower leg, he left the ground accompanied by a trainer and didn’t appear to return.
There were some heartening things to take out of the session.
McStay has blended in really well. He has sure hands, moves well and kicks with precision over both long and short distances.
Nick Daicos is insanely good. At centre clearances he was grabbing the ball and bouncing away from all comers before delivering neatly to a target. He also shone in a similar vein during the drills.
Josh too, was lively, tackling well, looking strong and he was generally conspicuous in the maelstrom of action.
Carmichael appears to have bulked up and looks very fit. He is definitely benefiting from his first pre-season in the big time. He got a lot of the ball and kicked and moved very well. He may have gained a yard from streamlining his physique.
Allan looked switched on and adept for someone so callow. He certainly kicks with penetration and has picked up the game-plan well though it may be too early for him to join the seniors.
Kelly was pitted against McStay and Checkers at various times. The former seemed to beat him for body strength, but Will’s recovery was good when the ball spilled. Occasionally we see those rubbery hands but he arguably looks fitter and more athletic than in previous seasons when he’s been bedevilled by injury.
Ryan flashed in and out the play – he has a good turn of speed but at this point is perhaps lacking in a bit of body strength, understandably, judging by a few contests witnessed.
Oscar Steene is looking a likely type compared with others competing for a spot given our lack of ruck depth. He’s a good size and looked impressive at times.
Markov had his first run today and completed all the various components of the session and he showed some cheek by barking instructions at times.
Mitchell and Adams (who looks even more bulked up), did a lot of the centre-square work. Mitchell’s trusty left boot was precise most of the times, while Tay was a bit problematic with his kicking but powerful as ever at the contest.
Reef is working hard and looks physically stronger.
Cox seemed to jar an ankle late but worked his way through it.
Dean also looks a more AFL specific shape this season and he competed well with Checkers and sundry forwards. He ran well to position and also looked capable in the contested work.
Of course, the evergreens like Sidey and Pendles are so efficient, they blend seamlessly into the match.
WHE appears to being tried in defence so there is no shortage of options there with the depth we’ve acquired.
Maynard looks to have improved his endurance so he could be an option for the midfield where Crisp is spending most of his time.
IQ sporting the full afro looks destined for a big season after the extra work he has been investing in his preparation with the likes of Nick. D. He may be a possibility for the wing at some point if required.
Richards has quite a lot of toe and his energetic and evidently earmarked for a back flank.
Bolton was as effusive and vociferous as ever as he instructed the players in their drills. Sometimes he made them repeat actions and often had corrective advice for those not fully adhering to his edicts.
Today a greyer sky dotted with fluffy cloud and cooler conditions greeted the players but gradually the sun poked through and it warmed up appreciably.
Jamie Elliott who was missing on Thursday did not present at the session today, though he did on Saturday. He reportedly contracted COVID so might be on a modified program at this juncture. Likewise, Darcy Cameron missing in action on Thursday, was also absent. He apparently was granted leave to attend his brother’s wedding, presumably in Western Australia but he hasn’t resurfaced yesterday. Nathan Kreuger appeared with his arm in a sling and walked a slow lap while chatting to others. The speculation from the bleachers was that he looks like he’s had surgery again. Evidently, he hurt his shoulder again pre-Christmas. This, coupled with the frenetic way he plays, does not augur well for any serious longevity from the big #15. Ruscoe who was not sighted on Thursday was back and completed the whole session.
Fin Macrae who gingerly walked laps on Thursday, appeared early in the session on the outer side of the arena and graduated to high knee lifts and some practising of lateral movements but he did not stay out too long and his recovery appears to be slow and incremental, which is a pity after his good showing in the time trial shortly after the young players returned to training.
JDG who was sporting the blue hat(perhaps the non-contact colour) this year did everything bar the final sim and he and Beau McCreery completed some running at the river end while this took place.
Moore seems to have made quite a big of progress since Thursday’s training. He discarded the bucket hand in favour of showcasing his blond bun and graduated to running. He ran along the outer side quite a number of times before doing some half laps of the ground at a fair pace and notably as his running progressed he stepped up and stretched out fully. He also did the resistance work and then some ball work, including integrating some core body aspects to it with Roughy, and on balance looks like he hasn’t lost conditioning despite the layoff.
The session consisted of a lot of building blocks towards the match simulation. The group warm-up after the initial kicking around in spontaneous fashion, was mainly based around the resistance ropes, followed by some ball drills. After this there was an emphasis on effecting tackling skills, ball movement by hand and foot some evasive work whereby players had to elude tacklers and dish off to a teammate. There were several stations to hone these skills and players transitioned through them several times. There was some whole ball movement activities using most of the ground, and a drill with cones whereby players had to practise running and retrieving the ball over short distances and this was done repetitively. The final simulation was different today in that they use the ground wing to wing as their boundaries for the match play.
During this last segment, Howe appeared to have picked up a niggle and after indicating an issue with his lower leg, he left the ground accompanied by a trainer and didn’t appear to return.
There were some heartening things to take out of the session.
McStay has blended in really well. He has sure hands, moves well and kicks with precision over both long and short distances.
Nick Daicos is insanely good. At centre clearances he was grabbing the ball and bouncing away from all comers before delivering neatly to a target. He also shone in a similar vein during the drills.
Josh too, was lively, tackling well, looking strong and he was generally conspicuous in the maelstrom of action.
Carmichael appears to have bulked up and looks very fit. He is definitely benefiting from his first pre-season in the big time. He got a lot of the ball and kicked and moved very well. He may have gained a yard from streamlining his physique.
Allan looked switched on and adept for someone so callow. He certainly kicks with penetration and has picked up the game-plan well though it may be too early for him to join the seniors.
Kelly was pitted against McStay and Checkers at various times. The former seemed to beat him for body strength, but Will’s recovery was good when the ball spilled. Occasionally we see those rubbery hands but he arguably looks fitter and more athletic than in previous seasons when he’s been bedevilled by injury.
Ryan flashed in and out the play – he has a good turn of speed but at this point is perhaps lacking in a bit of body strength, understandably, judging by a few contests witnessed.
Oscar Steene is looking a likely type compared with others competing for a spot given our lack of ruck depth. He’s a good size and looked impressive at times.
Markov had his first run today and completed all the various components of the session and he showed some cheek by barking instructions at times.
Mitchell and Adams (who looks even more bulked up), did a lot of the centre-square work. Mitchell’s trusty left boot was precise most of the times, while Tay was a bit problematic with his kicking but powerful as ever at the contest.
Reef is working hard and looks physically stronger.
Cox seemed to jar an ankle late but worked his way through it.
Dean also looks a more AFL specific shape this season and he competed well with Checkers and sundry forwards. He ran well to position and also looked capable in the contested work.
Of course, the evergreens like Sidey and Pendles are so efficient, they blend seamlessly into the match.
WHE appears to being tried in defence so there is no shortage of options there with the depth we’ve acquired.
Maynard looks to have improved his endurance so he could be an option for the midfield where Crisp is spending most of his time.
IQ sporting the full afro looks destined for a big season after the extra work he has been investing in his preparation with the likes of Nick. D. He may be a possibility for the wing at some point if required.
Richards has quite a lot of toe and his energetic and evidently earmarked for a back flank.
Bolton was as effusive and vociferous as ever as he instructed the players in their drills. Sometimes he made them repeat actions and often had corrective advice for those not fully adhering to his edicts.
