Melbourne preseason training

[Barra13]

COACH Paul Roos says the players have given their all on Melbourne’s 11-day pre-season camp in Maroochydore, which draws to a close on Thursday.

Speaking early on the final day at Melbourne’s 6am boxing beach session, Roos said the players had been “terrific and really professional” on the camp.

“They’ve trained really hard and we’ve had four or five really good sessions and we’ve done a lot of other stuff, so it’s been really successful,” he told Dee TV.

“We tried to get the boys all together and build on the relationships and also give them more of the game plan.”

“Like most clubs, we’ve been training pretty hard at the moment and have been trying to achieve the objectives we’ve set ourselves.

Roos said the camp had been particularly beneficial for the first-year players.

“We didn’t do one last year, so to come in and get to meet your teammates â€" it’s been great for the four new blokes from other clubs as well,” he said.

“I think it’s a real advantage because we’ve turned over 20-odd players in the last two years, so everyone has really benefited from getting to know each other.

“[They have also been able to] live with guys they wouldn’t normally live with and spend time with guys they mightn’t have normally spent time with, so that’s certainly been a big positive.”

Roos said he hopes the players will use the camp as a focal point for the upcoming season.

“You hope so. We’ve certainly been doing the work, but every club is doing that and the next 10 weeks is critical for every club to round off their preparation and get as much game time [as possible],” he said.

“Now [players] start thinking about [the] team rather than themselves. I think the first month of preparation for pre-season is all about the individual and trying to get yourself as fit as possible.

“The next stage is thinking about the team and how the team can improve.”

Roos said the players were set to have three days off before returning to training on Australia Day, before launching into another crucial period before the NAB Challenge starts in March.

“The guys will have three days off, which is well earned, so they’ll enjoy that I’m sure,” he said.

“The next week will be a quieter week and then we’ll build it back up again.

“The more game related things we can do [to] understand the game plan â€" it’s really the focus prior to the NAB Challenge.”

[Ricochet]

reports today that Neal-Bullen dislocated his knee again at training

[Purple 77]

reports today that Neal-Bullen dislocated his knee again at training

Yeah  :(

Howe also pinged his hammy I read, but it seems minor.

[kilbluff1985]

That's not what he KNEEds

[Nige]

That's not what he KNEEds

Not your best work.

[kilbluff1985]

That's not what he KNEEds

Not your best work.

stole it from facebook lol

[Purple 77]

ANB did his knee?

That's Bullen-sh!t

:P

[Bill Manspeaker]

did I hear downgrade target 8)

[T Dog]

did I hear downgrade target 8)

I am sure that is what I heard   8)

[Purple 77]

Just read today that Jack Lovett (son of Brett and eligible under F/S) was training with us today briefly.

Apparently he is pretty well built already. Think I remember reading he had a BOG in one of his unders games last year, so will be interesting to see how that pans out.

[Big Mac]

Just read today that Jack Lovett (son of Brett and eligible under F/S) was training with us today briefly.

Apparently he is pretty well built already. Think I remember reading he had a BOG in one of his unders games last year, so will be interesting to see how that pans out.

Should be a handy player from all accounts

[Barra13]

Training report from yesterdays session;

Good session again today, lots of ball movement drills.

Casualty ward first, no Trengove, Neal-Bullen or King.

Watts and White did a short handballing session and then into swimming

Howe did a few laps of slow pace running with Andrew Nicol

Vince and Hunt were in rehab, doing laps and a bit of ball work

Brendan McCartney appeared for the first time, did a lot of talk, during the drills

Standouts in the match sim, sorry to say for the lemon suckers, Matt Jones and Jordie McKenzie, but for the optimists, Petracca did the best session  I have seen from him, put Ben Newton on his arse during one match sim, playing him as a forward mostly, except when they had a full field drill with what seemed to be designated  link man who had to be involved in the play, Petracca, Brayshaw, Billy Stretch (who was another to shine) and Jeff Garlett (another standout with his reading of the game and quick hands) were these designated link men.

Others to shine, Dean Kent, a four bounce run down a wing and a post high goal,, Salem off half back and taking kick ins, Jack Grimes and Jimmy Toumpas, both off half back.

Roos again was stressing the simple option, Viney was guilty once of going sideways, was told in no uncertain terms later on.

Another drill, Fitzy got the ball unmarked on the far wing, Roos shouted Dawes so loud everybody heard it, Fitzy did the right thing and kicked straightway down Dawes' throat, Dawes had got himself free over the back.

[kilbluff1985]

wow Salem off half back that's interesting

[Kellogscrunchynut]

Cheers for the info Barra now seriously considering Salem.

[Purple 77]

wow Salem off half back that's interesting

Yeah I was surprised too,

First time I saw him potentially playing off half-back, was when I looked at one Demonlander's best 22 last night.

This just isn't any ordinary supporter either. He has been to so many, if not ALL, of melbourne's training sessions. He compiled his best 22 purely from who has been training the best (hence why he left out Vince, Watts and some other slightly underdone starters).

Is worth a look... can't seem to find it atm.