Melbourne preseason training

[Big Mac]

I'm hadn't heard about the rumours but I'm guessing it is to do with his contract on the move or something.

I think I read on the weekend that West Coast were into him - Would have to offer a decent trade for him though

[Barra13]

Oh ok, well I think he is pretty content where he is. But I know SSelwoods contract is up at the end of the year, and knowing Roosy I'm sure that is something he would consider.

[Barra13]

From yesterdays session;

They come out in dribs and drabs and then proceed with a slow walk around the oval with or without a footy before some light stretching and then some kick to kick to warm up the legs. When I played local footy I hated the way some coaches mandated group warm ups, but at the same time I do think there might be some method to the madness. It's a team game, warm up and get stuck in to training as a team. Just food for thought.

From there it was in to the standard kicking drill they do that involves the ball going cone to cone in a diamond shape. A middle group takes one of two options. Generally solid kicking.

The drills opened up from there. Lots of 5 v 7 ball movement from defence to attack that was very messy at times. The good news I guess is we can zone off and defend pretty well. The bad news is still too many lack confidence and flair when getting the ball out to the open man then up the field. A Brayshaw kick diagonally back in to the centre was a highlight.

The speed of ball movement was mixed. Love watching some like Garlett, Kent and Salem when they link and run.

It was in to different drills but the same emphasis, getting the ball going forward quickly. Toumpy had some clean moments and trained well. Roh Bail knows how to run as does Lumumba.

Had a good look at van den Berg, there's a certain flow to the way he moves that just looks like a natural football. Dane Swan waddles his way to a browlow and van den Berg probably has a fair way to go on fitness and repeat speed, so who knows what it means. Ah I don't know, there was just a few moments, it might all count for nothing.

Benny Matthews took Maxy King to fake hit outs to a group of Jones, Cross, Michie, Salem, JKH a couple of others. The rest were split in groups doing a midfield drill or having a bit of goal kicking. Garland, Gawn and White did some extra running. White is a solidly built lad.

Brendan McCartney finished the session with most of those who didn't play in the NAB 1 plus the 2 subs (V'berg and McKenzie) as well as Gawn and Pedersen getting some extra running through a tough ball movement drill with a smaller group working hard.

Overall most of the better players looked in solid nick. The skills started ok but the lesser types felt the pressure. It wasn't great but it wasn't terrible either. Maybe a 6/10 for execution probably dragged down by some senior players making early mistakes that looked like they are ready for more games but probably an 8/10 for doing the correct drills with decent intensity and in good numbers.

[Purple 77]

Was reading the Demonland thread yesterday, a lot of criticism on the family day.

And rightfully so  :-\ very disappointing to hear that.

[kilbluff1985]

Was reading the Demonland thread yesterday, a lot of criticism on the family day.

And rightfully so  :-\ very disappointing to hear that.

what happened in short?

[Purple 77]

Was reading the Demonland thread yesterday, a lot of criticism on the family day.

And rightfully so  :-\ very disappointing to hear that.

what happened in short?

Oh just pretty poor PR. They announced clearly that the players would start training at 12, then pushed it back an hour to 1 o'clock, the announcement coming via twitter at 11 am, where most families would have been in transit.

A lot of people didn't know what was going on, either left or waited the hour... not a good way to treat the fans.

[Barra13]

Personally if I was there and it happened to me it wouldn't have worried me at all. But can understand families and things.

[Big Mac]

Poor form by the dees there

[Barra13]

From todays session;

- It was windy so disposals by all were average at times, BUT yes the usual butchers were at it again.

- I love H's intensity.

- Gartlett, Frost and H are great pickups, we look more dangerous with them in our team.

- I know this may offend, but on what I've seen to date with Hogan he is not our superstar this year. He is just a kid still learning. He will bring a contest and another option up forward but will not star, for this year at least.

- Dawes looked good today, took clean marks and looks very fit.

- Someone may be able to clarify but it appeared Vince was involved in the sessions early, then went off to do his rehab training.

- It looked like Howe was in the golf cart for the whole time, I hope everything is ok.

- McCartney was running a few drills when squad split up into 3 and was providing great instructions and feedback. He'll be perfect for the development of the younger guys.

I went along to training (it's still going) and can confirm Hogan seems to be doing all the drills and appears fine.

Great to see Jack Trengove walking some laps at the start. Slight limp happening there!

Vince joined in the drills at the start then pulled out as the intensity and simulation style rose. White also.

This was my first training session for the year and for me there was a noticeable skill improvement but the usual suspects (whilst some have improved) were still ratty.

Size wise, players didn't look bigger than last year - maybe more toned. Watts looks like a high jumper in physique.

Impressive:

The usuals (Jones, Tyson etc)

Prince

Frost

vanDemon

nice kick on White and King

I like the look of Brayshaw. One of his kicks didn't make the distance. Is he not a great long kick?

Pleasantly surprised:

Jordie

Didn't see Howe but he might've been there.

I was looking to see if the Toump looked any quicker and decided - maybe a little!

[Purple 77]

Can't wait to have another look at Newton, Vanders, Hogan and maybe Stretch on saturday  8)

[Barra13]

A little from todays session;

Highlights of today:

1. Bail, Matt Jones and Stretch taken aside for some tackling and competing work. Why? Because Matt Jones seems to give away a free kick whenever he goes near someone. Stretch is a skinny body who will need to be taught to tackle and ride tackles to protect himself in the VFL (although did play SANFL last year) and Bail seems to slip off tackles as well. Just made me happy that the coaches have noticed players weaknesses and are actively involved in fixing them.

2. Just how much work Vince got through. Seeing Howe do a fair bit and Kent do plenty as well.

3. Nev Jetta's voice in drills. Very positive. Confident

By the way. When they went in to full ground match simulation (with token pressure only) the team was;


FB: Garland  Dunn Jetta
HB: Grimes McDonald Salem
C: Toumpas  Jones  Newton
HF: M. Jones  Dawes  JHK
FF: Frost   Hogan   Garlett
Foll: Jamar   Lumumba Tyson

[Purple 77]

That's an interesting 18. Wonder if that is a hint at our round 1 side?

[Big Mac]

That's an interesting 18. Wonder if that is a hint at our round 1 side?

Don't think Frost will start forward nor Lumumba in the mids - Could be pretty close though.

Who would you have on the bench?

[Mr.Craig]

Matt Jones seems to give away a free kick whenever he goes near someone.

That's a bit rough. Gave away 13 frees from 20 games last year, 351st in the comp for average FA's.

[Barra13]

He did give a few away this NAB series, normally not too bad though.

Frost has been playing alot in the forward line so far in the NAB and Lumumba has been starting in the centre quite a few bounces aswell.