Training Report

[Ringo]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Z9nG5pto8I&feature=c4-overview&list=UUp_RcJCqrVSK581-EPBqUDg

Brett Burton giving an update on Brisbane training.

2km trial Robertson, Close, Zorko and Michael were the leaders. Reinforces the belief that Zorko has added pace.

Merrett and brown will be in full training in the next couple of weeks.

McGuanne is the only one that may be 3 weeks or more from full training.  Others on rehab Paine, Gardner and Taylor will be running fully in the next week or two,

[nrich102]

Sammy  8) think if Goose was to go down he'd be the ideal replacement (assuming Clarke, Merrett and Patfull are in the team) or if Luey was to go down he could back up west.

[Ringo]

Just to let you know with your man craze on Sammy Nate - Michael has been training with the defensive group as well.

[nrich102]

Just to let you know with your man craze on Sammy Nate - Michael has been training with the defensive group as well.

I think he's more suited to defence. You? Could mean Archie Smith and as my in the same team 8)

[Ricochet]

I'm guessing CBeams is fully back with the main group then? Wasn't mentioned as being in the rehab group

[Ringo]

Yes Rico went straight into main group after the Christmas break.

[Ricochet]

Perfect thanks man

[nrich102]

Could Close get games this year? He ahead of Paparone, Jono Freeman etc?

[Ringo]

Close is my smokey to get games this year mate. Probably ahead of both Paporone and freeman but maybe behind Lisle. His NEAFL stats are quite good as well. Just needs to improve his kicking accuracy.

[Ricochet]

What kind of player is Close?

[Ringo]

Here is what recruiting manager Robb Kerr said about him in last years draft at pick 32.

""Michael Close is 196cm and is really a centre half-forward. There are a few rough edges we'll try to knock off him over the next few years, but the thing in his favour is that he is very competitive and that was the thing that probably stood out for us. He is going to be a project player, but we need to start looking beyond Brown. We need to find players who can hold down forward roles for us."

His best performance in the 2012 TAC Cup came against Tasmania, when he collected 18 disposals, took five marks, had 22 hitouts, and kicked two goals. He also kicked a season-best five goals against the Eastern Ranges. Close is an elite runner, having recorded a beep test of 15.6.

So basically we have 3 developing KPP Forwards in Paporone, Close and Freeman.

In the NEAFL Grandfinal against Sydney Close's stats were
Disposal 16 - (10 kicks 6 handballs);7 Marks; 2 Tackles; 3 inside 50's and 3.0

[Ricochet]

Elite runner at 196 will be very very promising. Thanks for that

[nrich102]

http://forum.fanfooty.com.au/index.php/topic,87026.msg1208154.html#msg1208154

Player profile I did on Close.