Mods: Feel free to either merge this with the rest of the off-topic, unsightly combined thread in an ineffectual attempt to create ‘order’ or leave it here like the successful training threads used to be left.
Nice enough day for it – sun in, sun out, stiff breeze from the West. Lots of construction being carried out at The Hanger – the car park taken over by tradie utes. A few onlookers about.
Shout-out to Trent Zammit, one of the runners out there being kept fit and busy chasing balls.
Warm up began around 0900, with Mozzie & Ambo heading straight to Oval 2, later joined by Fanta, Shiel, Cutler, Zaka & Drapes. Fanta was running well, and I overheard him telling Rutten later on “hey – I’m absolutely humming’. Zaka was in great spirits, though Cutler looks the surly type. Cutler later performed many timed half-laps.
I did not see Joey, Hooker or Merret.
Hepp was out there, though mainly doing some ‘touch’ drills with a ball, and then later lots of cycling. He walked around without boots towards the end, but looked good.
Francis looks a lot shorter since Phillips came on board. Stringer is looking slimmer and fitter than he has in any previous pre-season training I’ve seen, though he still runs like a chook.
BZerk was looking very agile and fit, and featured prominently in most drills. Hibberd is an absolute unit – but the unitest unit of all units has to be Draper. The boy is a mountain.
Among the following drills was a ‘forward press’ simulation using quick hand or foot passes and playing on whenever possible. Mutch was very good at this, and the entire group trained with vigour and intent. Hurley was as an on-field coach, constantly instructing.
In a repeated sprint exercise, Pidge, Ham, Mutch and Snelling excelled.
I noticed that Mozzie had both thumbs strapped. He later joined others on Oval 2. At the gate, he attempted a snap at goal from the boundary, missing. Gleeson grabbed a ball and said ‘let me show you how to do it’, snapping it through the main ones with ease.
In an aggressive contested marking drill, Snelling and Walla broke even. Smack, Gown, Jayden and Stringer also took part in these one-on-ones, with dominance in that order. Smack was rarely beaten, and also gave a lot of instruction to the others.
Match sim was run by Caracella, though both Whoosha and Rutten were present. Parish stood out in match sim - aggressive, quick, decisive. I expect big things from him next year.
Something new and interesting: both Smack and Smith were recorded taking set shots from front and side, kicking from straight on at 50m, and 45d 30m. I imagine this will be analysed later, and that others will do the same at some point.