Training in cool, overcast Windy conditions at Tullamarine.
Muriel St Bomber and Humpert helped with this report.
Abs Colorado quartet and Hocking (operation)
Laps Aylett and Browne.
Limited training, Carlisle, Hams, Kommer, Giles, Dalgleish.
I kept a close eye on the new recruits Langford and Laverde. Langford is very focused and as keen as mustard but not as physically developed as Laverde who impressed today. Humpert commented on his kicking style which is effective as he seems to push and follow through the ball with his left leg. Like all young players he is still learning so at one stage Heppel told him “Jayden give that first one (handball) off don’t just hold it there.”
Muriel St Bomber and I were both impressed with Connor today - in particular his kicking which is developing really well and his tackling which was impressive. E.g. At one stage he hand balled then kept running to provide a shepherd. On another occasion it was interesting to observe a duel with a Chappy who initially beat him for pace over a couple of metres then beat him with a clever baulk - vintage Chappy. Connor kept running to Howlett who had received the ball, corralled him then tackled him to the ground. This was great but culminated in Baguley telling that he had kicked it to a two on one contest. Thus he is learning the game and progressing well.
Just a quick word on Stanton who trained well and seems to have fined down from last year which is encouraging.
The ever ebullient Goddard took the p iss out of me when he saw me on the boundary line with my field glasses wittily announcing to his his comrades “There he is Bart Cummings.” Last season when he saw me taking notes he sent a trainer over to enquire “Who the f.ch is he?” so I feel I am making progress with the great man.
Firstly great report and much appreciated as always.
Now, how was Zerrett?
Also I noticed in some of the clips I have seen of Langford he looks quite awkward when on the run, disposing of the ball by foot.
I was just wondering if you had noticed anything similar or different whilst at training, Jackie?
It always seems that players kicking styles appear to change markedly from when they were drafted to when they actually play, I assume because coaching staff try to make their actions as quick and fluent as possible to prepare for AFL.
I was out there today and the two that impressed me, were Long and Laverde.
I can’t believe how evasive Long is in close.
He was like some slippery snake getting out of or avoiding tackles.
Laverde has the build of a senior player already, which is a strong contrast to a lot of previous picks.
Also, Winderlich. Noticed him briefly out there, and then that appeared to be it. Anything wrong or just a rest day?
Training in cool, overcast Windy conditions at Tullamarine.
Muriel St Bomber and Humpert helped with this report.
Abs Colorado quartet and Hocking (operation)
Laps Aylett and Browne.
Limited training, Carlisle, Hams, Kommer, Giles, Dalgleish.
I kept a close eye on the new recruits Langford and Laverde. Langford is very focused and as keen as mustard but not as physically developed as Laverde who impressed today. Humpert commented on his kicking style which is effective as he seems to push and follow through the ball with his left leg. Like all young players he is still learning so at one stage Heppel told him “Jayden give that first one (handball) off don’t just hold it there.”
Muriel St Bomber and I were both impressed with Connor today - in particular his kicking which is developing really well and his tackling which was impressive. E.g. At one stage he hand balled then kept running to provide a shepherd. On another occasion it was interesting to observe a duel with a Chappy who initially beat him for pace over a couple of metres then beat him with a clever baulk - vintage Chappy. Connor kept running to Howlett who had received the ball, corralled him then tackled him to the ground. This was great but culminated in Baguley telling that he had kicked it to a two on one contest. Thus he is learning the game and progressing well.
Just a quick word on Stanton who trained well and seems to have fined down from last year which is encouraging.
The ever ebullient Goddard took the ■■■■ out of me when he saw me on the boundary line with my field glasses wittily announcing to his his comrades “There he is Bart Cummings.” Last season when he saw me taking notes he sent a trainer over to enquire “Who the f.ch is he?” so I feel I am making progress with the great man.
Thanks for that Barnz, interesting to see Steinberg take out the ‘best athlete’ award considering the competition he’s up against.
There’ s going to be some crazy competition for spots in the 22 this year. We haven’t really lost anyone from our best 22 except for Ryder and we might have to make room for Gwilt/Cooney/Laverde/Giles/Kommer/Giles/Melksham/Stein. Pretty good depth
Great to meet Muriel St Bomber and Jackie today. I’d add the following:
Kyle Langford looks quick and competitive but needs to work on hitting targets by foot. Laverde looks a bit readier for the big league. Still, I believe Kyle’s younger than your average draftee. Long looks the business. Today I watched him run the ball beautifully, baulking people at will then goaling from 45. Reminded me of someone … can’t quite think who …
Most players were on the MCG ground but a handful worked on set plays over on “Etihad”. They were Ambrose, both Merretts, KAV, Colyer, maybe one other. All looked very sharp, footpassing the ball in a triangular pattern resulting in shots at the open goal.
Carlisle, Aylett, Hams and Browne worked the ropes and boxing gloves for about half an hour. I don’t know why they’re not in full training but chatted to one of the trainers who said Browne is 100%, as is Kommer. “They’ll be like new recruits for us this year” he said.
Connor McK looks like he’ll be a real terrier. That play that Jackie described was an eye opener - the kid is still working the game out but he’s prepared to gut run to make up for misreading the play. And yes his kicking looks quite ok.
Hirdy held court in the middle of the ground. There was a nice dynamic, with the older boys (especially BJ) ribbing Jimmy if he didn’t kick it to the perfect spot.
Some things don’t change however. Our backs still beat our forwards way too often - Bags and Stein showing again that there’ll be no easy goals against us. Would like to see The forwards win a few more of the aerial duels. Having said that I reckon Joey’s in for a cracking year.
Went out there myself, I was looking for you Jackie but I couldn’t find you!!
I’ll add some minor things too:
-Long is so silky and smooth. Very agile and quick too. Still can’t believe he went to us as a rookie.
-Laverde was pre much Hep’s shaddow today. Literally followed him everywhere, learning from the best I guess.
-Myers and Melksham both missed open goals from 20m out: both belting out: FUCKKKK. I SHOULD’VE GOT THAT!! My main point was that they were passionate about the mistake and knew they had to fix it.
-BJ was VERY vocal today. Yelling words of encouragement to players on the other side of the field except for one part when he blasted Dempsey for not following his man: “Eyy, why were you ball watching?!!! Eyy, look at me!” Sorry to add, but Demps has added a lotta weight. Here’s hoping he can lose it before rd 1.
-A select group trained on the ‘Etihad’ oval as HH mentioned. Not sure why those specifically.
-Licha did limp off really early but NFI what happened to him. Didn’t return.
-Pears and Hocking were absent. Browne and Aylett walked laps and trained afterwards together on the Etihad oval.
-Kommer walked laps too.
-Hams, Carlisle and Giles walked laps too proceeded with the ropes and medicine ball exercises. Carlisle joined in with Belly and Daniher (with Lloydy) for set shots.
-Speaking of Daniher, he honestly looks taller than last year. Absolute beast now. Will dominate in 2015.
Great to meet Muriel St Bomber and Jackie today. I'd add the following:
Kyle Langford looks quick and competitive but needs to work on hitting targets by foot. Laverde looks a bit readier for the big league. Still, I believe Kyle's younger than your average draftee. Long looks the business. Today I watched him run the ball beautifully, baulking people at will then goaling from 45. Reminded me of someone ... can't quite think who ...
Most players were on the MCG ground but a handful worked on set plays over on "Etihad". They were Ambrose, both Merretts, KAV, Colyer, maybe one other. All looked very sharp, footpassing the ball in a triangular pattern resulting in shots at the open goal.
Carlisle, Aylett, Hams and Browne worked the ropes and boxing gloves for about half an hour. I don’t know why they’re not in full training but chatted to one of the trainers who said Browne is 100%, as is Kommer. “They’ll be like new recruits for us this year” he said.
Connor McK looks like he’ll be a real terrier. That play that Jackie described was an eye opener - the kid is still working the game out but he’s prepared to gut run to make up for misreading the play. And yes his kicking looks quite ok.
Hirdy held court in the middle of the ground. There was a nice dynamic, with the older boys (especially BJ) ribbing Jimmy if he didn’t kick it to the perfect spot.
Some things don’t change however. Our backs still beat our forwards way too often - Bags and Stein showing again that there’ll be no easy goals against us. Would like to see The forwards win a few more of the aerial duels. Having said that I reckon Joey’s in for a cracking year.
there is an increasing tendency towards lid offishness on this subject - like!
Went out there myself, I was looking for you Jackie but I couldn't find you!!
I’ll add some minor things too:
-Long is so silky and smooth. Very agile and quick too. Still can’t believe he went to us as a rookie.
-Laverde was pre much Hep’s shaddow today. Literally followed him everywhere, learning from the best I guess.
-Myers and Melksham both missed open goals from 20m out: both belting out: FUCKKKK. I SHOULD’VE GOT THAT!! My main point was that they were passionate about the mistake and knew they had to fix it.
-BJ was VERY vocal today. Yelling words of encouragement to players on the other side of the field except for one part when he blasted Dempsey for not following his man: “Eyy, why were you ball watching?!!! Eyy, look at me!” Sorry to add, but Demps has added a lotta weight. Here’s hoping he can lose it before rd 1.
-A select group trained on the ‘Etihad’ oval as HH mentioned. Not sure why those specifically.
-Licha did limp off really early but NFI what happened to him. Didn’t return.
-Pears and Hocking were absent. Browne and Aylett walked laps and trained afterwards together on the Etihad oval.
-Kommer walked laps too.
-Hams, Carlisle and Giles walked laps too proceeded with the ropes and medicine ball exercises. Carlisle joined in with Belly and Daniher (with Lloydy) for set shots.
-Speaking of Daniher, he honestly looks taller than last year. Absolute beast now. Will dominate in 2015.
I arrived late and didn’t see the injury, but Licha did appear on the balcony towards the end of the session and looked pretty cheery and chatty. Good sign I guess.
Great work on the report as always jackie, I’ve been enjoying them as a lurker for some time.
Fingers crossed that Browne, Hams and Kommer can regain fitness and have a genuine impact next year.
The reports about our new draftees are really exciting - especially with how good Longy is looking so far. Hopefully these kids get a run in the NAB cup (or whatever we’re calling it these days).
Early days still, but has anyone noticed any positional changes so far?
