You’re looking a bit anemic, though.
10 Likes
A few musings.
Quite a warm morning at the Hangar, with a strong breeze in the direction of Westfield (whichever compass direction that is), good for fitness. Bryan non sighted. Reid got a massage and then bike work, hope everything’s okay, but would suggest he’s in some doubt for the start of the season.
Good to see Cox out there, he did some running and light ball work with Jones, Philips and Lord. Moved quite well.
Jones and Langford did a lot of running. I’d expect both back in full training after, or not long after the return post-Christmas. Laverde also did plenty of running. He looks a little further back than the other two, but I’m not too concerned yet.
Skills were slightly off today, not sure if it was the wind, but there were a few dropped marks, and kicking wasn’t quite as good as it has been, quite a few kicks going well over the head of their targets. In general though, the skill level does look better than in previous years. Hard to really tell on ball movement/game plans etc until they really ramp that up post-Christmas break.
Hobbs is spectacularly unspectacular. Not flashy, just good. Very good in close, good spatial awareness, and disposal looks fine.
Walla looked quite lively at times, which is a good sign. He still looks a little slower in disposal (hand to foot) than normal, so hopeful that improves. One time he sprinted for the ball, and it was the fastest I’d seen him move in a while (Hind ran past him and got the ball, bit still…). He looks positive, and is certainly putting the work in.
Fejo Jr was a little iffy with disposal, some good, some not so. If he shows that he can improve his fitness, he’d be my choice for the SSP so far. Matt Foley looks a player for next year. Small, but nice, neat skills by hand and foot.
Hird is always improving. I still think he’s a good way off senior footy, but it’s been a good exercise for him and for the club. He’s a neat player, but probably a little one dimensional as a small forward in that he always goes for the left foot snap. Keen to see how he goes again, he’s making good strides.
Caldwell completed the session and looked fine. Looks like last week was simply to de-load him. Eyre looks bigger too, broke a couple of tackles. Would like to see him in more match sim, I really think he needs to understand the game better.
Ridley turned it over by foot once. He is human.
Durham is now a real physical specimen. His tackling has really improved. There was one passage where he laid two burying tackles with second efforts. He’s in my 22 to start.
Just in front of where we were standing, the boys were having right foot snaps for goal, from about 30 out on the boundary. They made a very high percentage of them, which was pleasing.
Parish, Merrett and Stringer all looked really good again. Noticed Perkins was training with the mids group, and I concur with those who say he looks better. More lean, but his running is of a high level. He appears to be getting a better balance between speed and endurance, so I’d expect him to push into the middle this year.
One thing I will say (may have said it before), but there’s a strong focus on agility this pre-season, not something I’ve seen in my time watching training. A lot of fast feet work, and change of direction. I think it’s vital to modern footy, but it’s not something that’s taught really well, especially for youngsters.
This will probably be my last summer doing training reports. I finally finished uni and got a teaching job, but it’s something I’ve enjoyed.
190 Likes
Take a sickie when training is on
19 Likes
Lid off.
I’m sure the kids and your employer will understand that this isn’t something you can just quit….
30 Likes
Secondary school? You can probably justify PE\Photography excursions to the Hangar. It’ll just be pure coincidence that they coincide with training times.
This is especially exciting. His tackling was probably the only knock on his game last year for a 1st year player.
3 Likes
Creative writing lessons, surely.
5 Likes
It’s cute that you think you’re allowed to stop. This is like the Mob, blood in blood out.
Thanks for the great report.
14 Likes
De-list.
2 Likes
Ridley does not turn things over by foot!
His kick got intercepted, which is entirely different.
3 Likes
Don’t teachers get all summer holidays off?
Thanks for the report.
6 Likes
Thanks for the update Matt. Any idea what’s wrong with Lav? Dont say Lav hurts.
2 Likes
Keep it clean, please.
4 Likes
Lav scars.
2 Likes
Lav wounds
1 Like
And marks.
1 Like
Good to hear, since he’s a footy player.
4 Likes
The bullsh1t that goes on in these threads while we’re waiting for Nackers to post …
6 Likes
Nackers better have learned now to make a picture book
1 Like
Blitz declines your resignation. Now get back to work.
26 Likes