Training would’ve started around 9, I got there around 9:15. It was cold.
WHERE THE FARK IS OUR SUMMER!!!
Modified group: McBride, Johnson (LJ), Reid, Zerk. Reid and Zerk were running laps in front of me on the main oval, looked okay. None of the mods looked overly hampered.
Not sighted: Draper, Smith, Caldwell, Zaharakis, Hurley, Moz, Stringer, Ambrose, Clarke.
So anyway, no nackers today, so you’ll have to put up with me. Match sim today. Seemed as though the focus was ball movement. The skills were largely pretty good (occasionally sloppy - Shiel). The reds and blues took turns getting it to the forward line and turning it over. A few good goals, Snelling kicked 3, some really nice goals on the run from Walla and Eyre.
When kicking to a target, the key forwards gave a contest, but didn’t really see anyone clunk a contested mark up in the forward line. A couple of times they’d be outbodied (usually by Hooker), and when they did have good position, they just didn’t grab them. Ah well, next time. A couple of times they hit Jones up on a lead, which was a pleasant change.
One piece of play I’d love to get clarified - Jones took a mark on the flank - he had Wright one out with Ridley. He seemed to hesitate, by the time he kicked it, there was no space for Wright. I’d love him to get the ball in there as quick as possible, but I’m not sure if he’s been told not to because of the possibility of an intercept defender taking the (obvious) long option, then hit up a shorter target.
Not sure if there wasn’t supposed to be a focus on tackling for this session, but there wasn’t much of it. Some solid collisions, so the intensity was up there, but not a great deal of tackling.
There appeared to be a lot more run and link handballs from the back half today. Hind was especially used in this, with pretty good value. Pace and good when disposing of the ball. Cahill was also pretty composed at half back as I said.
Stewart was surprisingly good in defence, and at times gave good run out of defence. His disposal is good, might be useful of he’s on a forward who doesn’t chase.
Merrett was very busy, often involved in link plays across half back. He’s in the best nick I’ve seen him at this time of year for about 3 years.
Walla looked a lot better today, kicked a lovely goal, and was back to somewhere near his best with pressure and intensity. One play he had the ball somewhere near half back, and just waited to the exactly right moment to release Redman with a handball. Lovely stuff.
Speaking of Redman, he took some really good marks in the backline today. Hopefully he’s back to his best this year.
Bill Lawry would like Nik Cox - he has LLoveLLy LLong LLegs - and today he used them beautifully. Really good penetration when kicking into 50. Also took a couple of really good 1v1 marks.
Perkins - not such a good session for him, a few shabby kicks, he’ll get better. It’s great to see him in full training.
Bryan again was impressive in the air, though soundly beaten by Phillips in the ruck contests.
Langford looks fine, much more assured in his disposal. Good to have him back.
Young Hird is nicely skilled, but I’m not sure he loves physical contact a great deal.
Hooker was really good in defence, his body positioning was really good. Wright could learn a thing or two there.
It’s hard to be overly critical, because I don’t know what the focus was, but there was some good stuff today. Still plenty to work on, often it’s the last disposal (one too many) that’s sloppy and it stuffs up the play.
