Pleasant Sunday morning for a training run at the HPC. Even more pleasant being a spectator.
Players commenced warm ups and skills exercises around 9.40am then split up across both ovals.
Noted absentees included Bellchambers, Browne, Hams & Kommer. Others of note missing we’re JM and Saladin!!
On a brighter note, Myers and Melksham were in the main group at commencement. Dalgleish and Demspsey started with modified workloads on the Etihad oval. Having said that, Myers remained with the full training group throughout. Melksham moved to Etihad with a number of players when they split, and remained there for the duration. After most players had completed training (about 11.45am), Dempsey and Melksham were doing full oval press work at moving the ball end to end with the assistance of a couple of coaches. Both seemed to stretch out freely and kick with penetration. Melksham looks ready to go and Dempsey seems to only be now lacking a little conditioning which on current observation could mean he’s definitely a possible inclusion for the Richmond practice game. I would also expect Myers and Melksham to both get a run in that game. As for Dalgleish, he appears to be running freely but may be a further week behind the others in build up.
Now for the simulated match play. There was in interesting early drill where Thommo seemed to ask some players to close their eyes and move to where they predicted their teammates would kick. Clearly working on emphasising their understanding of one another’s movement patterns and preferences. In the main match practice emphasis continues to be on contested ball movement, no static target and the player with the ball always having access to two sideways and one central target as options and minimising backward movements. It was also emphasised that the players must continually focus on getting the ball movement into the forward scoring zone “into the preferred space”.
There is no doubt that the past two months of simulated match play have sharpened the players reflexes and coverage of territory placing enormous pressure on the ball carrier. I suspect this is why in many reports, observers have noted at times that targets are not being cleanly hit by foot. It will be a measure of our overall improvement this year to see how this area develops as it should also be reflected in lower turnovers - a stat that has never failed to have a major influence on the outcome of a game while many other facets have altered over the past 35 years.
It will now be interesting to see what changes are demonstrated in the Port and Richmond lead up games?
So add Sunday training sessions to pointless pre-season matches as Blitz crashers…
and just a few pics..............
"Simon said hand on head! Hey Bomber, how about we play three blind mice?"
Zacha being penned by Orazio.
Bags and Kav trying to figure it all out.
The Stein flies high to grab one inside forward fifty.
Jobe being inclusive in sorting out the strategy.
We'll keep pumping your tyres Ariel! Elevation and game no.1 is a must for 2014.
Van Unen signposts the Hurley handball.
Bomber asks a few edgy positional questions.
Hurley aiming for "gay icon" status?
Nice pics by the way.
And Kav seems to have added a bit of beef as well.
Lol. Pig thinks he's a statue!
He‘s 40% of the way there; much like Ariel.
Arms not hairy enough. Not enough drugs. Modify his program.
Whoops! One red too many! :unsure: :unsure:
He‘s 40% of the way there; much like Ariel.
Maybe if he changes his name to Aaron he'll find the other 60% to get the upgrade :rolleyes:
Awesome job mate, cheers
Hurley aiming for "gay icon" status?
Nice pics by the way.
And Kav seems to have added a bit of beef as well.
Lol. Pig thinks he's a statue!
LOLZ. I think the Hurley hair is fab. Suits him.
Hurley aiming for "gay icon" status?
Nice pics by the way.
And Kav seems to have added a bit of beef as well.
Lol. Pig thinks he's a statue!
LOLZ. I think the Hurley hair is fab. Suits him.
I dont care what his hair looks like as long as he s playing well.
I care. Less ponytails please.
Good to hear dempsey is just about right
Pleasant Sunday morning for a training run at the HPC. Even more pleasant being a spectator.
Players commenced warm ups and skills exercises around 9.40am then split up across both ovals.
Noted absentees included Bellchambers, Browne, Hams & Kommer. Others of note missing we're JM and Saladin!!
On a brighter note, Myers and Melksham were in the main group at commencement. Dalgleish and Demspsey started with modified workloads on the Etihad oval. Having said that, Myers remained with the full training group throughout. Melksham moved to Etihad with a number of players when they split, and remained there for the duration. After most players had completed training (about 11.45am), Dempsey and Melksham were doing full oval press work at moving the ball end to end with the assistance of a couple of coaches. Both seemed to stretch out freely and kick with penetration. Melksham looks ready to go and Dempsey seems to only be now lacking a little conditioning which on current observation could mean he's definitely a possible inclusion for the Richmond practice game. I would also expect Myers and Melksham to both get a run in that game. As for Dalgleish, he appears to be running freely but may be a further week behind the others in build up.
Now for the simulated match play. There was in interesting early drill where Thommo seemed to ask some players to close their eyes and move to where they predicted their teammates would kick. Clearly working on emphasising their understanding of one another's movement patterns and preferences. In the main match practice emphasis continues to be on contested ball movement, no static target and the player with the ball always having access to two sideways and one central target as options and minimising backward movements. It was also emphasised that the players must continually focus on getting the ball movement into the forward scoring zone "into the preferred space".
There is no doubt that the past two months of simulated match play have sharpened the players reflexes and coverage of territory placing enormous pressure on the ball carrier. I suspect this is why in many reports, observers have noted at times that targets are not being cleanly hit by foot. It will be a measure of our overall improvement this year to see how this area develops as it should also be reflected in lower turnovers - a stat that has never failed to have a major influence on the outcome of a game while many other facets have altered over the past 35 years.
Bomber Thompson at todays training session
Seriously thats some next level Jedi ■■■■.
Everyone shaves their head, it welcomes Chappy on board and it shows we are serious about a premiership tilt…
Get it done.
Cheers for the report and pics mate, much appreciated. I forgot that there was a training session on today, so it was a very welcomed surprise to pop on to Blitz and see this thread.
IMO the best news is that Myers trained fully, Melksham is finally back out there again and Dempsey is starting to do more than just light jogging. Would love to see all three of them feature in the last praccy game, as they'll certainly need the match fitness.
Orazio looks more like a forum footy player than an AFL player! :P