Today was my first day back at the hanger since the last of the VFL practice matches and the place has changed a bit. The work on the new extension looks like it is just about complete, there are no construction vehicles, the new Bomber shop is open and the new Jack Jones Cafe looks like it will open any day.
I’m not sure if strictly speaking we are allowed inside the ground yet, but there was a group of about 10 -15 of us watching on from between the two grounds and no one was paying us much attention or asked us to leave so it all seems OK.
It was actually quite a pleasant day, very little breeze and not at all cold, I swear it was considerably colder watching on from behind the fence in January with a near constant gale blowing.
The best news is that Francis was back training with the main group. He completed nearly the whole session before going to the rooms a little earlier the the rest of the group.
Of the other players:
- McGrath warmed up on the sidelines in a knee brace before going inside
- Draper was out on the ground for the most part but didn’t train, I imagine he is just being rested after his huge effort and first game back in Tassie.
- Caldwell did the warmup on the sidelines before going on to do various running drills on the main oval
- Shiel and Hurley both also warmed up on the sidelines with some handball drills before going back inside. Hurley looks considerably better than the last time I saw him but I was surprised Shiel didn’t do more, I was thinking he was much further advanced.
- Heppell also didn’t train, just encouraged from the sidelines
- Dylan Clarke trained with the main group for the whole session so shouldn’t be too far off
- Brand was largely restricted to running on the main oval
- Kaine Baldwin joined in with the main group for what I was told by others there as the first time. He did probably about half the session before going to the main oval for some specialist work main on his marking with one of the coaches as well as some fitness work and some one on ones with some defenders. He was really struggling at times after repeat efforts, I think it will be at least a few weeks before his fitness is up to scratch.
- Snelling completed the whole session with a thumb guard, he was wearing a different colour jumper than the rest to make sure he wasn’t inadvertently tackled.
- Waterman was about 50/50 between the main group and running on the second oval. it probably means he won’t play in the seniors this weekend.
Other than that everyone else completed the whole session. I was surprised the session took place on the Docklands size oval considering the game is at the MCG this weekend. Not sure why.
I got my first look at Durham today and was quite impressed by what saw. He’s a very good size, neat skills both by hand and foot and looks very competitive. There was a loud roar in the huddle just before I got there which often is a result of someone being told of their debut, I wouldn’t be surprised if it was for Durham weekend.
There isn’t too much else to report on. The session went for a bit under 2 hours and was mostly some skills work, some full ground match practice ans some clearance work by the mids, of which Durham was included in.
