Training at Tullamarine in balmy conditions.
Your observers have moved from their position outside the ground where they have previously lined the fence like blowies on a windowsill, to an inside position along the fence on the wing much closer to the action.
If you come to training come and say hello.
As expected today’s 90 minute session was a lighter skills session with no match simulation due to the five day turnaround.
As always I try to assess the mood of the team and today it was unsurprisingly upbeat and confident. Players seemed to glide across the grass with an extra spring in their step closely observed by at least ten spectators and our old friend the Blue Wren with a look of romance in his eye.
Our spirits were considerably buoyed when a cheery Dyson completed the full training session and in his words looks “cherry ripe” for Thursday night to once more take the helm, probably at the expense of Redman, although he didn’t look to be particularly distressed today.
However the club is doing everything possible to ensure that our successful acting skipper, Zac Merrett, is retained at the club. When he appeared to have some mild tightness a beanie wearing masseuse was on hand to immediately administer a feather-light massage in the centre of the ground to the relief of all concerned.
Thoughts turned to the possibility of Phillips returning to the ruck, but the feeling was he needs a bit more match practice. However a strong performance from Zaharakis in the VFL practice match and a splendid training session today makes his inclusion a possibility as thus medical emergency at the expense of Cutler providing a gentle pathway into the side.
It was good to see Hurley doing a little gentle training today and even better to see the progress that Stewart is making - he is running very confidently at present. I won’t go into details of the modified group - with the short turnaround a number of players such as Hooker were basically given a very light session to recover.
The signs look good for Thursday night.