Agree with JM's comments in what was a fairly non eventful morning session.
This was only my second session this year so I don't have a great frame of reference.
But a few of my thoughts for what they're worth. Yes Jetta missed plenty of shots at the cafe end but he nailed plenty at the other end and should lots of endeavor.
Not sure if there's a trick to shooting at that end because Carlisle also missed plenty of his shots.
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Its the pressure end. Illusion of people watching on while they take shots. While at the other end there is no such pressure. Doesn't bode well for game day.
Perhaps not - a cold southerly is blowing. That means you are kicking into it if you're kicking at goals at the Cafe end.
That southerly is behind you when you're kicking for goals at the opposite end.
No guessing then why they may be missing so much at one end yet nailing them at the other.
Training at Tullamarine in cool, breezy conditions.
Bomber and Jobe were absent today for the AFL launch - a day off would probably be a good thing for Jobe.
The atmosphere at the McCracken Oval while not downbeat was fairly subdued.
Winderlich and Hibberd we're running fairly freely on the Clarke Oval which is a good sign and Tom Bellchambers walked slow laps bouncing a ball.
There is not a lot to report today but there was some interesting contrasts in goal kicking practice. Joe did very well today and his confidence must be growing as he nailed most of his shots from 40 to 50 metres out. The opposite was the case with Leroy Jetta whose confidence
seems at a low ebb as
far as goal kicking is concerned. I saw him miss four shots in a row from the pocket about 35 out in exactly the same way each time as the ball curled away. In every other aspect his pre season has been full of promise and I am sure that Bomber is pleased with his endeavour as he has flung himself into the play. I think he needs to be told that in games he shouldn't hesitate but just go for goal whenever he is in range.
Piazza wants me to say that he is impressed with Neil Craig taking training and I would have to agree with him but all the coaches seem to be working well together.
Otherwise an unremarkable session.
With Jetta, take the same approach you would with a Basketball shooter who is in a slump. Trust your technique and you will eventually get out of the slump.
Jetta’s been in a goalkicking slump since 2008. Not getting the ball at all last year probably hid it but he’s never ever looked confident taking shots.
Jetta's been in a goalkicking slump since 2008. Not getting the ball at all last year probably hid it but he's never ever looked confident taking shots.
Jetta's been in a goalkicking slump since 2008. Not getting the ball at all last year probably hid it but he's never ever looked confident taking shots.
One thing I noticed in the drills today is the contrast between Daniher and Carlisle when marking on the lead.
Daniher grabs at everything with his arms fully stretched but Carlisle has the elbows bent at right angles.
I watched Joey one on one with Hurley and he continually out stretched Hurley.
I recall Lloyd saying that when he started out Sheedy had a real go at him for taking the ball on his chest and told him to take the ball out in front, arms out. Makes sense and it's good to see Daniher doing it.
Jetta's been in a goalkicking slump since 2008. Not getting the ball at all last year probably hid it but he's never ever looked confident taking shots.
Agree with JM's comments in what was a fairly non eventful morning session.
This was only my second session this year so I don't have a great frame of reference.
But a few of my thoughts for what they're worth.
Yes Jetta missed plenty of shots at the cafe end but he nailed plenty at the other end and should lots of endeavor.
Not sure if there's a trick to shooting at that end because Carlisle also missed plenty of his shots.
One thing I noticed in the drills today is the contrast between Daniher and Carlisle when marking on the lead.
Daniher grabs at everything with his arms fully stretched but Carlisle has the elbows bent at right angles.
I watched Joey one on one with Hurley and he continually out stretched Hurley.
And while on Hurley, I can't remember seeing a more disinterested guy on the training track.
I felt he showed no effort. At one point during the practice games he seemed to be carrying an ankle.
He wasn't chasing hard and Daniher was breaking on the lead every chance he had.
Then Doc Reid yells out "is the ankle ok?" Hurley yells "yep" and off he goes with a little more effort.
Just not sure about him down back.
Missing.....No Jobe or Chappy today. Hibberd and Winderlich did plenty of laps, Dalgliesh had his own private training session and Tommy walked lap after lap.
When Hibberd finished he told Doc Reid that he reckons he can play this week. We'll see.
Dalgliesh told the doc he felt great.
Tommy was wearing what looked like a compression sock. His leg looks like it has wasted away a bit.
Agree with the guys regarding Craig. He took the younger guys and had them doing ball up drills.
He has a very strong teachers ethic about him.
He would stop them in mid drill and instruct them on how to do things better.
After on drill he stop Aylett and asked if he wanted to be an AFL player and that if he did he'd have to learn to hit targets.
This particular drill focused heavily on the third man up still ball ups.
I was very impressed with how the boys were taking it all in.
Edwards really impressed me the way he broke away from the packs but he to missed many shots at the cafe end.
He reminders me so much of Freo's Stephen Hill. We could have something special here. First time I've seen Fantasia. Has some skill but needs to stars eating. I've got band aids that cast a big shadow than him.
Thurlow and Ambrose make James Manson look like a great kick.
Now Goddard....he will be a coach!
Loved the way he would drag his opponent into position during the ball up drills and say this is where you must stand.
Loved the way he would let the third man up how to cup the palm of his hand to help direct the flight of the ball.
He was one of the more vocal and enthusiastic guy out there.
The short pass drills to the leading forwards were pretty good.
Stand outs were Myers, Edwards, Stanton.
Daniher and Hardingham marked everything.
Bassett had a go, narked on his chest and immediately got told off for not doing as he preached. Arms out stretched!
Dempsey hit the track latter than the others and did some warm up drills with Crow.
Joined in with the rest but looked rusty to me.
Melksham looks raring to go and was very hard at it and very vocal.
One last thing.
During the practice match, the boys were continually stopped and Goodwin would explain where the defenders should be and where the forwards should be running to.
I thought the defenders struggled a bit to get the ball out because of the excellent forward pressure.
Towards the end they started to switch the ball from flank to flank a lot better which earned the praise of all the coaches.
Cheers
Myers and Melksham playing in the 1s tomorrow, that will be two matches now for both of them so that's good news. Hopefully Melksham can play next week for the VFL as he will have the 2 weeks after that off.
Hopefully Dempsey can get a run in the VFL this week but going by the reports that doesn't look likely.