Training Today Thursday :
People may want a detailed report but only have time for a brief summary and pre-season overall:
Coulthard: Straight line jogging only today so I think my diagnosis of a hammy was correct.
Shai: Seems to have bulked up a bit but has been absent from my reports as has not been a regular attendee and has not blitzed when he has been there but the class still shines through.
Dusty: Has missed the last week of training but in rare form prior.
Hopper & Prestia: Have not commented on them all pre-season as I didn't want to jinx them as the injury gods have not been kind, (but they haven't missed a beat and completed every session).
Marlion: Not there today but otherwise a great block of training from him.
Brown, Sonz and Cumberland: My biggest pluses to Christmas.
Kane McAuliffe: Moves very well and looks an exciting prospect.
Grimes: Am sorry to say is looking very old, I am not confident he can reverse his demise of last year.
Gibcus: Tracking better than i thought and my fingers & toes are crossed for him.
DRioli: Have hardly seen him at training and not there again today, he was in the training camp video but can't recall seeing him much more than that.
Bakes: Setting the training standard in Dusty's absence today.
Samson Ryan: A little bit bigger a little bit stronger, great skills for a big man, i still have high hopes but don't necessarily think he is going to explode onto the scene, (still might be baby steps?).
Balta: Has been training forward, is that for training structure or will he play there for real?
JNR: Missing a few targets again but moving better.
NaiSmith: Will be a good addition me thinks.
Kozi: I just don't know at this stage
Steely: I just can't see anything that says AFL.
Banks: Has looked good this pre but I am a fence sitter, I will be watching him for his progression in contested work.
A lot of running today, Shuttles, Camel runs, and lap relays, the star of the show and a surprise to all but me who has witnessed this phenomenon this pre, (
Big Mate` Colina), this Giant can run but can he play footy?
Prestia, Graham and Seth Campbell were prominent in the killer Camels, (a type of shuttle but worse and longer).
Young & Clarke: Pretty much trained fully as there was very little contested stuff today.
No full match sim leading up to Christmas and not really much centre clearance work where one ruck was seriously going up against the other so no sense of who is dominant. The rucks have been doing a lot work in their own group this PRE though.
All gathered in a circle in the centre square for about 10 minutes to end the session culminating in raucous celebrations, laughter and shenanigans, showing great spirit as they head off for Christmas.
I will say it has been a different pre-season to the last couple, quicker ball movement, a bit more corridor and a bigger focus on kicking, (still won't make dud kicks good kicks). They are taking great care in managing players too, no one was being rushed before Christmas but I am hoping for a full New Year launch and finally see some match play.
Not sure my reports leave you with any presents to put under your Xmas trees
but have a great Christmas and New Year.
Cheers
I was a bit surprised we kept him on but with that kind of athletic ability, I can see why. Thanks again Caesar and co, love the insight you give us all!
), he said Lafu started off in rugby and then had the knee reco, Lafau is so powerful it would be a bold and interesting choice, I wouldn't be against it but not a proponent either, certainly would offer something different.