Forgive me PRE for I have sinned, it has been 11 days and three training sessions since my last report. I were waiting for the return of the prodigal son, (JNR), and his cuz to return but alas they were given more time to support their family up North.
Just on Daniel and JNR, they have basically had 20 days away from the club so will be interesting to see what shape they come back in, no doubt they have trained together up there but would be hard to replicate the intensity and volume of training at club.
So as players go into their break:
2 Important cogs, Dion Prestia, Nank looking in great nick at this time of year.
Best Track performers, (established players), in order:
Bakes
Dusty
Kmac
Prestia
Shai
Shorty
Marlion
Balta
Best Track performers, (1 to 4 year players), in order:
Ross
RCD
Dow
Martyn/Hugo
Emerging Big Men???:
CJ: Fitness levels behind this time last year IMO but seems to have integrated back into the group well after his indiscretion.
Biggie: Pardon the pun but has got bigger, athletically great if not aerobically so, needs to improve one on ones but certainly keen to keep an eye on his development
Miller: Seems to have progressed somewhat, (and needed to), I need to see scratch matches to make a better judgement.
Samson Ryan: So we have a baby Giraffe in our midst, (and 3 year project player for mine). Impressed with his skills for a big man and one grab marking and tap work. Endurance *smile* and together with strength/putting on size are the things he will be working on.
Rehab:
Soldo: Just started running straight lines.
Cumberland: Full paced straight line & lap running and just easing into some change of direction drills.
Bachar: Was a bad calf tear in GF, (amazing he was able to stay on field and aid in rotations), being very cautious in easing back into things.
Garthwaite: Forever in rehab the last couple of seasons not sure what issue keeps hampering him.
Mabs: Doing more laps than drills, doesn't look too much wrong with him though.
The last session going to the break Shedda seemed to have a lower back issue?, popped some pills and left the track 10 minutes in.
Kane Lambert: Going at about 80% but good progress after his hip op.
The Trialists:
Green: I have a feeling we might take Green mainly because coaches seem to be giving him a bit more attention than others. From my observations whilst 192cm is a good size if a midfielder not so much if a key position player. Does not seem to have natural midfield craft and is not overly quick but I still think he may be the front runner.
Egg: Has the best skills of the lot but I am happy to move on as I still don't see the required intensity .
Rhyan Mansell: Shows a bit of dash, neat skills a tougher edge than Egg, don't mind him.
Nick Couroupis: Have not seen anything yet that excites me.
**NOTE: All above observations have been made without seeing competitive game sim or scratch matches so not ideal, expect the boys to crank it up when they come back from break.