Training today was at a warm Trevor Barker Oval in Sandringham. It's a good place to watch training and Cambo said it's one of the best training grounds. Until Craigieburn comes online we are still moving around here, there and everywhere. It's handy training by the beach as after training finished they all headed down for a 10 minute dip in Port Phillip Bay. They all got into their togs in the changerooms at the oval before walking down to the beach (Julz and Moi would've been in heaven). Well not all as Richo came out in these beige boxer shorts (not a good look
) and even posed for photos with a couple of fans in them
. Anyway back to training ...
In rehab was Cotch who again didn't hang around long again. I asked Jade Rawlings about him and Jade said Cotch is doing fine. He's just not training on Wednesday's yet but will be back in two weeks. We also asked a trainer about Cotch and he said 3 weeks
.
Also in rehab were Connors, Polak, McGuane, Thomson.
Browny didn't do much except goalkicking.
The rucks mostly did their own thing. Simmo and Gus were doing marking duels when I arrived. The comic relief moment of the day was when Gus slipped over and then Simmo thinking here is the easiest of marks slipped over too about a second later and the ball went over the both them
.
The first drill I saw was a tackling drill. Everyone was wearing those padded puffy tops and they would get in rows facing each other with one player with the ball and the other player facing opposite had to charge in and tackle. They were told by one of the assistant coaches it doesn't matter if you miss I just want you to go in hard and fast. Most of the tackles stuck btw. I overheard a coach tell Cleve that he needed to go in harder.
After a drinks break, for the next drill the squad split into three equally sized groups in the shape of a triangle about 30m apart for a handball/handball receive drill. The main point to it was to run in 3s or 4s into a group of defenders in the middle of the triangle and the attacking team to attract the defenders towards them and then dish of a teammate free in space. Cambo congratulated them on both the standard of handballs and defensive efforts especially from Blingers who was able to close down attackers a few times. The last go at the drill got a bit sloppy though. Cousins make these peripheral visions and footy smart drills look simple. He always has time to spot and execute clean disposal. Mind you the natural footballers in the squad like Jack, Morton and Moore also do well. I'll also add there was plenty of noise from a verry vocal group which was good to hear and see.
Next up was a similar drill but they spread out further to three groups 40m apart and introduced kicking and they took away a number of the defenders in the midde.
Before finishing up they seemed to discuss some tactical ploys in a on-ground lecture. I kept an eye on the group closest to us where Cambo along with Wallace were instructing the mids and smalls defenders on where to be and run to in various scenarios. As part of this they also had Hughes at FF near the goalsquare with Silvester on him plus Jack at CHF (Sarge on him) and Morton up high (Rainesy on him). Rainesy was asked to push up then drop back and in each case Cambo would be advising all the mids (inside, outside and taggers) on what they wanted from them. They started on the 50 then Cambo and Wallace moved the mids up to the wing for more on-field tactical instructions. While this was going on David King had a few of taller defenders with him going through things verbally.
That's what I can remember for now. Any questions just fire away.
Photos to come. Cheers!
