Pre-season training - 2016

[Smads57]

I was at the training session this morning for only the second half hour and watched a training drill out on the Hawkins wing. The drill resembled moving the ball from one forward flank to the opposing forward flank with two teams of approx 8 players each. Jake and Crammers were on one team and Toyd on the other. 'Suckers' (as the players referred to him) was also part of the drill. Players to impress included Toby McLean, Picken, Macrae, Jake and Hunter. Wouldn't mind if someone else who was there could confirm their opinion on whether Dale looked a couple of centimetres taller. He moved well also.
Some of the players then played an 8 a side soccer match in front of the Gent Stand. Clearly soccer is not for the big boys with Zaine lacking in any dribbling skills whereas the little blokes (Hunter, Daniel, Hamilton) got stuck into the game.

[GVGjr]

I was at the training session this morning for only the second half hour and watched a training drill out on the Hawkins wing. The drill resembled moving the ball from one forward flank to the opposing forward flank with two teams of approx 8 players each. Jake and Crammers were on one team and Toyd on the other. 'Suckers' (as the players referred to him) was also part of the drill. Players to impress included Toby McLean, Picken, Macrae, Jake and Hunter. Wouldn't mind if someone else who was there could confirm their opinion on whether Dale looked a couple of centimetres taller. He moved well also.
Some of the players then played an 8 a side soccer match in front of the Gent Stand. Clearly soccer is not for the big boys with Zaine lacking in any dribbling skills whereas the little blokes (Hunter, Daniel, Hamilton) got stuck into the game.

I certainly would agree that Dale looked taller. I was also impressed by McLean and Hunter.

[Twodogs]

There were two groups and I focused on the one on my side fo the ground and I thought Biggs got caught a couple of times and his kicks were picked off a couple of times as well. Caleb Daniel on the other hand was one I thought handled the congested play well.
Cordy might have got caught a couple of times but looked better than most.



Perhaps I'm too cautious but Liberatore still looks a bit off the mark for mine although I could be thrown by how much leaner he looked than 12 months back.

Libba's leg still looks pencil thin to me.

[Twodogs]

Any news on young Roarke Smith?

I read that he was slated to return later in the year.

[Templeton31]

Any observations on Tommy Boyd GVG / Smads?

[jazzadogs]

I was reading a few interesting things about ACL recos last week:
- number of sportsmen returning to 'previous level' hits it's peak at about 2 years post injury (60% returned to normal) then starts dropping off again. Only one third are at their 'previous level' after one year.
- there is no statistical difference in return to play percentages at 2 years between patients who have had ACL reco surgery, and those who have been conservatively managed (ie no surgery) -- 39% for no surgery, 44% with immediate surgery, 30% with delayed surgery -- interesting in the case of Clay, as someone with conservative management is playing with no intact ACL but relying on their quads for stability...
- after 6 months, every month you wait before return to play reduces your risk of reinjury by 24%!!!
- there is a massive psychological component - there is a higher percentage of return to play, earlier return to play and better perception of recovery in psychologically sound patients

It was all from an as yet unpublished paper but found it quite interesting.

[Twodogs]

I was reading a few interesting things about ACL recos last week:
- number of sportsmen returning to 'previous level' hits it's peak at about 2 years post injury (60% returned to normal) then starts dropping off again. Only one third are at their 'previous level' after one year.
- there is no statistical difference in return to play percentages at 2 years between patients who have had ACL reco surgery, and those who have been conservatively managed (ie no surgery) -- 39% for no surgery, 44% with immediate surgery, 30% with delayed surgery -- interesting in the case of Clay, as someone with conservative management is playing with no intact ACL but relying on their quads for stability...
- after 6 months, every month you wait before return to play reduces your risk of reinjury by 24%!!!
- there is a massive psychological component - there is a higher percentage of return to play, earlier return to play and better perception of recovery in psychologically sound patients

It was all from an as yet unpublished paper but found it quite interesting.

That certainly puts the number of AFL players who get back in the higher bracket because I would think it would be more than a third.

[Twodogs]

I was reading a few interesting things about ACL recos last week:
- number of sportsmen returning to 'previous level' hits it's peak at about 2 years post injury (60% returned to normal) then starts dropping off again. Only one third are at their 'previous level' after one year.
- there is no statistical difference in return to play percentages at 2 years between patients who have had ACL reco surgery, and those who have been conservatively managed (ie no surgery) -- 39% for no surgery, 44% with immediate surgery, 30% with delayed surgery -- interesting in the case of Clay, as someone with conservative management is playing with no intact ACL but relying on their quads for stability...
- after 6 months, every month you wait before return to play reduces your risk of reinjury by 24%!!!
- there is a massive psychological component - there is a higher percentage of return to play, earlier return to play and better perception of recovery in psychologically sound patients

It was all from an as yet unpublished paper but found it quite interesting.

That certainly puts the number of AFL players who get back in the higher bracket because I would think it would be more than a third.

[jazzadogs]

That certainly puts the number of AFL players who get back in the higher bracket because I would think it would be more than a third.

Yeh it wasn't specific to 'elite' sport as far as I could tell, so would have included me getting back to div2 amateur football. Small sample size of only 100 people too, so definitely not definitive but still interesting!

[LostDoggy]

Any news on young Roarke Smith?

I went to training this morning and noticed Roarke doing some very simple, slow leg lefts (Just lifting his leg with knee bent). He was just inside the door of the training centre

[F'scary]

I went to training this morning and noticed Roarke doing some very simple, slow leg lefts (Just lifting his leg with knee bent). He was just inside the door of the training centre

Thanks meshe1969, sounds like he is a long way off playing - I got a little optimistic with Libba's news and forgot how late in the season Roarke was injured.

[Smads57]

Any observations on Tommy Boyd GVG / Smads?

Tom Boyd was part of the drill I was watching on the Hawkins wing and moved well - nothing spectacular just looked comfortable playing his role. He wasn't asked by the coaching staff to play a particular role different from any of the other participants from what I observed.

[Bulldog4life]

Thanks meshe1969, sounds like he is a long way off playing - I got a little optimistic with Libba's news and forgot how late in the season Roarke was injured.

I think third last game against West Coast although not 100%

[comrade]

I think third last game against West Coast although not 100%

Did it the week after in the VFL against Werribee.

[GVGjr]

It's hard keeping track of all the players but I tried to keep an eye on Collins, Adcock and Williams.
Collins just trained like he had done those drills a number of times and looked comfortable. Williams has quick reflexes and nice skills and Adcock of course had seen it all before. I can see Adcock improving on his form from last year if he gets the opportunities. This will be a substantially better training facility than what he has been used to and he has a point to prove. When his name was initially linked to us I wasn't 100% sure but I now think he will be a great addition.

One other player that I thought was noticeable was Crameri. I know he normally trains well but he did keep catching the eye and I'm still hopeful that Tom Campbell keeps improving. He looked alright yesterday