Pre-season Training 2018

[Smads57]

I will be interested in hearing which players are still recovering from post season operations. From Tim English's end of season review, he mentions not getting back fully on the track until 'just before Xmas'. Who else in the 1-4 year bracket are in the same boat?
I am also interested if Libba is there tomorrow following up from comments made around him starting training 'two weeks' earlier than required.

[bornadog]

Tom Boyd working with Schache

[bornadog]

The Bont and The Speciman back early for training

[bornadog]

Schache's first session

[bornadog]

All pics thanks to WB twitter

[Axe Man]

What on earth is wrong with the surface? Looks in terrible condition.

[ledge]

What on earth is wrong with the surface? Looks in terrible condition.

Probably had a do over , gets done every few years to get the grass and the drainage up to date.

[Twodogs]

What on earth is wrong with the surface? Looks in terrible condition.

Looks like it has been top dressed to me.

[Axe Man]

Probably had a do over , gets done every few years to get the grass and the drainage up to date.

Looks like it has been top dressed to me.

That was my thinking as well but it looks like there's hardly any grass on the surface. Perhaps it's been cut really short and is covered by the sand? Also not sure why this couldn't have been completed earlier, prior to pre-season training commencing?

[bornadog]

That was my thinking as well but it looks like there's hardly any grass on the surface. Perhaps it's been cut really short and is covered by the sand? Also not sure why this couldn't have been completed earlier, prior to pre-season training commencing?

Tweet back from the Club (Nick Truelson )

At this time of year we always use the off season to strip it back and then bring it back to its best in lead up to Xmas.

[Axe Man]

Tweet back from the Club (Nick Truelson )

Fair enough, I'm no horticulturalist!

[jeemak]

Starve off the winter grass and let the warm season grass (usually a type of coch) which sits dormant during the depths of winter grow to get that nice carpet vibe. A lot of venues are using a winter green type couch these days.

When summer is done you overseed with a cool climate grass.

https://turfmate.com.au/overseeding-...eason-grasses/

[Twodogs]

That was my thinking as well but it looks like there's hardly any grass on the surface. Perhaps it's been cut really short and is covered by the sand? Also not sure why this couldn't have been completed earlier, prior to pre-season training commencing?

We used to be able to blame the majestic hand of the city of Footscray for anything that went wrong at the ground and I'm a stickler for tradition. I'm sure City of Maribyrnong have stuffed up somewhere along the way.

Starve off the winter grass and let the warm season grass (usually a type of coch) which sits dormant during the depths of winter grow to get that nice carpet vibe. A lot of venues are using a winter green type couch these days.

When summer is done you overseed with a cool climate grass.

https://turfmate.com.au/overseeding-...eason-grasses/

Who'd have thunk there were so many complications. Like the NFL player who was asked if he preferred playing on grass or AstroTurf. "No idea" he said "I've never smoked AstroTurf!"

[bornadog]

Big Dogs quick to pair up in training return

Ryan Davidson November 9, 2017 3:30 PM

Josh Schache trains at Whitten Oval on Thursday. Picture: Western Bulldogs

They looked really good together, so it's pretty excitingRohan Smith on Tom Boyd and Josh Schache


THE WESTERN Bulldogs have wasted no time paring Tom Boyd and Josh Schache in attack, with the young key forwards combining well on day one of pre-season training.

The first-to-fourth year players were put through paces, impressing the assistant coaches in the absence of Luke Beveridge.

Development manager Rohan Smith told AFL.com.au he was pleased with the immediate understanding Boyd and Schache formed.

Schache, who was the No.2 pick in the 2015 NAB AFL Draft, was traded to the Dogs from the Brisbane Lions for picks No.25 and 40 in this year's draft.

"We put them both together, they worked in conjunction really well and Tommy was helping Josh out with his movement," Smith said.

"They looked really good together, so it's pretty exciting."
While he had the coaches rapt with his work up forward, Smith was also thrilled with Schache's running on his first official day at the Bulldogs.

"He ran really well for a big guy, so we were really please with that," Smith said.
"Then with the skill component, you could see he is a very, very sound kick, so we were really pleased with how he performed today, and we're looking forward to him being a big part of the footy club.
"Josh really enjoyed himself and had a really good time out there."

Third-year key defender Marcus Adams was restricted to light duties in his return from a second serious foot injury in two seasons, but Smith said the hulking West Australian wasn't far away from taking part in full training.

Since being taken with pick No.35 in 2015, the impressive 24-year-old has suffered stress fractures in both his feet.
"Marcus is still in the rehab group and he could have trained today, but we just want to ease him into it in the first few weeks of training," Smith said.

"He looks super fit and exciting to look at because when you see him in the gym, you just think 'I can't wait until he gets out there.'
"He'll be fine."

The Bulldogs, including Josh Schache and Tom Boyd are put through their paces. Picture: Western Bulldogs


While Adams' return to training was a welcome sight for the Dogs, luckless defender Roarke Smith's appearance on the track had Smith beaming with pride.

The 21-year-old, who has had two knee reconstructions in the past 18 months, was delisted last week, but the club has promised the Calder Cannons product they will redraft him back onto the rookie list.

"I grabbed him as he walked out on the track and he said how good it was to be back out there again," Smith said.
"All the rookies can play straight away (under new AFL laws), so they all know now that if they perform at VFL level, they give themselves every opportunity to play senior footy."

The rest of the Bulldogs squad return to training on November 20.

[bulldogtragic]

Football porn. And I'm very excited.