WB Training Session 19/1/24

[GVGjr]

Similar to previous reports I've copied an update from today's session on the Unleashed board as read only.
This will allow all new WOOF members and those who are somewhat inactive to have a read.

There are 4 other fully detailed reports from today's session for those who choose to start making a contribution to discussions.

[GVGjr]

It was almost going to be titled tRaining Report 19/01/24 but the rain held off

I arrived when Bailey Smith drove in and he was exceptionally accommodating with the various fans wanting pictures etc.
Good crowd for a change today must have been close to 100 or more there. 2 AFL umpires there, 2 Footscray players in Chatfield and Stretton there to make up the numbers for the match sim.

Rehab/Modified
English joined in a lot of the early training including kicking the footy. Looks to be in good touch.
Keath only popped onto the ground for a brief period. Treloar not on the field but in the ELC.
Garcia with his shoulder strapped confined to running drills. He must be a long way back now as Arty Jones and Bramble do all the non contact drills before heading over to the rehab area.
At the end of the match sim Lobb did some running on the boundary line and he seems to be moving a lot quicker than 12 months back.

Warmups and Running drills
A bit more running today early on before the match sim and the focus was initially the speed development work.
Cleary and Poulter really stood out with their running, both quicker than I have seen before.

Skill Drills
2 and 3 player kicking drills that the expand the distances with and players are constantly rotating their kicking on preferred and non preferred sides. I focused on Bontempelli and Richards who were laser sharp with their kicking skills.
Rock around the Clock was a very talkative drill and a high level of skill execution. The emphasis was on hitting the intended target who was at full stretch and the standouts to me were Baker, Ugle-Hagan, Freijah and Sanders. They just kept either hitting their targets or going full tilt with their running patterns.
Keepings off was typically a 5 v 5 set-up and the focus was all about communication, skill execution and defending the player and the space. Vandermeer did very well with some of his interceptions and JJ skill level and decision making was spot on. Freijah and Sanders have already developed some real synergies of where each of them are in these drill and there might even been a bit of waxing between them.
BAD Boys - Key defenders matched on Key Forwards.

Match Sim and Dog Watch
Strange set-up but before Bevo cops his normal mad scientist bagging it was their 3rd match sim session of the week and they probably needed a refresh. Also the assistant coaches seemed to be calling the shots. 2 by 16min quarters followed by 2 x 8.30min quarters.
Crofty starting in the ruck, Weightman and Richards in the midfield were signs that this would be a different style of match sims. We also had O'Donnell up forward and Macrae off half back and half forward.
Lobb playing deep and Naughton as a high half forward who also went into the middle for a couple of contests. Clarke was on a wing for a while and Harmes has really encouraging him along.

• Oskar Baker was prominent all session. Kicked a could of goals with one of them being a Joe the goose but his field kicking and endeavor was first rate.
• Jason Johannisen was a real play maker today expertly switching the ball with perfectly weight kicking and he does not appear to have lost any pace off the mark.
• Sam Darcy was a marking threat all day and easily the best big man on the field. He was must have taken 6 or 8 contested marks and probably more than 10 for the game. His set shot goal kicking is a problem though and he missed both sides and to me he isn't thinking it through. His ability to mark the ball at the high point is impressive.
• Buku Khamis did some excellent defensive efforts. He got caught out a couple of times but the positives
• Marcus Bontempelli was superb, don't be too concerned about his late start to full training as his marking, kicking and fitness level was spot on today.
• Ed Richards played mainly in the midfield and his long and quick kicking was of course a real feature of this game.
• James O'Donnell played a bit everywhere and he has a real creative side to his game now and once he kicks or handballs to a team mate he is showing positive intent to become involved in the next passage of play.
• Rhylee West was a ball magnet early on and even tackled McNeil to the ground where Lochie need a minute or so to regain his breathe.
• Aiden O'Driscoll had a little purple patch where his athleticism really stood out. Got caught a couple of times due to indecision.
• Jordon Croft is super mobile and there was a mixture of exciting play and mixed opportunities today.

Doggy-Bag Takeaways

1. Bontempelli is in great condition, no problems there.
2. Sanders is the real deal, great kick and provides plenty of run.
3. If we can fix Darcy's goal kicking he will be a serious player for us. His marking at the high point is excellent.
4. Gardner had a great session. A lot more positive intent displayed and he match-up on a wide variety of opponents.
5. Liam Jones is in fine form. Used the ball well and rarely beaten. A few desperate dives to spoil and tackle were noticeable.
6. Coffield just keeps getting better. A good interceptor and uses the ball well.
7. Bedendo was getting a bit of the ball today and a lot of encouragement from the coaches especially Lade.

The session finished off with a spirited contest of Ice-Hockey and running drills.