Monday they started around 9.30am. This time they trained in one big group.
Though there was a smaller group of 7 players that did a lighter session, some skill drills and a lot of straight line running. I think it was Brand, Franklin, Naismith, Papley, Cunningham, Heeney and Mcinerney. I did not really watch this group. But later Papley and Heeney were kicking the ball to each other practicing leads. Franklin was also Kicking the ball back and forth with one of the coaches.
Skill Drills
They split up into groups and rotated through what seemed to be 3 different skill drills. These skill drills had more pressure compared to what they were doing last week.
- Picking up a ground ball and then handballing off with another player putting pressure on.
- Warmed up by wrestling in a upright position. Then practice tackles that wrap up the ball (both players on their feet).
- Kicking drill where a player would receive the ball, a defensive player would man the mark forcing them to back up and kick to one of two options.
Kicking Drill
Just kicking the ball back and forth in pairs or threes.
Kicking Drill
3 lines of players on each side opposite each other. Kicking the ball diagonally and then running forward to the opposite side.
2 Drills
- Long kick to a player who would tap it down to a player running past them
- Drill where they work the ball upfield by repeatedly kicking to one of two leading options and continuing to run upfield.
Handball Drill
4 attackers handpass their way through 3 defenders
Kicking Drill
Kicking the ball on the run to a player running towards you
5 vs 4 Sim
5 Attackers would start from the back and try to work the ball upfield against 4 defenders. A lot of focus on moving to create space and continuing to run forward.
12 vs 9 Sim
Similiarly 12 attackers would try to work the ball upfield against 9 defenders. Though there was more of a realistic structure. There would be 4 vs 3 in the Backs, 4 vs 3 in the Mids and 4 vs 3 in the Forwards. And players were playing in their usual position. Again a lot of focus on leading into space and running forward to create passing options.
Running
The group split. Some players on lighter training did the drill where they work the ball upfield.
The other players did running. It seemed to be 2-3 timed sets of 1km with a bit of rest in between. Most players just did the first 2 1km.
I only wrote down the finishing order of the 2nd 1km. Mills, Gulden, Mclean, Rampe, Stephens, Ronke and Ling were the first 7 in the 2nd 1km. I think Rampe might have won the 1st 1km run. And Mclean won the 3rd 1km run.
Various smaller groups
Group split up into multiple smaller groups.
- O'Connor, Dawson, McCartin and Mclean were doing contested marking of a high ball
- Gulden was kicking to Hayward who was practicing leads.
- Cox was working with Hickey and the mids practicing ruck taps. Interestingly Mills and Campbell were in this group. Sinclair was doing boundary running most of the session but joined in as well.
- Other players were doing other stuff
- Training finished around 12pm
Casual impressions
Without making any firm judgments the newer players seem to be what I expected.
- McDonald. The 12 vs 9 sim was the first chance I got to see him play as a forward in a structured situation. He was making leads into space and seems to have firm hands to mark the ball on the run.
- Sheather. Seems well built for a 1st year player. Looks to be playing as a medium forward.
- Malachy. Played as a defender in the 12 vs 9 sim and made some accurate passes. During the running initially looks a bit awkward but he usually finishes near the front. Tries hard during the running and tires himself out. In the 1st 1km he was near the front but in the middle of the pack in the next run.
- Campbell. Seems to move well and has a flat pass. Looks to be training with the mids.
- Gulden. Hard running, likes to remain involved and likes making short chipped passes. Looks to be training with the forwards.
- Positionally in the 12 vs 9 sim. Mills seemed to be playing in the mids and McCartin seemed to be playing with the defenders.
- Last year I remember people were criticising Mclean for his agility. But he looked really strong in the running and was very fresh in the 3rd 1km. In the 12 vs 9 sim he was playing as key forward. Also looked good in the contested marking in being able to take a mark above his head.
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