SS Training Session Summary - Images and Report

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Report

Report by: 'Spinner' - saintsational.com - 19th January 2009 - Thread Link

Traveled in all the way from the north west to capitalize on my remaining week of holidays.

As suggested previously - Open training sessions are not where the main drills and hard core football training happens. But it was a good watch.

Players drifted out from about 10.10am. All did a lap eventually and then stretched as a group.

They then broke up into three distinct groups. A midfield group, a forward group and a youth group.

Backline Group
Players from the backline were pretty much non-existent ... Even SOS was absent until mid way through the session which leads me to believe that there was a backline meeting of some kind ... Players not out on the field included: Baker, Clarke, Gram, Fisher, Dawson, Gilbert.

Midfield Group
Players grouped in the center of the oval. They included Dal Santo, Jones, Montagna, Goddard, Hayes, Ray ... Coupled with King, Gardiner, McEvoy and Patterson.

They stood in formation with King as if they were about to undergo a centre bounce. The coach (couldnt make him out) was clearly running through plays ... This occured for about 25 minutes, as I waited to see some simulation. It didnt eventuate ... I think they attempted 2 or 3 half ruck simulations.

Forward Group
By far the most interesting of the groups. They broke off into a forward formation across the goal face with Kos standing alone, with Roo and a small on the next line, with two smalls on the next line with Gwilt at the front. The smalls consisted of Milne, Scheider, McQualter and STEVEN.

They then huddled and literally discussed the entire concept with the line coach. A lot of pointing into spaces, and with Roo providing a tone of input which was clear from the boundary line. This occured for about 15 minutes. Ross Lyon then appeared from the race with a cup of coffee ... Wandered over and joined the discussion. The forward line discussion then continued for another 30 minutes ... With no simulation.

Youth Group Group
Consisted of everyone else. Notables were Walsh, Stanley, Winmar and Lynch ... Trained down the far end ... Couldn't see that far. Completed moving the ball into the 50 drills looking for key targets in front of goal.

The players then all did a session of boxing. Approx 35 minutes. Very vocal. Goddard's collorbone must be fine because he was enjoying banging the glove pads as loud as he could in between the breaks.

For the boxing a lot of players came out of the race, including Gram, Clarke, Dawson and Gilbert.

Baker and Leigh Fisher were doing bike throughout the duration, with many other players joining them as they returned.

Highlights of the day:
Riewoldt chasing Dal as he had obviously hit him with a boxing glove before the session only for him to catch him and drown him in a hug.

Steven in the forward group.

Tommy Lynch ... Massive. Just a full unit ... Didnt see him triain as it was too far way.

Geary looking more solid ... Not massive, but fuller.

Riewodlt staying out to sign until the very end ... About 350 supporters and it was magificent to see him stay for every last one. Got my new saints jumper signed by the captain perfectly which will be going up on my wall very soon. Made my week ... Also Dools got the skipper as well ... As well as getting his arm signed my Kossie! Well done!

Did not see: Armitage, Sam Fisher or Jesse Smith at all.

And Eddy had a brace around his lower leg ... Completed some handball.

Good day in the end!