Richmond Training, January 7th 2011

Pre-season training has finally recommenced, and what a day it was. Melbourne was hot, possibly too hot but this didn't stop the players hitting the track as hard as ever. A trip to Punt Road Oval saw me take down a few brief notes at Richmond's session.

• Cotchin (Achilles) and Foley (leg) sat out of training. Hardwick spoke at the time trial (on Wednesday), and stated that both were struggling with injury, and would resume full training as early as late January. As an outside you always want to see the best players push onto A-grade status, and possibly Elite Status. I just hope Cotchin can reach that, and not have his development delayed through injury. Hoping this won't effect his output in season 2011, I have high hopes.
• A kick to handball to drill. Something you see a lot at every club, whatever level. Skills are not up to scratch. Does not look like a top 10-12 team this year. Taylor, Nahas and Browne the main contributors to the lackluster drill. This is not the first time I have noticed this. Should improve as the squad develops over the next few years (or at least you would hope).
• Post Pulled up sore in this drill. Very stock standard drill as well. Possibly did not come prepared on Wednesday, and felt the grind of a run along the Tan? Looks hamstring/back related.
• Deledio looking as sharp as ever. Looks like a midfielder! Hopefully with the inclusion of Houli (who has impressed me over the Summer), it will free up lids to push up the ground and play as a permanent midfielder.
• Griffo, Grimes, Nahas, Connors leave early as well as what looks like Jake Batchelor? leave the ground early (11:00 am) and head into the sheds for what one would presume is Gym work.
• Miller doing a lot of work with the Assistant coaches especially Leppitsch. Simple rolling along the ground. It looks like Richmond are putting a lot of work into him and see him as a possible round 1 starter. I can definitely see it happening. He looks as fit as ever and very sharp. Hopefully not just a great trainer.

• The next drill involved the player running flat out across the field, stopping at the end and having a short rest (30 seconds). The players would then do this again until a whistle was blown half way through the drill, and they would then scatter in what looks like pairs. Keeping the corridor free would be the most obvious guess as to why this drill is being used. Angus Graham and Browne looked spent after every length, have to give them a break though.Taylor was at the back of his group at every sprint, as was Dustin Martin (have noticed his fitness level previously being not what it should be). Miller and Jake "the pushup" King led their groups in almost all of the sprints. Just another sign that Miller is taking advantage of his second chance at an AFL club. Tuck sat out of this drill, slowly stretching his hamstrings as his teammates ran past.
• Mitch Farmer also sat out of this drill (the sprints component) and entered the drill as the players scattered. This could mean one of two things. Under an injury cloud and is unable to sprint, or possibly looking to play loose in the backline?
• Drill finally ends after 15 minutes. Players are stuffed, not surprising.
• Grigg looks very fit. Solid build, massive upper body. Will add to their midfield...Hopefully not Coburg's though.
• Simple handball drills, groups of two or three. Jake King standing out of this one; rather running laps. Pushing himself with them too, wasn't just ticking the legs over.
• Bachar Houli and Deledio come off (11:18) and start to sign some autographs. From an outsider look, Houli seems a really nice bloke. I hope he succeeds at Richmond, he is a talented player.
• Edwards/Nahas/Connors momentarily out from the sheds signing autographs. 
• Various ball drills going around the ground. Does not seem too intense. A lot of the group is off the ground.
• More one on one work with Miller. Simple rolling the ball along the ground, throwing it into the ground or even looping it in the air for Miller to pounce on before he let loose from 30m out. Nailing them!

• Slips work with the pill. Three groups. Kicking floaters (asking for a dislocated finger) straight at the players. Very hard to stick these marks. Few too many dropped catches for me, a few of these blokes would be up for the Australian Test team after this.
• Half the squad comes racing into the sheds (11:33).
• Taylor has his shoes off as he comes off the field. He didn't train as well as he usually does from what I saw.
• Finishing up with a bit of fun and games, the usual at a Richmond training session.
• Cotchin and Grimes doing extra work. Still out on the track have a kick 20mins after everyone bar the coaches have left.
• Assistant coaches playing a mini game. Leppitsch looks in good nick, as does Hardwick.