Western Bulldogs Training, January 13th 2011

After being refused entry at Visy Park, I decided to make my way to Whitten Oval to observe the Western Bulldogs' training session.

• Early warm ups included run throughs, agility drills as well as using ropes for resistance.
• Fascinating drill in the sand pit. First 5 minutes would involve the players running around the 3 cones, the next was in pairs and involved sticking tight with your opponent/evasive work

• Higgins was teamed up with boyd in the pit. There was a tangle between players as 2 pairs would be in the pit at the same time. Higgins looks to have smacked his foot and possibly hit a nerve? Came off a bit ginger and was shacking his hands. Had a talk with a trainer and gave the all good. Nothing to worry about you'd think.
• Bit of fun and games before the main work. The whole group watched as hudson had a shot form the boundary 30m out. Missed both attempts, one out on the full.
• First main drill was a simple 4 point handball as shown below in the video.

• After this they went into a six point kicking drill
• Whilst all this was happening Cooney was first seen, slowly running laps of the oval. His movement looked a bit impaired. Might just be me? After one lap he went straight back into the sheds.

 

• The main group then split up into colours/non-colours.
• Zonal work was next, the drill was all about leaving your man to cover the next kick. 

• At this point in time Hill, Howard, Wallis, Hooper and Boyd were not with the main group.
• The next drill involved handballing through the swarm. The defending players didn't hold back and ran straight at the offending player and putting on as much pressure as possible. Three groups in the drill. As you can see below the far group had the ball at this stage. Plenty of pressure, not a lot of space.

• Assistants noted that the players should "run wide".
• Cooney and Williams then ran a lap together. They would stop after 3/4 and run back around.

 

• Onto a full ground drill. Looking to move the ball quite fast. Impressed with Zeph Skinner, very good leap and a nice left foot. Could also kick well on his right which I noticed.
• The next drill was much like the one before. Teams of five tried to handball through the other group who would use the "swarm" and attack the player in twos and sometimes threes. Putting pressure on the ball carrier is key. Boxing them in and closing down the space.
• Split up into four drills. All pretty simple. Midfield group worked on their clearances in front of me. 
• Ed Barlow was with the midfield and was being utilized as a tagger. Possible run-with player this year?

 

• Ward and Cooney start to have a light kick with each other. Slow leads. After 5 minutes, Ward walks off and Cooney sits back talking with the coaches and overlooking the clearance drill with the midfield group.
• I left shortly after this.
• Noticable absentees from what I noticed include Lake, Cross, Hargrave, Hall.