1: Scrums and lineouts went very well (because we spent a lot of time on them last Thursday).

2: Back-three communication/decision making got better through the day with Dan Hayes stepping up. Hopefully Dave will be able to work with the back-three groups this Tuesday to build on this. At the moment the stronger group would appear to be Dan Hayes on one wing, Justin Maynard at full back (he will have paid his dues) and Jason Willeford on the other wing. That gives you two players familiar with full back in the back three rotation and two kickers in Dan and Jason. Look to work Kyle Kuttner into full back for the B-side with Matt Breda and Mike Muszynski as wingers (work in Alex on the wing too). Gives you two units.

3: Front-three – the best lineup is Dog/Jason to Mags/Jamie with Jeremy Copeland at outside. Jeremy is not available this week or Richmond – but I’d still work him in there with the option of Jamie at IC and Mags at OC until he’s available. In the B-side if we can get Jeff at Fly we can work Brian Powell and Shawn Pebble in at centers – if Kevin Grubby reappears he could work in at outside with the other two new guys splitting inside. Gives you two units.

4: Scrum half - Brogan is looking very strong but picked up a red card for stamping. Will need to look to develop SH depth with Steve Strickland showing well out there today. Vinny Baker may also be available to help cover #9.

5: Front row – we are looking good here – Chad is an A-side hooker (will be Nick’s back-up), Jason and Jeremiah started strong with Masi a possibility coming in as a TH for the last 20-minutes as an impact sub. Gooch can cover both TH and LH well. Chris Dodge can cover TH (played well at the beach but cracked a rib). George Katsotis is a potentially good TH, literally just arrived on Thursday. Frank worked well at hooker and can cover prop – Caleb worked well at hooker (needs to work on his lineout throws) – good young player to develop.

5: Second row – Tucci is playing well – Pete Ireland would be his starting partner. Joe Flanagan is getting better – solid at scrum and lineout – just high in contact and mauls/rucks. Dan Harmer is back this week – could battle for the 3rd lock spot. Ed Shafer is a contender for the B-side and a possible A-side short time cover option.

5: Back rows – Brian Dills looked very good, John Astill solid cover at #8. The flankers not present were Dave Parmiter and Art Hall but Matt Lerch and Sean Rafferty offer something as jumpers in the lineout (both need to up their work rate/fitness). Ben Shafer covered flanker well when he came on.

Two areas need attention after the weekend (if you take out fitness which lasted 20 minutes – 0 – 0 at that time).

Tackling was high – so handoffs pushed our guys away and there wasn’t an opportunity to poach the ball (buried under the tackler).

Lost too much ball in contact – things like turning the wrong way, going down too easily and running alone – all basic things aggravated by lack of conditioning.

Last note:

Everyone played – started the day strong and finished the day strong playing basically NOVA’s A-side squad (they only had around 25 guys – no rookies). Due to early injuries we didn’t get a chance to set up our starting back line – but the players in the back three developed through the day and we got a chance to put our true rookies into the front three later in the session and they survived.

The players enjoyed themselves and kept upbeat – no moaning or negative comments.

It’s early in the preseason and we have lost to three D1 teams and beaten a D2 team. Guys are out of shape but turning up for training and the matches. We are about on schedule for Richmond in 4 weeks time.

Cheers.

Julian