The Nylex clock read 34 degrees at 8 am when the team entered Gosch’s Paddock.
They were welcomed by Collingwood’s VFL side that held practice in the early morning hours. VFL assistant coach’s Paul Licuria and Damien Peverill remained at the Paddock to assist the senior team during the session.
Many supporters and media took cover on the Eastern side of the Paddock, in the shade of the trees that line Punt Road.
A light kicking drill ensued with players pushing off blocking bags and delivering 25 metre passes to an assistant coach.
The team then broke off into various groups and conducted a drill involving moving the ball in one fluid play, down the wing, from the defensive fifty.
A player would run towards the goal square to mark a ball kicked across the square. From there the player would deliver the ball by foot, 45 metres forward marked by his teammate. The teammate would then handball to a player running on who would kick the ball into their forward fifty.
The goal of the drill was to use three players to move the ball down the ground in one quick, succinct play.
Dane Swan looks to have been working on his ball disposal in the off season and was kicking with high accuracy during the drill.
Leon Davis and Martin Clarke were also exceptional in directing the ball down the ground.
A south-westerly wind was present for most of the 75 minute session and lowered the mercury level five degrees.
The final drill of the morning involved the team breaking up into four groups with one offensive and one defensive team per group. The assistant coach would throw up the ball with two ruckman from each side trying to deliver first use to their teammates.
Scott Pendlebury was instructing his teammates after each run-through before the ball-up. The 21 year old conveyed where he wanted to see his teammates Dayne Beams, Shane O’Bree and Brad Dick move during the ball-up. Pendlebury’s instincts were on show as he continually received the ball from ruckman, Josh Fraser.
The session concluded with the players sprinting two full laps of the oval.
VFL head coach Gavin Brown instructs the VFL side with assistant's Paul Licuria and Damien Peverill.
Martin Clarke runs through the sticks before marking the ball from Paul Hudson (assistant coach)
Ben Johnson, Chris Bryan and Josh Fraser all have eyes for the ball during the early morning session.
Tyson Goldsack, Dale Thomas and John Bennell worked as a team to move the ball down the ground.
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A view from the football department's ladder.
Simon Prestigiacomo and Jaxson Barham try to negotiate the sun. John Anthony directs traffic ahead of play.
Shannon Cox and Ben Reid work as a team to move the ball down the wing. Travis Cloke recieves a delivery from Jaryd Blair.
Steele Sidebottom, Alan Toovey, John Bennell and John Anthony finish off the training session with a sprint around the oval.
