From the manager's barstool

By Gary TT Jordan
With training finally underway, it was heartening to see such a tremendous turn out of 16 Hogs. It’s to be hoped that the enthusiasm the lads showed by their training attendance is replicated by our turnout for the home and away season. Everyone appeared to be focused as our new coaches put us through some excellent drills. Management can only hope that the scouts from the major leagues around the world were not secretly watching.
As previously stated, there will be no midseason transfers or interclub loans considered this year. In fact The Cripple reports that the Hogs may need to consider training behind closed doors as the kick off to the season draws nearer.
The session provided a great opportunity for everyone to assemble once again and the bonus of catching up with our very own Coastal Hog of the year proved too good for the majority. Its hard to produce a body of top line players without a heart. Welcome back Sean.
The most pleasing aspect of training was the session we reserved for the backyard at the home of T Harps. The Cripple was most impressed by the temperature of the beverages and the abundance thereof. He has however received a yellow card. Children and early evenings the night before school has been mentioned in dispatches.
The worry management had over fitness levels has well and truly been dismissed with the look of some of our skins following the first training run. The proposed trial against the Russell Vale Masters may still raise some concerns, depending on our injury list afterwards. It will be a great opportunity for management to analyse players positional preferences and their suitability to the team structure. We all hope a date for the proposed trial will soon be known.
In further developments regarding training, it has come to light that our ‘gun’ coaches will be unavailable for our next session on 27 February. Management accepts that Forster City would like to utilise T Harps for a one off innovative skills session and Caltex United for a similar session with ‘Prime Minister’ Keating. Training however will seem like old times with our captain and team conductor John the “Don" Brandman handling the reigns for this session. The Cripple will also be absent because of the yellow card.
It's come to light that a previous infringement recently received during a simple party game has resulted in him having to sit out the night. Fines to be considered.
Management tip of the week: Remember training vests when next we all assemble together.