Collingwood’s preseason training resumed on Monday morning at Gosch’s Paddock in a closed session.

There was a light layer of dew on the grass as the team trained 26 days ahead of their first NAB Cup match against West Coast.

It was encouraging to watch veterans Tarkyn Lockyer, Shane O’Bree and Simon Prestigiacomo train with intensity.

Anthony Rocca, Collingwood’s oldest player, is in his final stages of rehabilitation from a foot injury suffered last season, and trained inside the Lexus Centre.

After 50 minutes of skill work, the team split into two sides and played a full ground match simulation.

Tarkyn Lockyer was in strong running form for the entire session, playing as the loose midfielder in the final training drill of the morning.

The 29-year-old was prominent, gathering plenty of the ball from the back-half to the forward line.  In one particular passage of play, Lockyer zoned off his man (Tyson Goldsack) and intercepted a mark on the outer wing to launch it 55 metres for a goal.

The small defender, who played the odd game up forward last season, looks to have placed himself into contention for a midfield role with his work over the off-season.

After playing two senior games last season, Simon Prestigiacomo has fully recovered from his foot injury in 2008 and is ready for this season.

The coaches had Prestigiacomo positioned at the start of the drill on John Anthony in the forward line. The veteran’s closing speed hindered Anthony’s ability to get to the ball and was thus held goalless for the first half.

Once the tall defender moved to the opposite end of the ground, Anthony was able to take two strong marks and convert them for goal.

Prestigiacomo continued his defensive play on the wing taking opponent’s Dane Swan and Alan Toovey at various stages.  A new-look Prestigacomo was calling for the ball for the entire drill and looked comfortable with taking an outstretched mark on the lead from teammate Dale Thomas.

215 game veteran, Shane O’Bree, was the most experienced player on the field and will play his 12th season of AFL football this year.

His experience came to the fore during the stoppages in the final drill of the session.  Playing on Scott Pendlebury, O’Bree would use a slight nudge or a subtle jumper grab to allow for his teammates to get to the ball first.  His work off the ball was impressive and caught the attention of John McCarthy who was kicking goals from the boundary line with Travis Cloke.

It was an encouraging sign from the experienced Collingwood players as much of the club’s 2009 success will be largely dependant on the impact the four veterans have for the team.

There will be an open training session at Gosch’s Paddock at 9:30 am on Wednesday 14 January.



Simon Prestigiacomo moved off Dane Swan to take a sliding mark on the boundary.



Shane O'Bree worked on his unique kicking style at Gosch's Paddock on Monday.



Tarkyn Lockyer stretches out for a mark before delivering the ball back inside the forward 50.