Training 2023 Pre Season

[aussierulesrules]

Well we knew that Jones had some kind of injury, so to hear that he’ll hopefully be back as soon as R2 is actually pretty decent news.

Just one injury after another from him is the main concern though.

Thankfully with every year that goes by we’re more and more able to cover his loss from the midfield.

And thankfully there was no mention of Seb, so hopefully he’s right to play either this week or next.

As long as we have one of those two plus Gresh, and Windy, our midfield will have some decent variation and speed.

And this presumably opens the door wide for one or both Clark or Bytel to get significant midfield minutes in R1.

 

[PoppedCorn]

What's the Injury?

Achilles
Its on the previous page

 

[SteeleSaints]

Jones has always been injury prone even in his Sydney days. Which is a shame as when he gets a run at it he goes ok.

McLennan with back stress fractures, you have ask the question are the younger blokes being asked to do to much too soon?

It seems 1 in 2 out at the moment?

 

[Saintsydney]

Max King looks to have bulked up

I was looking at Adams - has to be 199cm ?? which makes him a genuine KPD prospect

 

[Yabadoo22]

I’m sick of hearing supporters say “is rather not make finals and leap into finals next year” and “this year doesn’t matter but next year..”
we have literally been saying that for the past 10 years, there comes a point in time, new coach or not, when the club has to take responsibility and make this year our year. What’s the point of rocking up if we’ve already waved the white flag. Let’s make the finals and give September a bloody shake. No more excuses.

 

[XhazzafootyX]

Jones is, what Jones is.

Inconsistent, injury prone and when available erratic and frustrating.

He’s one I’m eager to move past, as while his good has been very good. He’s never going to be an a-grader, and we need to get games in to the next crop of young mids moving forward.

Him missing out, allows more minutes for Windhager, Phillipou, NWM, Byrnes, Bytel and so on.

Hopefully his last year here. Keen to see the back of him and forget about the 2019 trade period.

 

[aussierulesrules]

Max, Hayes and Keeler not back until R7-ish the far less good news.

We don’t necessarily have a single easy looking game in the first 7 rounds (Essendon being the easiest looking one, but they’ve smacked us the last two years), so we could be up against it over that period.

Will be fascinating to see how long the Owens as a key marking target and backup ruck lasts.

If it ain’t working, I expect we’ll be pretty quick to go to other, more traditional options, like Battle, Cordy, Campbell, or Howard.

 

[gringo2011]

Yeah makes some sense but if I'm RTB I'm keen to make sure we have solid defence first and foremost. Disrupting the defence's chemistry just for a few weeks seems a mistake. Defence wins championships.

Coffield needs to be reintegrated into the backline. He was looking like he could be a future Tom Stewart in 2020.

 

[gringo2011]

Still don't really understand what the knock was on the Pou that led to him falling to pick 10. Are the nine guys in front of him obviously that much better?

It sounds like he might have put a few off with his confidence. Their loss.

 

[Saintscomemarchingin]

The way we are going, might have to throw Caminiti & Van Es in early. Well, at least, lets see how they fair in the practice matches.

 

[Saintscomemarchingin]

He's definitely got that thing going where on TV he looks lean and then when you're standing next to him you realize his arms are the same size as your thighs.

You must be a tiny little knight

 

[Diehard Saint]

Rnd 3 MCG Tickets /seats done

Me too

 

[aussierulesrules]

If this pic is anything to go by, Coff might have grown. There’s bugger-all difference between him, Allison (195cm) and Highmore (193cm), while all look considerably taller than Jimmy (including across the shoulders) who’s listed at 188cm.

While the rumour that Max had grown to over 205cm looks to have a lot going for it. He looks clearly taller than the 204cm-listed Heath, who looks clearly taller than the 201cm-listed Roma and Campbell.

 

[Sainter93]

Mitch Cleary just said on SEN he has done an interview with Matteas Phillipou that has yet to be released.

Mentioned it is the best interview he has done with a draftee

 

[Diehard Saint]

I’m sick of hearing supporters say “is rather not make finals and leap into finals next year” and “this year doesn’t matter but next year..”
we have literally been saying that for the past 10 years, there comes a point in time, new coach or not, when the club has to take responsibility and make this year our year. What’s the point of rocking up if we’ve already waved the white flag. Let’s make the finals and give September a bloody shake. No more excuses.

There’s never a guarantee for “next year.”
Who knows how many injuries we get then.

Bugger it, go out every year like you have a chance to win it.
No guts, no glory.

 

[XhazzafootyX]

Gresh- “Ill have to go with Phillipou… enough said”

 

[gringo2011]

My guess would be that they want a true tall to replace King, and Battle doesn't have the height. Cordy or Howard (or Caminiti) have that height, otherwise we're stuck with smalls.

Battle is 2 cm shorter than Cordy. Hardly a massive gain in height.

 

[The Cobra]

I’m sick of hearing supporters say “is rather not make finals and leap into finals next year” and “this year doesn’t matter but next year..”
we have literally been saying that for the past 10 years, there comes a point in time, new coach or not, when the club has to take responsibility and make this year our year. What’s the point of rocking up if we’ve already waved the white flag. Let’s make the finals and give September a bloody shake. No more excuses.

I understand and agree with the sentiment - we are all very frustrated!

What I would ask is that there is some patience and understanding of the big picture, namely:

1. We have some really significant pre season injuries - particularly to key forwards which are very difficult to replace. Even when some of these players come back (King & Hayes are for example returning from really significant injuries) they are likely to take some time to regain confidence & reach full fitness and form.
2. We have some exciting young guns coming through, though they may be inconsistent, will attract more opposition attention if they shine early in the season and some may tire as the season goes on.
3. It may take some time to bed down the new game plan when the season starts and the real pressure is on. The game plan will probably also need to be tweaked given 1 above.

I am bullish given the training sessions I have attended which have been of high quality, and hopefully we hit the ground running, but let’s stay positive and focussed on the big picture, particularly if things don’t start like we all hope.

 

[tomjoad]

View attachment 1612592

Jones AGAIN

 

[hangdog]

Everyone seems to have fogotten Cooper Sharman. In my mind he would be first choice to replace KING. Last time he did he got four goals and a Brownlow vOTE.

Was going to say the same thing. Seems a no brainer that he replaces King and we have other tall HF options like Owens, Pou or Wood without having to upset the back line. Even the Hammer looks capable of being a third tall at a pinch.

I think too much has been read into Howard playing forward. We're short on tall forwards and need to field "2 teams" when we do match sim.

 

[saintmike65]

Mitch Cleary just said on SEN he has done an interview with Matteas Phillipou that has yet to be released.

Mentioned it is the best interview he has done with a draftee

The kid’s special…I’m tipping he’ll end up the best player from that draft!!

 

[saintmike65]

Was going to say the same thing. Seems a no brainer that he replaces King and we have other tall HF options like Owens, Pou or Wood without having to upset the back line. Even the Hammer looks capable of being a third tall at a pinch.

I think too much has been read into Howard playing forward. We're short on tall forwards and need to field "2 teams" when we do match sim.

Sharman’s a lock, Caminiti a chance if he goes ok in the 2 practice matches…Owens, Phillipou & the smalls!!

 

[Cairnsman]

Jones AGAIN

I know right, I'm an atheist but if it helps I will convert to any religion required and pray their God for good luck with injuries. I know Jones is a polarising player for some strange reason but it will be real helpful if he can be available for most games in 2023 in a midfield that needs all the help it can get.

 

[Cairnsman]

Sharman’s a lock, Caminiti a chance if he goes ok in the 2 practice matches…Owens, Phillipou & the smalls!!

Sharman needs to show something on Friday against a premier defence you'd think to be in consideration.

 

[Saintscomemarchingin]

If this pic is anything to go by, Coff might have grown. There’s bugger-all difference between him, Allison (195cm) and Highmore (193cm), while all look considerably taller than Jimmy (including across the shoulders) who’s listed at 188cm. View attachment 1612711

While the rumour that Max had grown to over 205cm looks to have a lot going for it. He looks clearly taller than the 204cm-listed Heath, who looks clearly taller than the 201cm-listed Roma and Campbell.

He's got his high heels on