Training Official Essendon Preseason Thread

[Happyskeret]

Youd think as long as Baldwin isnt getting a major injury then hes being signed in that SSP period in Feb

That’s pretty much been the worry with him from day dot. Not trying to jinx the poor kid but I will be pissed if he trains the house down all summer just to break down before or at the start of the season. That’s the risk I guess.

 

[Keystone agony]

That’s pretty much been the worry with him from day dot. Not trying to jinx the poor kid but I will be pissed if he trains the house down all summer just to break down before or at the start of the season. That’s the risk I guess.

Think he can probably allow to miss a 2 week block in Jan and still be a good chance to get on the list with everything outside of that time being strong... which sounds like it has so far

Also may depend a bit on whether they get fairly non disturbed PS from Harry Jones, Draper and Reid aswell.... i hope not though

 

[P Money]

I reckon they know what Baldwin is capable of, they're not going to learn much more about him in a preseason. If he doesn't get injured he should be straight in. If he and Reid can stay healthy we could have a formidable backline with those two plus McKay and Ridley, with Hayes developing as first emergency and Laverde as break glass when needed.

 

[Keystone agony]

I reckon they know what Baldwin is capable of, they're not going to learn much more about him in a preseason. If he doesn't get injured he should be straight in. If he and Reid can stay healthy we could have a formidable backline with those two plus McKay and Ridley, with Hayes developing as first emergency and Laverde as break glass when needed.

I dont think we will ever play those 4 in the same side unless the rest of the backline is drastically depleted by injury

 

[P Money]

I dont think we will ever play those 4 in the same side unless the rest of the backline is drastically depleted by injury

I would have thought you'd have 7 defenders rotating on/off the bench: 2 key talls (Reid and McKay), 2 mediums (Ridley and Baldwin) and 3 runners (McGrath, El Hawli, Roberts)?

El Hawli and Roberts could also rotate between the backline and the midfield/wing, along with players like Shiel and Merrett.

 

[jdstorm]

I would have thought you'd have 7 defenders rotating on/off the bench: 2 key talls (Reid and McKay), 2 mediums (Ridley and Baldwin) and 3 runners (McGrath, El Hawli, Roberts)?

El Hawli and Roberts could also rotate between the backline and the midfield/wing, along with players like Shiel and Merrett.

Redman?

Baldwins combination of medium sized but Thicc/slower makes him a bad fit as that 2nd medium.

if your playing Ridley at HB may as well play Hayes.

 

[P Money]

Redman?

Baldwins combination of medium sized but Thicc/slower makes him a bad fit as that 2nd medium.

if your playing Ridley at HB may as well play Hayes.

Yeah good call forgot about Redman. Having said that, I think Baldwin would be an upgrade in Heppell's role in every sense (size, strength, speed, disposal, defensive nous, marking) other than perhaps experience/leadership, so I reckon there's a spot for him in the 22.

 

[Keystone agony]

Yeah good call forgot about Redman. Having said that, I think Baldwin would be an upgrade in Heppell's role in every sense (size, strength, speed, disposal, defensive nous, marking) other than perhaps experience/leadership, so I reckon there's a spot for him in the 22.

Baldwin doesnt have the agility, play making, ground ball ability along with other things that Heppell did. Heppell also played a fair bit of wing.

Also dont think we should necessarily be comparing to Heppell

Having Mckay, Reid, Baldwin and Ridley in the back 6 at once is a recipe for disaster

As ive said many times. Mckay/Reid are not Darcy Moore, Blicavs, SDK types

Reid, Mckay and even Baldwin are about as big and lumbersome as it gets for their size. You can only carry so many before you have issues

Smaller backlines are in vogue, because it is extremely rare height is a huge issue in the current game with very few 1 v 1s which become a chestmark wrestle anyway

If Ridley was Nick Blakey then yeh it could maybe work, but even then

 

[Runk]

Baldwin doesnt have the agility, play making, ground ball ability along with other things that Heppell did. Heppell also played a fair bit of wing.

Also dont think we should necessarily be comparing to Heppell

Having Mckay, Reid, Baldwin and Ridley in the back 6 at once is a recipe for disaster

As ive said many times. Mckay/Reid are not Darcy Moore, Blicavs, SDK types

Reid, Mckay and even Baldwin are about as big and lumbersome as it gets for their size. You can only carry so many before you have issues

Smaller backlines are in vogue, because it is extremely rare height is a huge issue in the current game with very few 1 v 1s which become a chestmark wrestle anyway

If Ridley was Nick Blakey then yeh it could maybe work, but even then

Well said

 

[faible]

Isn't Baldwin the Laverde replacement as your 2nd tall KPD?

He's a similar height and build to Steven May.

 

[Pweter]

Isn't Baldwin the Laverde replacement as your 2nd tall KPD?

He's a similar height and build to Steven May.

I'd rather the 2nd KPD be Reid. McKay and Reid along with Ridley, Redman, McGrath are the core of our defence moving forwards, I'm not sure who takes the 6th spot of a medium/small defender. Hayes, Baldwin and Laverde all fight it our for when Reid or McKay are injured.

I'd argue May is more athletic than Baldwin (though Baldwin's sample size is very small), and May's arms are ridiculously long which compensate for lack of height.

 

[faible]

I'd rather the 2nd KPD be Reid. McKay and Reid along with Ridley, Redman, McGrath are the core of our defence moving forwards, I'm not sure who takes the 6th spot of a medium/small defender. Hayes, Baldwin and Laverde all fight it our for when Reid or McKay are injured.

I'd argue May is more athletic than Baldwin (though Baldwin's sample size is very small), and May's arms are ridiculously long which compensate for lack of height.

I'd hope Reid makes it too, but a fit Baldwin and Hayes gives up options down there.

Baldwin is a unit of a bloke, seems to be able to hold his ground well against the big KPPs which Laverde has started to struggle with.

Last season didn't we end up having to play Weideman as a KPD late in the season?

 

[Pweter]

I'd hope Reid makes it too, but a fit Baldwin and Hayes gives up options down there.

Baldwin is a unit of a bloke, seems to be able to hold his ground well against the big KPPs which Laverde has started to struggle with.

Last season didn't we end up having to play Weideman as a KPD late in the season?

I have no doubt Baldwin could hold his ground against most but what's his mobility like? I honestly can't recall from the games he played. There's not too many lumbering hulks of KPFs out there any longer, they're mostly very mobile and rely on that (and their team mates) to get space and separation.

And yep, we played Weideman late but another year into Hayes hopefully means he becomes a live option moving forwards.

Baldwin is certainly an option, but he's not the option.

 

[faible]

I have no doubt Baldwin could hold his ground against most but what's his mobility like? I honestly can't recall from the games he played. There's not too many lumbering hulks of KPFs out there any longer, they're mostly very mobile and rely on that (and their team mates) to get space and separation.

And yep, we played Weideman late but another year into Hayes hopefully means he becomes a live option moving forwards.

Baldwin is certainly an option, but he's not the option.

Hard to say after all the injuries, but he was meant to be a decent aerobic runner for a KPP. I've never had the sense that he's a lumbering hulk, but whether his lateral movement is compromised by injuries is a bit unknown. The regular VFL watchers might know more.

 

[Milanista28]

Training report from today, source BB member.

 

[jdstorm]

Seems like we were playing a split group rather then playing A forwards + B backs vs A backs and B forwards.

Seems like In both cases the lack of quality at the deep end of the list is really showing up. Which is just where we are at right now.

Great to see McGrath in elite shape. I’m not his biggest fan but having leaders who can lead by example and set standards is important.

The idea of Langford + Caddy in the same forward line is exciting.

Expect things to really ramp up once guys who think they deserve a spot start to realise there won’t be a best 22 spot for them at 80%

 

[Milanista28]

Just going off other people's thoughts as I haven't attended a training session, Tsatas is front and center for a lot of positive feedback, busting his ass to be the best he can be. Love hearing that.

 

[fairbump_playon]

Just going off other people's thoughts as I haven't attended a training session, Tsatas is front and center for a lot of positive feedback, busting his ass to be the best he can be. Love hearing that.

What was the feedback to him last year? That he was still a bit of a mummy’s boy?

 

[Keystone agony]

I would not be against a hard stance with Perkins and dont think it would be the worst keeping him out of the best side and playing VFL if he aint performing over PS/PS games

Hes hardly proven himself as a forward either

He could meander and be a periphery type, make solid coin and play maybe 150 games player but that aint getting us anywhere

Always felt this is a bit of general whole approach to our players, albeit looking from afar. Looking for the easy way, make a career and get through as comfortably as they can

The talk comes across as a bit fake from the Zerrett, Heppell, Mcgrath, Hurleys

 

[ant555]

The match sim so far has been more about defending and defensive set up. Will be hard to read anything into how the attacking side goes at this stage. From the little bit I have seen they are trying to iron out some of the defensive mistakes they made in the back end of the year.

 

[jdstorm]

I would not be against a hard stance with Perkins and dont think it would be the worst keeping him out of the best side and playing VFL if he aint performing over PS/PS games

Hes hardly proven himself as a forward either

He could meander and be a periphery type, make solid coin and play maybe 150 games player but that aint getting us anywhere

Always felt this is a bit of general whole approach to our players, albeit looking from afar. Looking for the easy way, make a career and get through as comfortably as they can

The talk comes across as a bit fake from the Zerrett, Heppell, Mcgrath, Hurleys

There’s going to be a lot of competition for those smaller forward/pressure forward spots.

Assuming there’s basically only 4 spots for these players.

You have Kako, Gresham, Menzie, Perkins, Guelf, Dursma, Hobbs, Parish, Unwin, Davey, Nguyen, Loul, ADW, SEH

7 of those guys have had moments at AFL level where they’ve looked pretty good.

I’d say that’s probably why they are doing mixed teams so far as opposed to As vs Bs. It’s going to ruffle a few feathers when guys who expect to play AFL aren’t getting picked

 

[Keystone agony]

There’s going to be a lot of competition for those smaller forward/pressure forward spots.

Assuming there’s basically only 4 spots for these players.

You have Kako, Gresham, Menzie, Perkins, Guelf, Dursma, Hobbs, Parish, Unwin, Davey, Nguyen, Loul, ADW, SEH

7 of those guys have had moments at AFL level where they’ve looked pretty good.

I’d say that’s probably why they are doing mixed teams so far as opposed to As vs Bs. It’s going to ruffle a few feathers when guys who expect to play AFL aren’t getting picked

Parish wont be in this group

But with Parish and moving some experience on i have 6 of those in my starting best 22 with a decision between Perkins/Harry Jones albeit different players. At this stage id prefer to go with HJ in a development year after his 4 weeks without Wright

Wont surprise me if we blur lines though and play the Guelfi, Gresham, Setterfield, Shiels

I dont think you want to lower any confidence as its still very early in PS. Id say thats a major reason along with them actually not being confident in who best 22 are and which way theyre going yet

 

[TheUnicorn]

 

[jdstorm]

Parish wont be in this group

But with Parish and moving some experience on i have 6 of those in my starting best 22 with a decision between Perkins/Harry Jones albeit different players. At this stage id prefer to go with HJ in a development year after his 4 weeks without Wright

Wont surprise me if we blur lines though and play the Guelfi, Gresham, Setterfield, Shiels

I dont think you want to lower any confidence as its still very early in PS. Id say thats a major reason along with them actually not being confident in who best 22 are and which way theyre going yet

If you have top 4 mids as Merrett Calders, Durham and Tsatas

Then there’s 1 mid spot left and a few people to fight for it.

Parish is probably first in line but there’s a few people who could get that spot and push him into the HF mix

 

[Keystone agony]

If you have top 4 mids as Merrett Calders, Durham and Tsatas

Then there’s 1 mid spot left and a few people to fight for it.

Parish is probably first in line but there’s a few people who could get that spot and push him into the HF mix

Tsatas is a long way behind Parish. The club still heavily rate Parish hes just become a whipping boy for the fans

Parish aint stepping out of the side so Tsatas or Hobbs can get a run

Theres a spot for a 5th mid who play half mid half fwd. Thats Hobbs. Basically taking over Stringers/Perkins time as an onballer from last year