Training 2023 Pre-season thread

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I agree, he doesn't have nearly the loyalty of our great leaders like Lachie Neale, Josh Dunkley, Jack Gunston, Joe Daniher, Jarryd Lyons, etc
At least all those players signed on for longer than a year. They also didn't shop themselves around to other clubs in a window. I may be wrong about McKenna, happy if I am, but that's just the way I feel at the moment. Certainly no need to be sarcastically passive aggressive. If you disagree, say you disagree and put fwd a counter argument with your point of view. I'm very happy to discuss issues in an open and respectful way.
 

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At least all those players signed on for longer than a year. They also didn't shop themselves around to other clubs in a window. I may be wrong about McKenna, happy if I am, but that's just the way I feel at the moment. Certainly no need to be sarcastically passive aggressive. If you disagree, say you disagree and put fwd a counter argument with your point of view. I'm very happy to discuss issues in an open and respectful way.
I think that year contract for McKenna would have been club initiated, we want to see if he has still got it before committing to him long term, I'm sure McKenna would have preferred 2-3 years. Loyalty works both ways, clubs will often move on players who would rather stay eg. Daniel Bradshaw.
 
I do appreciate that point of view. Everyone that comes here should want to win a flag. I just feel it was a bit mercenary the way it came about. As I also said I'd be happy if I was wrong.

I am just happy he chose to come here, rather than somewhere else.
 
I find this "mercenary" concept a bit old-fashioned and irrelevant in a fully professional era. Frankly I don't care if he comes to us because he thinks he is a better chance of winning a premiership with us. Same as I don't begrudge players who move on for better opportunities or pay packets.
 
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I think that year contract for McKenna would have been club initiated, we want to see if he has still got it before committing to him long term, I'm sure McKenna would have preferred 2-3 years. Loyalty works both ways, clubs will often move on players who would rather stay eg. Daniel Bradshaw.
I can see that the 1yr contract may have been initiated by the club for those reasons, I initially thought that too. That makes sense. It could also be initiated by him for the reasons I thought too, we don't know for sure. Maybe it's a bit of both.

Why I think this way is that I read an interview with him where he said after winning the All Ireland Gaelic Football final he wanted to add an Afl flag to his collection. His collection, ticking boxes. He was very quick to leave his Irish club to try to achieve that. My worry is he would be just as quick to leave if he wins one here. Maybe I inferred the wrong thing from the article, or the tone of the author led me that way.

I also appreciate that loyalty isn't big for a lot players these days, or clubs for that matter. That irks me. Both want to get what they can out of the game while they can. That's the professional age I guess. As long as there's an F.C. at the end of the team name and not a Pty Ltd, to me there's a place for club and player loyalty.
 
I can see that the 1yr contract may have been initiated by the club for those reasons, I initially thought that too. That makes sense. It could also be initiated by him for the reasons I thought too, we don't know for sure. Maybe it's a bit of both.

Why I think this way is that I read an interview with him where he said after winning the All Ireland Gaelic Football final he wanted to add an Afl flag to his collection. His collection, ticking boxes. He was very quick to leave his Irish club to try to achieve that. My worry is he would be just as quick to leave if he wins one here. Maybe I inferred the wrong thing from the article, or the tone of the author led me that way.

I also appreciate that loyalty isn't big for a lot players these days, or clubs for that matter. That irks me. Both want to get what they can out of the game while they can. That's the professional age I guess. As long as there's an F.C. at the end of the team name and not a Pty Ltd, to me there's a place for club and player loyalty.
From my perspective I'm fine with everything he said .He wants to win an AFL flag . Everyone has their reasons. His is valid.

I think it's drawing a long bow to imply he's disloyal. We won't give him another contract if he doesn't shape up. It can't have been that easy to come out here again after what happened to him during covid. All I take from it is that he's extremely motivated.
 
At least all those players signed on for longer than a year. They also didn't shop themselves around to other clubs in a window. I may be wrong about McKenna, happy if I am, but that's just the way I feel at the moment. Certainly no need to be sarcastically passive aggressive. If you disagree, say you disagree and put fwd a counter argument with your point of view. I'm very happy to discuss issues in an open and respectful way.

I will admit to it being sarcastic, but certainly wasn't passive aggressive. Anyway, I disagree - why shouldn't he have the right to decide where he wants to play as someone who was in the system for a long period of time?

As for people shopping themselves around, Dunkley did a tour of port adelaide as well before settling on us too - I couldn't care less about it. Made it even funnier when he didn't end up going there. I also totally forgot to include Charlie Cameron in my list of loyal lions.
 

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Just got home from a few days in Sydney, so I only just got a chance to see the replay this morning.

I still enjoy travelling on the Big Grey Bird.

Reading a couple of the comments here I thought Dev must have had a howler.

Had a couple of turnovers. But Gee, there’s a lot he gets right too you know.

His attack on the ball is as good as anyone. Love his contested ball work. Wins more than his fair share. Works hard both ways. Strong overhead for his size. Kicked a goal. Thought he did ok without being brilliant.
 
McKenna had a massive howler running at full pace against the swans that I think everyone here picked up on. A mercenary he may be but we have had a few of those along the journey, and most big flag winning teams have them (Lake, Gibson, Frawley, Ottens, J Cameron). He was much better against the cats and it will be interesting to see how he fits in and develops. He's still only 25 so a lot of room for growth still, his upside is way higher for this season imo then Wilmot, Answerth or Prior across that half back position.

When it comes to wings and Answerth, I would compare him more closely to Prior rather then Dev as far as what they bring, and I have a better feeling about Prior in that position rather then Answerth. Both still have upside and either could take the position long term, but that defensive fat side winger I would probably have either Ah Chee, Prior, Wilmot or Answerth (in that order).

Dev seems to be rotating with the more offensive, inside mid winger like Jarrod Berry, who offers a very similar skill set. Weather the coaches think we can have both of those guys in the team at once remains to be seen, but I think dev has shown he could play that more defensive side winger too, and I would probably place him (personally) above Ah Chee in that role.

There is no doubt that we need to have a few of those guys playing who are willing to sacrifice their game and play defensively so our more offensive backs (Rich, Coleman, Rayner) and wings (Bailey, Berry, Zorko) can go about delivering the ball inside 50.

Our success this season will be about getting that balance right, it's a tough seat at the selection table so far this pre season for me.
 
McKenna had a massive howler running at full pace against the swans that I think everyone here picked up on. A mercenary he may be but we have had a few of those along the journey, and most big flag winning teams have them (Lake, Gibson, Frawley, Ottens, J Cameron). He was much better against the cats and it will be interesting to see how he fits in and develops. He's still only 25 so a lot of room for growth still, his upside is way higher for this season imo then Wilmot, Answerth or Prior across that half back position.

When it comes to wings and Answerth, I would compare him more closely to Prior rather then Dev as far as what they bring, and I have a better feeling about Prior in that position rather then Answerth. Both still have upside and either could take the position long term, but that defensive fat side winger I would probably have either Ah Chee, Prior, Wilmot or Answerth (in that order).

Dev seems to be rotating with the more offensive, inside mid winger like Jarrod Berry, who offers a very similar skill set. Weather the coaches think we can have both of those guys in the team at once remains to be seen, but I think dev has shown he could play that more defensive side winger too, and I would probably place him (personally) above Ah Chee in that role.

There is no doubt that we need to have a few of those guys playing who are willing to sacrifice their game and play defensively so our more offensive backs (Rich, Coleman, Rayner) and wings (Bailey, Berry, Zorko) can go about delivering the ball inside 50.

Our success this season will be about getting that balance right, it's a tough seat at the selection table so far this pre season for me.
Players make mistakes all the time. He was running 100mph into that kick.

I swear some people wait for certain guys to make a blue then have to tell everybody.

I still see they're still carrying on about Keays deficiencies on another thread.

After a practice match.
 
It's obviously a mental thing that he will overcome once he starts nailing a few.

His set shots are much improved. It isn't always easy to kick goals on the run or from around the corner. Not everyone can be as efficient as Bailey and Cameron.
 

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Training 2023 Pre-season thread

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