Training 2023 Pre Season

[Remboy]

I think you're underplaying how good Gresh actually was in the middle. His kicking under pressure isnt the best, we all know that, but his clearance work is excellent and importantly plays with agility and pace that our other midfielders dont have which can really break open other teams who lack the ability to deal with it.

I think hes playing his best position right now and will only improve.

I agree. Gresh gives us some spark in the middle that we don’t otherwise have.

 

[XhazzafootyX]

Higgins is the one that needs a big pre session. Started like a house on fire last year then by the middle of the year he was cooked.

 

[saintmike65]

From what I gather, he is in list management. I think

Correct.

 

[saintmike65]

Higgins is the one that needs a big pre session. Started like a house on fire last year then by the middle of the year he was cooked.

He’s in great Nick..just needs to stay clear of those bloody head knocks!

 

[Diehard Saint]

Higgins is the one that needs a big pre session. Started like a house on fire last year then by the middle of the year he was cooked.

Concussion ( a third?) will do that to you.

 

[saintmike65]

Can someone just tell me how the saviour Pillapou looks

He’s a big kid that hasn’t got the muscle definition yet but still 89kg..this time next year there’ll be a big difference in his physique.
We have to remember he’s only turning 18 later this month but I’m still hopeful he’ll debut round 1 as a forward.

 

[Ads734]

He’s a big kid that hasn’t got the muscle definition yet but still 89kg..this time next year there’ll be a big difference in his physique.
We have to remember he’s only turning 18 later this month but I’m still hopeful he’ll debut round 1 as a forward.

I think we’re all gonna be pleasantly surprised at how good his marking is. Imo I think as a forward he’ll be simmilar to Darcy Fogarty

 

[gringo2011]

The small forward situation is going to be very interesting. Under Ratten I think we carried too many underperforming forwards in the team and played our best small forward (Gresh) in the midfield where he's good but not great. Higgins clearly has the ability to kick 40-50 goals a year and it looks like he's gotten himself into the best shape of his life and is training well. Then there's Butler who also has ability but has been largely ineffective for the past two seasons playing as someone who racks up 'pressure acts' without hitting the scoreboard or actually executing that many useful tackles. But by all reports Butler looks much more serious than he has for a while so it wouldn't surprise me if Ross loves his running ability and pressure. Gresham as a brilliant crumber, Higgins a natural marking forward and Butler as a pressure machine makes for a pretty dynamic and dangerous group. Then we have the likes of Windy, Owens, Steele, Crouch, Billings, Pou and maybe Hotton all potentially spending some time up forward. It's going to be an interesting season.

Butler seems to find it hard to motivate from one season to the next. He had a great year at Richmond then drifted out of the side, same at the Saints but held his spot through lack of competition or Ratts happy to use him as a pure pressure player.

Gresham lead a lot of our midfield stats, I'm not sure he's a lock to go back to the forward line full time.

Hopefully a new coach gives Butts a new motivation.

 

[botts]

Anyone that’s been down to train I’m keen to know how Leo Connolly is going? Hope he gets a crack under Ross. Same as bytel?

 

[Munga]

Bytel looks trim as. Still ripped, but not so bulky anymore. Good move, should improve his tank.

 

[saintmike65]

Anyone that’s been down to train I’m keen to know how Leo Connolly is going? Hope he gets a crack under Ross. Same as bytel?

Leo has been training very well, his speed and ball use by foot impressive.
Lenny does like Bytel so with an expanded bench, should get more opportunities with midfield rotations.

 

[saintmike65]

What are the details of training for next week?

Main training days are Monday and Friday, Friday next Friday being an open day for fans.

 

[hayes]

Higgins training brilliantly, Windhager and Owens ready to step up…Byrnes & Bytel look hungry…Wood, Sharman & Membrey forwards, NWM in defence.
Keeler looked good until he hurt his knee (sounds like bone bruising).
Butler no longer cruising, none of that under the boss!
Big focus on quick ball movement and structuring up when turnovers occur.

That’s the type of gameplan that will win us a flag one day. Geelong were 1st for scoring from turnover and 1st for defending turnover this year which is rare but if you’re top 4 in both that’s when you give yourself a shot.

 

[SteeleSaints]

I agree. Gresh gives us some spark in the middle that we don’t otherwise have.

I gather you have to have one attacking mid at centre bounces and Gresham is good when we have the ball. The query is how much pressure he applies when we dont, he is far from a strong pressure player.

At least in a forward pocket his lack of defensive acts are not exposed as much. I believe for team balance his best position is in a pocket with the occasional foray into the middle.

That said I cant see why all our small forwards cant be used sparingly through the middle to break things up. That was Richmonds & Hawthorn's strength during their premiership years, as they threw a number of players through the middle at certain times.

 

[lewdogs]

NWM in defence will be interesting. Switching places with Hill it seems.

 

[dudeintheswamp]

Interesting, we certainly have quite a few options for a back flank, wouldn't necessarily have thought he'd be one. Though I guess they'd be looking to take advantage of his kicking from arc to arc. Could be a real weapon if we can cover him defensively.

 

[lewdogs]

Interesting, we certainly have quite a few options for a back flank, wouldn't necessarily have thought he'd be one. Though I guess they'd be looking to take advantage of his kicking from arc to arc. Could be a real weapon if we can cover him defensively.

I'm kind of surprised he hasn't been used as a forward much. But you're right, his long accurate kicking could be a weapon out of defence.

 

[Remboy]

Anyone that’s been down to train I’m keen to know how Leo Connolly is going? Hope he gets a crack under Ross. Same as bytel?

From what I could tell yesterday both of them looked good. Whether that gets them a game or not is another thing. It will be interesting to see what sort of players wants in the team.

 

[George]

Pillapou

That's a bannable offence right there

 

[snails13]

Love the signs our recruits are holding up after week 1.
Isaac Keeler -Favouite Player -NWM

 

[dudeintheswamp]

Has there been any update on Keeler's injury?

 

[diddley1984]

That's a bannable offence right there

Is it Pillaphou?
Or Fillafou?

 

[Sun Ra]

Is it Pillaphou?
Or Fillafou?

However Brian Taylor pronounces it, it's the other way.

 

[Plugger35]

However Brian Taylor pronounces it, it's the other way.

Big Boy Phillipou?

 

[PostmanBish]

Has Caro got an OnlyFans page, asking for a friend.

Cue the vomit GIFs ...