Training 2024 Preseason reports and discussion

[peetoo]

Sammy ‘I want to see february’

It’s later than you think

 

[Dewnior]

Will Day looks a while away yet based on the footage

It could be a blessing in disguise.

 

[threesixpio]

Match Sim Report

• 6? (I lost track) x 10min periods
• An "A" team with the best forwards and a "B" team with the best backs
• "A" team mids looked to be Nash, Duke and Ward mostly with Moore rolling through once or twice
• "B" team mids was Worp, Frenchie and Hust
• Reeves appeared to be #1 "A" team ruck but it's match sim, who knows if we'll play 2 rucks?
• Worp in the "B" team all day was interesting to me, looks like they prefer Ward, although they could just have been balancing the sides a bit
• It didn't always come off, but Ward knows where to kick it when going inside 50 and in transition given the chance, just needs to hit it more often
• Hustwaite did some really nice things, looked one of the most composed out there, especially early, not sure about his tank
• Frenchie looks to have developed a lot, he's going really well, strong and usually makes good decisions, not as penetrating with the ball as Hust
• Connor McDonald made some good decisions playing off the wing and up forward and was usually spot on with disposal. His workrate is insane and he will be one of our best for years to come. (He also rolled through a few centre bounces too)
• Chol got involved all over the place, up the ground and in the forward line, made the profile look much better with him and Lewis
• Just when I thought Dimma is a full time forward, he played in defense very late and did some good stuff...
• The workrate of Ginni was next level, up and back and broke some tackles, looks strong, fast and effective, also a lot of chat
• Watson is a menace, got under the skin of his team-mates a lot, also had a really high workrate and knows how to get into good spots to make the most of his opportunities
• Ramma did some great things for the "B" side defence, really made them earn it
• "A" team transition looked a bit scrappy at times, they are trying to slingshot forwards, but sometimes the polish just isn't there
• Mass and Frost were in the weaker defence, while Blank, Scrim, Weddle, Amon, Impey, Sicily seemed to be in the best defensive unit
• A clear game plan to control across half back and then go with speed on the ball once they got a look in
• There wasn't a lot of sky ball going in forward 50, it looked to be more low and hard to leads, whether is came off or not... that's another story
• Apparently Chol claims to be the best set shot in the AFL I overheard Chad say... he didn't prove it today, missed a fair few, but he looked good in general play
• Overall clearly a development period still, but I think enough of the "B" team, especially mids, showed some good signs, the contest for spots will be on

Croc feels like the new Lewis although probably needs to beat a few people up before I commit

 

[threesixpio]

Match Sim Report

• 6? (I lost track) x 10min periods
• An "A" team with the best forwards and a "B" team with the best backs
• "A" team mids looked to be Nash, Duke and Ward mostly with Moore rolling through once or twice
• "B" team mids was Worp, Frenchie and Hust
• Reeves appeared to be #1 "A" team ruck but it's match sim, who knows if we'll play 2 rucks?
• Worp in the "B" team all day was interesting to me, looks like they prefer Ward, although they could just have been balancing the sides a bit
• It didn't always come off, but Ward knows where to kick it when going inside 50 and in transition given the chance, just needs to hit it more often
• Hustwaite did some really nice things, looked one of the most composed out there, especially early, not sure about his tank
• Frenchie looks to have developed a lot, he's going really well, strong and usually makes good decisions, not as penetrating with the ball as Hust
• Connor McDonald made some good decisions playing off the wing and up forward and was usually spot on with disposal. His workrate is insane and he will be one of our best for years to come. (He also rolled through a few centre bounces too)
• Chol got involved all over the place, up the ground and in the forward line, made the profile look much better with him and Lewis
• Just when I thought Dimma is a full time forward, he played in defense very late and did some good stuff...
• The workrate of Ginni was next level, up and back and broke some tackles, looks strong, fast and effective, also a lot of chat
• Watson is a menace, got under the skin of his team-mates a lot, also had a really high workrate and knows how to get into good spots to make the most of his opportunities
• Ramma did some great things for the "B" side defence, really made them earn it
• "A" team transition looked a bit scrappy at times, they are trying to slingshot forwards, but sometimes the polish just isn't there
• Mass and Frost were in the weaker defence, while Blank, Scrim, Weddle, Amon, Impey, Sicily seemed to be in the best defensive unit
• A clear game plan to control across half back and then go with speed on the ball once they got a look in
• There wasn't a lot of sky ball going in forward 50, it looked to be more low and hard to leads, whether is came off or not... that's another story
• Apparently Chol claims to be the best set shot in the AFL I overheard Chad say... he didn't prove it today, missed a fair few, but he looked good in general play
• Overall clearly a development period still, but I think enough of the "B" team, especially mids, showed some good signs, the contest for spots will be on

Love Chad’s buy in. Such a top bloke

 

[SSSSSS]

Really unlucky for Seamus. Don't think he's ever had an injury free pre-season.

 

[extractasam]

Really unlucky for Seamus. Don't think he's ever had an injury free pre-season.

Yeah he’s been unlucky but it’s good it’s not related to any injuries he’s had in the past. Keen to see him work his way back into the side he was such a revelation last year after he debuted.

Thanks for all the training reports guys there was so many yesterday, awesome reading all the different perspectives.

I’m still surprised to hear we’re training scrim as a KPD. He seemed like he’d really improved his fitness base this off season and I was keen to see that get put into use off half back with the occasional 3rd up role but understand Sicily likes being the lone wolf in that regard. What’s everyone’s thoughts on how he’s been going as a key in match sim?

 

[Rowie6]

Honestly hats off to Sammy mitch for identifying Nash as a mid, shows how good of a footy brain he has. I remember a few years ago when clarko was coaching and Nash had just got back into the side and Sammy asked where he was playing and Nash said up forward and Mitch said that’s silly because you’re a midfielder (paraphrasing).
We are in such a good spot with him at the helm

I liken Sam’s Coaching to watching a Shaun Burgoyne or Darren Jarmen playing football!
Sam looks so natural in the box he knows exactly what to do when needed and it feels so right.
You can tell he is so confident in the path we are taking!
I just hope his arrogance does not get in the way!


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[SSSSSS]

I liken Sam’s Coaching to watching a Shaun Burgoyne or Darren Jarmen playing football!
Sam looks so natural in the box he knows exactly what to do when needed and it feels so right.
You can tell he is so confident in the path we are taking!
I just hope his arrogance does not get in the way!


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

I don't think Sam is arrogant at all?

He understands that he is a relatively inexperienced senior coach and surrounds himself with an experienced coaching staff like Hick, Collins and Ratts.

He's gone out of his way to find experienced mentors like Ange and Simmo.

 

[Roddy]

I liken Sam’s Coaching to watching a Shaun Burgoyne or Darren Jarmen playing football!
Sam looks so natural in the box he knows exactly what to do when needed and it feels so right.
You can tell he is so confident in the path we are taking!
I just hope his arrogance does not get in the way!


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

Define 'arrogance' and provide an example of how and when Sammy displays it please.

 

[PenAndPaper]

King ginni and the wizard Watson

Imagine if we get Blakey from the Swans. Could just go complete King Ginni and the Lizard Wizard

 

[Roddy]

I'm not sure I've ever seen a Hawk list quite like this one, in half a century of avid fandom, ie with SO many youngsters who possibly COULD explode, but on whom the jury is still very much out...

 

[burner1]

It takes time for kids to adjust to the pace of AFL level. Most young players get caught in their first year or 2.

Yep. But for a mid who’s movement inside contest was meant to be a strength is a watch. Mackenzie is getting caught at match sim - which is levels below pace/intensity of afl.

Really unlucky for Seamus. Don't think he's ever had an injury free pre-season.

Yep. Was he in mix for round 1? Seemed the most logical Hardwick replacement as is a pretty decent defender. Most be frustrating after soft tissue injuries etc to get a freak impact injury.

 

[Judd2Sewell]

Yep. But for a mid who’s movement inside contest was meant to be a strength is a watch. Mackenzie is getting caught at match sim - which is levels below pace/intensity of afl.

Yep. Was he in mix for round 1? Seemed the most logical Hardwick replacement as is a pretty decent defender. Most be frustrating after soft tissue injuries etc to get a freak impact injury.

Players get caught all the time, it's not a big deal. Especially given he would have had the most touches out of everyone during the match sim, and most of them were good touches to boot. Once he's stronger he could ride more tackles like Newcombe - who got caught often when he started. Same with Day and Ward. That and getting rid of it quicker will come. Twice yesterday a good shepherd from a teammate would have seen him run away with the ball instead of being tackled.

 

[hawkmang]

And every once in a blue moon one would stick and he’d pull in an absolute screamer.

I think it was just once

 

[hawkman]

I think it was just once

He also did it against the Dogs in Adelaide during Covid. Turned it over for a goal though

 

[Simon Crawshay]

He also did it against the Dogs in Adelaide during Covid. Turned it over for a goal though

I'm gonna say he did it maybe 5 times?

Admittedly not a great hit rate when you factor in all the marks that rebounded off his hands like a bullet hitting superman's chest!

 

[Judd2Sewell]

Chol was taking one time plucks, something TOB never really did.

 

[Simon Crawshay]

I'm not sure I've ever seen a Hawk list quite like this one, in half a century of avid fandom, ie with SO many youngsters who possibly COULD explode, but on whom the jury is still very much out...

We better hope that Sicily stays healthy / avoids the Chook lotto MRP this year.

He is so important to us not just for his undoubted ability but as a leader being one of the few senior players we have on the field

 

[Simon Crawshay]

Chol was taking one time plucks, something TOB never really did.

Lewis and Chol both have lovely set of hands on them.

And both are great kicks for goal as well.

I'm excited to see how that partnership goes this year

 

[Hawkthorn33]

Apologies if this has been asked but I promise I did have a good read of the previous 10 pages to see if the answer was already given.

When is the official intra-club match being played (time and day)? I don't have socials so BigFooty is my only way of staying in the loop. I read somewhere the week before the doggies practice matches, so that would only leave next week.

Thanks

 

[Roddy]

We better hope that Sicily stays healthy / avoids the Chook lotto MRP this year.

He is so important to us not just for his undoubted ability but as a leader being one of the few senior players we have on the field

Hate to say it, but three out of our four arguably most important players, Sis, Day and Lewis, tend to spend a lot of time on the sidelines, for different reasons…

 

[Dewnior]

Who's this with Sully? Is it one of the VFL listed players?

 

[CaptainWorpedo]

I liken Sam’s Coaching to watching a Shaun Burgoyne or Darren Jarmen playing football!
Sam looks so natural in the box he knows exactly what to do when needed and it feels so right.
You can tell he is so confident in the path we are taking!
I just hope his arrogance does not get in the way!


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

I think we will see some more set plays with a tweak from our and Sam golden days.

In a training report yesterday someone mention us lowering our eyes and passing the footy in to our forwards, this play sounds more like 12, 13, 14, 15 years.

Could never figure out why Clarko turned to bombing our ball in to the forward line.

As it was O’Brien and Koschitzke were decent marks on the lead, as they could get a gap on the defender and use there chest to assist with the mark if required.

 

[cryptor]

I'm not sure I've ever seen a Hawk list quite like this one, in half a century of avid fandom, ie with SO many youngsters who possibly COULD explode, but on whom the jury is still very much out...

Probably a lot to do with the shift in list and game strategy from the Clarko and Mitchell regimes.

Under Clarko it was very much here is a game plan that will crush the competition providing every player has a base skill level and discipline to execute their role to precision. There was definitely a healthy core of elite players and sometimes individual brilliance was the difference, but the consistency of that era was really down to buy in to executing his game plan every week.

Whereas with Sam it seems to be totally dynamic in that he wants to find as many players with something really special about their game and then tailor a game plan around that mix of players. A general game plan exists for how we'll play but I think Sam uses it more as a guide to keep the group moving in the same direction. He's a very good match day coach and makes adjustments when things aren't working a lot quicker.

It's no wonder that Clarko and Sam's transition blew up so quickly. Fundamentally they are pretty much polar opposites in their approach. Both genius coaches in my opinion, just very different.

 

[Colloquy]

I think we will see some more set plays with a tweak from our and Sam golden days.

In a training report yesterday someone mention us lowering our eyes and passing the footy in to our forwards, this play sounds more like 12, 13, 14, 15 years.

Could never figure out why Clarko turned to bombing our ball in to the forward line.

As it was O’Brien and Koschitzke were decent marks on the lead, as they could get a gap on the defender and use there chest to assist with the mark if required.

I feel we attack too much hopefully this year we tighten up the backline a bit but keep the scoring up.

Like a more balanced approach we scored regularly over 100 points in those years but didn’t concede a lot.