Training 2024 Preseason reports and discussion

[Brucie Buffer]

First he’s 20 of course he needs to mature who didn’t. Second I think the fact he confronted and made light of it is something I respect.

That’s one way of looking at it I guess. He snuck into a team due to injuries, and it came off to me as being a bit of a smart arse, and that’s also the way it was viewed by some of his coaches.
I just think he needs to make better decisions and hopefully that comes with maturity, not always though.

 

[Kanga Commando]

Well, this is the part where I would usually say something like, "Headed down to Waverley on a cool and overcast morning..."

However, I'm not going to say that because this post is to officially announce my retirement from preseason training. Back in January, we packed up and left Melbourne for good to relocate to my wife's hometown in the Riverina area of NSW. Yep, The_Axeman is now a country boy. I really should be changing my forum name to The_Chainsaw_Man because of the amount of time I now spend cutting wood for the heater... but I digress.

It was time for me to put away the training notepad/keyboard as 12 preseasons have taken a toll on the body. I'm in my late 40's and I just don't recover after each session as quickly as I used to. Over the last couple of preeasons there have been more and more watchers bringing high quality reports after each season. Are they as entertaining, thorough and well written as mine? Obviously not, don't be ridiculous, but they seem to temporarily quench the almost insatiable appetite for any morsel of training related info the rowdy mob here can get their hands on.

I must admit, I did contemplate continuing to write training reports after each session, completely made up, just to mess with all of you but I just can't be stuffed. I could go down and watch training at the local club here in my new hometown, then report back here but it just won't be the same. All the players will have names like 'Knackers', 'Wazza', 'Schmitty', 'Boofhead' etc. and they all have the same farm boy mullets. it will just get too difficult to tell who's who.

Anyway, I started doing this in late 2011 and haven't missed a preseason since. I've had a blast doing it and hopefully brought some joy and humour to your otherwise wretched, miserable lives. I've met some good people along the way and I will miss the camaraderie on those mornings down at Waverley. I like to think that I had a massive influence on the threepeat era, just by being there. My hope is that I may get to a session or two when I come down for work purposes in which case I will be sure to report back.

I also really want to thank my employer who, unbeknownst to them, allowed me to do this for 2 or 3 months of every year since 2011.

The_Axeman out.

 

[MasterSamurai]

As long as the half backs , wings and mids push right up high, when the ball is in our 50, we can play the swarm game where the Oppo just doesn't walk the ball out of D50 like they did in first half of the season we'll be right. No shallow entries, either have plenty of receivers who can pin the ears back from about 50 out or play the shorter kick mark game , we should be able to strangle a lot of sides. We have trouble when opposition have intercept marks across our half frwd line guys like May, Moore, Stewart , lever, Andrews who can peel off that can hurt us but with Lewis, Chol, gunners, breust... We have exceptional marking options. It all comes down to how well we use the pill going inside fitty.

 

[threesixpio]

Think the Hardwick training forward stuff is indicative of the fact Sam going to have a lot of players training dual positions. Hardwick already was moved further up the ground last year when he didn't have a lockdown job, and he looked dangerous with his field kicking, but still we called on him to completely shut down players as well.

The half backs will become so flexible we will find it hard to figure out who our wings are a lot of the time. Impey, Amon, Jiath, Weddle, Mitchell (and BMac as per the T4P might be a darkhorse)... I can see them being all being thrown further up the ground at times on the wing, with high rotations between half back.

I expect our point of difference to other sides is our hard running ability, and also depth in the midfield and half backs, and to exploit that we'll develop a really flexible, unpredictable 23.

Wizard to Ruck?

 

[Faraway Hawk]

Well, this is the part where I would usually say something like, "Headed down to Waverley on a cool and overcast morning..."

However, I'm not going to say that because this post is to officially announce my retirement from preseason training. Back in January, we packed up and left Melbourne for good to relocate to my wife's hometown in the Riverina area of NSW. Yep, The_Axeman is now a country boy. I really should be changing my forum name to The_Chainsaw_Man because of the amount of time I now spend cutting wood for the heater... but I digress.

It was time for me to put away the training notepad/keyboard as 12 preseasons have taken a toll on the body. I'm in my late 40's and I just don't recover after each session as quickly as I used to. Over the last couple of preeasons there have been more and more watchers bringing high quality reports after each season. Are they as entertaining, thorough and well written as mine? Obviously not, don't be ridiculous, but they seem to temporarily quench the almost insatiable appetite for any morsel of training related info the rowdy mob here can get their hands on.

I must admit, I did contemplate continuing to write training reports after each session, completely made up, just to mess with all of you but I just can't be stuffed. I could go down and watch training at the local club here in my new hometown, then report back here but it just won't be the same. All the players will have names like 'Knackers', 'Wazza', 'Schmitty', 'Boofhead' etc. and they all have the same farm boy mullets. it will just get too difficult to tell who's who.

Anyway, I started doing this in late 2011 and haven't missed a preseason since. I've had a blast doing it and hopefully brought some joy and humour to your otherwise wretched, miserable lives. I've met some good people along the way and I will miss the camaraderie on those mornings down at Waverley. I like to think that I had a massive influence on the threepeat era, just by being there. My hope is that I may get to a session or two when I come down for work purposes in which case I will be sure to report back.

I also really want to thank my employer who, unbeknownst to them, allowed me to do this for 2 or 3 months of every year since 2011.

The_Axeman out.

Big shoutout for your 12-season reporting marathon! Back in '09, I took off to foreign lands and stumbled upon this forum, my one-stop-shop for all things Hawthorn. Your preseason training reports were like my off-season lifeline—eagerly awaited and devoured. Best of luck with the farm move, and a heartfelt thanks once more! You're a reporting rockstar!

 

[Dewnior]

Well, this is the part where I would usually say something like, "Headed down to Waverley on a cool and overcast morning..."

However, I'm not going to say that because this post is to officially announce my retirement from preseason training. Back in January, we packed up and left Melbourne for good to relocate to my wife's hometown in the Riverina area of NSW. Yep, The_Axeman is now a country boy. I really should be changing my forum name to The_Chainsaw_Man because of the amount of time I now spend cutting wood for the heater... but I digress.

It was time for me to put away the training notepad/keyboard as 12 preseasons have taken a toll on the body. I'm in my late 40's and I just don't recover after each session as quickly as I used to. Over the last couple of preeasons there have been more and more watchers bringing high quality reports after each season. Are they as entertaining, thorough and well written as mine? Obviously not, don't be ridiculous, but they seem to temporarily quench the almost insatiable appetite for any morsel of training related info the rowdy mob here can get their hands on.

I must admit, I did contemplate continuing to write training reports after each session, completely made up, just to mess with all of you but I just can't be stuffed. I could go down and watch training at the local club here in my new hometown, then report back here but it just won't be the same. All the players will have names like 'Knackers', 'Wazza', 'Schmitty', 'Boofhead' etc. and they all have the same farm boy mullets. it will just get too difficult to tell who's who.

Anyway, I started doing this in late 2011 and haven't missed a preseason since. I've had a blast doing it and hopefully brought some joy and humour to your otherwise wretched, miserable lives. I've met some good people along the way and I will miss the camaraderie on those mornings down at Waverley. I like to think that I had a massive influence on the threepeat era, just by being there. My hope is that I may get to a session or two when I come down for work purposes in which case I will be sure to report back.

I also really want to thank my employer who, unbeknownst to them, allowed me to do this for 2 or 3 months of every year since 2011.

The_Axeman out.

 

[FB19]

That’s one way of looking at it I guess. He snuck into a team due to injuries, and it came off to me as being a bit of a smart arse, and that’s also the way it was viewed by some of his coaches.
I just think he needs to make better decisions and hopefully that comes with maturity, not always though.

Yep he maybe a total bust but the racing incident is nothing in my view. The hope is that already being at a second club (but that being your club) might be the impetus to trigger that maturity. As guys we tend to mature in a stepwise fashion triggered by significant events as opposed to women where it happens in a more linear fashion. Being in an AFL environment has pros and cons in how it supports young men. I can’t imagine being able to deal with the scrutiny at 20 so I am perhaps more understanding and forgiving than the average.

 

[JZedd]

Hate to break it to you mate, but all three already do deliberately draw frees. You'd have to be blind or wilfully ignorant not to see it.

Cool down mate.
Moore attracts free kicks. But I don't know about the Wiz l. From what I remember his tackling wasn't the best... And tbh I haven't seen Gin.
Anyways, I think our fwd line looks quite good.

 

[Blackhawk42]

I can’t wait to see Ginni and the Wiz carve it up, but the fact that after this he chose to wear riding silks to mad Monday shows he probably needs to mature a bit.

I had zero issue with that. Simply viewed it as a comedy reference.

He dressed up as Jeffery Dahmer for Halloween last year too didn't he?

Clearly not shy about his sense of humour, which I respect. But I also understand if it isn't everybody's cup of tea.

 

[Simon Crawshay]

Well, this is the part where I would usually say something like, "Headed down to Waverley on a cool and overcast morning..."

However, I'm not going to say that because this post is to officially announce my retirement from preseason training. Back in January, we packed up and left Melbourne for good to relocate to my wife's hometown in the Riverina area of NSW. Yep, The_Axeman is now a country boy. I really should be changing my forum name to The_Chainsaw_Man because of the amount of time I now spend cutting wood for the heater... but I digress.

It was time for me to put away the training notepad/keyboard as 12 preseasons have taken a toll on the body. I'm in my late 40's and I just don't recover after each session as quickly as I used to. Over the last couple of preeasons there have been more and more watchers bringing high quality reports after each season. Are they as entertaining, thorough and well written as mine? Obviously not, don't be ridiculous, but they seem to temporarily quench the almost insatiable appetite for any morsel of training related info the rowdy mob here can get their hands on.

I must admit, I did contemplate continuing to write training reports after each session, completely made up, just to mess with all of you but I just can't be stuffed. I could go down and watch training at the local club here in my new hometown, then report back here but it just won't be the same. All the players will have names like 'Knackers', 'Wazza', 'Schmitty', 'Boofhead' etc. and they all have the same farm boy mullets. it will just get too difficult to tell who's who.

Anyway, I started doing this in late 2011 and haven't missed a preseason since. I've had a blast doing it and hopefully brought some joy and humour to your otherwise wretched, miserable lives. I've met some good people along the way and I will miss the camaraderie on those mornings down at Waverley. I like to think that I had a massive influence on the threepeat era, just by being there. My hope is that I may get to a session or two when I come down for work purposes in which case I will be sure to report back.

I also really want to thank my employer who, unbeknownst to them, allowed me to do this for 2 or 3 months of every year since 2011.

The_Axeman out.

 

[Bugs1977]

Well, this is the part where I would usually say something like, "Headed down to Waverley on a cool and overcast morning..."

However, I'm not going to say that because this post is to officially announce my retirement from preseason training. Back in January, we packed up and left Melbourne for good to relocate to my wife's hometown in the Riverina area of NSW. Yep, The_Axeman is now a country boy. I really should be changing my forum name to The_Chainsaw_Man because of the amount of time I now spend cutting wood for the heater... but I digress.

It was time for me to put away the training notepad/keyboard as 12 preseasons have taken a toll on the body. I'm in my late 40's and I just don't recover after each session as quickly as I used to. Over the last couple of preeasons there have been more and more watchers bringing high quality reports after each season. Are they as entertaining, thorough and well written as mine? Obviously not, don't be ridiculous, but they seem to temporarily quench the almost insatiable appetite for any morsel of training related info the rowdy mob here can get their hands on.

I must admit, I did contemplate continuing to write training reports after each session, completely made up, just to mess with all of you but I just can't be stuffed. I could go down and watch training at the local club here in my new hometown, then report back here but it just won't be the same. All the players will have names like 'Knackers', 'Wazza', 'Schmitty', 'Boofhead' etc. and they all have the same farm boy mullets. it will just get too difficult to tell who's who.

Anyway, I started doing this in late 2011 and haven't missed a preseason since. I've had a blast doing it and hopefully brought some joy and humour to your otherwise wretched, miserable lives. I've met some good people along the way and I will miss the camaraderie on those mornings down at Waverley. I like to think that I had a massive influence on the threepeat era, just by being there. My hope is that I may get to a session or two when I come down for work purposes in which case I will be sure to report back.

I also really want to thank my employer who, unbeknownst to them, allowed me to do this for 2 or 3 months of every year since 2011.

The_Axeman out.

As always love your work Axe. The big question now is who’s going to take over from the great man?

 

[Brucie Buffer]

Yep he maybe a total bust but the racing incident is nothing in my view. The hope is that already being at a second club (but that being your club) might be the impetus to trigger that maturity. As guys we tend to mature in a stepwise fashion triggered by significant events as opposed to women where it happens in a more linear fashion. Being in an AFL environment has pros and cons in how it supports young men. I can’t imagine being able to deal with the scrutiny at 20 so I am perhaps more understanding and forgiving than the average.

Yeah I get that mate, I’m certainly not hanging him out to dry, I would love nothing more than see the bloke become a club champion, and I wouldn’t want that kind of scrutiny at my age let alone being 20.
I don’t actually have an issue with him going to the races, but if your team loses by a point and you’re at the races the night before, it just isn’t a great look.

 

[Symons]

Cheers for everything over the years, Axe - a huge effort and greatly appreciated.

It's likely why he ended up a Back Pocket in the first place.

It'll be interesting to see how he goes.

Hardwick's version was that Clarko explained he was behind Rioli (and other 3peat players) in selection order, so suggested he try back pocket so he'd get into the team.

When Rioli exited, Hardwick was locked into back pocket.

As everyone keeps saying, so many of our 3peat players had flexibility to play in multiple positions Seems like a wise roll of the dice from Sam in a development year; it might unlock some extra flexibility, and it'd be trivial to roll back if it doesn't work out.

 

[Brucie Buffer]

I had zero issue with that. Simply viewed it as a comedy reference.

He dressed up as Jeffery Dahmer for Halloween last year too didn't he?

Clearly not shy about his sense of humour, which I respect. But I also understand if it isn't everybody's cup of tea.

I get where you’re coming from, but I don’t think that’s comparing apples with apples.
He brought unwanted attention to a team the night before a Grand Final. (If he wasn’t drinking I don’t see the big deal)
Even if he knew it was cleared by the CEO, he knew the coach wasn’t happy about it, but still thought it funny to thumb his nose at the situation. Something I probably would’ve done too at his age, but also something I would look back on and think I wouldn’t do it again if I had my time over.

 

[Tony3163]

I get where you’re coming from, but I don’t think that’s comparing apples with apples.
He brought unwanted attention to a team the night before a Grand Final. (If he wasn’t drinking I don’t see the big deal)
Even if he knew it was cleared by the CEO, he knew the coach wasn’t happy about it, but still thought it funny to thumb his nose at the situation. Something I probably would’ve done too at his age, but also something I would look back on and think I wouldn’t do it again if I had my time over.

“Let it go”, it is a non-issue.

 

[Rowie6]

Well, this is the part where I would usually say something like, "Headed down to Waverley on a cool and overcast morning..."

However, I'm not going to say that because this post is to officially announce my retirement from preseason training. Back in January, we packed up and left Melbourne for good to relocate to my wife's hometown in the Riverina area of NSW. Yep, The_Axeman is now a country boy. I really should be changing my forum name to The_Chainsaw_Man because of the amount of time I now spend cutting wood for the heater... but I digress.

It was time for me to put away the training notepad/keyboard as 12 preseasons have taken a toll on the body. I'm in my late 40's and I just don't recover after each session as quickly as I used to. Over the last couple of preeasons there have been more and more watchers bringing high quality reports after each season. Are they as entertaining, thorough and well written as mine? Obviously not, don't be ridiculous, but they seem to temporarily quench the almost insatiable appetite for any morsel of training related info the rowdy mob here can get their hands on.

I must admit, I did contemplate continuing to write training reports after each session, completely made up, just to mess with all of you but I just can't be stuffed. I could go down and watch training at the local club here in my new hometown, then report back here but it just won't be the same. All the players will have names like 'Knackers', 'Wazza', 'Schmitty', 'Boofhead' etc. and they all have the same farm boy mullets. it will just get too difficult to tell who's who.

Anyway, I started doing this in late 2011 and haven't missed a preseason since. I've had a blast doing it and hopefully brought some joy and humour to your otherwise wretched, miserable lives. I've met some good people along the way and I will miss the camaraderie on those mornings down at Waverley. I like to think that I had a massive influence on the threepeat era, just by being there. My hope is that I may get to a session or two when I come down for work purposes in which case I will be sure to report back.

I also really want to thank my employer who, unbeknownst to them, allowed me to do this for 2 or 3 months of every year since 2011.

The_Axeman out.

Thanks Axman your reports have been great over the years and thank you for giving me the inside word on when to get down to preseason training!
Enjoy the fresh country air Axeman !


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Mrzohs]

Well, this is the part where I would usually say something like, "Headed down to Waverley on a cool and overcast morning..."

However, I'm not going to say that because this post is to officially announce my retirement from preseason training. Back in January, we packed up and left Melbourne for good to relocate to my wife's hometown in the Riverina area of NSW. Yep, The_Axeman is now a country boy. I really should be changing my forum name to The_Chainsaw_Man because of the amount of time I now spend cutting wood for the heater... but I digress.

It was time for me to put away the training notepad/keyboard as 12 preseasons have taken a toll on the body. I'm in my late 40's and I just don't recover after each session as quickly as I used to. Over the last couple of preeasons there have been more and more watchers bringing high quality reports after each season. Are they as entertaining, thorough and well written as mine? Obviously not, don't be ridiculous, but they seem to temporarily quench the almost insatiable appetite for any morsel of training related info the rowdy mob here can get their hands on.

I must admit, I did contemplate continuing to write training reports after each session, completely made up, just to mess with all of you but I just can't be stuffed. I could go down and watch training at the local club here in my new hometown, then report back here but it just won't be the same. All the players will have names like 'Knackers', 'Wazza', 'Schmitty', 'Boofhead' etc. and they all have the same farm boy mullets. it will just get too difficult to tell who's who.

Anyway, I started doing this in late 2011 and haven't missed a preseason since. I've had a blast doing it and hopefully brought some joy and humour to your otherwise wretched, miserable lives. I've met some good people along the way and I will miss the camaraderie on those mornings down at Waverley. I like to think that I had a massive influence on the threepeat era, just by being there. My hope is that I may get to a session or two when I come down for work purposes in which case I will be sure to report back.

I also really want to thank my employer who, unbeknownst to them, allowed me to do this for 2 or 3 months of every year since 2011.

The_Axeman out.

The Mighty Axeman!
Thanks for the enormous contribution mate, never a dull pre season under your watch. I looked forward to every report in depth player insights and always willing to provide feedback on any questions put forward. It's been a great journey you leave big shoes to fill. All the best for the future mate

 

[PenAndPaper]

Well, this is the part where I would usually say something like, "Headed down to Waverley on a cool and overcast morning..."

However, I'm not going to say that because this post is to officially announce my retirement from preseason training. Back in January, we packed up and left Melbourne for good to relocate to my wife's hometown in the Riverina area of NSW. Yep, The_Axeman is now a country boy. I really should be changing my forum name to The_Chainsaw_Man because of the amount of time I now spend cutting wood for the heater... but I digress.

It was time for me to put away the training notepad/keyboard as 12 preseasons have taken a toll on the body. I'm in my late 40's and I just don't recover after each session as quickly as I used to. Over the last couple of preeasons there have been more and more watchers bringing high quality reports after each season. Are they as entertaining, thorough and well written as mine? Obviously not, don't be ridiculous, but they seem to temporarily quench the almost insatiable appetite for any morsel of training related info the rowdy mob here can get their hands on.

I must admit, I did contemplate continuing to write training reports after each session, completely made up, just to mess with all of you but I just can't be stuffed. I could go down and watch training at the local club here in my new hometown, then report back here but it just won't be the same. All the players will have names like 'Knackers', 'Wazza', 'Schmitty', 'Boofhead' etc. and they all have the same farm boy mullets. it will just get too difficult to tell who's who.

Anyway, I started doing this in late 2011 and haven't missed a preseason since. I've had a blast doing it and hopefully brought some joy and humour to your otherwise wretched, miserable lives. I've met some good people along the way and I will miss the camaraderie on those mornings down at Waverley. I like to think that I had a massive influence on the threepeat era, just by being there. My hope is that I may get to a session or two when I come down for work purposes in which case I will be sure to report back.

I also really want to thank my employer who, unbeknownst to them, allowed me to do this for 2 or 3 months of every year since 2011.

The_Axeman out.

 

[Jim Prideaux]

Off season sucked as it was, even more so with out the axe man

I kind of enjoy the hilarity of the off season mainboard threads. Thought our trading and drafting were good, try and enjoy the mainboard idiocy.

I’ll admit it is a shame about axe man. Hopefully he’ll fire up the farm boss one day soon.

 

[Mojo]

Love and will miss you Axeman!

This now provides Strapping Young Lad the opportunity to increase his time away from work to attend daily training sessions. No pressure.

 

[wahawk]

As always love your work Axe. The big question now is who’s going to take over from the great man?

T4P goes alright & has done for a while

 

[wahawk]

Yeah I get that mate, I’m certainly not hanging him out to dry, I would love nothing more than see the bloke become a club champion, and I wouldn’t want that kind of scrutiny at my age let alone being 20.
I don’t actually have an issue with him going to the races, but if your team loses by a point and you’re at the races the night before, it just isn’t a great look.

Well they didn’t lose by a point so it’s a non-issue.
He & his teammates have a medal around their necks

 

[wahawk]

I get where you’re coming from, but I don’t think that’s comparing apples with apples.
He brought unwanted attention to a team the night before a Grand Final. (If he wasn’t drinking I don’t see the big deal)
Even if he knew it was cleared by the CEO, he knew the coach wasn’t happy about it, but still thought it funny to thumb his nose at the situation. Something I probably would’ve done too at his age, but also something I would look back on and think I wouldn’t do it again if I had my time over.

Who to say he won’t look back on it & think ‘I wouldn’t do that again’

You are bagging the kid out for being a kid but then say you would probably do the same as a kid.

But you’re also suggesting that you’d mature & regret it, yet you aren’t waiting for him to mature & regret it

 

[peetoo]

This really is the end of an era

 

[Mojo]

This really is the end of an era

..do, do we call off training?