Training 2024 Preseason reports and discussion

[burner1]

When is a player improving and pushing out another player ever a bad thing?

That said, wouldn't think this is a chance at happening unless Nash regresses severely. In terms of his player rating he was in fairly solid company.

View attachment 1844949

Appears Nash even surprised the club with the level he played at this year.

How our midfield shakes out over next 24 months will be fascinating. Both in terms of midfield mix but also how we use the talent across the park (given large group preferred position is midfield and less effective in secondary positions). 12 months ago you would have said Nash and worpel get squeezed out over time but they’ve lifted.

 

[Brucie Buffer]

When is a player improving and pushing out another player ever a bad thing?

That said, wouldn't think this is a chance at happening unless Nash regresses severely. In terms of his player rating he was in fairly solid company.

View attachment 1844949

I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Nash goes to another level. He has been elite at every sport he has played. Clearly has the work ethic and discipline, I don’t think we’ve seen his ceiling yet.

 

[Noel Gallagher]

Appears Nash even surprised the club with the level he played at this year.

How our midfield shakes out over next 24 months will be fascinating. Both in terms of midfield mix but also how we use the talent across the park (given large group preferred position is midfield and less effective in secondary positions). 12 months ago you would have said Nash and worpel get squeezed out over time but they’ve lifted.

Good luck to any player trying squeeze out both Worpel and Nash from the midfield. They may not be the prettiest to watch but are both absolute animals in the contest. Preseason training is going to be pretty interesting to watch this summer

 

[tommyk72]

I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Nash goes to another level. He has been elite at every sport he has played. Clearly has the work ethic and discipline, I don’t think we’ve seen his ceiling yet.

God I hope he has another level or two to go to. Would be such a big improvement for our midfield. Has shown he can get 30 touches. An average over 25 with four tackles a game would be so good.

 

[HomerJayS]

Could Henry squeeze Worps out?

His draft profile included this:

STRENGTHS:

• Agility
• Clean hands
• Composure
• Decision making
• Disposal efficiency
• Vision

IMPROVEMENTS:

• Hurt factor
• Speed

 

[SSSSSS]

Could Henry squeeze Worps out?

His draft profile included this:

STRENGTHS:

• Agility
• Clean hands
• Composure
• Decision making
• Disposal efficiency
• Vision

IMPROVEMENTS:

• Hurt factor
• Speed

Sure.

If he can become a top 10 clearance player in the league.

 

[Colloquy]

Who knows? We have a lot of height in the midfield, but they are not necessarily players who play tall. I guess some are kids who played as mid fielders who grow late and 'bigly', Nash played a different code completely. I don't know how often a tall mid has successfully turned into a true KPP, more informed folks than me might know.

Do you feel like we could become to tall of a side.

 

[The Chad and I]

Husthwaite should become gunston type tall who pushes up the ground. His work around forward stoppages would be potent with his excellent hands and he can take a mark.

 

[Slainte]

Husthwaite should become gunston type tall who pushes up the ground. His work around forward stoppages would be potent with his excellent hands and he can take a mark.

Could he become a Buckenara type? I know that is a huge call but Bucky had similar attributes and was very good in the midfield at times.

 

[naysayer]

I remember the last time we took Nash out of the centre square. Was 56 to 19 at the first change.

 

[Judd2Sewell]

We got absolutely smashed and were uncompetitive in eight games this season, and lost by between five to six goals in four other games.

I understand that it's all part of the growing pains of a young team, especially one that tries to be aggressive. But I hope this off season there is a focus on developing a way to stem the tide in games when we are getting overrun.

 

[Judd2Sewell]

Hustwaite would have to take a monumental leap in his development as a second year player in order to force either of Nash or Worpel out.

Maybe in the future he may replace them. But he's only a skinny second year player that played two games for the year. That would be an incredible leap in performances to push out two key players for us.

On a side note - he's not really a similar player to either as well.

 

[Howe Amazing]

Hustwaite needs to be able to play another position which with his height might be able to do

 

[Topiary]

We got absolutely smashed and were uncompetitive in eight games this season, and lost by between five to six goals in four other games.

I understand that it's all part of the growing pains of a young team, especially one that tries to be aggressive. But I hope this off season there is a focus on developing a way to stem the tide in games when we are getting overrun.

There must be, I find it BS that it is all down to being a young team. My experience is that the younger you are you at least you want to fight. That was the bit that was excused externally, but from what I am told, not internally.

There is considerable credence to knowing how to fight however.

 

[Topiary]

Hustwaite needs to be able to play another position which with his height might be able to do

I sincerely hope he can, he has got to work on his speed, imagine if he was a yard quicker. We definitely would have a player, who would offer much more flexibility.

 

[Howe Amazing]

I sincerely hope he can, he has got to work on his speed, imagine if he was a yard quicker. We definitely would have a player, who would offer much more flexibility.

When you have time you don’t always have to be quick. I wouldn’t say Pendles was ever quick

 

[Judd2Sewell]

There must be, I find it BS that it is all down to being a young team. My experience is that the younger you are you at least you want to fight. That was the bit that was excused externally, but from what I am told, not internally.

There is considerable credence to knowing how to fight however.

I think maybe the guys simply didn't know how to slow games down once the opposition is on top of us. Some of those smashing we copped were pathetic, the players dropped their heads a little - North actually had less smashings than we did, which is unacceptable.

I think if the guys have some confidence in the plan (whatever it will be) to slow down opponents momentum then that will go a long way to seeing us move up the ladder.

 

[Judd2Sewell]

Hustwaite needs to be able to play another position which with his height might be able to do

He played as a backman for large parts of his TAC years, whether we try him in that role is another matter though.

I reckon it would be best for him to work and develop his midfield game for now.

 

[toomanysquibs]

Could he become a Buckenara type? I know that is a huge call but Bucky had similar attributes and was very good in the midfield at times.

Buckenara had some real pace, and was a little more dynamic. Lost a lot after doing a knee, but he was the competitions best half forward flank and a part time on baller before his injury.

I don't know who you could compare Hustwaite too at this early stage, but he's got the smooth moves and footy brain to do well in the midfield. Might be tougher for him to thrive as a forward.

Definitely ope he does make it though, he seems to bring a point of difference to a team heavy on grunt, but lighter on center square ballerinas who can open things up by dancing through traffic and making time stand still around them.

 

[Topiary]

I think maybe the guys simply didn't know how to slow games down once the opposition is on top of us. Some of those smashing we copped were pathetic, the players dropped their heads a little - North actually had less smashings than we did, which is unacceptable.

I think if the guys have some confidence in the plan (whatever it will be) to slow down opponents momentum then that will go a long way to seeing us move up the ladder.

The blow outs were not acceptable.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

We got absolutely smashed and were uncompetitive in eight games this season, and lost by between five to six goals in four other games.

I understand that it's all part of the growing pains of a young team, especially one that tries to be aggressive. But I hope this off season there is a focus on developing a way to stem the tide in games when we are getting overrun.

It's already happened. Just watch the Pies game again.

 

[Big Hotdog]

It's already happened. Just watch the Pies game again.

Yes sir... with pleasure

On SM-A546E using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[hawkman]

View attachment 1845228Henry Hustwaite looks like he’s bulked up in one of those shots. Looks massive.

Based on that photo, he also seems to grown a lot taller

 

[hawkman]

It's already happened. Just watch the Pies game again.

That game was helped by a complete dominance in the centre square. Meant that even when Collingwood kicked a goal their next bit of play started from half back at best.

Not going to get that much dominance in the middle that often

 

[cs61]

The blow outs were not acceptable.

I don't really get what you mean... the heavy losses were highly predictable the year after cutting so much experience, and being without the player we could least afford to lose in Lewis at the start of the year. We had games where we got blown away and we couldn't handle it (Bombers, Swans, Freo), had games that we were highly competitive but were desperately unlucky not to get over the line (GWS, Crows), games where we played well in a half to show some good signs (Dogs at Marvel), and games we won that no one predicted (Pies, Lions, Dogs in Tas, and Saints at Marvel first time). The upside in those positive moments is exactly what you want to see from a rebuilding side, a clear direction forward and a game style, and a group of youth taking us places. It doesn't make any sense to focus on predictable blow outs... of course we want to lessen the gap between our best and worst going forward, that goes without saying.