Training 2024 Preseason Training Thread

[Happyskeret]

It was clear that we simply ran out of gas last season.

Hopefully something has clicked and they realise they need a larger fitness base if they want to contend.

I think other teams had worked us out a bit at the back end of the year as well. I don’t blame Brad for this as I believe he was coaching to the team’s strengths and capabilities but the fact was when we turned the ball over other teams knew what our limitations were.
Hopefully with some players another year older and with the new recruits our capabilities are higher than the previous one. Still a couple of holes in the list but it looks a lot better than last year imo.

 

[Lore]

Apparently there will be positional changes... with the aim being to get some more "bounce" out of the back half through positional changes. Scott wouldn't named names, half because it's a secret until the intraclubs in February, and half because he wants to try a few things and if it doesn't work and we don't see it in Feb, then he doesn't want to come off looking like a liar.

Merrett has said something about Durham being capable on the inside and as an outside mid, and wanting to see more of that. Meanwhile Merrett himself is definitely not going to move to half back, Scotty said so.

McGrath and Redman are staying in the backline, they're the ones that will be getting a bit of support. Duursma was recruited for the wing, Gresham for fwd/mid duties, so not those, but perhaps they're replacing whoever does go back?

Langford seems determined to spend the whole pre-season developing some chemistry with the other forwards, in the forward line, so not likely to be him, but given we did see him train midfield and start in the backline at the start of 2023 it's likely to be someone similar to Langford who gets put in the backline I guess. So a mid or a forward that presumably has some leg speed or some good disposal that can be advantageous in the back half?

Makes me think Davey twins, Jones, or Stringer? (Wouldn't that be a sight ) Or maybe even Perkins/Martin. If Perkins, Cox and Reid all ended up in the backline it would be extremely Essendon Can't help ourselves, almost all of our top draft picks end up playing in the backline...

 

[JayJ20]

Apparently there will be positional changes... with the aim being to get some more "bounce" out of the back half through positional changes. Scott wouldn't named names, half because it's a secret until the intraclubs in February, and half because he wants to try a few things and if it doesn't work and we don't see it in Feb, then he doesn't want to come off looking like a liar.

Merrett has said something about Durham being capable on the inside and as an outside mid, and wanting to see more of that. Meanwhile Merrett himself is definitely not going to move to half back, Scotty said so.

McGrath and Redman are staying in the backline, they're the ones that will be getting a bit of support. Duursma was recruited for the wing, Gresham for fwd/mid duties, so not those, but perhaps they're replacing whoever does go back?

Langford seems determined to spend the whole pre-season developing some chemistry with the other forwards, in the forward line, so not likely to be him, but given we did see him train midfield and start in the backline at the start of 2023 it's likely to be someone similar to Langford who gets put in the backline I guess. So a mid or a forward that presumably has some leg speed or some good disposal that can be advantageous in the back half?

Makes me think Davey twins, Jones, or Stringer? (Wouldn't that be a sight ) Or maybe even Perkins/Martin. If Perkins, Cox and Reid all ended up in the backline it would be extremely Essendon Can't help ourselves, almost all of our top draft picks end up playing in the backline...

Hmm I like the idea of positional changes. I think maybe Alwyn Davey Jnr which I'd like, especially with Gresham taking the small forward role. Jayden in the forward line and Alwyn Jnr in the backline. That would be great for some run off HB!

With the inclusion of Duursma, I'm actually excited to see them trial Durham on the inside here and there because he put on some size and is naturally competitive. Obviously I prefer he plays majority on the wing as he provides much needed defending on the wing.

It would seem like Parish and Merrett (and certainly Shiel) will give some significant minutes to Tsatas, Hobbs, Caldwell and potentially Durham with Duursma and Martin locking the wings. Perkins will also get some minutes as well, though I personally prefer him in the forwardline.

It remains to be seen how it'll go, but it looks pretty decent on paper.

 

[jdstorm]

Essendon needing another good ball user at HB isn’t exactly a secret. They need Ridley deeper to take kick ins, McGrath is a poor ball user and Redman is more HB2

So that leaves 1 spot available for a rebounding defender.

Meanwhile Essendon have lots of mids who can’t all be picked as mids so whoever isn’t in the best 5 mids is going to be trialled at HB.

Scott isn’t naming names because right now I’d bet he has no clue who that is beyond a group of 5 players he’s going to try there

 

[TheUnicorn]

 

[Kong]

Quick and needing a positional change.. Shiel to be our new loose man in defence?

 

[Test Tickle]

Was a bit surprised to see so many injuries in the paper today, not a great start.

 

[BombersDave]

Davey has been training off hbf the last few sessions so could be happening.

 

[Godzke]

Durham will be rotated between wing and half back

 

[JT_the_Man]

Seen a few things around saying Alwyn Jr has been training at half back so I’d say that’s one of the trials.

 

[Vindicater]

Does Davey have the strength to be a defender? Or is he there basically to run.

 

[MiguelM]

Are both Davey's in full training?

Pretty much first year recruits along with Jones, Reid & Cox.

Along with our ins at least there is finally some real pressure for spots. VFL side will be much more competitive.

 

[Keystone agony]

Does Davey have the strength to be a defender? Or is he there basically to run.

Hes getting close to that 80kg mark

But hes there to create and rebound

We have guys who can defend already in Mcgrath, Redman, Ridley we hope Mckay can be added to that list. Laverde is a defender first albeit fought above his size for so long

Considering how much footy and how essy it comes in our backline actually holds up very well

Menzie, Gresham are the short-medium term small forwards and then the other 5 spots one will atleast have to be a midfielder, maybe 2 and the other 3-4 probably medium/talls

All he has to do is go past a close to 30 year old Hind to get a regular game imo

Also think its likely there looking at the next 2-5 years without Heppell and Hind

 

[Red Black and Blue]

Does Davey have the strength to be a defender? Or is he there basically to run.

If hes good enough hes big enough.

 

[jdstorm]

The best defence is having the ball in the front half so anyone who can get the ball from back to front is going to be a pretty good addition to the defence in my book

 

[TheGreatBarryB]

Alwyn will need to improve his kicking by a fair bit if he’s playing off HB.

 

[Milanista28]

His arms look fake, abnormally long

 

[BrunoV]

So we recruit 2 running half backs and then start training a second year Davey at half back?

What is it with these people? They seem to have 1 idea at a time.

 

[Vindicater]

So we recruit 2 running half backs and then start training a second year Davey at half back?

What is it with these people? They seem to have 1 idea at a time.

All three hopefully ready to go at the end of the season after we delist Heppell, Hind and Kelly.

 

[TheUnicorn]

 

[TheUnicorn]

Friday, February 23
St Kilda v Essendon, RSEA Park, 2pm AEDT


Friday, March 1
Geelong v Essendon, GMHBA Stadium, 5.10pm AEDT

PRE-SEASON FIXTURE: Check out who your club is playing

The fixture for the 2024 AFL Community Series has been released, plus details of some club-arranged match simulations

www.afl.com.au

 

[Runk]

Apparently there will be positional changes... with the aim being to get some more "bounce" out of the back half through positional changes. Scott wouldn't named names, half because it's a secret until the intraclubs in February, and half because he wants to try a few things and if it doesn't work and we don't see it in Feb, then he doesn't want to come off looking like a liar.

Merrett has said something about Durham being capable on the inside and as an outside mid, and wanting to see more of that. Meanwhile Merrett himself is definitely not going to move to half back, Scotty said so.

McGrath and Redman are staying in the backline, they're the ones that will be getting a bit of support. Duursma was recruited for the wing, Gresham for fwd/mid duties, so not those, but perhaps they're replacing whoever does go back?

Langford seems determined to spend the whole pre-season developing some chemistry with the other forwards, in the forward line, so not likely to be him, but given we did see him train midfield and start in the backline at the start of 2023 it's likely to be someone similar to Langford who gets put in the backline I guess. So a mid or a forward that presumably has some leg speed or some good disposal that can be advantageous in the back half?

Makes me think Davey twins, Jones, or Stringer? (Wouldn't that be a sight ) Or maybe even Perkins/Martin. If Perkins, Cox and Reid all ended up in the backline it would be extremely Essendon Can't help ourselves, almost all of our top draft picks end up playing in the backline...

One thing our backline has missed for year is intelligent ball users. If Reid, Perkins and Cox end up there then I wouldn't be upset.

 

[andleanback]

Does Davey have the strength to be a defender? Or is he there basically to run.

Did Daicos or sheezel, their role is to attack not defend.

 

[andleanback]

Why do we always play geelong in preseason

 

[eth-dog]

Why do we always play geelong in preseason

Think it's part of the Country Game agreement.