Training 2024 training updates.

[3066]

Sof was there. You just don’t really notice him. Doesn’t stand out.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I happened to notice him in the snaps on the goals drill. He certainly is a backmen ....because his left foot is from the school of Heath Shaw.

Let's hope if he gets a spot he plays as well as Heater then.

 

[Vicky Park]

I’ve loved seeing Vic Park in all these training updates. The old ground makes a beautiful backdrop. And I swear the players all look bigger, stronger, fitter there.

Memo to club: the ground also has seats and shade for spectators!

 

[SchuPie]

Liam McMahon was an excellent kick - It was probably his most standout attribute at his height.

He was just too physically weak to win contests in most situations.

Personally found it an odd selection in hindsight for a number of reasons (and I quite liked McMahon

• they knew his build and attributes
• needed to be played as a lead up HFF
• why draft a slim tall if you’re not going to commit to a run of development years?

His height / build / skill set would have defined his role but he wasn’t backed in so why draft?
Or is that too simplistic?

 

[Apples]

I’ve loved seeing Vic Park in all these training updates. The old ground makes a beautiful backdrop. And I swear the players all look bigger, stronger, fitter there.

Memo to club: the ground also has seats and shade for spectators!

Good point Vicky. Thousands of seats and if it rains (today and Monday) or the sun is scorching (today) it's easy to stay reasonably comfortable. It's also a place filled with memories; I briefly sat in my dear, departed mum's seat in the Sherrin today.

 

[anshell]

I could detect merely a sole malapropism, "casuality" for "casualty".
Now Annabel has me doing it!

Don’t forget the second line…’with a sky full of pregnant possibility….’.
A sky full of pregnant possibility?What the hell does that mean?
Time to put away the thesaurus and stop showing off,Annabel.

 

[Sea fog]

Don’t forget the second line…’with a sky full of pregnant possibility….’.
A sky full of pregnant possibility?What the hell does that mean?
Time to put away the thesaurus and stop showing off,Annabel.

Yeah it was probably just cloudy so could not she just say promising rain or something like that.

 

[Kirby]

Don’t forget the second line…’with a sky full of pregnant possibility….’.
A sky full of pregnant possibility?What the hell does that mean?
Time to put away the thesaurus and stop showing off,Annabel.

I think she means that she's feeling randy

 

[Jen2310]

McRae returns from abroad as Pies draftees stand out

Craig McRae is back from abroad as the Magpies' pre-season continues

www.afl.com.au

Schultz reported back for training with the first-to-fourth-year players and has made a seamless transition, completing every session of the pre-season to date.

The two players Collingwood selected in the AFL Draft – Dandenong Stingrays captain Harry DeMattia and Gippsland Power half-back Tew Jiath – have also settled in smoothly since being selected at pick No.25 and No.37 respectively last month.


Both teenagers stood out while playing across half-back during 15 minutes of match simulation drills at the end of training, with DeMattia's leadership already on show in just his first few weeks at the club.

Collingwood is currently trialling six players during the pre-season supplemental selection period (SSP) in the form of delisted pair Jack Bytel and Brynn Teakle, VFL Magpies duo Josh Eyre and Campbell Hustwaite, Footscray captain Lachie Sullivan and VAFA star Sam Sofronidis.


Delisted Hawthorn midfielder Ned Long also joined training on Wednesday after signing with the Magpies' VFL program for 2024. The 194cm midfielder isn't an official train-on player at this stage, but is set to train with the AFL squad across the pre-season after being cut in October following five games for the Hawks.

Former Bomber Eyre has made an early impression during his trial with Collingwood but will need to prove his durability across the summer if he is to land another AFL opportunity, following hamstring injuries across 2023, the first that ended his trial with St Kilda last SSP.

Sullivan, 26, joined the program last week and stood out during the match simulation drills late in the session as he searches for an elusive shot at the next level, following a 2023 campaign where the inside midfielder won his second straight best and fairest, claimed the VFL Coaches MVP Award and finished third in the J.J. Liston Trophy.


All-Australian defender Brayden Maynard sweated it out away from the main group, completing a running block around the boundary of the Magpies' spiritual home, followed by a long bike session, as he works towards a return to full training by February following a shoulder reconstruction in the off-season.

Norm Smith medallist Bobby Hill and gun defender Isaac Quaynor trained away from the main group after pulling up sore from Monday's training session but only as a precautionary measure, while Josh Carmichael didn't train on Wednesday after suffering a concussion on Monday.

Key forward Dan McStay arrived late in the session to watch on from the sidelines after undergoing a knee reconstruction earlier this month, having ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament at training on December 1.


Scott Pendlebury, Steele Sidebottom and Jeremy Howe all didn't train on Wednesday, as planned, with the veteran trio following their own programs this side of Christmas, completing weights at the AIA Centre and dropping in and out of the program before returning in the new year.

Collingwood has spent the first few weeks of the pre-season training away from Olympic Park due to the ground being resurfaced but is expected to return for the first session back in January.

Looks like they want to make sure Eyre can get through pre-season without his hammys going ping. If anyone can get them right, it's wade.

 

[JuniorB]

Yeah it was probably just cloudy so could not she just say promising rain or something like that.

That's not Annabel's way - I love her flowery prose.
She's different to our Jen, but we get so much great info from our training watchers.

 

[Hardas]

I’ve loved seeing Vic Park in all these training updates. The old ground makes a beautiful backdrop. And I swear the players all look bigger, stronger, fitter there.

Memo to club: the ground also has seats and shade for spectators!

That last part... actually, all of it is well put.

 

[Hardas]

Yeah it was probably just cloudy so could not she just say promising rain or something like that.

Surely just be grateful for several people keeping us so informed.

 

[Mick F]

That's not Annabel's way - I love her flowery prose.
She's different to our Jen, but we get so much great info from our training watchers.

Those that enjoy that, would appreciate the effort she puts in.

 

[BigVic]

De Goey didn't turned up to training last week with his nan passed away. RIP Oma

 

[Jen2310]

De Goey didn't turned up to training today with his Grandmother passing away today. RIP Oma

That was not today, but last week when he missed a couple sessions

 

[Harry O]

Long is 194cm & 94kg - that's a big midfielder.
When you click on his pic on the Hawthorn website it then says midfielder/forward.
It also says he has good endurance.
He's only 20.

I think in their draft year there was no draft combine and the 3km time trials were done remotely , but from memory Ned Long and Finn Callaghan were both in the top 3 in the testing

Think he attended Melbourne Grammar and probably knows Xander McGuire quite well

 

[legendstatus]

I think in their draft year there was no draft combine and the 3km time trials were done remotely , but from memory Ned Long and Finn Callaghan were both in the top 3 in the testing

Think he attended Melbourne Grammar and probably knows Xander McGuire quite well

Don’t want to go straight to “he’ll make a good mid size defender” but I think he looks like he has the tools to develop into one

I really like what Collingwood is doing with all these player trials

Really seems like a modern new way of doing things

Players in early to to mid 20’s under a good system seems to be a good way rather than picks after 40?

 

[TheVillageIdiot7]

Personally found it an odd selection in hindsight for a number of reasons (and I quite liked McMahon

• they knew his build and attributes
• needed to be played as a lead up HFF
• why draft a slim tall if you’re not going to commit to a run of development years?

His height / build / skill set would have defined his role but he wasn’t backed in so why draft?
Or is that too simplistic?

Drafted on previous regime.

Quite clear our decisions have changed significantly since the change Of coach.

So kick /mark was a thing…not so much now (thank god).

 

[TheVillageIdiot7]

Don’t want to go straight to “he’ll make a good mid size defender” but I think he looks like he has the tools to develop into one

I really like what Collingwood is doing with all these player trials

Really seems like a modern new way of doing things

Players in early to to mid 20’s under a good system seems to be a good way rather than picks after 40?

AFL has been years behind other sports.
Namely MLB and NFL.

Why draft 18 year old at pick 30+ when the hit rate is so low (I reckon for every 1 that makes it, 4-5 don’t)

So why not use those last spots on guys that can potentially impact immediately?
Hit rate of 22+ year olds much better league wide (guessing, but don’t think I’m far off).

The constant looking for 10+ year players when the avg career is 3 years is insane!!
A 5 year career is all we need.

 

[The Royal Sampler]

I really like what Collingwood is doing with all these player trials

Really seems like a modern new way of doing things

I like zigging where others are zagging.

 

[magpies42]

Pre-Season Training
Wednesday 13th December

Warm and humid with an occasional lightning flash High 20s

Quaynor and Bobby ran laps and were supervised for about an hour.

I'm glad I wasn't training out there this morning; it was oppressive enough just watching.
I won't go through the drills, but will say that in the sprints, some players were consistently near the front of the pack: Lippa, Bytel, Lachie Shultz and McInnes.

I couldn't place a new guy wearing No.11; WHE told me his name was Ned Long who played for Box Hill last season. If he doesn't make it as a footballer, there's a career as a Versace model awaiting - those cheek bones!

Jack Bytel: great mover, non-stop runner, endurance and pretty quick. He's obviously worked on his pace - this was a issue early according to a report I read. Uses the ball very neatly. He's a strong, mobile mid.
Reef McInnes: worked hard. Used the ball very well and worked mostly with the mids. I've always hoped he could be a big midfielder, but he hasn't always taken his chances.
Ash Johnson: Trained well. Mr Apples says he's the McStay replacement, but I'm not convinced. He has every skill needed
to cement a spot, except the defensive work ethic. At least, that's been my impression to date. Can he seize the opportunity? I think this is one of the very big questions for Collingwood in 2024.
Harry DiMattia: Pace to burn, good user and footy IQ. I've only watched him twice, but this bloke has leadership written all over him. This is going to be a great ride.
Fin Macrae: Strong performer today - he's efficient and competent - he never catches the eye. I made a point of watching him through binoculars for a fair time, as I did with all of the above players. He's not inspiring, but he may turn out to be a good soldier.
Josh Eyre: the second time I've seen him and he looks OK. Decent ball user and hard worker. Looks pretty green.
Brynn Teakle: is an imposing figure, and Mr Apples says he's the type we need. He could certainly play as a back-up ruck, but he may also be a KPP.
Sam Sofronidis: I kept trying to find him. He just seemed to blend in and become invisible, but that may not be such a bad thing and anyway, it's hard to focus on all the new boys. He's a good size, is lean and mobile. In his mid twenties and having faced many AFL disappointments, we know he will be very keen for a place on our list. I'm reserving judgement.

A few other observations:
Maynard is working extremely hard on the stationary bike. It's not just endurance work he's doing, but also interval work-outs closely monitored by a trainer. At times today during his break, he wandered among the players giving encouragement. He even gave Nick a shoulder massage. What a guy!
Nick & Josh: Nick's new facial hair is going to cause some problems for commentators this year; hard to pick them now.

The final training session for the year is on Friday.

I'll add a few snaps below. View attachment 1871092View attachment 1871093View attachment 1871094View attachment 1871096

Thanks for the write up. Interested in your perspective on the relative weaknesses of our SSPs.

 

[Jen2310]

Pre-season training: December 13th. Mid-week
Victoria Park. 9am.

You'd think we were in QLD with the humid hot weather that was around this morning. The swear would just pour off you just by standing there.
I arrived before 9am and as per usual, they generally are out at that time doing some pre-training touch with handballs, and some others would be warming up on the other side.
This is where I would head toward the Ryder Stand, where my training peeps are located. Was joined by Annabelle not too long later.

There was some media about, Josh Gabelich and Tom Morris, who originally I didn't recognise until they came up into the stands, and I had a chat for a bit.

Squad:

Lippa
JDG
Maynard
Elliott
Mitchell
JDaicos
Shultz
Noble
DeMattia
DC
Kreuger
Allan
Frampton
Macrae
TJ
Steene
Hill
Ryan
Crisp
Reef
Murphy
Richards
Moore
Beau
WHE
NDaicos
HH
Markov
Begg
Johnson
Mihocek
Dean
Cox

Train on:
Eyre
Bytel
Sullivan
Sofonidis
Teakle
Hustwaite

+
Ned Long (#11 white) (who isn't part of the official list, but will train with the squad through pre-season)

Rehab group:
Seemed to be mostly IQ and Hill, who just did a running session after warming up.
The others such as Nick, DC, Jamie, Moore pretty much did everything, and all will be back in unrestricted full training post xmas.

No Carmichael, who has concussion, but doing okay. Will miss the rest of the sessions though, of course. But will be back post xmas break.

Today's session was less about running and conditioning and more skills and structure and senarios based. They did do some sprints to start the session off though, over 20 metres.
Inside 50, stoppages and turnover game; and winning the ball back from that were focuses for today. They split up into groups for these drills. Some defensive work as well. Another drill that was done focused on working through the coridoor or finding space.

There was a small part of match play, but nothing involving centre bounce, but rather end to end. This was done in two separate groups, blacks and whites; and I could only focus on the whites which were the nearest to me. I was chatting to Josh Gabelich at this point, but I did try to pay attention.

But he was saying how Eyre he really liked, and had heard good things surrounding him, but it was just a matter on if his body could hold up through the pre-season, given his hamstring history.
He doesn't think Sofonidis is a good trainer, but if he got to games. he might be different. As he kinda goes invisible in training and its easy to forget he is there. Kinda blends into the background.

Bytel and Sullivan both were quite prominent in the drills and match play, around stoppages, and Jack's run through the ground, link up.

Teakle didn't do a lot, but took some nice marks; also worked with the rucks for a time with some ruck craft.

The one that I was interested in was Ned Long, because at first I couldn't figure out who this kid was wearing 11, and while he had a cap on, he wasn't sullivan or any of the others. Then we worked it out that it was Ned Long who had signed with our VFL side, and was just training with us. Not in an official nature, but VFL players can train a couple times a week during pre-season, and he could be someone they look at for the MSD if they wanted to.

Dan McStay turned up at training in crutches and a leg strapping, looks like he has had surgery. He came by late, and watched the boys. Got some hugs from the boys, and he stood to the sidelines and watched the rest of the session. He was all smiles, good mood as he chatted to some of the staff.

Lynden Dunn was another that I saw against the fence and chatted to some of the staff and players. Murphy, Maynard and a few others came and chatted with him.
Going by his shirt, looks like he does coaching or some sort, for the Yarra Junior Football League.

 

[Mollythedolly]

Ned Long's draft profile:

Ned Long Draft Profile

central.rookieme.com

POSITION: Inside Midfielder

SNAPSHOT: “A strong-bodied midfielder with great endurance who also loves a goal, Long was one of the most damaging players in the NAB League before injury cut his season short.” - Ed Pascoe

Ned Long is a tall and strong midfielder who uses his size to advantage in the midfield and up forward, while also proving hard to stop around the ground with his powerful running. Injury cut his year unfortunately short right before he could represent Vic Metro and help enhance his draft stocks like teammate Josh Ward was able to. Sharing comparisons to Josh Dunkley and Kyle Langford in terms of size and ability to play midfield and forward, it is that exact aptitude forward of centre that is his staking point compared to other taller midfielders Matthew Johnson and Mitch Knevitt.

STRENGTHS:

• Scoreboard Impact
• Endurance
• Bodywork
• Tackling
• Smarts

IMPROVEMENTS:

• Kicking
• Speed

 

[Jen2310]

Ned Long's draft profile:

Ned Long Draft Profile

central.rookieme.com

POSITION: Inside Midfielder

SNAPSHOT: “A strong-bodied midfielder with great endurance who also loves a goal, Long was one of the most damaging players in the NAB League before injury cut his season short.” - Ed Pascoe

Ned Long is a tall and strong midfielder who uses his size to advantage in the midfield and up forward, while also proving hard to stop around the ground with his powerful running. Injury cut his year unfortunately short right before he could represent Vic Metro and help enhance his draft stocks like teammate Josh Ward was able to. Sharing comparisons to Josh Dunkley and Kyle Langford in terms of size and ability to play midfield and forward, it is that exact aptitude forward of centre that is his staking point compared to other taller midfielders Matthew Johnson and Mitch Knevitt.

STRENGTHS:

• Scoreboard Impact
• Endurance
• Bodywork
• Tackling
• Smarts

IMPROVEMENTS:

• Kicking
• Speed

Didnt see an issue with his speed this morning

 

[petrie pie]

Didnt see an issue with his speed this morning

I certainly do not see any issue with his size, 18 mths in the system and most blokes do not have arms that size after 3 or 4 yrs in a system.

 

[Harry O]

Lachie Sullivan went in to SEN studios this morning to be interviewed by Julian De Stoop on the Wheatley program