Training 2024 training updates.

[Jen2310]

I like that they used Finn on the wing. He can't be centre square only as realistically he's unlikely to push past our senior stoppage players this year.

If anything its just adding a new position he can play in.
Looks like Pendles is playing more half back, so there could be a rotation there. And rotation on the wing too.

 

[sr36]

We had a fit, competent alternative in round 1 last year in Frampton, and guess who played key defence and the other in the VFL?

You’re welcome to your opinion though, even if it’s wrong.

I agree with you in general, but we did actually start the year with Murphy playing smaller. Howe was alongside Moore in the last line in Round 1. Then when Howe broke his arm Frampton came in and played alongside Moore. When Frampton was needed in the ruck, Murphy took over and was outstanding, playing easily the best footy of his career and pushing past Howe and Frampton as Moore's partner on the last line.

I've got no idea why magpies42 thinks Murphy plays his best footy playing smaller, when last year he played his best footy by a mile as a kpd.

 

[sr36]

If anything its just adding a new position he can play in.
Looks like Pendles is playing more half back, so there could be a rotation there. And rotation on the wing too.

I'm more suggesting that it's a necessity and think he needs an extra position. Throughout the year the others may roll through the flanks, but come business time we'll go with our best in the guts - can't see him pushing past our senior guys as a mid as early as next year. When it matters we're likely to want Mitchell, JDG, Nick, Pendles or Crisp around the footy, not leaving enough minutes for another full time mid.

 

[TheGreatGrundy]

I guess just an opinion with how hard he is working? Its still early days to know who will line up come march.
I do look forward to Noble's 100th game, it'll be a huge achievement given how far he has come and a MSD draftee.

Yeah, I like Noble. He gives his all for the club and I felt for him being left out of our finals' teams. It's hard to see a spot for him in the team given a full list from which to choose, but I wouldn't be at all concerned about the overall team's quality if he somehow becomes a regular in the team again.

 

[legendstatus]

Feel Noble move to a wing could be a good one, when you compare him to Langdon of Melbourne reckon Noble can match that output at least? Nobles best asset is his pace and needs space to do this

 

[Jen2310]

I'm more suggesting that it's a necessity and think he needs an extra position. Throughout the year the others may roll through the flanks, but come business time we'll go with our best in the guts - can't see him pushing past our senior guys as a mid as early as next year. When it matters we're likely to want Mitchell, JDG, Nick, Pendles or Crisp around the footy, not leaving enough minutes for another full time mid.

But with enough mid time, and if he performs well, it'll be hard not to keep him there. If that happens, I'd suggest crisp and pendles more spend time at hb with Fin in the middle. Of course this is ifs and when, but we'll see what happens. He should get some game time this year, and come round 1 2025 -- as long as he gets enough games to stay, then I expect he'll be a starting mid.

 

[sr36]

What makes you say this, and who would he replace in the defensive 6? Assuming Markov is still viewed as the better option by the coaching staff, I don’t see how he plays round 1 barring an injury to one of our defensive 7.

Noble's fate probably comes down to injuries, whether WHE is needed elsewhere and which of the youngsters they want to get games in to.

 

[Jen2310]

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

Just my opinion but because he’s only missed 3 games since his senior debut and is giving everything he has at training I can see him winning a spot again. The coaches make the calls on who plays and who misses.

Yep. Reckon he’ll find his way back in somehow… if not in the starting back 6 then at least in rotations through there or through wing, via the bench or sub bench.

 

[Gaspard]

Feel Noble move to a wing could be a good one, when you compare him to Langdon of Melbourne reckon Noble can match that output at least? Nobles best asset is his pace and needs space to do this

Noble looks a natural winger, but I'm not sure he has the endurance of the three we used there last year (Sidebottom, Daicos and Hoskin-Elliott) . He is certainly not as good a kick as any of the above and our coaches seem to view this as crucial for the wingers. So I can't see him pushing into this position even though at first look you would think that this is where he should play. He is not taking Quaynor's spot, and because he is weaker overhead he is struggling for Markov's. He looks as if he is the marginal defender on interchange or the injury backup. This is really sad because he has given everything since arriving and is a good enough player to be a regular senior starter. I just don't see which spot he can claim.

 

[76woodenspooners]

1st training report of the day on FB Side by Side. We are waiting for Jen's.

Under heavy, slate-grey skies training commenced around 9.30. The ground was wet and water pooled on the track abutting the oval. The only player missing from the action today was Josh Daicos who is managing a foot injury but he’s expected back within a few weeks, according to Hayden Skipworth who spoke with Sarah Olle in a press conference shortly after match simulation – which is the longest we’ve witnessed this pre-season. Interestingly he praised all those on trial for a last minute list spot and singled out Lachlie Sullivan and Jack Bytel because he focusses his attention on the mids. He was also laudatory of the next group of youngsters vying for a spot such as Reef and Fin. The list hopefuls were joined by some young academy boys again. It was raining for the entirety of the session, save for a break at 10.46, only to force umbrellas up again. The lights illumined the gloomy setting, though it was still relatively humid and the dismal weather did not deter the faithful. There were hordes of autograph hunters bothering the players every time they took one of their frequent water breaks. The drills were conducted at high intensity and many of the players were blowing hard when they gratefully guzzled the liquid to rehydrate. Once the players had literally whet their appetite, the sated bunch listened to various instructions from a range of coaches. Once Pendles briefly addressed the group. Fly also enjoyed rapt attention when he issued some specific directions, whilst the board was displayed before the match simulation and this seemed to stimulate some raucous applause. Before one of the drills in which there four groups, captains were named for competing teams within the group and this activity was particularly competitive with a some verballing going on between teams and some healthy affirmation of good performances evident. Some players decided they would do some umpiring here and Kreuger even indulged in some gestural mimicking as he indicated a push in the back etc.



There were many drills and activities prior to the match simulation which went for a decent length of time. These included: extensive warm-ups when the group cleaved with the white tops limbering up first while the blacks honed their close-in hand and foot skills. There was some sprinting which involved players springing from a prostrate position before motoring to the other end. There were plenty of activities demanding that the players practise tackling and alternately being asked to elude a tackler. Others centred around one -on- one duels which were effectively a test of strength, as the trainer holding a ball aloft tossed it up and they competed aerially but also had to use their body to outpoint the other. Other contested situations were longer range with kicks travelling at distance to two competing players whose overhead and body manoeuvring prowess were examined. Quite often there were four groups operating on separate drills concurrently with alternate players within each donning either a blue, salmon, lime-green or yellow vest. During one of the more tackling drills, some of us held our breath as Reef felt and then massaged his shoulder region after being dumped by Jack Crisp on the sodden turf.



Following the main drills there was a whole ground ball movement session in which kicking skills became quite ragged. The irony here was earlier on, when the rain was more intense, the players appeared to have acclimated quite well to the trying conditions. The ball was certainly heavy as testified by the sound it made when in contact with players’ boots. Some of the more storied senior players still exhibited solid skills, but players had to stretch, quite often in vain to lay fingers upon the ball they were running to. Usually in the dry, the ball movement is slick and polished.



Carmichael, Checkers, Maynard eschewed the final drill and instead ran at the river end under the guidance of a trainer.



During one of the drills, our stoppage players were selected to simulate skills in this area. This group comprised: Mitch, Pendles, Sidey, Allan, Nick, Lippa, Crisp, with Cox and Cameron providing the ruck service. Generally a few of them would perform push ups on the sidelines, while the rest would go through their paces and then they would swap.



As alluded to it was the most protracted match simulation track watchers had witnessed this pre-season. There were some interesting match-ups, though as usual this was fluid as players rotated, sometimes under the instruction of coaches, and sometimes one suspects spontaneously, like the time Moore took himself forward for one centre bounce. It was black versus white tops and the designated colour meant nothing as there was a spread of senior regulars among each team.



Random observations of some players based on the match simulation and the drills/activities.



Eyre – was impressive again. He played as a key defender in the white team. He took the odd mark and chastised himself upon making errors, but most significantly he has a wicked weapon in his penetrating, flat and accurate left foot kick. If he can quell and opponent and hold his own, his left boot could instigate some attacks.

Crisp – he’s such a gun. He was superb in all the drills and was the only player in a large group who won every one on one, by dint of his body strength and positioning in every duel he was involved in. In the match sim he was prominent, bursting away from packs. He started on the wing opposed to Lippa. Nobody embodies our exuberant chaos style more than him.



Nick was sensational through the middle and at stoppages. He is deceptively quick but quite boldly elusive, while his skill is non pareil.



Begg – perhaps a bit of a surprise packet today as a ruck in the match sim. He beat Cox was dominating early. Not only was he winning but once he took the ball cleanly out of the air, powered forward and handballed to a teammate. My only reservation maybe is that he doesn’t cover the ground swiftly but he’s developing well and maybe he has a future as a ruckman. Steene did the odd good thing but appeared to be mistiming his leaps at centre bounces.



JDG – really dominant and impressive in the match sim and he used his powerful body to very good effect in some of the drills when pitted against direct opponents.



Sam S. – moved quite well at times but wasn’t prominent and it will be difficult to see him being at the top of the pecking order when the coaches are calling out the names of list additions.



Macrae – Fin looks AFL ready. In the match sim he was notable with his performance at clearances, stoppages and linking up around the ground. He reads the play well and so often sharks hit outs. In the one-on-one activity, his body strength held up all right against bulkier opponents.



Reef spent some time in the middle and in attack in the match simulation but wasn’t as noteworthy as in other sessions.



Ash moved well in the activities but as confirmed by Skipworth, his loads were managed today and he spent some time running on the pavilion side of the ground. He unlike many other players, relishes being in photos with fans and is always friendly and obliging for autograph seekers which endears him to our younger supporter base.



Carmichael – he flashed in and out of the play. He got a bit of the pill in attack and his boot can be a weapon at times. He also seems to have ball getting nous. He is still donning the blue non-contact cap as he recovers from concussion, and ran while some of the drills took place.



Bytel – appears to be confident as he is prepared to take on some of our seasoned players in drills and during the match sim. He got a bit of the ball but am still a bit agnostic regarding his chances of cementing a spot on our list, let alone in our team.



Noble – as per usual provided some drive and impetus from defence with his searching runs.



Harry – has blinding speed and competed well at times with his opponents but at this juncture, understandably still seems a bit light-bodied against the big boys despite not being like some of the callow youth who’ve looked well behind in their first year. Wouldn’t rule him out from debuting as he looks confident and quite impressive but it may come only in the case of injury. He wore the black top today.



Tew – played in defence for the whites. Got some ball and his languid movements suggest someone who has a bit of time when in possession of the pill. Will need to build his body up before senior consideration.

Allan – he played on the wing and a bit around the ball. The fact that he was in the dedicated stoppage group for that drill, is indicative of how the coaches are now viewing him. He was part of some impressive chains, none more than when he an Nick combined to sublime effect which whetted the collective appetites of the onlookers.

McCreery – he impressed with his power and pace in the drills but one centre bounce burst left us pondering the extraordinary possibilities of Beau. He sharked the hit out and smashed his way in high octane style reminiscent of Dangerfield as he sent his team into attack. While Nick or Pendles can scythe their way, the latter with surgical precision, Beau was like a feral chain saw. How do we get the ball in his hands more?



Hill – Bobby dazzled in some passages of play. His speed and hands are both powerful assets.



Harrison – also continues to look good on occasions. His leaner body is more conducive to weaving his way through traffic. This time last year he was on a separate program designed to correct his running to take pressure off his troublesome hammies.



Dean played in defence for the black team. He didn’t stand out but looks to be a dependable set of hands. Eyre might offer more of the X-factor. Dean is solid.



Lippa is covering lots of territory and looks primed for a big season.

+1 on the comments about Crisp. For me he was the standout performer during that training session.

 

[Think Goodly]

This is great stuff - not just for the fantastic effort but the unbridled delight of the guys watching on

 

[Hardas]

Feel Noble move to a wing could be a good one, when you compare him to Langdon of Melbourne reckon Noble can match that output at least? Nobles best asset is his pace and needs space to do this

I think that could be his best chance at regular time, barring an injury or major form dropoff. In the back 7, it's him or Oleg as IQ is now a star.
Having said that, as he's clearly been hard at it in the weightroom, he may be able to improve his one-on-one marking work.

 

[The Royal Sampler]

Feel Noble move to a wing could be a good one, when you compare him to Langdon of Melbourne reckon Noble can match that output at least? Nobles best asset is his pace and needs space to do this

The problem with playing Noble on a wing is that you need to be good in one-on-ones, as you’re often on an island without support vs your direct opponent. Rusty put the clown suit on Langdon, for example, and you can see the difference it made to our fortunes on the night.

 

[Bianconeri]

The problem with playing Noble on a wing is that you need to be good in one-on-ones, as you’re often on an island without support vs your direct opponent. Rusty put the clown suit on Langdon, for example, and you can see the difference it made to our fortunes on the night.

The other problem is we have two of the best wingers in the comp that will unlikely be displaced.

 

[ElliottsMaggies]

The other problem is we have two of the best wingers in the comp that will unlikely be displaced.

What a wonderful problem to have.

 

[LuckyLee]

Is it shaping up as a battle between Allan and Macrae to replace Taylor Adams

3

Taylor Adams

Age

31

Ht

181cm

Wt

85kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

24.9

5star

K

13.5

5star

HB

11.4

5star

M

4.0

4star

T

4.8

5star

CL

5.0

5star

D

20.4

5star

K

12.4

5star

HB

8.0

4star

M

4.0

4star

T

5.9

5star

CL

5.9

5star

D

18.2

5star

K

11.0

4star

HB

7.2

5star

M

4.4

4star

T

3.0

5star

CL

2.2

4star

in our midfield rotations?


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[Timmy from Thomastown]

Is it shaping up as a battle between Allan and Macrae to replace Taylor Adams in our midfield rotations?


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Maybe although there might be other variables too, eg last start Lipinski was dropped to the emergency bench. We were also lucky with injury last year.

We also need to fit Schultz into the side…anlthough technically he replaced ginni… and of course adams wasn’t even in our team last start!

 

[joff]

Pre-season training - January 17th.

Wet morning, but the rain didn't stop the boys from going out on the track. I went over the the cafe side of the ground and to get out of the rain, stood on the benches for a better view.

Pretty much a full squad except for JD, and I think Jakob Ryan. I don't recall seeing him there.
The two academy kids were there again, they look like they'll be good players, especially the blonde. Played some match sim. They seem to go well v afl players.

While this wont mean much right now, not until after Feb, but these were the match sim teams.

Black:

Lippa
Allan
Cox
Howe
Nick
Beau
Markov
Dean
Steene
Moore
DeMattia
Frampton
Pendles
Mitchell
Reef
Kreuger
HH
Schultz
Noble

White:

Elliott
Jordy
Murphy
DC
Crisp
Sidey
Richards
Fin
Begg
Carmy
Hill
TJ
WHE
IQ


*Eye, Sofronidis, hustwaite, Teakle were on the white team
*Bytel and Sullivan were on the black team

*Johnson was doing some running, after they decided to deload him a bit. He has been working hard, but he will be back with the squad tomorrow skipworth said.

*Bruzzy and Mihocek were doing rehab stuff. Mihochek has been dealing with a calf, was involved in some drills; but he should be back in main training tomorrow or monday.

They did well in handling the conditions given how wet the ground and ball would have been with the constant rain. There was a lot of work being done with stoppages, and ground balls.

There was a big drill where the squad split into two big groups, squared in into a section working through stoppage plays.

Match was then shortly after which went for about 20 minutes, probably the longest they have done so far. They had to start ramping it up given time is ticking. Only a week and a half before the start of feb.

Post the session, Mitchell was seen working through handball drills with Fin. Allan and HH.

Eyre: He was really aggressive with his spoiling, and spoiling with intent. He then used his trusty left foot to set up the attack going forward. During match sim, he spent 100% TOG. He was aggressive on the ball, even if he makes some mistakes sometimes he gets up and back in the action. The defenders applauded him for a number of his contest work, pressure on the ground and spoiling. Had a contest with cox who had gone forward and he made a 50/50 ball, knocking it out to stop any influence cox may have had in the air.

Sofronidis: Had some good moments in his kicking. Seemed to rotate with markov in defence, so probably that running type player role wise. But was mostly unsighted and fumbly when trying to pick up a ground ball out during match sim.

Teakle: Was doing some ruck work and forward, but can't say he did anything that stood out.

Begg - I thought was really good. Dominated Coxy in the ruck, won his own ball and clearance, moved forward also. Just looks stronger this pre-season.

Noble - Was aggressive off half back, set up play down the middle, or along the wing with his run, had a goal saving smother -- heath shaw like. Won the plaudits of his fellow defenders.


They did some experimentation during match sim to see who can play where. They put Fin, Lippa on the wing. Reef. Allan. Beau in the middle.
Howe on the wing. Pendles (in his rare long sleeves) and crisp roated off half back.
Had sidey and carmy in the middle also. Just rotating as many players through there as possible to get a look.

The intent with the way they were moving the ball was aggressive. Just run and run, move the ball up forward at all costs. Whether its along the wing, or through the middle.

Hey jen do you think Begg might be a chance of pushing out one of our 2 rucks this coming season thanks for your updates as well

 

[Hardas]

The other problem is we have two of the best wingers in the comp that will unlikely be displaced.

Yeah, I think we're just discussing wing rotations, rather than replacing the starters, but as the likes of Crispy & Hyphen can do that, it's no easy spot to get either.
As EM said, good problem to have.

 

[TheGreatGrundy]

Hey jen do you think Begg might be a chance of pushing out one of our 2 rucks this coming season thanks for your updates as well

Jen said (x2 times) he beat Cox in the ruck. I wondered if this referred to the actual hit-outs or the around the ground stuff.

 

[SchuPie]

I went over the the cafe side of the ground and to get out of the rain

Why didn’t you just stand under the many and well-considered shelter that has been placed around the ground…?

 

[Jen2310]

Why didn’t you just stand under the many and well-considered shelter that has been placed around the ground…?

We are very blessed with plenty of cover aren’t we


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[joff]

Jen said (x2 times) he beat Cox in the ruck. I wondered if this referred to the actual hit-outs or the around the ground stuff.

Not sure m8 I took it to be hit outs.Im pretty sure I can recall watching Begg against Gawn at some stage and thinking he at least held his own and arguably beat him

 

[Jen2310]

Re: begg- it was in the hitouts and around the ground with his follow up work and ability to win the ball from the ruck like a rover.


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