Training 2025 Off-Season & Preseason reports and discussion

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Lucky enough to get there this morning and the boys put in a big session with plenty of energy. As always hard to watch everything and everyone but some things that stood out:

Loved seeing Frost back and running. Gave us a big smile and a g’day …… looked so happy being out there. Great clubman.

Marz …… when he runs doesn’t look like he is 198cm and in the tackling drill showed great agility for his size. Has a side step. Very mobile. In some of the ball movement drills assistant coaches spent a lot of time asking him questions on where he should be positioned on the ground, where to run etc

Croc, Ward and Frenchie have all matured. Even from last summer at times they looked a bit hesitant when going for the ball, taking a bump or laying a tackle ……. they now just look assured/confident with everything they do with or without the footy. They look like pros in the way they approach training. Hoping these 3 will become 200 game players for us.

Kicking/disposal work was very quick and clean. If someone missed an easy kick/handball …….. guaranteed a teammate would call it out. Expectations are you gotta hit it 100% of the time

During another drill where Simpson would kick it in high to a one on one contest …… Barrass showed what he will add to the team. His reading of the ball combined with his body work showed why he’s a quality FB. He also spent a bit of time talking and giving advice to Skaife on how to use the body when going for marks showing his leadership qualities.

Battle ran off the ground quite early but didn’t look injured

The Wiz looked great starting to look like a little nugget. In some of the drills showed his smarts sometimes starting his runs into areas where he wanted it 2 or 3 possessions up the line. He demands the ball and points to where he wants it. One piece of play right in front of me the ball looked like it was rolling out of bounds in front of a few players. He hit turbo got in front of the pack tapped it to himself along the boundary line keeping it in play then gathered and hand balled it quickly to a teammate. Gunners and an assistant coach standing nearby were saying something like Wow. Towards the end Wiz wasn’t with the main group and was just doing laps. Then at the end thought he was limping slightly but nothing serious.

Mass got a nice welcome from the beast from the East. He received a handball and Cody went bang with a good tackle. Mass didn’t know what hit him. The boys gave Cody a big cheer. Watched him a bit after this and he hunts and looks to tackle!

Gunners looks like he has zero body fat ….. looking so fit for his age. Ramma looking athletic fit too

Was a nice finish to the session with the boys singing happy birthday to Ginni.
 
Lucky enough to get there this morning and the boys put in a big session with plenty of energy. As always hard to watch everything and everyone but some things that stood out:

Loved seeing Frost back and running. Gave us a big smile and a g’day …… looked so happy being out there. Great clubman.

Marz …… when he runs doesn’t look like he is 198cm and in the tackling drill showed great agility for his size. Has a side step. Very mobile. In some of the ball movement drills assistant coaches spent a lot of time asking him questions on where he should be positioned on the ground, where to run etc

Croc, Ward and Frenchie have all matured. Even from last summer at times they looked a bit hesitant when going for the ball, taking a bump or laying a tackle ……. they now just look assured/confident with everything they do with or without the footy. They look like pros in the way they approach training. Hoping these 3 will become 200 game players for us.

Kicking/disposal work was very quick and clean. If someone missed an easy kick/handball …….. guaranteed a teammate would call it out. Expectations are you gotta hit it 100% of the time

During another drill where Simpson would kick it in high to a one on one contest …… Barrass showed what he will add to the team. His reading of the ball combined with his body work showed why he’s a quality FB. He also spent a bit of time talking and giving advice to Skaife on how to use the body when going for marks showing his leadership qualities.

Battle ran off the ground quite early but didn’t look injured

The Wiz looked great starting to look like a little nugget. In some of the drills showed his smarts sometimes starting his runs into areas where he wanted it 2 or 3 possessions up the line. He demands the ball and points to where he wants it. One piece of play right in front of me the ball looked like it was rolling out of bounds in front of a few players. He hit turbo got in front of the pack tapped it to himself along the boundary line keeping it in play then gathered and hand balled it quickly to a teammate. Gunners and an assistant coach standing nearby were saying something like Wow. Towards the end Wiz wasn’t with the main group and was just doing laps. Then at the end thought he was limping slightly but nothing serious.

Mass got a nice welcome from the beast from the East. He received a handball and Cody went bang with a good tackle. Mass didn’t know what hit him. The boys gave Cody a big cheer. Watched him a bit after this and he hunts and looks to tackle!

Gunners looks like he has zero body fat ….. looking so fit for his age. Ramma looking athletic fit too

Was a nice finish to the session with the boys singing happy birthday to Ginni.
Thanks, Matey. Love all the pics that Pinoy Hawk and others have provided but, IMO, there is no beating well informed observations.
 
Lucky enough to get there this morning and the boys put in a big session with plenty of energy. As always hard to watch everything and everyone but some things that stood out:

Loved seeing Frost back and running. Gave us a big smile and a g’day …… looked so happy being out there. Great clubman.

Marz …… when he runs doesn’t look like he is 198cm and in the tackling drill showed great agility for his size. Has a side step. Very mobile. In some of the ball movement drills assistant coaches spent a lot of time asking him questions on where he should be positioned on the ground, where to run etc

Croc, Ward and Frenchie have all matured. Even from last summer at times they looked a bit hesitant when going for the ball, taking a bump or laying a tackle ……. they now just look assured/confident with everything they do with or without the footy. They look like pros in the way they approach training. Hoping these 3 will become 200 game players for us.

Kicking/disposal work was very quick and clean. If someone missed an easy kick/handball …….. guaranteed a teammate would call it out. Expectations are you gotta hit it 100% of the time

During another drill where Simpson would kick it in high to a one on one contest …… Barrass showed what he will add to the team. His reading of the ball combined with his body work showed why he’s a quality FB. He also spent a bit of time talking and giving advice to Skaife on how to use the body when going for marks showing his leadership qualities.

Battle ran off the ground quite early but didn’t look injured

The Wiz looked great starting to look like a little nugget. In some of the drills showed his smarts sometimes starting his runs into areas where he wanted it 2 or 3 possessions up the line. He demands the ball and points to where he wants it. One piece of play right in front of me the ball looked like it was rolling out of bounds in front of a few players. He hit turbo got in front of the pack tapped it to himself along the boundary line keeping it in play then gathered and hand balled it quickly to a teammate. Gunners and an assistant coach standing nearby were saying something like Wow. Towards the end Wiz wasn’t with the main group and was just doing laps. Then at the end thought he was limping slightly but nothing serious.

Mass got a nice welcome from the beast from the East. He received a handball and Cody went bang with a good tackle. Mass didn’t know what hit him. The boys gave Cody a big cheer. Watched him a bit after this and he hunts and looks to tackle!

Gunners looks like he has zero body fat ….. looking so fit for his age. Ramma looking athletic fit too

Was a nice finish to the session with the boys singing happy birthday to Ginni.
Wonderful write-up, thank you so much for sharing!
 
Lucky enough to get there this morning and the boys put in a big session with plenty of energy. As always hard to watch everything and everyone but some things that stood out:

Loved seeing Frost back and running. Gave us a big smile and a g’day …… looked so happy being out there. Great clubman.

Marz …… when he runs doesn’t look like he is 198cm and in the tackling drill showed great agility for his size. Has a side step. Very mobile. In some of the ball movement drills assistant coaches spent a lot of time asking him questions on where he should be positioned on the ground, where to run etc

Croc, Ward and Frenchie have all matured. Even from last summer at times they looked a bit hesitant when going for the ball, taking a bump or laying a tackle ……. they now just look assured/confident with everything they do with or without the footy. They look like pros in the way they approach training. Hoping these 3 will become 200 game players for us.

Kicking/disposal work was very quick and clean. If someone missed an easy kick/handball …….. guaranteed a teammate would call it out. Expectations are you gotta hit it 100% of the time

During another drill where Simpson would kick it in high to a one on one contest …… Barrass showed what he will add to the team. His reading of the ball combined with his body work showed why he’s a quality FB. He also spent a bit of time talking and giving advice to Skaife on how to use the body when going for marks showing his leadership qualities.

Battle ran off the ground quite early but didn’t look injured

The Wiz looked great starting to look like a little nugget. In some of the drills showed his smarts sometimes starting his runs into areas where he wanted it 2 or 3 possessions up the line. He demands the ball and points to where he wants it. One piece of play right in front of me the ball looked like it was rolling out of bounds in front of a few players. He hit turbo got in front of the pack tapped it to himself along the boundary line keeping it in play then gathered and hand balled it quickly to a teammate. Gunners and an assistant coach standing nearby were saying something like Wow. Towards the end Wiz wasn’t with the main group and was just doing laps. Then at the end thought he was limping slightly but nothing serious.

Mass got a nice welcome from the beast from the East. He received a handball and Cody went bang with a good tackle. Mass didn’t know what hit him. The boys gave Cody a big cheer. Watched him a bit after this and he hunts and looks to tackle!

Gunners looks like he has zero body fat ….. looking so fit for his age. Ramma looking athletic fit too

Was a nice finish to the session with the boys singing happy birthday to Ginni.
Has Gunners ever had any body fat, he's like a greyhound! I wonder if he will go full Xavier Ellis when he retires and pack it on 😂

I like your description of Wiz hitting turbo, that extra gear in speed he has is what separates him from the pack.
 
Has Gunners ever had any body fat, he's like a greyhound! I wonder if he will go full Xavier Ellis when he retires and pack it on 😂

I like your description of Wiz hitting turbo, that extra gear in speed he has is what separates him from the pack.

This was from a post around this time last year after seeing the Wiz at training for the first time in the flesh (the turbo thing really stood out):

“The Wiz looks amazing we have got a ripper here. Can understand all the hype and why the Doggies and Dees were trying their best to get him. His gear changes while running around in general play stopping and starting is turbo like. Give him a yard will be unstoppable especially on the lead. Ball in hand looked confident just takes the game on and will kick the ball casually for fun to a teammate or at the big sticks. In another drill I think they call it bazz ball? when the ball got into the Wizards hands Mitchell just yelled out “speed, do your thing!”. I think he will be given a license to take the game on at every opportunity. He looks like he has smarts too where he will create and assist teammates in a better position by hand or foot. Hard trying to compare him but with the way he moves and plays l liken him to Brent Harvey but with more zip and spring. If he turns out anywhere near BH would be happy with that.”

Yeah he is already a favourite in our household. At games even the Mrs has started to say the Wiz when he goes near the ball.
 
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This was from a post around this time last year after seeing the Wiz at training for the first time in the flesh (the turbo thing really stood out):

“The Wiz looks amazing we have got a ripper here. Can understand all the hype and why the Doggies and Dees were trying their best to get him. His gear changes while running around in general play stopping and starting is turbo like. Give him a yard will be unstoppable especially on the lead. Ball in hand looked confident just takes the game on and will kick the ball casually for fun to a teammate or at the big sticks. In another drill I think they call it bazz ball? when the ball got into the Wizards hands Mitchell just yelled out “speed, do your thing!”. I think he will be given a license to take the game on at every opportunity. He looks like he has smarts too where he will create and assist teammates in a better position by hand or foot. Hard trying to compare him but with the way he moves and plays l liken him to Brent Harvey but with more zip and spring. If he turns out anywhere near BH would be happy with that.”

Yeah he is already a favourite in our household. At games even the Mrs has started to say the Wiz when he goes near the ball.
I went to the Melbourne match at the start of the year (not a great game to watch) but I was watching The Wiz pretty closely and my description was he "fizzes" around the ground.

His gear changes from standing still to flat out is crazy quick. Add the ability to turn on a dime and he's destined for great things.
 
I went to the Melbourne match at the start of the year (not a great game to watch) but I was watching The Wiz pretty closely and my description was he "fizzes" around the ground.

His gear changes from standing still to flat out is crazy quick. Add the ability to turn on a dime and he's destined for great things.
Wiz fiz …. I like it 👍
 

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Lucky enough to get there this morning and the boys put in a big session with plenty of energy. As always hard to watch everything and everyone but some things that stood out:

Loved seeing Frost back and running. Gave us a big smile and a g’day …… looked so happy being out there. Great clubman.

Marz …… when he runs doesn’t look like he is 198cm and in the tackling drill showed great agility for his size. Has a side step. Very mobile. In some of the ball movement drills assistant coaches spent a lot of time asking him questions on where he should be positioned on the ground, where to run etc

Croc, Ward and Frenchie have all matured. Even from last summer at times they looked a bit hesitant when going for the ball, taking a bump or laying a tackle ……. they now just look assured/confident with everything they do with or without the footy. They look like pros in the way they approach training. Hoping these 3 will become 200 game players for us.

Kicking/disposal work was very quick and clean. If someone missed an easy kick/handball …….. guaranteed a teammate would call it out. Expectations are you gotta hit it 100% of the time

During another drill where Simpson would kick it in high to a one on one contest …… Barrass showed what he will add to the team. His reading of the ball combined with his body work showed why he’s a quality FB. He also spent a bit of time talking and giving advice to Skaife on how to use the body when going for marks showing his leadership qualities.

Battle ran off the ground quite early but didn’t look injured

The Wiz looked great starting to look like a little nugget. In some of the drills showed his smarts sometimes starting his runs into areas where he wanted it 2 or 3 possessions up the line. He demands the ball and points to where he wants it. One piece of play right in front of me the ball looked like it was rolling out of bounds in front of a few players. He hit turbo got in front of the pack tapped it to himself along the boundary line keeping it in play then gathered and hand balled it quickly to a teammate. Gunners and an assistant coach standing nearby were saying something like Wow. Towards the end Wiz wasn’t with the main group and was just doing laps. Then at the end thought he was limping slightly but nothing serious.

Mass got a nice welcome from the beast from the East. He received a handball and Cody went bang with a good tackle. Mass didn’t know what hit him. The boys gave Cody a big cheer. Watched him a bit after this and he hunts and looks to tackle!

Gunners looks like he has zero body fat ….. looking so fit for his age. Ramma looking athletic fit too

Was a nice finish to the session with the boys singing happy birthday to Ginni.
I'd love to actually know how fast the Wiz Fitz is as he was in a moon-boot for the combine.
If sprints happen I'd love to hear the results. I suspect he would smoke most over 20m but others would beat him over distance.

That said, I don't think it matters. We know he is fast. And Watson played throughout his junior level while running at near max speed and so his skills are honed for delivering the ball at high speed. He does not need to slow down to deliver the ball accurately like most do. Even Ablett Jnr needed time to steady.

This kid will be ... you put in your superlative. ... I say, a must watch!
 
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Can someone please make something up, hanging out here and getting donuts. Stone cold motherless donuts :'(
I believe I may be a chance to be picked up by the Hawks on the Category Z rookie list. Their confirmation is pending me completing my video highlights package that I am sending into the club.
 
Can someone please make something up, hanging out here and getting donuts. Stone cold motherless donuts :'(

The Wiz and Ginni were in the closet making babies and I saw one of the babies and the baby looked at me.
 

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