Training 2025 Off-Season & Preseason reports and discussion

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Can’t see us playing 2 rucks, our game is based on speed and being more agile and quicker than the opposition over 4 quarters..
This is true, but in theory playing 2 rucks could potentially benefit us more than an extra runner. Providing it gives us more and better first use of the ball at centre bounces and stoppages over those 4 quarters, then our runners can spend more of their energy attacking with the ball than they would chasing opposition to win it back.
 

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This is true, but in theory playing 2 rucks could potentially benefit us more than an extra runner. Providing it gives us more and better first use of the ball at centre bounces and stoppages over those 4 quarters, then our runners can spend more of their energy attacking with the ball than they would chasing opposition to win it back.
Decreases the amount of rotations assigned to the runners

Rather play a hybrid in Ramsden if we are that desperate
 
(Unless he has made significant strides in his development this off-season) Reeves cannot play as a resting forward/ruck. He's not good enough in the air or nor mobile enough around the ground.

If we are going for a tall option that could pinch hit in the ruck, then surely Ramsden gets a chance. We already have Chol playing too.
 
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Imagine if he and Ward made big strides this year. Our midfield would go from strong to formidable - Duke, Day, Worps, Nash, McKenzie, Ward....

Mackenzie adds elite kicking skills and decent size to a unit that is already fairly imposing physically. It's the kicking skills that will hopefully set him apart.
 
Stemming from the 2 ruck conversation - is there any indication that the 2025 season will include a 5 man bench with no subs or is this still just an AFLPA wish list item?
 
I'm hearing my man McKenzie turning heads again today in the midfield.
He was good today they played 2*15min quarters and Frenchie was part of the nicest pieces of linking play for the day where Battle was streaming out of defence then kicked a lovely pass to Frenchie who turned quickly and delivered a beautiful pass to a leading Dimma who kicked truely from 40. The forwards will be licking their lips whenever they see the ball in his hands!
 
2 rucks has way too much of a late Clarko drudgery gameplan about it for mine. Would much rather someone pinch hitting.
Late Clarko didn't have a list, let alone a midfield that could truly take advantage of the first-use that could be provided by having 2 rucks.

The fact Sam has mentioned on at least two separate occasions that he'd like to find a way to play 2 rucks is enough evidence for me that there is a decent chance it could work. But we probably don't see it until he gets that 5 man bench.
 

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He was good today they played 2*15min quarters and Frenchie was part of the nicest pieces of linking play for the day where Battle was streaming out of defence then kicked a lovely pass to Frenchie who turned quickly and delivered a beautiful pass to a leading Dimma who kicked truely from 40. The forwards will be licking their lips whenever they see the ball in his hands!

Hopefully he and Day are the guys Worpel, Nash and Newcombe are looking to dish it out too. Day more for his dash of course, but if Mackenzie is getting the ball with even a tiny bit of space he will have time to lazer kicks into the F50.

* Newcombe is a great kick too, second behind Mackenzie in that midfield unit. But he's also awesome in the clinches and creating space or time for others.
 
He was good today they played 2*15min quarters and Frenchie was part of the nicest pieces of linking play for the day where Battle was streaming out of defence then kicked a lovely pass to Frenchie who turned quickly and delivered a beautiful pass to a leading Dimma who kicked truely from 40. The forwards will be licking their lips whenever they see the ball in his hands!

From your observations of late how much time has Dimma been spending up forward?
 
Dimma is a certainty to play forward IMO. He hates losing contests, and when he went forward last year was probably our best forward! Will only go back in a switch with Sicily if we are behind in the game or something needs to change.
 
Dimma has never really lowered his colours going up forward and while I love his work as a defender - the thought of him spending the majority of the time up the ground creating more headaches for defences already contending with Ginni and Watto - it's a bloody tantalising prospect. Plus he can always swing down back when defenders need a break.
 
Stemming from the 2 ruck conversation - is there any indication that the 2025 season will include a 5 man bench with no subs or is this still just an AFLPA wish list item?

The AFLPA all the members and supporters, as well as the media and commentators want the sub gone, so in true AFL fashion they have 'listened' and confirmed that no changes will be made for season 2025.
 

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Training 2025 Off-Season & Preseason reports and discussion

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