Training 2025 Off-Season & Preseason reports and discussion

[Mrzohs]

Question is where Hardwick sits in the pecking order up forward. Ginnivan, Moore, Watson, C Macdonald, Bruest, Gunston, Chol (Sicily, Weddle, then later Dear and Lewis).

When he played forward in 2024 we really missed him down back and Mitchell didn't fill the void. We didn't miss him forward when he wasn't there, and his output while sometimes brilliant, he also struggled some games.

Frost can lock down smalls well like Hardwick does, but I don't want frost getting the ball. That is why 2024 was so good for Frost as all he had to do was stop the tall forward. He did really well most of the time, and didn't get the ball too much. But he still had his bad moments.

Mitchell i'd trust more than Frost with the ball, not sure about Bailey Macdonald, I know he has the dash but haven't seen enough to rate his disposal and decision making.

I'm sure Sam Mitchell made a promise to frost along the lines of "Hardwick, Weddle and Sicily will play forward/up the ground a lot so you will be the hybrid tall/small lock down defender while Barrass and Battle take the 2 talls, Scrim is the interceptor.

A plethora of options at both ends.

Hardwick forward is a solid leading option that can hit the scoreboard.

But it allows you to release those crafty half forwards up the ground more. (Moore,C-Mac,Watson,Ginny)

Battle will slot in perfectly downback i expect him and Sicily to be used as weapons if they play 3&4.

Frosty could easily take a tall at #2 or play hybrid small #5 role. Handy tool in reserves if not used either.

 

[peetoo]

Very rare a fit player who played most of previous season only plays a few games

 

[VandoHawk]

Very rare a fit player who played most of previous season only plays a few games

Frost played most of the season as the anchor. We recruited Barrass for that role.

Prior to Blanck ACL, Frosty was training at CHB. We have since recruited Battle and both Scrimshaw/Weddle have proven their ability to play lockdown defensive roles when required.

I don’t think it’s inconceivable that Frosty becomes the first picked depth player where his flexibility is his biggest asset. With that said, I could also see him just slot into the backline as either a key defender or play lockdown on a small.

Really highlights the strength we currently have in that area.

 

[CaptainWorpedo]

Frost played most of the season as the anchor. We recruited Barrass for that role.

Prior to Blanck ACL, Frosty was training at CHB. We have since recruited Battle and both Scrimshaw/Weddle have proven their ability to play lockdown defensive roles when required.

I don’t think it’s inconceivable that Frosty becomes the first picked depth player where his flexibility is his biggest asset. With that said, I could also see him just slot into the backline as either a key defender or play lockdown on a small.

Really highlights the strength we currently have in that area.

Maybe Frost helps out at CHF until Lewis and Dear are back. Capable of snagging a long goal and bringing the footy to the ground.

I think we will see a rotation of big guys in our forward line unless one of them really dominates.

Frost, Sicily, Ramsden and Scaife to all get ago forward in a rotation.

 

[Judd2Sewell]

Frost was to be supplanted and taken out of the best 22 last pre-season, followed it up with one of his best seasons ever. Going to wait and see.

He had a career best season. But now we are adding Battle and Barrass to a defensive group consisting of Scrimshaw, Sicily, Amon, Impey, Hardwick (?), a fit CJ (?), Weddle and Frost.

Plus we have Mitchell, Serong, Blanck and Macdonald as real depth options.

They just aren't all going to be playing together in our backline, something has to give.

I think Hardwick is one of the best small defenders in the competition, but maybe we can afford to play him forward and have Frost assume his role. With Amon and/or Weddle spending more time up the field too.

 

[Bugs1977]

He had a career best season. But now we are adding Battle and Barrass to a defensive group consisting of Scrimshaw, Sicily, Amon, Impey, Hardwick (?), a fit CJ (?), Weddle and Frost.

Plus we have Mitchell, Serong, Blanck and Macdonald as real depth options.

They just aren't all going to be playing together in our backline, something has to give.

I think Hardwick is one of the best small defenders in the competition, but maybe we can afford to play him forward and have Frost assume his role. With Amon and/or Weddle spending more time up the field too.

I know a lot what won't like it because he's such a good small defender but I think Hardwick will be playing the total opposite of what he did last season where he played back whilst pinch hitting up forward. this season I think he'll play forward whilst pinch hitting down back.

As you say this will then allow Frosty to slot into Dimma's old role on the oppo best small forward. Also I'm kind've thinking with the additions of Barrass, Battle joining Scrim, Impey and a fully fit Sicily that Dimma playing more forward won't be missed as much with those additions.

Also speaking of Sicily him being fit shouldn't be undersold and yes there's always the chance of re-injury but I reckon he'll be licking his chops to actually be able to contest contests with both arms raised which he wasn't able to do for the majority of last season.

Finally I mentioned this in the trade thread soon after we secured Barrass that I wouldn't be surprised to see Mitchell rest and rotate our defenders throughout the season. This will hopefully allow the veterans to get to finals as healthy as possible whilst also allowing us to get a couple of games into guys like Mitchell, Serong, Blanck or even debuts to McCabe + Ryan. We have a hard draw early so I expect Sammy to roll with our best backline early especially to bulid cohesion but as the draw gets easier then hopefully this allows him to spread the load with our awesome depth down back.

 

[kazzooka]

I know a lot what won't like it because he's such a good small defender but I think Hardwick will be playing the total opposite of what he did last season where he played back whilst pinch hitting up forward. this season I think he'll play forward whilst pinch hitting down back.

As you say this will then allow Frosty to slot into Dimma's old role on the oppo best small forward. Also I'm kind've thinking with the additions of Barrass, Battle joining Scrim, Impey and a fully fit Sicily that Dimma playing more forward won't be missed as much with those additions.

Also speaking of Sicily him being fit shouldn't be undersold and yes there's always the chance of re-injury but I reckon he'll be licking his chops to actually be able to contest contests with both arms raised which he wasn't able to do for the majority of last season.

Finally I mentioned this in the trade thread soon after we secured Barrass that I wouldn't be surprised to see Mitchell rest and rotate our defenders throughout the season. This will hopefully allow the veterans to get to finals as healthy as possible whilst also allowing us to get a couple of games into guys like Mitchell, Serong, Blanck or even debuts to McCabe + Ryan. We have a hard draw early so I expect Sammy to roll with our best backline early especially to bulid cohesion but as the draw gets easier then hopefully this allows him to spread the load with our awesome depth down back.

Last year Hardwick started forward and the intention was 100% for him to play forward.

However, Mitchell wasn't holding down small defender, Amon wasn't great defensively and we basically missed him too much.

Having him train forward in preseason the last 2 years gives us the best chance of it working rather than asking him to play a role he hadn't done since juniors.

He did great in 2 and a bit games but wasn't so good in others.

Maybe moving frost from a tall to small will allow us to playhim forward because he does offer good leading patterns, toughness and reliable conversion.

 

[tommyk72]

I know a lot what won't like it because he's such a good small defender but I think Hardwick will be playing the total opposite of what he did last season where he played back whilst pinch hitting up forward. this season I think he'll play forward whilst pinch hitting down back.

As you say this will then allow Frosty to slot into Dimma's old role on the oppo best small forward. Also I'm kind've thinking with the additions of Barrass, Battle joining Scrim, Impey and a fully fit Sicily that Dimma playing more forward won't be missed as much with those additions.

Also speaking of Sicily him being fit shouldn't be undersold and yes there's always the chance of re-injury but I reckon he'll be licking his chops to actually be able to contest contests with both arms raised which he wasn't able to do for the majority of last season.

Finally I mentioned this in the trade thread soon after we secured Barrass that I wouldn't be surprised to see Mitchell rest and rotate our defenders throughout the season. This will hopefully allow the veterans to get to finals as healthy as possible whilst also allowing us to get a couple of games into guys like Mitchell, Serong, Blanck or even debuts to McCabe + Ryan. We have a hard draw early so I expect Sammy to roll with our best backline early especially to bulid cohesion but as the draw gets easier then hopefully this allows him to spread the load with our awesome depth down back.

I’ll be watching with interest to see if Sammy does the rotation thing. I haven’t really seen it be done successfully in the AFL yet, so he’d be breaking ground. Traditionally continuity is seen as key for form and cohesion. I’m not sure I’m ready to throw that thinking out the window.

 

[Fulgent]

I can't find any details about the Torquay training camp. Will any of it be open to the public? I'd love to take my kids, as it's just down the road.

 

[Lickmesocks]

Battle Barrass Weddle Hardwick have all spent time in the forward 50 from the 5 training sessions I have attended and all have spent time kicking for goal also.

Going to be a challenge for opposition this year with our flexibility.

 

[QuietB]

Battle Barrass Weddle Hardwick have all spent time in the forward 50 from the 5 training sessions I have attended and all have spent time kicking for goal also.

Going to be a challenge for opposition this year with our flexibility.

Surely Hardwick remains the lock down small defender. Who else can do that?

Up forward we have Wiz - tall guy (sadly not Dear) - Gini on the first line and Moore - tall guy - CMac on the second line and we still have Bruest and Gunston to rotate and Weddle needs a spot somewhere.

Is there even room for Hardwick forward?

 

[DogDaySonny]

Battle Barrass Weddle Hardwick have all spent time in the forward 50 from the 5 training sessions I have attended and all have spent time kicking for goal also.

Going to be a challenge for opposition this year with our flexibility.

I know it’s splitting hairs, but I still would like to point out that I think it’s our unpredictability that is a greater challenge. Dusty played everywhere and no one could run with him. But you knew Dusty would do that. These guys aren’t Dusty, obviously, but there are more of them. Who’s switching? Just one? The whole game? This quarter? This play? Dunno.

We’re unpredictably flexible and I reckon that’s a different level of challenge.

 

[JaegarTime]

Hey everyone, I’ve got some time off this week so wanted to head to Waverley on Thursday - anyone know what time they’ll be starting?
Hoping the Torquay camp isn’t this week haha

 

[Strebi3]

Anyone track watching down in Torquay? Would love some reports!

I get a bit nervous training at these ovals that may not be in as good condition as Waverley. We haven’t had any shocking injuries like other clubs this year so let’s keep it this way

 

[oscarthegrouch]

Anyone track watching down in Torquay? Would love some reports!

I get a bit nervous training at these ovals that may not be in as good condition as Waverley. We haven’t had any shocking injuries like other clubs this year so let’s keep it this way

From what I can tell on the Insta it looks like they are training at Deakin uni in Geelong not at one of the torquay ovals

 

[bigmaxi]

Battle Barrass Weddle Hardwick have all spent time in the forward 50 from the 5 training sessions I have attended and all have spent time kicking for goal also.

Going to be a challenge for opposition this year with our flexibility.

Wow, Barrass at FF !
I watched him take 20 or so intercepting marks against us early this decade, sorry cant remember, he was everywhere. Imagine Half that as a FF !
Wow just Wow.

 

[oscarthegrouch]

Wow, Barrass at FF !
I watched him take 20 or so intercepting marks against us early this decade, sorry cant remember, he was everywhere. Imagine Half that as a FF !
Wow just Wow.

It was our game against them in ‘22, tied the record that day, think it was 13, he holds it with Sicily I’m fairly sure.

 

[oscarthegrouch]

It was our game against them in ‘22, tied the record that day, think it was 13, he holds it with Sicily I’m fairly sure.

Nevermind I’m mistaken, the record for intercept marks is 10 and is held by about 10 people. Barrass took 18 marks against us that day and had 11 intercept possesions

 

[tl92]

Maybe Frost helps out at CHF until Lewis and Dear are back. Capable of snagging a long goal and bringing the footy to the ground.

I think we will see a rotation of big guys in our forward line unless one of them really dominates.

Frost, Sicily, Ramsden and Scaife to all get ago forward in a rotation.

I really hope Frost doesn’t play CHF. We have enough capable defenders that could fill that role far better than him (Sicily, battle, Weddle) and would allow frost to stay in defence where he is best suited if we needed him.

 

[Lickmesocks]

Wow, Barrass at FF !
I watched him take 20 or so intercepting marks against us early this decade, sorry cant remember, he was everywhere. Imagine Half that as a FF !
Wow just Wow.

With Dear and Lewis missing the first half of the season, Chol will need to compete harder than he has ever in his life to bring the ball to the ground.

TB could be deployed deep if we need a proper contest in the air forward of centre.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

 

[Pinoy Hawk]

From what I can tell on the Insta it looks like they are training at Deakin uni in Geelong not at one of the torquay ovals

Deakin in Waurn Ponds.

 

[oscarthegrouch]

Deakin in Waurn Ponds.

same same

 

[Pinoy Hawk]