Training 2025 Pre-Season chat

[Warhorse]

He said Clark was dominant against Coburg... which he very much was. Had 27 and 7 tackles, 127 dream team points and was BOG by a mile in that game.

Its what got him recalled to the senior side.

No he didn't. He said he dominated when he went back to VFL and used Carlton as the first example. Using one very good Coburg game and saying he was dominant at VFL level is garbage.

He was slightly underwhelming last year at both VFL and AFL level. He did improve but I expected more.

 

[Tony Barber]

No he didn't. He said he dominated when he went back to VFL and used Carlton as the first example. Using one very good Coburg game and saying he was dominant at VFL level is garbage.

He was slightly underwhelming last year at both VFL and AFL level. He did improve but I expected more.

Some guys struggle at VFL level and are completely different at AFL level.
You get less stats at VFL level because the ball handling is so much slower. It's obvious.

 

[Gavin Excell]

Any insights on how the ruck division will be played out?
Is Rhys still the no1 or has Sam DK or Conway assumed that status

 

[CatToTheFuture]

Oh ok. Even worse if that is case.

I guess some did not want Smith to begin with and any rubbish rumors like that will be happily shared on social media.

The bloke is a jet.
Looks like he's about to stake his claim as one of the premier outside ball carriers for the many years to come

Smith, Holmes, Dempsey . . . this is going to be great footy to watch.

We'll be able to move the ball like a greased up pig on the run. Just gotta win the thing

 

[Sammy1992]

Did we have an intraclub match recently? Or are we having one soon?

 

[CatToTheFuture]

Sammy1992

Hawks soon but haven't seen anything about whether they'll upload the footage

 

[Footy Smarts]

No he didn't. He said he dominated when he went back to VFL and used Carlton as the first example. Using one very good Coburg game and saying he was dominant at VFL level is garbage.

Who's using one game?

He did get coaches votes vs Carlton. And he was dominant against Coburg. Then 2 games later he was arguably BOG against North.

Is 3 out of his first 4 games being in the top few on the ground not dominant? What standard are you demanding here?

After those 4 games he wasn't playing in midfield. And most of the criticism of those games seemed to come from people wondering why he wasn't racking up touches when he was spending his time in an ultra defensive role.

 

[OzeSparky]

My insider said that Hofmann has shocked the coaches, his competitiveness and toughness performing well above expectations.

Could be a steal.

 

[Kobe Gryant]

My insider said that Hofmann has shocked the coaches, his competitiveness and toughness performing well above expectations.

Could be a steal.

2025's Humphries potentially?

 

[D BRIDGE]

My insider said that Hofmann has shocked the coaches, his competitiveness and toughness performing well above expectations.

Could be a steal.

Would be such a bonus if he turns into a very good player after the Aints walked away from him.

 

[OzeSparky]

2025's Humphries potentially?

He might sneak a few games.
Saints might have really stuffed up.

 

[ShadowCat]

My insider said that Hofmann has shocked the coaches, his competitiveness and toughness performing well above expectations.

Could be a steal.

Saw from the draft footage, that this kid was a Stewart clone, just lighter built. Once he builds into his body, I'm pretty confident his draft position will be long forgotten.

Saints had an absolute 'mare with their NGA's this year. Even those they 'promised' they completely let down. Just a shocking culture.

 

[Kobe Gryant]

Saints might have really stuffed up.

So basically, business as usual?

 

[Live in hope]

My insider said that Hofmann has shocked the coaches, his competitiveness and toughness performing well above expectations.

Could be a steal.

His draft video was very impressive - speed, play reading, contested marking, good by foot. At least on apparent attributes he looks super promising. Why didn’t Saints match? Is there some issue, physical or otherwise ?

 

[Hamingja]

His draft video was very impressive - speed, play reading, contested marking, good by foot. At least on apparent attributes he looks super promising. Why didn’t Saints match? Is there some issue, physical or otherwise ?

I don't think they had a senior list spot in the end to match. They traded in to grab someone else and were just hoping he would get to the rookie draft I think.

 

[Gunf]

His draft video was very impressive - speed, play reading, contested marking, good by foot. At least on apparent attributes he looks super promising. Why didn’t Saints match? Is there some issue, physical or otherwise ?

They used the list spots on other players hoping he would get through so they could rookie him

 

[Pure_Ownage]

His draft video was very impressive - speed, play reading, contested marking, good by foot. At least on apparent attributes he looks super promising. Why didn’t Saints match? Is there some issue, physical or otherwise ?

They used their last 2 spots to trade in and grab Dodson and p said and they thought he would get through to be a Cat b.

 

[cats_09]

He might sneak a few games.
Saints might have really stuffed up.

I'm guessing a round 2 debut would be unlikely

But a round 19 debut could make for some interesting watching

 

[D BRIDGE]

His draft video was very impressive - speed, play reading, contested marking, good by foot. At least on apparent attributes he looks super promising. Why didn’t Saints match? Is there some issue, physical or otherwise ?

Also 2.861 20m sprint at draft camp - Best overall... also would have been fastest in the year priors draft testing.

Almost Max Holmes 20m dash time.

The Saints did draft Sam Hastie who is also a speedy rebounder in the 2023 draft (Geelong Falcon).

Maybe they were happy to pass on Hofmann due to already having Hastie (I know little about Hastie FYI).

Hopefully it's a massive error on their behalf.

 

[CatToTheFuture]

My insider said that Hofmann has shocked the coaches, his competitiveness and toughness performing well above expectations.

Could be a steal.

Other clubs academies? Why i never thought we'd steal from them. Seems rude and out of character

 

[CatToTheFuture]

Also 2.861 20m sprint at draft camp - Best overall... also would have been fastest in the year priors draft testing.

Almost Max Holmes 20m dash time.

The Saints did draft Sam Hastie who is also a speedy rebounder in the 2023 draft (Geelong Falcon).

Maybe they were happy to pass on Hofmann due to already having Hastie (I know little about Hastie FYI).

Hopefully it's a massive error on their behalf.

I think they clearly messed up and got get trying to take him as a rookie.

They committed to picking up a sandy player, which Hofmann met the brief for, then just didn't once Hofmann was gone. Reckon they'd be a bit sore.

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[akaifu]

I think they clearly messed up and got get trying to take him as a rookie.

They committed to picking up a sandy player, which Hofmann met the brief for, then just didn't once Hofmann was gone. Reckon they'd be a bit sore.

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I'm here because a Cats fan enquired in our thread about Hofmann

My guess is we passed on him because we had already taken Travaglia, Tauru, and Barrat as best available types. There was no way we were going to pick another defender over addressing our next list needs - which was a small forward (Patrick Said) and a ruckman (Dodson)

Another limitation to Hofmann is although he's athletic, it seemed he lacked upside being limited to a lockdown medium defender role or rebounder. Doesn't really have scope to become a mid either. He might be one of those guys that debuts early and is a good citizen for the years to come but never becomes a star (in our case like Jimmy Webster)

Someone asked about physical issues in an earlier post - he had a serious shoulder injury in 2023

I was a fan of Hofmann prior to the draft so wish him all the best with you guys. Will probably win more premierships now that he's at the Cats than he would've had the Saints matched

 

[akaifu]

He might sneak a few games.
Saints might have really stuffed up.

Wouldn't say we stuffed up even if he does become a gun

We essentially passed on Hofmann for Alex Dodson (who we didn't expect to slide that far) who has also started really well with us as a future ruck prospect

A Patrick Said or a different small forward was always a part of our plans

Likely a win-win for both parties

 

[CatToTheFuture]

I'm here because a Cats fan enquired in our thread about Hofmann

My guess is we passed on him because we had already taken Travaglia, Tauru, and Barrat as best available types. There was no way we were going to pick another defender over addressing our next list needs - which was a small forward (Patrick Said) and a ruckman (Dodson)

Another limitation to Hofmann is although he's athletic, it seemed he lacked upside being limited to a lockdown medium defender role or rebounder. Doesn't really have scope to become a mid either. He might be one of those guys that debuts early and is a good citizen for the years to come but never becomes a star (in our case like Jimmy Webster)

Someone asked about physical issues in an earlier post - he had a serious shoulder injury in 2023

I was a fan of Hofmann prior to the draft so wish him all the best with you guys. Will probably win more premierships now that he's at the Cats than he would've had the Saints matched

Ah ok, fair enough. I find the lack of sandy player confusing though. I think Hofmann looks like the type to.move to the wing once he's in the swing of it though

 

[Warhorse]

Who's using one game?

He did get coaches votes vs Carlton. And he was dominant against Coburg. Then 2 games later he was arguably BOG against North.

Is 3 out of his first 4 games being in the top few on the ground not dominant? What standard are you demanding here?

After those 4 games he wasn't playing in midfield. And most of the criticism of those games send to come from people wondering why he wasn't racking up touches when he was spending his time in an ultra defensive role.

You said he was outplaying Hardie (2nd in the coaches award for the league). Clark got a total of 6 coaches votes from 8 games.

In no way was he dominating VFL. Hardie, Knevitt, Clohesy, Mannagh and arguably Parfitt were better than Clark at VFL level from our team alone.