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Training 2025 Pre-Season chat

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In relation to Baz I do wonder how much of the alleged attitude stuff is exaggerated because of who he is. He obviously has some vanity, cares about appearance and that particularly rubs men up the wrong way (when it's too obvious) and makes people like Baz very easily unlikeable.

I can easily see people reporting that Baz is "soft" and teammates sharing the sentiment because he can just easily rub people up the wrong way. It could be a simple as him checking himself out, maybe getting attention from women way more easily than teammates that can easily lead them to view him slightly negatively.

If he puts in the work for the team that's where he will have their respect. There was lots of friction amongst our dynasty era but they all knew they'd fight for the team out on the field.

It's not hard to see how people could be quickly put off by Baz but I wonder how much of it is their own insecurities. If he helps as a teammate it will all be fine.

In the footage shared by the club I've seen him helping a team mate get back on his feet and also helping Fred Wooler walk up the stairs. It's not much to go off, but it's a small indication of looking out for others.
 

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It's not hard to see how people could be quickly put off by Baz but I wonder how much of it is their own insecurities. If he helps as a teammate it will all be fine.

In the footage shared by the club I've seen him helping a team mate get back on his feet and also helping Fred Wooler walk up the stairs. It's not much to go off, but it's a small indication of looking out for others.

It's cause people have tall poppy syndrome.
They want players/teams to suceeed until they actually do and then they turn to irrational hatred to justify shitting on said teams/players that they don't like like...even if originally they wanted them to succeed.

Cats going into 2007 GF was everyone's "team"...until they kept winning and by 08 Grand Final everyone wanted them to lose and it's been that way ever since.

Just you watch, everyone will turn on Brisbane...no one cared when they got Will Ashcroft for nothing and they came from the bottom to competing, but now that they won the whole thing AND got Levi Ashcroft for a packet of chips the outrage started...won't be long until everyone is praying on their downfall.
 
It's cause people have tall poppy syndrome.
They want players/teams to suceeed until they actually do and then they turn to irrational hatred to justify shitting on said teams/players that they don't like like...even if originally they wanted them to succeed.

Cats going into 2007 GF was everyone's "team"...until they kept winning and by 08 Grand Final everyone wanted them to lose and it's been that way ever since.

Just you watch, everyone will turn on Brisbane...no one cared when they got Will Ashcroft for nothing and they came from the bottom to competing, but now that they won the whole thing AND got Levi Ashcroft for a packet of chips the outrage started...won't be long until everyone is praying on their downfall.
I didn't like Brisbane before they won and was going for Collingwood (spew) and Sydney, but your point still stands and I agree.
 

its fluff but I like the way he presents and how he carries himself.

A modest 2 yeat ext will go well for mine.

GO Catters
 
Not sure if this article is behind the paywall? I think it is free (but then has more for members). I am a subscriber as he writes some really interesting articles throughout the year. A footy nuff that isn’t afraid of an opinion. Don’t agree with everything but like the way he writes (not sure who he is to be fair). Obviously I like this as he is positive on Cats.

I thought his observations of Max and the two Ollies in particular are quite insightful.

 

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He's right about Sam - needs a kick up the ass.

If you are born into a nice household where everything you ever wanted is handed to you, I'd assume it would be difficult to change your demeanor.
I'm not saying he's soft but some people have to fight for what they want as kids. It gives them an edge when it's time to leave the nest and face the real world.

This is why I always enjoy it when we recruit players from the bush. They are usually street-wise and have that competitive edge needed for sport.
 
If you are born into a nice household where everything you ever wanted is handed to you, I'd assume it would be difficult to change your demeanor.
I'm not saying he's soft but some people have to fight for what they want as kids. It gives them an edge when it's time to leave the nest and face the real world.

This is why I always enjoy it when we recruit players from the bush. They are usually street-wise and have that competitive edge needed for sport.
His brother plays with plenty of aggression.
 
Garbage.
Just because other club were keen to get him, doesn't mean he was trade bait.

Admit D bridge destroyed your argument with 7 words and move on.

I don't think Tom is an aggressive ruckman.
I think Darcy, Meek, Briggs, Nankervis are examples of rough rucks.

Cameron, De Koning, English, Stanley . . .they use their athleticism to their advantage.
 
He's right about Sam - needs a kick up the ass.
Respect your opinion but I believe that's not how you coach SDK.

SDK might not play "aggressively" but he is extremely "competitive" - at 205cm he appears laconic at times but you can see how pissed he is when he loses a contest. You don't have a 22 season like he did by being soft.
Even when TDK took him by surprise and monstered him you could see him fighting back as the game progressed.
Coaches need to encourage that competitiveness to get the best version of SDK.

I think his confidence will return this season as he's over the facial injury and now his unstable patella has been sorted.
He's put on size which will assist greatly in contests.
Really looking forward to his 2025 season , go you good thing ;)
 

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A bit of fun in the off season.
We went out for dinner last night and sat a communal table.

Over comes a dad with a cats hat. A kid in a cats jumper. The kid sits up and the dad goes over to order.
The dad was obviously watching. Asked me if he was talking my ear off :)

The Hawk was doing a chat and photo session at that place last night so thats why they were there.
The 9 year old could rattle off pretty much everything about players. But he didn't know Kolo or his number :)

So I said to him.
'favourite player'?
I have 3. 'ok, go'.

Jezza 'yep'
Bazalenko 'hang on, you cant count him. he hasn't played' That threw him. :)
Hawkins 'you cant count him. He's retired' :) I felt kind of bad when I realised he had 26 on his back. But it was just fun.

Then his dad started asking him the numbers of all the current players. I said to his dad "Gee your kid is good"
And he said 'I had no idea'

So then something happened. He asked his son who 39 was. I jumped in, Milburn.
The dad just started laughing.

I asked the dad what Reed wore. Middlemiss. Bright. etc. Way before his time.
But it was fun having a chat with a couple of Geelong supporters up in Albury. I hope the kid had a great night.

What he really wanted was the photo with Hawk so he could see how big he is.
 
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Not sure if this article is behind the paywall? I think it is free (but then has more for members). I am a subscriber as he writes some really interesting articles throughout the year. A footy nuff that isn’t afraid of an opinion. Don’t agree with everything but like the way he writes (not sure who he is to be fair). Obviously I like this as he is positive on Cats.

I thought his observations of Max and the two Ollies in particular are quite insightful.

I like his assessment of the ruck situation though it's a little optimistic. I often wonder if there's a level of midfield experience that you drop to where the ruck could have better impact. You don't see it in good teams because they're good teams.
 
I hope you're right. He's got a way to go to be a top 22 player on last year's form imo.
Maybe…(well actually yes because it was in your opinion! But..)….nobody on here really saw Dempsey break out in 2024 who has had a similar story to Mitch (maybe 2023 VFL for Dempsey was slightly better than Mitch last year but at the end Mitch was in great form)…so these things can change over a pre season.

If we were looking closely to match sims and pre season last year we could see Dempsey coming though so it is probably the next 6 weeks that will give us a clear indication whether Mitch is going to make that leap. I really hope he does
 

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