Training 2025 Pre-Season - Standards are currently being driven

[RightWingRoo]

“Coming back to Mooroopna”

Bit of a Goulburn Valley squad with Jy, Sausage and Whitlock now

 

[DuckYeah]

Goes for his marks , is quick n nimble for him height - might be something to try in vfl

Your heart would be in your mouth every time he has possession and goes to kick it

 

[Twinkletoes]

Thanks for the reports all, and a special mention to the big lebowski who’s making his early pitch for POTY2025.

 

[Devil Fish]

How’s North-Ball going?

 

[murray wrensted]

But how tall is Urquhart??

 

[Merlin007]

If Luke Urquhart has a knack of being where the ball is going to next then he is already a vast improvement on his Uncle Gav who had the uncanny ability of always being where the ball wasn't.

Super Gav also had the unusual distinction of finishing his career being unable to kick the ball, unless you count 20 metre grubbers as a kick.

A genuinely curious case.

 

[travelli]

Home now

Summarised final thoughts

- Powell best on. If you changed score involvements to inside 50 involvements and the blue team had 25 inside 50’s for the 2 periods I saw, Powell would have had 22 of 25 inside 50 involvements. All over the ground, often got multiple touches in the 1 chain. That said, it seems his team mates are looking to get it in his hands at every opportunity.

- LDU utterly dominant in the weaker team. Got every centre clearance while I was there until half way through the third period. Seemed to be a gear or 2 up on the usual pre season match sim.

- Wardlaw was very good. Solid in period 2, dominant in period 3. Seems to be getting easier touches along with his usual contested possessions. Seemingly running much easier and no longer looks like he’s running around stuffed. Good kicking. And very clean. Amazing how many of his touches wind up going to the next bloke.

- sheez: I’d say that the half forwards for the blue team were the reason they won so easily. Sheez was all class at half forward, waxing with George and getting a heap of it.

- Curtis & Ford- get ford in your round 1 predictions. As Philly said the other day, ford is flying. Curtis was even better. The yellow team just couldn’t get near Curtis ford and larkey

- Larkey probably 5 goals on comben.

- comben man up ffs Charlie. It was like Oscar Allen in Hobart all over again

- Logue the yellow team really struggled to get it past him.

- Zuhaar the only consist path inside 50 for the yellow team. Was leading right up the ground and getting a fair hit from limited opportunities

- fos probably got the most footy of the newbies, but more importantly was all class with his touches. Played forward first and then half back. Got schooled by Simpkin in a one on one but everything else was top notch

- Mattlock very surprised how advanced he is. Moves exceptionally for his size. Loves to get the footy in his hands. Didn’t get to see much 1 vs 1 as he was on the better team. Seems like he will be able to put on weight very easily.

Scott got plenty of it and had a great run down tackle. Hopefully he starts the year like he’s ended the last few and doesn’t have a slow start

Overall, the intensity was very pleasing and unlike Ura, I thought skill level was good other than kicking at goal.

I think teakle is likely to play alongside souv and darling

You think Matlock could be playing sooner rather than later then? Any idea if he looks better forward or back?

It would be huge if this guy was getting amongst the best 22 this year.

 

[DuckYeah]

Super Gav also had the unusual distinction of finishing his career being unable to kick the ball, unless you count 20 metre grubbers as a kick.

A genuinely curious case.

So, they are related?

 

[DuckYeah]

You think Matlock could be playing sooner rather than later then? Any idea if he looks better forward or back?

It would be huge if this guy was getting amongst the best 22 this year.

No.. Shouldn’t be playing in 2025

 

[shintemaster]

He was the worst key defender (who actually played a double digit number of games) in the league for % of 1-on-1 contests lost. It's intercepting or nothing. To me, it feels imbalanced to play him down back when we have guys like Logue, Corr, and the Dawson brothers waiting in the wings. Compare that to the cattle up forward: Larkey and a whole lot of flotsam that if combined into one player, might make for a long term key forward option

I think forward as well ultimately but given we brought in Darling it's not the end of the world to get him another solid season (assuming the list stays fit) even if down back. Dawson not ready yet, Corr is getting on. I still think Clarko sees Comben as a potential moving piece but there is time. Darling has been brought in for a reason to teach and provide structure - something that Comben has zero chance of providing up forward.

 

[shintemaster]

For the 400th time, he is an instinct player and intercepting in the backline or moving in the forward line is where he is best. Considering the investment in Dawson and Whitlock, I assume the match committee don't see him playing back long term. I always thought his intercepting was a little overrated.

I think his intercepting is very... noticeable. He tends to take big grabs over the top and that sticks in the memory. I don't know if overrated is the term I'd use but I will say that I think rated because those intercepts tended to be the type that turn what looks like a loss to us into a huge turnaround.

I agree overall that they still see him forward. I still see him as a CHF given:

• Kicking is a touch proppy at goal, therefore better suited 1-2 kicks out
• Has a huge boot on him, definitely more distance than Larkey, provides danger around the 50-60m zone without the pressure of being expected to nail every shot
• Strong marking
• Absolutely dynamic / manic at ball and player, trend is for at least 2 small forwards but I think one very good one and Comben is a good blend up there
• Solid field kicking for his size IMO, kicks quite low and flat which will help up around that HF linking zone

 

[amaz199]

For the 400th time, he is an instinct player and intercepting in the backline or moving in the forward line is where he is best. Considering the investment in Dawson and Whitlock, I assume the match committee don't see him playing back long term. I always thought his intercepting was a little overrated.

Bit harsh there Moti I thought he had at least a dozen games where he got the crucial intercept mark when we lost a centre clearance. Saved our arses on multiple occasions. Especially at the beginning of games.

Certainly helped Corr.

 

[Horizons_00]

Comben is a poor defender. Thats why. He is okay being loose but as 1v1 he aint it

I have to disagree. He was awesome down back for multiple games last year. Have to realise that was his first year of footy too (injury etc)

If he is being schooled by Larkey, that's great for his development. Chom is a competitive beast, IMO there is nothing to worry about here

 

[Gasometer]

I honestly reckon a fit Logue will also help out down back

…23 likes for a captain obvious post

I am thinking a conspiracy of 23

 

[Gasometer]

I have to disagree. He was awesome down back for multiple games last year. Have to realise that was his first year of footy too (injury etc)

If he is being schooled by Larkey, that's great for his development. Chom is a competitive beast, IMO there is nothing to worry about here

Comes 7th in the Syd on the back of diddly squat

Yep terrible

 

[Horizons_00]

Comes 7th in the Syd on the back of diddly squat

Yep terrible

Bloody love Chom leadership out there too. He desperately wants to win at all costs.

 

[Gasometer]

Bloody love Chom leadership out there too. He desperately wants to win at all costs.

Yes his reaction to the Eagles game said it all

 

[year of the roo]

Y'all react to Chom getting beaten by Larkey and think that is bad by Chom. Well, I think it sounds promising re Souva. Reckon he had a pretty poor year last year, hopefully he is striving for much better.

 

[DuckYeah]

I have to disagree. He was awesome down back for multiple games last year. Have to realise that was his first year of footy too (injury etc)

If he is being schooled by Larkey, that's great for his development. Chom is a competitive beast, IMO there is nothing to worry about here

He is pushed off the ball far too easily for a KPD.

 

[Harris 10]

Hasn't Comben been on light duties all pre season and is only now back into full contact?

I'll give him a bit more time that 20 minutes of match sim to see how he's going.

 

[shinboner magic]

Your heart would be in your mouth every time he has possession and goes to kick it

Handball is his go then

I have to disagree. He was awesome down back for multiple games last year. Have to realise that was his first year of footy too (injury etc)

If he is being schooled by Larkey, that's great for his development. Chom is a competitive beast, IMO there is nothing to worry about here

Yeah probably him a brickwall at the end of last season after playing most of the year.
Plus we were severely undermanned in the last few games with players out across the board.

 

[Themanbun]

Y'all react to Chom getting beaten by Larkey and think that is bad by Chom. Well, I think it sounds promising re Souva. Reckon he had a pretty poor year last year, hopefully he is striving for much better.

People forget that Souv on his day is a jet. Made Weitering, the best KPD in the league, look silly a few years back.

 

[Waynesworld]

But how tall is Urquhart??

And FFS can he kick or not???

 

[the big lebowski]

You think Matlock could be playing sooner rather than later then? Any idea if he looks better forward or back?

It would be huge if this guy was getting amongst the best 22 this year.

Don’t see the need in playing him this year.

Haven’t seen anything from him forward other than his draft year, but I will say that towards the end he and river were having a goal kicking contest and he looked very nice infront of goal even with a tricky wind. Dobbed them from 50 no problem.

 

[Samsquanch]

Made Weitering ... look silly

With all due respect.