Training 2025 Pre Season Thread

[theAthenian]

hi all hope 2025 brings "Number three" in the cabinet
starting to get anxious

on a serious pre-season point very relieved scott is only a 5-7 week injury.
glad we are training with a generally clean bill of health,

personally i still don’t think Marra is as good as all that.
his 40-45 goals per year can easily be found elsewhere in that forward line and the 3 pronged attack structure still hasnt convinced me. Wouldn't care a bit if we could trade him out for a quality defender/mid.
....but then again what do i know...

 

[ossie_21]

I obviously hope JUH can get things sorted and he becomes a big part of the side again, preferably sooner rather than later.

The 4-win stretch last season from rounds 18-21 was probably the best we had looked in years, JUH was a huge part of that. Kicked 4, 4, 4 & a wayward 2.6 that could easily been another 4+ on another day. That would be a great stretch for any KPF in this era, and that’s just scratching the surface as a 22-year old.

Don’t know about anyone else and though there was the possibility of this type of thing happening suggested by some reliable ITK’s on here, this news has still sucked the jam out of my donut and dampened the excitement for the upcoming season.

I’m sure headband Bont will bring it back when the action starts, but I really hope everyone works things out. Just seems like Marra needs to go the extra mile or 2 first. If Bont cuts his hair, I may die though.

 

[Libbaaaa]

Just scanning through the last five pages of this thread, there seems to be a selective memory around a few situations, starting with Dunkley, the player he fell out with in the hub in 2021 was Hunter and his drinking, but remember Dunkley’s father was very controlling, and pushed the idea that football is a short career so make hay money wise. I was at the B&F when he won it, and Bevo made a very pointed remark about needing our salary cap money to go around.

Dunkley mentioned the running at Brisbane, but also was quick to add his comment was taken out of context by by media personalities after Bevo’s blood.

Stringer, the club was laughed at when we pushed him out, but I think the club is vindicated now and made the right decision.

Smith, who knows it all, but his obsessive personality and poor mental health wasn’t helped from his Insta fame. If I am being kind, maybe getting down to sleepy hollow might be better for his mental health, but there have been a number of comments passed on to make you think, he is high maintenance and the players were over it. We certainly were not throwing large offers to him. One journalist on radio, gave an account of the Torquay camp, where he was photographed and filmed by channel 7, he kicked up a fuss and the club had to ring channel 7 and ask them to cut him out of the footage. I imagine you will get sick of that after awhile.

Anyway Marra, I hope things work out for him and the club, but at the end of the day, there is no “I” in team. If the leadership group are unhappy with him, then he needs to pull his head in and listen to them.

Even though Jamarra doesn't fall into the category yet, all 3 situations (Dunkley, Sniff, Marra) are unique in my eyes. The media will all label them as proof of culture issues and the ongoing 'mass exodus' of stars (lumping in Stringer, Hunter, Dalhaus in this category) but they need to be viewed on a case by case basis.

Hopefully this is all moot by years end but my expectations for this team (top 4) doesn't change, even with Jamarra potentially missing large chunks of the season.

 

[Mojorisin]

The whole situation around Marra has been done to death and I don't want to add any more speculation. However focusing on the subject matter of this thread. Missing sessions and match sims doesn't help what is potentially the most crucial aspect that needs improvement in our forward line, managing to have three talls without them all getting in each other's way. I was looking forward to seeing how the forwardline would operate after a full preseason focusing on this.

 

[Foxman98]

The whole situation around Marra has been done to death and I don't want to add any more speculation. However focusing on the subject matter of this thread. Missing sessions and match sims doesn't help what is potentially the most crucial aspect that needs improvement in our forward line, managing to have three talls without them all getting in each other's way. I was looking forward to seeing how the forwardline would operate after a full preseason focusing on this.

I think his absence might end up helping more with a Davidson/Kennedy type who put pressure on as well makes Vandermeers role less significant and can replace him with another small/medium type who doesn't fumble

 

[Golden_6]

I think his absence might end up helping more with a Davidson/Kennedy type who put pressure on as well makes Vandermeers role less significant and can replace him with another small/medium type who doesn't fumble

That’s under the assumption that he never plays a game for us again which is the worst case scenario.

Its crucial for us to have the 3 tall forward line working effectively because it will go a long way to us challenging for a flag at the business end of the season.

A smaller type might allow the forward line to function ‘better’ but Jamarra’s pure talent and goal scoring ability alone means we are a much better proposition with him in the side.

 

[TiAn_]

That’s under the assumption that he never plays a game for us again which is the worst case scenario.

Its crucial for us to have the 3 tall forward line working effectively because it will go a long way to us challenging for a flag at the business end of the season.

A smaller type might allow the forward line to function ‘better’ but Jamarra’s pure talent and goal scoring ability alone means we are a much better proposition with him in the side.

Neither Kennedy or Davidson are full forwards. Unless we move Lobb forward, Jamarra out is likely to necessitate Naughton playing closer to goal again, after playing really well at true CHF last year.

 

[weltschmerz]

Wouldn't Darcy be at FF with Naughton at CHF?

 

[Mofra]

Wouldn't Darcy be at FF with Naughton at CHF?

That's what match sim looked like for Darcy - seemed to be in a traditional FF position

 

[Cudi]

That's what match sim looked like for Darcy - seemed to be in a traditional FF position

I might out a sneaky bet on Darcy for the Coleman. Just get the feeling without Marra he's going to get a lot of shots at goal this year.

 

[Libbaaaa]

That's what match sim looked like for Darcy - seemed to be in a traditional FF position

Probably has Cody playing as a more traditional 3rd tall as well.

 

[AFDogs]

The crazy thing is, with his natural talent and athleticism, JUH can rock up to training next week and still kick 40+ this year.

It’s frustrating but he’s one player who probably doesn’t need to do an entire pre season.

 

[bobs head soup]

I actually really like the revised forward structure people are discussing. Feels simple and solid.

As the 3 deep forwards, Darcy as the main man with a bit of space to operate in could be anything.

Weightman and West as forward pockets who can also provide a leading option work for me.

The classic half forward line makes perfect sense too:

Naughton as a hard running CHF - big tick.

Matt Kennedy as the flanker who pushes to the contest and plays effectively as an extra mid but who can also provide a target ahead of the ball - tick. Can give chop outs to Bont, Treloar etc.

As the chaotic, team first flanker who gets to the right places and disrupts, VDM, McNeil, A.Jones main contenders. I hope Arty goes past the other 2 as he can pose more threat with ball in hand.

As the 7th forward off the bench, a midsizer who can offer a bit tall or small. Davidson looks promising, or Hynes or L.Kennedy, possibly Khamis.

That all looks highly workable to me.

If we see Jamarra through the season, he'll have to work his way in as the 7th forward.

He would be quite effective in that role, but can't see anything more prominent for him off this preseason

 

[54Bulldog16]

I actually really like the revised forward structure people are discussing. Feels simple and solid.

As the 3 deep forwards, Darcy as the main man with a bit of space to operate in could be anything.

Weightman and West as forward pockets who can also provide a leading option work for me.

The classic half forward line makes perfect sense too:

Naughton as a hard running CHF - big tick.

Matt Kennedy as the flanker who pushes to the contest and plays effectively as an extra mid but who can also provide a target ahead of the ball - tick. Can give chop outs to Bont, Treloar etc.

As the chaotic, team first flanker who gets to the right places and disrupts, VDM, McNeil, A.Jones main contenders. I hope Arty goes past the other 2 as he can pose more threat with ball in hand.

As the 7th forward off the bench, a midsizer who can offer a bit tall or small. Davidson looks promising, or Hynes or L.Kennedy, possibly Khamis.

That all looks highly workable to me.

If we see Jamarra through the season, he'll have to work his way in as the 7th forward.

He would be quite effective in that role, but can't see anything more prominent for him off this preseason

I like it, but I think we need a big body next to Darcy blocking, making Oppo third tall accountable so Darcy gets both a run at the ball and/or is not double teamed.
M Kennedy or Harmes could both provide this, are decent size and have forward nous.
Can hit the scoreboard in there own right.

 

[bobs head soup]

I like it, but I think we need a big body next to Darcy blocking, making Oppo third tall accountable so Darcy gets both a run at the ball and/or is not double teamed.
M Kennedy or Harmes could both provide this, are decent size and have forward nous.
Can hit the scoreboard in there own right.

Fair calls. It just feels like our forward 50 often looks so crowded, it'd be refreshing to see Darcy, Flea and Rhylee with a lot more space.

 

[weltschmerz]

I like it, but I think we need a big body next to Darcy blocking, making Oppo third tall accountable so Darcy gets both a run at the ball and/or is not double teamed.
M Kennedy or Harmes could both provide this, are decent size and have forward nous.
Can hit the scoreboard in there own right.

Funnily enough Weightman has done a good job of that before, on Weitering I think.

 

[Scragger77]

I actually really like the revised forward structure people are discussing. Feels simple and solid.

As the 3 deep forwards, Darcy as the main man with a bit of space to operate in could be anything.

Weightman and West as forward pockets who can also provide a leading option work for me.

The classic half forward line makes perfect sense too:

Naughton as a hard running CHF - big tick.

Matt Kennedy as the flanker who pushes to the contest and plays effectively as an extra mid but who can also provide a target ahead of the ball - tick. Can give chop outs to Bont, Treloar etc.

As the chaotic, team first flanker who gets to the right places and disrupts, VDM, McNeil, A.Jones main contenders. I hope Arty goes past the other 2 as he can pose more threat with ball in hand.

As the 7th forward off the bench, a midsizer who can offer a bit tall or small. Davidson looks promising, or Hynes or L.Kennedy, possibly Khamis.

That all looks highly workable to me.

If we see Jamarra through the season, he'll have to work his way in as the 7th forward.

He would be quite effective in that role, but can't see anything more prominent for him off this preseason

Weightman has always been more of a leading forward than the typical small forward so him playing the leading forward out of the square and Darcy being the deepest forward looks good for me.

 

[TiAn_]

Wouldn't Darcy be at FF with Naughton at CHF?

Darcy rucks too and supposedly doing more of it next year. Who’s full forward when he’s rucking?

 

[Optimistic Dog]

Question to the regular track watches. Does Buss play earlier and will we see Jordan Croft debut this season.

 

[MrChristo]

That's what match sim looked like for Darcy - seemed to be in a traditional FF position

Was there not talk of him playing more ruck with English floating behind the ball more often?
(Edit: Sorry TiAn_ didn't see your post first).

 

[BrisDog]

The crazy thing is, with his natural talent and athleticism, JUH can rock up to training next week and still kick 40+ this year.

It’s frustrating but he’s one player who probably doesn’t need to do an entire pre season.

And not chase his opponent who racks up 60 possessions….

 

[Mantis Toboggan]

The crazy thing is, with his natural talent and athleticism, JUH can rock up to training next week and still kick 40+ this year.

It’s frustrating but he’s one player who probably doesn’t need to do an entire pre season.

Hard disagree on that one.

The biggest loss of no preseason will be a lack of aerobic capacity. That’s something he can ill afford to lose.

 

[Mofra]

Was there not talk of him playing more ruck with English floating behind the ball more often?
(Edit: Sorry TiAn_ didn't see your post first).

Well I honestly think he (and Lobb) are better rucks than English. I also think Darcy will be too much of a handful for most defenders and much prefer him playing forward as much as possible. If he's struggling for a kick, or we're struggling in the middle, then send him in.

English actually plays the 'behind the play' ruck role pretty well though (nobody did it like Scotty Wynd) and he could be a gun forward/ruck but Timmy has his heart set on playing ruck and Bevo loves his big guys who get involved in transition.

 

[Mofra]

Darcy rucks too and supposedly doing more of it next year. Who’s full forward when he’s rucking?

It's only a couple of minutes per quarter so honestly - Flea at times, Matt Kennedy, or even this bloke, who beat two AA defenders at once with a third defender there too:

 

[dogwatch]

...

English actually plays the 'behind the play' ruck role pretty well though (nobody did it like Scotty Wynd) and he could be a gun forward/ruck but Timmy has his heart set on playing ruck and Bevo loves his big guys who get involved in transition.

I take it you're too young to have seen Gary Dempsey then?