Training 2025 Preseason Thread

[Trav 20]

Problem is we are a team bereft of creativity in the forward half, and Trac is obviously a gun midfielder but as the game continues to evolve winning at clearance has become significantly less important (And our midfield has been pretty hit and miss in that department since 2021 against the good teams). If Oliver comes back to something even close to his best it only makes more sense to play Trac down there (And play Koz in the middle more).

The real problem in 2024 was that we couldn't get our hands on the football in the midfield. The midfield was smashed. As a consequence, a pedestrian forward-line was even more impotent. Unless our midfield is humming we've got no chance of regularly scoring.

Oliver and Petracca, fit and firing, will immediately go a long way to improving our output.

Petracca will kick nearly as many goals from the midfield anyway. He's a fantastic mid, but a very ordinary finisher around goal.

But look, I get it. This forum overwhelmingly wants him forward. I disagree and will move on from this topic.

 

[Crusty Demon]

Problem is we are a team bereft of creativity in the forward half, and Trac is obviously a gun midfielder but as the game continues to evolve winning at clearance has become significantly less important (And our midfield has been pretty hit and miss in that department since 2021 against the good teams). If Oliver comes back to something even close to his best it only makes more sense to play Trac down there (And play Koz in the middle more).

Yeah because our F50 is a shambles, Trac is probably needed down there more than what we would like. Could depnd if McAdam lifts. Rotating Koz and Trac onto the ball gives us dangerous options. Ultimately we'd love 2 Trac's and 2 Kozzy's. I like the 4-60 split with mid/forward for now. Trac is arguably our most dangerous forward when down there. JVR becoming more consistent, but all the others either are s* or are incredibly inconsistent.

 

[Demon 16]

If Oliver is back to his very best then I’m happy with Petracca playing in the forward half in order that we have a bit more speed through the middle, and more danger near goals.

If Oliver isn’t good enough then I’d prefer our best player at stoppages as much as possible.

I reckon Petracca is going to spend a fair bit of time in the forward half this year, but be in the centre for big moments.

 

[Mich0]

WHY THE **** IS EVERY OTHER CLUB ONTO MATCH SIM AND PRACTICE MATCHES WHILE WE PLAY KEEPINGS OFF HANDBALLS? WTF

 

[Toump Ass]

Could depnd if McAdam lifts.

Dude's turning 30 this year and has played less than 50 games.

He's depth.

 

[markm106]

Trac ideally plays majority mid. But pushing forward to be a threat throughout games.
If Clarry gets back to best his best then he can probably push forward more. But we’re going to obviously need more out of the current forwards. If McAdam gets string games together (unlikely given his past) that helps. Can we get more from Fritsch and get him isolated more? Will JVR take another step? Will Turner take another step? Kozzy once back will no doubt continue to improve. If we can’t get more from these guys and others who’ll go forward then Trac is gonna need to spend more time forward.

 

[Headless]

WHY THE **** IS EVERY OTHER CLUB ONTO MATCH SIM AND PRACTICE MATCHES WHILE WE PLAY KEEPINGS OFF HANDBALLS? WTF

THIS IS THE GREATEST INJUSTICE IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD!

 

[Mich0]

Adding Langford to our already slowest forward line in the league will be comical when it’s done.

Imagine half backs will have a field day slicing us up and running circles around our blokes like Fritsch, JvR, Jefferson, Langford, Sparrow, Turner & Melksham who will be who we are relying on to apply pressure and lock the ball inside 50.

 

[schmuttt]

Maybe it is the MFCSS in me but I can't shake the feeling we are going to have a stinker of a year. I have no faith that Goody will adjust strategically and our list has some real holes starting to open up.

 

[Topkent]

Maybe it is the MFCSS in me but I can't shake the feeling we are going to have a stinker of a year. I have no faith that Goody will adjust strategically and our list has some real holes starting to open up.

Nah you're one of the sane ones, the crazy people are the ones who keep sucking up the bullshit year on year that were gonna change when we've seen 3 years of the same thing over and over. We've recontracted the same group, drafted some kids which is good but won't help next year and our great big review was to change what exactly? Just re endorse goody.

They've lost any right to have us listen to what they're saying and take it as anything other than pre season fluff.

 

[The Dr]

Adding Langford to our already slowest forward line in the league will be comical when it’s done.

Imagine half backs will have a field day slicing us up and running circles around our blokes like Fritsch, JvR, Jefferson, Langford, Sparrow, Turner & Melksham who will be who we are relying on to apply pressure and lock the ball inside 50.

Your hate boner for Langford is humorous.

Your broader point re our lack of speed in the forward line stands tho.


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[Crusty Demon]

Maybe it is the MFCSS in me but I can't shake the feeling we are going to have a stinker of a year. I have no faith that Goody will adjust strategically and our list has some real holes starting to open up.

No one is expecting a massive year lol

But there's no harm is hoping

 

[Bluelegs]

WHY THE **** IS EVERY OTHER CLUB ONTO MATCH SIM AND PRACTICE MATCHES WHILE WE PLAY KEEPINGS OFF HANDBALLS? WTF

Am I crazy or is this not match simulation?

 

[Crusty Demon]

Dude's turning 30 this year and has played less than 50 games.

He's depth.

Not expecting him to all of a sudden go beyond what he's shown when he actually is on the park. But if he can put together 16-18 games of what he's capable of, then that opens up a few options for us in that F50. Cleary a s* year last year but he has shown when fit he's capable of playing some dangerous footy. Could be well and truly cooked, but again, no harm in hoping.

 

[Mich0]

Your hate boner for Langford is humorous.

Your broader point re our lack of speed in the forward line stands tho.


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If you think I hate Langford you have it all wrong. What I hate is the ******* decisions to bring in more slow inside mid contested beasts when every other club are going for fast agile players who can apply pressure.

 

[A11dAtP0w3R]

Am I crazy or is this not match simulation?

YOU MUST HAVE MISSED OPEN TRAINING MICH0, NO WORRIES WE GOT YOU!!!!!

 

[ABray10]

I want to get my hopes up that a little bit of youth will revitalise this team but the realistic part of my brain is telling me this team needs a significant amount of additional turnover and it could take a few years to get there.