Mega Thread All things Pre-season: 2012.

[gurncentral]

I'll echo the sentiment that Neale looks great at training. He just has that happy knack of being where the ball is and getting on the end of it.
Pitty is class personified. Time, space, poise, skill.
Crozier was busy too. Looks like a boy out there but he's neat and tidy with the ball, seems to read the play and moves well. Sutcliffe is a handy size and a nice mover too.
Impressed again with Clancy today. Reads the play so well, was in everything and his kicking is excellent.
The old(er) heads, McPharlin, Broughton, Johnson, Pavlich, Duffield, Silvagni (not old but seems a veteran almost already) all look to be in super touch, particularly McPharlin who schooled Clarke in one on ones. Luke is so wily and reads it in the air so well he just uses little nudges and positioning to win in the air every time unless his man can get on a fast lead.
Crighton and Mellington both continue to train well and will threaten for a place in the first team.
Couple of great goals kicked today. One passage saw DeBoer take a strong mark on the 50 to be around 60 when he went back on the mark. Hill came barreling around the outside received the handball and kicked truly (and easily) from 55 against a very strong cross breeze. In another play Pav saw the zone had been sucked up the ground and unleashed a torp from 65 that skidded through on the bounce. Both goals received loud cheers and applause from the other players which was in keeping with the mood of the group which seems excellent.
If I had to pick 22 from those that have been training with the main group I would definitely have Neale, Pitt & Sheridan in it. Neale looks like an absolute bargain. Just a footballer who knows how to rack up touches and uses it well.

Great news re Clancee. Always liked him, hope he can get some games this year. Might be a surprise package now that he's improved his fitness.

 

[free at last]

I'll echo the sentiment that Neale looks great at training. He just has that happy knack of being where the ball is and getting on the end of it.
Pitty is class personified. Time, space, poise, skill.
Crozier was busy too. Looks like a boy out there but he's neat and tidy with the ball, seems to read the play and moves well. Sutcliffe is a handy size and a nice mover too.
Impressed again with Clancy today. Reads the play so well, was in everything and his kicking is excellent.
The old(er) heads, McPharlin, Broughton, Johnson, Pavlich, Duffield, Silvagni (not old but seems a veteran almost already) all look to be in super touch, particularly McPharlin who schooled Clarke in one on ones. Luke is so wily and reads it in the air so well he just uses little nudges and positioning to win in the air every time unless his man can get on a fast lead.
Crighton and Mellington both continue to train well and will threaten for a place in the first team.
Couple of great goals kicked today. One passage saw DeBoer take a strong mark on the 50 to be around 60 when he went back on the mark. Hill came barreling around the outside received the handball and kicked truly (and easily) from 55 against a very strong cross breeze. In another play Pav saw the zone had been sucked up the ground and unleashed a torp from 65 that skidded through on the bounce. Both goals received loud cheers and applause from the other players which was in keeping with the mood of the group which seems excellent.
If I had to pick 22 from those that have been training with the main group I would definitely have Neale, Pitt & Sheridan in it. Neale looks like an absolute bargain. Just a footballer who knows how to rack up touches and uses it well.

I chatted with a mate today who is friends with bondy, and he commented that Lyon is super impressed with the way Neale goes about it.

 

[jedi mind tricks]

Great news re Clancee. Always liked him, hope he can get some games this year. Might be a surprise package now that he's improved his fitness.

I agree. Clancee is looking very fit and has been kicking well. He also kicks to the space of the player leading well. I was a little surprised.

With regard to what E Shed wrote about Pav, Ross Lyon shouted out 'thats why we love him' after that goal he kicked from outside 50. He seems to have a good demenour around training.

 

[chinggis77]

Thanks for all the updates fella's

Love hearing about the new kids - Neale, Sheridan, Crozier and Pitt (last year's kid but still a kid). Just goes to show how turning over the list constantly to get rid of the dead wood and bringing young talent in is the best way to keep improving your list (and keeping the pressure on the older guys).

Can't understand all the critics of Pitt last year. He's still such a raw kid and so skinny but I saw a tonne of potential in him - he just has that poise, balance and the ability to find that extra space that Pendlebury shows. Give him time and a few more kg's and he will be a gun. The reason he did slide to us at pick 20 was because he does need time to develop. Not every kid can do a Fyfe first year.

How did Clarke go against Mcpharlap? Sounds like he got toweled up?

Going to be a few surprises come round 1 team selection me thinks. Got to remember new coach = different view of a lot of players as well.

 

[E Shed]

How did Clarke go against Mcpharlap? Sounds like he got toweled up?

Going to be a few surprises come round 1 team selection me thinks. Got to remember new coach = different view of a lot of players as well.

Very much so, although much better forwards than Clarke have been schooled by Luke before today!

I think too think we will see some surprises come Rd 1. Won't be a bit surprised to see Neale and possibly Sheridan line up while I'd have Pitt as a certainty.
Gav Roberts has been a star of pre-season also and should also be a chance although he's going to have to get a rookie nod ahead of Spur.

 

[East Freo]

The guy running around with us at training that people are asking about is mason shaw East freo colts boy and part of the ais acadamy.... thanks for the training updates.

ps hi Lach finnaly on here.

cheers, hendo

i should scroll through the pages before i post

Would love to claim him as one of of our own but he is a Sth Freo guy. Kicked 7 goals in their Colts G.F. win.
I will go for claiming him as one of our own when he is running around in Purple next year !!

 

[Wigarus]

Very much so, although much better forwards than Clarke have been schooled by Luke before today!

I think too think we will see some surprises come Rd 1. Won't be a bit surprised to see Neale and possibly Sheridan line up while I'd have Pitt as a certainty.
Gav Roberts has been a star of pre-season also and should also be a chance although he's going to have to get a rookie nod ahead of Spur.

I was saying today that Gav Roberts would be ahead of Spurr in my eyes. He is looking great. very good with the football.

 

[theGav56]

Neale, Sheriden, Pitt and Roberts. So how about putting up your best 22 with those guys in it.

 

[macka6210]

hi guys is there a schedule to the times that the dockers train. is it always the same day same time or does it vary. if it does vary is it best to contact the club to see what times they train

 

[E Shed]

Neale, Sheriden, Pitt and Roberts. So how about putting up your best 22 with those guys in it.

Neale, Sheridan, Pitt, Roberts, that's 4.

Remember I said from those training with the main group so I'm not inluding Mundy or Morabito.

Pav, Sandi, McPharlin, Broughton, Hill, Fyfe, Balla, Silvagni, Barlow.

That's 13.

DeBoer, Duffield, Johnson, Clarke, Ibbo, Suban, Mayne Mzungu, Dawson

That's 22.

Now I have to think about somehow squeezing McPhee, Griffin, Grover, Bradley, Crowley, Mellington, Chrighton, Bradley, Spurr & Van Berlo in there.

That's without considering Mundy, Mora, Walters, Roberton!

Will try putting them in position later.

 

[free at last]

Thanks for all the updates fella's

Love hearing about the new kids - Neale, Sheridan, Crozier and Pitt (last year's kid but still a kid). Just goes to show how turning over the list constantly to get rid of the dead wood and bringing young talent in is the best way to keep improving your list (and keeping the pressure on the older guys).

Can't understand all the critics of Pitt last year. He's still such a raw kid and so skinny but I saw a tonne of potential in him - he just has that poise, balance and the ability to find that extra space that Pendlebury shows. Give him time and a few more kg's and he will be a gun. The reason he did slide to us at pick 20 was because he does need time to develop. Not every kid can do a Fyfe first year.

How did Clarke go against Mcpharlap? Sounds like he got toweled up?

Going to be a few surprises come round 1 team selection me thinks. Got to remember new coach = different view of a lot of players as well.

I think the negativity aimed at Pitt is due to us selecting Pitt over darling.
I can see a huge amount of upside in Pitt.
Pitt on one wing and hilly on the other.

 

[Seppo]

hi guys is there a schedule to the times that the dockers train. is it always the same day same time or does it vary. if it does vary is it best to contact the club to see what times they train

This season it has pretty much been (don't quote me on it):

Monday: start around 9:30am after team meetings and goes to 11:30ish
Tuesday: Gym (no players on track)
Wednesday: 9:00am ~ 11.30 - every few weeks this session might be held at McGillvray Oval.
Thursday: Yoga (no players on track)
Friday: 9:00am ~ 11:30
Saturday: might get the odd player at Freo Oval doing rehab work.
Sunday: No training

All of these times would be subject to change.

 

[theGav56]

If these guys;

Neale, Sheridan, Pitt, Roberts, that's 4.

are keeping these guys;

McPhee, Griffin, Grover, Bradley, Crowley, Mellington, Chrighton, Bradley, Spurr & Van Berlo

in the magoos,

and we have these guys;

Mundy, Mora, Walters, Roberton.

Are coming back, we will have awesome depth.

 

[Freodoc]

I'll echo the sentiment that Neale looks great at training. He just has that happy knack of being where the ball is and getting on the end of it.
Pitty is class personified. Time, space, poise, skill.
Crozier was busy too. Looks like a boy out there but he's neat and tidy with the ball, seems to read the play and moves well. Sutcliffe is a handy size and a nice mover too.
Impressed again with Clancy today. Reads the play so well, was in everything and his kicking is excellent.
The old(er) heads, McPharlin, Broughton, Johnson, Pavlich, Duffield, Silvagni (not old but seems a veteran almost already) all look to be in super touch, particularly McPharlin who schooled Clarke in one on ones. Luke is so wily and reads it in the air so well he just uses little nudges and positioning to win in the air every time unless his man can get on a fast lead.
Crighton and Mellington both continue to train well and will threaten for a place in the first team.
Couple of great goals kicked today. One passage saw DeBoer take a strong mark on the 50 to be around 60 when he went back on the mark. Hill came barreling around the outside received the handball and kicked truly (and easily) from 55 against a very strong cross breeze. In another play Pav saw the zone had been sucked up the ground and unleashed a torp from 65 that skidded through on the bounce. Both goals received loud cheers and applause from the other players which was in keeping with the mood of the group which seems excellent.
If I had to pick 22 from those that have been training with the main group I would definitely have Neale, Pitt & Sheridan in it. Neale looks like an absolute bargain. Just a footballer who knows how to rack up touches and uses it well.

Exactly what I hope for... footy players with footy brains, not athletes being taught to play footy!
Bring on 2012, suddenly I'm excited!!

 

[dominguez]

NAB Cup's only 4 weeks away so hopefully the young blokes get their opportunities.

From memory we can make as many changes as we like between the West Coast and Essendon games so hopefully 30+ players get a run in week 1.

Neale's form is encouraging, if he can play on a HFF (even as sub) it gives the club greater flexibility with Ballantyne.

 

[Lach72]

Beale is a 30-40 possession midfielder. He'd be wasted on a flank. Maybe in short bursts as he develops

 

[theGav56]

Beale is a 30-40 possession midfielder. He'd be wasted on a flank. Maybe in short bursts as he develops

Can you see Neale and Ballantyne in the same midfield? That's be a back to the future scenario for us with all those little legs pumping.

 

[salim malik]

Difference is those two have pace with Balla its extreme, Bell,Schammer etc were slower than the second coming

 

[Lach72]

Can you see Neale and Ballantyne in the same midfield? That's be a back to the future scenario for us with all those little legs pumping.

Yeah, with Mundy, Fyfe Morabito etc, we're quite talk overall.
Ball winners with leg speed are handy, no matter height.

 

[Lach72]

I have the day off on Friday and following Monday. Might get down to training.
If anyone's around and wants to wet their whistle too, let me know. 39 degrees on Friday. Surely there's some beer with my name on it?

 

[yakamoto]

It's good that we're excited about some of the new faces, but before worrying too much about where they might slot into the team come Round 1, let's see how they perform against real opposition in real games.
Of those mentioned I would think Pitt to be the most likely. Pitt plus three newbies - no chance - especially as we play Geelong and Sydney in Rs 1&2.
Anyway doesn't Ross like his players to have earned their stripes(or chevrons) by playing in the ressies for three or four years?

 

[rgauci]

Difference is those two have pace with Balla its extreme, Bell,Schammer etc were slower than the second coming

The problem wasn't having 2 small midfielders. It was having 11.

Peter Bell, Josh Carr, Shaun McManus, Paul Hasleby, Byron Schammer, Troy Cook, Heath Black, James Walker, Jarrod Schofield, Andrew Browne, Dylan Smith.

I'll admit i had to scrape the barrel with the last few but having all those players under 180cm and none having electric pace it caused a mismatch in athleticism.

 

[yakamoto]

M. Carr and Des were also prominent in the midfield at the time, both tallish players. Carr certainly didn't complement the ballgetting dwarves by adding pace to the mix. Perhaps Des did on his better days.

 

[shiny_on_top]

One of the above players doesn't fit with the description of not having electric pace.

Although the point still stands.

 

[rgauci]

One of the above players doesn't fit with the description of not having electric pace.

Although the point still stands.

The problem with Walker is he couldn't bounce the ball with any consistency, so he'd use his pace for 15-20m then just bomb it. He often touched the ball on the ground denting his pace.