Bigman’s Training Reports

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Kane McGoodwin said:
Agree, expect a trimming of the leadership group.

Dawson
Fogarty
Keays
Hinge
Neal-Bullen
Click to expand...
I'd expect that too. Wouldn't surprise me if ROB was in again either, but I think with that group of 5 we got the entire ground covered.

It's a bit forward centric with Fog, Keays and ANB all expected in our forward half, but I also expect we'll start to see guys like Michalanney and/or Worrell develop their voices further this year too.
 
MRB37 said:
I'd expect that too. Wouldn't surprise me if ROB was in again either, but I think with that group of 5 we got the entire ground covered.

It's a bit forward centric with Fog, Keays and ANB all expected in our forward half, but I also expect we'll start to see guys like Michalanney and/or Worrell develop their voices further this year too.
Click to expand...
I didn't have ANB in my original picks, but imo the club will add him.
 

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MRB37 said:
One thing I love about Worrell. Never been afraid to stand up for his teammates.
Click to expand...
Hinge & Murray too, so along with Keane & Worrell, it's a good group to protect each other.
 
Training 31/1/2025 New
  • Index
    • After doing a tour of Adelaide this morning, it was a nice surprise to stumble upon a scratch match today at AAMI Stadium, which oddly started at 12pm. The game consisted of three quarters of varying length (a couple went 25 minutes, the other just 20) and was a genuine hit out with centre bounces, umpires and some big hits.

    Two sour notes were possible injuries to Cumming and Welsh.

    Cumming only played the first two quarters, which didn’t worry me. It was the limping afterwards which did. Now this could just be some post-match stiffness and soreness, plus I didn’t see him walk up the race with any ice. But it’s definitely something to keep an ear out for especially given his history.

    Welsh copped a hit in a marking contest in the third term and left the field cradling his arm and didn’t return. Hard to make an exact diagnosis, hopefully it’s not too severe but looked like a shoulder to me.

    As usual it was largely an A vs B affair. There were a few changes after each break but teams were kept mostly the same and didn’t have too many surprises. They were as follows:

    Blue - Keays, Murphy, Crouch (switched to yellow for Q2 and Q3), Curtin (switched to yellow for Q2 and Q3), Thilthorpe, Rachele, Murray, Dawson, Soligo, Michalanney, Hinge, Rankine, Worrell, Peatling, Neal-Bullen, Laird, Milera, Fogarty, Sholl, O’Brien, Cumming, Keane

    Yellow - Jones (switched to blue for Q3), Berry (switched to blue for Q2 and Q3), Pedlar, Edwards, Cook, Welsh, Taylor, Burgess, Ryan, Schoenberg, Nankervis, Dowling, Smith, Draper, Borlase, Gallagher, Drury, T. Murray (switched to blue for Q2 and Q3), Bond (switched to blue for Q2 and Q3), Butts, McAndrew

    Cumming and Nankervis only played the first two quarters while Tex (and obviously Strachan) did not participate. Tex did a power of running and some of the early skills work however.

    It was hard to keep track of scores as they were changed late in each quarter for a bit of scenario work (eg five points up late in the term). The blue team were pretty clear winners but weren’t as dominant as what we saw at Norwood a couple weeks ago. In fact for most of the game the yellow team were quite competitive and actually probably won the midfield battle, at least to the eye, but they couldn’t stop blue’s firepower.

    Goal tallies were:
    Q1
    Blue: Rachele, Fogarty, Curtin
    Yellow: Burgess, Gallagher

    Q2
    Blue: Thilthorpe 2, T. Murray, Keays
    Yellow: Pedlar 2, Dowling

    Q3
    Blue: Thilthorpe, O’Brien, Keays, Soligo, Fogarty
    Yellow: Burgess

    As for centre bounce, quite a few names ended up going through there. Crouch, Dawson, Peatling, Rankine, Soligo, Draper, Berry and Schoenberg were the most common attendees. Rachele and Curtin both actually got some decent time in there as well, though only after quarter time. Thilthorpe and Murray both helped as the relief ruckman at times.

    Some player thoughts:

    Jones - solid enough on the wing before drifting into defence in the third quarter. Got the majority of his ball for blue as you’d expect but also took a couple nice intercept grabs late in the third term. Think he’s around the mark without really pushing his case.

    Keays - two goals is a decent return (though one was a freebie from Rachele) but wouldn’t say he was particularly influential. Missed a sitter where he snapped when he should’ve just kicked a drop punt. Him and Neal-Bullen were both pretty quiet actually.

    Berry - probably best on ground and did some of his best work for the yellow side against our prime mids. Had a number of centre clearances and unsurprisingly laid some great tackles including a run down on Draper. Minimal fumbles too. A couple of iffy kicks but overall may have been the most dominant mid.

    Murphy - played solely for the A team which was interesting. Was very quiet for the first two quarters before getting into it in the third. Hit a lovely inside 50 pass to Toby Murray but also missed a reasonably easy set shot which we’ve seen before.

    Curtin - kicked an easy goal in the first term courtesy of a howler turnover by Butts, otherwise struggled to get into it early on. Moved into the guts midway through the second term and immediately got amongst it. Some nice flashy moments where he streamed through traffic and also set up Pedlar’s second goal. Just bits and pieces but good signs.

    Thilthorpe - misjudged a couple aerial contests early on but found his groove in the second term and became a bit of a menace. Kicked a terrific goal in the third where he picked the loose ball up at speed and instinctively snapped over his shoulder. Special talent.

    Rachele - only the solitary goal but had a number of assists and would’ve been right up there in score involvements. Also got some centre bounce time late where he had one or two clearances. Very solid.

    Pedlar - ice cold in the first quarter but kicked two in a flash in the second term and looked much more confident. Was wearing the fluro hat but still copped a big hit in an aerial contest (thankfully he was fine). Funnily had an altercation with Keane, who proceeded to grab the hat and throw it over the boundary.

    Edwards - had one poor moment defensively against Keays but thought he was pretty decent overall. Still needs to drive his legs more but used the ball well including a couple of lovely long kicks which resulted in scores.

    Michalanney - solid as a rock in defence and actually played quite high up the ground at times. Looking to use his pace whenever possible which has been a consistent theme for him this summer.

    Welsh - prior to the injury I thought he looked quite decent today. Found space a couple of times in the forward line and was busier than I’ve seen previously. Hopefully isn’t out for too long.

    Taylor - just can’t seem to get into it at the moment. Looks a bit frustrated out there and doesn’t quite have his usual twinkle toes, seems to be getting caught more. Also didn’t get used in the centre which was strange - even Drury spent a little bit of time in there. Can’t say I’m overly happy about that.

    Burgess - credit to him, thought he presented well today and was rewarded with two goals. Isn’t easy playing forward for the B team but he was sharp today.

    Rankine - played slightly more forward than previous but still had his fair share of CBAs. Not as dominant as he was at Norwood but still very good as you’d expect. Does it easy out there.

    Worrell - took a good mark on Burgess but I still want to see a bit more from him. Was by no means bad but he’s got heaps of talent, at the moment he’s playing it a touch safe. Want to see a bit more dash and wow factor which he’s capable of.

    Peatling - if Berry wasn’t BOG then it was probably this guy. For a bloke who isn’t elite aerobically his work rate is excellent. Got involved in all spots on the ground, won clearances, took a good contested mark, laid some great tackles, won a couple of high frees (get ready for plenty of those). Well-rounded player.

    Schoenberg - along with Berry thought he set the tone early for the yellow side and was really solid in the guts. Hit Welsh inside 50 with an absolute dart that got a lot of love from his teammates. Thought he started going to ground too much later on however as he fatigued.

    Nankervis - good to see him back but aside from one lovely moment where he stepped past a couple opponents, he otherwise looked like someone who had missed a block of training. Once again played for the B side - given he only just returned I won’t look too much into it, but it’s not the first time this summer.

    Laird - looked very much at home at half back. Obviously was only against the yellow forwards but he got a stack of it and for the most part used it well. Generally moved it on quickly too which was good to see.

    Milera - once again selected for the A team. Definitely moving with confidence out there although uncharacteristically had a couple of absolute sacks off the boot, including one that barely scraped the outside of his foot and went out on the full.

    Dowling - more involved today which was good to see. Got some CBAs where he seemed to play more of a defensive role. Work rate was good, a number of times worked hard back into defence to provide an outlet.

    Smith - bit of a mixed bag. Started like a house on fire including a lovely dash on the wing that set up the yellow team’s first goal. But also had a couple of moment he’d rather forget including a shot at goal that he should’ve passed to Pedlar, as well as being caught by Soligo which reminded me of early last season.

    Draper - got heaps of opportunity at the centre bounce. Was clean with his ball take and would’ve had at least 3-4 clearances, but was a bit handball happy and got caught a couple of times. Some good signs but also some evidence he’s not quite there yet.

    Borlase - played on Fogarty and despite the Fog kicking two, I thought Borlase beat him. Did some really nice body work and even had one terrific dash through traffic that I had to double check was him. Only issue I had was a couple of times he went the double fist when he should’ve backed himself to take the grab.

    Gallagher - didn’t get a heap of it but took a great contested mark under serious heat, he’s deceptively strong overhead. Also kicked a nice goal and set up Pedlar’s first. Still erratic at times with ball in hand but definitely improving.

    Toby Murray - could’ve had a decent day out if not for some wayward kicking at goal. There’s something there but expect some ups and downs. Good to see him get some time in the A team.

    Mcandrew - aside from ROB kicking a goal on the run, I think McAndrew got the better of him again today. Outreached ROB on a number of occasions at stoppage with his sheer height. Doesn’t offer a massive amount around the ground but I was quite impressed today, and once again left a bit worried about O’Brien, who wasn’t terrible but shouldn’t be getting beaten by a state league footballer.

    Keane - still having altercations with his teammates but gee he can play. Lovely soft hands and has become a master of the slight nudge to edge his opponent under the ball.

    Feel free to ask any questions.
     
  • New
  • Index
    • Kane McGoodwin said:
    Now we have flog & fog at either ends to fly the flag...
    Click to expand...
    Crows definitely can not only make the 8 this year, but go deep into September if we get this bull version of Fog in 2025.

     
    I gather Keane has usually been in the A team & Butts in the B team.

    Pleased to hear both Berry & Schoenberg (once again) playing well as we will need useful depth.
     
    GROTTO said:
    Crows definitely can not only make the 8 this year, but go deep into September if we get this bull version of Fog in 2025.

    Click to expand...

    Remember the goal well & even better it was against Carlton who we tend to play out best against.
     
    bigman said:
    It was hard to keep track of scores as they were changed late in each quarter for a bit of scenario work (eg five points up late in the term). The blue team were pretty clear winners but weren’t as dominant as what we saw at Norwood a couple weeks ago. In fact for most of the game the yellow team were quite competitive and actually probably won the midfield battle, at least to the eye, but they couldn’t stop blue’s firepower.
    Click to expand...
    Did either of TT and Fog play as a deep forward?
     
    Mutineer said:
    The problem with Keane is this habit of his overdoing the aggression after the incident has and will result in goals against us given the position he plays, it's one thing to be hard at it but he has shown an inclination to many times to want to go on with it...needs to temper it or else it will be costly.
    Click to expand...
    He can be great but he’s 50/50 at giving away a free every contest.
     

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    Tex Danger said:
    There’s nothing in that Keane/pedlar going “head to head”
    Click to expand...
    2 competitive beasts.

    I had Pedlar in my 23, but thinking we need to give him a month in the sanfl like I would for Milera. Rate him highly, but given we have depth, there is no need to risk players who could do with more preparation.
     
    Kane McGoodwin said:
    2 competitive beasts.

    I had Pedlar in my 23, but thinking we need to give him a month in the sanfl like I would for Milera. Rate him highly, but given we have depth, there is no need to risk players who could do with more preparation.
    Click to expand...
    I thought I’d missed something so watched it twice… nothing to see here,
     
    bigman

    What was rankines CBA/mid to forward split?

    What was Peatling split/overall role?

    You mentioned crouch in B team for periods 2/3, how much would you say this change up altered those roles too (I assume he will be in the team and playing in 2nd side was to create a bit more balanced teams). Who replace him In the 1s? Was it a berry type or just those players like sog, ranks, Dawson who would be in our normal mid mix
     
    Tex Danger said:
    bigman

    What was rankines CBA/mid to forward split?

    What was Peatling split/overall role?

    You mentioned crouch in B team for periods 2/3, how much would you say this change up altered those roles too (I assume he will be in the team and playing in 2nd side was to create a bit more balanced teams). Who replace him In the 1s? Was it a berry type or just those players like sog, ranks, Dawson who would be in our normal mid mix
    Click to expand...
    Think it's time for Rankine to decrease his midfield to forward time til the real stuff starts.
     
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