Bigman’s Training Reports

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BRL121 said:
You should have a look. There are a few interesting ones. Worrell is a "Key Defender", for example, and so is Curtin.
Bond is a "midfielder".

We get to know what the AFC thinks they actually are.
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And im
Brad Pitt Flirt GIF by PBS SoCal
 
TryAnHit said:
Pedlar training mostly forwards is a shame. Was hoping he would take the next step.
Has rachelle atleast been with the mids?
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Please at least tell us Rachele is going to play more midfield.

As much as I'm excited to see what Crouch can achieve with his fitness showing, but Crouch, Laird, Dawson and Soligo whilst not terrible.. won't be top 8 worthy.
 
bigman said:
. Thilthorpe participated in about half the session, then joined the rehab group for a short while before leaving the track early. Hopefully nothing to worry about there although he wasn’t training particularly well to start with so may be struggling with some sort of soreness. Not ideal.
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Has a slight hammy twinge
 

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TryAnHit said:
Pedlar training mostly forwards is a shame. Was hoping he would take the next step.
Has rachelle atleast been with the mids?
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Well given half the people want Rachele and Rankine as mids and Thilthorpe as ruck and John who wants Fog to play midfield, how do we actually know which group is the mids 😆
 
BRL121 said:
You should have a look. There are a few interesting ones. Worrell is a "Key Defender", for example, and so is Curtin.
Bond is a "midfielder".

We get to know what the AFC thinks they actually are.
Click to expand...

Nah, that's more to do with how champion data classifies what role they've been used in.

So a lot of third talls get classified as key defenders and draftees get inputted based on where they spent time in juniors.

1990crow said:
Please at least tell us Rachele is going to play more midfield.

As much as I'm excited to see what Crouch can achieve with his fitness showing, but Crouch, Laird, Dawson and Soligo whilst not terrible.. won't be top 8 worthy.
Click to expand...

Any midfield with a peak Dawson in it and a solid support cast is top 4 worthy, if the rest of the side is performing at a good click.

As we should have been, if we didn't shoot ourselves in the foot multiple times last year.
 
bigman said:
Jeff Pedlar has been mostly training with the forwards including his running but he’s definitely not a straggler, I’d say middle of the road which is impressive given his injury history and athletic makeup which is more suited to shorter sharp bursts. He’s come a long way with his fitness, now he needs to work on his consistency not only with impact in games but also his skill execution. He is prone to making blunders when fatigued or rushed, but there’s enough class there to think he can tidy up his game now that he is getting on the park every session.

As for Curtin when you watch him at training even just the small things impress. He has serious ball skills whether it’s his handling, kicking, obviously that side step of his and he runs like a mid. I am curious to see what his intercept and aerial contest work is like this year but everything else screams elite already to me.
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Think you’ve nailed it on all counts there , agree re Pedlar under fatigue can make errors

Makes it more exciting really , as when he gets fitter and irons out a few things he’s going to be some sort of player . Glad he’s looking pretty fit

I’d say you’re spot on re Curtin , main things to work on will be his defensive contest aerially and also intercept ability
 
Golumless said:
Nah, that's more to do with how champion data classifies what role they've been used in.

So a lot of third talls get classified as key defenders and draftees get inputted based on where they spent time in juniors.



Any midfield with a peak Dawson in it and a solid support cast is top 4 worthy, if the rest of the side is performing at a good click.

As we should have been, if we didn't shoot ourselves in the foot multiple times last year.
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If we get more quality minutes from Rachele , Soligo , Pedlar in midfield I see it as good enough for sure paired with Dawson/Laird and Crouch of in late 2023 form

Can’t see Soligo burning out so just hope he can hit a new level in there

The other 2 have the level sorted but just need to be able to sustain it for longer periods

Of course they all also need opportunity
 
Jeffcrowe said:
If we get more quality minutes from Rachele , Soligo , Pedlar in midfield I see it as good enough for sure paired with Dawson/Laird and Crouch of in late 2023 form

Can’t see Soligo burning out so just hope he can hit a new level in there

The other 2 have the level sorted but just need to be able to sustain it for longer periods

Of course they all also need opportunity
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Considering how much of a mess our midfield was at points last year, having Crouch be a reliable third midfielder for an entire season - providing he doesn't revert to being a crab - is a very big step up from 2023 and a solid inside group to build a genuine premiership assault around. After all, we just need an inside group that can reliably hold their own in a slugging match seeing we are really built to punish sides on the outside, and those three will achieve that more times then not.

That said, Rachele is likely the biggest piece this year. He's flashed a few times he could turn into an uber damaging forward/inside midfield which considering we're an outside team could be the piece that elevates a team that ceiling is top 4 to one who could win it all. I doubt Pedlar or Soligo could have that impact with being pushed into the inside at this point, but would likely help tighten it up and help protect Laird/Dawson throughout the year if they can perform at a reasonable click.

Well that and Thilthorpe. It's time to give our highest ceiling prospect responsibility - whether it's a 1st ruck, or being the focal point at centre half forward.
 
bigman said:
Nice long session today, bit more full ground work focussing on ball movement from half back. Also some late wrestling drills which was good to see, safe to say some of the boys are itching for the more competitive stuff. One wrestle in particular between ned and berry almost got a bit out of hand, with berry seeming to emerge the worse for wear of the pair.

In terms of numbers pretty similar to monday. Dawson was back (and didn’t miss a beat) although gollant was nowhere to be seen. Rob still out with that appendix. Thilthorpe participated in about half the session, then joined the rehab group for a short while before leaving the track early. Hopefully nothing to worry about there although he wasn’t training particularly well to start with so may be struggling with some sort of soreness. Not ideal.

Sloane, milera and dragon all still in rehab although I suspect junior won’t be too far off rejoining the main group. Murray has already progressed to jumping and marking which is pleasing to see, obviously that was how he did the knee in the first place so hopefully working on his technique.

Todays session mostly favoured the half backs as is typical of this time of year before match sim begins. That said it was hard not to be impressed by the likes of worrell, max and Ryan who all showed a willingness to use their pace and take the game on

Once again I thought Taylor looked more alive today and running on top of the ground, he also kept up with Rachele in the running towards the end of the session which was good to see. In general he looks a bit more confident and part of the group than I’ve seen previously.

Another who I thought stood out was borlase with his ball use and how he gave Tex a run for his money in their contest work, yes he may be limited but he’s definitely come a long way over the past 18 months.

Soligo continues to impress me with just how fit he looks. In the running drills he was part of the top group (led by bond and also including chayce and dowling) which was not the case last year. His body transformation reminds me of Pedlar this time last year.

One more point, gee you’d love to lead to Curtin’s kicks. Absolutely beautiful user of the ball. Also quicker than I had previously thought and was one of the best in the running (albeit in the def/fwd group) keeping up with the likes of pistol and max.
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That's it for me!!

Ring the engravers to engrave the cup now!!

Oh... sorry.... it's still January.

But hard not to enjoy the excitement of a new season.

All strength to your arm #bigman. Cheers
 
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