Bigman’s Training Reports

[bigman]

Will be interesting to see how many players turn up to the first session.

Last year almost the entire group was present, but with an earlier start this year due to no sanfl finals I wouldn’t be surprised if a few wait a bit longer to come back

From my count a dozen will be required on day one - Curtin, Rachele, Edwards, Soligo, Michaelanney, Taylor, Ryan, Nankervis, Dowling, Gallagher, Toby Murray and Bond.

Having said that I’d expect a few more to rock up given they had interrupted years in 2024, namely Jones, Thilthorpe, Pedlar, Schoenberg and Nick Murray. I’d hope to see Cook there as well

 

[jenny61_99]

Given WC and Fremantle came to Adelaide, you can pretty much guarantee both us and Port travel to WA next year.

Hmm might be an opportune time to go experience footy at that stadium.

 

[Gtowncrow]

Given WC and Fremantle came to Adelaide, you can pretty much guarantee both us and Port travel to WA next year.

I'd rather Sydney or Brisbane.

 

[DJ75]

I'd rather Sydney or Brisbane.

Same, but I suspect we have an arrangement with the WA teams. A bit like when schools do an exchange.
i.e. Saints and PAC go to Melbourne the same weekend. Saints play PAC's exchange team (Wesley I think) first, then Melbourne Grammar second. PAC the reverse.
Next year both of them come to Adelaide.

 

[TBM]

Will be interesting to see how many players turn up to the first session.

Last year almost the entire group was present, but with an earlier start this year due to no sanfl finals I wouldn’t be surprised if a few wait a bit longer to come back

From my count a dozen will be required on day one - Curtin, Rachele, Edwards, Soligo, Michaelanney, Taylor, Ryan, Nankervis, Dowling, Gallagher, Toby Murray and Bond.

Having said that I’d expect a few more to rock up given they had interrupted years in 2024, namely Jones, Thilthorpe, Pedlar, Schoenberg and Nick Murray. I’d hope to see Cook there as well

Maybe I'm old-school, but honestly after a 15th place finish and no finals in 7 years, I'd hope to see a lot more than just the bare minimum there

 

[adelaidecrows]

Maybe I'm old-school, but honestly after a 15th place finish and no finals in 7 years, I'd hope to see a lot more than just the bare minimum there

Its a good test of character for the squad.

 

[ams4crows]

Maybe I'm old-school, but honestly after a 15th place finish and no finals in 7 years, I'd hope to see a lot more than just the bare minimum there

ANB will absolutely be there reckon he wants to get stuck in and have no doubt he'll be in our leadership group by season start

 

[bigman]

cleaning the lens on my binoculars as we speak.

 

[dogs105]

cleaning the lens on my binoculars as we speak.

what were you looking at when they got so dirty?

 

[1990crow]

what were you looking at when they got so dirty?

Fog you mean

 

[bigman]

Unfortunately there was very little to see today, the players were definitely at club headquarters but aside from a small group, who I’ll talk about soon, the rest stayed inside.

No idea if it was gym work or just an orientation sort of day. I’ll take a peek tomorrow to see if maybe we’ve changed our training days up, otherwise I’m guessing the true first session will be at on Wednesday.

As mentioned, there was a small group that came out early, consisting of Laird, Milera, Soligo, Berry and Strachan. It was mainly short, sharp running with some skills thrown in, about 90 minutes or so. Looked a solid work out.

Butts also made an appearance doing some light running work. He seemed in pretty decent shape although appeared to walk with a very slight limp.

Laird must’ve spent most of his off season in the gym, it actually caught me off guard when I saw him. Arms are huge. I thought he trained with real purpose too, he was sprinting full pelt when the others were holding back a bit. He was one of those who had to repeat his time trial last pre season, perhaps he’s feeling a bit of extra motivation/pressure this time around.

Milera also surprised me, he’s come a long way since I saw him a month or so ago when he was a bit restricted. Definitely not the case today. He looked in good condition and was running on top of the ground, no limp or anything to be seen. Good signs.

Berry looked fit, Strachan kept up with the smaller guys in the running for the most part.

Soligo was interesting to see given he’s technically in the 1-4 year bracket. I wonder if the club is easing him back in a bit this year given his groin issues?

Sadly that’s all I’ve got but like I said hopefully tomorrow or Wednesday I can give you a proper report.

 

[Jarman3]

Unfortunately there was very little to see today, the players were definitely at club headquarters but aside from a small group, who I’ll talk about soon, the rest stayed inside.

No idea if it was gym work or just an orientation sort of day. I’ll take a peek tomorrow to see if maybe we’ve changed our training days up, otherwise I’m guessing the true first session will be at on Wednesday.

As mentioned, there was a small group that came out early, consisting of Laird, Milera, Soligo, Berry and Strachan. It was mainly short, sharp running with some skills thrown in, about 90 minutes or so. Looked a solid work out.

Butts also made an appearance doing some light running work. He seemed in pretty decent shape although appeared to walk with a very slight limp.

Laird must’ve spent most of his off season in the gym, it actually caught me off guard when I saw him. Arms are huge. I thought he trained with real purpose too, he was sprinting full pelt when the others were holding back a bit. He was one of those who had to repeat his time trial last pre season, perhaps he’s feeling a bit of extra motivation/pressure this time around.

Milera also surprised me, he’s come a long way since I saw him a month or so ago when he was a bit restricted. Definitely not the case today. He looked in good condition and was running on top of the ground, no limp or anything to be seen. Good signs.

Berry looked fit, Strachan kept up with the smaller guys in the running for the most part.

Soligo was interesting to see given he’s technically in the 1-4 year bracket. I wonder if the club is easing him back in a bit this year given his groin issues?

Sadly that’s all I’ve got but like I said hopefully tomorrow or Wednesday I can give you a proper report.

Does the club post the training schedule online somewhere for people who might want to go have a look? I had a quick look at the website but couldn't see it there.

Re Laird, I suspect he's got some extra motivation given the influx of midfield (or at least midfield-capable) players coming into the club over the summer, plus continued development of the younger ones we already have. He's unlikely to get any faster at his age so won't be unable to beat the younger guys for pace, maybe he figures bulking up and outmuscling them might be his best chance?

 

[StonesThrow]

This is typically the most positive part of the crows' year (even though bigman seems fairly objective). Early training reports!

 

[Jarman3]

This is typically the most positive part of the crows' year (even though bigman seems fairly objective). Early training reports!

Yep. I can't see us losing a game between now and March. We should roll into round 1 sitting pretty comfortably on top of the ladder, assuming they go with the traditional alphabetical order.

 

[Trigger13]

I’m guessing Laird is fired up because the entire supporter base wants him gone? If he can change his attitude, he has a role to play across half back I suspect.

 

[Cap]

I’m guessing Laird is fired up because the entire supporter base wants him gone? If he can change his attitude, he has a role to play across half back I suspect.

Probably overly optimistic, but maybe he's trying to respond to being told he might lose his midfield spot by actually working on weaknesses, I know thats not very senior crow like but it could happen.

Mind you I don't know if he can ever kick longer?

 

[TBM]

No posts from the club on socials, wouldn't know anybody was even there. Will be interesting to see when the first full session is.

 

[1970crow]

Probably overly optimistic, but maybe he's trying to respond to being told he might lose his midfield spot by actually working on weaknesses, I know thats not very senior crow like but it could happen.

Mind you I don't know if he can ever kick longer?

I don't think kicking length is an issue, I think it's the habit of hacking the ball forward indiscriminately. We ran this as a deliberate 'forward at all costs' strategy for years, they'd kick forward even when facing the opposite direction with bail out handballs available. Matt Crouch has shown he can rise above it, Sloane retired doing it and Laird was still doing it last year when he was in the stoppage. I don't rate Nicks to the extent I think he's capable of coaching a premiership, but I do think he's worked out that blindly hacking forward from the contest will not yield positive outcomes.

 

[SellarStardom]

Laird should be fired up, his place in the team is in question.

Midfield - Crouch is better as extractor, uses the ball far better. Dawson, Soligo, Rankine in midfield along with cameos of Berry, Rachelle, Taylor and pick 4 all point to Laird having limited role.

HB - he and Smith have serious competition from Hinge, Cumming, Max, Nankervis and then there is Jones, Ryan, Milera.

He should be bench with time in SANFL if the side is progressing in 2025

 

[WeeBlake]

Laird should be fired up, his place in the team is in question.

Midfield - Crouch is better as extractor, uses the ball far better. Dawson, Soligo, Rankine in midfield along with cameos of Berry, Rachelle, Taylor and pick 4 all point to Laird having limited role.

HB - he and Smith have serious competition from Hinge, Cumming, Max, Nankervis and then there is Jones, Ryan, Milera.

He should be bench with time in SANFL if the side is progressing in 2025

And Peatling

 

[DJ75]

Laird should be fired up, his place in the team is in question.

Midfield - Crouch is better as extractor, uses the ball far better. Dawson, Soligo, Rankine in midfield along with cameos of Berry, Rachelle, Taylor and pick 4 all point to Laird having limited role.

HB - he and Smith have serious competition from Hinge, Cumming, Max, Nankervis and then there is Jones, Ryan, Milera.

He should be bench with time in SANFL if the side is progressing in 2025

I actually think we won't be a real contender until we move on from Crouch.
Yes he has value and is has a remarkable talent at getting his hands on the ball, but his role on the team is really limited. He's midfield or bench. there is nothing else he can do and I think it limits us. If we can find a replacement that can cover most of what he offers, while also being more flexible, it will do wonders for the team.

 

[Cap]

I don't think kicking length is an issue, I think it's the habit of hacking the ball forward indiscriminately. We ran this as a deliberate 'forward at all costs' strategy for years, they'd kick forward even when facing the opposite direction with bail out handballs available. Matt Crouch has shown he can rise above it, Sloane retired doing it and Laird was still doing it last year when he was in the stoppage. I don't rate Nicks to the extent I think he's capable of coaching a premiership, but I do think he's worked out that blindly hacking forward from the contest will not yield positive outcomes.

Yep that it true, he also does the higher than longer kicks which makes it all just a bit worse.

I'm not convinced on Nicks either, I'm also not as confident he will have Laird under control, but given we have no choice here, I'll back them both in.

 

[bigman]

No training at west Lakes today in morning at least. Not sure where the boys are

 

[ABAB]

I actually think we won't be a real contender until we move on from Crouch.
Yes he has value and is has a remarkable talent at getting his hands on the ball, but his role on the team is really limited. He's midfield or bench. there is nothing else he can do and I think it limits us. If we can find a replacement that can cover most of what he offers, while also being more flexible, it will do wonders for the team.

You need an extractor in the midfield, Crouch is clean by hand and has a very strong core so he can stand up when tackle and extract a handball to someone free. Sydney made a play for Crouch and would have been very handy in the Grand Final, Berry is similar but was unusually very fumble this year.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

You need an extractor in the midfield, Crouch is clean by hand and has a very strong core so he can stand up when tackle and extract a handball to someone free. Sydney made a play for Crouch and would have been very handy in the Grand Final, Berry is similar but was unusually very fumble this year.

Yeah Crouch is quality so long as we have different types around him.

However Laird must be moved out of the midfield or we are going nowhere.