Bigman’s Training Reports

[bigman]

The lack of stoppage work for a new midfield kick seems rather odd

Should clarify, there were some boundary throw ins but no centre bounces. Most of the time the play started with an intercept or loose ball kicked by the coach. Even when a player was wrapped up the coach would usually call a free kick to keep the play moving.

The few stoppages there were, Draper didn’t really attend (he spent some time on the bench as well).

It was also his first session for a while as both him and Welsh were in Melbourne last week. I’d expect to see him more involved on Wednesday.

 

[cleanhands]

Probably something a little less obvious

Jones is set for huge season

 

[FR0GGY]

Jones is set for huge season

Don’t lose faith my man!

 

[cleanhands]

Don’t lose faith my man!

I am loyal

 

[FR0GGY]

I am loyal

You are and I hope you’re rewarded for it!

 

[bigman]

As always, huge thanks Bigman for the training reports.

How much CBA work have we done this pre-season?

Is there any difference this year compared to previous years in the amount of our centre square work?

Competitive stoppage work has generally leaned towards the around the ground forms (ball ups, throw ins) rather than centre bounce.

At the end of each session they do often practice their set ups and mixes in the centre however.

In general it feels like there has been more drills this summer focussing on specific skills and areas of the ground, and as such less match sim.

So far we’ve really only had two true match simulations - the other Friday at Norwood and last Wednesday. Last pre season we were doing a lot more of them including before Christmas, with umpires and all.

There’s definitely been a change to delay them closer to the start of the season, potentially a Murray Davis initiative.

 

[1970crow]

Only problem with that the article was published online well before the Big fella posted on here.

Booo, facts.

 

[George Kramer]

Should clarify, there were some boundary throw ins but no centre bounces. Most of the time the play started with an intercept or loose ball kicked by the coach. Even when a player was wrapped up the coach would usually call a free kick to keep the play moving.

The few stoppages there were, Draper didn’t really attend (he spent some time on the bench as well).

It was also his first session for a while as both him and Welsh were in Melbourne last week. I’d expect to see him more involved on Wednesday.

Yeah that’s what they did for the first half of the Norwood match sim. Also going by some of your other reports where there hasn’t been a focus on centre clearances. Doesn’t make much sense to me to not focus on a key part of the game.

It’s like we are over compensating for our slow stupid gameplan from last preseason and we are focusing on moving the ball. Time will tell if they’ve got it right.

 

[maxlilly]

A fair chunk of training involved the players being split into groups of four and rotating between drills in each quadrant of the ground. They were:

• A handball drill focussing on moving the ball by hand through traffic under pressure
• A drill focussing on getting numbers to an aerial contest to provide a front and centre
• A kicking drill from deep defence with the other team trying to lock it in
• A kicking drill focussing on hitting the leading forward inside 50 when 60-70m out from goal

Following this, they then split into their lines (defenders, mids and forwards) to work on their craft before forming two teams for about 20 minutes of match sim.

As has been the case this summer, it was clearly a case of A vs B. I couldn’t take down the exact lineups but the groups were as follows:

Blue - Keays, Crouch, Curtin, Thilthorpe, Rachele, Murray, Dawson, Soligo, Michalanney, Hinge, Rankine, Peatling, Neal-Bullen, Laird, Milera, Fogarty, Sholl, O’Brien, Keane

White - Jones, Berry, Murphy, Pedlar, Edwards, Cook, Taylor, Burgess, Ryan, Schoenberg, Dowling, Smith, Draper, Borlase, Gallagher, Drury, T. Murray, Bond, Butts, Cumming

Tex didn’t participate while Welsh was doing bike and strength work on the sidelines. Wouldn’t look too much into Cumming playing for the B’s, he’s still working his way back into it.

Not too many surprises with positions. Tex out meant Curtin played solely forward and he was decent, kicking two goals. Cumming spent a fair bit of time at half back. Can’t judge CBAs as there were none - only around the ground stoppages.

Dawson and Peatling stood out through the midfield while Thilthorpe and Rachele were the most dominant forwards. The white team actually had some good moments though - Cook kicked two goals and I thought Edwards provided some good drive off half back which was pleasing to see.

I like that we are focusing on a couple of these drills.
It's a few areas where we need to improve, especially getting front and centre of a marking contest

Thanks for finding your way down to Richmond for the report, Legend

 

[cleanhands]

I like that we are focusing on a couple of these drills.
It's a few areas where we need to improve, especially getting front and centre of a marking contest

Thanks for finding your way down to Richmond for the report, Legend

Also defenders not let he ball over the back in a pack marking contest

 

[spenze]

Also defenders not let he ball over the back in a pack marking contest

But that's how we get to practice our CBAs in matches

 

[cleanhands]

But that's how we get to practice our CBAs in matches

 

[Apsaalooke]

What if Bigman is Simeon?

Could be. Has anyone ever seen both of them in the same room?

 

[1970crow]

I like that we are focusing on a couple of these drills.
It's a few areas where we need to improve, especially getting front and centre of a marking contest

Thanks for finding your way down to Richmond for the report, Legend

It’s a good sign and potentially means that we’ve realised we can’t rely on going forward with precision, something Cats eventually worked out. Just need it to be quick and to advantage of our target and get numbers there.

 

[dogs105]

Jones is set for huge season

I hope so. Was a big improver before his foot injury

 

[cleanhands]

I hope so. Was a big improver before his foot injury

We won’t get much support

 

[Jeffcrowe]

We won’t get much support

Won’t be that easy for him to get in the side but confident he can play a good role in when he does

 

[cleanhands]

Could be. Has anyone ever seen both of them in the same room?

 

[Apsaalooke]

Nope, they're totally different people

 

[Slime Roy]

Didn’t touch it much in match sim but he spent some time on the bench, plus it was only the 20 minutes without any stoppages where he excels.

Still think he is a chance for round one, maybe as a sub however. Will be easier to gauge over the next few weeks now that he isn’t being managed nearly as much.

I could be wrong but I thought there was an understanding, you don't debut a player in the vest??

 

[1970crow]

We won’t get much support

I started wavering when he was getting single digits in the SANFL midfield, but I never lost hope. I’m quietly confident we’ll see 2023 performance level again. There’s a bunch vying for the last 2-3 spots in the 23 though. Not sure there’s much margin for error, wouldn’t want to take too long to get up and going.

 

[OldCrowBloke]

Could be. Has anyone ever seen both of them in the same room?

Is Simeon a mild-mannered reporter who wears thick glasses?

 

[Floating Doughnut]

I could be wrong but I thought there was an understanding, you don't debut a player in the vest??

A little bit wrong.

Of last years 67 debutants 18 were started as sub.

 

[Floating Doughnut]

Appreciate what we have in bigman giving Quality reports on Crows training
please give the first three minutes of this pod a listen for his deserved kudos and acknowledgment.
Great for the Big Footy Adelaide Board.
He is now regarded as the go to in the 150,000 strong SuperCoach community on the Crows
since his reports were pushed last year and getting rave reviews for his work.

 

[Mr_Moogle]

I hope this year the team can repay Bigmans efforts by actually being good. It sucks to get hyped by his reports every year only to realise the team is still shit and only looks good when it's training against itself.