Training Pre-Season 2023 (First game 18/3 v North)

[Yeahnahmate]

Still managed 57 inside 50s for the match against the Bulldogs' 63.

Kangaroos undone decisively from stoppage in that match - hardly our strong point.


If Naitanui and Darling are still missing I feel things could start getting ugly here very quickly.

6 less i50’s and went down by 10 goals, not really the sharpest side are they? I’m not in the slightest worried about North. We are going to spank them R1

 

[Yeahnahmate]

This isn’t as off the mark as you think - Similarly to Paul, TK is a primadonna who is mostly concerned with himself and Gaffy much like Ringo is the one everyone says is their least favourite and is the most widely disrespected

 

[CoastersFlag No.5]

Still managed 57 inside 50s for the match against the Bulldogs' 63.

Kangaroos undone decisively from stoppage in that match - hardly our strong point.


If Naitanui and Darling are still missing I feel things could start getting ugly here very quickly.

Yeah we need NicNat and Darling to be in the team for most of the year for us to be competitive. Still we haven't been wiped out by injury like last year so far.

 

[Dark Sharks]

Not sure why they superimposed a fake wig onto Gaff when his actual hair looks just like that.

 

[Avalor]

'We definitely look different': Eagles eyeing new era

West Coast coach Adam Simpson speaks to AFL.com.au's Nathan Schmook about the Eagles' playing style ahead of 2023

www.westcoasteagles.com.au

Some interesting bits

"We started to head down a different track with style of play last year, but it's just hard to get any evidence or buy-in on what we were doing because of availability," Simpson told AFL.com.au.

Simpson said handing more responsibility to his assistants this pre-season and drawing heavily on their knowledge was important as the Eagles try to execute better tactically.

The coach also got his team into a match simulation phase earlier, rather than breaking down and rebuilding the game style in the classroom first.

"We get in for a couple of weeks pre-Christmas … so maybe four sessions, and then suddenly it's January 13," Simpson said.

"So it was less breaking the game down and more get out and play and have a few philosophies around that. That's probably the change I took as a coach.

"And using the assistants a bit more. You do have your way of doing things when you haven't moved around a lot, so actually giving some opportunity for those guys to grow.

"Jarrad Schofield took over the training planning and the drills and all that stuff. So it looked different, which was great. Coming from Port, they've traditionally been a very good transition side, so some of those things we did."

Does anyone know if Matthew Knights is back at the club yet, back as an assistant coach?

 

[Keys]

Does anyone know if Matthew Knights is back at the club yet, back as an assistant coach?

He’s been back at the club for a while. First noticed him back at training February 1

 

[Nuffington Post]

Rotham out for 4-6 weeks




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[bUCKET__]

Noah Long has a decent leap, could make a great backup ruck.

 

[Kegs15]

This feels more right. Balance restored to the universe and all that.

 

[RookiePick]

Injuries starting to stack up.

le sigh.

 

[CursoryMercenary]

Rotham out for 4-6 weeks




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****ing fantastic....

I really rate Rotham, we will miss him.

 

[Dark Sharks]

Injuries starting to stack up.

le sigh.

Time to fold?


Let's be real, it's 33yr old Naitanui < Shock horror.

Rotham < Not B22 anyway.

Jack Williams < Would be handy if fit, but not B22 either.

Bailey Williams < Will be a test this week, but would be a welcome addition over Jamieson IMO.


Darling out is the one that really hurts.

 

[bh90210fan]

I’d be happy with just Bailey or Harry Edwards fit for round 1 so it meant Allen didn’t get monstered on his own up front and we could have a big body to help out Jamieson in the ruck.

 

[WCE_phil]

I really do wonder if with a couple of preseasons if we could turn Harry Edwards into a serviceable second ruck. Play two tall defenders and he can second ruck and be a great defensive option as a ruck as well.

Would allow 4 genuine smalls in the back at all times with Hough potentially being the third tall / mid size type ala Sheppard. One lock down small and then 2 run / kick / carry smalls.

The other huge advantage of it, is it provides at least a 204cm body as your second ruck who has no issues with the physical side of the game and if he's not playing as the leading man in defence it means his slight lack of athleticism against the modern generation of super tall athletic forwards isn't a disaster.

It does mean going forwards we are absolutely 1 Key defender short on the list and we need to find one who is 197+ cms, athletic and strong enough to keep up with the next generation of tall forwards.

If Dan Curtain incredibly talented as he is does perform much more strongly as a defender than a forward this year and does grow a couple of centimetres would people melt in using say pick 4 on a KPD. Even if he is the most talented tall in the open draft. Every player we draft we need to think of that as a midfieldler they are at least 3 years away from winning their position on field, every tall at least 4 years and every ruck at least 5 years.

5 years from now Barrass is 32 turning 33. Oscar is 29 at the start of said season etc. We're placing a lot of hope in Jack Williams coming along as a serviceable player and being a seriously better option than say Mcinnes was. If he can be even a serviceable FF then we have some hope there but we do still need another tall forward target.

I know people have high hopes for Hough and Chesser as mids and on the wing but until they prove that in my mind they are more likely half backs (which i personally have no issue with) It just means we are still really short on young midfield prospects.

 

[WCErevival]

I really do wonder if with a couple of preseasons if we could turn Harry Edwards into a serviceable second ruck. Play two tall defenders and he can second ruck and be a great defensive option as a ruck as well.

Would allow 4 genuine smalls in the back at all times with Hough potentially being the third tall / mid size type ala Sheppard. One lock down small and then 2 run / kick / carry smalls.

The other huge advantage of it, is it provides at least a 204cm body as your second ruck who has no issues with the physical side of the game and if he's not playing as the leading man in defence it means his slight lack of athleticism against the modern generation of super tall athletic forwards isn't a disaster.

It does mean going forwards we are absolutely 1 Key defender short on the list and we need to find one who is 197+ cms, athletic and strong enough to keep up with the next generation of tall forwards.

If Dan Curtain incredibly talented as he is does perform much more strongly as a defender than a forward this year and does grow a couple of centimetres would people melt in using say pick 4 on a KPD. Even if he is the most talented tall in the open draft. Every player we draft we need to think of that as a midfieldler they are at least 3 years away from winning their position on field, every tall at least 4 years and every ruck at least 5 years.

5 years from now Barrass is 32 turning 33. Oscar is 29 at the start of said season etc. We're placing a lot of hope in Jack Williams coming along as a serviceable player and being a seriously better option than say Mcinnes was. If he can be even a serviceable FF then we have some hope there but we do still need another tall forward target.

I know people have high hopes for Hough and Chesser as mids and on the wing but until they prove that in my mind they are more likely half backs (which i personally have no issue with) It just means we are still really short on young midfield prospects.

Interestingly WCE have revised Hedwards height to 200cm.

 

[Dylan82]

Clark to play as second ruck then.

Probably have more impact there than on the wing anyway.

 

[Rowan18]

Gov to ruck and Edwards plays as a lock down tall defender. Gov can also rest back when not rucking.

 

[Kegs15]

I really do wonder if with a couple of preseasons if we could turn Harry Edwards into a serviceable second ruck. Play two tall defenders and he can second ruck and be a great defensive option as a ruck as well.

Would allow 4 genuine smalls in the back at all times with Hough potentially being the third tall / mid size type ala Sheppard. One lock down small and then 2 run / kick / carry smalls.

The other huge advantage of it, is it provides at least a 204cm body as your second ruck who has no issues with the physical side of the game and if he's not playing as the leading man in defence it means his slight lack of athleticism against the modern generation of super tall athletic forwards isn't a disaster.

It does mean going forwards we are absolutely 1 Key defender short on the list and we need to find one who is 197+ cms, athletic and strong enough to keep up with the next generation of tall forwards.

If Dan Curtain incredibly talented as he is does perform much more strongly as a defender than a forward this year and does grow a couple of centimetres would people melt in using say pick 4 on a KPD. Even if he is the most talented tall in the open draft. Every player we draft we need to think of that as a midfieldler they are at least 3 years away from winning their position on field, every tall at least 4 years and every ruck at least 5 years.

5 years from now Barrass is 32 turning 33. Oscar is 29 at the start of said season etc. We're placing a lot of hope in Jack Williams coming along as a serviceable player and being a seriously better option than say Mcinnes was. If he can be even a serviceable FF then we have some hope there but we do still need another tall forward target.

I know people have high hopes for Hough and Chesser as mids and on the wing but until they prove that in my mind they are more likely half backs (which i personally have no issue with) It just means we are still really short on young midfield prospects.

I absolutely agree with all of this (except have higher hopes maybe for Chesser as a permanent wing, reckon his combination of speed and endurance will be more valuable in transition up the ground than being forced to defend kicks into the D50).

Would love if HEdwards can pull that off, and I think we're seeing a bit of a shift with how Gawn gets used to 2nd rucks that rest playing behind the ball as opposed to forward. You need so much nous to be a truly dangerous forward as a ruck, as a tall back (which he plays as anyway) can focus on beating your man first and foremost. He'd be a really good option defending opposition rucks who go forward, think he'd match up really well on a Grundy/Lobb/Cox/McInerney type who would usually be used to outsizing their opponents and like Edwards not be overly quick on the lead. Would allow a McGovern/Barrass/potentially Curtain down the track to either focus on the truly dangerous forwards or get loose to intercept without worrying about another tall forward.

Would then as you say allow us to have a bit more flexibility with our forwards and not going in too tall. I feel more comfortable with forward lines made up of true forwards with forward brains - I like Williams in the ruck more than some on here but as a forward feels like he's not the most high percentage option to deliver a long ball to, especially if we're still having low I50 counts. Might get better value if it's always one of Oscar or Darling (or JWilliams if he comes on) and an extra small like a Long at their feet, feel like they're smart enough to get it to ground if they won't outright win it, as opposed to a lot of ruck/fwds (Williams) who if they don't win it are completely out of the contest.

Don't see it happening much this season, feel like they'll just want to pump games into Williams and Jamo which makes sense. But need games into HEdwards as well and I don't quite see him fitting into the side if him, Gov and Barrass are all playing as pure key defenders.

In your opinion are there some decent enough mids or small forwards later in the draft to feel safe with taking Curtain with our first? (If he's around of course). I really like the sound of him and think we need to invest in some talls for the future sooner rather than later, but still think we need to keep turning over some smalls and get some more decent depth/B graders coming through to replace our C listers. Am not really across the prospects outside the current top end, anyone you'd have your eye on?

 

[Dark Sharks]

Gov to ruck and Edwards plays as a lock down tall defender. Gov can also rest back when not rucking.

Agree with McGovern rucking, but I'm not sure how much "rest" you can actually get playing as a lockdown KPD.

 

[Cuzz09]

Barnett hopefully will be up n going by a couple of years time.

I reckon we chuck Gov chf v nm and watch him lead the Coleman after rd1

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[Rowan18]

Agree with McGovern rucking, but I'm not sure how much "rest" you can actually get playing as a lockdown KPD.

Good point. I meant more in the sense of a second role to help manage rotations when we end up with him needing to be on the ground but not in the ruck (as the second ruck is taking that duty).

 

[WCE_phil]

I absolutely agree with all of this (except have higher hopes maybe for Chesser as a permanent wing, reckon his combination of speed and endurance will be more valuable in transition up the ground than being forced to defend kicks into the D50).

Would love if HEdwards can pull that off, and I think we're seeing a bit of a shift with how Gawn gets used to 2nd rucks that rest playing behind the ball as opposed to forward. You need so much nous to be a truly dangerous forward as a ruck, as a tall back (which he plays as anyway) can focus on beating your man first and foremost. He'd be a really good option defending opposition rucks who go forward, think he'd match up really well on a Grundy/Lobb/Cox/McInerney type who would usually be used to outsizing their opponents and like Edwards not be overly quick on the lead. Would allow a McGovern/Barrass/potentially Curtain down the track to either focus on the truly dangerous forwards or get loose to intercept without worrying about another tall forward.

Would then as you say allow us to have a bit more flexibility with our forwards and not going in too tall. I feel more comfortable with forward lines made up of true forwards with forward brains - I like Williams in the ruck more than some on here but as a forward feels like he's not the most high percentage option to deliver a long ball to, especially if we're still having low I50 counts. Might get better value if it's always one of Oscar or Darling (or JWilliams if he comes on) and an extra small like a Long at their feet, feel like they're smart enough to get it to ground if they won't outright win it, as opposed to a lot of ruck/fwds (Williams) who if they don't win it are completely out of the contest.

Don't see it happening much this season, feel like they'll just want to pump games into Williams and Jamo which makes sense. But need games into HEdwards as well and I don't quite see him fitting into the side if him, Gov and Barrass are all playing as pure key defenders.

In your opinion are there some decent enough mids or small forwards later in the draft to feel safe with taking Curtain with our first? (If he's around of course). I really like the sound of him and think we need to invest in some talls for the future sooner rather than later, but still think we need to keep turning over some smalls and get some more decent depth/B graders coming through to replace our C listers. Am not really across the prospects outside the current top end, anyone you'd have your eye on?

There are a couple of great small forward options (one however is very, very small) as well as quite a few goal kicking HFF types. If those progress through the system this year and spend a lot of time in the midfield they will be out of reach of our second pick.

There is some significant quality this year in Key forwards and Rucks in particular. It's seems to be a much more balanced draft this year with quality across all types of players at this stage. My true hope for our draft hand rests on a couple of things. If port finish low enough and we finish low enough we may actually be able to pick up gold coasts first round pick this year and next. Now lets say we finish stone cold and finish 17th and say GC finish 14th. Gold coast will pay an absolute premium to get a pick in before someone bids on Jed Walter and Ethan Reid. Walter is one of those absolutely outstanding talents and at this stage probably sits at pick 2/3. However strong seasons from Moir and Duursma in particular could see them shoot ahead. With Gold Coast certain to take the player considered the best key forward and the player most likely considered the second or third best ruck option at this stage that pick 2 is never going to be a tall.

Now people will always go well you are giving up a potential champion by Downgrading and will likely want to shoot me but i feel there are 5/6 genuine absolute top tier talents this year at least. By trading down from pick 2 to pick 5 plus our ports second round pick, our 2024 second and both our third rounds picks round pick we could pick up pick 5, a likely top 10 pick next year and Mac Andrew. It would also continue to allow us to spread the load of having multiple first round picks in 3 consecutive drafts. It would also give us that super athletic Key Defender who can match up on the next generation of forwards whilst retaining what I consider to be valuable third round picks this year which will come in live pick wise due to there being so many players tied to clubs already. GC won't want to go into points deficit and do have more targets next year so a very early second next year would also be hugely valuable to them.

If you've already picked up a former pick 5 (he wouldn't have gone there if people didn't see his huge leap, talent and think he could make it as a tall forward so his value has lowered) as our final Key defender of the rebuild (who then already has two years in the AFL system) We could then look at other options.

It would still leave us with Pick 5, pick 20, GC first next year (which I would then try and bring it into this draft through most likely the Dogs, GWS or North) Lets say it's pick 10-12.

Pick up Zane Duursma, Archer Reid and then either Riley Hardeman or Koltyn Tholstrup (or Nick Watson if we are really chasing a whilst undersized, super classy small forward). It gives us the best/second best HF/Mid ,second or third best Key Forward prospect in the draft and another either potential top 10 on list Mid or HF. Oh and we've already pocketed our 201 cm key defender. So you pick up a 201cm Key forward, a 201cm key defender, a 188-190cm HF/Mid with exceptional footskills, lead up, evasive ability, speed and one touch pick ups and then there is either of Tholstrup or Hardeman depending on whether you want more of a HF or more of a Mid.

Of the WA players Curtain at this stage looks a top 3-4 pick, Edwards is looking 8-15 and Tholstrup and Hardeman are looking in my mind around 15-25 after both dropping a touch down draft boards this year while Edwards has rocketed up and Curtain is sitting basically where he has been at in regards to his peers for the last 12+ months. Koen Sanchez it all depends on the year and could rocket up the draft boards late as high as just outside the top 10 but could be around at 20-35 and although he is small he is ruthless, blisteringly quick, knows where the goals are whilst undersized has some amazing tricks up his sleeve.

Even dropping from 2 to say pick 5 Curtain could still be there.

 

[ronpingwins]

There are a couple of great small forward options (one however is very, very small) as well as quite a few goal kicking HFF types. If those progress through the system this year and spend a lot of time in the midfield they will be out of reach of our second pick.

There is some significant quality this year in Key forwards and Rucks in particular. It's seems to be a much more balanced draft this year with quality across all types of players at this stage. My true hope for our draft hand rests on a couple of things. If port finish low enough and we finish low enough we may actually be able to pick up gold coasts first round pick this year and next. Now lets say we finish stone cold and finish 17th and say GC finish 14th. Gold coast will pay an absolute premium to get a pick in before someone bids on Jed Walter and Ethan Reid. Walter is one of those absolutely outstanding talents and at this stage probably sits at pick 2/3. However strong seasons from Moir and Duursma in particular could see them shoot ahead. With Gold Coast certain to take the player considered the best key forward and the player most likely considered the second or third best ruck option at this stage that pick 2 is never going to be a tall.

Now people will always go well you are giving up a potential champion by Downgrading and will likely want to shoot me but i feel there are 5/6 genuine absolute top tier talents this year at least. By trading down from pick 2 to pick 5 plus our ports second round pick, our 2024 second and both our third rounds picks round pick we could pick up pick 5, a likely top 10 pick next year and Mac Andrew. It would also continue to allow us to spread the load of having multiple first round picks in 3 consecutive drafts. It would also give us that super athletic Key Defender who can match up on the next generation of forwards whilst retaining what I consider to be valuable third round picks this year which will come in live pick wise due to there being so many players tied to clubs already. GC won't want to go into points deficit and do have more targets next year so a very early second next year would also be hugely valuable to them.

If you've already picked up a former pick 5 (he wouldn't have gone there if people didn't see his huge leap, talent and think he could make it as a tall forward so his value has lowered) as our final Key defender of the rebuild (who then already has two years in the AFL system) We could then look at other options.

It would still leave us with Pick 5, pick 20, GC first next year (which I would then try and bring it into this draft through most likely the Dogs, GWS or North) Lets say it's pick 10-12.

Pick up Zane Duursma, Archer Reid and then either Riley Hardeman or Koltyn Tholstrup (or Nick Watson if we are really chasing a whilst undersized, super classy small forward). It gives us the best/second best HF/Mid ,second or third best Key Forward prospect in the draft and another either potential top 10 on list Mid or HF. Oh and we've already pocketed our 201 cm key defender. So you pick up a 201cm Key forward, a 201cm key defender, a 188-190cm HF/Mid with exceptional footskills, lead up, evasive ability, speed and one touch pick ups and then there is either of Tholstrup or Hardeman depending on whether you want more of a HF or more of a Mid.

Of the WA players Curtain at this stage looks a top 3-4 pick, Edwards is looking 8-15 and Tholstrup and Hardeman are looking in my mind around 15-25 after both dropping a touch down draft boards this year while Edwards has rocketed up and Curtain is sitting basically where he has been at in regards to his peers for the last 12+ months. Koen Sanchez it all depends on the year and could rocket up the draft boards late as high as just outside the top 10 but could be around at 20-35 and although he is small he is ruthless, blisteringly quick, knows where the goals are whilst undersized has some amazing tricks up his sleeve.

Even dropping from 2 to say pick 5 Curtain could still be there.

Way too early to call, but say we come last and Harley Reid performs through the year how we expect.. what would be the price to slide back? Thinking that North have Port’s first rounder too, if that’s inside 10, do you think they’d be desperate enough to offer say 3 and 8 for 1? Would we take it?

 

[Keys]

Way too early to call, but say we come last and Harley Reid performs through the year how we expect.. what would be the price to slide back? Thinking that North have Port’s first rounder too, if that’s inside 10, do you think they’d be desperate enough to offer say 3 and 8 for 1? Would we take it?

GWS gave up 3 and 12 (plus change) for Cadman.

I don’t think 3 and 8 would be enough for Reid if he plays to expectations this year

 

[CountryLad]

Way too early to call, but say we come last and Harley Reid performs through the year how we expect.. what would be the price to slide back? Thinking that North have Port’s first rounder too, if that’s inside 10, do you think they’d be desperate enough to offer say 3 and 8 for 1? Would we take it?

Early days so hard to say but if Harley is outstanding this year it would be a massive call to let him go if you had the opportunity to grab him.
Reid, Ginbey, Hewitt, Culley and Chesser with potentially other high recruits in the next few drafts (2024 & 25) could potentially set our midfield up for the next decade.