Training Pre season training

[akaifu]

Misson says a lot of things to fill the air. Looking at him, he's smaller than Wilkie. That's not big enough to play on the types Battle did.

Wilkie is also smaller than Carlisle...has been a pretty solid upgrade

Defensive craft outweighs height. Miles Bergman is 189cm yet he can play on talls because he knows the craft

 

[Armoooo]

Now Leppa is an absolute w***er. Shit bloke

He went to my primary school (a few years before I got there).

Apparently he was the only person to ever be banned from the after school program until I came along to carry on his proud legacy.

 

[BrutThough]

Wilkie is also smaller than Carlisle...has been a pretty solid upgrade

Defensive craft outweighs height. Miles Bergman is 189cm yet he can play on talls because he knows the craft

Key forwards would be laughing if he lined up against them.

Wilkie is the exception, not the rule. Someone even shorter than him would need off the charts defensive craft. At some point, height of a KPP does indeed matter.

 

[Barrels]

Anyone know why was wearing #46 today?

Probably cos the other numbers were taken, I’d wager.

 

[BrutThough]

Probably cos the other numbers were taken, I’d wager.

Sorry, that was a typo. I meant to ask who was wearing it.

 

[Barrels]

Do you reckon Gus is a Webster or Battle replacement?

Slower than Webster, smaller than Battle.

He’s a totally different beast.

Not sure where he fits, which sucks cos he can football.

 

[akaifu]

Key forwards would be laughing if he lined up against them.

Wilkie is the exception, not the rule. Someone even shorter than him would need off the charts defensive craft. At some point, height of a KPP does indeed matter.

If Wilkie is the exception then what is Bergman?

 

[Armoooo]

If Wilkie is the exception then what is Bergman?

Bergman is more a Dylan Roberton type isn't he, gets most value out of his offensive work. Definitely wouldn't compare him to Wilkie as a stopper.

 

[akaifu]

Slower than Webster, smaller than Battle.

He’s a totally different beast.

Not sure where he fits, which sucks cos he can football.

Agreed, I fear this lack of clarity around his role might mean he's in a bit of trouble if the likes of Hastie O'Connell Barrat etc come on the way we expect them to. I still think he's more a Webster replacement though - likened to Starcevich who has similar strengths and weaknesses

A wild way thing to consider is...can he play as a third tall forward ? His overhead marking is really good and he reads the play pretty well...might be something worth trying next year if it comes to it

 

[Barrels]

Anyone know who* was wearing #46 today? Was playing a wing role in some of the drills.

Looked impressive in some of that group work - good size, good skills, made good decisions. Was also put in a group with mostly best 22 types and looked like he belonged. We might finally have someone decent on Sandy's list.

Probably the kid from Old Brighton who just signed with Sandy.

 

[akaifu]

Bergman is more a Dylan Roberton type isn't he, gets most value out of his offensive work. Definitely wouldn't compare him to Wilkie as a stopper.

It's a fair call but I think if you ask any Port people, they'll label him as a defensive-minded player

I definitely think Bergman is more lockdown than Roberton but I understand either perspective given he's so well-rounded as a footballer

 

[Armoooo]

It's a fair call but I think if you ask any Port people, they'll label him as a defensive-minded player

I definitely think Bergman is more lockdown than Roberton but I understand either perspective given he's so well-rounded as a footballer

He really is a class player. I watched a bit of port this year because I had JHF in a fantasy team and the amount of times I'd be really impressed by one of his plays, only to then realise it was actually Bergman was beyond infuriating.

Could definitely see him being an AA calibre player in the near future. I remember saints were really keen on him when he was a nobody, shame we couldn't snag him before he broke out.

 

[BrutThough]

If Wilkie is the exception then what is Bergman?

Bergman might occasionally play on a tall but he's not playing on key forwards the way Battle did.

 

[akaifu]

He really is a class player. I watched a bit of port this year because I had JHF in a fantasy team and the amount of times I'd be really impressed by one of his plays, only to then realise it was actually Bergman was beyond infuriating.

Could definitely see him being an AA calibre player in the near future. I remember saints were really keen on him when he was a nobody, shame we couldn't snag him before he broke out.

I remember his first season he played on a wing and he went berserk as a fantasy rookie. Loves a mark and is a hard worker. But once Port's stars started blossoming between the arcs, they moulded him into the role player he is today. I'd assume Trent McKenzie was a massive influence on him since he was a pretty good undersized tall defender himself

If we could somehow get Bergman this year or next, that's our Webster replacement sorted for the next decade. The below article sounds pretty promising. Additionally, we were very keen at the start of 2023 before he re-signed. Problem is Port would probably demand Nas in return

Port Adelaide defender "a watch" amid rumoured desire to return home: AFL trade news

"I think he is very keen to get back to Victoria."

www.zerohanger.com

 

[The Cobra]

Bergman might occasionally play on a tall but he's not playing on key forwards the way Battle did.

Battle is a real loss but I’m confident that RTB/Boris/Rivers have already worked out Plan A & B re his replacement and reconfiguring the backline

 

[SteeleSaints]

Anybody who wins a Magarey Medal in the SANFL has football ability

Very true but that form doesn't always translate to the next level, I have serious reservations regarding Boyd. If he is just going to be a list filler, I would rather look elsewhere.

Having another ruckman who can't play on the same side as Marshall is just going to stifle Heath, Keeler & Dodson's development.

It's a rubbish move, IMO.

 

[akaifu]

Bergman might occasionally play on a tall but he's not playing on key forwards the way Battle did.

Bergman's predominant opponents in games at various points throughout the season were Aaron Cadman, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, Jack Lukosius, Bailey Fritsch

So basically the more mobile key forwards that you can shift under the ball in 1v1s rather than having to try to muscle them

 

[snails13]

Very true but it doesnt always translate to the next level, I have serious reservations regarding Boyd.

I will back our list Management crew..
Cal Wilkie(Mature Age Rookie Selection,)Cooper Sharman (Mature Age MSD) Jack Hayes( Mature Age SSP) until injured were selected from SA and are/have performed at the highest level

 

[The Cobra]

Very true but that form doesn't always translate to the next level, I have serious reservations regarding Boyd. If he is just going to be a list filler, I would rather look elsewhere.

Having another ruckman who can't play on the same side as Marshall is just going to stifle Heath, Keeler & Dodson's development.

It's a rubbish move, IMO.

I hear you but:

Heath - the jury is out - shown some more promising signs but no way I’d be confident he will be an AFL player - Ro & Campbell both monstered him at training for years - 4th pre season I think (?)

Keeler - will never be a ruckman but hopefully can pinch hit - coming into his 3rd pre season but still yet to play a game despite having talent - jury is out again

Dodson - 18 yo - hopefully we have something but who knows - just speculative and needs physical/fitness and footy development

Maybe Boyd can fill a hole / provide insurance for a season or 2 if Ro is injured or flexibility if they want to push him forward

 

[BrutThough]

Bergman's predominant opponents in games at various points throughout the season were Aaron Cadman, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, Jack Lukosius, Bailey Fritsch

So basically the more mobile key forwards that you can shift under the ball in 1v1s rather than having to try to muscle them

That's still different than the role Battle played for us. And McLennan isnt particularly athletic either so I dont think him playing him as an undersized defender on more athletic talls would be ideal either.

 

[Diehard Saint]

Cramp x2

Phew

 

[_Maximus_12]

can see Boyd plugging a hole for two years and playing a handful of games before one of Keeler, Dodson & Heath are ready.

Keeler projects as a list changer for us. If he comes on quickly, what do we do with Ro? If he doesn’t, we need a ruck/fwd desperately and need a Dodson/Heath to come on.

If we can find the role players we want within our current list it leaves us in a better position to load up on needs

 

[JimmyR20]

Not sure why Barrat needs to be any bigger?

He is a centimetre taller than Battle.

Howard takes the opposition #1 key forward
Wilkie the #2
Barrat the #3


Will Barrat from day 1 be as good as Battle, no.

Long term let's wait and see.

Regardless if he gets 80% of the way there in 3 years time and costs us less salary (allowing us to recruit free agents of our own) then we've done well.

 

[tomjoad]

He went to my primary school (a few years before I got there).

Apparently he was the only person to ever be banned from the after school program until I came along to carry on his proud legacy.

Respect brother

 

[jwint43]

Even Dow, Jones and Clark have upside if they can stay fit. Dow is no world beater but he hasn't looked as good as the player he was at Carlton so far. Don't think HC has had a decent injury run in 5 years and Jones showed that he still has something about him late in the season.

Just getting a fit King and Butler would be a significant improvement.

Clark quietly had a very strong finish to last year. He's not the shiny new toy anymore so it flew under the radar but it was his most consistent patch of footy in quite some time. What he does in and under is very unique and is a real point of difference, and if he can stay fit it makes our midfield much better. I think he is best 22 at full fitness.

On a side note, we need to be realistic with expectations in terms of youngsters improving. Not everyone improves in a linear manner year on year. Everyone was extremely bullish on our younger players going into last season but it was a good reminder that you can't just guarentee natural improvement from everyone.

King got hurt, Windy stalled somewhat, Owens stalled and Pou regressed early before working hard to improve in the final 3rd of the season. NAS was fantastic. Thats 3/5 players that most had pencileld in as natural improvers who had average seasons. It can happen where your core young players all take a step at the same time but you need injury luck and good timing.