Training Pre season training

[busso_mick]

A fast Paul Couch? But better and will win more brownlows.

Jokes aside, there is someone but I can’t put my finger on it

Hugo reminds me of Jarrod Harbrow, ex Bulldog and Sun. Left footer, quick, good step, busy. Hugo's tackling is maybe a point of difference.

 

[FraserFridays]

In my mind he’s not a write off, but I’m not counting on anything, even his place in the 23. Two clubs have said that this is his year for 7 or 8 years. I find that players like that then have so many restraints (probably confidence or mental) and they never take off. Clark could be in the same boat. Both ruined by injuries and that’s often a big driver where you just never see their best footy.

Think he stayed at Carlton too long. They just didn't get the best out of him. We'll see next year.

 

[saintmike65]

Sorry I missed that. Has Crouch retired? I thought we just selected him on the rookie list

No doubt a contractual thing suiting both parties

 

[saintmike65]

I'm possibly way off the mark but what if he was delisted the same way Membrey was. I still think this quote has a hidden meaning.

"...we wish him well for the next opportunity in his career,” Carlton Head of List Management Nick Austin said.

To me that reads as if they were happy for him to continue his career elsewhere. He was probably after multiple years at more money than their cap could afford - so was done a favour.

I don't genuinely believe he was delisted because he wasn't good enough. I've only seen him twice at training, maybe three times, but I'm confident that he will be playing round 1 such is his impact already.

No, similar to Dow, Caroll was parked behind a few mids & they were bringing in another 2 in Jagger & Ben Camporeally

 

[gringo2011]

Nas is an interesting conundrum. I see him as pretty similar to Trent Alexander Arnold and how he plays at Liverpool.

Of course it's a very different sport, but their roles within their teams have strong similarities. They are both nominally defenders and (for now) best used behind the centre but with licence to be attacking, in fact depended upon to be a major attacking weapon. They are also occasionally a little unaccountable in the defence with a capital D; loose on their direct opponent, easier to get past, inconsistent at tracking back compared to other more meat and potatoes defenders.

Both teams are set up for this and the key backs - or CBs in Liverpool's case - know they will have to pick up the slack. In St Kilda's case luckily we have Wilkie to help out who is so accountable that he actually used to be an accountant, but just as with Liverpool, occasionally oppo coaches target their area as the most vulnerable and it sometimes pays off.

Both Nas and TAA have a unique remit that belies the traditional nature of their position; if you make him more dangerous you're essentially turning him into a midfielder and you'll need to bring on an extra defender or accept the extra vulnerability. If you make him more destructive and round his game out more, you're probably limiting how effective he can be as a weapon.

So do we really need "more" from Nas? What kind of "more"?

This isn't to say he can't possibly improve, he isn't the finished article yet, but it will be interesting to see if we keep using him in defence the way we have, or whether he'll eventually transition to the midfield fulltime. I think TAA was used more as a midfielder in Klopp's last year with mixed results, but there were other reasons for that and anyway they are two different players. I think it's worth a try, especially if we can get a decent replacement on that right HBF.

HB flank is essentially another wingman in today's footy. Wings are still part of the midfield brigade so there is some truth to the extra mid thing. Having Sinclair and Nas makes us really unique and much harder to match up on. Often when sides Get a good one and sides learn to sit on them and stop their rebound. Johanisen, Jetta etc.

I would rather keep him back, his distribution and creativity off HB is elite. If we can double it with Schoenmaker who has similar skill set but with more penetration it could be scary. The loss of Battle short term probably hurts a bit because he allowed Nas to peel off.

 

[gringo2011]

Hugo reminds me of Jarrod Harbrow, ex Bulldog and Sun. Left footer, quick, good step, busy. Hugo's tackling is maybe a point of difference.

I reckon he'll fill out a bit more than JH. Harbrow was a gun and very underrated so you'd take that. I see him more as a true inside extractor mid long term. Some of his movement in his draft year highlights looked like mini Bont.

 

[sammm]

Popped into training at Moorabbin this morning:

As mentioned previously, King, Windy, Wood & Stocker all in rehab group, joined later on by Caminiti. I also noticed that Byrnes didn't participate in drills and just run laps. Might be injured?

Marshall and McLellan both wore fluro caps. No tackling due to recovering from surgery.

The new recruits were watching from the boundary. It looked like Damien Carroll was explaining the drills to them so that when they're ready to join in, they have some idea of what to do.
I walked over to where they stood and I was shocked at how huge James Barrat is. He has an AFL ready body, quite surprising for someone so young (still only 17!). Boxshall is also a good size for a midfielder, and the comparisons with Jack Steele are spot on, although he'll need to fill out a little over the next couple of seasons.

Zane Cordy would have to have one of the most unusual kicking styles I've ver seen, but he rarely misses any targets (right or left foot).

Phillipou is the most determined and driven young guy I've seen since Roo. You can just see the sheer determination to be the best player in the comp. Like others have said, I think he could have a break out year. Similarly, Hugo Garcia is really impressive. He stands out at training and loves to be involved, and more often than not, he is. He and Pou will drive the rest of the young brigade and will set the standards for others to follow. Both Hugo & Pou command the ball and Pou in particualr is very loud and vocal and isn't afraid to give feedback. So mature beyond his age.

Lance Collard and Brad Hill are very tight, often seen laughing at each others jokes. I studied Collard particualrly closely as I'd been less than impressed with his previous efforts/attitude at training. In one passage of play he was guarding Steele and as the ball moved forward, Steele took off and ran towards the forward line (from half back). Collard took off after Steele a few yards behind but by the time the ball had entered the forward line, he'd well and truly burnt off Steele. This kid could either be anything or nothing. It's really up to him. He makes footy look easy - he just needs to be a little more focused and driven.

Brad Hill is the connector. He seems to be at the end of most handball chains and pumps the ball into the forward line. His explosive sprints are something to behold. He knows where and when to run and his team mates feed him the ball. Hill's leadership is under-rated. He's so well liked by his team mates, and sets such a great example for the younger group.

Others who stood out were Gus McLelland - he's actually got some quite nice kicking skills. He was often used to distribute the ball coming off half back, and I don't remember him missing any targets. The question for me is, where does he fit in to this side? Sincs and Nas have half back covered and there's a huge group of half backs that he would be competing with (Arie, Hastie, Irish, Travaglia, Tauru).
As mentioned by others, Keeler is ready to explode. He's been the most impressive so far this pre-season. For a guy who is 198cm he's going to be a nightmare to match up on. His skills in this morning's wet and slippery conditions were sublime. He was clunking marks which this time last year he was double-grabbing. I will be very surprised if he doesn't debut early next year.
Jack Carroll is a great acquisition - I actually think he'll play a lot of football this year. Unfortunately for him, Carlton's midfield is stacked and so he was pushed out, but I think Carlton will regret letting him go. A terrific ball user, with a sublime left foot. He may end up being the best of the group that we've picked up from Carlton (Stocker, Dow & Carroll).

Didn't spot RTB at all and it appeared as though Brendan Bolton ran training this morning.

Cheers.

What Brendan Bolton like? do you think he would be well liked by players and other coaches?

 

[sammm]

So do we think it's just Harry Boyd going to be trialling for a rookie spot?

Has anyone heard anything on Cole or Peckett? Trialling? Sandy for a year?

0n the sandringham thread, it says that Peckett is likely to join up https://www.bigfooty.com/forum/threads/2024-sandringham-zebras.1374513/page-132

 

[sammm]

Sorry I missed that. Has Crouch retired? I thought we just selected him on the rookie list

as far as I can tell he has not officially retired as yet. just talk

 

[sammm]

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Peckett expected to sign with Sandy along with Lachie Voss and Ned Maginness from Dragons.

Bytel and Allison off to Coburg. Curtis Taylor to Pies VFL

can Peckett get in for the 2025 draft as father son, or is father sone only a 1 year deal?

 

[Tommy Wigs]

Hugo reminds me of Jarrod Harbrow, ex Bulldog and Sun. Left footer, quick, good step, busy. Hugo's tackling is maybe a point of difference.

Much more contested than Harbrow to me.

 

[Armoooo]

Hugo reminds me of Jarrod Harbrow, ex Bulldog and Sun. Left footer, quick, good step, busy. Hugo's tackling is maybe a point of difference.

I know he's not playing anymore, but Hugo clean up Jordan Lewis the same way? Just for old times sake

 

[Imtellingya]

What Brendan Bolton like? do you think he would be well liked by players and other coaches?

From what I have observed so far Bolton is intense and very direct in his delivery. Gives immediate feedback, could easily get players offside. Would instil a sense of urgency. Seems to know his stuff though

 

[PostmanBish]

Personally, I have very low expectations of Darcy this year.

I would say the likelihood of him having “2nd year blues” to some extent is much higher than the likelihood of him going up another level or two.

Definitely a risk of the "sophomore slump" with any player, however I do think that Wilson's tank and running ability will allow him to contribute well even if he gets a little bit "figured out" by the oppo. It's a point of difference which is more in his control than the surprise factor of taking a few freakish hangers, for example.

Certainly looks like he's come back in fine form on the track, and provided he hasn't forgotten how to kick, handpass, or remember which end of the ground we're kicking to, I'm backing him to be solid, at worst.

 

[Ducky Tie]

Do we have any word on why our draftees didn't do the time trial? I notice that FOS did it for North. Interesting to see different approaches between clubs.

 

[FQFjt]

Do we have any word on why our draftees didn't do the time trial? I notice that FOS did it for North. Interesting to see different approaches between clubs.

And of course Darcy did it last year (and won).

 

[TheJackal]

Someone said that they didn't see Tauru at training, but this photo shows he was there. Check him and the two on the right watching Wilson! That's what's waiting for you boys!

Yeah Tauru was definitely there. After they watched the time trial the boys came out and watch main training tmfrom the sidelines. Alix came out a little later and stood under the marquee. He was most certainly there.

 

[BrutThough]

Do we have any word on why our draftees didn't do the time trial? I notice that FOS did it for North. Interesting to see different approaches between clubs.

Probably just easing them into it.

3km is also more than the other clubs and the u18s do so maybe that has something to do with it as well.

 

[TheJackal]

No, similar to Dow, Caroll was parked behind a few mids & they were bringing in another 2 in Jagger & Ben Camporeally

What do you mean, no? Dow was offered a crappy contract by Blues and they couldn't retain him. You really think they'd offer a couple of rookies train on positions before Jack based on his obvious talents? I'd suggest not.

It almost certainly was salary cap relief, much like Owies, Kennedy and Lewis Young who never left in the end.

 

[TheJackal]

Probably just easing them into it.

3km is also more than the other clubs and the u18s do so maybe that has something to do with it as well.

This. And we didn't draft one metro boy either. So 2 had to fly in and 3 came from the 'country'. Good to see them simply finding their feet on day 1.

 

[Tyrian Lonestar]

No doubt a contractual thing suiting both parties

Shrewd move to offload some $ from the SC and don't AFL pay half if he retires??

 

[kick it lace out]

What Brendan Bolton like? do you think he would be well liked by players and other coaches?

Not sure what he's like as a person, but RTB wouldn't have brought him in unless he rated him highly. Trust the process!

 

[akaifu]

What Brendan Bolton like? do you think he would be well liked by players and other coaches?

I remember in a Collingwood interview, someone was talking about how Bolton was the biggest factor for shaping their culture and creating relationships between the people at the club

 

[TheJackal]

Shrewd move to offload some $ from the SC and don't AFL pay half if he retires??

As far as I know, I think the AFL only pays half if the player is medically retired due to concussion.

It would be good to know though as it would add $250k to our salary cap this year based on a $600k wage.

 

[Mangus]

Shrewd move to offload some $ from the SC and don't AFL pay half if he retires??

No doubt there are a few reasons for the Couch stuff.

1. They delisted him from the main list to open up another Draft Pick in the National Draft Patrick Said says thankyou can only have as many picks as open main list spots

Secondly and more speculative but they then re-rookied him because:
2. We have to pay the minimum Salary Cap each year by rookie listing him his 2025 Salary counts towards our 2025 total cap and as we are trying to build a huge Salary Cap advantage for 2026 for LDU Brayshaw etc this helps create more room at the end of 2025 for 2026. I don't actually think the point about the $ being removed or discounted really matters if he retires our Cap has plenty of room and probably needs some to be paid more in 2025 to meet this minimum and create space in later years. I suspect for example that the multi year King contract has a bubble payment in 2025 to ease the cost of that in the latter years.