Training report 27/11/24
New
I really should put thoughts down straight after training. I'm not old enough to be forgetting so much, but here I am... forgetting... anyway on with it.
I think I said briefly during the session that the senior boys were really vocal and there was great intensity. That was maintained throughout training, they seem really switched on this year. So different to pre current Lyon era.
I found it sort of funny that the draftees first session was basically exactly the same as last year. I recall last year that their skills were top notch, it was Wilsons first session and even then - you just knew he was different - I think Hugo missed session #1 last year. Anyway, I digress... Barrat and Dodson were the two who really impressed me.
Barrat, good size, he just looks proportionate if that makes sense. Really clean and excellent penetrative kick.
The second most impressive was Dodson, I'll say that the Luke Jackson comparison is pretty accurate. There's someone else he reminds me of but I can't put my finger on it. Possibly a more athletic young version of Shane Mumford? Z Clarke like athleticism? Marshall like movement? Probably most like Jackson though. He moves incredibly well for his size, in the drill he kicked it and moved as well as any draftee, small or tall. He's more athletic than I'd anticipated, huuuuge ceiling. If we aren't giving him the 'Wool' nickname then we aren't trying hard enough.
Travaglia will be Ross' trademark 23 game player this year. I think I'd possibly sit him on a wing rather than push up Nas (& Sincs, Hastie, Arie, Gus, Web, Irish etc) - which I know has been suggested. He has an air of confidence about him that only the really good players have, not arrogant, just knows he belongs there - no doubt. Will Day comparisons are enevitable, not just because he's spoken about him. He is a smooth mover, neat skills, I'm didnt see an elite boot, but it's neat and hard to fault.
Said looks like another Garcia pick. Not just because he's from the same area, moreso because we all said, who (?), then thought - how did he not go earlier? I liked his disposal, looked really really sharp - standout kicking.
Boxshall, good height, in a basic session he didn't really stand out. Literally only kicked, marked, shots for goal, it was very basic. Seemed excellent by foot, then missed some targets, athletic looking - moves well.
Elwood, plenty to work with. He was a bit sloppy at times, he's definitely on the periphery though. Did some things that suggested there's plenty to work with. He would be playing for Sandy all year regardless of a list spot so to get him training with us changes nothing for him as far as I'm concerned.
Boyd, the dude has some serious junk on that trunk, or should I talk about his tree trunks, God I don't know... he certainly has the ability to bash, crash and has some real ruck craft. I don't hate the move, will protect our kids in the twos.
Good to see Keels doing work with the rucks. I've rated him since day 1. He's always excelled now though. He is athletically gifted, skills are ridiculous, does freakish things and you really think the sky is the limit when he trains. His issue isn't even workmate, he works as hard as anyone. The issue is in game stuff, not on the training track. Needs consistency, not to go missing etc, the bones are as good as anyone on our list.
Liked seeing the 1-3 year players doing some drills at the end. Looking at the 3 years of drafting all together is scary, so much talent!
After the younguns went inside after the drill Hugo and Wilson stayed out with more senior players to do boxing. OH. MY. EFFIN. GOD. Remind me never to look Hugo Garcia the wrong way. His terminator status is scary as shit, absolute animal, maniacal, I just, anything I say doesn't give it justice. He scares me how intense and committed he is. Having said that, taking nothing away from Darcy, who is just as intense - just less scary.
Those two, let's just say Brad Hill is bloody quick and punches hard during boxing - enough to embarrass the rest of the boys who look like the are going through the motions. Well, those two were incredible, even next to the energiser bunny (Hill).
When match sim started Carroll and Irish had a couple of iffy moments, nothing against them, it just allowed me to cool my jets a little perhaps.
Owens in particular trained very well, might be helping him focussing more on his forward craft.
Windy running laps needs a special mention, the guy was motoring! He looks in ripper nick, he has been a little out of sight out of mind for mine. Still so young with so much upside, I can't wait for him to get back into it. King was also running well, his shoulders seem quite broad suddenly, he's not going to be solid, but he's time has got to be now.
I think I said briefly during the session that the senior boys were really vocal and there was great intensity. That was maintained throughout training, they seem really switched on this year. So different to pre current Lyon era.
I found it sort of funny that the draftees first session was basically exactly the same as last year. I recall last year that their skills were top notch, it was Wilsons first session and even then - you just knew he was different - I think Hugo missed session #1 last year. Anyway, I digress... Barrat and Dodson were the two who really impressed me.
Barrat, good size, he just looks proportionate if that makes sense. Really clean and excellent penetrative kick.
The second most impressive was Dodson, I'll say that the Luke Jackson comparison is pretty accurate. There's someone else he reminds me of but I can't put my finger on it. Possibly a more athletic young version of Shane Mumford? Z Clarke like athleticism? Marshall like movement? Probably most like Jackson though. He moves incredibly well for his size, in the drill he kicked it and moved as well as any draftee, small or tall. He's more athletic than I'd anticipated, huuuuge ceiling. If we aren't giving him the 'Wool' nickname then we aren't trying hard enough.
Travaglia will be Ross' trademark 23 game player this year. I think I'd possibly sit him on a wing rather than push up Nas (& Sincs, Hastie, Arie, Gus, Web, Irish etc) - which I know has been suggested. He has an air of confidence about him that only the really good players have, not arrogant, just knows he belongs there - no doubt. Will Day comparisons are enevitable, not just because he's spoken about him. He is a smooth mover, neat skills, I'm didnt see an elite boot, but it's neat and hard to fault.
Said looks like another Garcia pick. Not just because he's from the same area, moreso because we all said, who (?), then thought - how did he not go earlier? I liked his disposal, looked really really sharp - standout kicking.
Boxshall, good height, in a basic session he didn't really stand out. Literally only kicked, marked, shots for goal, it was very basic. Seemed excellent by foot, then missed some targets, athletic looking - moves well.
Elwood, plenty to work with. He was a bit sloppy at times, he's definitely on the periphery though. Did some things that suggested there's plenty to work with. He would be playing for Sandy all year regardless of a list spot so to get him training with us changes nothing for him as far as I'm concerned.
Boyd, the dude has some serious junk on that trunk, or should I talk about his tree trunks, God I don't know... he certainly has the ability to bash, crash and has some real ruck craft. I don't hate the move, will protect our kids in the twos.
Good to see Keels doing work with the rucks. I've rated him since day 1. He's always excelled now though. He is athletically gifted, skills are ridiculous, does freakish things and you really think the sky is the limit when he trains. His issue isn't even workmate, he works as hard as anyone. The issue is in game stuff, not on the training track. Needs consistency, not to go missing etc, the bones are as good as anyone on our list.
Liked seeing the 1-3 year players doing some drills at the end. Looking at the 3 years of drafting all together is scary, so much talent!
After the younguns went inside after the drill Hugo and Wilson stayed out with more senior players to do boxing. OH. MY. EFFIN. GOD. Remind me never to look Hugo Garcia the wrong way. His terminator status is scary as shit, absolute animal, maniacal, I just, anything I say doesn't give it justice. He scares me how intense and committed he is. Having said that, taking nothing away from Darcy, who is just as intense - just less scary.
Those two, let's just say Brad Hill is bloody quick and punches hard during boxing - enough to embarrass the rest of the boys who look like the are going through the motions. Well, those two were incredible, even next to the energiser bunny (Hill).
When match sim started Carroll and Irish had a couple of iffy moments, nothing against them, it just allowed me to cool my jets a little perhaps.
Owens in particular trained very well, might be helping him focussing more on his forward craft.
Windy running laps needs a special mention, the guy was motoring! He looks in ripper nick, he has been a little out of sight out of mind for mine. Still so young with so much upside, I can't wait for him to get back into it. King was also running well, his shoulders seem quite broad suddenly, he's not going to be solid, but he's time has got to be now.
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