Training Pre season training

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I noticed the Zebras announced the signing of Joey Campigli today (from Old Brighton). He has been training with the Saints throughout the pre-season. Perhaps they invited him down so that BJ could take a good look at him. Not sure he was ever good enough to be considered be considered by the Saints.
Posted an article earlier, here is an excerpt something RTB would admire.

“Joey’s a gifted athlete with a great workrate, competing strongly in the air and when the ball hits the ground, Joey’s speed and ability to close space quickly can put opposition defenders under real pressure.

“But I think the attribute that I love most about Joey, despite his almost shy demeanour, is his competitiveness when he trains and particularly when he plays. He is very quick and covers the ground smoothly, has lovely hands and always seems to find himself in the right spots to impact.“
 
I think when discussing Wood from 2023 to 2024 one needs to take into account that he played every single game of 2023. Consistency is everything in football, look at our midfield performance when our solid B grade mids in Clark, Jones and Dow got solid blocks of games.

The injury in R3 interrupted his season. He was out until R9 had early to mid 20's disposals until R17 where he went back soley on the wing where he was still getting high teens and low 20's. It really wasn't too much off his 2023 stats
 

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This is totally respectful Verdun66 but I feel you may be overthinking it a bit.

Specifically from my perspective, my thoughts on training are from a mug punter who types notes on a phone and transcribes rhem when I get home.
So if I say something looks a bit sloppy, it may be the drill I am watching without taking in context of the entirety of the session, the players involved etc.
Also it is pre Christmas where the emphasis is fitness base. Training sessions also are just that, a facsimile of what happens in football without opposition.
And the one thing that is overlooked is how bloody hard this game is to play, to hit a target at 50 metres on the run, or handball through traffic, or time the leap for a contested mark, all with a ball designed to predominately be in the hands but to be often kicked, cannot be understated.

So take our reports with a grain of salt, it's an opinions game, so my opinion, which is constantly proven wrong, like most other footballing opinions, is just one in a sea that is forever being discussed.
I am just in the position to report to other fans who are Saints starved and crave a bit of what's happening.

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Thanks Joffa. Far from being critical of any track reports I was wondering if they were training ‘biting off a bit more than they can chew’. Just curious about the methodology of the coaching. And I’d like it if we were training being more adventurous. It would surely come out in our play.

And I take your point about training under fatigue. Very hard to replicate this, but having to do drills after a series of sprints or a 3k run must do the job. And this is where mistakes will occur.

I may be overthinking it indeed. My wife often gives me a jibe that I like to get every detail! I would love to be at the sessions and really am just being greedy for a bit more info. Appreciate all the reports and keep them coming.

Anyway….it’s been a good discussion point. Some good perspectives offered.
 
I noticed the Zebras announced the signing of Joey Campigli today (from Old Brighton). He has been training with the Saints throughout the pre-season. Perhaps they invited him down so that BJ could take a good look at him. Not sure he was ever good enough to be considered be considered by the Saints.
If he's the guy who was wearing #46 on Friday, he will be a good pick up. Was in a group with a lot of starting best 22 players and didnt look out of place.
 
If he's the guy who was wearing #46 on Friday, he will be a good pick up. Was in a group with a lot of starting best 22 players and didnt look out of place.
Young kid who started last season in the U19's of the Ammo's and finished the season as a key forward in the seniors.

Might be a very handy pick up.
 
Late 2024 - Absolute junk time wins, when the pressure was off and teams were taking us for granted.
So teams like Geelong who were fighting for a Top 4 place ... and Carlton & Essendon who were fighting for a Finals place ..... were taking it easy and taking us for granted in those last few games?? :think:
 
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Speaking of Tomlinson, I’m stunned that no club has picked him up. Especially us, given what a thorn he was in our side when we played them this year. That game was about as good as any Battle played, and they’re almost identical players. I’d rather him back there than Cordy, that’s for sure.

We had interest in all of Tomlinson, Marchbank & Curtis Taylor didn't we?

I think getting both Taurus & Barrat finished the first two off. Not sure Taylor was seriously looked at or if we just asked the question.

Parfitt
Cumberland
MacPherson
Preuss
Granger-Barras
McAndrew
Hayes
Witherden

A few names there with runs on the board or speculation re: talent.

But somehow Quinton Narkle gets a gig with a 3rd club?!?

Work that out...
 
Speaking of Tomlinson, I’m stunned that no club has picked him up. Especially us, given what a thorn he was in our side when we played them this year. That game was about as good as any Battle played, and they’re almost identical players. I’d rather him back there than Cordy, that’s for sure.
My gut feel is that the anticipated gains in the midfield should offset the losses in defence and if Hammer was already pencilled in then there's not much justification for Tomlinson or his ilk.
Clearly MacLobster and the draft we're the standout priorities whilst the nice to haves took a back seat.
 
We had interest in all of Tomlinson, Marchbank & Curtis Taylor didn't we?

I think getting both Taurus & Barrat finished the first two off. Not sure Taylor was seriously looked at or if we just asked the question.

Parfitt
Cumberland
MacPherson
Preuss
Granger-Barras
McAndrew
Hayes
Witherden

A few names there with runs on the board or speculation re: talent.

But somehow Quinton Narkle gets a gig with a 3rd club?!?

Work that out...
Narkle is a solid depth player with decent speed and class which suits the modern game

All the guys you listed are either kpps or slow and lathargic. Cumberland an exception but he's proven that he does not have the dedication to succeed at AFL level

I'd prefer to keep the list spot open for the MSD than sign any of those guys. It should be a good MSD in 2025 given how deep the 2024 national/rookie draft was
 

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Interesting comment from Macrae at the end about the running. A massive knock on the Bulldogs has always been that they’re not a hard running or working side. So it would be a nice little challenge for him


I like Macrae.

I sense he has a high drive to get back to his best self and the standards he brings with him will be good for everyone around him. I love how he wants to get amongst it.
 
Pretty much every stat regressed bar his goal kicking. Shoulder injury or not, he regressed slightly on the year prior where he was in the mix for AA after 10 rounds.
Should he regress again by the same margin his spot will likely be at risk given the age profile of our list. I think that’s a pretty reasonable call to make
he was in a car accident on the MCG. you try it
 
Said this before so you won’t here from me again on this topic - rolled gold pick up - gun!

We’ve traded for thoroughbreds before.

b]
 
Probably more us … can we play like that when it’s on the line?
We got a healthier list is the sole reason we got better at the end of the year.
But yeah Sydney, Geelong, Carlton and Essendon took it easy

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Interesting BM on SS said Bailey McKenzie 192cm forward was training with us yesterday. I thought he had shown enough to get drafted but some how slipped through the cracks. He is a natural goal kicker who is another strong mark. He averaged 2.7 goals and 13.6 disposals per game, in one game he took 13 marks and kicked 7 goals.

His knock was consistency, he was a bit up and down but he can do some spectacular things. Perhaps he is another Sandringham are looking to recruit.
 
Interesting comment from Macrae at the end about the running. A massive knock on the Bulldogs has always been that they’re not a hard running or working side. So it would be a nice little challenge for him

Best part of the clip was the music, Gorillaz featuring Tame Impala

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Interesting BM on SS said Bailey McKenzie 192cm forward was training with us yesterday. I thought he had shown enough to get drafted but some how slipped through the cracks. He is a natural goal kicker who is another strong mark. He averaged 2.7 goals and 13.6 disposals per game, in one game he took 13 marks and kicked 7 goals.

His knock was consistency, he was a bit up and down but he can do some spectacular things. Perhaps he is another Sandringham are looking to recruit.
There was no's 46 and 48 out there. Dudn't pay too much attention as they aren't listed players, but they may be the type of players we want at Sandy for the rookie spot.

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The more I watch TT, the mroe excited I get. He is at minimum another Wilson imo. Crazy running power and most importantly and this is why he will become a mid. He gets the ball and imediately dashes away. Whether it is the midfield or the backline. I think as a mid in all the vision I have seen his instinct is to drive his legs and move away from contact which is exactly what he needs to do to be a midfield. I hope we play him 50% mid 50% half back. Really excited to see what he has
 
I’m so excited to see Jack Macrae in the Red White and Black.

I remember in 2021 I would’ve given anything to have Macrae at the saints he was exactly what we needed.

I understand 2025 Macrae won’t be the same as 2021 Macrae but I’m still super excited to see what he can bring to the table.

Watching a couple of dogs games this year he would come on as a sub and make an impact.

I can’t wait to get 4 qtrs out of Macrae.

Keep training hard Jack we’re all rooting for you and can’t wait to see some nice left foot passes coming from the number 6.
 

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Training Pre season training

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