Training Pre season training

[kick it lace out]

Sounds like we wouldn’t have picked Smillie even if he was available.

Question for me over Smilie was whether his game translates to AFL? His size would have given him a distinct advantage in U18s footy, but there are much bigger boys in the AFL. The fact that he isn't strong overhead for a guy 195cm is also a concern. If he doesn't make it as a midfielder, then where else can you play him if he isn't strong overhead?

 

[saintmike65]

Training Friday 6th December

Brutal weather, and a brutal training session in hot, steamy and sometimes windy conditions.

When I arrived I noticed pretty much the full squad out on the training track including the core group missing from earlier in the week. The rehab group is getting smaller with only Stocker and Liam Henry in it today (joined later on by Caminiti who was having his shoulder tested in a pretty brutal session).
Liam Henry did a couple of gentle run throughs but he looked proppy - he kept looking down at his knee. It doesn't look good at the moment and I'd say he is a long way off from joining in on training. Gave me Brad Crouch vibes - ouch!

Todays' session had lots of punishing running. At about the half way point, the core group that re-joined training broke out into three groups and ran laps at a pretty decent pace. Every time Marshall and Howard came past you could hear them sucking in deep breathes. Wilson once again was the stand-out in this running drill along with Steele and Byrnes.
Once this group completed their running, they disappeared into the gym. Good to see Windy out there in full training today. as well as Max King.

There was a drill which focused on the forward craft, led by Brendan Bolton. Ball kicked into the forward line (reasonably deep entry), with the small forwards charging towards the kicker, creating space behind them. The FF & FB would contest the mark, while the small forwards doubled back towards the contest looking to crumb the spoil. Good energy about this drill with lots of encouragement and feedback.
Later on, there was a defence vs offence drill, where it looked like the focus for the forwards was to move the ball quickly (release their teammate) and the defenders job was to pick up loose players, apply pressure and cut off outlets. A few skill errors here, mainly by hand with targets being missed. RTB quick to provide feedback. I must say, RTB's feedback is elite. The way he gets into the detail with his feedback is amazing. No wonder he is such a great coach.
He had a go at Keeler at one point for his positioning. Seemed to be standing in no man's land.

Of the new recruits, Travaglia is going to be a star. He is so prominent in training. He's one of those guys where you can't take your eyes off him. His link up play and running are elite for someone so young. This may sound strange but I reckon Dodson is already ahead of Heath. I really like the way he moves - very agile for someone 203cm. One more pre-seaon and he'll be ready to go. Patrick Said has a very nice side step while High Boxshall is a very good size and doesn't look out of his depth in the drills. Quite strong and neat with this skills. No Elwood Peckett today.

At the very end, the players changed into their runners for more running work. Man this was brutal to watch.

First off, they ran around the oval for 2 minutes. Brad Hill clearly in front, followed by Jack Higgins and Angus McLelland. They then did a series of 50 metre sprints (at about 60-70% effort) with 15 second rests between efforts. This is where Keeler really stood out. He was in front on every sprint, and clearly in front. The longer this went, the more noticeable it was that the two Carlton boys (Dow & Carroll) were struggling. Did they not run at Carlton?
They then finished by another 2 minute lap of the oval. The Pou was so determined to win this, and he did. Followed closely by Irish. By this stage Carroll was really struggling and he ended up last by some way. He really needs to build a tank to compliment his exquisite kicking skills. Macrae did ok in the running, about middle of the pack.
The best runners today were Hill, Pou, Higgins, McLellan & Irish. I was pleasantly surprised by how much Collard has improved with his running. He even did a chase down tackle in one of the drills which got a loud acknowledgement for.

All in all, it was a punishing session. If our running was good last year, I reckon we're going to take it to another level next year. It also feels like along with running ability, we've made skills a pre-requisite in our drafting.

Cheers,

Thanks for the report…highlights for me were:

. Jack Macrae launching himself horizontally for a magnificent smother…all players near him got around him, similar to the Collard chase down.
. Gus McLennan’s superb contested marking against Heath…Gus has great hands in overhead situations
. The intensity at every training session is impressive, despite the heat!
. Rehab group now down to Stocker & Henry…Tauru on the exercise bike with Wood, Caminiti & King in full training

 

[Train12]

Thanks for the report…highlights for me were:

. Jack Macrae launching himself horizontally for a magnificent smother…all players near him got around him, similar to the Collard chase down.
. Gus McLennan’s superb contested marking against Heath…Gus has great hands in overhead situations
. The intensity at every training session is impressive, despite the heat!
. Rehab group now down to Stocker & Henry…Tauru on the exercise bike with Wood, Caminiti & King in full training

Is TT looking good ?

 

[aussierulesrules]

Two years ago our rehab group was as long as your arm at this sort of time, then we went into R1 missing about 8 of our expected best 23, then last year it was a lot shorter at this sort of time, but then we had a heap of guys go down in the weeks leading into R1, to again go into R1 missing about 8 of our expected best 23, and this time around, our rehab squad is smaller again. So at least it will enable us to be able to have good training sessions, with good numbers to field two teams in match sim.

Then it remains to be seen if they again go down like 9-pins leading into R1!

 

[CaptainRisky]

Curnow is said to have a huge tank though, whereas that seems to be a big weakness for Max.

I wonder if we’ve given up on the idea of him having the tank to be able to push up the ground a lot more, and now just want him to stay close to goal and have the strength to be able to outmuscle opposition?

I'm still waiting for the person who started the Winx BS to come forward , One 40 mtr leed and he is bent over puffing , I sure hope he has improved his fitness

 

[The Jack]

Henry’s knee.

 

[CaptainRisky]

Henry’s knee.

Its not a good injury to get as I said months ago, its almost better to do an ACL than have cartilage damage from what I have read.

 

[akaifu]

Thanks for the report…highlights for me were:

. Jack Macrae launching himself horizontally for a magnificent smother…all players near him got around him, similar to the Collard chase down.
. Gus McLennan’s superb contested marking against Heath…Gus has great hands in overhead situations
. The intensity at every training session is impressive, despite the heat!
. Rehab group now down to Stocker & Henry…Tauru on the exercise bike with Wood, Caminiti & King in full training

Hopefully Gus’ overhead marking is enough for him to take Battle’s role James Sicily style

But geez I’d be nervous every week with a 200cm then a 191cm and 188cm trio of key defenders against forward lines like Adelaide’s with Tex Thilthorpe Fogarty

 

[akaifu]

Training report by Josh Gabelich


https://www.afl.com.au/news/1262769

 

[saintmike65]

Is TT looking good ?

Yes Tavaglia is an excellent prospect, elite runner so will fit in nicely

 

[saintmike65]

Hopefully Gus’ overhead marking is enough for him to take Battle’s role James Sicily style

But geez I’d be nervous every week with a 200cm then a 191cm and 188cm trio of key defenders against forward lines like Adelaide’s with Tex Thilthorpe Fogarty

He’s more a Webster replacement

 

[L_W_P]

Question for me over Smilie was whether his game translates to AFL? His size would have given him a distinct advantage in U18s footy, but there are much bigger boys in the AFL. The fact that he isn't strong overhead for a guy 195cm is also a concern. If he doesn't make it as a midfielder, then where else can you play him if he isn't strong overhead?

He could make a solid...

waaaait for it...

...

HALF BACK FLANKER!!!

 

[akaifu]

He’s more a Webster replacement

I initially thought this too but I don't think he's agile or fast enough to take on the likes of Cameron/Papley/Rankine etc.

Hopefully I'm wrong though - Brandon Starcevich would be a good role model

 

[Saint Watto]

He's 24, sounds like a frustrating one but a bit early to call career in jeopardy. He'll be a big loss though, hopefully we take our time with him as he's a gun.

Bloody pleasing to read that the rehab group is so small. Was reading some Hawks reports out of interest and their rehab group is way bigger. If it can stay this way we could be set up for a really good season.

100 % there BTS.

The initial optimism of Henry being good to go by round 1 has faded somewhat.

It appears that his knee situation was worse than first thought.

We'll just have to back in the medical/rehab people to get him right......he'll be a fair way behind the main group.......with round 1 March 16th......he 'll certainly be up against it.

If we can get him back not long after round 1....an absolute bonus.....he's at times....absolutely electric with ball in hand......so so good to watch.

As some above have said...the heat/humidity at Rsea this morning was at times.....oppressive.

A slight breeze would blow in....five blinks later....it's gone.

And as you stated......how good is it that the rehab group is so small.....I keep casting my mind back to about late Feb 2023....there were 17 in the rehab group....that was bad enough but many kept breaking down in rehab.......and that's another story.

PS...cop that Hawks !!!!!

I kept my eye on Gus McLennan this morning.

That guy continually amazes/impresses me......for his height/build.....his intercept marking is sensational.....his left shoulder was heavily straopped.....but that didn't stop him.

One to watch in 2025.

 

[Linton Street Saint]

Tauru on the exercise bike with Wood

This, if you'll pardon the pun, gives me 'Wood'

You want to give a young jet the best chance to turn into a dead set out and out superstar.

This is the bloke you have him stick too like his shadow. 100%

 

[11men1cup]

Anyone got this?



On Pixel 7 Pro using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[akaifu]

100 % there BTS.

The initial optimism of Henry being good to go by round 1 has faded somewhat.

It appears that his knee situation was worse than first thought.

We'll just have to back in the medical/rehab people to get him right......he'll be a fair way behind the main group.......with round 1 March 16th......he 'll certainly be up against it.

If we can get him back not long after round 1....an absolute bonus.....he's at times....absolutely electric with ball in hand......so so good to watch.

As some above have said...the heat/humidity at Rsea this morning was at times.....oppressive.

A slight breeze would blow in....five blinks later....it's gone.

And as you stated......how good is it that the rehab group is so small.....I keep casting my mind back to about late Feb 2023....there were 17 in the rehab group....that was bad enough but many kept breaking down in rehab.......and that's another story.

PS...cop that Hawks !!!!!

I kept my eye on Gus McLennan this morning.

That guy continually amazes/impresses me......for his height/build.....his intercept marking is sensational.....his left shoulder was heavily straopped.....but that didn't stop him.

One to watch in 2025.

Unfortunate about Henry but on the bright side, we genuinely have multiple options to replace him now; Garcia, Hall and to a lesser extent Said

Also have guys like Byrnes, Wilson, Jones, Travaglia to come in and make some positional switches

Gus was really good last pre-season too and it came to fruition late 2024 - needed a bit of time to work on his kicking but now that it's improved, he should get a lot more opportunity this year especially if he can play above his height. Also, his shoulder is always strapped after a serious injury in his draft year

 

[akaifu]

Anyone got this?



On Pixel 7 Pro using BigFooty.com mobile app

https://archive.md/J3Ehg

 

[Tommy Wigs]

Anyone got this?



On Pixel 7 Pro using BigFooty.com mobile app

Did this knob even attend? Wilson did about 15 mins, yeah?! Might have missed Pou’s finish to the year. Looked like he just plucked the most click baity names.

 

[Saint_Dos]

For those training watchers, is Caminiti confirmed to be training as a defender?

 

[jimmytigs]

There was some chatter that one of Dodson's pre-draft club interviews or some incident spooked some recruiters; who knows how accurate that is - if I had to hazard a guess, I'd say it was made up.

if anything the basketball thing would worry me,but at 18 hopefully his decision is set

will be interested in how zak evans goes at the suns,st.kilda cc losing a very handy opening bowler to give his afl dream one last shot at 25yo,in what should be one of the most difficult teams to break into now

but as a ruckman taking 4-5 years to be a #1 ruck might have him thinking about the nba at some point,would hope not to lose him to the nbl ffs

 

[saintmike65]

For those training watchers, is Caminiti confirmed to be training as a defender?

if anything the basketball thing would worry me,but at 18 hopefully his decision is set

will be interested in how zak evans goes at the suns,st.kilda cc losing a very handy opening bowler to give his afl dream one last shot at 25yo,in what should be one of the most difficult teams to break into now

but as a ruckman taking 4-5 years to be a #1 ruck might have him thinking about the nba at some point,would hope not to lose him to the nbl ffs

Honestly doubt he’ll take that long!

 

[jimmytigs]

Honestly doubt he’ll take that long!

hope your right,i did see a comment somewhere that he might be the most advanced of our drafted guys,i was more referring to rucks in general

 

[dudeintheswamp]

He's a bloody big unit!

 

[saintmike65]

hope your right,i did see a comment somewhere that he might be the most advanced of our drafted guys,i was more referring to rucks in general

He’ll spend ‘25 season playing with Sandy & I’d think he’d debut the following season