Training Pre-season updates 2025.

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Yep, our midfield just wasn't deep enough with all the injuries
Last year was a little crazy, we were playing Sullivan and Long in the midfield with Bytel on the wing. We also had WHE as our full forward for large patches and we almost made the 8.
Our midfield is fairly large but also thin for talant outside the first 6-7
N Daicos, DeGoey, Mitchell, Pendlebury, Perryman, Allan, Sidebottom, Sullivan, Long and Macrae.
My preference is that the last 3 don't get a game because the top 6 stay mostly injury free. If we can do that we are a top 4 side.
 
Last year was a little crazy, we were playing Sullivan and Long in the midfield with Bytel on the wing. We also had WHE as our full forward for large patches and we almost made the 8.
Our midfield is fairly large but also thin for talant outside the first 6-7
N Daicos, DeGoey, Mitchell, Pendlebury, Perryman, Allan, Sidebottom, Sullivan, Long and Macrae.
My preference is that the last 3 don't get a game because the top 6 stay mostly injury free. If we can do that we are a top 4 side.
Jody and Titch were enormous outs. The 2 grunt players in there
 

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Jody and Titch were enormous outs. The 2 grunt players in there
We also missed Pendlebury for a large period with that bicep injury.
We didn't have Perryman. We didn't try Allan in the midfield soon enough because we were testing Long and Sullivan. And finally we didn't put an extremely effective Sidebottom in the midfield until late in the year. We just had a few to many injuries and also made a few missplays that cost us a finals birth.
 
Yeah, if we were that desperate, we would have gotten your mate tomlinson, but we didn't. Obviously decided then they were gonna trial reef and see if he can compliment that backline. I personally think it's easy to blame the defenders, but the real issue was the pressure up the ground.

I think we get carried away with distinct roles. Forwards line match up change a lot within and between games. Ultimately we want 5 blokes who give us our primary defensive structure behind the ball. We want them to be good in the air and good athletes who read the game well to cover off space and we want them to be able to match up against a range of different opponents.

Moore, Maynard, IQ and Howe are a very strong 4. Hopefully Reef can join them. Frampton is ok depth or if we think we need extra size. TJ, Ryan and Cochrane are developing. I do think we're one short in ready to go players, which will be an issue if we get hit by injuries.
 
I think we get carried away with distinct roles. Forwards line match up change a lot within and between games. Ultimately we want 5 blokes who give us our primary defensive structure behind the ball. We want them to be good in the air and good athletes who read the game well to cover off space and we want them to be able to match up against a range of different opponents.

Moore, Maynard, IQ and Howe are a very strong 4. Hopefully Reef can join them. Frampton is ok depth or if we think we need extra size. TJ, Ryan and Cochrane are developing. I do think we're one short in ready to go players, which will be an issue if we get hit by injuries.
Dean?
 
Yeah, if we were that desperate, we would have gotten your mate tomlinson, but we didn't. Obviously decided then they were gonna trial reef and see if he can compliment that backline. I personally think it's easy to blame the defenders, but the real issue was the pressure up the ground.
That would be one reason we got Perryman - he'll apply plenty of pressure as well as generating drive.
 
We also missed Pendlebury for a large period with that bicep injury.
We didn't have Perryman. We didn't try Allan in the midfield soon enough because we were testing Long and Sullivan. And finally we didn't put an extremely effective Sidebottom in the midfield until late in the year. We just had a few to many injuries and also made a few missplays that cost us a finals birth.
Not sure about the Allan one there. He very clearly wasn’t ready early in the year and I think it was good for him to be given extra time in the VFL before throwing him back in at senior level. He was like a completely different player by the time he got back to play against Melbourne than he was against Freo.
 
Is there an Aussie Day thread? if not why? Is bigfooty part of a leftist communist party?


Happy Australia Day to those celebrating!
I hope you enjoy your day, in this beautiful country that we have all built into what it is. 🇦🇺🍻
Happy Australia day Loki. Unfortunately everyone is too afraid to celebrate our national day on here. Best country in the world
 

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Not sure about the Allan one there. He very clearly wasn’t ready early in the year and I think it was good for him to be given extra time in the VFL before throwing him back in at senior level. He was like a completely different player by the time he got back to play against Melbourne than he was against Freo.
It was a pretty tough gig debuting against the team he followed growing up, and in front of his family.
 
Happy Australia day Loki. Unfortunately everyone is too afraid to celebrate our national day on here. Best country in the world
Happy Australia Day all!
It's a tricky one in many ways.
Can we change the past?
No.
Can we do better for our indigenous citizens?
Absolutely yes.
We have many thousands (or millions?) of citizens who became Australians on this day, so it means a lot to them.
Whether anyone chooses to celebrate it or not, we DO live in a wonderful country.
 
Happy Australia day Loki. Unfortunately everyone is too afraid to celebrate our national day on here. Best country in the world

Have you been to all the other countries? Best for what too? I want a statistical breakdown! 😂

It's a good country for a lot of things. Not good for others. Sorry to bring balance. But happy Australia day! I still love it! Shitty though some of it is.
 
Pre-season training: January 20th.
9:30-12pm.

Those in rehab in some capacity.

  • Harrison
  • Nick D
  • Josh D
  • Jordy
  • Mitchell (seen on the bike)
  • Johnson (Walking laps - Concussion)
  • Sullivan

Can't take too much of Blacks/Whites just yet. But probably as we get into feb

Nick did lots of running
Josh and Jordy did lots of drills, but some running. Jordy more involved as he participated in some match sim. Josh it getting there.
Sullivan continuing his running. There is a thought a calf issue is his injury.

Looks like we're back to three main sessions.a week. Suppose Fly has taken back control and we're back to usual sessions from last year. They probably need the three main sessions for load during pre-season. Two likely isn't enough.

The session was pretty decent, they obviously realised the date and thought it was time to get in some proper match sim stuff, before pre-season games are just around the corner. Not to mention the intraclub in three weeks.

Today's session involved some conditioning, line group drills. Josh still training fully with the defenders. Jordy training and played match sim in the midfield.

Observations;

+ Still no 2025 training kits. To the point, Parker, West dont have their jumpers with their numbers on it. Perryman's jumper is torn or faded halfly.

+ Hayes, his pace and not afraid the contest no matter his frame stood out very clearly this morning. He was very energetic up and down the ground, spoiling, intercepting the ball, his pose and decision, his composure and kicking skills are elite. Looking forward to seeing what the season brings for him.

+ West's contested marking was on show, clunking a really good mark over Darcy plus kicking a few other goals during match sim was very nice to see.

+ Cochran's run and ability to hit the contest was good to see.

+ Lippa seems to be playing more in the midfield and at cente bounce, I wonder if that's something we'll see more on game day. Add more rotations in through there for multiple players.

+ Unless my eyes were decieving me, during match sim, Sidey was playing forward... took some nice marks and kicked some goals..

+ During limited match sim, Houston did play a little in the midde. I'm just not sure he's that effective in there. We may see him now and there, but don't think it'll be very much. Its clearly just a way to have a more rotation of players around the ground.

+ Reef seems settled in that backline with the usual back 6. Taking each contest with vigor. Using his run out of the backline to set up the play. He even directs traffic. A bit like Murphy used to do. I really think he's gone ahead of Dean and Frampton in general (unless we need someone on the big boys)

+ Hopefully Oscar can stay fit, because he has good hands and able to take pack marks. He's stronger as well. but had an awful year with his body last year we couldn't get to see him develop more in the vfl.
It does appear he is the main ruck (between him and Smit) going up against DC, while he pushes forward. While Smit on the other hand is more forward, while pinching in the ruck.


Saw Beggy as he was coming back from scans. He said he was still having little issues with his knee, so he was getting it checked out.









Love your work Jen.

Just curious on Ed Allans standing. He seemed timid against Freo, but when given genuine mid time against Melbourne he really showed his wares.
I worry Perrymans arrival might stump his opportunities.
 
Staggering we haven't traded in someone to replace Murphy
We briefly looked at Tomlinson, but in the end went a different way. Think they decided fairly quick to look internally they would trial reef for that position.
 
Staggering we haven't traded in someone to replace Murphy
Agree

Frampton and dean arent jackovich and silvagni
If moores form drops off again or he goes down it’s panic stations
Howe can’t go forever
Reef untried
Unfortunately wasn’t much available except Tomlinson who is hopeless Imo
Mcstay would have to go back as break glass emergency
 

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Training Pre-season updates 2025.

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