Training Preseason 22-23

[SPower]

I think we can all live with regular long bombs to a 50/50 contest, it's the long bombs to the clear advantage of the opposition that need to be minimised.

In fairness, that is partially down to Baz and partially down to our forwards getting to good spots

A change of strategy kicking into the forward line is required, reducing the strengths of De konning, May, Pearce, etc.
A review of our fwd system last yr would also help.
No doubt this has been achieved over the Xmas break.

 

[Dogs_R_Us]

I think we can all live with regular long bombs to a 50/50 contest, it's the long bombs to the clear advantage of the opposition that need to be minimised.

In fairness, that is partially down to Baz and partially down to our forwards getting to good spots

We won the game against Melbourne using low flat kicks, it was noticeable. I want to see more of that style this year. It’s harder to defend.

 

[ScragCity]

I think we can all live with regular long bombs to a 50/50 contest, it's the long bombs to the clear advantage of the opposition that need to be minimised.

In fairness, that is partially down to Baz and partially down to our forwards getting to good spots

I would say it's mostly due to the fact that we usually play with 5 forwards and bring an extra to the stoppage, allowing the opposition a spare defender. If the ball is bombed forward indiscriminately then the opposition will always be at an advantage.

 

[Hoges64]

I would say it's mostly due to the fact that we usually play with 5 forwards and bring an extra to the stoppage, allowing the opposition a spare defender. If the ball is bombed forward indiscriminately then the opposition will always be at an advantage.

That can't be true. I got told by a metric shittonne of people in here that we don't do that.

 

[BeMoreBont]

On the topic of Smith's kicking - is there a stat out there somewhere which gives an indication of the number of and/or percentage of kicks taken on the opposite foot?

I would suggest he would be quite high on that list. Seems to use his left alot. Even when having time to get on his dominate side.

I recall during the 2021 Semi against Brisbane, I sent my mate a very colourful text pleading for Smith to stop using his left. He then produced the game winner to make me look silly.

 

[gordo2016]

On the topic of Smith's kicking - is there a stat out there somewhere which gives an indication of the number of and/or percentage of kicks taken on the opposite foot?

I would suggest he would be quite high on that list. Seems to use his left alot. Even when having time to get on his dominate side.

I recall during the 2021 Semi against Brisbane, I sent my mate a very colourful text pleading for Smith to stop using his left. He then produced the game winner to make me look silly.

Afl would record a stat like that but it isn't included in the match day stats for the public to see, they can only put so much in there. Quick google brought up a result, but it was 2019. Brayshaw 43% was the highest, then Betts, Devon Smith, Cognilio and Sidebottom fifth, 32%. Only said the top 5.
I would say Smith used the left foot a fair bit in that Brisbane final because it was high pressure and they were probably instructed to get rid of it quickly before they were tackled. He always uses his right foot when he can. A player like Sidebottom would use his opposite foot a lot more than him.

 

[stefoid]

He is a beautiful kick when he puts his foot through it, can cover 60m comfortable. Would much rather he bombs it inside 15-20m of our goal rather than try hit up a forward with a 15-20m bullet 45m on the boundary line.

Dangerfield 2.0?

 

[flipper83]

On the topic of Smith's kicking - is there a stat out there somewhere which gives an indication of the number of and/or percentage of kicks taken on the opposite foot?

I would suggest he would be quite high on that list. Seems to use his left alot. Even when having time to get on his dominate side.

I recall during the 2021 Semi against Brisbane, I sent my mate a very colourful text pleading for Smith to stop using his left. He then produced the game winner to make me look silly.

Tag Oliver Gigacz if there is a stat available he seems to be able to get it.

 

[_Mike_]

Already in step

Holy crap, didn’t know he was as tall as English

 

[Foxman98]

Holy crap, didn’t know he was as tall as English

Yep he is 207cm.

Their rotation now will mean we really don't lose much at all in the ruck

 

[Al dente]

Yep he is 207cm.

Their rotation now will mean we really don't lose much at all in the ruck

thats the positive way to look at it

the negative is to say that Lobb is just as bad a tap ruckman as English, and both waste their height equally well.

ps. look at the size of those legs on English, he's a man mountain now, particularly waste down, he just has to start using it to enforce dominance, not holding my breath though

 

[Libbaaaa]

Yep he is 207cm.

Their rotation now will mean we really don't lose much at all in the ruck

I think people are severely underestimating the improvement in having Lobb play ruck in the 30% (if even that) English won't. Significant upgrade over Cordy/Bruce playing that role.

 

[Inside The Kennel]

thats the positive way to look at it

the negative is to say that Lobb is just as bad a tap ruckman as English, and both waste their height equally well.

ps. look at the size of those legs on English, he's a man mountain now, particularly waste down, he just has to start using it to enforce dominance, not holding my breath though

Of all the players to have had a body metamorphosis over the summer, Jamarra and Big Chill are at the top of the pile.

Both had their tops off before training. Jamarra looked chiseled and the boys were calling him "Baz". I spoke with him about his physique and he said it was due to boxing over the off-season. He said he has discovered it and has been a great outlet for him.

Timmy looks like a clone of Lobb/Dolph Lundgrem with his jumper off - upper body is genuinely huge and no longer 'Tiny Tim". He won't be pushed around any more by the larger rucks. Having said that, he also seems to not have lost any of his mobility around the ground - he was dominant in general play and appears to be primed for a Scott Wynd 1992-like season.

 

[weltschmerz]

Of all the players to have had a body metamorphosis over the summer, Jamarra and Big Chill are at the top of the pile.

Both had their tops off before training. Jamarra looked chiseled and the boys were calling him "Baz". I spoke with him about his physique and he said it was due to boxing over the off-season. He said he has discovered it and has been a great outlet for him.

Timmy looks like a clone of Lobb/Dolph Lundgrem with his jumper off - upper body is genuinely huge and no longer 'Tiny Tim". He won't be pushed around any more by the larger rucks. Having said that, he also seems to not have lost any of his mobility around the ground - he was dominant in general play and appears to be primed for a Scott Wynd 1992-like season.

 

[Foxman98]

thats the positive way to look at it

the negative is to say that Lobb is just as bad a tap ruckman as English, and both waste their height equally well.

ps. look at the size of those legs on English, he's a man mountain now, particularly waste down, he just has to start using it to enforce dominance, not holding my breath though

Look I think we can all overrate tap work nowadays and reminisce back to the good old days when that was a ruckmans only role however when it comes to HOTA % Lobb is above average (With Gawn/Witts) and English is plain average (With Nic Nat/Goldy).

The only issue is hit out win % for Tim but his clearance work after the stoppage makes up for that and hopefully with some training with Lade and more size and strength in the gym gets it to a minimum of average

 

[Foxman98]

I think people are severely underestimating the improvement in having Lobb play ruck in the 30% (if even that) English won't. Significant upgrade over Cordy/Bruce playing that role.

Yep we've gone from being uncommunicative to having a guy who can kick goals but also still get the job done in there

Edit: For context Lobb was the highest ranked Key Forward for total hitouts and 3rd highest hitout to advantage %* Min 100 ruck contests

 

[ossie_21]

Can’t see us losing a game tbh

 

[Mr. Walker]

Yep we've gone from being uncommunicative to having a guy who can kick goals but also still get the job done in there

I’m not talking to you until we become competitive in the ruck.

 

[Norm De Guerre]

Look I think we can all overrate tap work nowadays and reminisce back to the good old days when that was a ruckmans only role however when it comes to HOTA % Lobb is above average (With Gawn/Witts) and English is plain average (With Nic Nat/Goldy).

The only issue is hit out win % for Tim but his clearance work after the stoppage makes up for that and hopefully with some training with Lade and more size and strength in the gym gets it to a minimum of average

If tap work was the be all and end all then Jordan Sweet would be our No1 Ruck and English would've been developed as a CHF.

When the discussion of English tap work gets brought up. It seems to get lost that in the eyes of many pundits he was on track for AA consideration prior to the concussion issues that he suffered mid season. Its also why many of the same pundits have him as the heir apparent to Nik Nat, Gawn and Grundy as the games premier ruckman in the coming seasons. I think that the then praying mantis like boy that he was suffered in the eyes of many due to being thrown to the wolves at the start of his career when he would get chewed up and spat out by every plodding journeyman that he came up against. Not to mention the times that he came up against the games aforementioned elite ruckman. If Brodie Grundy regularly dismantling him early in his career wasn't enough to break him nothing will.

The flexibility that an English/Lob combination forward and behind the ball brings, has now condemned Jordan Sweet to a Tom Campbell like existence in the game.

Sure, like wasting time on Bigfooty. It beats working for a living, but its not the most fulfilling way to spend ones salad days.

 

[adogsfan5]

Sounds like we’re in much better knick fitness wise overall. Perhaps angry about how 2022 turned out.

 

[Hoges64]

Dangerfield 2.0?

I nearly made that comparison, but stopped short. But there's a number of similarities, hope that Smith can get to that level of influence on a game. Lacks the marking power of Danger though, but fingers crossed he can become a better kick.

 

[bresker]

Can’t see us losing a game tbh

I just had a squiz at all the other teams boards and their supporters said exactly the same!

What a year of draws we're in for

 

[Libbaaaa]

I just had a squiz at all the other teams boards and their supporters said exactly the same!

What a year of draws we're in for

It is a great time to be alive as a fan isn't it? Norf supporters think a fully fit Cunners makes them a legit side and not a wooden spoon favourite, all the Hawks youngsters will be better than Chris Judd and the Bombers could be anything if Jakey Boy can start running again before March.

 

[Mofra]

It is a great time to be alive as a fan isn't it? Norf supporters think a fully fit Cunners makes them a legit side and not a wooden spoon favourite, all the Hawks youngsters will be better than Chris Judd and the Bombers could be anything if Jakey Boy can start running again before March.

I expect north to finish above Hawthorn. I'm surprised Hawks are only 3rd favorite for the spoon.

 

[Maverick Dog]

Can’t see us losing a game tbh

Have to agree we look unbeataboe.
Every team has a weak line or lack depth in a certain area. We lack a quality winger but we have every other line covered and now have depth. If Baker or Arty can come on and at times Adz and B Smith play 30% there it may not be a weakness. Like to see Williams play there all preseason as he has the attributes.

With 2 quality KPD (Jones and hopefully 2021 Keath) and a mobile lock down third tall who can zone off if required (Gardner) and quality mid and small defenders our defence should be fine unless our game plan sucks again.

Like to see Khamis, Bruce, Raak, Darcy continue to play both ends in the preseason. Lobb, Naughton and JUH is a dream forward combo and we still have arguably the best midfield.

Our team is so well balanced and talented, we do not need to reinvent the wheel and find a point of difference to get an advantage, just need to keep up with the Cats, Dees and Pies game plan.