Training Preseason 22-23

[True Dog]

I’m at training. Baz is distressingly tanned and appears to have blond tips in the mullet. Treloar, English, Baz, West, Arty running laps.

I was hoping to go today but can't get away from work. Keep us updated please

 

[doggies ftw]

What also adds weight to Jones efforts at Carlton was that he was the KPD to one of the worst defensive teams of the modern era. David Teagues Blues attacked at every turn and routinely conceded 100+. Poor old LJizz was quite heroic at times given the circumstances.

Career has been cursed really. KPF in one of the worst offensive teams in modern history (McCartneys Bulldogs) in the first half of his career and then KPD in one of the worst defensive teams.

Yeah absolutely,

He’s going to love our defensive ethos (in theory anyway, or when it’s working well) of little to no one-on-one’s for our key defenders, to put in perspective in 2021 Jones faced 110 one-on-one’s (of which he lost only 13!)

Gardner last year, across 4 more games faced only 50 (of which he also lost 13)

Their defence just hung out their key defenders to die, amazingly he still has a ridiculous one-on-one winning percentage, one of the best in the league. Considering the above when you also add the fact that his 4.2 intercept marks in 2021 is the 2nd highest average across a season in history (Lever with 4.3 is highest), this in a season where he was tasked with facing nearly triple the amount of one on ones our #1 defender faced = a pretty extraordinary season.

He doesn’t play loose next to May in the best defence in the comp and come in from the side and intercept - a dream job for any defender. He literally manhandles the number 1 forward, in a terribly unorganised defensive system in a shit side - and out marks him.

Absolutely at the top end of the elite column when it comes to one-on-one defending, contested marking & intercept marking - exactly what we’re crying out for in defence.

I understand he’s 30 & coming off a year off (who knows this might be a massive positive to his longevity, I’m sure every 30yo in the game would love to have a year off in Queensland, uninjured, to rejuvenate their bodies & mind) and I don’t expect him to dominate but if we get 15+ games out of him at 75% of his best, it will be a huge improvement to our backline with the flow on effects to the likes of Keath & Gardner alone worth their weight in gold.

 

[weltschmerz]

Treloar now the only one still running laps.

God Buku is good by foot.

 

[doggies ftw]

Treloar now the only one still running laps.

God Buku is good by foot.

Oath he is, which is why I haven’t been concerned about his sloppy disposal & turnovers at AFL level. Technically he’s perfect, so with time & experience at the level his composure will come

 

[weltschmerz]

Treloar seems to have been 100% on laps wih West, Baz, Buss, English all spending some time on light training.

 

[weltschmerz]

Bruce has looked great. Bedendo has really put on some size. Dale has really stood out to me today.

 

[Charlie Bucket]

Good call, that’s great odds for what realistically should be one of the top 4 contenders for flag and one of the top 2 (IMO should be favourite) contenders for Brownlow, also considering both go hand in hand too (ie if Bont is in brownlow contention chances are we’re going deep in finals)

Throw in Naughty for Coleman for $7500 odds - 23yo, has a fully functioning supporting structure around him now, a clear shift in mindset to faster ball movement and should be in a winning side.

2021 = 21yo, 50 goals, great side, great support (Bruce & English), terrible accuracy, zero scoreboard impact from general play

2022 = 22yo, 50 goals, much better accuracy & goals from general play but zero support, poor team ball movement and really lacking compared to his best in CM/MI50 etc

2023 = new found accuracy + scoreboard impact from general play along with much better support structure = ?

Injury free he’ll kick 60+ and be in contention.

Good start to the year and you’re cashing out a lot more than you put in.

Juicy odds.

When the last time a team won the flag and had both the Brownlow and Coleman winners? Not impossible, but assuming it doesn’t happen too often.

 

[Charlie Bucket]

Conversely, 2021 looks more like the outlier than 2022 for mine. I'm also not certain we have strengthened multiple lines - we're definitely weaker in the midfield and i'm not sold on Jones contributing much at all (very happy to be proven wrong). The forward line does look better though

Our age and experience demographic was trending upwards from 2019, so a deep trip in to September in 2021 shouldn’t be an outlier. Unless you don’t rate the list we have?

2022 the outlier for me as it was clearly the worst on field performance as a whole season, by the group since 2017/18. A drop away from our rise over the previous 3 seasons.

I also think it’s important to not forget what impact the 2021/22 off season coaching exodus had on the group and the lingering doubt left from the GF’s 2nd half failings.

I’ll put my house on this upcoming season being a massive improvement on last season more in line with what we saw trending from 2019/20/21. Leaving 2022 as the clear outlier.

I don’t think Dunks is as big a loss as some others might. We bat pretty deep and it now gives some wiggle room to fit our mids in to positions best suited as opposed to just getting them in to the best 22 even if it meant playing them elsewhere for large minutes.

We’ll be right. Good time to be a dogs fan right now.

 

[doggies ftw]

Juicy odds.

When the last time a team won the flag and had both the Brownlow and Coleman winners? Not impossible, but assuming it doesn’t happen too often.

Yeah I’d be surprised if it’s even happened to be honest, would be more placing the bet in the hope of cashing out mid season

 

[Dannnnnnnnnn]

We’ll be right. Good time to be a dogs fan right now.

I flip flop between your optimistic view and the pessimism that's more befitting of a Dogs fan.

I think frankly it is too early to tell either way. This year is going to tell us a lot - we have the second oldest list in the league and relatively close to the oft-maligned Cats. This group should be ready to contend. If we don't, something big has to change.

I don't think it's do or die this year, necessarily, just that there aren't excuses this year. If we're a middling team again, something is wrong.

 

[CarnTheScray]

Pure laziness. A GF side from 2021 in their prime that had an off 2022. Have also strengthened multiple lines.

Some of these so called experts put no effort in to their job.

These same experts are also tipping Carlton as finals contenders or flag threats despite only adding a Blake Acres and not improving their defence at all during the off-season.

 

[Dazb86]

Our age and experience demographic was trending upwards from 2019, so a deep trip in to September in 2021 shouldn’t be an outlier. Unless you don’t rate the list we have?

2022 the outlier for me as it was clearly the worst on field performance as a whole season, by the group since 2017/18. A drop away from our rise over the previous 3 seasons.

I also think it’s important to not forget what impact the 2021/22 off season coaching exodus had on the group and the lingering doubt left from the GF’s 2nd half failings.

I’ll put my house on this upcoming season being a massive improvement on last season more in line with what we saw trending from 2019/20/21. Leaving 2022 as the clear outlier.

I don’t think Dunks is as big a loss as some others might. We bat pretty deep and it now gives some wiggle room to fit our mids in to positions best suited as opposed to just getting them in to the best 22 even if it meant playing them elsewhere for large minutes.

We’ll be right. Good time to be a dogs fan right now.

2022 was a bit of a disaster tbh. We never really played our best structure due to injury/coaching. Martin was cooked, Bruce was cooked, Keath was cooked and our mids weren't nearly at their best. Add in the back off 5m tactic and you're looking at a shit show from start to finish.

 

[RedWhite&Blue]

Juicy odds.

When the last time a team won the flag and had both the Brownlow and Coleman winners? Not impossible, but assuming it doesn’t happen too often.

when was the last time that a team had the Coleman medallist 2 years running and it wasn't the same player!

 

[Dazb86]

These same experts are also tipping Carlton as finals contenders or flag threats despite only adding a Blake Acres and not improving their defence at all during the off-season.

Carlton should contend next year. Soft draw on paper, have A.A talent on every line. A brownlow medalist and 2 coleman winners in the best 22 and they are coming into the right age/experience. Absolutely no excuses if they don't make finals.

 

[doggies ftw]

I flip flop between your optimistic view and the pessimism that's more befitting of a Dogs fan.

I think frankly it is too early to tell either way. This year is going to tell us a lot - we have the second oldest list in the league and relatively close to the oft-maligned Cats. This group should be ready to contend. If we don't, something big has to change.

I don't think it's do or die this year, necessarily, just that there aren't excuses this year. If we're a middling team again, something is wrong.

Avg list age is such a crock of shit mate it’s not even worth bringing up, again - you say we’re close to Geelong, yet:

Hawkins, Selwood (gone), Smith - 34
Danger 32
Blicavs, Duncan, Guthrie 31
Stewart & Cameron 30 by round 2

This is literally all of their best players, they have one single player of note under the age of 23 (SDK)

Compared to us? Libba, Keath, Doc all 30, Keath & Doc have already spent time out of the side and are hardly certainties. Bruce already out of the side, Jones & Lobb weren’t even on the list last year but admittedly should be important this year, and Adzy 29.

Only ones of any note from the side who made a GF in 2021, to be completely honest is Libba & Keath.

Some of our best players are under 22, majority 25-27, a few of the best teenagers in the country coming through.

The team make up between us and Geelong is so vastly different it’s not even funny - going by the Geelong model we should be competing in 2027 when Keath & Libba are 34 & Bont is 31.

 

[Dannnnnnnnnn]

This is literally all of their best players, they have one single player of note under the age of 23 (SDK)

Compared to us? Libba, Keath, Doc all 30, Keath & Doc have already spent time out of the side and are hardly certainties. Bruce already out of the side, Jones & Lobb weren’t even on the list last year but admittedly should be important this year, and Adzy 29.

Only ones of any note from the side who made a GF in 2021, to be completely honest is Libba & Keath.

I think this is a pretty unfavourable assessment of these players. Libba remains hugely important, particularly with Dunkley out. Many here have Treloar taking some of Dunkley's mid minutes, making him more valuable. Many are factoring Keath, Jones, and Lobb into our best side and using them as reasons our fortunes will improve this season. You can't have it both ways - either these guys are valuable assets that should help us improve this season, or they aren't particularly important and therefore their age isn't an issue.

Anyway, as I said, I'm not commenting on whether this is a problem or not. I'm just saying that our list is in the window and there will be a number of important players to be replaced in the short term. We're going to find out how well placed we are this season, either way.

 

[doggies ftw]

I think this is a pretty unfavourable assessment of these players. Libba remains hugely important, particularly with Dunkley out. Many here have Treloar taking some of Dunkley's mid minutes, making him more valuable. Many are factoring Keath, Jones, and Lobb into our best side and using them as reasons our fortunes will improve this season. You can't have it both ways - either these guys are valuable assets that should help us improve this season, or they aren't particularly important and therefore their age isn't an issue.

Anyway, as I said, I'm not commenting on whether this is a problem or not. I'm just saying that our list is in the window and there will be a number of important players to be replaced in the short term. We're going to find out how well placed we are this season, either way.

Even so 5 important players scratching the surface of 30 is not in anyway comparable to pretty much every good player in the team being well into their 30s (and majority of fringe players too).

Like 75% of the team we put on the park, and the majority of our ‘good’ players are aged between 22-28, you could literally count the decent players in that age bracket they have on their entire list on one hand.

I agree we’re now finally in the window, just pointing out how ridiculously worthless the avg list age stat is & the comparison to Geelong, I mean you can play the exact same team every week yet your list could be ‘oldest’ or ‘youngest’ it’s completely irrelevant.

 

[Bulldogs85]

 

[Inside The Kennel]

Training Report, Day 1, 2023:
We kicked off the new year with a typically spirited 120-minute session at Skinner Reserve, Braybrook. For training vids, visit my Bulldog Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM0H1em3LEnlDiEZVr0TqOw
Notes:
1. We had 43 players on the track. The main body of the session involved breaking into three groups: a) a seven-on-seven keepings-off game which focussed on movement, decision making and pressure. Coaches kept a tally of how many times the ball hit the target until it hit the ground or a turnover/error was forced. b) a 12-on-12 game simulation with compressed space. This called for composure and precision kicking. Caleb thrived in this activity, while Garcia, Bailey Dale and Macrae were also prominent. c) The final group was the rehab/revised program players consisting of English, Bailey Smith, Treloar, West and Busslinger. These five all moved well and must be close to joining the main group. They completed interval training, speed and agility exercises and some kicking drills. Treloar had to have his left ankle re-taped and Busslinger's shin is causing him some discomfort. O'Brien joined the group towards the end of training, and West integrated with the main group for a short period also.
2. (No surprises here but...) The Bont's silky clean hands and exquisite skills were on full display and at his elite best. His ball handling was reminiscent of the 1980's 'grip ball' game where kids would take impossible catches on velcro disks. He looks primed for a big season.
3. Bailey Williams moved the ball by foot beautifully during end-to-end play - his field kicking and delivery to our forwards see him well suited to a role on the wing.
4. Charlie Clarke moves gracefully for a new recruit. Watch this space with this kid, he looks the goods. He worked closely with Arty Jones and Vandermeer on inside-50 craft.
5. Darcy has now moved into the main group. His arms are like a praying mantis and when he flies for marks, it is impossible to combat. He looked great.
6. Jamarra Ugle-Hagan has the swagger of a man who knows his talent level. His beautiful long kicking and was a feature, one in particular from 60 out, hit Naughton running back with the flight, right on the goal-line. Jamarra also brought down McLean in a bone-jarring tackle and then sprung to his feet and dished off before getting it back from a teammate and shimmied around his opponent. Bang, bang, the sheriff is in town.
7. Liam Jones was like a buzzing fly, shutting down space and earning repeated cheers from his teammates for pressure efforts and turnovers. Spoke to him after training and he is feeling in good shape and excited.
8. Braybrook is not an ideal honeymoon location, but Alex Keath, fresh from getting married in the UK last week, looks lean and moving freely. Seems to be forming a good connection with Jones.
9. Lobb looks sharp. His long kicking will provide us with a new dimension this season. He appeared to hurt his groin at one point, but soldiered on and seemed fine. He began the session with Bevo calling him away from the group for a chat in the middle of the ground. Very positive body language.
10. Weightman completed some extras with goal kicking practise. His technique is flawless and accuracy excellent, including extremely tight angles.
*Rohan Smith said that our session on Saturday (9:30 start) will not be as long, while Monday's 9:30 session will be "a big one". Get there!

 

[Bulldogs85]

 

[weltschmerz]

6. Jamarra Ugle-Hagan has the swagger of a man who knows his talent level. His beautiful long kicking and was a feature, one in particular from 60 out, hit Naughton running back with the flight, right on the goal-line. Jamarra also brought down McLean in a bone-jarring tackle and then sprung to his feet and dished off before getting it back from a teammate and shimmied around his opponent. Bang, bang, the sheriff is in town.

Marra's long kicking definitely stood out to me. He's got a hell of a boot to him.

 

[willofwest]

Training Report, Day 1, 2023:
We kicked off the new year with a typically spirited 120-minute session at Skinner Reserve, Braybrook. For training vids, visit my Bulldog Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM0H1em3LEnlDiEZVr0TqOw
Notes:
1. We had 43 players on the track. The main body of the session involved breaking into three groups: a) a seven-on-seven keepings-off game which focussed on movement, decision making and pressure. Coaches kept a tally of how many times the ball hit the target until it hit the ground or a turnover/error was forced. b) a 12-on-12 game simulation with compressed space. This called for composure and precision kicking. Caleb thrived in this activity, while Garcia, Bailey Dale and Macrae were also prominent. c) The final group was the rehab/revised program players consisting of English, Bailey Smith, Treloar, West and Busslinger. These five all moved well and must be close to joining the main group. They completed interval training, speed and agility exercises and some kicking drills. Treloar had to have his left ankle re-taped and Busslinger's shin is causing him some discomfort. O'Brien joined the group towards the end of training, and West integrated with the main group for a short period also.
2. (No surprises here but...) The Bont's silky clean hands and exquisite skills were on full display and at his elite best. His ball handling was reminiscent of the 1980's 'grip ball' game where kids would take impossible catches on velcro disks. He looks primed for a big season.
3. Bailey Williams moved the ball by foot beautifully during end-to-end play - his field kicking and delivery to our forwards see him well suited to a role on the wing.
4. Charlie Clarke moves gracefully for a new recruit. Watch this space with this kid, he looks the goods. He worked closely with Arty Jones and Vandermeer on inside-50 craft.
5. Darcy has now moved into the main group. His arms are like a praying mantis and when he flies for marks, it is impossible to combat. He looked great.
6. Jamarra Ugle-Hagan has the swagger of a man who knows his talent level. His beautiful long kicking and was a feature, one in particular from 60 out, hit Naughton running back with the flight, right on the goal-line. Jamarra also brought down McLean in a bone-jarring tackle and then sprung to his feet and dished off before getting it back from a teammate and shimmied around his opponent. Bang, bang, the sheriff is in town.
7. Liam Jones was like a buzzing fly, shutting down space and earning repeated cheers from his teammates for pressure efforts and turnovers. Spoke to him after training and he is feeling in good shape and excited.
8. Braybrook is not an ideal honeymoon location, but Alex Keath, fresh from getting married in the UK last week, looks lean and moving freely. Seems to be forming a good connection with Jones.
9. Lobb looks sharp. His long kicking will provide us with a new dimension this season. He appeared to hurt his groin at one point, but soldiered on and seemed fine. He began the session with Bevo calling him away from the group for a chat in the middle of the ground. Very positive body language.
10. Weightman completed some extras with goal kicking practise. His technique is flawless and accuracy excellent, including extremely tight angles.
*Rohan Smith said that our session on Saturday (9:30 start) will not be as long, while Monday's 9:30 session will be "a big one". Get there!

These reports are great. Thank you.

 

[Dazb86]

Training Report, Day 1, 2023:
We kicked off the new year with a typically spirited 120-minute session at Skinner Reserve, Braybrook. For training vids, visit my Bulldog Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM0H1em3LEnlDiEZVr0TqOw
Notes:
1. We had 43 players on the track. The main body of the session involved breaking into three groups: a) a seven-on-seven keepings-off game which focussed on movement, decision making and pressure. Coaches kept a tally of how many times the ball hit the target until it hit the ground or a turnover/error was forced. b) a 12-on-12 game simulation with compressed space. This called for composure and precision kicking. Caleb thrived in this activity, while Garcia, Bailey Dale and Macrae were also prominent. c) The final group was the rehab/revised program players consisting of English, Bailey Smith, Treloar, West and Busslinger. These five all moved well and must be close to joining the main group. They completed interval training, speed and agility exercises and some kicking drills. Treloar had to have his left ankle re-taped and Busslinger's shin is causing him some discomfort. O'Brien joined the group towards the end of training, and West integrated with the main group for a short period also.
2. (No surprises here but...) The Bont's silky clean hands and exquisite skills were on full display and at his elite best. His ball handling was reminiscent of the 1980's 'grip ball' game where kids would take impossible catches on velcro disks. He looks primed for a big season.
3. Bailey Williams moved the ball by foot beautifully during end-to-end play - his field kicking and delivery to our forwards see him well suited to a role on the wing.
4. Charlie Clarke moves gracefully for a new recruit. Watch this space with this kid, he looks the goods. He worked closely with Arty Jones and Vandermeer on inside-50 craft.
5. Darcy has now moved into the main group. His arms are like a praying mantis and when he flies for marks, it is impossible to combat. He looked great.
6. Jamarra Ugle-Hagan has the swagger of a man who knows his talent level. His beautiful long kicking and was a feature, one in particular from 60 out, hit Naughton running back with the flight, right on the goal-line. Jamarra also brought down McLean in a bone-jarring tackle and then sprung to his feet and dished off before getting it back from a teammate and shimmied around his opponent. Bang, bang, the sheriff is in town.
7. Liam Jones was like a buzzing fly, shutting down space and earning repeated cheers from his teammates for pressure efforts and turnovers. Spoke to him after training and he is feeling in good shape and excited.
8. Braybrook is not an ideal honeymoon location, but Alex Keath, fresh from getting married in the UK last week, looks lean and moving freely. Seems to be forming a good connection with Jones.
9. Lobb looks sharp. His long kicking will provide us with a new dimension this season. He appeared to hurt his groin at one point, but soldiered on and seemed fine. He began the session with Bevo calling him away from the group for a chat in the middle of the ground. Very positive body language.
10. Weightman completed some extras with goal kicking practise. His technique is flawless and accuracy excellent, including extremely tight angles.
*Rohan Smith said that our session on Saturday (9:30 start) will not be as long, while Monday's 9:30 session will be "a big one". Get there!

Cheers for the report

I'm hopeful Williams can get back to his best this year.

Marra sounds promising

 

[bresker]

If we had someone fit & able to take his position , I’d like the mature Bailey Dale forward again. 40 goals a year .

 

[Dogs_R_Us]