Training Preseason Training Thread - 2024/25

[stallon]

Yeah fair points but we’ve also got their former list manager building the list so I’m not really that confident we’re forging a new path.

The days of having a couple of guns in the middle and soldiers everywhere else is fading fast. They’re obviously essential but you also need good ball use out of the back half and entering the forward 50.

Richmond and Melbournes gameplans of running and pressuring teams off their feet just doesn’t cut it anymore when teams can do that and slice you open with good skills.

If those are the two teams he’s basing it off then we’re f*cked because both did the same thing and have been found out since. It’ll be Harley (Martin, Petracca), a couple of good key pillars and shit, in terms of skills and 1v1 ability, everywhere else.

We dont have Melbournes or Richmonds list manager, a recruiting manager from Richmond yes, but Clarke wasnt managing a list before.

What those Melbourne and Richmond sides lacked was strong KPFs, which we have covered comfortably.
If Ginbey and Hough can cover for our weaker KPDs coming through then the backline is covered defensively.
We dont have a strong ruckman, I dont think full strength Flynn is quite on the level of Gawn or Nank.

Thats already a different structure/game plan required than hes used to

Hes still been involved in the game, he would know how Brisbane play footy and how that differs to Melbourne/Richmond.
Itll be inspired by those teams for sure, but hes got different assistant coaches and different players to influence how to build the game style.

 

[FKASC]

They’re obviously essential but you also need good ball use out of the back half and entering the forward 50.

Richmond and Melbournes gameplans of running and pressuring teams off their feet just doesn’t cut it anymore when teams can do that and slice you open with good skills.

For starters both Richmond and Melbourne had good ball use out of the back half (Short, Salem, Houli).

But otherwise they were pretty different sides. Different midfields, Richmond relied way more on pressuring teams into fumbling in dangerous spots, whereas Melbourne was about winning clearances and fast ball movement by hand.

 

[stallon]

Jack Williams looking in absolute ripping nick. Hope he can take another huge step forward next season

Maybe we are pushing for Allen to go as a free agent in 12 months lol, with Jack just taking that full forward spot for himself

 

[amazingjoshy]

Bagging the gameplan 5 months before a game is played is next level even for this board

 

[Astro7]

He’ll get good buy in but Richmond’s gameplan fell off a cliff just like ours. New rules have exposed the genuine battler types who have below par skills. Brisbane (nearly everyone else as well) basically play the same turnover and get the ball forward asap style, but they do it with skill and have more gears to control the ball.

Feel like we’re going down the wrong path by trying to recruit and implement the Richmond 2017-20 era. It’s not innovative, it’s outdated and imo will never put us where we want to be. The modern game relies more on individual skill than it used to and you can get by with a good “team” anymore.

If you know that, you don't think the coach knows that? I doubt very much he is going to carbon copy a game plan from 7 years ago, without tweaking it with current styles and then hopefully add something new of his own. Every coach would've brushed up on Brisbane etc. Mini didn't say he wasn't focusing on skills,(they were doing skills at training) he said he wasn't focusing on stats essentially. He also mentioned something about bringing out players natural abilities...so impacting each and every contest with speed and skill (the new swervability?) is how I read it..
(Mini is easier to type than McQualter)

* A sidenote - I watched The Club last night, what a laugh, a very simplistic story or take on footy way back then...how things have changed re coaching and big men in tight little shorts.

 

[Bender_]

Bagging the gameplan 5 months before a game is played is next level even for this board

I dunno man, it's kinda on brand for round here at the moment.

 

[DorothyG]

Also in those photos with McQualter was Harry Taylor decked out in an assistants gear.
I certainly hope he becomes McQualters senior assistant.

HTs a local lad, he knows the deal, deck out in all the slip,slop,slap.

 

[Coasters7]

So you are basically saying:

1) Recruit guns in every position.

2) Good ball use from D50 and entering F50.

3) Good ball use to work through defensive systems, not just elite fitness.

1 is impossible and 2 and 3 is what every team is trying to do.

I agree. So why then are we trying to emulate two teams that had skills well down the list of priorities.

Every team is trying to do it because it works, effort and pressure only gets you so far, if your players aren’t good enough 1 on 1 or using the ball then you’ll struggle. In the past that wasn’t necessarily the case.

 

[Bleedblueandgold]

Everyone hates Clay Hall's hair.

 

[stallon]

I agree. So why then are we trying to emulate two teams that had skills well down the list of priorities.

Every team is trying to do it because it works, effort and pressure only gets you so far, if your players aren’t good enough 1 on 1 or using the ball then you’ll struggle. In the past that wasn’t necessarily the case.

Nobody said we were emulating them exactly lol

 

[ghostbat12]

Bagging the gameplan 5 months before a game is played is next level even for this board

Call it a throwover from bagging Simpson gamelan.

Old habits die hard.

 

[ghostbat12]

We dont have Melbournes or Richmonds list manager, a recruiting manager from Richmond yes, but Clarke wasnt managing a list before.

What those Melbourne and Richmond sides lacked was strong KPFs, which we have covered comfortably.
If Ginbey and Hough can cover for our weaker KPDs coming through then the backline is covered defensively.
We dont have a strong ruckman, I dont think full strength Flynn is quite on the level of Gawn or Nank.

Thats already a different structure/game plan required than hes used to

Hes still been involved in the game, he would know how Brisbane play footy and how that differs to Melbourne/Richmond.
Itll be inspired by those teams for sure, but hes got different assistant coaches and different players to influence how to build the game style.

Tom lynch and Riewoldt were pretty damn strong KPFs.

 

[ghostbat12]

Ginbey on Scheoys pod today said "played 35 games in the midfield, couldn't figure it out in there. Glad to be playing back" or words to that effect. Hopefully he just stays where he is an becomes an absolute gun defender.

Basically a Maynard who can play a bit taller.

 

[Gwaihir]

I dont think we've ever had a player that makes me irritated simply looking at as much as Clay Hall. Looks like Oscar Allen had a kid with Chad Fletcher.

 

[Shueygod]

Basically a Maynard who can play a bit taller.

Maynard would give his left nut for Ginbeys athleticism.

 

[stallon]

Tom lynch and Riewoldt were pretty damn strong KPFs.

ffs I completely forgot about Lynch, my bad. I had in my head that Riewoldt was the solo target

 

[squashface]

ffs I completely forgot about Lynch, my bad. I had in my head that Riewoldt was the solo target

He was in the 2017 flag

 

[Dark Sharks]

Ginbey on Scheoys pod today said "played 35 games in the midfield, couldn't figure it out in there. Glad to be playing back" or words to that effect. Hopefully he just stays where he is an becomes an absolute gun defender.

So basically, anyone who cried and had doubts about Ginbey's ability to be a proper midfielder back when he was drafted 2 years ago is now vindicated?

This is why you shouldn't get sucked into young players randomly getting chucked in the midfield briefly at U18 level. A midfielder it does not make.

Draft mids as mids, not backman.

 

[Bleedblueandgold]

So basically, anyone who cried and had doubts about Ginbey's ability to be a proper midfielder back when he was drafted 2 years ago is now vindicated?

This is why you shouldn't get sucked into young players randomly getting chucked in the midfield briefly at U18 level. A midfielder it does not make.

Draft mids as mids, not backman.

If Ginbey wasn't moved to the midfield he probably probably wouldn't have been drafted until much later. It seemed like he wasn't being noticed much as a defender and only got rated as a draft prospect when he was moved to the midfield. Players do get thrown into a lot of different positions at u18 level.

 

[Bender_]

So basically, anyone who cried and had doubts about Ginbey's ability to be a proper midfielder back when he was drafted 2 years ago is now vindicated?

This is why you shouldn't get sucked into young players randomly getting chucked in the midfield briefly at U18 level. A midfielder it does not make.

Draft mids as mids, not backman.

Can't believe you're writing off Ginbey already.

 

[Rivoroo17]

So basically, anyone who cried and had doubts about Ginbey's ability to be a proper midfielder back when he was drafted 2 years ago is now vindicated?

This is why you shouldn't get sucked into young players randomly getting chucked in the midfield briefly at U18 level. A midfielder it does not make.

Draft mids as mids, not backman.

I haven't watched the clip but I'm assuming you haven't either the way your leaping to conclusions. You gotta take some of the context of the "back"chat podcast into account. I'm sure it's a lot of tongue and cheek going on in that convo. Backchat pod is basically sucking off backman, they love to take the piss out of midfielders and forwards.

 

[Keys]

So basically, anyone who cried and had doubts about Ginbey's ability to be a proper midfielder back when he was drafted 2 years ago is now vindicated?

This is why you shouldn't get sucked into young players randomly getting chucked in the midfield briefly at U18 level. A midfielder it does not make.

Draft mids as mids, not backman.

Or more that if you draft a HB with some midfield experience/potential it might be better to play him at HB initially and transition him into the midfield over time. Rather than say throw him in the middle from the start

 

[Eastcoasteagle]

Couldn't find a thread for this yet, so thought why not start one...

1st-4th year players in non-finals teams report back for preseason tomorrow. 5th+ year players are required back two weeks later (Monday Nov 25) although we generally see most senior players come back a bit earlier than that.

From an injury standpoint, by my count here are the players who finished 2024 under an injury cloud and may have a delayed start to training:

• Dom Sheed - Underwent further foot surgery in mid-August. I'm tipping he'll be under a modified program to start with given the number of setbacks he's had in recent years.
• Elijah Hewett - Had the sesamoid issues the last couple of years and when he was on the brink of a football return in mid-July, scans revealed a hotspot in his foot. The West is reporting that he's ready for day 1 of preseason but I wouldn't be surprised if he's on a slightly different program to start given his lack of a fitness base.
• Tyler Brockman - Underwent surgery in mid-July after suffering a season-ending syndesmosis injury. Been almost four months since then though so he may be back into full training already.
• Noah Long - Injured his PCL in early May and underwent surgery. Has been 6 months since then so he's likely to be fairly advanced in his recovery. Started running again in early August.
• Brady Hough - Probably will be fine, but was subbed out of R24 with a knee injury. Fortunately scans at the time cleared him of any major damage, so I doubt it will limit him very much.
• Jeremy McGovern - Underwent season-ending thumb surgery after R23. Highly doubt this will still be affecting him.
• Callum Jamieson - Underwent double surgery in late July on both his ankle and knee. This sounded like a fairly significant setback at the time so I'd be surprised if he's back in full training already.

And here is a more speculative list of some players who appeared to be carrying injuries throughout the season and may have had post-season surgeries:

• Liam Ryan - elbow was often heavily strapped in the second half of the season
• Jayden Hunt - carried toe and knee issues throughout 2024 which seemed to impact his form. Did play the last 10 games of the season though.
• Jake Waterman - played through ITB soreness around his knee in the back half of 2024. Missed R19 due to the issue but then played the final 5 games of the season
• Harley Reid - Had some issues with his finger and potentially his ankle towards the back end of the season - both of which he was able to play through.
• Tim Kelly - Played through the season with bone stress and cartilage damage in his knee
• Oscar Allen - Was often wearing heavy strapping late in the season and sometimes seen icing his knee post-game. May have been precautionary given his injury history but wouldn't be surprised if he had some clean-up surgery post season.

...so in summary, I'm guessing at least Sheed, Hewett, Brockman, Long and Jamieson will be on separate programs to start. There will probably be more than that with the handful of injuries and surgeries that usually happen in the off-season, but we'll get a better idea on that in the next couple of weeks.

Importantly though, all of the players I've listed should be back in full training by post-Christmas.





There are usually also a couple of positional changes over the course of preseason - here are some players I'm particularly interested to see where they train, especially under a new coach in McQualter:

• Campbell Chesser - A huge year coming up for Chess. Will the club experiment with playing him in the guts or at half back, or do we persist with playing him on the wing?
• Matt Flynn - Not a positional change per se, but how will Flynn present for day 1 of preseason? Injuries significantly stifled his football in 2024 and he often looked short of a gallop. Needs a big and uninterrupted summer to prove he's capable of being an AFL-level ruck.
• Clay Hall - Transitioned from inside mid to wing late in the season and it got him a few games at senior level to end the year. Will the club continue experimenting with him on the wing, or is it back to the engine room for Hall?
• Harry Barnett - After struggling all season as a ruck in the WAFL, Barnett finished the season playing full-back and showed some promising signs. The departure of Barrass and our subsequent lack of key back depth may see him trialled there throughout preseason.
• Bailey Williams - Someone I am very intrigued to see where he's used. Throughout the last few seasons it has seemed as though the club has seen him as a forward/ruck, who has been forced to play ruck out of necessity. In 2024 Bailey finally got a chance to play as that forward/ruck in the few games Flynn was available, but the combination really did not work as hoped. In fact, through the last 5-6 weeks of the season, Bailey was preferred as the main ruck despite Flynn being available to finish the season. Will McQualter redouble the efforts to play him as a forward, or will he primarily be competing with Flynn for the main ruck spot? Fascinating watch for mine.
• Ryan Maric - After starting his career as a forward, Maric showed promise later in the year on the wing and in defence with his skills. Will be interested to see where he trains over summer.
• Jack Hutchinson - Another interesting watch. After showing some potential in spurts as a forward, Hutchinson was thrown into the midfield in the second half of R24 and had 18-odd disposals in a half, looking at home in the engine room. Will the club look to continue exploring a midfield move for Hutch, or is it back to the forward line for him?
• Liam Baker - Where will the club look to settle him? Is capable of playing in all thirds of the ground.

Open training has been scheduled for this Wednesday from 9:30-11:00 on Oval 1 (https://www.westcoasteagles.com.au/matches/open-training). This appears to be different to the last couple of years, where all pre-Christmas sessions have been on Oval 2 which is easily visible by the public, even for closed sessions.

I'm tipping there will be a closed training session tomorrow (Monday) where the 1st-4th year players will do their fitness test on return - last year it was the MAS 'beep test' style running test, and I'm assuming it'll be the same this year with Mat Inness still in charge as High Performance Manager. I'll try get down tomorrow and see how they go on the track, although if they're training on Oval 1 that will make it a bit harder to watch.

(Also just FYI - due to personal commitments this summer I am not going to be able to watch training nearly as much as I did last preseason, where I went to most training sessions, open and closed. Pre-Christmas I will be able to get down occasionally, but from January I will be out of the country (INB4 Whore Island comments) and unable to provide juicy training reports like last year. It shouldn't be an issue though as I'm sure the reliable Keys will be all over it this preseason).

Ripping update!!!

I missed that about Barnett being trialed down back, always been plenty of chatter about trialing him there on here but didn't know it actually happened. Did he look quite good there? Certainly got the athletic profile for it.

 

[LittleFires]

Ripping update!!!

I missed that about Barnett being trialed down back, always been plenty of chatter about trialing him there on here but didn't know it actually happened. Did he look quite good there? Certainly got the athletic profile for it.

It was only in the last two games of the WAFL season which were both in wet conditions from memory, but he looked pretty decent down there in the final game. Took some nice intercept marks and had some good spoils in there too. I’m hoping we keep trialling him there because he looked lost as a ruckman for most of the year.

 

[Cuzz09]

Harley!! Stop the sling tackle action please

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