Training Preseason Training Thread - 2024/25

[Keys]

First Game - v Richmond
February 17 (Mon) at Lathlain - Time TBA

 

[squashface]

As much as I'd love to ride the january optimism with the barnett chat, I'll believe it when I see it. He is coming from absolutely miles back, so I'll be surprised if he plays any meaningful afl footy this year.

We're definitely going to know a lot more about our KPD stocks by year end. We've got about 6 guys with a question mark and varying levels of confidence about whether each will make it.

I wouldn't be so sure about that first point. We have two genuine KPD on our list in McGovern and Edwards who are both very often injured.

Behind them we have probably third tall Bazzo and very limited ruck turned KPD Jamieson who are also both usually injured.

Barnett probably falls in after those four as a KPD option (although I'd have him above Jamieson on talent) so I would not be surprised at all to see him play a fair few games at AFL level this year as a KPD.

 

[sharps24]

We'll pick up Sandy Brock you'd think. Seems to be going well despite being a bit on the lean side. Reports were that he played well on Allen today.

 

[ArdentEagle]

Hopeful that it isn't too bad.

The real issue with Yeo going down would be the lack of support Harley will get re: tags. Graham will have to play a real role there you'd think, Yeo or otherwise.

I'd normally agree but the team feels different under Mini...We've got more strut back, a bit of w***er factor and I'm guessing a shitload more team spirit...No more JDG/EH bullshit on McQualters watch.

 

[Cuzz09]

Poor old Yeoy can't get a run at it.

I hope he's ok

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[RookiePick]

I'd normally agree but the team feels different under Mini...We've got more strut back, a bit of w***er factor and I'm guessing a shitload more team spirit...No more JDG/EH bullshit on McQualters watch.

Holy shit. If Mini actually rolled that footage and called the group out on the response I would bow down to the man.

Still twists my knickers when I think about it. Probably the worst thing I can remember from an Eagles playing group.

 

[Deplorable trumpster]

I don't think it is being a smart asse and speaking with the benefit of hindsight to criticise the Yeo contract after this. Many of us were saying on here at the time that given his age and injury history the 3rd year on his deal should have been trigger based and the trigger should have been minimum number of games played in the first two years.

And thats the most generous we should have been. I would only have offered that if i was sure he would leave if we stuck to our guns and only offered him two years.

We got spooked because he had a good first 6 games or so last year and his manager was planting stories in the media about interest from other clubs. We gave him a 3 year extension and sure enough his body started to break down again very shortly after that and he was very quiet for the rest of the year.

We should have given him the option at Round 6 of signing a two year deal then and there, but if he wanted 3 years he would have to wait until the end of the season so we could see how he ran out the year fitness wise and given him benchmarks he would have to hit for us to make it a 3 year deal. My guess is he would have taken the two years.

 

[stallon]

I'd normally agree but the team feels different under Mini...We've got more strut back, a bit of w***er factor and I'm guessing a shitload more team spirit...No more JDG/EH bullshit on McQualters watch.

Bit of that in the derby last year alredy. Mini better keep reinforcing it

 

[ghostbat12]

I don't think it is being a smart asse and speaking with the benefit of hindsight to criticise the Yeo contract after this. Many of us were saying on here at the time that given his age and injury history the 3rd year on his deal should have been trigger based and the trigger should have been minimum number of games played in the first two years.

And thats the most generous we should have been. I would only have offered that if i was sure he would leave if we stuck to our guns and only offered him two years.

We got spooked because he had a good first 6 games or so last year and his manager was planting stories in the media about interest from other clubs. We gave him a 3 year extension and sure enough his body started to break down again very shortly after that and he was very quiet for the rest of the year.

We should have given him the option at Round 6 of signing a two year deal then and there, but if he wanted 3 years he would have to wait until the end of the season so we could see how he ran out the year fitness wise and given him benchmarks he would have to hit for us to make it a 3 year deal. My guess is he would have taken the two years.

I don’t know why it matters. He is an experienced player (which we lack) who unlikely is on a lot of $$ and we have to pay the cap. If not him, then that money has to go to someone else. It was far more downside if he left so it’s a win win.

How do you know there are no benchmarks in the contract? Read it?

 

[garlic munchers]

The Yeo injury sux, but we're at a point where we should be moving away from an over reliance of him. We recruited Baker and Graham who have big bodies and can rotate through the midfield, we have young players looking to take the next step and a handful of draftees fighting for a spot.

As the Chinese say people - Crisitunity!

Nonetheless let's hope it's nothing too serious.

Only Malakai Champion thinks Baker is a big bodied midfielder.

Oh and Liam himself.

 

[THE A5]

Only Malakai Champion thinks Baker is a big bodied midfielder.

Oh and Liam himself.

Graham looks big bit he’s the same height as lecca as well. Thats said both are hard nosed season AFL mids thats can sorta help cover the loss of Yeoy

 

[garlic munchers]

Holy shit. If Mini actually rolled that footage and called the group out on the response I would bow down to the man.

Still twists my knickers when I think about it. Probably the worst thing I can remember from an Eagles playing group.

The Demolition Derby wasn’t great…. Plenty of our big boys stood around whilst a 19 yr old was swinging from the bootlaces and getting a lesson from a 28 yr old Kickett.

Staker response was probably worse, with Hunters flop as soon as Barry looked at him, comical.

Shame the game doesn’t allow for a Woosha of yesteryear.

 

[stallon]

As much as Maynard seems like a flog, itd be nice to have someone like that ready to fly the flag for the boys at a moments notice, often unnecessarily

 

[Bender_]

Only Malakai Champion thinks Baker is a big bodied midfielder.

Oh and Liam himself.

I wasn't comparing him to Patrick Cripps. Perhaps poorly worded by me - seasoned body that can dig in and deal with the knocks a better way to describe it?

 

[Easternkingdom87]

[emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji6]]" data-quote="stallon" data-source="post: 0" class="bbCodeBlock bbCodeBlock--expandable bbCodeBlock--quote js-expandWatch">

As much as Maynard seems like a flog, itd be nice to have someone like that ready to fly the flag for the boys at a moments notice, often unnecessarily

Totally agree about Maynard.

Every time there is shit going down, it seems maric is first in…he might not have the build yet to be an enforcer, but he at least has the spirit…


On iPhone using ][emoji6]][emoji6][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]]]BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[PremiershipNo4]

Ryan will sort Maynard out, any more discussion about Maynard being anything but a flog, deserves a 1 month bigfooty ban.

 

[footy_basis]

I don't think it is being a smart asse and speaking with the benefit of hindsight to criticise the Yeo contract after this. Many of us were saying on here at the time that given his age and injury history the 3rd year on his deal should have been trigger based and the trigger should have been minimum number of games played in the first two years.

And thats the most generous we should have been. I would only have offered that if i was sure he would leave if we stuck to our guns and only offered him two years.

We got spooked because he had a good first 6 games or so last year and his manager was planting stories in the media about interest from other clubs. We gave him a 3 year extension and sure enough his body started to break down again very shortly after that and he was very quiet for the rest of the year.

We should have given him the option at Round 6 of signing a two year deal then and there, but if he wanted 3 years he would have to wait until the end of the season so we could see how he ran out the year fitness wise and given him benchmarks he would have to hit for us to make it a 3 year deal. My guess is he would have taken the two years.

List manager never seems to be held to account.

 

[WCErevival]

I wasn't comparing him to Patrick Cripps. Perhaps poorly worded by me - seasoned body that can dig in and deal with the knocks a better way to describe it?

Well Baker did just take time out for sore ribs. Maybe go with Jack Russel aggression.

 

[ArdentEagle]

Holy shit. If Mini actually rolled that footage and called the group out on the response I would bow down to the man.

Still twists my knickers when I think about it. Probably the worst thing I can remember from an Eagles playing group.

100% agree mate...I was truly ashamed of the playing group that day.

 

[ghostbat12]

As much as Maynard seems like a flog, itd be nice to have someone like that ready to fly the flag for the boys at a moments notice, often unnecessarily

We really are at rock bottom if Maynard is discussed.

This is freo-fan level of panicking

 

[amazingjoshy]

The West Training Report

https://archive.md/FQypu

Like Hutch in the middle and Maric down back

Could be wrong but I don't ever remember him playing ruck though. 0 hitouts in his career so far...

"Maric has been training with the defenders for most of the pre-season after spending the majority of his 29-game career as a forward with stints in the ruck"

 

[eaglevision]

Like Hutch in the middle and Maric down back

Could be wrong but I don't ever remember him playing ruck though. 0 hitouts in his career so far...

"Maric has been training with the defenders for most of the pre-season after spending the majority of his 29-game career as a forward with stints in the ruck"

Spoke to Hutch at length a couple of days ago. Said he’s been training specifically and hoping for a wing role in the B22 but didn’t sound confident he’d get first crack. Could just be modesty though. If Yeo’s underdone I wouldn’t mind at all seeing him given an inside role to start the season.

 

[Jumpoff Joey]

I don’t know why it matters. He is an experienced player (which we lack) who unlikely is on a lot of $$ and we have to pay the cap. If not him, then that money has to go to someone else. It was far more downside if he left so it’s a win win.

How do you know there are no benchmarks in the contract? Read it?

Shit happens.

But it seems to be a consistent gripe, rewarding players over 30 with "longer" contracts. At the time, I thought he should have been given two, with triggers for a 3rd but we are here now. Triggers in the contract will likely be financial based and not an extension of playing time.

In other news, IF, and its a big IF, Yeoy has a serious injury what would it look like now? Hewett, Ginbey, Burgiel, Hutch, Burgiel? I'd be very curious how Graham is used in the CBA's with a mix of the kids coming in, potentially forces Duggan to play more midfield too.

 

[Elite Pete]

Spoke to Hutch at length a couple of days ago. Said he’s been training specifically and hoping for a wing role in the B22 but didn’t sound confident he’d get first crack. Could just be modesty though. If Yeo’s underdone I wouldn’t mind at all seeing him given an inside role to start the season.

By reports of 2 way running yesterday and video of him running past for the handball off Gross. Could be ideal fit out there. Big last 6 weeks of preseason if Yeo is out and his mid minutes are up for grabs

 

[Deplorable trumpster]

I don’t know why it matters. He is an experienced player (which we lack) who unlikely is on a lot of $$ and we have to pay the cap. If not him, then that money has to go to someone else. It was far more downside if he left so it’s a win win.

How do you know there are no benchmarks in the contract? Read it?

I don't think you understand how it works.

When you are down the ladder because you have fewer high quality/high priced players you bring contracts forward and pay players more of the money they are owed in the contract earlier in the contract. Thus, 3, 4 or 5 years from now you will have a cushion in your cap that you can use on free agents or trade targets.

And conversely when you are in a premiership window you back end the contracts so the players get the bulk of the money later in the contract so you keep your playing group together to hopefully win a flag. Then 3 or 4 years down the line you will have to have a firesale and trade some players out for less than they are worth to get their back ended salary off your books. If you win a flag it will have been worth it and if you don't it will be very painful.

We are down the bottom so we should be trying to bank cap space. How else do you think a club could afford to bring a Chad Warner in without trading an A grader out if you haven't been banking cap space to pay for him?

Salary cap space is a commodity. A finite commodity. It matters. Over paying players is a waste of that commodity and it does have consequences.