Training Summer Footy Fix - 2022 training watch

[Pessimistic]

I generally find 'list our best 22' conversations absolutely moot until after the praccy games - particularly with the sheer volume of youth in the side now. It is way too hard to assess the output of the draftees and overall improvement of the second year players until the pre-season is in full flight and there's been some actual footy played.

Yep the point being if a best 18 is unavailable, an interchange probably can step in, but the new best available is not usually #23 on the list. It depends where the hole is created

 

[CaptainWorpedo]

Absolutely. This is why I continually argue for Howe's case on the fact that he has been a best 22 player for a long while now when not injured or suspended. To expect Ward, Butler and McDonald to just waltz in and take his spot isn't fair to Howe, who is coming off a career best year and in his prime years, nor is it fair to a bunch of kids who might need time to find their feet at senior level, especially when their last 2 years of junior footy were severely interrupted. Those saying it will be a disaster if Howe isn't supplanted by first or second year players are setting themselves up for the potential of really unnecessary disappointment.

If Howe's position was set in stone at the club, he would not of been one of the last players signed in 2021, an it was only a year contract.

No other club was interested in him and he his fighting for his career in 2022.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Breaking from training: Ward to Worpel to MacDonald. Phwoar.

 

[Ned Ryerson]

If Howe's position was set in stone at the club, he would not of been one of the last players signed in 2021, an it was only a year contract.

No other club was interested in him and he his fighting for his career in 2022.

Sydney was interested but couldn't get the trade done. I am not saying his position is set in stone - I'm trying to say that he has been a best 22 player in the past, he's coming off a career best year and that people need to be realistic with our expectations on the younger players no matter how excited we might be about them.

 

[CaptainWorpedo]

Sydney was interested but couldn't get the trade done. I am not saying his position is set in stone - I'm trying to say that he has been a best 22 player in the past, he's coming off a career best year and that people need to be realistic with our expectations on the younger players no matter how excited we might be about them.

Maginness, Downie, Morris, and Brockman are the one's who should he set to claim a spot in the best 22.

 

[CaptainWorpedo]

Breaking from training: Ward to Worpel to MacDonald. Phwoar.

Are you at training now? Fingers X

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Are you at training now? Fingers X

I was, yeah.

Let me throw together some random observations.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

O’Hara is 19. I think he’s already played senior rugby in Ireland and based on his Gaelic footy highlights he’d be ready for Box Hill in 2022.

He’s green and needs to learn, VFL is a high standard of footy to step straight into.

 

[CaptainWorpedo]

I was, yeah.

Let me throw together some random observations.

Awesome.... Thank you

 

[derp de derp]

I've always imagined Day behind or on the ball, but I wonder if he could be the mid-forward sides are using now that connects the midfield and forward line. Is smart, an excellent user and tough, though not as physical/developed as a couple of others who play that role.

This is what is exciting about a new coach, in seasons past we all would have pigeon holed Day as the guy Clarkson wanted for a Whitfieldesque back flanker.

Now the possibilities are endless




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Yardie]

That said, its always interesting to see the whipping boy baton handed over in real time. Howe and Hartigan, come on down!

I hope that Dan stays in the team for an extended period just so he can be the whipping boy while the kids come on. Imagine if Howe and Hartigan don't play? Who do we start tearing apart?

 

[Ned Ryerson]

I hope that Dan stays in the team for an extended period just so he can be the whipping boy while the kids come on. Imagine if Howe and Hartigan don't play? Who do we start tearing apart?

Morrison.

 

[Pessimistic]

I hope that Dan stays in the team for an extended period just so he can be the whipping boy while the kids come on. Imagine if Howe and Hartigan don't play? Who do we start tearing apart?

Ohara after half a dozen games?

 

[HomerJayS]

Ohara after half a dozen games?

My pick is Mitchell (because there’s four of them, including the coach) =4 times the chance of being right

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Ok, so I arrived after all the boys were already down on the field, setting up for the first lot of drills and there was a number of new faces that had us wondering who they were and where they had come from. Rule, Parsons and Blanck were out there, but there were also two 16yr olds from AIS squad who were training with us also. One of them was like a mini-me of Duke Newk, with a dicke-knee likeness.

There was a number of players doing rehab/limited work, as there was some sore bodies after last weeks session, that from all accounts really worked over a few of them in the heat. Day, Lewis, DGB, Butler, Gunston, Saunders, O’Hara, Dimma all did some work away from the main drills, or on the far side of the ground. Cj was upstairs. Did not see Chad or Punky. Reeves and Howe running laps.

In the main drills, where the eyes were focused, all the usual suspects were doing their thing. There was a few players that stood out to me at times. MacDonald and Ward are exciting, and in particular I really like the way that MacDonald has poise in traffic, and he has some pace.

The example I posted early was from a boundary stoppage drill, where Lynch and Monky competed for the throw in and the singlets were up against the shirts.
Lynch won the tap and before the ball could drop to eye height Ward had leapt up off the ground, never taking possession he tapped it down to Worpel who immediately dished to MacDonald who put on a short burst and delivered into the middle of the ground. It was a nice little example of what we may look forward to seeing much more of over the coming years.

I did notice a theme across a couple of drills while myself FP and Eldo were gasbagging, of bringing the ball back into the corridor and then going directly to the leading forward. I would love to see this more in 2022.

My guy, wee baby Seamus really showed his wares today, and why he’s an exciting prospect. He glides, has pace and weights the ball well by foot. Jeka too, looks to have had a really good summer so far and was really plucking the ball at pace.

To reiterate what so many others have said, Finn looks to be in ripping nick and was one of the eye catchers. Both he and Moore were really putting in the interval running. Ward too. Similarly, Tom and JOM look in prime condition.

The two Irish boys really do look like they’ve had an Irish summer, with their lily white arms flashing through drills.

Brockman looks like he’s going to be up for a big season, he’s still as slick as ever and he really motors along without looking like he’s trying.

I’m sure I’ll think of more later.

Edit: the “Simon says” stuff was prevalent again today and the penalties for not being quick enough to respond or join a group saw a few get down and do push ups.

There was also players pairing up and wrestling one the ground for a few minutes after the interval running, near the end of training when they really were starting to tire.

 

[Pessimistic]

Monky to the supp list?

 

[threesixpio]

Ok, so I arrived after all the boys were already down on the field, setting up for the first lot of drills and there was a number of new faces that had us wondering who they were and where they had come from. Rule, Parsons and Blanck were out there, but there were also two 16yr olds from AIS squad who were training with us also. One of them was like a mini-me of Duke Newk, with a dicke-knee likeness.

There was a number of players doing rehab/limited work, as there was some sore bodies after last weeks session, that from all accounts really worked over a few of them in the heat. Day, Lewis, DGB, Butler, Gunston, Saunders, O’Hara, Dimma all did some work away from the main drills, or on the far side of the ground. Cj was upstairs. Did not see Chad. Reeves and Howe running laps.

In the main drills, where the eyes were focused, all the usual suspects were doing there thing. There was a few players that stood out to me at times. MacDonald and Ward are exciting, and in particular I really like the way that MacDonald has poise in traffic, and he has some pace.

The example I posted early was from a boundary stoppage drill, where Lynch and Monky competed for the throw in and the singlets were up against the shirts.

Lynch won the tap and before the ball void drop to eye eight Ward was up off the ground, never taking possession he tapped it down to Worpel who immediately dished to MacDonald who put on a short burst and delivered into the middle of the ground. It was a nice little example of what we may look forward to seeing much more of over the coming years.

I did notice a theme across a couple of drills while myself FP and Eldo were gasbagging of bringing the ball back into the corridor and then going directly to the leading forward. I would love to see this more in 2022.

My guy, wee baby Seamus really showed his wares today, and why he’s an exciting prospect. He glides, has pace and weights the ball well by foot. Jeka too, looks to have had a really good summer so far and was really plucking the ball at pace.

To reiterate what so many others have says, Finn looks to be in ripping nick and was one of the eye catchers. Both he and Moore were really putting in the interval running. Ward too. Similarly, Tom and JOM look in prime condition.

The two Irish boys really do look like they’ve had an Irish summer, with their lily white arms flashing through drills.

Brockman looks like he’s going to be up for a big season, he’s still as slick as ever and he really motors along without looking like he’s trying.

I’m sure I’ll think of more later.

Edit: the “Simon says” stuff was prevalent again today and the penalties for not being quick enough to respond or join a group saw a few get down and do push ups.

There was also players pairing up and wrestling one the ground for a few minutes after the interval running, near the end of training when they really were starting to tire.

Brockman looking more and more like a cross between Leigh Matthews, Muhammad Ali, Albert Einstein and Gandhi.

 

[threesixpio]

Just glimpses, in some moments

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Brockman looking more and more like a cross between Leigh Matthews, Muhammad Ali, Albert Einstein and Gandhi.

And Luke Skywalker.

 

[threesixpio]

And Luke Skywalker.

Hey go easy. He hasn’t proved himself and that comparison is ridiculous

 

[threesixpio]

You should see what other Jedis Strapping Young Lad compares Brockman to in his PMs.

 

[Ned Ryerson]

And Luke Skywalker.

So he was drinking blue milk?

 

[philohk]

I hope that Dan stays in the team for an extended period just so he can be the whipping boy while the kids come on. Imagine if Howe and Hartigan don't play? Who do we start tearing apart?

Ward. Top-10 pick should really be impacting games by now. #whereiswardat

 

[hawkman]

That said, its always interesting to see the whipping boy baton handed over in real time. Howe and Hartigan, come on down!

Phillips and Nash if he doesn't show the form of his last 4 games can also hold the whipping boy baton

 

[Pessimistic]

Brockman looking more and more like a cross between Leigh Matthews, Muhammad Ali, Albert Einstein and Gandhi.

Hyperbole not sighted since stratton was a draftee