I went along today for a first look for 2023 and I will not pretend to give a run down but I do agree with those who have given long reviews. Petracca did injure his left knee and came off twice to complain to about it but went back on and from the way he played it did not seem to worry him in play. I had the binoculars on him and he seemed to be moving ok.

Today I did something I don't think I have done since mobile phones came into regular use. I left it home and without the the player list on it I was struggling with the newer players / numbers etc. Quite a few times I thought that was a nice piece of play but little idea who the player was. Verral looks the goods and after  a couple of years to build his body up will help no end. I liked Chandler today I thought he played well. IF anyone doubts the importance of Tmac they should have been there today BOG IMO.

Interesting from my view of match play they seemed to constantly go around the flanks with very little through the centre alley. Now that may have been the directions for play today but it concerns me as the play tends to end up in a pocket most of the time. Last year we were constantly ending up trying to kick goals from difficult angles.

Interesting that when you watch practise I marvel at the kicking and hand ball accuracy, come game day and it goes to water.

As I have said over the years Practice is like dancing with your sister.

  On 11/01/2023 at 01:50, Lord Nev said:

For sure, neat kick; which will be very handy for us, I just don't think he's an automatic selection at this stage. I think he'll absolutely have to earn his shot at the 'other' wing, we do have options there.

He hasnt been recruited to play at Casey!! Agree a very astute ball distributer! Hunter a lock! How did Matt Jefferson train??

Lachie Hunter is away at the moment. Hopefully you'll see him on Friday down at Casey. 

  On 11/01/2023 at 05:59, picket fence said:

He hasnt been recruited to play at Casey!! Agree a very astute ball distributer! Hunter a lock! How did Matt Jefferson train??

I have reasonably high hopes for him, but giving up a future 3rd rounder for him would tell you he's absolutely no lock to walk into a top 4 team's lineup without having a ripper preseason.

  On 11/01/2023 at 06:37, Lord Nev said:

I have reasonably high hopes for him, but giving up a future 3rd rounder for him would tell you he's absolutely no lock to walk into a top 4 team's lineup without having a ripper preseason.

We're not trading for a player who has known baggage to stick him in Casey I wouldn't have thought

  On 11/01/2023 at 02:15, DemonWheels said:

Sparrow – Appeared to me to have an extra step and is really bursting forward once he gets the ball. Signs of Dangerfield / Petracca about him even more after this mornings showing. Just appeared to have a bit more time and was in the thick of it and was always dynamic with what he was doing once he got hands on the ball.

I really have high expectations on this young fella. He has, in cameos - and there have been plenty of these - really impressed with poise, muscle and thoughtfulness - even though he has had some clangers, as well. He must use clangers to guide his learning and experience. Reckon he could closely watch Clarrie and Tracca this pre-season, picking up a trick or two. Sparrow is  going to be a very important nut in a short period of time.

  On 11/01/2023 at 00:42, Lord Nev said:

Might be just me, but at this stage I don't think Hunter is a lock by any stretch.

Time will tell but we didn't get Lachie to play out in the wind at Casey. JJ could still also be in the top 23 on the ball perhaps. 

 

 

 

  On 11/01/2023 at 06:45, adonski said:

We're not trading for a player who has known baggage to stick him in Casey I wouldn't have thought

Nowhere did I say I expect him to be 'stuck at Casey'.

All I said was he would need to prove himself and earn a spot in the 22 with a ripper preseason and isn't a walk up start. Do you disagree?

  On 11/01/2023 at 06:50, 58er said:

Time will tell but we didn't get Lachie to play out in the wind at Casey. JJ could still also be in the top 23 on the ball perhaps. 

See above.

  On 11/01/2023 at 07:15, dazzledavey36 said:

DK got that right! Upscaled on my respect list!

DK got that right! Upscaled on my respect list!

I'm looking forward to seeing what Howes & Chandler can do this season.

I picked this team from my best 22 at this morning’s session:-

B:  Hibberd, May, Harmes
HB: Brayshaw, Lever, Rivers
C: Langdon, Sparrow, Howes
HF: Pickett, McDonald, Schache
F: Fritsch, Van Rooyen, Spargo
Foll: Gawn, Viney, Petracca
Inter: Grundy, Melksham, Jordan, Dunstan, Neal-Bullen 
 
I admit backline not quite balanced … but Salem still building, Petty wasn’t there, Disco unlucky, Bowey close, Tomlinson looking very fit …

  On 11/01/2023 at 08:08, waynewussell said:

I admit backline not quite balanced… but Salem still building

We really need Salem back to his best. He was a key to our 2021 success.

  On 11/01/2023 at 07:43, Cheap Seats said:

I'm looking forward to seeing what Howes & Chandler can do this season.

Yes, each will have a fascinating journey, I expect...talented blokes, no doubt. Let's hope the Club can allow these two to be further experienced and developed - enough for regular selection in the big time to display their improving wares. 

Can anyone elaborate on Salem? 

Did he not find the ball? Others in more prominent distributor roles? 

What's the deal? Was a top 5 player in a premiership year, in an area we've lacked 

  On 11/01/2023 at 08:08, waynewussell said:

I picked this team from my best 22 at this morning’s session

B:  Hibberd, May, Harmes

HB: Brayshaw, Lever, Rivers

C: Langdon, Sparrow, Howes

HF: Pickett, McDonald, Schache

F: Fritsch, Van Rooyen, Spargo

Foll: Gawn, Viney, Petracca

Inter: Grundy, Melksham, Jordan, Dunstan, Neal-Bullen 

 

I admit backline not quite balanced… but Salem still building, Petty wasn’t there, Disco unlucky, Bowey close, Tomlinson looking very fit…

Apparently, Tomlinson won the time trial run. That is impressive. I am still keen to see him out on the wing  as a spaceman specialist - capable of running, running, running with the addition of height and impressive up-skilling. Could be a smokey?

Thought Jordan was looking good. He has developed poise, with some of his side steps/shimmy's, and then making great decisions. Usually, finding a player down the central corridors and creating attacking ball movement. 

Sparrow is standing up in tackles, power's through his hips and with a shrug or two, they slip off. Still not as strong as Tracc in that respect but, gee if their tackles aren't strong he will escape. Has courage to burn as well.

Kossie is our gem. Wow, hoping for some magic between him and Oliver. He has so much explosive pace, and turns like a whirlwind is pushing him around in sharp arcs. They can't touch him.

No-one is taking the aerial superiority as yet. Hoping the big boys are just biding their time.

  On 11/01/2023 at 09:35, fr_ap said:

Can anyone elaborate on Salem? 

Did he not find the ball? Others in more prominent distributor roles? 

What's the deal? Was a top 5 player in a premiership year, in an area we've lacked 

I think he is doing fine. Often, only going at 80%. Getting a full preseason into himself. Not standing out, but taking a professional approach. Still has his skills, poise and decision making. 

  On 11/01/2023 at 08:08, waynewussell said:

Petty wasn’t there,

He was doing a lot of running on the city side of the ground. 

  On 11/01/2023 at 09:38, Deemania since 56 said:

Apparently, Tomlinson won the time trial run. That is impressive. I am still keen to see him out on the wing  as a spaceman specialist - capable of running, running, running with the addition of height and impressive up-skilling. Could be a smokey?

Tomo was I believe recruited as a wingman ? the same trade period as Langdon but it didn’t work for some reason. Was it that joke of a season 2020?  Then in 2021 going really well as a big defender he did his ACL -> premiership season over.   Don’t recall seeing him much on a wing, and we have recruited Hunter presumably to play opposite Langdon so I doubt if Tomo will see much action there. Still he looks a determined big brute and I wish him well. 

Edited January 11, 20232 yr by monoccular

My team from training is:

b: Training House Down,

HB Won Time Trial,

C: Trained, House, Down 

Hf: player, on, fire

F: came, back, fit 

Foll: impressive, running Slick 

Interchange Talented, develops, noot ready, spare

 

 

  On 11/01/2023 at 09:44, kev martin said:

 

Kossie is our gem. Wow, hoping for some magic between him and Oliver. He has so much explosive pace, and turns like a whirlwind is pushing him around in sharp arcs. They can't touch him.

No-one is taking the aerial superiority as yet. Hoping the big boys are just biding their time.

I think he is doing fine. Often, only going at 80%. Getting a full preseason into himself. Not standing out, but taking a professional approach. Still has his skills, poise and decision making. 

I hope Pickett isn't asked to play too much on-ball. Although Davey won a B&F as a midfielder, I thought it might have shortened his career because of all the crunching bumps and tackles he received in the role. Pickett will receive similar attention when he's in the midfield. 

  On 11/01/2023 at 22:30, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

I hope Pickett isn't asked to play too much on-ball. Although Davey won a B&F as a midfielder, I thought it might have shortened his career because of all the crunching bumps and tackles he received in the role. Pickett will receive similar attention when he's in the midfield. 

I suspect Kozzie might end up being better able to wear the bumps than AD. 

That said, i agree.

i hope he ends up being used like Cyril Riol- - 80% small forward 20% blitzing in the middle 

And I hope he has a lot of fun and decides to hang around for a while