I journeyed out to Casey today and was fortunate enough to watch two quarters of match simulation. Here is a brief rundown of random occurrences/thoughts.

 

First of all, there was no Jake Lever (ankle) or Joel Smith involved. AMW is still in rehab and was running strongly.

 

It was Blue (Probables) v Red (Possibles) JvR was in blue. Ben Brown, T-Mac, Hibbo and Tom Sparrow were in red.

Gus Brayshaw started at half back for blue and stayed there all game.

 

Josh Schache rucked for the red team against Max/Brodie.

 

Adam Tomlinson played in the Lever role.

First goals were to Blue team through Fritta and JvR. Rooey followed his goal up with another strong mark but missed a very gettable goal. He contested strongly all game.

 

The half forwards all pressed up the ground high, leaving lots of open space behind them.

 

It was obvious that we have been told to move quickly from defence. They went short a lot and also moved the ball on by hand to defenders streaming through from behind. There was a definite urgency in the way they moved they footy.

 

Max took a mark on the lead, but missed a gettable goal.

 

Lachie Hunter was in everything.

 

Kozzie and Clarry were dominant.
 

Salo was very industrious off half back and looked like the Salem of 2021.

 

Promisingly – Brodie Grundy finished the quarter off with 2 goals, one from a strong grab and the other from a handball over the top. At the break – Blue were 4-5 to Red 0-1.

 

Chandler took the game on and evaded many tackles. However, I think his lack of a right foot might hurt him at senior level as he did run himself into trouble a few times.

 

Ben Brown took a strong pack mark, but missed a very kickable goal.

 

Kye Turner got a fist in a few times and looked strong in the air.

 

Taj Woey got a little bit of the footy.

 

Koz did a run-down tackle in the square, but only managed to hit the post.

 

Melky was in the blue and missed two consecutive snaps on goal. I would say that he is very much in their round 1 plans.

 

Sparrow snagged a goal from a push in the back from Clarrie.

 

Fritta got a goal out the back – evidence of the open forward line apparent there.

 

Ben Brown got one on the lead and goaled.

 

Hunter hit Fritta on the chest. Fritta in turn kicked it out on the full from deep in the pocket.

 

Viney was in everything. Nibbler, who was in red, was also busy.

 

In the second half, Grundy took three marks leading up at the footy. He was a highlight for me. He competed strongly, and if he couldn’t mark it he made sure he brought it to ground.

 

When Max was in the ruck, Grundy started forward. When Grundy was in the ruck, Max started forward. The ruck at the time would then drop behind the play.

 

Kye Turner, playing on JvR, showed some real dash. He was good. took no part in the match sim.

 

Hunter missed a very gettable goal after marking a Spargo chip. He was very vocal on field. He was my other highlight. I think Blue won the second period by a couple of points.

 

YOKOZUNA'S TRAINING REPORT

GATOR’S TRAINING REPORT

Thanks for that TK, great report and indeed a perfect day for training I would have thought.

 

31 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Is it me, or has Woewodin bulked up significantly going off the instagram photos???

I’d say yes but it depends on your definition of significantly. He’s done an impressive amount of work but the photos probably over do it given how lean he is. McVee isn’t too far behind. And AMW has a new set of shoulders and arms too.

40 minutes ago, Demonland said:

I like the idea but I think you need to make it free to start with and make it an attraction and then bait and switch and start charging. Not sure how you do it at an open venue like Gosch’s. 

Of course the baseball training camps are in drop dead weather venues such as Florida.

I would envisage a set up like a mock beach or similar with player interaction/hosting etc but as you say could be hard to do at Gosch's. Would make a nice Christmas present for footy tragics perhaps

Thanks for thr report @Tough Kent. Was wondering how Dunstan and Ollie Sestan went?

4 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Thanks for thr report @Tough Kent. Was wondering how Dunstan and Ollie Sestan went?

Sestan was on and off a lot, like most of the young boys and didn't really impact.

Dunstan won a bit of the footy for the reds and was okay. He got mowed down a couple of times, once by Hunter and found it a bit quick. He just didn't hurt the blue team with the footy and seems to kick around corners a lot. 

22 minutes ago, Tough Kent said:

 

missed a very gettable goal.

but missed a gettable goal.

but missed a very kickable goal.

but only managed to hit the post.

missed two consecutive snaps on goal.

kicked it out on the full from deep in the pocket.

missed a very gettable goal

I'm sensing some kind of pattern here....

 

Thanks TK great report great insights and thanks all posters. TK did you see the Max Gawn injury?

Anyone with some inside info about Lever’s ankle? How severe is it? 

Also is Joel Smith ever not rehabbing something? I swear he is never not injured. Poor guy. 

Why we ever re-signed a very injury prone Joel Smith to a new 2 year deal I'll never know.

 

43 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Why we ever re-signed a very injury prone Joel Smith to a new 2 year deal I'll never know.

You and me both.

 

I actually hope we practice for oppositions sagging back with multiple spare  players in the backline. 

That is where the challenge is for us. We will beat sides on contested possession but can we prevail against the ropadope/slingshot game plan.

6 hours ago, Tough Kent said:

I journeyed out to Casey today and was fortunate enough to watch 2 quarters of match simulation. Here is a brief rundown of random occurrences/thoughts.

 

First of all, there was no Lever (ankle) or Joel Smith involved. AMW is still in rehab and was running strongly.

 

It was Blue (Probables) v Red (Possibles) JvR was in blue. Ben Brown, T-Mac, Hibbo and Tom Sparrow were in red.

Gus Brayshaw started at half back for blue and stayed there all game.

 

Josh Schache rucked for the red team against Max/Brodie.

 

Adam Tomlinson played in the Lever role.

First goals were to Blue team through Fritta and JvR. Rooey followed his goal up with another strong mark but missed a very gettable goal. He contested strongly all game.

 

The half forwards all pressed up the ground high, leaving lots of open space behind them.

 

It was obvious that we have been told to move quickly from defence. They went short a lot and also moved the ball on by hand to defenders streaming through from behind. There was a definite urgency in the way they moved they footy.

 

Max took a mark on the lead, but missed a gettable goal.

 

Lachie Hunter was in everything.

 

Kozzie and Clarry were dominant.
 

Salo was very industrious off half back and looked like the Salem of 2021.

 

Promisingly – Brodie Grundy finished the quarter off with 2 goals, one from a strong grab and the other from a handball over the top. At the break – Blue were 4-5 to Red 0-1.

 

Chandler took the game on and evaded many tackles. However, I think his lack of a right foot might hurt him at senior level as he did run himself into trouble a few times.

 

Ben Brown took a strong pack mark, but missed a very kickable goal.

 

Kye Turner got a fist in a few times and looked strong in the air.

 

Taj Woey got a little bit of the footy.

 

Koz did a run-down tackle in the square, but only managed to hit the post.

 

Melky was in the blue and missed two consecutive snaps on goal. I would say that he is very much in their round 1 plans.

 

Sparrow snagged a goal from a push in the back from Clarrie.

 

Fritta got a goal out the back – evidence of the open forward line apparent there.

Ben Brown got one on the lead and goaled.

 

Hunter hit Fritta on the chest. Fritta in turn kicked it out on the full from deep in the pocket.

 

Viney was in everything. Nibbla, who was in red, was also busy.

 

In the second half, Grundy took three marks leading up at the footy. He was a highlight for me. He competed strongly, and if he couldn’t mark it he made sure he brought it to ground.

 

When Max was in the ruck, Grundy started forward. When Grundy was in the ruck, Max started forward. The ruck at the time would then drop behind the play.

Kye Turner, playing on JvR, showed some real dash. He was good. took no part in the match sim.

 

Hunter missed a very gettable goal after marking a Spargo chip. He was very vocal on field. He was my other highlight. I think Blue won the second period by a couple of points.

Thanks TK, did Burgoyne participate?

Any idea who Grundy fumbles in front of in red? Is it Howes? Looks like it could be a young player from the afl academy. They do a nice job getting pressure on.

Edited January 20, 20232 yr by DeeSpencer

26 minutes ago, dworship said:

Thanks TK, did Burgoyne participate?

Thanks dw! No, Trent came off as the match sim was starting.

10 hours ago, Tough Kent said:

It was Blue (Probables) v Red (Possibles) JvR was in blue. Ben Brown, T-Mac, Hibbo and Tom Sparrow were in red.

 

 Blue were 4-5 to Red 0-1.

Geez the coaching staff were feeling extra sadistic today!

18 hours ago, Demonland said:

Good to see the boys are much faster this year. Looks like the training has stepped up in pace. well done.

I also went to training. They worked really hard, was a long session, and the intensity was up. So the worry about missing skills is nothing. Nobody is prefect and when working so hard with very little rest, errors will happen. 

In the match sim I was happy to see more efforts to switch the ball (we didn’t do much of that last year) and also trying to spot up a short 45 kick to open the ground up or get out of congestion.

Stand out players for mine:

Trac, Viney in the middle were too good and strong - Oliver ran well so has recovered from his illness. 

Grundy was really good - very positive signs.

Melksham was great, missed a couple of shots but was almost BOG for mine. 

Fritsch also dominant and so classy. 

Was impressed with JvR jumping at the ball and his run ing - seemed very quick and much fitter. 

Kozzie also dominated with and without the ball. 

From the backs Salem was very classy and used then all well and I really liked the look of number 47 - I think he was Kye Turner.

Other notable/impressive players:

Really impressed with Woey today - first time I had seen him get so much of the ball. 

The reds had less possessions so they did struggle to get a lot of it - Woey, Sparrow and Jibbers were there best.

Like Hunter too - used the ball well and finds/creates space. He and Langdon will be a great wing duo. 

I also liked the attack om the ball of some of the younger guys like Deakyn Smith/Judd McVee/Chandler

Overall I was happy with what I saw - all having a red hot crack under pressure and fatigue - senior players doing well - young guys looking better and some new ball movement.

GATOR’S TRAINING REPORT

 

35 minutes ago, Yokozuna said:

I also went to training. They worked really hard, was a long session, and the intensity was up. So the worry about missing skills is nothing. Nobody is prefect and when working so hard with very little rest, errors will happen. 

In the match sim I was happy to see more efforts to switch the ball (we did t do much of that last year) and also trying to spot up a short 45 kick to open the ground up or get out of congestion. 
 

Stand out players for mine:

Trac, Viney in the middle were too good and strong - Oliver ran well so has recovered from his illness. 
grundy was really good - very positives signs

melksham was great, missed a couple of shots but was almost BOG for mine. 
fritsch also dominant and so classy. 
was impressed with JVR jumping at the ball and his run ing - seemed very quick and much fitter. 
kozzie also dominated with and without the ball. 
from the backs Salem was very classy and used then all well and I really liked the look of number 47 - I think it may have been Kye turner. 
 

other notable/impressive players:

really impressed with woey today - first time I had seen him get so much of the ball. 
the reds had less possessions so they did struggle to get a lot of it - woey, sparrow and jibbers were there best. 
like hunter too - used the ball well and finds/creates space. He and Langdon will be a great wing duo. 
I also liked the attack om the ball of some of the younger guys like Deakyn Smith/Judd Mcvee/chandler
 

overall I was happy with what I saw - all having a red hot crack under pressure and fatigue - senior players doing well - young guys looking better and some new ball movement. 
 

 

Jibbers?

I don’t get the chance to go to training, and I love reading the training reports. One thing I am wondering about is this: it seems that we have quite a few players who aren’t training because of “niggles“. (I am actually particularly worried about Jake Lever). But I wonder if this is a deliberate change from the Burgess system of playing through niggles, which may have been a contributor to the drop-off in form in the second half of last season. Any comments, trackwatchers?

1 hour ago, Fat Tony said:

Jibbers?

I am assuming a Hibberd misspell.