2024 Preseason Training Thread

[WalkingCivilWar 31,441]

Petty: wouldn’t even know he’s carrying an injury 🥳

Kolt: fast mofo. Runs like the wind.

Disco: bulked up quite some. Training hard, giving it everything.

 I just spoke to KFW. I commented on his height (freaking tall) and I told him arm/upper body days in the gym have paid off. He said “yeah, I’m hoping to hit 100kgs.” HE MENTIONED HIS WEIGHT!!!! Don’t tell the AFL 🤫 

Jack Billings is wearing #48, like I’m not already having trouble telling players apart.

Chocco doing tackling practice with Petty and the noobs. Yelling at them… a lot.

Lachie walking up and down the boundary line. Not limping or anything but looks a little dejected.

 

 

 

 

 

[Roost it far 6,043]

7 minutes ago, WalkingCivilWar said:

Petty: wouldn’t even know he’s carrying an injury 🥳

Kolt: fast mofo. Runs like the wind.

Disco: bulked up quite some. Training hard, giving it everything.

 I just spoke to KFW. I commented on his height (freaking tall) and I told him arm/upper body days in the gym have paid off. He said “yeah, I’m hoping to hit 100kgs.” HE MENTIONED HIS WEIGHT!!!! Don’t tell the AFL 🤫 

Jack Billings is wearing #48, like I’m not already having trouble telling players apart.

Chocco doing tackling practice with Petty and the noobs. Yelling at them… a lot.

Lachie walking up and down the boundary line. Not limping or anything but looks a little dejected.

 

 

 

 

 

Keep going, we need more

[picket fence 15,137]

1 hour ago, WalkingCivilWar said:

I’ll do my best! 

Pity I'm not out there with you WCW we would be a killer partnership like Maxwell Smart and Agent 99!🤩

[WalkingCivilWar 31,441]

6 minutes ago, Roost it far said:

Keep going, we need more

Kev was here earlier. He’ll write a report. Meanwhile, Shane Mc is running laps by himself. KFW also training separately, running along the boundary line…

Soz just got a little distracted 😅

 

Where was I? Yeah, I asked Shane Mc if they’re treating him well. He said, “yeah, they’re treating me very well, they’re really looking after me. It’s a great club, this.” Stick that where it fits, Cornes. 

[WalkingCivilWar 31,441]

6 minutes ago, picket fence said:

Pity I'm not out there with you WCW we would be a killer partnership like Maxwell Smart and Agent 99!🤩

Or Bonnie and Clyde

[Jeremy 596]

4 minutes ago, WalkingCivilWar said:

 

 

Where was I? Yeah, I asked Shane Mc if they’re treating him well. He said, “yeah, they’re treating me very well, they’re really looking after me. It’s a great club, this.” Stick that where it fits, Cornes. 

Do you know if Shane is carrying an injury or just a niggle that's got him training away from main group?

[WalkingCivilWar 31,441]

Imho this boy is ready to go…

Laying some really hard tackles. Super agile and endless energy. 

[WalkingCivilWar 31,441]

1 minute ago, Jeremy said:

Do you know if Shane is carrying an injury or just a niggle that's got him training away from main group?

I’ll ask him next time he runs by 👍🏽

[WalkingCivilWar 31,441]

I tell ya what… pretty much every one of them is more toned/lean and muscular than last season.

[waynewussell 4,090]

I dropped in just in time to witness the 'seriously' injured Lachy Hunter (post amputation) zigging, zagging, passing, running, and smiling his way through some rehab with Matt Jefferson and a trainer before tackling some 150 metre boundary runs... no major problem there, HS!

Everything WCW said about the weather was understated! I was inappropriately attired (I need a Mum!) and only lasted 45 minutes before trudging back to the car and speeding home to a change of clothes and the Test Cricket.

While I was there I was impressed with the application and energy of the whole squad (minus 13) in appalling conditions. The ball handling was excellent, considering, and the ball movement was speedy.

I was once again impressed with the development of Will Verrall in the use of body in the 1 on 1 aerial contests. Having said this, May and Lever were a class above. Fullarton displayed excellent ball handling in the wet and good pace when bursting free. Petty looked good in these physical contests, I would say he is on... WICKET!!! ... excuse me, where was I? ...Petty is on track for the season opening in my opinion.

Fritsch also looked to be back to full involvement in the ball movement activity.

Interesting to see Angus train without headgear. He also looks cherry ripe!

Salem looks sharp and fit.

I didn't recognise number 49, and I can't recall seeing BBB.

 

[WalkingCivilWar 31,441]

The older players are amazing when it comes to interacting with the young blokes. They yell encouragement to them, not just whenever they do something really well,  if they don’t do so well they let them know it’s not the end of the world. Soooo cool to hear “yours, Ooze!” 

[WalkingCivilWar 31,441]

8 minutes ago, waynewussell said:

 

 

I didn't recognise number 49, and I can't recall seeing BBB.

 

#49 is a young academy guy, Ricky. His surname is (I think) Menthen or similar.

BBB not here

[spalding 1,118]

8 minutes ago, WalkingCivilWar said:

The older players are amazing when it comes to interacting with the young blokes. They yell encouragement to them, not just whenever they do something really well,  if they don’t do so well they let them know it’s not the end of the world. Soooo cool to hear “yours, Ooze!” 

at risk of being piled on for being "woke' - sometimes we old blokes forget that some things have changed for the better. I think this is one thing that the buys have learnt from AFLW (how much everyone benefits from a supportive environment). My daughter was a bit of a lost soul in her early teens, particularly being mad on sport, but has absolutely found her tribe and has never been so happy now she is in the AFLW system.

[WalkingCivilWar 31,441]

Billings and Hore were running together along the boundary line for quite a while. I just heard Selwyn say to them, “you’ve both done your high-speeds, yeah? Now it’s onto aerobics.” Yet I haven’t seen leg warmers or lycra so I don’t know what that was all about. 😅

[WalkingCivilWar 31,441]

1 hour ago, Jeremy said:

Do you know if Shane is carrying an injury or just a niggle that's got him training away from main group?

He said no injury or niggles. He said it’s purely to get his fitness level up. I told him he has come along in leaps and bounds since his first training session with us in early December. He was pleased to hear that. 

We had a good chat. He loves our Club and “everything about it.” Then HP35 came over and they told me how Shane will be under Harry. Shane said Harry has his back 100% and he won’t let Harry down. What struck me most is their rapport. They clearly get on so well together. There’s a mutual respect for one another. It was awesome to see. 

[Slartibartfast 15,761]

I ventured down a bit before 9.30am and missed the start of training.  They were doing the usual drills and some short kicking.  As reported Hunter and Jefferson were doing repeat run throughs which seemed to go on for a good hour.  KFW was doing his own running but the good news was Petty did most drills other than the match sims. Fritta was in full training.  McAdam was held out of match sims and there was no sign of Benny Brown.  Smith, Clarrie and Melk were no shows. I'm also not sure if I saw Tommy Sparrow, I thought I did early but didn't notice him during the session so I'm hoping another trackwatcher can clarify.

The match sims are of major interest to me and as you know it was just dreadful conditions.  It rained heavily for most of the session but did ease off towards the end.  I didn't notice any major changes in game plan from last year other than there is no long kicking to the forward line but this is as much to improve entry inside 50 than a permanent gp chance.  It was the same last year.

There were a few players that I really noticed.  Judd McVee handled the ball beautifully in the conditions and found time to hit up teammates regularly.  He won contested ball, stood up in tackles are was one of the highlights for me.  I think he'll take another step forward this year.  Didn't play midfield at all so I think we'll see him off halfback.

I was impressed with Verrell in the pre christmas training and he did nothing to change that view today.  He's very good below his knees and his contest work was good.  He marked well in awful conditions and his kicking is fine.  He could end up a good KP player the way his is going and not just limited to ruck where he is perhaps a bit small. I'm not sure where he fits in but there's a fair bit there to look forward to and I wouldn't be surprised if he gets a go at some stage during the season.

JvR was another standout.  He looks to me to have put on some real size and really imposes himself around the ball.  He marked well and was his usual competitive self when the ball hit the ground and on my viewing so far he has developed well from last year. He has a real presence about himself now and is imposing in a way he wasn't so much last year.

I was also impressed with Fullerton.  He played mainly down the other end to where I was but seemed to be involved in a lot of play.  He might surprise this year.  But best on ground would have to go to Trac who is just so strong and clean.  Found the ball with ease, did some freaky things and frankly just looked a class above, which he probably is.

Kynan Brown was involved a bit but got caught on a number of occasions trying to do too much.  Rick Lever was in everything and Steve May didn't let his opponent get a touch.

The small forwards are going to be an interesting watch.  Spargs, Kossie and Chin were all involved today, Nibber did his thing, Billings and McAdam are contenders and the Kolt just looks like a footballer.

The other to impress today was Howes.  He's tall, well over 190cm I'd think and he's got a lot of good attributes and looks the most likely to do a "Juddy" this year although where these kids play and who's spot they take I don't know.

All in all it was a good hitout today but it wasn't done at AFL pace except for patches of the match sims.  I'm looking forward to next week and seeing them in better conditions.

[loges 6,026]

14 minutes ago, WalkingCivilWar said:

He said no injury or niggles. He said it’s purely to get his fitness level up. I told him he has come along in leaps and bounds since his first training session with us in early December. He was pleased to hear that. 

We had a good chat. He loves our Club and “everything about it.” Then HP35 came over and they told me how Shane will be under Harry. Shane said Harry has his back 100% and he won’t let Harry down. What struck me most is their rapport. They clearly get on so well together. There’s a mutual respect for one another. It was awesome to see. 

You're a natural WCW 

[WalkingCivilWar 31,441]

5 minutes ago, Slartibartfast said:

Smith, Clarrie and Melk were no shows. I'm also not sure if I saw Tommy Sparrow, I thought I did early but didn't notice him during the session so I'm hoping another trackwatcher can clarify.

 

Melks was there. If he wasn’t, then he has a doppelgänger who is just as fit and friendly as him, and who also goes tops off in the tent. 😂

[Tough Kent 2,049]

My highlight from training was having a quick chat to Col Garland, who was set up in a corner of Gosch's Paddock and chatting to Matty Whelan for a lot of the morning. 

I also couldn't help but notice Tyla Hanks out on the ground and in her full MFC kit. She looked like a drowned rat, the poor girl. Does anyone know her role with the club?

[WalkingCivilWar 31,441]

7 minutes ago, Tough Kent said:

My highlight from training was having a quick chat to Col Garland, who was set up in a corner of Gosch's Paddock and chatting to Matty Whelan for a lot of the morning. 

I also couldn't help but notice Tyla Hanks out on the ground and in her full MFC kit. She looked like a drowned rat, the poor girl. Does anyone know her role with the club?

She works in a development role at the Club. She was there today to support Ricky (our academy boy) and Noah. And while she did look like a drowned rat, I assure you, she enjoyed being Chocco’s Gofer 😁

[forever demons 1,814]

55 minutes ago, WalkingCivilWar said:

Melks was there. If he wasn’t, then he has a doppelgänger who is just as fit and friendly as him, and who also goes tops off in the tent. 😂

steady girl

[kev martin 9,067]

It's a wet morning, ball is like soap to a few.

Rehab had Jefferson and Hunter working with a trainer, ball work and fitness drills. Farris-White mainly running laps. Melksham and BBB in the sheds with the pedal and rower. Billings, AMW, McAdams, Petty did all the drill work with the team but didn't participate in the sims.

Brayshaw worked with the backline and was wearing the lime cap (no contact) during sims. That line also included, McVee, May, Lever, Tomlinson, Bowey, Adams, Hore. Interestingly, not Rivers, Salem, or Howe. They worked very well as a group, good ball handling and disposal for a wet day.

A run on indigenous player wearing number 49 was with us, as was N.Yze.

I thought Salem was training well, fit and skills remain silky.

After their warm-ups and drills, they had a competitive game of handball. They showed great intensity, tackled and hit each other with some gusto. Impressed with Frittas tackling, a couple of times he did two consecutive and other times wrapped up the ball carrier. The area was small, so shimmy and acceleration was needed to do well. Some have that ability to break into space where it is not obvious (McVee, Kossie), or the vision to see the outside player (Tracc, Bowey).

I also noticed Goody getting angry, (first time I had noticed this behavior at a session), after the end of the handball game. Another watcher mentioned that Williams did the same. Perhaps the coaches aren't going to be so chummy this season. The playing group appeared slightly stunned by the outburst and went quiet. ('this way covered, that way covered, should XXX take the first open option.').

The sims were unspectacular given the weather, plenty of safe kicking and jostling for that front position. A few soft injuries to Bowey and May in collisions. Turner is looking good, as is Howe and Verral. Tracc is leading by example, getting better and better.

No Oliver.

They were kicking goals well in the wet during drills. Plenty of fumbles all through the session. 

I think today's session was very much about being 'hard'.

Had to leave early, so I haven’t got a comprehensive report for sims.

We are looking good, healthy, fit and dare I say, ready, so early in the season.

Go Dees.

[Tarax Club 2,919]

3 hours ago, picket fence said:

Pity I'm not out there with you WCW we would be a killer partnership like Maxwell Smart and Agent 99!🤩

Picket you mlght have to loosen up a little more. Penetrene may help.

Edited January 17 by Tarax Club

[kev martin 9,067]

6 hours ago, DistrACTION Jackson said:

Would love to get some updates on our up and comers. Bailey Laurie, Taj Woewodin, Daniel Turner, Koltyn.... who you think could be in line for games early on

Turner is looking good. A bit of a backline shuffle and he may have a chance, though Hore is also doing everything well.

Koltyn, because our list is stacked, may have to earn his way in, though has the passion and ability.

Caleb Wilson still needs a bit more development. I don't think he is up to the speed of an AFL game yet. Has the ball skills required. I reckon he needs more strategically understanding of the game.

Laurie continues to develop, looks like a big improver, though may have to get a break so as to claim a spot. Got a feeling if given a chance he will perform.

Taj I am uncertain about, looks a little slow out there. Has great composure when he has the ball and is looking alot bigger.

 

Edited January 17 by kev martin

[Jeremy 596]

51 minutes ago, kev martin said:

Interestingly, not Rivers, Salem, or Howe.

Do you think we could see these three spend some time in the midfield this year? Did you see them training there at all? Howes needs a spot and could be a point of difference in there. There’ll be an opening with Brayshaw coming back from concussion and the uncertainty around Oliver.