2024 Preseason Training Thread

[kev martin 10,670]

3 hours ago, Slartibartfast said:

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.

I can't remember seeing Tom Sparrow either.

Taj is looking a bit like him, may have been the early sighting.

Edited January 17, 2024 by kev martin

[58er 6,809]

3 minutes ago, Jeremy said:

 

Bradshaw won’t miss any early games. Where he plays might be interesting. HB or  wing or on the ball? 

[Greg Schneider 1,004]

1 minute ago, 58er said:

Bradshaw won’t miss any early games. Where he plays might be interesting. HB or  wing or on the ball? 

I’m not saying he’ll miss games I’m saying we can’t throw him into the midfield round 1 surely? Too risky, I’d be surprised if he’s not at half back or on a wing to get back into it 

[kev martin 10,670]

7 minutes ago, Jeremy said:

 

I reckon Rivers will be a mid. Plenty coming through into the backline.

Salem could just be training without much pressure on him. Getting back into the game, with some freedom. Therefore, not in fully with the backs.

As for Howe, could be looking at the wing. He has a light kinda of stringy frame/body and is probably not ready as an in and under player.

Edited January 17, 2024 by kev martin

[kev martin 10,670]

1 minute ago, Jeremy said:

I’m not saying he’ll miss games I’m saying we can’t throw him into the midfield round 1 surely? Too risky, I’d be surprised if he’s not at half back or on a wing to get back into it 

Brayshaw was training with the backline today.

[Guest]

17 minutes ago, kev martin said:

I can't remember seeing Tom either.

Taj is looking a bit like him, may have been the early sighting.

Tommy wasn’t there. The other Tommy (of the McDonald variety) was, and I asked him about his hair. I simply said, “Tommy… why?” He laughed and said, “I dunno, I was just bored and it was something to do. On holidays and bored, you know how it is.” I told him he needs to get a hobby or something, maybe take up footy. 😁

That said, it actually looks good in person. And speaking of hair, both Will and Langers look to be growing theirs back 🥳

[picket fence 17,964]

Any intel on Jeffo?

[Guest]

I took this little vid while standing next to a delightful family: grandpa and three grandkids. The middle girl was crushing on Rooey and I just noticed that just before it ends you can hear her saying “Hi Roo” and he waved at her. Then you can hear her gasp! 🤣

https://streamable.com/tgoskx

The older girl loves Riv. I asked him if she could get a pic with him (she was very shy) and of course he obliged. Afterwards she said to me, “This is the best day of my life!” Bless. 🥹

[Guest]

4 minutes ago, picket fence said:

Any intel on Jeffo?

He still needs to straighten the [censored] up. Honestly, it’s getting to where when he walks away, from the back it looks like he’s got no head. 

[Stu 1,029]

4 hours ago, WalkingCivilWar said:

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. 😅

But did you see a single chair with a chain dangling nearby, and a large bucket overhead?

[binman 44,512]

5 hours ago, WalkingCivilWar said:

Imho this boy is ready to go…

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

If this was one of those old school caption this photo competitions i'm not sure this would be the winner.

[binman 44,512]

1 hour ago, kev martin said:

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.

Perhaps i'm misremembering, but my recollection is Laurie predominantly played as a mid at Casey last season.

As i wrote on DL at the time i was really, really surprised he came in to play half forward late in the season instead of Spargs.

Maybe he ends up fighting with Spargs for a spot in the forward line. But whilst his kicking skills would be handy up forward in terms of hitting leading targets etc he doesn't look a natural forward to me.

Kev, if Laurie cements a spot in the ones what position do you see him playing?

[kev martin 10,670]

3 minutes ago, binman said:

If Laurie cements a spot in the ones what position do you see him playing?

Laurie is training predominantly as a forward. 

I would see him as a mid, as he works very well in congested areas.

[JJR 681]

23 hours ago, Roost it far said:

So am I to take it Petty is in near full training? 
 

Yes I actually bumped into him at a cafe couple days ago, we spoke a little, he said he’s feeling very good and nearly at 100%

[binman 44,512]

3 hours ago, kev martin said:

Laurie is training predominantly as a forward. 

I would see him as a mid, as he works very well in congested areas.

Laurie is training predominantly as a forward.

That's interesting. Makes sense i guess.

But with Spargs  looking to cement his spot and the Kolt and Sestan (and to a lesser extent McAdam, who i see vying for melk's role) both hoping to come into the forward line as smalls/mediums there's a bit of competition for a spot.

I would see him as a mid, as he works very well in congested areas.

Agree. I reckon inside mid is his go.

As you note, good in congestion, has a low centre of gravity, good hands in tight and good kicking skills. 

Edited January 17, 2024 by binman

[Young Blood 2,639]

7 minutes ago, kev martin said:

Laurie is training predominantly as a forward. 

I would see him as a mid, as he works very well in congested areas.

I'd imagine its just a matter of him getting up the strength and size to play AFL midfield. Watched him get pushed off the ball easily and often last season. He's the same height as Viney but a lot lighter obviously (maybe 8kg's). I can see him and Woey coming in for depth and chop out but doubt they will spend a lot of time in the middle.

Keen to see who will be battling it out with the mids at training the next few weeks. I understand Rivers has the size and ability but very little experience in the role at AFL level. Interesting Gus was training with the backs but might be a factor of reducing the physically contested stuff as much as possible still easing him back in. 

[picket fence 17,964]

1 hour ago, WalkingCivilWar said:

He still needs to straighten the [censored] up. Honestly, it’s getting to where when he walks away, from the back it looks like he’s got no head. 

Gladstone Smallish??

[binman 44,512]

3 hours ago, Young Blood said:

Interesting Gus was training with the backs but might be a factor of reducing the physically contested stuff as much as possible still easing him back in. 

I like Gus back.

I'm not sure about Rivers going into he middle, in large part because as you note he doesn't have much experience there.

But if they are thinking about Rivers playing some time in the middle (or perhaps even Mcvee), Gus as a sweeper down back gives them some flexibility to pull that rein. 

Edited January 17, 2024 by binman

[picket fence 17,964]

40 minutes ago, binman said:

Perhaps i'm misremembering, but my recollection is Laurie predominantly played as a mid at Casey last season.

As i wrote on DL at the time i was really, really surprised he came in to play half forward late in the season instead of Spargs.

Maybe he ends up fighting with Spargs for a spot in the forward line. But whilst his kicking skills would be handy up forward in terms of hitting leading targets etc he doesn't look a natural forward to me.

Kev, if Laurie cements a spot in the ones what position do you see him playing?

Now as many of you might be aware, Im not Spargy's biggest admirer, but Laurie is a long way behind Spargy IMV!

[Greg Schneider 1,004]

Midfield depth is a real issue. We lost Harmes Dunstan and Jordon and didn’t replace them with anyone. Billings is the closest thing but he’s a half forward who can occasionally pinch in the midfield at best. At this stage our best midfielder isn’t even at the club and there’s no way Brayshaw will be thrown in there too early this season (at all?). We won’t have the luxury of Trac going forward at this stage. We don’t know if Rivers is a midfielder or not, sample size way too small. There really isn’t a lot to call on this year, coupled with no legitimate backup ruckman either. If one or two go down I think we are in trouble. Surprised this wasn’t addressed during the trade period. 

[Brownie 6,066]

5 minutes ago, binman said:

I like Gus back.

I'm not sure about Rivers going into he middle, in large part becuase as you note he doesn't have much experience there.

But if they are thinking about Rivers playing some time in the middle (or perhaps even Mcvee), Gus as a sweeper down back gives them some flexibility to pull that rein. 

That's true about his inexperience.

I really liked the way he developed last year. He's got a lot of toughness and attacking flair about him now.

It would be good to see him have a run through the guts.

[Dee Zephyr 19,269]

35 minutes ago, JJR said:

Yes I actually bumped into him at a cafe couple days ago, we spoke a little, he said he’s feeling very good and nearly at 100%

That wasn’t Petty bro, it was Jed Adams.

[daisycutter 29,891]

4 minutes ago, Jeremy said:

Midfield depth is a real issue. We lost Harmes Dunstan and Jordon and didn’t replace them with anyone. Billings is the closest thing but he’s a half forward who can occasionally pinch in the midfield at best. At this stage our best midfielder isn’t even at the club and there’s no way Brayshaw will be thrown in there too early this season (at all?). We won’t have the luxury of Trac going forward at this stage. We don’t know if Rivers is a midfielder or not, sample size way too small. There really isn’t a lot to call on this year, coupled with no legitimate backup ruckman either. If one or two go down I think we are in trouble. Surprised this wasn’t addressed during the trade period. 

I can see mcvee as a good outside mid. has great spacial awareness and good decision making

plus we have an excess of backmen

[DeeMee 923]

12 minutes ago, picket fence said:

Gladstone Smallish??

Gladstone had no neck.

Jefferson has a bent neck.

[Gator 17,967]

2 hours ago, kev martin said:

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

 

One thing Woewodin isn't is slow.  He was second in the 20 metre sprint at the Draft Combine with a time under 2.9 seconds.

20m Sprint Result (seconds)

Rank	Result (seconds)	Name
1	2.845	Harvey Harrison
2	2.898	Taj Woewodin