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1 hour ago, Demonland said:

Looks like Chandler might be doing some more midfield/high half forward this season perhaps replacing Nibbler’s role. 

I got the same impression!

 
1 hour ago, deelusions from afar said:

For those saying Tom Couch is a great get such as yourself, why's that?  I know he was on our list previously and was involved in 2021? but other than that don't know much about him / what he brings.

Why don't you do some research, he has been building a resume as a fitness/conditioning coach, obviously has impressed.

 
14 minutes ago, waynewussell said:

I think he is a chance, not necessarily round 1, but if he shows his development in a few games at Casey then he is ready!

Sensible approach.... but that useless comp aka VFL doesn't start until around week 3 of the AFL comp. They do however usually arrange scratch games with other AFL reserve clubs etc in the weeks leading up to the season proper.

Seems that they are training hard given the time of year.... interesting

Demonland pretty much has got it all covered but...

Arrived at 9.45 and cones and coaching staff were in position, awaiting the players.

Big news obviously was Clarry in attendance; he was greeted enthusiastically by Goody.

I thought one of the players might have been Sharpie, but the Ghost Writer sorted that out for me.  It was Tom Couch who has taken up a conditioning coaching role.

The boys looked very sharp, carrying the ball through the center for a long kick to JVR, Jeffo for a goal.

Some of the boys have that AFL walk, or strut, that appears as arrogance but more likely simply ther affect of all that lower body conditioning.

Sprinting back to the boundary line after a drill was noticeable.

Choco was in strong and demanding voice.  One of the coaches light heartedly called out 'F... Cheat' during one of the competitive drills.

Viney was the most senior player training.


1 minute ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Sensible approach.... but that useless comp aka VFL doesn't start until around week 3 of the AFL comp. They do however usually arrange scratch games with other AFL reserve clubs etc in the weeks leading up to the season proper.

Seems that they are training hard given the time of year.... interesting

Roo didn’t come in to debut until Round 3 of 2023 . Jeffo will be right. Supremely confident he’ll be a very good footballer for us👍🏼

Backing the "JEFFO JUGGENAUT" To play round 1 baring any mishaps!

12 minutes ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

You've pointed out that Petty is working the defensive lines.

What offensive line is Cleary working on? 

The very offensive line?

 
1 hour ago, Demonland said:

Something new from a “discipline” perspective as opposed to previous preseasons. Whenever a drill is finished and they go to get water on the boundary. They have to sprint to the boundary. Nothing groundbreaking but reckon it sets a standard. 

There may not be enough water for everyone.

Can't add much to what Demonland has already posted. Clarrie cruise through some early drills, but when they moved to the full ground activity, he showed he still has that burst speed. On one occasion he ran with the ball from the centre through to the 50-metre zone, being hotly pursued all the way by Riv, who couldn't quite catch him.

Another highlight for me was seeing Tholstrup leading to a high kick, being shadowed by AMW. Tholstrup leapt high and almost grabbed the mark on the second attempt, however, AMW got a hand in to spoil in the air then mopped up the loose ball. All of this at top pace.

Viney was Viney! Hard as nails, bouncing up like a rubber ball when taken to the ground.

Howes continues to excite with defensive run and fine spoils in the air, much like Jud when he burst into the team.

Riv looks great and seems ready to build on last year's excursion into the centre square.

Marty Hore is another who looks to be at peak fitness levels already.

Sestan looks comfortable in his role linking with the forwards. Another who has returned looking in better physical shape than last season.

Browny gets a lot of it and has genuine pace. One rapid run on the Punt Road wing, bouncing the pill, was scintillating until the ball refused to come back up and he stuffed it. Got caught!

Disco is not quite as tall as Roo or Jefferson, but he makes up for it with timing and those great hands. 


13 minutes ago, deelusions from afar said:

For those saying Tom Crouch is a great get such as yourself, why's that?  I know he was on our list previously and was involved in 2021? but other than that don't know much about him / what he brings.

He was a high performance trainer for US tennis player Danielle Collins circa 2019-2022, Playing Coach for Nth Launceston in 2017, played 3 Games for MFC as a Rookie in 2012 won Casey Scorpions B&F and came 2nd in Liston Trophy same year. Asst midfield coach Carlton AFLW team July ‘23, also DeLa Sal GM around that period as well. 15 years in high performance, really hoping this happens, no nonsense coach Son of Paul Brownlow Medalist.

5 minutes ago, waynewussell said:

Can't add much to what Demonland has already posted. Clarrie cruise through some early drills, but when they moved to the full ground activity, he showed he still has that burst speed. On one occasion he ran with the ball from the centre through to the 50-metre zone, being hotly pursued all the way by Riv, who couldn't quite catch him.

Another highlight for me was seeing Tholstrup leading to a high kick, being shadowed by AMW. Tholstrup leapt high and almost grabbed the mark on the second attempt, however, AMW got a hand in to spoil in the air then mopped up the loose ball. All of this at top pace.

Viney was Viney! Hard as nails, bouncing up like a rubber ball when taken to the ground.

Howes continues to excite with defensive run and fine spoils in the air, much like Jud when he burst into the team.

Riv looks great and seems ready to build on last year's excursion into the centre square.

Marty Hore is another who looks to be at peak fitness levels already.

Sestan looks comfortable in his role linking with the forwards. Another who has returned looking in better physical shape than last season.

Browny gets a lot of it and has genuine pace. One rapid run on the Punt Road wing, bouncing the pill, was scintillating until the ball refused to come back up and he stuffed it. Got caught!

Disco is not quite as tall as Roo or Jefferson, but he makes up for it with timing and those great hands. 

Very keen to see Howes in 2025 after getting a chunk and taste of the action this season. Think he could be quite the player. Worth persisting with. 

When are the senior players required to be back for preseason?

 

(*hoping Saty doesn't yell at me for not doing my own research as this is actually me doing research)

Just now, DubDee said:

When are the senior players required to be back for preseason?

 

(*hoping Saty doesn't yell at me for not doing my own research as this is actually me doing research)

Not the Monday coming, the one after! 

Clarry had only 1 Month of training last year

He now has the opportunity to have a 4 MONTH preseason (especially after returning a week and a half early)

Could make a huge difference!


1 minute ago, DubDee said:

Clarry had only 1 Month of training last year

He now has the opportunity to have a 4 MONTH preseason (especially after returning a week and a half early)

Could make a huge difference!

This! Not to mention, Petty was exactly the same. Both had horrific pre seasons. Think it’s a bit lost with HP how much he *didnt* do during the weeks leading up to the season this year. 

 

Two extremely important players and with full preseasons for both, look out. 

1 hour ago, deelusions from afar said:

For those saying Tom Couch is a great get such as yourself, why's that?  I know he was on our list previously and was involved in 2021? but other than that don't know much about him / what he brings.

check out his record as a fitness coach - it's excellent

he has coached his own side down in tasmania, but it's more his development as a global fitness guru in tennis that sets him apart

his record as a fitness coach with tennis players has been exemplary

ash barty was the fittest player on the circuit til her retirement

i believe he was working with the american, danielle collins, who was another super fit top 10 player who didn't seem to have any major injuries that i can recall

i didn't realise he was back involved at afl level - i wonder if it's just between the wta seasons?

28 minutes ago, DubDee said:

When are the senior players required to be back for preseason?

 

(*hoping Saty doesn't yell at me for not doing my own research as this is actually me doing research)

Hi, no, I like to follow all aspects of footy, so when I heard the "rumour" about Couch, I researched, keeps me informed about what the club is up to, same as looking at all the draft profiles of the supposed top 20 in the upcoming draft.

Helps me 'understand' the game better.

 

5 minutes ago, Whispering_Jack said:

# 34 is being reserved for a young bloke named Kalani White.

The official jumper comes out of mothballs in late November 2025.

That is an interesting "rumour", Andy won't change, 45 did belong to somebody who Andy respects, a lot.


 
13 minutes ago, Satyriconhome said:

Hi, no, I like to follow all aspects of footy, so when I heard the "rumour" about Couch, I researched, keeps me informed about what the club is up to, same as looking at all the draft profiles of the supposed top 20 in the upcoming draft.

Helps me 'understand' the game better.

 

Oooookay

Maybe start a blog to continue to teach people how to live

2 hours ago, DistrACTION Jackson said:

Based on these reports I'm going out to get 2025 added to my existing premiership tattoo.

Same here! But it’ll be a cover up for 23 & 24…

I try again!


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