PRESEASON TRAINING: Friday 6th December 2024

[DistrACTION Jackson 9,192]

23 minutes ago, Dannyz said:

Observations:

Woey's physique is seriously impressive. As big an off-season change as I can remember seeing. Not that he was in poor shape to begin with, however, impressive gains!

A lot more hand balling and lateral movement through the middle. Less kick in hope and reliance on territory only.

Windsor with the backs. Adds class to our ball transition. 

Radford involvement has increased. Seems to have a lot of say in game plan/tactics.

Kentfield & Fullerton focus areas are their one touch with marking. 

Jonesy brings the group in between 25-33 closer together. 

Keen to get your thoughts on the following:

- Harry Sharp - do you think there's a best 22 spot available based on what you see at training?

- Jed Adams - do you think he could come in a do a job if needed in 2025?

- Tholstrup - is he another that will lock in a best 22 spot this year based on training?

- Back up ruck - who at this stage do you think will be the second in game ruck? Please don't say JVR....

[Dannyz 2,851]

5 minutes ago, DistrACTION Jackson said:

Keen to get your thoughts on the following:

- Harry Sharp - do you think there's a best 22 spot available based on what you see at training?

- Jed Adams - do you think he could come in a do a job if needed in 2025?

- Tholstrup - is he another that will lock in a best 22 spot this year based on training?

- Back up ruck - who at this stage do you think will be the second in game ruck? Please don't say JVR....

I believe there is a spot for Sharp on the wing. He will be fighting with Bowey, XL & Woey for that role.

Jed Adams for mine probably isn't quite at the level and I was surprised the club re-contracted him so early. Happy to be proven wrong. 

Tholstrup would be an on-field starter in the 18. Everything he does is with intent. His defensive efforts in the front 50 are infectious.

Second ruck will be Aidan Johnson. 

[Deemania since 56 6,714]

1 hour ago, waynewussell said:

Main group now in competitive 3/4 ground match sim (of sorts). Tracc hemmed in and tackled in forward pocket, quick handball to Clayton, snapped goal!

The ol' 1 - 2.

[Timothy Reddan-A'Blew 5,266]

1 hour ago, waynewussell said:

Sharp skirting in front as Riv is spoilt from marking. Sharp passes wide to Woey who slots a nice goal from 45

The nickname 'Adjective' is a possibility...

[DistrACTION Jackson 9,192]

4 minutes ago, Dannyz said:

I believe there is a spot for Sharp on the wing. He will be fighting with Bowey, XL & Woey for that role.

Jed Adams for mine probably isn't quite at the level and I was surprised the club re-contracted him so early. Happy to be proven wrong. 

Tholstrup would be an on-field starter in the 18. Everything he does is with intent. His defensive efforts in the front 50 are infectious.

Second ruck will be Aidan Johnson. 

So you think Johnson could be there round 1?!

My view on how the forward line needs to be structured is:

2 x key forwards who don't ruck other than a small amount in the F50 (Turner & JVR)

1x forward/ruck (Johnson or Fullarton)

1 x medium/tall (Fritsch or Jeffo)

3 x quicker smalls (pick between Pickett, Chandler, Tholstrup, Sharp, Spargo, K Brown)

 

Edited December 6 by DistrACTION Jackson

[Deemania since 56 6,714]

1 hour ago, Greg Schneider said:

What’s fantastic about it ? What’s Bowey offering on a wing that Windsor isn’t ? 

Prepping defensive HB awareness, wing to forward flank attack. Change places....

[VNightCityLegend 97]

I have had enough watching that sh*t club Tottenham embarrass itself over and over again. 🤣😂

AFL round 1 v GWS cannot come quick enough! Let’s hope Melbourne can deliver. 

[layzie 33,987]

15 minutes ago, DistrACTION Jackson said:

Keen to get your thoughts on the following:

- Harry Sharp - do you think there's a best 22 spot available based on what you see at training?

- Jed Adams - do you think he could come in a do a job if needed in 2025?

- Tholstrup - is he another that will lock in a best 22 spot this year based on training?

- Back up ruck - who at this stage do you think will be the second in game ruck? Please don't say JVR....

Yep, I'd like to know if Sharp could realistically be in the mix for a wing spot. 

[Dannyz 2,851]

2 minutes ago, DistrACTION Jackson said:

So you think Johnson could be there round 1?!

Absolutely.

He's a work horse and the grunt work he will do should give nicer looks to JVR & Fritsch. 

[Deemania since 56 6,714]

2 minutes ago, DistrACTION Jackson said:

So you think Johnson could be there round 1?!

i hope that is the case in plan ... rotate with Big Max deep forward, p'haps?

[Ditcha 591]

I attended some of the training session this morning. Very impressed with the fitness,  and how they are trying to keep the ball moving. I heard Trac swearing at himself after a poor kick. During match sim Choco told Billings to take his time when having a shot at goal. 

[DeeSpencer 26,065]

3 minutes ago, DistrACTION Jackson said:

So you think Johnson could be there round 1?!

He needs to get through preseason and play his role in practice games but he’s already appearing in media best 22’s and Petty going back is a sign they’ve bought in reinforcements forward.

And it’s not like he’s competing with Franklin, Roughead and Hale. 

If he plays to his best vfl form last year he’ll be in round 1. The biggest deterrent might be that JVR doesn’t look ready to be the main man up forward. A lot of people think the ruck has hindered him, I’m firmly in the opposite camp. 

[DistrACTION Jackson 9,192]

1 minute ago, DeeSpencer said:

He needs to get through preseason and play his role in practice games but he’s already appearing in media best 22’s and Petty going back is a sign they’ve bought in reinforcements forward.

And it’s not like he’s competing with Franklin, Roughead and Hale. 

If he plays to his best vfl form last year he’ll be in round 1. The biggest deterrent might be that JVR doesn’t look ready to be the main man up forward. A lot of people think the ruck has hindered him, I’m firmly in the opposite camp. 

It did get him into the game more, but I feel it’s time he just focused on being the best full forward he can be.

I also love the idea of a mature, physical back up ruck who can really throw his weight around. Johnson also seems very athletic, so I don’t think his lack of height will be a huge issue in the ruck.

[waynewussell 6,237]

1 hour ago, DistrACTION Jackson said:

Does Jed Adams look like he is improving?

 

Yes. Stonger in the contest, marking and spoiling well, has that break-away speed. I'd say he has put on more muscle.

[layzie 33,987]

7 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

He needs to get through preseason and play his role in practice games but he’s already appearing in media best 22’s and Petty going back is a sign they’ve bought in reinforcements forward.

And it’s not like he’s competing with Franklin, Roughead and Hale. 

If he plays to his best vfl form last year he’ll be in round 1. The biggest deterrent might be that JVR doesn’t look ready to be the main man up forward. A lot of people think the ruck has hindered him, I’m firmly in the opposite camp. 

Does Johnson have much work to do to get up to speed on the fitness side DeeSpencer? 

[waynewussell 6,237]

1 hour ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

@waynewussell any Jefferson updates?

Jefferson now looks at home among the big boys. He is stronger and able to jostle for position without being shoved aside. He is enjoying the work and has good goal sense, with crafty snaps and some length when required. I get the feeling he now knows he belongs.

[waynewussell 6,237]

1 hour ago, roy11 said:

is there much physicality in these "match sims" this time of year, Just curious if any lingering mental scars with trac. 

There is the regular sound of body slapping into body, at times it gets quite willing. Tracc soaks up the physical stuff, no obvious scars there!

[seventyfour 1,176]

I hope Lever is out of rehab soon. We've only seen patches of his best form since the flag.

[old dee 23,867]

2 hours ago, waynewussell said:

McAdam now in various runs around boundary. He looks fit and is running freely

Probably in with a chance in the Stawell gift!

[Dee*ceiving 1,690]

1 hour ago, Greg Schneider said:

What’s fantastic about it ? What’s Bowey offering on a wing that Windsor isn’t ? 

Windsor gets it, runs 20 and kicks it 55. 

Bowey gets it and hits a chest 35m away for a shot on goal. 

I like it...

Also like the experiment of Aidan Johnson as an old fashioned battering ram second ruck. Make a few teams think twice about roughing up Max. Doesn't have to kick goals, just compete and hurt people. Thow in a suplex or two...

 

[waynewussell 6,237]

6 minutes ago, seventyfour said:

I hope Lever is out of rehab soon. We've only seen patches of his best form since the flag.

He's certainly doing a power of running through and over obstacles, building up leg/foot strength and flexibility. It's reassuring to have McDonald and Petty in peak fitness at this stage.

[old dee 23,867]

37 minutes ago, waynewussell said:

Jefferson now looks at home among the big boys. He is stronger and able to jostle for position without being shoved aside. He is enjoying the work and has good goal sense, with crafty snaps and some length when required. I get the feeling he now knows he belongs.

It's 5th December and he has yet to threaten for a senior game, let's not get over excited. I will be very happy with 7-8 games next season.

Edited December 6 by old dee

[MrFreeze 1,995]

Windsor may become a full-time half-back next year; however, both our wingers often roamed deep into the backline so it's not surprising he is training with the backline.

I wonder what group Langdon mostly trains with, probably the mids. I think we will have to wait and see if XL, Bowey, Spargo etc join the same group as Langdon before declaring Windsor will play HB next year.

[demon3165 2,798]

2 hours ago, DistrACTION Jackson said:

Max needs to do this much more. So often he takes a great grab and then goes back and holds up play, only to do a loopy kick and turn it over. I love Maxy, but field kicking other than long down the line is not his go!

A lot of the time no one is running past him for him to do that..

[Wells 11 5,422]

16 minutes ago, old dee said:

It's 5th December and he has yet to threaten for a senior game, let's not get over excited. I will be very happy with 7-8 games next season.

with the 7th or 8th game being very late in September !