PRESEASON TRAINING: Wednesday 11 December 2024

[demon3165 2,798]

20 minutes ago, kev martin said:

Clarry is fit, happy to outrun others in sprints. Getting heavily involved in the sims. They were getting them to make and hit leads over the back and running towards goal.

They are hitting each other hard and willingly in the drills.

Petty slammed Tracc backwards and onto ground with a don't argue. That got them going hard at each other with plenty of intensity, during one of the handball games. Goody's words, something along, doing like we ask you makes a much better, and easier drill.  When doing the drills without shape it led to being caught in tight spaces. When following the correct patterns and structures they moved the ball to the open spaces, and with better completions.

Wings in the sims, included Sparrow, Billings, Langers and Woey. Sparrow is running the rails without too much strain, looking trim.

McVee was everywhere. I saw him start with ball on the defensive point post, then he finished the play off in the half-forward area inside the 50. Heading to being one of our elites.

Petty was used forward and back.

Kossie had the different coloured bib on (the linking player), later it was Tracc. Kossie got picked off few times, but got to the contest and impacted after the error. I like his ability to see ahead of himself. Working hard on being a playmaker.

Jefferson had a great session, hands are sticky, kicking snaps with confidence, and finding separation out the back.

Bowser is our best field kick, hitting some incredibly hard passes. Many are still floating the ball, not Bowser, gets the ball to the player, flat and direct. Salem is not far behind, with beautiful kicks.

Mentha likes to dance with the ball, got caught a few times, love his cheekiness/bravado to take them on.

Rivers got picked off a few times as well. They were playing down the corridor, with high reward, high risk sims. 

Turner is another looking good. Moving fast, getting separation and appears set for a big year.

Fritta is also playing well. Very fit, even strong as he cleans the defenders away from the contest. Goaling is a natural, effortless action.

Adams and Howes are making a few errors.

May is starting plenty of plays off the backline. His fitness is improving.

Langford and Kolt (looking bigger), also made a few errors.

Turnovers will kill us.

JVR was not out there today.

Tmac had some strapping on his right shoulder, moving well.

Lever, a patella support on his left leg, running with intensity at times.

Hard extensive session. They are being put through their paces.

Well hopefully the turnovers will drop with improvements by more skills based programmes being practised, turnovers will always be part of the game but it's the simple ones we need to eliminate.

[640MD 3,426]

3 hours ago, BLWNBA said:

A few observations from this morning

Similarly, there were numerous kicks into the attacking F50 that went straight to a defender, including several uncontested

Training like they play,

Thanks for the positive and negative 

[kev martin 10,397]

36 minutes ago, demon3165 said:

Well hopefully the turnovers will drop with improvements by more skills based programmes being practised, turnovers will always be part of the game but it's the simple ones we need to eliminate.

I know what you mean, skill errors, especially under pressure, are going to happen.

I see them not transitioning well when the turnover occurs. I hope they work hard on that, as well as the skills.

At the moment most turnovers lead to easy ball movement by the chasing team. A few like Kossie, put pressure on after they turn it over.  Then there are the dropped heads, Adam, Howes, Verrall, Kentfield. I particularly like the players who don't do two in a row, Kolt, Langford to name a couple of young ones, and oldies like May, Chandler, Tracc, with that headset.

Langford is very interesting, he just gets on with it, very little apparent stress,  from any mistakes. Like he knows there will be mistakes, as you say, and it is the next opportunity that he appears to be looking forward to, Cool Customer.

Edited December 11 by kev martin

[picket fence 17,462]

Thanks to all track watchers,GREAT Incisive reporting! I am really hoping to be there Friday at 10.00 am. If you see me say Hi, I shouldn't be hard to spot, I'll be the Odd man out!😎

Edited December 11 by picket fence

[binman 43,704]

3 hours ago, monoccular said:

😮  didn’t know they had one.   Amazing what modern technology can achieve way beyond IVF.

Will he be a FS Cat or Demon. 

With our luck he'll pick the dees but struggle with his weight and have a dodgy back.

[Slartibartfast 17,518]

I was at training today and the reports seem very accurate to me regarding how individual players went.

Perhaps one that hasn't been mentioned enough is Clarrie.  There have been lots of comments over the preseason saying he's out of condition and carrying too much weight. Well from what I've seen that's not strictly the case.  He's not ripped like he was in 2021 but he's still in very good condition and he is working extremely hard and pushing himself to the limit. I reckon that as long as he maintains focus over the Christmas break by the start of the season he'll be really fit.  He looks to have got that initial speed back and the ability to find a bit of space in congestion.  His disposal today was very good on a day where a lot struggled to hit a target.

On that, I reckon today was the first time I've seen them in a true contested situation and hence the disposal skills were down as there was a lot more pressure on the ball carrier. It was good today but it's early in the PS.  Secondly, I've been to a lot of PS training sessions over the last few years and every year I read that we are going "more direct" and using the corridor more. I've not noticed any difference in the way we've used the ball in the full field drills so it will be interesting to see.

On other players:  Langford got caught a couple of times, a good thing I say, better to learn the pace of the game in PS than during the game.  He works really hard around the ground.  Concerns expressed about his pace don't seem evident and he's building nicely.  Sparrow looks a lot more involved than he was last year, he's moving very well and kicking it well. Tmac was, again, very good today.  Those thinking he'll play at Casey need to reconsider.  I was also impressed with Fullarton today, he was strong and involved and kicked very well.  Fritta looked a class above on occasions, strong in the contest an elite with his goal kicking. May had an opportunity to send Tmac into next year at one stage and thankfully made a decision to avoid contact.  I reckon Tmac will buy him a bunch of flowers as a thank you!  AJ has impressed but he learned a lesson today.  In the handball drill he decided that the best option was just to run through Clarrie but he learned that's not all that easy. Lots of smiles and laughs when Clarrie helped him up. I like AJ, looks a ripper bloke and has lots of good attributes.  It's a crowded forward line for talls but he's in the conversation.

Looking forward to Friday, hope JvR is there, missed today but hopefully nothing in it.

[thirty-one 159]

3 hours ago, Where Demons Dare said:

Nice meeting you too today 31. 👍

And you!  Maybe see you another time.

[Ghostwriter 1,680]

26 minutes ago, picket fence said:

Thanks to all track watchers,GREAT Incisive reporting! I am really hoping to be there Friday at 10.00 am. If you see me say Hi, I shouldn't be hard to spot, I'll be the Odd man out!😎

I thought you were gonna be there today. I looked around the boundary but didn’t see anyone staring lovingly at Jeffo so I knew you weren’t there 😉 

[binman 43,704]

5 hours ago, BLWNBA said:

A few observations from this morning (noting I wasn’t there for the whole session).

I arrived at around 1015 and the squad was already out on the track. The rehab group consisted of XL, McAdam, Melksham, Spargo and Sestan. Lever was also on restricted duties and appeared to be in runners. 

The main group was doing end-to-end transition work in a simulated match situation. Ball movement was focused on moving the ball from a kick in, into the forward line, with focus on kicking to the advantage of a forward. In this drill it appeared Petty was playing as a forward alongside Luka and Turner, while TMac was a defender. I was unable to really see down the other end from where I was positioned, but Pickett also played as a forward linking player, along side Ricky. Ricky Mentha does some nice things, though there were a few times he was caught as a result of not taking the first option, or getting corralled on the boundary line as a result of attempting to use his pace and quicksteps to get around a defending player.  For this exercise it seemed as though Trac was designated as a ‘no-contact’ player and had the high-vis vest adorned. 

I will say, the intensity was there. But, I thought the ball movement for the most part left a lot to be desired, particularly with the linking possession from the D50 into the centre or onto a wing. There were multiple turnovers, or failure to hit a target, which resulted in an ‘opposition’ score. FWIW, I’m not saying this is a doom and gloom worst preseason ever type of scenario, but I am calling it on the body of work I saw. 

Similarly, there were numerous kicks into the attacking F50 that went straight to a defender, including several uncontested efforts. 

In terms of some ‘positives’, Petracca does look very, very fit. His lateral movement was amazing at times, and he was extremely vocal. I‘m not going to make a judgement on what this means for anything post 2025, but undoubtedly his professionalism will get him through next season whatever the outcome. He looks raring to go. 

Turner did some nice things up forward, including a very nice roving goal from spilt contested mark. I think he’ll be a very handy addition up forward and will continue to impact. Chocco was also issuing some very vocal encouragement to Kenterfield (who, is absolutely massive). 

Hore could, in all likelihood, easily fulfil a depth role. He had some great moments including a goal saving spoil and fitted in seamlessly next to TMac as a defender.

Langford is definitely a big boy. I’m beyond excited to see what he can do. In the full ground exercise he contested multiple marking contests and although he probably should’ve stuck a couple of the marks, he was at least able to ensure that the ball was brought to ground, rather than allowing his opponent to make a contested mark. He seemed to be playing as a marking half-forward and in a few of the plays I saw, seemed to be used as a marking runner from a kick-in. 

In terms of an early bolter for next year, I think we may see a big uptick in output from Kolt. Geez, he’s got some wheels on him and I was really surprised by his pace and ability to transition the ball. He’s a lot quicker than he looks on tv, and he’s got an uncanny ability to pick up the ball and roll with it. I was somewhat reticent on him, but I was very impressed from what I saw. 

The second exercise saw the group split into two and move into another contested ball movement exercise. Essentially the ball was brought in from one end of the ‘centre square’ (the exercise only utilised approx 25 x 10 in terms of a simulated centre square), by a ‘random’ player, and then a series of quick handballs were made in attempt to bring the ball to a coach on the other side of the ‘square’. Goodwin and Jones were the two ‘linesman’ for the group I observed. Petracca fully participated in this exercise, including contact, and was extremely vocal. He chased energetically, and once again his lateral movement was on full display. Several times the players were vocally reminded to ‘hunt the ball’ by Goodwin. 

I left not long after this exercise concluded. I’ll add more if anything pops into my mind, though I acknowledge this lacks a lot of depth like we see from our usual track watches. 

Great report.

Depth first class.

There is no magic bullet for our issues with turnovers.

Bottom line we have a lot of players with poor kicking technique.

In an ideal world our best kicks from last year's best 22 (imo, in order, Bowser, Fritter, Mcvee, Tmac, Koz and Salem) play every game and our young guns (kolt, Windsor, XL and Langford) find their feet and all are minimum above average kicks next season.

Edited December 11 by binman

[DistrACTION Jackson 9,193]

4 minutes ago, Ghostwriter said:

I thought you were gonna be there today. I looked around the boundary but didn’t see anyone staring lovingly at Jeffo so I knew you weren’t there 😉 

Have heard there was someone hiding in the bushes taking photos of Jefferson

[Roger Mellie 4,094]

10 minutes ago, binman said:

Great report.

Depth first class.

There is no magic bullet for our issues with turnovers.

Bottom line we have a lot of players with poor kicking technique.

In an ideal world our best kicks from last year's best 22 (imo, in order, Bowser, Fritter, Mcvee, Tmac, Koz and Salem) play every game and our young guns (kolt, Windsor, XL and Langford) find their feet and all are minimum above average kicks next season.

I'd like to add a few to your list from the injury list and Casey etc. IMO JVR is a ripper field kick, but we don't see it a lot given his position trying to get on the end of them. Melksham is right up there and Spargo will add a lot when he comes back. I'm a big fan of Chandler's kicking and I think Jeffo is an excellent field kick too (that's for you Pickett F).

[binman 43,704]

2 minutes ago, Roger Mellie said:

I'd like to add a few to your list from the injury list and Casey etc. IMO JVR is a ripper field kick, but we don't see it a lot given his position trying to get on the end of them. Melksham is right up there and Spargo will add a lot when he comes back. I'm a big fan of Chandler's kicking and I think Jeffo is an excellent field kick too (that's for you Pickett F).

Yep, all good calls. 

[Rab D Nesbitt 8,432]

36 minutes ago, DistrACTION Jackson said:

Have heard there was someone hiding in the bushes taking photos of Jefferson

Hopefully that's all he was doing. 😬

[Ghostwriter 1,680]

7 minutes ago, Rab D Nesbitt said:

Hopefully that's all he was doing. 😬

Cheers for the mental image 😳

[BLWNBA 1,123]

39 minutes ago, binman said:

Great report.

Depth first class.

There is no magic bullet for our issues with turnovers.

Bottom line we have a lot of players with poor kicking technique.

In an ideal world our best kicks from last year's best 22 (imo, in order, Bowser, Fritter, Mcvee, Tmac, Koz and Salem) play every game and our young guns (kolt, Windsor, XL and Langford) find their feet and all are minimum above average kicks next season.

Yeah, the turnover ‘issue’ is interesting. Based on what I saw today, and I say this with some reserved trepidation, is that there’s a quasi-return to the 2021/2022 game style. We seemed to have a lot of emphasis put on the ‘catch and roll’ out of the D50 and we want to put pace on the ball, while going direct to goal. I’d also suspect that we see AJ fulfilling that tall forward role à la BB circa 2021 (not necessarily saying we’ll get the same return, but in a reference to structure). So while I’d say there’s been a return to hunting the footy (see Goody’s comments r.e., ‘hunting the ball’), which in turn has resulted in a high pressure contest, you commentary regarding poor kicks is spot on. 
 

Those with poor technique/poor judgement stood out, and that leads into the issue regarding using those players to transition out of the D50. However, I’m cognisant of the artificiality of the scenario and would also note that some of these users will not be in our weekly 22, unless of course there’s mitigating scenarios. 
 

Tmac’s ball use was visibly a cut above many today, and his ability to hit a target around the ground is uncanny. The others that impressed today with their use were Turner and Windsor, Tracc also had some very nice passages though I’ve always thought Tracc’s around the ground work is fairly sublime, it’s his entry work and conversion kicking that leaves something to be desired at times. 
 

I was a tad disappointed that XL was in the recovery/injured group. Would’ve loved to see him with the ball in the full ground drills. I’m very keen to see him in full flight though, I think we’ve done nicely with the XL/Langford/Kolt/Windsor combo. 

[DubDee 26,112]

The training reports this off-season have been hands-down the best ever on DL

Well done to you all, too many to point out but you know who you are. They are varied from the trivial to the factual and I love both.

After all the negativity and bickering at the end of the season it is great to get back some excitement and positivity

THANK YOU TRAINING REPORTERS!

[kev martin 10,397]

One of the players causing turnovers was Windsor. He closes quickly and is able to get the finger tips to the ball. The reading of the play is a great asset, then he gets the ground ball, drives and steps, and finds a link. He will make a good attacking defender alongside McVee. 

[BLWNBA 1,123]

12 minutes ago, kev martin said:

One of the players causing turnovers was Windsor. He closes quickly and is able to get the finger tips to the ball. The reading of the play is a great asset, then he gets the ground ball, drives and steps, and finds a link. He will make a good attacking defender alongside McVee. 

He had a fantastic intercept today. Was brilliant. I was also staggered at the amount of unrewarded running he does too, he just reloaded every time and kept on going. 

[rpfc 28,727]

It is interesting having Windsor move behind the ball. I can see both sides of the issue; should be great experience to learn to defend versus the wing being such a natural spot to use his speed and skill.

One wrinkle I have been thinking about is the ‘second year blues’ - which are really just coaches putting the time in and figuring out how to diminish these effective kids in roles. One way to get around that is to displace them and make their role less about what they do and more about what they stop the opposition do, and of course in a new position - harder to game out a plan to diminish him.

[Jjrogan 1,439]

Turnovers will be the single biggest issue this year.

2021 - 6th worst

2022 - 10th worst

2023 - 1st worst

2024 - 3rd worst

If we play a fast transition game and are in the worst 6 for turnover we will have the same result as this year. Its not like they havent been training skills and kicking their entire lives.  Some good games, some cringe worthy games.  So imo,  its not just a matter of who's playing and fit (though that will help) the game plan needs to get uncontested ball into the hands of our better kicks. That means less of some players running past asking for a handball receive amd more of some others. 

[adonski 12,410]

1 minute ago, Jjrogan said:

Turnovers will be the single biggest issue this year.

2021 - 6th worst

2022 - 10th worst

2023 - 1st worst

2024 - 3rd worst

If we play a fast transition game and are in the worst 6 for turnover we will have the same result as this year. Its not like they havent been training skills and kicking their entire lives.  Some good games, some cringe worthy games.  So imo,  its not just a matter of who's playing and fit (though that will help) the game plan needs to get uncontested ball into the hands of our better kicks. That means less of some players running past asking for a handball receive amd more of some others. 

Lindsay and Bowza to combine for 60 touches a game and we're in business

[kev martin 10,397]

45 minutes ago, rpfc said:

One wrinkle I have been thinking about is the ‘second year blues’ -

I think Howes and Adam are on the edge of experiencing the blues. Expectations, uncertainty, knowledge of what it takes, living up to that, and the associated anxiety.

Adams (though hasn't had a game at AFL level) looks great at times, powerful and confident, expressing leadership qualities and then he has drops in confidence.

Howes has regularly been having errors of handling and disposal in sims and drills. He is moving very smoothly and getting opportunities with the ball. I wonder, what is going on?

Hope, as you say the coaches get around them and are clear in explaining roles and what they need to work on.

[demon3165 2,798]

2 hours ago, BLWNBA said:

Yeah, the turnover ‘issue’ is interesting. Based on what I saw today, and I say this with some reserved trepidation, is that there’s a quasi-return to the 2021/2022 game style. We seemed to have a lot of emphasis put on the ‘catch and roll’ out of the D50 and we want to put pace on the ball, while going direct to goal. I’d also suspect that we see AJ fulfilling that tall forward role à la BB circa 2021 (not necessarily saying we’ll get the same return, but in a reference to structure). So while I’d say there’s been a return to hunting the footy (see Goody’s comments r.e., ‘hunting the ball’), which in turn has resulted in a high pressure contest, you commentary regarding poor kicks is spot on. 
 

Those with poor technique/poor judgement stood out, and that leads into the issue regarding using those players to transition out of the D50. However, I’m cognisant of the artificiality of the scenario and would also note that some of these users will not be in our weekly 22, unless of course there’s mitigating scenarios. 
 

Tmac’s ball use was visibly a cut above many today, and his ability to hit a target around the ground is uncanny. The others that impressed today with their use were Turner and Windsor, Tracc also had some very nice passages though I’ve always thought Tracc’s around the ground work is fairly sublime, it’s his entry work and conversion kicking that leaves something to be desired at times. 
 

I was a tad disappointed that XL was in the recovery/injured group. Would’ve loved to see him with the ball in the full ground drills. I’m very keen to see him in full flight though, I think we’ve done nicely with the XL/Langford/Kolt/Windsor combo. 

This is going to take time as they are going from a completely different game plan that has been instilled into them for years to a skilled based running gameplan so there will be problems and errors and people are going to have to expect this until they master it, all I hope when things don't work out they revert back into the old style of playing.  Still there is plenty of time to bed it down.

[Dr. Gonzo 24,266]

Hopefully Viney's injury is unrelated to the foot issues he's dealt with through his career, would be a big blow especially at his age.

[dazzledavey36 55,311]

I think the way we use Windsor off half back will be pretty similar to how the Giants use Lachie Whitfield.