PRESEASON TRAINING: Wednesday 11 December 2024

[58er 6,538]

8 hours ago, rpfc said:

They aren’t really candidates because they haven’t had good first years. Shame they are still struggling.
 

Caleb is different and was immense on the wing but will have a lot of attention paid to him and getting ahead of a possible form drop might be what the FD is thinking about putting him behind the footy.

RPFC really Howes had a very good first half last year and dropped off but got back into senior side near end. One of the players I think will improve and possibly grab a HB flank.

Adams is at least a year younger. And this season is his opportunity to shine. Needs a good start and one of the defenders to take him under his wing. 

[whatwhat say what 22,890]

3 hours ago, BKKBooga said:

Off topic slightly, I was impressed by the videos that the club posted on pre season camp.  Thing that stood out for me was leadership of lesser knowns, our new backup Ruckman as an example. 

Trent Rivers also was a standout. 

chin chandler too

i think windsor will, body permitting, be able to 'roll' thru the midfield at some point in his career

i love the idea of him being a 30+ possession weapon by foot off half back; we've not had many over the years - salem in 2021 was one (and integral to our premiership success) as well as davey for a while plus johnstone and yze going back to the daniher era

Edited Thursday at 09:56 by whatwhat say what

[chook fowler 19,519]

We should have a look at Gout Gout to give us some zip in the midfield 

[CHF 2,768]

A big thank you to all of our training reporters. It all sounds very positive and as if there is a very good feeling from the players.

If you set aside the poor season we had last season and the potential trading upsets that swirled around two of our best players and just concentrated on the way the player all look to have come back fit and ready, the additions to the list and the vibrancy of the training, I would assess our potential for '25 as very, very good.

Positives:

Oliver back fitter than he was at this time last year. More settled and looking at ease.

Petracca attacking the pre-season fit as a fiddle, professional and not looking as if he is carrying any hangover from his injury.

No long term serious injury recoveries carried through from the previous season to affect preparation.

A good full pre-season into the young players such as Windsor, Tholstrup, Brown, Woewodin, Howes and JVR.

Over all an improved list with a couple of first round draft picks to underline our potential to improve.

Not a lot of Negatives to look at really:

The loss of ANB I would list as a negative because he was one of the first picked each week and we all knew what we would get out of him. 

Have to say that I am not all that worried about our performance in '25. I think we will easily make the finals.

TEAM:

Defence: May, Lever and Petty or Tmac will make up the talls back there with Hore, Howes and Adams as depth/cover. Mid-size and smaller defenders We have a bit of class with Salem, Rivers, Bowey, McVee and Moniz-Wakefield. Possible that Windsor gets a bit of time back there as well but, i, would keep him on the wing for the time being. I think that defence with the structures and systems that they have been playing for the last few seasons will off a lot of variety and flexibility.

Midfield: With Petracca and Oliver still on the list and Viney not looking as if he is slowing down we have a tough, experienced midfield core to hang our game on. I think we will see a lot more of Petracca in the midfield this season compared to last. We need to play as much as possible to our strengths and with him in the middle and at stoppages we are much more aggressive. Players like Rivers, Sparrow, Pickett will all get turns on the ball. The wings will have depth of cover with Langdon, Windsor, Woewodin and Sharp looking as the main players. Sparrow, Bowey and, to a lesser extent Billings mat get time there. Developing Midfield talent with Brown, Langford, Lindsay and Laurie will all be looking to put pressure for time in the starting 23. Max, Tom and Will as ruck cover and depth. 

Forwards: With a new line coach and some developing talent I look at this area of our team with a bit of confidence for the first time in a long time. JVR and Fritsch will be the senior pair in the forward 50 as I see it. Turner looks to be next in line as a tall and I do see him improving with this pre-season. He will have a bit of competition with Jefferson looking to step up this season and Johnson having a big crack as well. Kentfield and Fullarton as developing talls. Melksham in the mix as a medium forward as is McAdam. Then our fleet of smaller forwards, Pickett, Chandler, Spargo Sestan and Brown. We will also see some of the mids/wings rolling through there a required. Mentha is one to watch as he develops and I would not be surprised to see him get a run mid to late season.

I do know that some will see me wearing rose coloured glasses but, I have been supporting this team as far back as I can remember and I see this a very strong list that can give it a good tilt in '25.

 

[Its Time for Another 4,282]

Does anyone know why McAdam is in rehab. Could someone find out tomorrow for us all. Thanks in advance. When I spoke to JT last week he said he’d been away but thought he might have picked something up at the camp but I haven’t heard anything anywhere. 

[monoccular 17,566]

4 hours ago, binman said:

BECAUSE THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS A #@%%^&@!#####!%^ING CENTRE MAN!!!!!.

Probably not even since Hassa Centre Mann?

[John Demonic 5,848]

2 hours ago, Its Time for Another said:

Does anyone know why McAdam is in rehab. Could someone find out tomorrow for us all. Thanks in advance. When I spoke to JT last week he said he’d been away but thought he might have picked something up at the camp but I haven’t heard anything anywhere. 

Hit his back on the arm of the sofa after taking a speccy on Kozi? Pinged his hammy evading a tackle while running down the hallway to kick a snag in between the bedroom door?

I haven't seen him play outdoors so i can only assume it's indoor footy

 

[FireInTheBennelly 4,099]

6 hours ago, chook fowler said:

We should have a look at Gout Gout to give us some zip in the midfield 

The mere thought of this makes me hurt almost everywhere. Twice!

[58er 6,538]

5 hours ago, CHF said:

A big thank you to all of our training reporters. It all sounds very positive and as if there is a very good feeling from the players.

If you set aside the poor season we had last season and the potential trading upsets that swirled around two of our best players and just concentrated on the way the player all look to have come back fit and ready, the additions to the list and the vibrancy of the training, I would assess our potential for '25 as very, very good.

Positives:

Oliver back fitter than he was at this time last year. More settled and looking at ease.

Petracca attacking the pre-season fit as a fiddle, professional and not looking as if he is carrying any hangover from his injury.

No long term serious injury recoveries carried through from the previous season to affect preparation.

A good full pre-season into the young players such as Windsor, Tholstrup, Brown, Woewodin, Howes and JVR.

Over all an improved list with a couple of first round draft picks to underline our potential to improve.

Not a lot of Negatives to look at really:

The loss of ANB I would list as a negative because he was one of the first picked each week and we all knew what we would get out of him. 

Have to say that I am not all that worried about our performance in '25. I think we will easily make the finals.

TEAM:

Defence: May, Lever and Petty or Tmac will make up the talls back there with Hore, Howes and Adams as depth/cover. Mid-size and smaller defenders We have a bit of class with Salem, Rivers, Bowey, McVee and Moniz-Wakefield. Possible that Windsor gets a bit of time back there as well but, i, would keep him on the wing for the time being. I think that defence with the structures and systems that they have been playing for the last few seasons will off a lot of variety and flexibility.

Midfield: With Petracca and Oliver still on the list and Viney not looking as if he is slowing down we have a tough, experienced midfield core to hang our game on. I think we will see a lot more of Petracca in the midfield this season compared to last. We need to play as much as possible to our strengths and with him in the middle and at stoppages we are much more aggressive. Players like Rivers, Sparrow, Pickett will all get turns on the ball. The wings will have depth of cover with Langdon, Windsor, Woewodin and Sharp looking as the main players. Sparrow, Bowey and, to a lesser extent Billings mat get time there. Developing Midfield talent with Brown, Langford, Lindsay and Laurie will all be looking to put pressure for time in the starting 23. Max, Tom and Will as ruck cover and depth. 

Forwards: With a new line coach and some developing talent I look at this area of our team with a bit of confidence for the first time in a long time. JVR and Fritsch will be the senior pair in the forward 50 as I see it. Turner looks to be next in line as a tall and I do see him improving with this pre-season. He will have a bit of competition with Jefferson looking to step up this season and Johnson having a big crack as well. Kentfield and Fullarton as developing talls. Melksham in the mix as a medium forward as is McAdam. Then our fleet of smaller forwards, Pickett, Chandler, Spargo Sestan and Brown. We will also see some of the mids/wings rolling through there a required. Mentha is one to watch as he develops and I would not be surprised to see him get a run mid to late season.

I do know that some will see me wearing rose coloured glasses but, I have been supporting this team as far back as I can remember and I see this a very strong list that can give it a good tilt in '25.

 

Good summary CHF yes a good year with a possible late Finals run. 

We often surprise after poorer year and the reasons for thst make the opportunity for the kids and high standard regulars get back their mojo. 

Could be like 2021 if the team bonds and plays more aggressive footy.

[VNightCityLegend 97]

Everyone looks fit and healthy which is good!

Hope it bodes well for 2025 because an American girl I started seeing is now right on board. First impressions matter, Dees! 💪

 

[Ghostwriter 1,674]

1 hour ago, VNightCityLegend said:

Everyone looks fit and healthy which is good!

Hope it bodes well for 2025 because an American girl I started seeing is now right on board. First impressions matter, Dees! 💪

 

Well you’ve gone and blown the relationship now! You left the word “have” out in your last message.

[Demonstone 22,792]

5 hours ago, FireInTheBennelly said:

11 hours ago, chook fowler said:

We should have a look at Gout Gout to give us some zip in the midfield 

The mere thought of this makes me hurt almost everywhere. Twice!

I learned that Gout Gout is actually an unintentional misspelling of Guot Guot (pronounced "Gwot Gwot"), much to the chagrin of all of us who like to make a play on words.  

[Colm 2,183]

10 hours ago, CHF said:

A big thank you to all of our training reporters. It all sounds very positive and as if there is a very good feeling from the players.

If you set aside the poor season we had last season and the potential trading upsets that swirled around two of our best players and just concentrated on the way the player all look to have come back fit and ready, the additions to the list and the vibrancy of the training, I would assess our potential for '25 as very, very good.

Positives:

Oliver back fitter than he was at this time last year. More settled and looking at ease.

Petracca attacking the pre-season fit as a fiddle, professional and not looking as if he is carrying any hangover from his injury.

No long term serious injury recoveries carried through from the previous season to affect preparation.

A good full pre-season into the young players such as Windsor, Tholstrup, Brown, Woewodin, Howes and JVR.

Over all an improved list with a couple of first round draft picks to underline our potential to improve.

Not a lot of Negatives to look at really:

The loss of ANB I would list as a negative because he was one of the first picked each week and we all knew what we would get out of him. 

Have to say that I am not all that worried about our performance in '25. I think we will easily make the finals.

TEAM:

Defence: May, Lever and Petty or Tmac will make up the talls back there with Hore, Howes and Adams as depth/cover. Mid-size and smaller defenders We have a bit of class with Salem, Rivers, Bowey, McVee and Moniz-Wakefield. Possible that Windsor gets a bit of time back there as well but, i, would keep him on the wing for the time being. I think that defence with the structures and systems that they have been playing for the last few seasons will off a lot of variety and flexibility.

Midfield: With Petracca and Oliver still on the list and Viney not looking as if he is slowing down we have a tough, experienced midfield core to hang our game on. I think we will see a lot more of Petracca in the midfield this season compared to last. We need to play as much as possible to our strengths and with him in the middle and at stoppages we are much more aggressive. Players like Rivers, Sparrow, Pickett will all get turns on the ball. The wings will have depth of cover with Langdon, Windsor, Woewodin and Sharp looking as the main players. Sparrow, Bowey and, to a lesser extent Billings mat get time there. Developing Midfield talent with Brown, Langford, Lindsay and Laurie will all be looking to put pressure for time in the starting 23. Max, Tom and Will as ruck cover and depth. 

Forwards: With a new line coach and some developing talent I look at this area of our team with a bit of confidence for the first time in a long time. JVR and Fritsch will be the senior pair in the forward 50 as I see it. Turner looks to be next in line as a tall and I do see him improving with this pre-season. He will have a bit of competition with Jefferson looking to step up this season and Johnson having a big crack as well. Kentfield and Fullarton as developing talls. Melksham in the mix as a medium forward as is McAdam. Then our fleet of smaller forwards, Pickett, Chandler, Spargo Sestan and Brown. We will also see some of the mids/wings rolling through there a required. Mentha is one to watch as he develops and I would not be surprised to see him get a run mid to late season.

I do know that some will see me wearing rose coloured glasses but, I have been supporting this team as far back as I can remember and I see this a very strong list that can give it a good tilt in '25.

 

Good post CHF, I guess if we can’t be looking at things through rose coloured glasses at this time of year then when can we. 
Having said that there’s a couple of your points that I’m not as confident as you.

 
Tall defenders seem a worry to me- Lever was in poor form last year and has been in the rehab group so far this preseason, May and Tmac are a year older and near the end. Like everybody else I’m glad to see Petty going back this year. 
Our depth of Hore, Howes and Adam’s really doesn’t give me much confidence.  Hore was ok at best when he came in last year.
Howes I had in the “really needs to have a big PS”bracket this year and going by reports that’s not the case so far.  Also I see him more as a medium than a tall. 
Adam’s was averaging around 6 disposals last year in a defence that was seeing a lot of the ball. 

If some of our forward tall prospects come good this year we might be able to bring Turner back if we get stuck but then we are robbing Peter to pay Paul.   I feel it’s probably our weakest area in terms of depth and young talent coming through at the min. 

[Colm 2,183]

The other thing I’m not as confident about as you @CHF is having a fit and firing Clarry and Trac sorting our midfield out. 
I am confident that Clarry will be much fitter, have a bigger impact than last year and fingers crossed back to his 21 form. 
I have little doubt that Trac will get back to the form he was in last year pre injury as well.

But that’s not going to be enough for us to get back on top against the top midfields in the comp. 
Teams have worked out our midfield even when we had our best players in there. It seemed they would let us get first possession and then make us turn it over. If Clarry gets back to his best I expect he will get tagged most weeks. So somebody else will have to step up. 
Losing ANB will have an impact to our set up and structure too.

I’m still confident we can get back to one of the best midfielders in the comp but if we are we are going to need our young brigade and new coaching staff to really step up and make a difference. Thankfully we have some great talent coming though in Picket, Rivers, Kolt, Langford and maybe Windsor who could all be a point of difference this season.

 

[Ghostwriter 1,674]

Everyone’s here and everyone’s out on the field. YAY!!!

[Ghostwriter 1,674]

Spargz is running well 🥳

 

He said his Achilles is feeling great 🥳🥳 

Edited Thursday at 23:50 by Ghostwriter

[chook fowler 19,519]

10 minutes ago, Ghostwriter said:

Spargz is running well 🥳

will be handy especially with Kozzie sidelined

[monoccular 17,566]

38 minutes ago, Ghostwriter said:

Spargz is running well 🥳

 

27 minutes ago, chook fowler said:

will be handy especially with Kozzie sidelined

chook - Spartacus  has been a full year out of the game.  May not be ready round 1 to replace Koz.  Maybe McAdam’s opportunity given his specifically tailored preseason?

[Roost it far 8,568]

2 hours ago, Colm said:

The other thing I’m not as confident about as you @CHF is having a fit and firing Clarry and Trac sorting our midfield out. 
I am confident that Clarry will be much fitter, have a bigger impact than last year and fingers crossed back to his 21 form. 
I have little doubt that Trac will get back to the form he was in last year pre injury as well.

But that’s not going to be enough for us to get back on top against the top midfields in the comp. 
Teams have worked out our midfield even when we had our best players in there. It seemed they would let us get first possession and then make us turn it over. If Clarry gets back to his best I expect he will get tagged most weeks. So somebody else will have to step up. 
Losing ANB will have an impact to our set up and structure too.

I’m still confident we can get back to one of the best midfielders in the comp but if we are we are going to need our young brigade and new coaching staff to really step up and make a difference. Thankfully we have some great talent coming though in Picket, Rivers, Kolt, Langford and maybe Windsor who could all be a point of difference this season.

 

Certainly if we allow Oliver to dump kick we’re in trouble. The key is for him to use handball more often than not. Both he and Tracc need to feed the run of Rivers, the wings and even the HB’s and HF’s to ensure our kicking into F50 is much better

[Ollie fan 3,468]

I really agreed with CHF's summary except that Petty is saying he is going to be a swingman, and I think that is great: he goes wherever he is needed.

 

4 minutes ago, Roost it far said:

Certainly if we allow Oliver to dump kick we’re in trouble. The key is for him to use handball more often than not. Both he and Tracc need to feed the run of Rivers, the wings and even the HB’s and HF’s to ensure our kicking into F50 is much better

I agree with this also. We have been very poor on run pasts. I suspect from the training reports that this is being changed; it needed to be.

[DeeSpencer 26,065]

32 minutes ago, Roost it far said:

Certainly if we allow Oliver to dump kick we’re in trouble. The key is for him to use handball more often than not. Both he and Tracc need to feed the run of Rivers, the wings and even the HB’s and HF’s to ensure our kicking into F50 is much better

Last thing I want is Clarry playing hot potato with too many handballs, I want those burst runs back and when they come from stoppages they're a weapon. We can weaponise it in general play too as long as it's not going long and slow down the line to huge packs or waiting intercept defenders. Using the switches and the corridor is so vital because it means the mids then drive the ball to space inside 50. And space should mean one on one match ups.

Our ball movement we've trained so far seems to focus on 2 tactics. 1. Fast counter, half backs taking off and using the mids to get through the corridor. And 2. short chips to play some tempo and tease out holes in zones. I'm intrigued how they blend those strategies together.

[Roost it far 8,568]

5 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

Last thing I want is Clarry playing hot potato with too many handballs, I want those burst runs back and when they come from stoppages they're a weapon. We can weaponise it in general play too as long as it's not going long and slow down the line to huge packs or waiting intercept defenders. Using the switches and the corridor is so vital because it means the mids then drive the ball to space inside 50. And space should mean one on one match ups.

Our ball movement we've trained so far seems to focus on 2 tactics. 1. Fast counter, half backs taking off and using the mids to get through the corridor. And 2. short chips to play some tempo and tease out holes in zones. I'm intrigued how they blend those strategies together.

We absolutely want Oliver bursting from packs with drive and power. I’m talking about not grabbing ball in pack and then swinging onto boot. That’s what I don’t want to see 

[Willmoy1947 4,140]

On 12/12/2024 at 03:58, 58er said:

The very fact that injuries and kids have been the cards we had to deal with last year are the same reason that I am so  bullish about 2025. 

After a tumultuous end of 2024 and pre off season with so much happening the “crisis” we had to have ( largely create d by journalistic sections of the AFL press, HeraldSun and Channel9 Footy Classified) the Club has emerged in a very fortuitous position.

Finishing 14th ( about a win and 2% away from 10th) has enabled a draft pick position of 5 plus a creative prior pick for no. 9 has gifted 2 elite young ball getters with style and skills for the big time to blend with the older refreshed champs and solid good supports plus a dozen 19 to 23 year old very promising youngsters all in early stages  of the years of their AFL careers help  the blend to my eye that is captivating and hopefully we now play a brand of footy that inspires this combination to scale the dizzy Flag heights of the 2021 heroes with fast fearless and brave standards to match. 

Off field changes in personnel in Board and Coaching, settlement of club matters, and the promise of a new Committee approach with new life and direction are enticing for our future.

Recent Progress in our Training and Administration development also has put a spring into Club steps after a long period of possibilities being dust binned for various reasons.

While results ultimately determine progress and success the ground work now being laid is a great response in 3 months lead by interim President Brad Green and the existing Board.

There is no doubt some AFL experts and even some of our own fans are writing us off the Top 4 and Premiership contenders list when you analyse  seriously there is no reason believe our window has ended. Fortune with injuries and a very comfortable looking fixture will play a part if our dreams are to be realised.

I get the feeling we are all reunited and that all feel that there is a great opportunity yo bounce back while we have an exciting and new list of unknown potential. Youth in the early 50’s led our revival and I can’t wait for 2025 to test our tyros and hardened elders in the season upcoming.

Check the current odds we are now at and if you are a betting person place a lazy $50 or $100 strategically on some success next year. 

Good Luck and Go Dees. 

In a nutshell better than last year folks.

[Ghostwriter 1,674]

2 hours ago, monoccular said:

 

chook - Spartacus  has been a full year out of the game.  May not be ready round 1 to replace Koz.  Maybe McAdam’s opportunity given his specifically tailored preseason?

‘Twill be Shane’s time to shine. He’s been told he’ll play in round one. Goody was more conservative; he said barring any unforeseen issue he’ll be there in round one. Goody said they’re rapt with the work Shane’s been putting in and with the results. He said Shane has lost six kilos, trimmed right down.

[Pennant St Dee 13,301]

On 12/12/2024 at 05:29, Webber said:

The idea of Windsor off half-back seems totally logical to me. With a bigger tank, and more physical maturity and experience (to defend), why wouldn’t we (like Judd McVee) put him somewhere where he can generate attacking play earlier? Wing is essentially a link role, half back is a generator role, and we need that, with speed. I expect his kilometres covered to increase this season, and halfback will allow that - colour me excited.

Makes absolute sense, so many scoring drives come off the back of turnovers and quick movement by taking grass or by foot off the launchpad is the way teams set this up