PRESEASON TRAINING: Friday 13th December 2024

[bing181 9,336]

3 hours ago, Whispering_Jack said:

Then there were the young key forwards Jacob van Rooyen, Turner, Matt Jefferson and newcomer Aidan Johnson

What's particularly encouraging, even exciting, is that those 4 could form the backbone of our talls (forward and elsewhere) for the next 10+ years. Even Johnson is "only" 24.

[bing181 9,336]

2 hours ago, Dingo said:

You remind me of WCW.

It's uncanny.

[thirty-one 190]

6 hours ago, Ghostwriter said:

TC (officially his nickname) is a big strong unit. There’s a marked change in terms of muscle definition in the time we’ve had him.

Must say he looked alright with his guernsey off the other day. 👍

[Ghostwriter 2,520]

Just now, thirty-one said:

Must say he looked alright with his guernsey off the other day. 👍

Did he? I never noticed 😅

And now you’re gonna say “but you must’ve noticed since you told him to leave it off” and I’ll flatly deny it coz you can’t prove it. 😁

[Ghostwriter 2,520]

29 minutes ago, rpfc said:

So is that a teachable moment about talking about a man’s green apple splatters? Hmmm?

I have no idea of what green apple splatters means, but yes, there were learnings had, the main one being don’t trust Richo nor Chocco… two seasoned sch!tt-stirrers. 

[thirty-one 190]

4 minutes ago, Ghostwriter said:

Did he? I never noticed 😅

And now you’re gonna say “but you must’ve noticed since you told him to leave it off” and I’ll flatly deny it coz you can’t prove it. 😁

He pretty much blushed and rammed the guernsey back on immediately.  Jeez.  No fun!

[monoccular 17,607]

3 hours ago, picket fence said:

Great report Demonland and I concur with Mc Adam, this is a potentially serious BUST!

Mr fence - I too have had serious reservations re Shane McAdam - but some have suggested that he is on a specific tailored programme possibly specifically to have him ready for Kozzie’s spot rounds 1-3.

I guess only time will tell. 

2 hours ago, Ghostwriter said:

Thank you, Dingo. I remind you of WCW, do I? She also reps the DA, and the coaches and admin are massive DA fans, which is awesome. ❤️💙

Interesting, ghost - haven’t seen a WCW report in ages.   Are you and her ever seen in the same undoctored photo?

[Ghostwriter 2,520]

11 minutes ago, monoccular said:

Interesting, ghost - haven’t seen a WCW report in ages.   Are you and her ever seen in the same undoctored photo?

I have no idea what you’re talking about 

[Ghostwriter 2,520]

13 minutes ago, monoccular said:

Mr fence - I too have had serious reservations re Shane McAdam - but some have suggested that he is on a specific tailored programme possibly specifically to have him ready for Kozzie’s spot rounds 1-3.

I guess only time will tell. 

It’s understandable that many will have reservations re Shane Mc. But as you said, only time will tell. I’m super excited for him though. He’s maintained for the past few weeks that he’s a cert to play in round one. Even Goody has confirmed it (barring any unforeseen issue between now and round one).

Shane has been working extremely hard and is so proud of himself. He’s dropped six kilos and is lean and toned and this is the fittest he’s ever been. Up until now he’s had a problem with stamina… running wasn’t his strong point. But what an amazing improvement! This has resulted in a level of confidence he says he’s not experienced before. Goody and Selwyn are delighted with how much effort he’s putting in and he’ll be rewarded, as he should be. 

[monoccular 17,607]

24 minutes ago, Ghostwriter said:

It’s understandable that many will have reservations re Shane Mc. But as you said, only time will tell. I’m super excited for him though. He’s maintained for the past few weeks that he’s a cert to play in round one. Even Goody has confirmed it (barring any unforeseen issue between now and round one).

Shane has been working extremely hard and is so proud of himself. He’s dropped six kilos and is lean and toned and this is the fittest he’s ever been. Up until now he’s had a problem with stamina… running wasn’t his strong point. But what an amazing improvement! This has resulted in a level of confidence he says he’s not experienced before. Goody and Selwyn are delighted with how much effort he’s putting in and he’ll be rewarded, as he should be. 

👻 - I hope that you are right and that Shane plays a blinder round 1,2,3 etc  even making Koz earn his way back round 4. 

[rpfc 28,832]

We are going to have 27 play Round 1 at this rate.

Big chance to win with 5 extra players…

[hardtack 10,683]

18 hours ago, picket fence said:

Hopefully I can bring you incisive report in the genre of Robert G Barratt, Stephen King, Lachlan Mc Culloch, Enid Blyton and H.G Wells! If you see me, I'm the one up a tree with binoculars …

I was hoping for something more in the vein of Hunter S Thompson!

[picket fence 17,728]

5 hours ago, hardtack said:

I was hoping for something more in the vein of Hunter S Thompson!

Thanks Hardtack, I'll check it out, but for mine The Les Norrton series of books starting with "You wouldn't be dead for quids" written by Aussie Robert G Barratt (Dec) is priceless and compelling reading! Seriously addictive stuff and guaranteed guffaw material with a hard edge😎

[picket fence 17,728]

8 hours ago, monoccular said:

👻 - I hope that you are right and that Shane plays a blinder round 1,2,3 etc  even making Koz earn his way back round 4. 

He has to EARN his spot and from what Ive seen so far in rehab, and last year at Casey, he is miles of playing round 1. Perenially injured, just doesn't seem to be able to put it together!

Edited December 13, 2024 by picket fence

[Webber 10,563]

Pedalled down to training yesterday too, and can happily confirm the thoughts and observations of others on here. Looking fit and happy, the boys. 

Notables for me -

Really really pleased to see ‘Charles’ Spargo at full stride-out pace looking great (and super fit bodily). If he’s a season starter, we’re getting an extra back on the list, and I reckon he’ll be driven like no man to make it stick. 

Jack Viney continues to amaze with his sheer ‘one way’ to play and train - you’d just hate to be matched up with him in competitive drills, but he will ALWAYS set the standard. 

Kozzy IS mesmeric. Makes me smile that the non-Dees footy world still doesn’t get it.

Clarry’s having a great time, back to his best ‘happy hands’ around the stoppage and through traffic. Obviously loving the energy and group intent, to which Nathan Jones is such a brilliant addition - welcome back Chunk. 

And finally - the 3-headed Demonland pod monster does exist. IRL! Can confirm that no only is @binman a real boy, so too are @george_on_the_outer and @Demonland/Andy. No digital puppetry or A.I. here, no algorithmic airwave deceptions, just flesh and blood assailing a mic or three. 

[Redleg 41,712]

That bloke in the number 5 jumper is simply a freak. Did some things yesterday that were pure magic.

He looked really invested and to have him back and a fit 13, is beyond making a difference.

[BDA 22,955]

7 hours ago, hardtack said:

I was hoping for something more in the vein of Hunter S Thompson!

Something along the lines of "The Kentucky derby is decadent and depraved"

[Slartibartfast 17,764]

19 hours ago, Rolling Stone said:

Some glowing reports about the players.

My question is whether the trackwatchers who have been going down to Gosch's think we can improve enough to return to the top half of the ladder in 2025?

I'm really surprised by the doubts about our ability to contend, and seriously, in 2025.

Last year we were two wins and percentage out of the 8 and this was without Clarrie having any sort of year and Trac being unavailable for the last half.  Further we lost three games by a total of 9 points against top 8 teams in this period. All in all we won 11 games and lost 13, hardly an uncompetitive season.

In my opinion Clarrie and Trac are the kernel of next season, if they can have 2021 type seasons or close to it we are a genuine chance of a flag.  If they have poor seasons we are a chance for the bottom of the 8 but no more. And of course we need some luck with injury, but that stands for all teams.

It's hard to imagine we won't be significantly better than last year given how young our team is and the prospect of getting some handy players back.  Bowser has been training really well and he was a bigger loss last year than some realise.  Spargo will add depth, Langford and XL class and Windsor and Kolt have come back in great shape and are training really well. Sharp is a nice addition and looks good on the track.

It's a competition of inches and small gains can take you place just as small losses can.  We've got the prospect of some pretty significant gains.

Anyway that's my take.  Clarrie and Trac hold the key and at the moment both look very good.

[Ghostwriter 2,520]

2 hours ago, picket fence said:

He has to EARN his spot and from what Ive seen so far in rehab, and last year at Casey, he is miles of playing round 1. Perenially injured, just doesn't seem to be able to put it together!

Come on, PF. You’re gonna make a judgement (and a harsh one at that) based on last year at Casey and *two hours yesterday?

“He has to EARN his spot”??? What do you think he’s been doing for the past two months? How else can he earn his spot? There’s really not much more he can do.

*of those two hours yesterday you were also paying attention to all the other players too. Hell, probs a solid 90 mins of that was just focussing on Jeffo. 🥰

Edited December 13, 2024 by Ghostwriter

[Ghostwriter 2,520]

10 hours ago, rpfc said:

We are going to have 27 play Round 1 at this rate.

Big chance to win with 5 extra players…

You jest, but in terms of availability, as things stand now, we’ll be spoilt for choice. Even the players in “rehab” - and I use that term for want of a better one - no one’s walking around on one leg.

Training this off-season is very different. Sunday is the only full day they are free from any type of training. The conditioning program is different and there’s a more conservative approach to deeming when a player is fully ready to go. There’s also a lot more programming for the individual. It’s not one size fits all.

Yesterday I was told by the admin. of a certain (wonderful) Dees fan forum 😉 that I say this every year. And I guess I do. But this year stands out. So many procedures etc. have changed, new personnel, a new mindset, a newfound sense of pride and unity and a hunger not seen for years; the transformation is astounding.

Have faith and get excited y’all. ❤️💙

[DistrACTION Jackson 9,549]

Looks like Noah Yze is doing a preseason with Casey judging by our insta photos today…. Would be good to see him play the season there 

[Adam The God 30,539]

20 hours ago, Deespicable said:

So far this pre-season Kossie is spending the majority of time with the mids and he's nailing it. It's like watching Aaron Davey in his prime - his ability to baulk and weave out of trouble is amazing. Last year his forays into the middle were also dynamic, but he kept turning the ball over. Hopefully with a full summer he can iron out his gives, because he now wins the majority of the contests - even more than Trac and Ollie. With him no longer playing forward, it seems Jack Viney has been assigned the task of being an extra small up forward and you'd be surprised how good a mark he is for his size and you'd hate to be the defender that turns the wrong way and gets nailed in a tackle by him.

Thanks for this mate. @old55 and I have been calling for Viney as a small forward since 2020. I'd love Jack play small forward and defensive mid rotation. Basically taking Sparrow's spot. Make Tom really warn his spot back. Hopefully with the inclusion of Langford and Lindsay, there's more competition for midfield spots.

[stinga 595]

Our backline will be the best in the comp and keep sides to minimal scores.  Our midfield/ruck should be as good as any and have depth.  We need to consistently kick 15 goals a game.  That's 330 for the season.  Picket and Fritsch will kick 80 to 90 of those.   Where do the track watchers see the rest (240) coming from?  Who kicks how many?  If someone else kicks 70 then we are half way there.

[adonski 12,569]

3 minutes ago, stinga said:

Our backline will be the best in the comp and keep sides to minimal scores.  Our midfield/ruck should be as good as any and have depth.  We need to consistently kick 15 goals a game.  That's 330 for the season.  Picket and Fritsch will kick 80 to 90 of those.   Where do the track watchers see the rest (240) coming from?  Who kicks how many?  If someone else kicks 70 then we are half way there.

JVR
Fritsch
Jeffo
Disco
Petracca
Pickett
Tholstrup
Chandler?
Langford?

It's a group that lacks another blue chip small forward (plus the obvious projection on Jefferson's 2025 output) but if we can't construct a decent forward line out of that group we're in trouble

[Earl Hood 6,115]

1 hour ago, Slartibartfast said:

I'm really surprised by the doubts about our ability to contend, and seriously, in 2025.

Last year we were two wins and percentage out of the 8 and this was without Clarrie having any sort of year and Trac being unavailable for the last half.  Further we lost three games by a total of 9 points against top 8 teams in this period. All in all we won 11 games and lost 13, hardly an uncompetitive season.

In my opinion Clarrie and Trac are the kernel of next season, if they can have 2021 type seasons or close to it we are a genuine chance of a flag.  If they have poor seasons we are a chance for the bottom of the 8 but no more. And of course we need some luck with injury, but that stands for all teams.

It's hard to imagine we won't be significantly better than last year given how young our team is and the prospect of getting some handy players back.  Bowser has been training really well and he was a bigger loss last year than some realise.  Spargo will add depth, Langford and XL class and Windsor and Kolt have come back in great shape and are training really well. Sharp is a nice addition and looks good on the track.

It's a competition of inches and small gains can take you place just as small losses can.  We've got the prospect of some pretty significant gains.

Anyway that's my take.  Clarrie and Trac hold the key and at the moment both look very good.

I agree I believe we have the cattle to finish top 4, again much will depend on luck with injuries, how many and who to but the most important factor to me will be our game plan on game day and under pressure.

We are currently training in the sims with an emphasis on rapid and unpredictable ball movement connecting to players who are in space and on the move. I love it, it looks great and given the high speed, high risk ball movement we saw from the Lions in the finals this year, it is the only way to go. But will we play as we train when opposition pressure is applied and the season drags on? I have watched training in recent years and the sims have always featured quick ball movement but come game day we often revert to the predictable kick the ball long down the line stuff.