PRESEASON TRAINING: Wednesday 18th December 2024

[picket fence 17,435]

27 minutes ago, picket fence said:

No Mc Adams😵‍💫

Correction, just started training.

[Ditcha 591]

I attended some of the training session this morning. Very impressed with the fitness of most players. There were quite a few turnovers in match sim. It is only December, but still a lot of work to do. I will report again in the new year. 

[Bring-Back-Powell 14,927]

Be interesting to see the quantum of turnovers over at Brisbane, Geelong and Collingwood's training this week, as a few examples.

If they're far more crisp than we are, then we should probably be a little concerned.

You'd have to expect some sloppy skills pre Christmas. 

[ClaNiKo 137]

I headed in to watch the training this morning and most of the drill descriptions have been covered but here's a couple observations.

Maxy and Melksham walking several laps have a chat, stopping occasionally to watch the rest training. 

LOTS of turnovers in the match sim stuff, they did seem very quick on the adapting from turnovers and either setting up or taking advantage of it though so silver linings.

Kozzy looked really good, if there's any sites out there putting odds on for non petracca/Oliver Melbourne bnf winner let me know because he's looking primed for a breakout midfield year. 

Ended by splitting into defenders doing some drill at the other end while everyone else (including tmac and petty?) were doing goal kicking practice. The defenders group looked quite small as if it wasn't all the defenders so maybe they still want to get a bit of goal kicking practice into potential swing men. Or maybe I'm just reading too much into it.

Happy to answer any questions about specific players but these were the main things I noted.

[Demonland 73,090]

There were a number of turnovers at today's session but as I noted the intensity in the drills were very high with a lot of pressure and ferocious tackling. Not necessarily excusing the turnovers because you hate to see it but some credit should be given to that aspect of the game.

[Stu 968]

Given the amount of sprinting and cardio work prior to the drills, I imagine fatigue played a large part in the turnovers and is a deliberate strategy by the coaching department to teach the players how to make smart decisions and execute properly when fatigued and under pressure.

[whatwhat say what 22,889]

I think we just need to accept that we are far from a highly skilled sides 

It is clearly one of the things that has long held us back 

[buck_nekkid 6,035]

i also attended this morning, but for only an hour or so in the middle of the session.

If I was Werridee, I would be going out of my head trying to fit about 35 players into the 22. The only real player who looked below standard at this point was Verall, who I hope can step up over time.

Roy George was training with the squad and fitted in well.  His move and snap from the pocket during sims was roundly applauded - but no by Chocko.  Kid was called in and a chat ensued about AFL speed and pressure and the need for him to take easier options when they presented.

Max and Jake Melksham were walking the boundary, chatting about the world.  Looked relaxed.

The comments about turnovers were accurate.  I’m sure that this is all good at this point, and that the nature of the game is based upon turnovers being generated (the defensive side doing good) and responding when it happens to you.  The skills in the no contest drills were pretty good, however. 

The nature of what we are trying to do this year is interesting - we work to hold width as an outlet if needed, but first call is to look at the corridor.

Langford spent some time in the focus vest, suggesting he is going to be important in setup this year.

T Campbell and AJ both impressed with their efforts, skills and positioning.

I see some really good efforts from Clarrie, Trac, Salo, - all who will really add to what we delivered in 2024 into 2025.

The sprinting to the drinks station is about setting standards - it looks really good when they all finish a drill then race to the drinks station.

Thats about it, will answer any questions.  Don’t know if i can get down there after the break, but thought I would add my eyes to the track watchers a few times to help out and do my bit.

 

 

 

[BC_1718_DC 1,350]

No one likes seeing a turnover but the positive of that is the emphasis on defence from the oppo in those situations. Ferocity/pressure and giving it all to cause/create turnovers is what will make our game style quicker (which is what most of us want) 

[rpfc 28,726]

5 minutes ago, BC_1718_DC said:

No one likes seeing a turnover but the positive of that is the emphasis on defence from the oppo in those situations. Ferocity/pressure and giving it all to cause/create turnovers is what will make our game style quicker (which is what most of us want) 

Yes, more risks lead to turnovers. More pressure the same.

[old dee 23,866]

3 hours ago, Demonland said:

Max is not in the training jumper and is not warming up with the main group and is standing with the coaches. 

He has probably done enough to get a games in 2025.

[old dee 23,866]

2 hours ago, Demonland said:

Half the boys doing a drill utilizing the stationary metal men (don’t know what they’re called) where they receive the ball and have to weave through two of them and then have one of the assistant coaches apply closing pressure while they snap for goal. They then keep running towards goal where they receive a ground ball and have to baulk another stationary metal man and snap for goal again. 

Stationary metal men!

[bobby1554 1,261]

57 minutes ago, ClaNiKo said:

I headed in to watch the training this morning and most of the drill descriptions have been covered but here's a couple observations.

Maxy and Melksham walking several laps have a chat, stopping occasionally to watch the rest training. 

LOTS of turnovers in the match sim stuff, they did seem very quick on the adapting from turnovers and either setting up or taking advantage of it though so silver linings.

Kozzy looked really good, if there's any sites out there putting odds on for non petracca/Oliver Melbourne bnf winner let me know because he's looking primed for a breakout midfield year. 

Ended by splitting into defenders doing some drill at the other end while everyone else (including tmac and petty?) were doing goal kicking practice. The defenders group looked quite small as if it wasn't all the defenders so maybe they still want to get a bit of goal kicking practice into potential swing men. Or maybe I'm just reading too much into it.

Happy to answer any questions about specific players but these were the main things I noted.

Pickett would need to have a blinder, he is giving everyone 3 games start

 

[Travy14 1,936]

On turnovers, remember that everyone knows the game plan at training.  Whilst it would be great to have clean crisp ball movement, can be hard when everyone knows where it is meant to go.

[Roost it far 8,568]

The turnover aspect is interesting. We may well be moving the ball how we see the better teams do it. Thus leaving the emphasis on serious pressure to cause a turnover. If we can  cause a turnover to teams on a fast break Fritsch will kick 100 goals.

[demosaw 1,066]

Popped down for a look with my dad. Ground surface in amazing condition given recent heat. Trac looks ripped and happy. Claz very good and pushing himself very hard. Pickett looks at home in midfield winning ball, very evasive, has jets. We need him up forward too, maybe Mentha can step up in a season or two?

 

[Longsufferingnomore 1,637]

22 minutes ago, bobby1554 said:

Pickett would need to have a blinder, he is giving everyone 3 games start

 

No, every other player have to have blinders to keep him out.

[old dee 23,866]

2 hours ago, DeeSpencer said:

Verrall takes the kick from 30 out, misses Viney by a mile, Billings slams through the behind 

That probably says all about those two!

[DeeSpencer 26,065]

There were 2 elements to the repeated turnovers that annoyed me.

1. Players not playing to the game plan they’ve been practicing. There was a lot of freewheeling rather than stick to the short kicks that they’ve been training.

When they did manage to find a couple of short kicks it often opened up for the switch and there were a number of examples of a half back getting a handball receive, out to a wing, up to Chandler or another half forward and inside 50.

2. Bearing in mind I know they review trainings and I don’t know how in depth their reviews are, a lot of the stuff you see in drills translates to errors in match sim.

Just one example but Kynan Brown in the point to point drill received the ball running to the right boundary and then took the time to not just straighten up but aggressively cut back on his left before hitting the target.

First play of the game match sim - he gets the ball going right, takes a big cut back on to his left back in to traffic and is pressured in to a turnover.

[binman 43,693]

4 hours ago, Demonland said:

Taj Woewodin the first one out on the track. 

The track watchers equivalent of a bowler sending a loosener down first ball of a new spell.

[kev martin 10,385]

They moved a few into new roles today during sims.

The wings included Koltyn, Tracc and Rivers (not sure it was Rivers playing there), plus the regulars of, Billings, Sparrow, and Langdon. At one stage, Langdon burnt Sparrow off, left alone in the forward 50 where he swept onto a ground ball and set up the play for a goal.

Yellow bibs (central ball movers and connection) had Fritsch, Langford, and Sharp, all at separate times. Some sims had no one in the bib.

The sims appeared to be about aggressive ball movement, often looking for that hit up near the centre circle. They also played a high forward line and then did some congested forward work.

Langford stuffs around with the ball, he usually has enough skill to step and move freely. I am a bit worried that the speed of AFL may catch him out. Still some learnings to happen.

Tracc, Oliver and May getting plenty of intercepts.

Viney making midfield leads, forming the outlet ball, and helping the connections. In some mids drills, they where tackling was willingness, Vines got hit multiple times. He is ready for battle.

Salem impressed, running well and play making. Got a touch to the ball in the defensive 50, followed up with a kick on the wing and another with a delivery into a leading forward (barely a sweat). 

Great morning to finish off the pre-Christmas sessions. They were in great voice, training with enthusiasm, and getting around each other.

 

Edited 2 hours ago by kev martin

[binman 43,693]

3 hours ago, Demonland said:

Trac did a sensational bit of work to spoil a ball and then gather the ground ball with a nice contested possession amongst a group of bodies and get away with a burst of speed only for his handball to be intercepted beautifully by Clarry who dished it off with lightning speed to Laurie who was off to the races as he waltzed into 50 and banged home a goal. 

Build it and they will come.

[kev martin 10,385]

4 hours ago, Dingo said:

Thanks for you comments.

I would like to know about Melky’s problem if possible.

In the previous training, Melky went hard for a groundball and tweeked his hammy (high up on the leg it looked like). So had a little running and some bike work, in this session. 

[xarronn 383]

2 hours ago, picket fence said:

Correction, just started training.

So only one of the Mc Adams, or both?

[picket fence 17,435]

Mc Adam was warming up when training was nearly finished. Make of that what you will!