PRESEASON TRAINING: Wednesday 15th January 2025

[DistrACTION Jackson 10,682]

3 minutes ago, Harvey Wallbanger said:

Slick - quicker footed than Langford - related partly to different body shapes. 

Nice. I get Zach Merrett vibes from Lindsay… not sure if that is accurate

[Slartibartfast 18,098]

I thought Lindsay was very impressive. Quick, clean, lovely kick, positioned himself well, was very involved. For someone that hasn’t done much full training for a while he was very good. 
 

Howes played well.  Used his body well in marking contests and was strong one on one.  Keeps his feet well in contests. He’s a slow burn but he can definitely play. 

[Ghostwriter 5,320]

Not sure if it’s been mentioned already but Taj was wearing the no-contact hat because of some “minor concussion issues” 

[whatwhat say what 23,775]

i take it that howes is training to play more of the '3rd tall' role, a la lever?

[Harvey Wallbanger 1,379]

4 minutes ago, whatwhat say what said:

i take it that howes is training to play more of the '3rd tall' role, a la lever?

Could be, and Lever still "rehabbing" so might occur sooner than later. Petty played forward a lot today (and did well), but probably because of Turner's absence (also rehabbing), rather than the long term plan?

[waynewussell 6,963]

Further thoughts on today's match sim.

Petty is aggressive in contests, even against teammates. AMW spoilt his marking attempts a few times, but when the opportunity arrived, Petty slammed AMW into the turf. He was an effective and physical forward today. A smother while standing on the mark resulted in much applause and verbal support from teammates.

Rivers was a standout in all activities. He takes the game on at pace and is strong enough to push opponents away.

Ollie did what Ollie does best... accumulates... distributes... runs all day.

Langdon is also doing what he has done for years!

Tholstrup gives 100% but there is still room for improvement in ball handling and delivery. He puts himself in the right places and demands the ball.

Tom McDonald continues to train at the highest levels. Injury free and reminding everyone that he is a topliner in defence.

Don't need to look any further than Marty Hore to cover for Rick.

AJ continues to do impressive things in match sim. It won't be for want of trying if he misses out on early selection.

Fritsch, also looking to have put injury concerns behind him, is having more involvement further from goal .

Tom Sparrow is another who gives 100%. I feel he is sometimes underrated here.

Roy was here and he kept close to Kossie. Didn't stand out in match sim.

I didn't notice Kentfield or Spargs, and there were up to three others who took part in match sim that I didn't recognize.

Edited January 15 by waynewussell

[Earl Hood 6,166]

38 minutes ago, Ghostwriter said:

Not sure if it’s been mentioned already but Taj was wearing the no-contact hat because of some “minor concussion issues” 

And judging by the tan he must have spent the entire break on a surfboard in WA! 

[Ghostwriter 5,320]

3 minutes ago, waynewussell said:

Further thoughts on today's match sim.

Petty is aggressive in contests, even against teammates. AMW spoilt his marking attempts a few times, but when the opportunity arrived, Petty slammed AMW into the turf. He was an effective and physical forward today. A smother while standing on the mark resulted in much applause and verbal support from teammates.

Rivers was a standout in all activities. He takes the game on at pace and is strong enough to push opponents away.

Ollie did what Ollie does best... accumulates... distributes... runs all day.

Langdon is also doing what he has done for years!

Tholstrup gives 100% but there is still room for improvement in ball handling and delivery. He puts himself in the right places and demands the ball.

Tom McDonald continues to train at the highest levels. Injury free and reminding everyone that he is a topliner in defence.

Don't need to look any further than Marty Hore to cover for Rick.

AJ continues to do impressive things in match sim. It won't be for want of trying if he misses out on early selection.

Fritsch, also looking to have put injury concerns behind him, is having more involvement further from goal .

Tom Sparrow is another who gives 100%. I feel he is sometimes underrated here.

Roy was here and he kept close to Kossie. Didn't stand out in match sim.

I didn't notice Kentfield or Spargs, and there were up to three others who took part in match sim that I didn't recognize.

Luker was there (training with the main group) but his hair has grown and so has he. I almost didn’t recognise him.

Charles was there. He said his achilles is almost 100%

Toby Sinnema is likely one of the boys you didn’t recognise. Today was the first time he’s met many of the players. He said he’s stoked about how much they welcomed him. 

[Ghostwriter 5,320]

Besides Vines, Bill Laurie is another player who’ll be sporting a shiner. He copped an errant Riv elbow to the eye. No biggie, it’s just that the bandaging looks so dramatic. 

[inanunda 364]

Sharp will be a lock on the wing for the first game. His endurance and workrate are exactly what we need on the other wing if Windsor is going to half back.

On another note, went to watch Essendon train yesterday and out sessions had way more running, match sim and full contact within. We train much harder than them but it may have been a 1/2 loading session in their defence.

[Kev 10,876]

They were going hard at each other. The sims were in two 15 minute blocks. The second block finished a few minutes early, they gathered and had another 7 minutes at it. I think they were asked to compete, as they would play against an opposition. There was plenty of niggle, between some of them. At the end of the contest they supported each other with a of bump and slap. Some heavy collision occurred, biggest and worrisome was Clarry and May both aerial and front on, into each other. A minute on the deck and up. Heard some calls of, get up. May with a back niggle, Clarry back in. McAdam in a hit, and had a delayed reaction, as he went to ground. Talked with the trainer, did some stretches and got back into it. Tmac appeared to limp after a clash of legs in a tackle. Vines and Laurie also in hard hits.

Rehab had, Woey in the light green cap (my guess would be concussion protocols), Fullarton running extensive laps, Tracc and Turner working together early on, Lever and Max. No Jefferson. There were two run-on players. Spargo still in runners and not with the main group.

Good to see Melky in full training, did extra laps, the same with Salem. Fritsch in full training now, appears happy. Four wings during the sims had Billings and Langdon matched, and the other side had Sparrow and Sharp. Petty played forward. Adams had to look after the backline as the tall for a few plays and did really well. Johnson is looking good. Lindsay is in full training. He is something of a ball magnet, had plenty of involvement, moves well to space and has a lovely pass. He attempted a few long kicks which didn't come off, fell short. Langford was not as prominent today. McVee looking good, as is AMW, and so are Bowey and Rivers. Kossie had plenty of the ball, though got caught a few times. I think they have given him the licence to do whatever he wants. Mentha did the same thing though shrugged the tackle and delivered a long pass with precision, afterwards he was encouraged to handball when initially tackled.

They separated into backs (looking low in numbers) and the forwards with the mids. Chaplin continues to enforce the structures he wants. Many of the forwards are talking and encouraging each other about positioning and what the intention is. Even when a play goes well but not to what Chaplin wants he voices his expectations. JVR was making good leads into small spaces. The smalls working hard to create mismatches and blocks. McAdam playing high forward and being used to deliver. Missed a few hit ups, got intercepted, or made the wrong decision. He is not having any trouble getting the ball.

Edited January 15 by kev martin

[Jumping Jack Clennett 1,825]

2 hours ago, Willmoy1947 said:

Get him to carry his 5iron around with him for safety.

That’d be a one iron……anyone can hit a 5 iron, including god.

[old55 23,855]

18 minutes ago, inanunda said:

Sharp will be a lock on the wing for the first game. His endurance and workrate are exactly what we need on the other wing if Windsor is going to half back.

On another note, went to watch Essendon train yesterday and out sessions had way more running, match sim and full contact within. We train much harder than them but it may have been a 1/2 loading session in their defence.

Sharp has some great burst speed and agility too. It's a handy combo with his endurance running.

[Dingo 1,183]

Trac looked great

[old55 23,855]

26 minutes ago, Ghostwriter said:

Luker was there (training with the main group) but his hair has grown and so has he. I almost didn’t recognise him.

Charles was there. He said his achilles is almost 100%

Toby Sinnema is likely one of the boys you didn’t recognise. Today was the first time he’s met many of the players. He said he’s stoked about how much they welcomed him. 

Any idea who the taller, well built train-on with the longer hair is, GW? I thought the players called him something like "Jai" in the match sim.

[DistrACTION Jackson 10,682]

4 minutes ago, Dingo said:

Trac looked great

Was he involved at all?

[DistrACTION Jackson 10,682]

40 minutes ago, waynewussell said:

 

AJ continues to do impressive things in match sim. It won't be for want of trying if he misses out on early selection.

 

He is doing any ruck work in match sims?

[waynewussell 6,963]

1 minute ago, DistrACTION Jackson said:

Was he involved at all?

Just running when I was there.

[waynewussell 6,963]

1 minute ago, DistrACTION Jackson said:

He is doing any ruck work in match sims?

Almost no ruckwork in these sims. A backman is selected by coaches to kick back into set plays.

[DistrACTION Jackson 10,682]

4 minutes ago, waynewussell said:

Almost no ruckwork in these sims. A backman is selected by coaches to kick back into set plays.

I see. Cheers

[DistrACTION Jackson 10,682]

9 minutes ago, waynewussell said:

Almost no ruckwork in these sims. A backman is selected by coaches to kick back into set plays.

One more question! How did our ball movement etc look in the sims?

[Doug Reemer 1,208]

59 minutes ago, waynewussell said:

Tom Sparrow is another who gives 100%. I feel he is sometimes underrated here.

Because he under delivers

[picket fence 18,149]

4 hours ago, waynewussell said:

Campbell has legs like tree trunks and is very fit. Handled the ball well and was good by foot in the wet weather. Standby for round 1 debut!

Had him in my starting team yonks ago. He will provide not only solid backup for Max but is a very good ruckman in his own right!

[picket fence 18,149]

4 hours ago, Ghostwriter said:

welfare check for P Fence

Jeffo’s not here. 

 

WHAT?? Cmon Ghosty, its up to you to find out why??😵‍💫

Edited January 15 by picket fence

[BC_1718_DC 1,776]

36 minutes ago, old55 said:

Any idea who the taller, well built train-on with the longer hair is, GW? I thought the players called him something like "Jai" in the match sim.

Jai Culley. Former West Coast player. Number 1 pick in the mid season draft a few years back. Signed with Casey.