PRESEASON TRAINING: Friday February 28th 2025

[Harvey Wallbanger 1,379]

3 hours ago, kev martin said:

Beautiful morning, not much wind, more than a couple of dozen spectators. 

The players were up and about, boisterous and having fun.

One of their last drills were three teams competing in a hard at it, handball game in a small area. Goody was encouraging them in it and to win. He also took them aside a couple of times and talked to them, during the session.

Halfway through training, those that are playing in the Casey game tomorrow left the area. Included were, Tmac, Tom Campbell, Bailey Laurie, Matt Jefferson, Ricky Mentha Jnr, Kynan Brown and Will Verrall.

I didn't notice Tom Fullarton or Ollie Sestan. Jack Henderson was training but had no number, maybe he will get a run for Casey. 

Charlie Spargo was doing some short runs in runners, it was mentioned that he will play at Casey.

Those who stayed with the main squad included, Blake Howes, Jed Adams, Xavier Lindsay, Harvey Langford, Caleb Windsor, Christian Salem, Daniel Turner, Harry Sharp, Taj Woewodin and Aidan Johnson. 

Jack Viney was running well and getting plenty in the sims (two 5 minute sets).  

Tom Sparrow looking strong and with good involvement. 

Wings had Jack Billings, Lindsay, Woewodin and Sharp in those positions.

Kade Chandler running extensively up and down the field, off half-forward.

Johnson struggled a bit keeping up with Max Gawn. At a couple of stages, Gawny was instructing Johnson on the ruck craft.

Jake Lever intercepting well. Apart from him stopping our thrusts, we showed good overall skills, with fast ball movement and kicking to advantage.

Adams was getting heavily involved and with good skills.

Rivers is ready to go, looking very good, as is Jake Bowey.

Tracc a little rusty, missed some hits when distributing. 

Clayton Oliver continues to push himself, working very hard.

Windsor was running freely.

They had cones ten metres in from the boundary line. Looks like that they want them to find corridors and not safety. 

I was told they are flying early tomorrow.

Fullarton and Sestan were both there Kev.

[Harvey Wallbanger 1,379]

Beautiful day - all from our new list present, i.e. including Henderson and Culley.

Melky and McVee doing run-throughs, see above re Melky - getting close, Judd said "4 weeks" and that looks believable based on his running. Kolt doing his first running which he was happy about - perhaps optimistic, but perhaps a Round 3 return for him (guessing through Casey because of conditioning required. Windsor in full training, so expect him to play on Sunday.

Hore says 3 weeks after the broken hand. Kentfield still very light work.

Spargo did not join the main session will play tomorrow in the Casey practice match. 

Left early, but it was an all team skills session with the Captain's run tomorrow in the West.

Campbell left the track early...maybe he also plays Casey tomorrow and not to Perth?

[Harvey Wallbanger 1,379]

3 hours ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

Maybe a little hint for round 1 that we'll be going with:

Defence - May, Lever and Petty with T Mac missing out.

Forward - JVR, Turner with AJ as the third tall forward/second ruck and then potentially subbed out. Jefferson to miss out.

(JVR to play the entire game as a forward aside from maybe a short Gawn chop out if AJ subbed out)

Agree re the defence.

We'll get a guide to that if AJ travels to Perth and Campbell plays at Casey tomorrow. Can we do that (i.e. sub out Johnson) all year? What if there is an injury early in the game?

[Bring-Back-Powell 15,527]

1 hour ago, Harvey Wallbanger said:

Can we do that (i.e. sub out Johnson) all year? What if there is an injury early in the game?

I think from time to time subbing out a tall such as AJ would be a sensible use of the sub, but clearly not every week.

As for Johnson, (and Jefferson),  I’ve no idea if he’s capable of helping us win in round 1.

Edited February 28 by Bring-Back-Powell

[DeeZone 10,573]

A big thanks to Ghostwriter, Kev Martin and Harvey Wallbanger plus all posters and special comments. Really looking forward to seeing how the boys go this weekend in our last preseason hit out.😁👍

[Ghostwriter 5,346]

On 28/02/2025 at 15:09, DeeSpencer said:

Your proclamation that Goody loved him - completely made up or a fever dream?

 

22 hours ago, picket fence said:

From a good source, choose whether you want to believe it or not!! 

You’re right, PF. Goody does love Jeffo. But that’s got nothing to do with when Jeffo will debut.