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Ok, I went down to training and after writing a lengthy report for you on Monday was going to quietly avoid putting fingers to the laptop. But then, the shot that was heard around the world happened and I thought you'd enjoy knowing about it. Ok, what shot. Well here's a test guess which player I am talking about from this detail. The ball heads long to the wing and Roo looks set to mark but in comes this strong looking Dee with hunger and nudges Roo aside and takes a really strong mark. He then goes back to kick with his left foot and seeing Roo overcommit on the mark, beautifully baulks him and charges down field, get his balance and sees a player 65m away hoping for an over the back in the goal square. He balances after the baulk and then thumps his left footer over the top to his waiting teammate. It was by far the play of the morning and given I was standing on the far side of the ground, I had to check my glasses weren't fogging up. Could it be No.26. Surely not. I looked again as he made his way back and yep it was No.26 - Jed Adams. The same Jed Adams who only minutes earlier before match sim had completely fumbled and left the ball behind in a drill. The same Jed Adams who I, like many of you, had put down as one of Jason Taylor's handful of misses. The same Jed Adams who later on in the one-on-one forward drills looked confident enough to outpoint anyone. Yep, there are signs that in his third season since being taken with pick 38, that the 20yo is finally making headway. He's not about to push out Steven May or T-Mac for rd 1, but there's no doubt he's starting to show enough to get an AFL game at some stage if we get injuries. With Tommo gone, the queue for key backs isn't quite as long and even with Petty looking likely to play there, he's only two hammy twings or twangs from being named. While Adams had that 'moment', there were three clear stars on the track that you couldn't help but notice on a regular basis. The first was Clayton. Yep i know how frustrated we were with him the last two seasons, but right now he is back having fun and looking like a Brownlow Medal runner-up again. He kicked goals, he gave one off to tricky Ricky Mentha and he intercepted passes, made strong leads etc etc. He's probably 100-1 for the Brownlow right now, but given our draw, he might go close. The second was Kossie. He may not be playing until round 4, but watching him weave and turn his way out of trouble was mega exciting. On what we are seeing so far, he may end up playing quite a bit in the middle as he is mega fit. The third and most important of all is the positional switch that is going to make us exciting again. And I'm not talking Petty back to defence. In match sim, there's probably just 15 a side and so there are only five defenders. No prizes for guessing T-Mac and May with Petty, who may well be just there until Jake Lever is back over his knee soreness. Jed McVeigh and his precise kicking is also there again after a late (somewhat baffling) dabble in the midfield last season. And the other small down there is our No.6 Caleb Windsor. Those of you who are Robbie fans will recall that Barass even sent Tulip down to full-back so Goody's move is only somewhat revolutionary. Caleb waltzed off half-back like he was doing cone drills and at one point he flew across in front of Roo for a nice mark. Caleb has more height than Bowser and Salem and he has more pace and he's also a damn good kick like them. he also seemed happy to switch the ball - was it just me, but I reckon our defence switched way more often than last year - another positional adjustment for those of you looking for what we are doing differently. Well there were quite a few other things that happened and yes I saw some improvement from Luker Kentfield and I reckon Woey looks quite a bit faster than last year and Aidan Johnson looks strong and promising and Disco Turner is up there with Olly for passion to win the footy. And I could go on all day, but I walked away from training second guessing one thing and I had to go back and ask a fellow track watcher one thing. 'Did you see Jed Adams take that mark over Roo on the wing?' I said. 'Yep' said my colleague. 'That was No.26.'

Delisted Eagles player Jai Culley (number 1 pick in the 2022 mid season draft) will train with us over summer (like Roy George) after signing with Casey for 2025.

I've been to all but one of the training sessions this year and I think there is a spot in the best 22 for Harry. He's been very impressive. He attacks the ball hard, he's got good clean hands and makes good decisions. He can run all day gets to the right spots and has been heavily involved in all the full field match sims. His disposal has been iffy at times but the same can be said for most. My view is that Chandler will take the ANB spot, Sharp will take the wing with Windsor playing off half back. That's the initial plan as far as I can see. Jed Adams was impressive today and certainly had a few cameos but he's still 5th banana for a spot down back and even perhaps 6th because Howes is tall, similar in height to Tmac and has been playing the Lever role pretty well. Howes reads the play well and is clean and disposes well. He's also been good in the contested possession drills I've seen and will fight hard to consolidate his spot in the team this year. He strikes me as someone who will mature late but mature well. He's a lot taller than when drafted and it's probably taking a while to adapt to the different role he'll play given his growth. The Kolt just reeks leadership and enthusiasm on field. He goes hard the whole time and he's a 1st round talent. There is a fair bit of competition for spots but he'll be a valuable player this year. He didn't participate in full field drills today and was running the boundary but didn't look impeded in any way. I'm different to many on AJ. He's got to show he's AFL standard before he gets in the team and he won't get in just to be Max's chop out. He hasn't shown me that he's up to that and he's only had half a season of VFL exposed form really. Turner and JvR will be two talls, whether we play a third or whether we look for a different structure I don't know but if Petty is going to play back AJ or Jeffo have to step up. Whilst there have been signs neither has grabbed the opportunity to date. Having said that the match sims don't really seem to give the talls much of a chance to show their stuff so there is a bit of water to go under the bridge. Missing today were Verrall and Bowser although I notice someone said they saw him. I didn't and if he'd been there I think I would have noticed as he's been a bit of a standout to date. As reported Kossie, Clarrie and Windsor were very good and I thought Knuckles played well. Chandler was very vocal today and played his role. I expect him to be part of the leadership group when it's decided. It was also good to see Fritta in all the drills as was Campbell. Lever and Spargo look to be the ones with issues with Lever behind Spargs. Makes me wonder if that explains the "Petty back" decision but that is total speculation.

Right now I’m sure it just experimenting but I’d like to see Bowser’s kicking on a wing both inside 50 and also to pierce the ball back in to the corridor. And he can be a defensive sweeper too. Even more than that I like Windsor providing pure counter attacking speed off half back to break down zones before they get set. Similar to Max Holmes at Geelong. Especially if we have Salem and McVee we already have 2 kicking players. And we have Lindsay as another player who should provide kicking and play half back or wing. The biggest factor though is I like genuine cross training of players for their development as well as what it offers the team.

I believe there is a spot for Sharp on the wing. He will be fighting with Bowey, XL & Woey for that role. Jed Adams for mine probably isn't quite at the level and I was surprised the club re-contracted him so early. Happy to be proven wrong. Tholstrup would be an on-field starter in the 18. Everything he does is with intent. His defensive efforts in the front 50 are infectious. Second ruck will be Aidan Johnson.

Observations: Woey's physique is seriously impressive. As big an off-season change as I can remember seeing. Not that he was in poor shape to begin with, however, impressive gains! A lot more hand balling and lateral movement through the middle. Less kick in hope and reliance on territory only. Windsor with the backs. Adds class to our ball transition. Radford involvement has increased. Seems to have a lot of say in game plan/tactics. Kentfield & Fullerton focus areas are their one touch with marking. Jonesy brings the group in between 25-33 closer together.

A few observations. Coaches are micromanaging, here are a couple of examples. For delivery of ball to Turner, 'look for where he wants it kicked'. To Sestan, 'Ollie keep moving, get to the next contest, that is your strength'. Gawn and Cambell were rucking for the mids when they separated into their lines. I would assume Tom will be the back-up ruck if Max goes down. I doubt he will be the second ruck. Lever and McAdam were running with gusto as they did laps. Both started the session in boots. Charlie who is not in a training jersey, has to be closer to getting down with the squad. Goody and Whitford took the backs for drills. I think Basset had the session off. Each defender had a mannequin as an opponent, 8 of them. They moved around it and kicked with precision to the next player. Sinnemar was very clean. I sense the players appreciate that, a new young one that doesn't hold the drills up. The sims. Turnovers make it easy for the other to find space and go direct to for goal. Something I think we will need to work on. Kossie was looking for Mentha. They were keen for the contest, hard hits occurred and high marking attempts that hit through packs. JVR has his spark, he hit some packs, nearly marking it, bringing the ball to the front. Wings included, Sharp, Billings (who is looking good), Langers and Woey.

Interested to see how this guy goes - to finish 2nd (only to Sharp) in the 2km time trial as a second year player is a decent effort. Shows he has the enurance to go with speed. You know he will always give 110% and will get the most out of himself. I think he may be more special than most people here realise.

Early on, shy and a bit star struck. It effected his cleanliness with the ball. Ricky Mentha is starting to get into it now. Lovely feet movements sends him to the space in a flash, has that lateral step which is smooth, fast and transitionless to straighten up again. Hands are getting better, shape of ball needs a little work but gets that lovely spin on it, occasionally over hits it. You could see a difference with the other new boys. They had good coaches who drilled them within an AFL program and they fit in easily. Ricky will need some help in knowing the expectations and the finer aspects of AFL. He appears to be picking it up quickly as I see a marked improvement within the short period he has been with us. He is under Kossie's wing, who seems to be enjoying the leadership role.

Jefferson now looks at home among the big boys. He is stronger and able to jostle for position without being shoved aside. He is enjoying the work and has good goal sense, with crafty snaps and some length when required. I get the feeling he now knows he belongs.

Have to head off now. I look for other’s more detailed observations to come.

McAdam now in various runs around boundary. He looks fit and is running freely

Main group now in competitive 3/4 ground match sim (of sorts). Tracc hemmed in and tackled in forward pocket, quick handball to Clayton, snapped goal!

I didn't know the man, but one of the most influential figures in the development of AFL football in the 1980s and 1990s passed away yesterday. Much of what we take for granted today results from the work he did for the former VFL. For example, he advised the VFL to ensure that football remained accessible to all supporters, rather than following the US model which effectively meant that only the wealthy (the so-called "theatre-goers") could attend home games. If I recall correctly, he also recommended the creation of the Commission which replaced a barely functioning board of directors made up of two representatives from each club who thought their duty was to their club first and the survival of the competition second. The old VFL nearly went under in 1986, and much of the work David Crawford did for the then VFL around that time helped the VFL to survive and subsequently resulted in the stronger, national competition we see today.

Max needs to do this much more. So often he takes a great grab and then goes back and holds up play, only to do a loopy kick and turn it over. I love Maxy, but field kicking other than long down the line is not his go!

Fritsch just kicked a Fritsch goal in traffic/snap from 15

Sharp skirting in front as Riv is spoilt from marking. Sharp passes wide to Woey who slots a nice goal from 45

Sinnema is excellent by foot and has a decent vertical leap.

Important news about Harvey Langford… He hasn’t been given a nickname yet. He’s always been Langers but knows he won’t be Langers now because Ed gets called Langers. He’d be happy with Harves. Told y’all it was important news. You’re welcome 😁

He's certainly doing a power of running through and over obstacles, building up leg/foot strength and flexibility. It's reassuring to have McDonald and Petty in peak fitness at this stage.

There is the regular sound of body slapping into body, at times it gets quite willing. Tracc soaks up the physical stuff, no obvious scars there!

Just had a short chat with Browny, who is running 200 at a fair clip. He said his break from main group was “awareness”

Windsor with backs

Shame you didn’t hang around for the presentation session out in the middle. Riveting stuff. 😜 Every year they give out awards for admin staff achievements, they did it today straight after training before the players even came off the ground. Poor bastards looked like they’d sooner be anywhere other than there. But they were rewarded with a Zooper Dooper each. Zooper Dooper fixes everything… they were like a bunch of kindergarten kids 🥹

Yes. Stonger in the contest, marking and spoiling well, has that break-away speed. I'd say he has put on more muscle.

The competitive, 1 on 1 marking with the talls was great to watch. Disco out pointed Maysie with his regulation sticky fingers. MCDonald got the better of Max. Jeffo also competed well.

Agree. We want Bowser having the last kick inside 50.

Fritta just chased Ed and Howes from behind wing to inside 50

Toby’s mum was born in China, @Lucifers Hero

When it comes to the AFL media, I don’t believe ANYTHING.

he's not a lost boy anymore! i think we easily forget the situation that mcadam was coming out of, where he couldn't ever get his body 'right' this is our second summer to work with him and i'm confident our tailored program will suit him we've generally speaking taken a couple of seasons to get imports into the position where they can impact for us similarly, it's why i'm interested to see how billings goes for us in 2025

Windsor's run won't be lost playing off half back. In 19 games in 2024 he kicked 8 goals as a winger. I see him getting shots at goal from HB by being involved in a chain. Houston kicked 7 goals in 2024, Zorko kicked 9. I don't think we lose much in goals by playing Windsor off HB.

Windsor gets it, runs 20 and kicks it 55. Bowey gets it and hits a chest 35m away for a shot on goal. I like it... Also like the experiment of Aidan Johnson as an old fashioned battering ram second ruck. Make a few teams think twice about roughing up Max. Doesn't have to kick goals, just compete and hurt people. Thow in a suplex or two...

He needs to get through preseason and play his role in practice games but he’s already appearing in media best 22’s and Petty going back is a sign they’ve bought in reinforcements forward. And it’s not like he’s competing with Franklin, Roughead and Hale. If he plays to his best vfl form last year he’ll be in round 1. The biggest deterrent might be that JVR doesn’t look ready to be the main man up forward. A lot of people think the ruck has hindered him, I’m firmly in the opposite camp.

I attended some of the training session this morning. Very impressed with the fitness, and how they are trying to keep the ball moving. I heard Trac swearing at himself after a poor kick. During match sim Choco told Billings to take his time when having a shot at goal.

Absolutely. He's a work horse and the grunt work he will do should give nicer looks to JVR & Fritsch.

WC website: Taken with the first pick in the Mid-Season Rookie Draft in June 2022, Culley arrived in the west from Dandenong with a mature, AFL-ready body and made an impact in the second half of the year. After four games in the WAFL, Culley was called up to debut for the round 18 clash with Hawthorn at the MCG and laid 11 tackles. He tallied four games in his first half-season in the AFL and returned to pre-season trimmed down and extremely fit ahead of his first full campaign in blue and gold. Culley found his place in the Eagles’ forward line early in 2023, earning himself a Rising Star Nomination for his career-high four goals in round six. Unfortunately, Culley suffered a season-ending ACL injury in round eight and was moved to the inactive list. He was re-signed on a one-year deal for the 2024 season. At a Glance: Junior Club: Langwarrin (VIC)/Elizabeth Murdoch College (VIC). Debut: Round 18, 2022. Recruited from: Gippsland U18 (VIC). Brownlow Votes: 0. 194cm. Forward or mid in other bios.

I think its actually more the other way round to look at it. Windsor will provide run and drive out of the backline, which is something we really lack atm. I think you will find this will also be where Xavier Lindsey will play his early footy. Bowey has good foot skills and will still share a flank with Salem i think, but both don't have that pace. And with Rivers moving into the midfield we really lack that half back drive that the successful clubs have.

According to Roy the campaign was and still is unnecessary. He says Kozzie had no intentions of leaving us, nor does he now. And he added the line that I’ve heard from at least a dozen people at the Club just in this last month… don’t believe everything you read in the media.

It's 5th December and he has yet to threaten for a senior game, let's not get over excited. I will be very happy with 7-8 games next season.

I think all of our half back ‘runners’ should be working on this. Bowey, McVee, Windsor, Salem should always be ready to do this.

Which is why having Bowey off the Wing is ideal for the handball receives

What’s fantastic about it ? What’s Bowey offering on a wing that Windsor isn’t ?

Howes is present

There are still a precious few scribes who do research and don't rely on rumour, innuendo and hyperbole,

Does he pway as good as he twains?