Leaderboard

I have been to a number of training sessions during the off season, and the one player who impresses me is Langford. Normally you cannot expect much of a first year player, they don’t have the body, are overwhelmed by where they are, and take a good amount of time to “learn the ropes”. Not with this kid He has the body, and is already mixing it with the mids. He knows what to do to get the ball, and most importantly knows what he is going to do with it, and where it is going, before he gets possession. He has similar vision to Oliver. He may not be given a shot early on, but it won’t be long until he is mixing it with the best.

That's a pity, I was going to offer you $1000 to expand on your thoughts ...

Imagine adding Kalani White and Toby Sinnema to Langford, Lindsay, Windsor and Tholstrup the last 2 years.... Love that the wider AFL are sleeping on the fact we have elite young talent on every line. Under 24s who could already be best 22: JVR, Turner, Bowey, McVee, Langford, Tholstrup, Windsor, Lindsay, Pickett & Rivers

Nup. Never do. As I have noted many times i decided to stop getting caught up and wound up by players leaving or rumoured to be leaving after being devastated and furious when Gerard Healy defected to the swans. That decision has saved me much angst over the years - not least in the last six months with all the tracc, clarry and koz want out, where there's smoke there's fire nonsense. If he goes, he goes. Just as I said about tracc we hold the whip hand in any negotiations so we'll do fine.

Agree George. And the other thing he seems to have is an elite focus and mindset - attributes that will help ensure he does everything in his power to achieve his potential. No coincidence XL seems to have the same ulra professional mindset as Taylor puts a premium on it. I'd be very surprised if Langford, barring injury, isn't in our round one team - he's the very definition of a plug and play, AFL ready draftee. The exciting thing is unlike some such players (eg wines, Horne- Francis and even Harley Reid) he's still got plenty of scope for improvement, in large part because he'll continue to fill out and get taller over the next 2-3 years.

This is what Goodwin had to say about Langford a couple of weeks ago (apologies for the shoutie font size). I am a bit surprised for two reasons One he directly compares Harvey’s power and contest work to when Oliver and Petracca came in. Can you think of any higher praise for a new midfielder? Two. When have you ever heard Goodwin talk so highly of a recruit? Normally it’s is “yes he is meeting his markers but we are taking things slowly”. “We think he will have a bright future if he blah, blah, blah”. None of that here, just genuine excitement. Assuming he remains injury free I think you can mark him down for a round one debut “Harvey's come in and hasn't missed a beat,” coach Simon Goodwin said. “Some of the things he's done at training so far, you just go wow. “He reminds you of some of the power and contest areas that when Clayton first started and Christian, when they first came in

Good to know you don't read replies and reactions. Can I ask you a few questions? Why do you post a football fan forum? Do you take the same approach to texts and emails? Are you wanting other posters to make a note of some sort that you don't read replies and reactions? Are you a bot?

Pretty obvious it's Michael Walters in the photo, who Kozzie looks up to. If he starts liking photos of Neil Erasmus, we'll know he's gone

Um, you missed one!

Now official

I would like a system where contracts actually mean something.

We could take a leaf out of Peter Bell's book in his dealings with us for the Cerra* trade i.e. Freo' don't have the trade currency to entertain a discussion let alone a deal. In Harry hindsight, I'm glad we missed out on Cerra and hope we miss out on Peter Bell for CEO.

Great to hear. I’ve got a feeling he will be there round 1… at least I hope. Looks an absolute jet.

I'll be shocked if he doesn't play 50% plus games. There may be a lot of his type, but he'll be better than most.

Oh goody, a full season of koz watch. I'll tap out now I think.

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.

Yeah, i reckon he'll almost certainly get taller. He's 191 cms atm, which is pretty bloody tall. Talls always grow a bit after being drafted. As an example, Bont, a player Langford has many similarities with, is now 194 cms. Admittedly he was younger than Langford when drafted, but like Langford Bont was 191 cms when drafted. By the by i got that info from this draft profile - makes for interesting reading, particularly in terms of the similarities to Langford's draft profile. 2013 Draft Profile: Marcus Bontempelli - Aussie Rules Rookie Me Central

I agree with your observation that defenders intercepted regularly, but remember, the defenders in this case are teammates who know the game plan as well. For this reason, it is difficult to 'wrong foot' them. This changing direction and hitting up to the corridor will require precise foot skills... The more they practice these skills under pressure the better they will get (here's hoping!).

One of my mates played golf with Xavier Lindsay over the break. Said he was a ripping kid, said we should be happy to have him, but hopes his football is better than his golf!!

Huge thanks to WayneWussell, Ghostwriter, Ditcha, Harvey Wallbanger, Startibartfast, Inandunder and Kev Martin and all posters that was a most enjoyable training report and special comments today.😁😁😁

I too am most definitely not bot. 我也绝对不是机器人 #notabot, #followmeforfinancialadvice, #instantmillionaire, #nigerianprince, #localgirls

Langdon had more influence than Billings. With Billings having to keep up, often seen behind him. Sparrow was more dominant than Sharp, who struggled to find space. Where-as Sparrow used the boundary side well , acting as a connector from the backs to the forwards. I am going to reserve my opinion on Lindsay untill I see more of him, given that was the first time he joined the main group on Gosch's.

Lindsay will be a regular by round 8

I taught both Pat Dangerfield and Travis Boak as 17 year olds. Both 2-3cm taller now.

KB

At least we would have plenty of feathers...

Was at the match, for 57 years I’ve held the memory of Hassa kicking the winning goal by snapping over his shoulder from deep in the left hand forward pocket in heavy traffic. The video says otherwise. If only there was a replay of Queen’s Birthday Round 9 1967 v South Melbourne, Hassa kicked 7 in a big win.

Oh, he did? I didn’t notice… twice.

Clarry looks to have trimmed down over the break and looks AFL fit! Thought the break could have went either way, but looks committed to elite footy.

Prefer Kozzy doesn't stink it up for 2 years being played out of position though...

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.

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.

I congratulated Goody on his recent tying of the knot. Told him his gorgeous bride Kris looked stunning, the scenery was beautiful and his shirt was hands down the ugliest wedding apparel I’ve ever seen. He was shocked to hear my thoughts on his shirt. He said he loves it, it’s his favourite piece of clothing. I said I’ll pray for you. He said folks were asking him if he had a 10-pin bowling game to attend after the match. He thought that was funny. I said I’ll pray reeeaaallll hard for you. 🙃

Training really well. Super fit.

I hate to see any player cop that sort injury, particularly in the preseason.

Yeah, Harley Reid seems like a fair swap if Freo don't want to let go of Andrew Brayshaw.

yeah, you won't... we all won't we'll ride the bumps and barbs til the end of october

Fair play, the club really has lifted its game around this sort of content

I'm not sure I'd want Freo's picks in draft years that are compromised by the entry of Tasmania into the competition.

These latest media posts smell of the Pickett camp conditioning the club and fans to do a deal at the end of this year.

I am all for todays generation showing character and a bit of flair.. as long as they absolutely back it up through their on field field performance and actions, then I'm 100% all for it. They also just need to be fully prepared for the backlash and criticism that comes their way if they don't though, because it can be a pretty ruthless business if they're copping all over social media etc. The support and care has to be there for them from senior leaders and coaches. He's young, immature, and still finding his way in professional sport.. he'll be fine.

Tim Lamb better reach out to Lindsay then to organise this trade

Great headline. "Fremantle's hopes of landing homesick Melbourne star reportedly increasing" My hopes of winning tattslotto are also increasing as time goes by. This does not increase likelihood. Reportedly meaning, according to report or rumour. Rumour! So journalism has come to its Wednesday, haven't made up a Melbourne story for a while, what did I say last year, aha, just add hopes increasing. Voila!

One of them obstacles for Freo being that he's still contracted until 2027 which takes him to Free agency. If he wants to leave at the end of this year then Freo are going to have to stump up alot!

We had some good conversations with him but he’s told us that he’s happy in Perth and will be re-signing with Freo.