Gator

Wowee. You got me.

Which is why I said "sure".

Yes, so ? You think you really need to remind me of Brayshaw ? I deliberately highlighted players that did it in successful finals bound teams to illustrate it's not just dud teams that give first year players a go. Clearly to subtle for your intellect.

Sure, but that's not to say first year players aren't worthy of playing straight away, such as Selwood, Wines and countless others.

I see him as our Paul Chapman.

But they're also finally saying to Watts that he has to play as leading/marking tall. We all know that he's never played "tall" despite his 196cm, however, they're training him as the third tall to impact the scoreboard. With this in mind I don't see a spot for all of Watts, Hogan, Frost and Pedersen. Bare in mind Petracca will also be playing as a forward and he's a sensational mark for his height (186cm) Frost, Hogan, Watts, Petracca, Kent and Garlett (plus rotating mids Brayshaw/vandenBerg, et al). There's room for one of Pedersen or Frost. I suspect it will be Frost.

I doubt I'd have Hogan, Pederson and Frost in the same team/forward-line.

They're actually very good stats that show clear progression.

I think you might have edited your post, as I thought you mentioned Terlich and his running. Anyway... Dean Terlich has lost weight and recorded a personal best in the three-kilometre time trial to give himself the best chance of performing well http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-02-13/whos-burning-the-track-this-pre-season

It depends WHO gets injured. At our present stage of development we need our best players playing. Obviously, some sides can carry injuries better than we presently do. We're still the fifth youngest team in the competition. How do you think we cope with injuries to our better players ? You are familiar with the fact that Sydney won a flag when they barely changed their side for about 8 weeks in a row leading into a finals series ?

I don't know why there's such angst about Terlich. Clearly, unless you're a dope, he's not best 22. But just as clearly, he deserves praise for his preseason. He's lost wait and is running PB times. This is a training report, not a best 22 thread.

He might, but not as a footballer. Two four hour flights every second weekend for a big bloke with a back to manage is hardly conducive to a football career. Especially when you didn't debut until you were 20.

Unlike others, I don't overly worry about the draw, because we have no idea who'll be an easy or hard opponent. The Dogs went from 7 to 14, while the Suns slid down the ladder. Port didn't meet expectations. Most of all, I don't rate many teams. Nearly half the competition plays finals. Ordinary sides play finals. While we haven't beaten the likes of North or Sydney in years they don't overly concern me as opposition. When we take the next step we will beat sides that have previously had the wood on us. Footscray beat North and Sydney and the year before lost to both. Things change... Why we can be better: Viney missed 6 games with a fracture in his leg and still came runner up in the B&F. Has taken his game and fitness to a new level this preseason as he seems to have been freed up from a "run with" role Gawn missed 9 matches after debuting in round 10. He's been one of the preseason standouts after a terrific second half of 2015 Dom Tyson played 90% of the year with a medial strain and hamstring issues - missed 7 games. Has been outstanding in match sims Dean Kent (rated incredibly highly inside the club) only played 4 games due to a hamstring off the bone Mature age rookie Aaron vandenBerg missed 8 games through injury and looks in peak condition this off season Salem was a revelation in the first 7 games before getting injured and only playing 10 for the season Nathan Jones carried a neck injury all year and was below his best Petracca will debut as a 20 year old with a huge body and injury free will impact games of footy Angus Brayshaw was the sub many times and wasn't quite the same player after getting concussed in the first 5 minutes of the West Coast match - expect improvement Frost gives us athleticism and flexibility in attack and defence - only played 3 games last year Naturally, we can't rely on him, but I expect (hope) Jack Trengove to make a successful return to footy, which continues to add depth Hogan will kick 60 goals this year Our transition and ball movement is much quicker than previous preseasons - will it hold up under the pressure of AFL. David King expects us to win "5 or 6", because he doesn't rate our style of play Keys: Luck with injury. We need our best players playing. Other teams have luck with injuries and it's about time we did Ball movement. If we're slow and hesitant we won't rise up the ladder Goals - we need to get midfielders kicking goals, as well as support for Hogan and Garlet.. Can Watts kick 30, Gawn 15, Kent 20, Petracca 20... The Dogs had 8 players kick 15 or more and we had 2. They also had 2 players kick 50+ In 2014, Port had 9 players kick 15 or more with 3 kicking 40+ If we don't spread the goal kickers we won't rise up the ladder All things considered I expect 9-10 wins, but if all goes well and the players/club get belief I believe we have the capacity to exceed those expectations It's time

No, we need A-graders to become a top 8 side. Your best players determine your fortunes far more than your also-rans. Btw, this isn't an argument against depth, more-so a recognition that it's quality players that make the difference in any climb up the ladder.

It was Wagner. And yes, Mitchie was very good. He's not one I have pencilled in, so I don't mention him, but I should.

I didn't expand on Hogan for the simple reason I've never seen him dominate a match sim session. He was OK, moved well and kicked a couple. He did what he usually does in this format, hence the comment "Hogan was Hogan". That said, I disagree with your comparison to the Carlton game. Also, Viney was fantastic. Any inside mid that is competing in the coal face will have turnovers in congestion, which is why the best players in the comp have the highest "clanger" clounts. But watching footy is subjective and we clearly won't always agree.

Hard to say. I'm not spending much time watching him. The rehab group is pretty boring. And he's so tall that he still looks rakish with his body type. But I'm sure the kilos are going on.

Yeah, I'm a bit of a rap for Max. He's been in rehab groups every time I've been to training. But he's running well and having a kick. Not sure what's wrong but he doesn't look far away. Mitch King looks a likely prospect too.

It's worth noting that Watts played as a forward in the match sim, which endorses his recent comments.

We'll know more after NAB.

I doubt it, but we want competition for spots. I can certainly see him getting games this year on the back of injuries. He'll get opportunities in the NAB challenge to press claims. Viney learnt heaps from good players last year, but I hope the tagging is over. Bugg may get these jobs, along with Bernie. Love him. He was great again today and is looking in tip top condition. Marked well and hit every target I saw. He can be a real driver in making us better. Brayshaw, who I didn't mention, was also very good. But let's face it, they're dancing with their Sisters. That said, intensity is good. When he gets good contact there's no problem, but he has an issue with his ball drop. He's a better field kick than set shot at goal. Still, I did see him nail goals in practise.

I'll be delighted if I lose the bet and he kicks 30.

Looks really good. Didn't do match sim, but is moving really well and looks strong in both upper and lower region.

I was pretty impressed by the intensity and general standard of the match simulation. Our main issue is still going to be hitting targets by foot, but there were some nice passages of play; and the midfield is looking stronger. I'll eat a little humble pie with Frost, as he looked very good today as a leading/marking target in the forward-line. While I much prefer him in defence i was surprised by his forward-line work. His kicking for goal will be a bit hit or miss. Weideman moved very well, but he needs lots more strength in marking contests. A lot to look forward to, but he's a work in progress and I thought Oscar McDonald had his measure. I was impressed with Oscar today. BenKen ran on to some very good crumbs and used his pace. Tyson looks strong and was again prolific. He looks set for a superb season. Viney was fantastic. He turned one over for a goal when he used his right foot in defence, but overall he looked a class above what he was last year. His pace and tackling was first class. He's been freed up and I doubt he'll tag this year. Stretch is coming along nicely. As is Harmes who did some really good things in the midfield. Hunt's pace is an asset and he too found a bit of it. He butchered a couple by foot, but also hit some nice passes. Hoges was Hoges. Gawn was excellent, but he dropped two marks in the goal-square he should have taken. Clunked the third. He should really impact the scoreboard this year. Hulett continues to look a player. Bugg worries me. He turns it over with poor decisions and kicking. He'll get games, but I'm not a fan. Grimes was good. Played midfield. ANB fumbled today. Kent and Garlett did well. Kent has bulked up, but has maintained his pace and evasiveness. And a pat on the back to a player many of us feel is on his last legs. Terlich was very good - again. He gets lots of it and today hardly wasted a disposal. I've been a critic, but credit when it's due. He's been an excellent trainer throughout summer.

Yeah, nah... The following interview confirms what has been discussed over the summer. Watts will play deeper to goal with a view to actually kicking goals. 35-40 goals must be the aim for a tall forward playing closer to goal. He needs to impact the scoreboard. It's his best chance to impact games. "My whole preseason has been up forward" "the aim will be to try and kick some goals" He hasn't trained in the midfield and clearly the club wants some goals out of him, which is how I'll be measuring his output.