dazzledavey36

Different era

Anthony Ingerson

As someone that's had a crack at semi professional level and still playing locally (do take into consideration I'm only providing my thoughts based off having no elite level experience but from a players perspective) The difference between intra club matches and actually practice games is pretty significant. Intra club games in a way can be tailored and structured to how the coaches want it because this is where the implementation of game plan and structure is implemented from a full match practice perspective. Coaches have the power to stop start these intra clubs and provide extra on field coaching whether it's around stoppage or general set up across all lines. You can also tailor around how many quarters you want to play. I have been part of many intra clubs where I have played 2x20min quarters, 3×15min quarters or even 4×10min quarters. I do find that intra clubs are just a show for more dominant players to show how good they are against less prominent or shall we say, battlers who are more suited to the 12pm slot. Some players tend to not go the full 100% intensity because you're mindful of completely hurting blokes to the point they end up with concussion or worse, hospital. Going into a practice game is completely different ball game compared to intra clubs. Clearly it's a full dress rehearsal where it's your stock standard four quarter matches with official umpires and you're literally playing against the opposition's best team being put on paper. Practise games are a tune up for round 1. Not only does it make a significant difference in getting the match fitness in the legs but also getting your game plan in tune for the season. Trust me, you may be the fittest bloke on the list who has completed the whole pre season without missing a session, an intra club match in between, and it still doesn't stop you from blowing up completely in the first 5 minutes of a practice match because you're going full bore at the contest. Match fitness is a world on its own. The intensity is high but the skills are generally sloppy because nothing prepares you for game like intensity as what a practice game does. You need to take into consideration that generally as a player, you haven't played a full game of footy for over 6 months, so your body is simply getting used to the conditioning of it all. If I had a personal recommendation for how many practice games I think a team should play before round one, it would be two with a week off before round 1.

How does McVee barely make the best 22? He's played every single game since round 1 of 2023 which shows he's CLEARLY in the best 22 and has been since debut.

Jeffo is a big concern for me imo. To hear that he still lacks the required intensity even at training is half the reason why I was never a fan of this pick from the very start. Jason Taylor and Goodwins number one characteristic when targeting a young player through the draft is competitiveness and drive to succeed. As much as I've actually been a staunch supporter of Jefferson at VFL level, I'm just not sure whether it'll stand up much at the elite level. I'm certainly in the belief that young players do take time, but if they haven't got the intensity for AFL level then you're simply not going to make a successful career out at AFL level. Footy is a very brutal and ruthless game.

Thanks DB How often do you get down to training? Is this observations based off one session or a few that you have attended.

I was huge fan of this recruitment and really thought he'd bring some bite and edge to our forward line. His glimpses at Adelaide were impressive. Unfortunately when you're on the closer side of 30 years of age and have been dealing with soft tissue injuries at the back end of your career, history will suggest that it's going to be hard staying injury free. 5 years in the system and hasn't played a full season at AFL level so maybe just one of those cases where the body tends to struggle with the rigours of AFL footy. Hundreds of footballers go through this unfortunately. I still have faith he can have an impact some stage this year.

I wonder if there is consideration of placing Kentfield on the long term injury list to make way for either of the train on players?

Good old forum footy days..

Not that I am well aware of yet? We could? Might not be noted in the same bracket as Prasad but the last few years we have in fact had NGA prospect for a number of years in a row now.

Sinnema in this year's draft and then Prasad next year. I've heard good things about Prasad. Small in stature but playing style similar to Isaac Kako. There is still a lot of water to go under the bridge, but the fact he made his Coates League debut as a 15 year is amazing in itself. All Australian at under 16s level so well worth keeping an eye on him this year.

Please provide evidence and quotes where i have "demanded" for Jefferson to be Calsher Dear this year? I'll wait.

About as boring as you missing the whole point I'm making. You then tried to use one example that happened 35 odd years ago as a gauge for its success. Your argument is flawed.

Well said. A good comparison would be Calsher Dear from Hawthorn. Skinny tall forward who was pick 56 from the 2023 draft and came in with little fanfare off the back of limited exposure at Coates League level. Plays 17 games in his first year last year for 25 goals and tore the Bulldogs apart in last year's final. Lucky not to kick 6 that night. I wasn't a fan on draft night when we selected Jefferson and was hoping for Ed Allan instead. I then actually became a staunch supporter of Jefferson when others have questioned him over the last couple of year and thought maybe he was stiff not to be given games last year perhaps. My biggest worry is his intensity is of Josh Schache like.

Yeah 35 plus years ago. How's that worked out since huh? The best ruckman i have ever seen since being a Melbourne supporter was plucked straight from our very own backyard.

Agree with coaching contracts. I immediately think of the Brett Ratten situation at St Kilda where he signed a new deal and then was sacked within months. The AFL should have should have intervened before it was announced. Shocking treatment.

Or the the fact that he also gets paid outside of his salary through his five sponsorship deals he's currently locked in twith Monster Energy Drink, Cotton On, McDonald's, deodorant company in Stuff That Matters and Barry's Drink.. No different to Gawn, Lever and Melksham who own property down Mornington Peninsula.

Saved up his pocket money and brought a bit of land.. What's the issue again?

Meant to say Lindsay instead of Langford.. he's a gun too i suppose.

Dancing with your sister kind of stuff this time of the year. Every club will have footage where they'll show the good stuff and the not so good stuff. Take it with a grain of salt, let's wait for the real stuff. Ps. Langford looks bloody good though..... 🔫

Interesting that there's no info on Spargo..

Yeah you'd think so.. So now that the club has officially announced the reason why he's been missing its a good lesson why we shouldn't jump to conclusions and think of the worst the proper facts come out. Poor kid alright.. pneumonia is a pretty serious illness and I hope he takes all the time in the world.