waynewussell

A few more thoughts on today's training... Teams very competitive in competitive skills training. Lots of encouragement from players on the boundary line waiting to rotate. Many physical exchanges throughout. Tackling was fierce. disposal skills were mostly very good. I didn't see AMW or Kentfield Hore has developed a defender's 'mean-streak'. He put Melksham and one other very close to the fence with aggro nudges across the boundary line. Ricky Mentha is finding a lot of ball and delivering at pace in match sims. May has lost none of his physical aggression but still is a little wayward with some passes. If Billings is competing with Sharp for a spot on the wing, I have Billings ahead on training form. I asked Kilani if he was coming, he responded with, "How you going"... maybe he didn't hear me clearly, it was very windy! Fritsch continues to play further up the field and he seems up for the challenge. Cool in traffic, constantly on the move. Spargo was running the boundary at a hot pace and seemingly unhindered. Max took part in match sims and competitive drills. Showed his strengths! Langdon is in superb touch. Langford is looking like a round 1 starter these days. Maintaining the pre-season excellence -> Rivers, Oliver, Salem, Windsor & McDonald Woewodin is developing. He puts body into every contest (courageously), tackles well and has stamina. Only a shade behind Sparrow in a similar position... might be the 'Nibbler' type. If I was picking a round one team based on today's session (and on who looks 100% available) it would be this, B: McVie, May, McDonald HB: Salem, Lever, Windsor C: Billings, Viney, Langdon HF: Fritsch, Turner, Petracca F: McAdam, Van Rooyen, Chandler R: Gawn, Oliver, Rivers Int: Petty, Laurie, Melksham, Langford, Howes

I think the teams were selected early in preseason with the aim being players evenly spread.

Not merely a mark, a screamer! Macca got his revenge in the next play, dragging him to the turf!

We’ll see a different McAdam in 2025. Elusive, quick, committed starter for round 1

Evasive skills are not Rick’s forte!

As far as I can see, Will Verrall does nothing at speed without ball in hand!

Good to know you know who you're talking about!

Oh yeah! 53 games and only a 1.38 goal average! Lets compare that to some other AFL players who are ‘up to it’. Bobby Hill 88 games 1.10 av Nick Watson 18 games 1.39 av Jack Ginnivan 65 games 1.32 av Kysaiah 106 games 1.52 av

Cheap gift = 3 games!

Thank you for being a patron. I see you have also fine tuned your ability to patronize!

Good point!

Quite clearly, I was talking about 'in-season' achievement in spite of the hurdles he faced. Some of those hurdles were his own doing, no doubt! You seem determined to drag your own bugbears about player payments, application etc and insert them alongside my personal admiration for his ability to push on and still be a significant contributor overall.

Take a deep breath, then re-read that post of mine that you take umbrage to. I challenge you to highlight the part that you think is worthy of your subsequent outrage!

Only one player on our list averaged higher disposals than Clayton last year! That was Petracca, who beat him by .19%... Bring-Back-Powell put it succinctly, above.

Thanks!

I admired what Clayton achieved in 2024. He managed to be one of our best contributors in an ordinary season. The perceptive and sensible supporter recognizes how that was a gutsy achievement given the hurdles! The rest can talk to the butt!

Im expecting 18+ if he is injury free!

His handballing, run-receive-dish off, receive, game is back! Tackling is also there!

Please be aware that I am typing comments as the action unfolds. They are brief comments so that I don't miss what is happening while I look at my phone. Abbreviations are essential to bring a sense of 'as it happens' reporting. As far as I can see, I used "Ollie" once when referring to Clayton, my bad! I'm not offended by being checked on this, just having a bit of fun with a few fellow posters!

Well perhaps you need one of the players to file a training report so that you can understand it!

I call him Ollie, obviously!

OK... in all future posts I promise to include Christian name, Surname, player number, date of birth as well as favourite Band!

Jefferson has reached what I would call the "handy" class. He has definitely matured physically. He no longer looks lethargic; he looks involved and confident. He has the advantage of being taller than a few of his key forward competitors. If he grabs a couple of contested marks and kicks 2 or 3 goals in a practice game, I expect he becomes a viable option earlier than many think.

Clarry. Sorry for the confusion. In future I'll use "Clayton".

Some other thoughts about training today. Melksham and JVR were the most effective forwards. Both seem set for a bright 2025. Fritsch was also good but played further from goal much of the time... still managed to snag 2 or 3! Billings and Short spent a lot of time on each other (on the wing I presume, although they roamed far and wide). I thought Billings had the better of the duel. Roy G was more involved today. Ricky Mentha was impressive in run and carry Jed Adams has definitely improved and is having more impact as a key back. Jack V is running with the ball more than previously, but his opponents know that they can catch him and did so on more than the odd occasion. The stand outs for me in match sim were Clayton & Caleb, closely followed by Rivers, Fritsch and Melksham. McAdam was offering good leads and took several marks in front of opponent. Bill Bailey is also having more input than previously. Tom Campbell is the dominant ruck with Max being on lighter duties. Langford and Lindsay did well with ball in hand but were not prolific (Clayton, Caleb and Rivers were) NOTE: Slarti just expanded on another reason why I didn't notice them!