Enter Sandman-2021

The Jefferson vs Jed Adams contest was very interesting to watch. The coach was just kicking it high into the air and they had to grapple and use their strength to win it. It did seem like Adams won maybe 6 and Jeffo won 2 - but it was clear that the kind of grappling and wrestling isn't really Jeffersons natural mode at all. I don't think he's ever going to be a gorilla type full or centre half forward that can push opponents around. Based on his under 18s and VFL highlights his skill is more at reading the play and getting into the right spots where he can take either an uncontested mark or be in front of his opponent and use his long levers to reach up and grab it. He also seems quite good at getting front and centres, ground balls, linking up with handballs and doing some more small or medium type forward actions. I wouldn't say his intensity was an issue. You could tell he was trying hard and was frustrated that Jed kept beating him. He also contributed a bit in the match simulations. It will be interesting to see how he goes this year! Fingers crossed he gets a taste of AFL footy and can offer something to the forward line

I don’t usually go to training but I went today and I was quite impressed. There are players you don’t realise are so big until you see them in person. Daniel Turner was running laps and he is a huge athlete and was racing around the boundary at a fast clip. I can see why he would be difficult to match up on and I think he is fast becoming another great bargain pick by Jason Taylor. I felt the usual suspects - Petracca, Oliver and Viney - were the most dominant in the drills and match sim - but I was impressed by the second layer of midfield talent coming through - at one time you had Windsor, Langdon, Kolt, Kossie, Langford, Rivers, Mcvee all going for it head to head in a midfielders drill and they were all speedy, classy and tough. With Lindsay coming through as well I think we will be alright with midfield depth and that will be an area of strength for us in 2025. Sharp had some good moments and could be a chance to start on a wing in round one. Langford is a really good size and you get the feeling he has the body size to really dominate at AFL level - but yes I think he is still adapting to the pace of midfield work. Kolt and Windsor look really ready to have great 2025s - I like Windsor off the back flank and hopefully he will average a few more possessions per game next year as he is so silky and damaging. Good day at Gosches :)