Slartibartfast

I had a busy day yesterday and so I’m late with this post. The match sims are the things that get track watchers excited and we had our first real hit out yesterday. Others have covered them very well and it’s interesting to get different perspectives. There is no doubt there is a different intensity this year. Last year at this time it was ball movement with minimal contact progressing to dancing with your sister stuff as the PS went on. This year there is pretty serious stuff going on, hence concussions and I’d think more injury and soreness. I’m surprised Leb hasn’t been mentioned because to me he was the clear standout in the sims. Played midfield, won the ball at clearance, was used as an outlet player and got heaps of the ball. Kossie was the other one who got it a lot and while some of his delivery was very good some needs to be tidied up. Jai Culley continued to impress and Moose was good although Gawny wasn’t there but I thought he had the better of Tom Campbell. Kolt, Trelley and XT also showed their stuff as did Sharpie who seems to have progressed significantly from last year. Blake Howes also did some really good stuff particularly in the half field drills. Just for the record I haven’t given up hope on Jeffo, to me he is still an interesting watch.

Yes. Keep well.

Just back from training and I was really impressed by Trelly again. I think he is a different type of player to Kossie. Kossie is the burst type player with, as we know, exceptional X factor and is more a small forward with patches in the midfield. He's the Bobby Hill, Charlie Cameron style of player. I think Trelly is different, more in the mould of NWM. In the training drill he covers so much ground and is continually running. He will link up time and time again in them. He's very quick and evasive and at this point his skills are just good, not exceptional like Kossie. But he looks like he could play as a line breaker of HB, he could play through the midfield and he can clearly play forward. It will be a really interesting watch over the PS. The other to continually impress is Jai Culley. He's going to be a very difficult match up because he's a very strong overhead mark for the position he plays. Midfield or wing? Do those positions exist under King the way they did under Goodwin? There really haven't been any match sims in the last few weeks to know as the players for the main have been in about 3 different groups all doing different things. We will start to get a better idea of where players sit in January. It's also interesting we have guys in rehab with concussion protocols which adds weight to the observation that training is much more physical under King than it was under Goody.

Yes. Setting up now.

Puts you to shame Ghosty. Love CF.

A good summary by all the track watchers so I've only these observations to add: Trelly was leading his running group easily and looks very fit. He was cruising along while those behind him were clearly working hard. He also shows great footy IQ when in sims. Riley Onley is not slow. I had that fear when we drafted him but today watching him he covered the ground really well and is a fascinating watch. Hendo did little if anything. He's been doing lots of running but not today. Hope his groin hasn't flared. Tommy Matthews is a chunky young man with a terrific grin 😁. Not doing much at the moment but I'm predicting "fan favourite" status. I really like our trainers helping the rehab group. Players like Shane McAdam are doing heaps of running which I'd imagine is fairly difficult and boring but the trainers were often running with him (and others) offering encouragement. Same with Tommy Matthews who is doing all sorts of different hopping and jumping exercises. The trainers are really good with their advice and encouragement. They didn't run with Bowser because they couldn't keep up! Tmac looks in ripping shape and Jed Adams was back today having missed Monday. Oscar Berry, who has a very similar body shape to Sesto (but taller) looks very comfortable in all the drills with good skills. He is a project but he's well along the way, not like some of our other B rookies. We will know fairly quickly if we've "found one".

Sorry Hardtrack, that seemed a fairly steep criticism hence my response. Each to their own, as I said I'm not a fan but I do recognise the beauty of her voice of which, of course, there have been and are many.

Who misses out?

Wine snobs and music snobs, I can’t work out who is the more insufferable. Why are people so intolerant of other people’s tastes. Music is largely entertainment and I’d suggest Whitney is well up there in providing that and has one of the greatest female voices of all times. Having said that I’m not a big fan.

I've not much to add but: Trelly looked really really good with his running and skills. Those having issues with using pick 12 need not worry I reckon. Lindsay is starting to look really good, he was involved and skillful. The full ground drills were significantly different to last year. Last year the focus was on ball movement and little if any contact. This year is was match practice with the ball being fully contested. There is no luvy dovey stuff at training this year. There is good spirit but no whopping and hollering at the slightest opportunity. Very business like. Culley very good. Windsor and CJ the "go to" players out of the backline. Kentfield a good chance to be this years bolter, moves well, good endurance, strong hands and a beautiful kick. I'm excited. It might just be me but Vines looks like the weight of the world is off his shoulders looking so much more relaxed this year. Did I mention Trelly? Oscar Berry looks like the first B rookie from a BB background that looks like he could make it. Sparrow in everything. That is all......

I loved the girls effort but the reality against NM was we scored 10 points after quarter time. Brisbane scored 8 points to half time. NM’s defence was outstanding aided by a fantastic midfield of Garner, Riddell and Sheeran. Congrats to NM, easily the best team over the season and deserved to win.

https://archive.md/vSNju#selection-1037.0-1111.122

@Where Demons Dare did the new recruits train in the full ground drills?

Is that you Goody?

Two category B rookies and one A rookie. Yes they were misses but the cost was negligible. I think you “make an effort” when you invest draft or trade capital in a player. All three were basically free swings.

I estimate about 75% of the supporters were NM. Very disappointing because top level women's footy is now very watchable particularly when conditions are good. Hat's off to the Demon Army who are just wonderful. The effort, the banner, the noise they create make up for a lot.

The team. Everyone gave everything, they all get votes from me.

I met her once and really liked her. Thoughtful, engaging and approachable. Each to their own.

I was there. So proud of our women. Gave it everything they had. The extra week really impacted in the last. Women's footy at this level is now a very good watch. Thanks so much ladies, I've loved supporting you.

So why didn't he get drafted?

For the oldies, Rono won't be happy!😃

We are all on leave from the dead.

https://central.rookieme.com/afl/player/thomas-matthews-2/

What sort of players is he Dazz?

She did some fitness test activities and then was involved in some of the three quarter field drills and appeared to move well. She's a chance.