On the Track (training updates) 2024

[BazBoy]

Has Beau McCreery been given midfield time at pre season training??

[LaurieHolden]

Pre-season raining report: Friday Feb 2nd c/ Jen @ BF

Last session of the week, and they went intense in the warm morning weather.

Casualty ward
List is looking healthy apart from McStay, who did make an appearance; did some handballs, and light kicking at goal.
Jakob Ryan and Josh Daicos are inching closer to returning to full training. Both participated in most drills, except when it came to match play; which then they did a running session away from the group.

Training
The squad was swiftly separated into line groups not too soon later, as they went about some drills involving ball movement, turnovers and using their "shape" to dictate how they want to play.

Match play went for 2 x 15 min periods as they continue to ramp up proceedings for the practice games in a couple weeks.

Match sim teams:

1st Quarter
White defence
Moore, Noble, Dean, Maynard, Murphy, TJ
V
Black Forwards
Johnson, Mihocek, Sullivan, Beau, Jamie

White Forwards
Hill, Bytel, Kreuger, Reef, Teakle, Lippa
V
Black Defenders
Eyre, WHE, Frampton, DeMattia, Howe, IQ
V
Black Midfield:
Pendles, Jordy, Richards, Fin, Sidey, DC
V
White Midfield:
Allan, Nick, Crisp, Steene, HH, Carmy

2nd Quarter (where things were a bit different)

Reef, Teakle, HH, Hill, Nick as 1st ruck. Clunking marks, bulldozing through contested situations. On the other side of it, I gotta admit, this pre-season, Cox has been invisible. Well, obviously not invisible as he is hard not to notice 7ft tall bloke; but just not the player he was in the finals. Not training like it anyway. He's given the ruck mantal back to DC, that much is clear. Cox is more playing forward and pinch hitting the ruck. They'll likely share the ruck load, but think it'll favour DC if his current form continues to hold up.

Jamie moved to half back in the 2nd Q, where he played forward early on
Jordy started forward
Lippa and Beau spent time in the middle
Fin moved to the wing at times to allow others at the centre bounce.

The wing position was rotated a bit. Sometimes you'd have richards, Carmichael, Harrison.

Lippa played very well, he went hard and bowled over IQ in a contest. Was involved in a fair bit of movement around the ground, and he played a bit in centre bounce as well.

Jordy was a bull. Just getting back to what he does what, don't try to stand in his way or he will mow you down. He kicked a couple goals. Even played up froward for a bit during the rotations.

Reef v Johnson
Both played well, Johnson more in the 2nd quarter. His marks against the likes of Moore and Murphy were impressive, but they didn't all equal to goals. He kicked a couple, missed one.
Reef I felt was really impressive. Just seemed really strong, kicked goals off the lead, snaps you name it. When the ball went his way, you just knew he was on the end of it.

Fin v Allan
Ed had some nice kicking, maybe he was on the other side of the ground to me, but can't say I noticed him too much. But Fin on the other hand seemed to be everywhere. Streaming down the wing, kicking inside 50, and all his kicking landed to a target. Kicked a goal from a stoppage up forward.
He's just taking his game to another level, and hopefully he can continue this form into pre-season games in a couple weeks.

Beau the midfielder. He never feels like the most natural forward, so with his pace and tackling ability, becoming a mid seems to be natural progression. How much time will he spend there? Unsure. Maybe pinch him for now as I'm not sure he has the tank at this point.

Cameron just continuing his dominance as 1st ruck. Clunking marks, bulldozing through contested situations. On the other side of it, I gotta admit, this pre-season, Cox has been invisible. Well, obviously not invisible as he is hard not to notice 7ft tall bloke; but just not the player he was in the finals. Not training like it anyway. He's given the ruck mantal back to DC, that much is clear. Cox is more playing forward and pinch hitting the ruck. They'll likely share the ruck load, but think it'll favour DC if his current form continues to hold up.

SSP's
Eyre was solid at full back, generally playing on Kreuger. Involved in some defensive actions.
Bytel was used around a bit. Forward. Mid. Wing. trained well.
I was very impressed with Sullivan, who does remind me a bit of Adams with the way he played but better. He's a big boy who gets in and under. Can push forward as well.
Sofronidis is slowly adjusting, as he was involved in some pieces of play. Kinda reminds me of a taller Markov running off half back and setting up play down the line.
Teakle presented well up forward and up the line, took some nice marks, kicked a couple goals. He's getting more confidence in himself.


Live training footage c/- Ultimate Greatness
https://youtu.be/vrbtBvHI6_A?si=wdc8yVLBc-G8m6mu

[duggieboy]

Any impressions on TJ at this early stage?

[LaurieHolden]

^refer to earlier posts duggie, but in short the combination of his speed and evasive skills are going to be good to watch for years to come. Looks to be blessed with composure under pressure, a great trait for a backman.

[Pies2016]

^refer to earlier posts duggie, but in short the combination of his speed and evasive skills are going to be good to watch for years to come. Looks to be blessed with composure under pressure, a great trait for a backman.

That evasiveness comes from one of the most underrated qualities in footy - AGILITY. The ability to turn on a dime and then turn your opponent inside out is almost the cherry on top for an AFL player. He’s got plenty of tools to work with and that balanced lateral movement is one of them. His brother has it and has developed into a fine attacking defender. Hopefully we will be saying the same about Tew in a couple years time.

[duggieboy]

^refer to earlier posts duggie, but in short the combination of his speed and evasive skills are going to be good to watch for years to come. Looks to be blessed with composure under pressure, a great trait for a backman.

Thanks Laurie - my bad. Did refer back & just as you said.
Lots of upside & appreciate your take on TJ, Pies2016, on his agility.

Thanks for the training reports - they're gold for us expats.

[piffdog]

List is looking healthy apart from McStay, who did make an appearance; did some handballs, and light kicking at goal.

Light kicking at goal?? 2 months after an ACL reco? Seems pretty bullish!

[think positive]

Waiting waiting waiting, maybe I picked the wrong day!!

[LaurieHolden]

List is looking healthy apart from McStay, who did make an appearance; did some handballs, and light kicking at goal.

Light kicking at goal?? 2 months after an ACL reco? Seems pretty bullish!

Refer footage -
https://x.com/CollingwoodFC/status/1753 ... 56153?s=20

[LaurieHolden]

Waiting waiting waiting, maybe I picked the wrong day!!

Hey Jo, I recall reading they were given a 4-day break and won't be out there again until Wednesday. (cue "Hey Jo, where you goin' with that camera in your hand" -Hendrix edit)

[Piethagoras' Theorem]

^ "camera", would've worked in the song as well. I'm sure it also would've worked for Joe's old lady

[Piethagoras' Theorem]

Oh, and thanks for the training reports, they're great reads!

[David]

Seconded, Frankie. Some great work in this thread; thanks all!

Has anyone heard any indications on when the SSP picks might be announced? Is it usually right on the deadline (in this case 19 February, if I recall correctly), or is it likely we'll make a decision before then?

[Dark Beanie]

Had a chat to Lachie Sullivan last week and he hadn't been given any indication of an early decision. Was expecting to play in the upcoming practice matches.

Club is presenting jumpers after the intra club on the 14th Feb, so that may have an impact on timing of SSP decision.

[pietillidie]

^Thirded on the work in this thread. Top stuff and much appreciated.