2015 pre-season thread.

[Sunny_]

Judging from Rocket's latest presser, it looks like you don't participate in the football skills and drills until you've hit a minimal level of fitness. Training standards are the thing which he has really brought up to scratch.

So guys like Dixon and Nicholls won't participate following post-season injuries and trying to get fit enough.

Interesting to hear Sam Day is also part of this 'building fitness' group, considering he had no post-seaon ops that I know of. Perhaps he's been one of these guys coasting along in training and not building the necessary fitness? Having Rocket brought in will thus really build his fitness levels and elevate his game to new levels.

 

[Sunny_]

Contrary to that, I think this is the longest that someone like Gorringe has gone without breaking down. Good to see him in full flight. If he can get through the whole pre-season unscathed or without major achilles surgery, it will set him up for a great year.

 

[TheJaegerBomb]

Then we can trade Gorringe for a top 10 pick. Lovely.

 

[Young_Guns]

I'm hoping that with the changes Rocket has brought in to our training, we will see less injuries, especially to our big men, as they are given more time to recover and get their fitness back rather than rushing them back in.
Also, don't want to jinx it, but i'm quietly expecting Sammy to have a big year next season now that he can't coast through training and still get a game.

Contrary to that, I think this is the longest that someone like Gorringe has gone without breaking down. Good to see him in full flight. If he can get through the whole pre-season unscathed or without major achilles surgery, it will set him up for a great year.

he's looking the fittest i've ever seen him. Not sure about the haircut though.

 

[exile]

can i just say i love the chevron-type things on the training guernseys.

 

[Experimental]

Someone on Facebook just posted this about the training session today:

So today's gossip...(you can thank me later)

Jaeger - on track and where he'd like to be, he doubts he'll play NAB cup in Townsville but says he'll still go up (I said "great! We'll sit with you"). He hopes to play round 1, sounded like 50-50 at this stage.

Tom Nicholls - still one of the friendliest blokes there, feeling good and fit and ready to go for NAB cup.

Gaz- a lot chattier than previous occasions, I asked him how things are travelling and he wasn't sure if he'd play NAB Cup but says he'll be there for Round 1.

Prestia - a bit ginger after today's session, was signing autographs with glad-wrapped hammies and looked pretty uncomfortable when he got up. Says he's all good though and he'll be right for NAB Cup.

Swallow - also a lot chattier today, maybe they are just all a bit more relaxed? He's been instructed to put on a show for me in Townsville, I told him I already have my flights booked.

Rocket - geez what a nice bloke, had a photo with my son and it looks like they're having a hug and go way back!

Malceski - also a really friendly bloke, great with the fans and the kids. Surely those beards must make a hot day even worse though...just sayin!

Zac Smith - ready to go, we can't wait.

Garlett - a really nice kid, stopping for a chat and a laugh. So was Peter. So was Touk. So was Joshua Glenn....all the newbies seem excited and loving it.

In fact, I didn't get to speak to a lot of the regulars due to doing the members exclusive signing but everyone I saw today and spoke to was sooooo welcoming and friendly and polite and they had just spent two hours in about 35 degrees working their arses off! It probably wasn't as busy as some events but often the players just want to hurry and finish up, today they just seemed really relaxed and enjoying socialising.
Makes me even prouder of these boys!!

 

[Sunny_]

Well done on sifting through FB to discover that!

 

[sunsofanarchy]

Gorringe is looking great! I thought day looked a little leaner in one photo? Maybe making him a little more mobile instead of such a unit. im sure eade will have a much better structure with our talls. 2MP will have a lot to prove, no rush at all with him.

Any word or photos of leslie?

 

[SUNS]

Well done on sifting through FB to discover that!

This would be the SUNS members page quoted from. Its about on par for a mix of insightfulness and people who claim to know everything as Bigfooty. A good mix

 

[Sunny_]

Sexton video. He's looking fit!
http://www.goldcoastfc.com.au/video/2014-12-18/strong-preseason-for-sexton

 

[Ben Drever]

Sexton video. He's looking fit!
http://www.goldcoastfc.com.au/video/2014-12-18/strong-preseason-for-sexton

Yeah he is.. But wont be starting 22

 

[Scotty_222]

Would you rather him or Raines as your tagger?

 

[gotassieboys]

It is unlikely Eade will play unfit or under done players as did McKenna did over the last 3 years.

Dixon coming back from a calf injury and O'Meara are just 2 players who come to mind.

Eade will also rotate the group which will lead to a "Hawthorn" type approach which allows for long term success.

 

[Sunny_]

Michael Whiting ‏@AFL_mikewhiting 4m4 minutes agoGold Coast, Queensland
Clay Cameron takes out the @GoldCoastSUNS last 2k time trial before Xmas. Terrific run. Josh Glenn second from Dan Gorringe and Jack Martin.

I'm assuming guys like Harley, David, Dion etc. aren't running. Still, great run from Clay!

 

[Sunny_]

Michael Whiting ‏@AFL_mikewhiting 2m2 minutes agoGold Coast, Queensland
Cameron ran 6.29 (on grass and in the heat). Glenn 6.35, Gorringe 6.37 and Martin 6.38.

 

[TheJaegerBomb]

Jack Martin!

 

[Young_Guns]

wow Gorringe is killing it this pre-season. Could this finally be the year for him? Great efforts from Martin and Clay as well. Looks liked we picked a good one in Glenn too.

 

[Sunny_]

Mike Whiting says Clay has always been solid, but definitely improved this season.

With performances like that, I expect him to definitely play early on if he keeps it up. He would definitely be impressing. Gorringe too. He'd be in ahead of Day at this rate.

 

[TheJaegerBomb]

I know many see Glenn as a back but I prefer to see him in a Shawry type outside receiving role.

 

[gotassieboys]

While it is important that players are fit and run good times getting the "ball" is still the most important thing.

Joel Wilkinson and Jeremy Taylor were the 2 fittest players at GCS and that did not save their AFL careers!

 

[Sunny_]

Michael Whiting ‏@AFL_mikewhiting 13m13 minutes agoGold Coast, Queensland
Rocket just gave about 15 players a big spray after a poor drill. I'm 80m away and heard "it's not acceptable" among the rant #afl #suns

 

[Ben Drever]

While it is important that players are fit and run good times getting the "ball" is still the most important thing.

Joel Wilkinson and Jeremy Taylor were the 2 fittest players at GCS and that did not save their AFL careers!

Totally agree..
Clay leaked goals like no tomorrow playing defence.. Running good time trials dont fix that.. And up forward he looked lost and didnt have a footballers nous. Did manage to kick a couple though.. But will never break into our forward line barring injuries

 

[Sunny_]

Extremely few tall forwards or backs look amazing in their first 10 games. Clay showed enough in that Essendon game up forward that there is something to work with, IMO.

 

[Sunny_]

Michael Whiting ‏@AFL_mikewhiting 5m5 minutes agoGold Coast, Queensland
Suns doing some form of beep test/shuttle runs to finish off a 3hr session in the heat. Very tough!

 

[TheJaegerBomb]

Michael Whiting ‏@AFL_mikewhiting 13m13 minutes agoGold Coast, Queensland
Rocket just gave about 15 players a big spray after a poor drill. I'm 80m away and heard "it's not acceptable" among the rant #afl #suns

Turn em in to men Rocket!!!