Training 2015/16 preseason training (discussion)

[wayToGo_]

Weller was given a contract extension after one season, Langdon was not. Safe to say what the pecking order is in regards to those two.

Loving this discussion. This was just my opinion of Langdon > Weller and I'm not sure what the club and coaches think currently. Mine is based on his improvement over this pre-season more than anything - ie after Weller's contract extension. My perception is Weller is slightly over-rated based on what he has shown to date but have no doubt he could change that very quickly given his natural talent. But likewise Langdon has similar natural talent so there is also no reason he couldn't leap frog both Weller and Crozier both from an external perspective like mine or yours, and even with the club itself. It's not exactly a bad problem to have

 

[meima]

For every contract extension there is Neale, waters or watts and slyvia.

 

[Gekko71]

The Pies have young talent coming out their ass...

ROFL - sounds painful.

This post reminds me of that great line from Cheech and Chong regarding athletic talent: "...I got more moves than Ex-Lax!"

 

[halfback dasher]

Gday guys ..
Anyone know how Sam ( Collo ) is doing ? Great kid with real up side , think he will be very handy for you

 

[jedi mind tricks]

Gday guys ..
Anyone know how Sam ( Collo ) is doing ? Great kid with real up side , think he will be very handy for you

The training watches have mentioned him a number of times but might be hard to find on between all the other posts.

What do you see as his major upside?

 

[Balony_pony16]

You guys arguing about which young gun makes it first? Tough times haha

 

[Fred Ziffel]

The training watches have mentioned him a number of times but might be hard to find on between all the other posts.

What do you see as his major upside?

His session last Wednesday was very slick.
I love that he is a good size player with great mobility and a good kick.
Long term prospect I believe and I think we will get a good look at him in some Pre-season games.

 

[meima]

His session last Wednesday was very slick.
I love that he is a good size player with great mobility and a good kick.
Long term prospect I believe and I think we will get a good look at him in some Pre-season games.

Fred sum it all about him, notice him because of his body size ready to go type.

 

[purplerunsdeep]

Just at training now - solid group out - will try post something layer today

 

[Scham]

You guys arguing about which young gun makes it first? Tough times haha

Its ridiculous. We're blessed to have a trio of very, very good young players on our list all gathered in the one draft (Blakely, Weller and Langdon) and rather than accept that, or heaven forbid, celebrate it some want to get all uptight about which one is better Says a lot about the mentality.

All things being equal, all three will be exceptional players for OUR club.

 

[Balony_pony16]

Its ridiculous. We're blessed to have a trio of very, very good young players on our list all gathered in the one draft (Blakely, Weller and Langdon) and rather than accept that, or heaven forbid, celebrate it some want to get all uptight about which one is better Says a lot about the mentality.

All things being equal, all three will be exceptional players for OUR club.

yeah that's what I thought. I remember when the lions landed Rich, Redden and Rockliff in one draft and never really cared who came on first as it was clear early on all would make it

 

[Frimental Fan]

Just at training now - solid group out - will try post something layer today

Is it "layer" today yet ? In other words, hurry up (if you can, please PRD)

 

[purplerunsdeep]

Todays report

Went down arrived shortly before 9am and stayed for about 45 minutes. Conditions would have been nice to train in except for a slight wind, with little to no rain.

After early stretches and light kicking, about a quarter disappeared off to the gym - couldn't tell you who but I assume the rehab group as who were on the field were actively training in the session. Left about 30-35 on the field

The session from what I saw at a distance was all quick ball movement and skills which is completely in line with what the pre-seasons been about so far. I was impressed with the skills as the session went on. Some full ground movement was excellent but tbh most of these exercises you would see in junior leagues (albeit the skill difference). I really just had the feeling that it was all about making the skills absolute routine, where the player wouldn't consciously have to worry or doubt their ability in game day situations. I didn't feel anything out of the ordinary regarding energy in the group, just guys turning up and doing their job.

I would of liked to offer individual player bio's but as I don't get down too often, my viewing was mainly done on a structure based viewing more so than player.

I did marvel at Hilly's kicking though and Ballas gut running. And our new captain Mundy

Had to take off for a meeting, hoping to get down again in the next week or two and eventually meet some other BF tragic's who no doubt will give a better update then this! Cheers

 

[salim malik]

Nice weather, perfect for football but unfortunately a sloppy session today with a lot of fumbles and miss kicks. Spurr with a major blooper kicking straight to Pav on the opposition side in the sims and a goal to Pav. Mora was the exception with pin point passing and Sherrif will no doubt back me up on that.
Deluca and Johnno rejoined the main group and Deluca looked lively and not out of place. Neale left the track very early and retired to the gym. Worked for a long time on the bike so hopefully no dramas with him. Mayne in my humble opinion was the TTHD candidate for today with Weller ,Barlow not far behind.Most of the session was involved in a compressed ground match sim with 3 teams involved in rotation . 2 teams contested the game while the third team was involved in a keepings of drill .
The rehab group incl Bennell, A Pearce,Fyfe,Apeness,Ballic ,Clarke. Nice to see Clems Knee back in the watchers fold.
Barich was at the session but again was on his mobile for long periods so expect more made up shit on 7 tonite

 

[ydraw]

No assumptions involved. Langdon may be given an extension down the line but Fremantle were clearly far more keen to lock down Weller. Which strongly indicates they rate him higher.

It could also just be because of the stronger go-home factor given his brother plays over east and he's already attracted attention from other clubs.

 

[Balony_pony16]

It could also just be because of the stronger go-home factor given his brother plays over east and he's already attracted attention from other clubs.

weren't GWS sniffing around him in a McCarthy trade too?

 

[One_Wing]

It could also just be because of the stronger go-home factor given his brother plays over east and he's already attracted attention from other clubs.

Ed's brother plays for collingwood.

 

[E Shed]

I wandered down this morning shortly before 9am and the players were already out. It was pretty lonely under the figs so everyone must have been in the old coots stand. It was a glorious cool morning and I ended up near the goals on the south east side. Stayed till 11 and they were just winding down into running so it was a fair old session. I went into town for a while then walked back past the ground around 12 and the rehab group were out, Clarke was running and Fyfe kicking set shots. Bennell had been walking and gently jogging laps during the main session.

Compared to the early pre-season sessions last year when Bennell was burning it up and Fyfe was out I find the current sessions less exciting and I'm particularly dispirited by the lack on any seriously talented young talls when Alex Pearce is in rehab. Taberner is an enigma, he is very smart with positioning and good on a lead but he's so unco in terms of marking and kicking I find it hard to get excited about him. Hannath looks better this year but I'm not going to hold my breath about him being the messiah. Griffin is training hard at taking marks up front but he's very much a ruckman rather than a natural forward. I did have my first decent look at Uber today and liked what I saw. He's big, reasonably coordinated and looks like he can kick with some hope it will arrive where he intended so he's already ahead of some of our other talls. Hurley also doesn't look out of place and gives a good contest when playing as a defender in drills.

Sandi was marking everything today in drills opposed to Hurley, Smith and Dawson but I think in actual games the other teams just hold his arms as for some reason its not a penalty against him. Nothing else explains why he can mark really well at training but not so well in the real thing.

I thought Silvagni trained really well today. He's looking really fit, confident and always looks to take the game on which I like. Mostly his kicking was good except one howler across goals. Grey is in the same vein, he takes the game on like a madman but too often just gives it back with a scrubbed or misdirected kick.

Hughes continues to impress with his cool calm and collected demeanour and neat skills and I did notice Tucker kick a couple of nice balls on transition. One long one in particular he kicked out in front of Pav who yelled "great kick!" while it was in the air. I assume by great he meant it didn't go over his head like he's used to as it didn't reach him on the full but at least was out in front of him allowing him not to break stride and collect it on the half volley. Tucker's kicking looked a little loopier than I was expecting (if in fact it was him). I'm pretty sure I can recognise DeLuca and this was the only other medium sized, dark haired left footer and was playing off half back so I'm taking a punt on it being him as I haven't quite logged his particulars in my recognition banks yet.

I'm going to reiterate from my last training report just how good Morabito is at being in the right place to just rack up possession in sims. He's such a brute of a man its easy (for me) to assume he's not smart but he seemed to get on the end of it all around the ground at just the right times and he never looked out of breath or to be labouring which suggests he runs smart.

I think I must operate in a different space time continuum as some other watchers as I never see Weller looking puffed or burning the ball. He runs hard end to end in the drills and always seems to do something good with it. Ditto Blakely, I watched in vain for some evidence of loopy kicking but only saw flat hard kicks from him. Langdon always looks busy and neat. He kicked a really nice set shot from 50-ish on the boundary right in front of me with the whole team watching.

Others to impress today were Dan Pearce who always looks a million bucks on the track, Hill who is just better than everyone at kicking (I swear if we had a few more of him we would win the flag easy, he just makes so much ground and effortlessly puts it to advantage every time), Mundy - who is quite the cheerful captain, he was teasing everyone during goal kicking drills.

Johnson is looking amazing. He and Ibbo were just dominating down back, Ibbo in the air and MJ with his scything runs down the middle and worm burner kicks. The difference in quality between these 2, Hill, Mundy, Walters, Pav, Sandi with the rest of the squad is huge. They just look so assured and skilful.

A very pleasant morning, I can't think of any more to add right now.

 

[DannyTheDoorman]

Its ridiculous. We're blessed to have a trio of very, very good young players on our list all gathered in the one draft (Blakely, Weller and Langdon) and rather than accept that, or heaven forbid, celebrate it some want to get all uptight about which one is better Says a lot about the mentality.

All things being equal, all three will be exceptional players for OUR club.

But not this year unless we get some long term injuries.

 

[PurpleWizard]

I wandered down this morning shortly before 9am and the players were already out. It was pretty lonely under the figs so everyone must have been in the old coots stand. It was a glorious cool morning and I ended up near the goals on the south east side. Stayed till 11 and they were just winding down into running so it was a fair old session. I went into town for a while then walked back past the ground around 12 and the rehab group were out, Clarke was running and Fyfe kicking set shots. Bennell had been walking and gently jogging laps during the main session.

Compared to the early pre-season sessions last year when Bennell was burning it up and Fyfe was out I find the current sessions less exciting and I'm particularly dispirited by the lack on any seriously talented young talls when Alex Pearce is in rehab. Taberner is an enigma, he is very smart with positioning and good on a lead but he's so unco in terms of marking and kicking I find it hard to get excited about him. Hannath looks better this year but I'm not going to hold my breath about him being the messiah. Griffin is training hard at taking marks up front but he's very much a ruckman rather than a natural forward. I did have my first decent look at Uber today and liked what I saw. He's big, reasonably coordinated and looks like he can kick with some hope it will arrive where he intended so he's already ahead of some of our other talls. Hurley also doesn't look out of place and gives a good contest when playing as a defender in drills.

Sandi was marking everything today in drills opposed to Hurley, Smith and Dawson but I think in actual games the other teams just hold his arms as for some reason its not a penalty against him. Nothing else explains why he can mark really well at training but not so well in the real thing.

I thought Silvagni trained really well today. He's looking really fit, confident and always looks to take the game on which I like. Mostly his kicking was good except one howler across goals. Grey is in the same vein, he takes the game on like a madman but too often just gives it back with a scrubbed or misdirected kick.

Hughes continues to impress with his cool calm and collected demeanour and neat skills and I did notice Tucker kick a couple of nice balls on transition. One long one in particular he kicked out in front of Pav who yelled "great kick!" while it was in the air. I assume by great he meant it didn't go over his head like he's used to as it didn't reach him on the full but at least was out in front of him allowing him not to break stride and collect it on the half volley. Tucker's kicking looked a little loopier than I was expecting (if in fact it was him). I'm pretty sure I can recognise DeLuca and this was the only other medium sized, dark haired left footer and was playing off half back so I'm taking a punt on it being him as I haven't quite logged his particulars in my recognition banks yet.

I'm going to reiterate from my last training report just how good Morabito is at being in the right place to just rack up possession in sims. He's such a brute of a man its easy (for me) to assume he's not smart but he seemed to get on the end of it all around the ground at just the right times and he never looked out of breath or to be labouring which suggests he runs smart.

I think I must operate in a different space time continuum as some other watchers as I never see Weller looking puffed or burning the ball. He runs hard end to end in the drills and always seems to do something good with it. Ditto Blakely, I watched in vain for some evidence of loopy kicking but only saw flat hard kicks from him. Langdon always looks busy and neat. He kicked a really nice set shot from 50-ish on the boundary right in front of me with the whole team watching.

Others to impress today were Dan Pearce who always looks a million bucks on the track, Hill who is just better than everyone at kicking (I swear if we had a few more of him we would win the flag easy, he just makes so much ground and effortlessly puts it to advantage every time), Mundy - who is quite the cheerful captain, he was teasing everyone during goal kicking drills.

Johnson is looking amazing. He and Ibbo were just dominating down back, Ibbo in the air and MJ with his scything runs down the middle and worm burner kicks. The difference in quality between these 2, Hill, Mundy, Walters, Pav, Sandi with the rest of the squad is huge. They just look so assured and skilful.

A very pleasant morning, I can't think of any more to add right now.

That's the big difference between us and Hawthorn. We have 3-5 elite kicks while Hawthorn has 10+

Hopefully we can make some ground in this area this year.

 

[meima]

But not this year unless we get some long term injuries.

This year all of them will play, matches already planned for them Carlton , GWS, Gold Coast and Melbourne.

 

[meima]

Thanks for the regular report from E shed, Salim , sheriff and etc , disappointed with grey my pick for fast improvement player. As for uebergang , like his movement and kick hope he continue his development.

 

[ydraw]

Sandi was marking everything today in drills opposed to Hurley, Smith and Dawson but I think in actual games the other teams just hold his arms as for some reason its not a penalty against him. Nothing else explains why he can mark really well at training but not so well in the real thing.

Sandi is #4 in the league and #1 among ruckmen for contested marks, he's not exactly struggling in games.

 

[Clems Knee]

I rode down to watch the boys train this morning, but didn't arrive until 10am.
The Moreton Bay fig was empty, owing to some dark clouds overhead, but it didn't rain the entire time we were there. So I joined the watchers at the club rooms. Good to see so many familiar faces, but there were so many I didn't catch all the BigFooty aliases.
The first drill I saw when I arrived seemed to be a transition one: moving the ball out of defence and into the forward line as quickly and effectively as possible, by a kick to a free player and hand pass to player running past who then delivers by foot into the forward line. When it worked it looked good - this is when my buddy de Boer shone; I didn't see him miss a kick or handpass. But generally, there were a lot of fumbles and kicks to the feet of receiving players, which was a little disappointing.
Some groups broke up into hand pass drills, while others continued with footskill drills. I was impressed with Weller's speed with handpassing and his kicks seemed pretty good too.
Later on there was a game simulation, which didn't go long but was enjoyable to watch.
There were a few moments that stood out for me.

Collins beat Pavlich in a marking contest, and followed it up with a nice clearance.

Spurr's turnover across the face of goal was as bad as salim malik described, but towards the end of the session, he kicked a super goal from the boundary line and looked quite chuffed with himself.

Morabito looks the goods: as E Shed suggested, he knows how to find the ball. I like how he kicked a long pass diagonally out of fullback to set up a quick movement of the ball that ended in a shot at goal - the vision to spot a running player 50 metres away will be a great asset for the team.

Some players weren't as brave when they were trying to get out of the back line. They would kick backwards or pass the responsibility to another player with a short handball, which meant that the ball got bottled up in the back line. Maybe this was good defence by the opposing players in the simulation, but I think it was more likely a lack of movement by players up the line, and a lack of confidence in the player's foot skills.

Fyfe, Harley Bennell, Harley Balic, Alex Pearce, Apeness, Nyhuis and Clarke were all in the rehab group, while Lachie Neale stayed inside most of the time. I will happier when the rehab group gets much smaller.

There were some children decked out in purple hanging out for autographs and Johnson was the first to oblige, with Walters coming second. I forgot to mention SonSon's kicking - very good. Weller marked a ball at 40m in the match sim, and passed it to SonSon who was closer, but at a tighter angle. There was some criticism among the watchers that Weller didn't take ownership of the shot himself, but Walters slotted the kick from a fairly difficult angle.

Overall an enjoyable session. I left about midday.

 

[scon]

Any training reporter or anyone care to make an observation about what they think is going on with Apeness.
Does he appear to be moving more easily?Is he increasing workload etc??
Do we know what the extent of his injury.All I remember is it was described as a bad PCL early last season,but then didn't have surgery and so must've had subsequent hiccups/relapse or something.
Seems he's mysteriously regressing,so there must be a reason??