Universal Love 2016/2017 Pre-season Thread

[WaynesWorld19]

You would think up to 8 players will be based on pre season form whether they make round 1

Sloane, Betts, Walker, Lynch, JJ, Crouch x 2, Smith, Talia, Laird, Hartigan, Jacobs, Lever, Douglass if fit will play round 1

The rest have to earn their spots based on form, will be an interesting pre season games on who can impress and show their worth

Marty, very rare that a team has 8 changes from a team that finished 5th the year b4 ......more likely 2-3 IMHO, but we also have to factor injuries in, when we simply had a dream run last season, which is hard to see repeated

 

[Squiba]

Anyone that watched training, did Menzel train with the midfielders at all?

If not, did he look like he'd have the ability to pinch hit in the middle while we rest another mid forward?

His bull at a gate attitude impressed me in the bit of SANFL I caught, couple this with his silky skills and he'd be a handy rotation Imo.

 

[Jack is Back]

Excellent Training report from Wayne's World and the rest of the team.

It seems to be designed to flush the Alexes/aka Sam Malone out of the undergrowth .

 

[WaynesWorld19]

Didn't go to the session but my report is that all the guys we want to come good this year (ie young guys) are "training the house down" and the old guys look slow in comparison.


And Eddie likes to wear skirts

Sent from my HTC_0P6B6 using Tapatalk

Are you a psychic? ......will say though, the days of old slow players and overweight players at training are gone ......everyone simply looked in great shape & will get better

What i notice is that once the season starts, that chiseled body tends to dissipate as players get back to eating normally inc hotel foods on away trips

 

[WaynesWorld19]

coffee was wearing off

No, coffee was after training ......club coffee shop should be renovated

 

[WaynesWorld19]

Anyone that watched training, did Menzel train with the midfielders at all?

If not, did he look like he'd have the ability to pinch hit in the middle while we rest another mid forward?

His bull at a gate attitude impressed me in the bit of SANFL I caught, couple this with his silky skills and he'd be a handy rotation Imo.

Menzel trained today as a forward ......won't surprise to see him rotate HFF to Wing .....was playing as a high half forward

 

[marty36]

Marty, very rare that a team has 8 changes from a team that finished 5th the year b4 ......more likely 2-3 IMHO, but we also have to factor injuries in, when we simply had a dream run last season, which is hard to see repeated

I feel those are the only certainties

Out of teh 8 Spots

Mackay, Thommo, Atkins, Milera, Cameron, Brown, McGovern, Seedsman,Hampton, Knight, CEY, Wigg, Menzel, ROB,


Still develppemnt req

Dear, Doedee, Greenwood, Galluci may get a game or two

With Hendo and Lyon gone theres a couple spots free

The only player I feel Im being a little tough on is Brown, but something didnt look right last year

 

[WaynesWorld19]

I feel those are the only certainties

Out of teh 8 Spots

Mackay, Thommo, Atkins, Milera, Cameron, Brown, McGovern, Seedsman,Hampton, Knight, CEY, Wigg, Menzel, ROB,


Still develppemnt req

Dear, Doedee, Greenwood, Galluci may get a game or two

With Hendo and Lyon gone theres a couple spots free

The only player I feel Im being a little tough on is Brown, but something didnt look right last year

What you should do is post a team in positions of the dead cert players ......that'll tell which players maybe considered for which position

IMO the Wings are open ....Douglas HFF /Mid role is open ....1-2 mid roles open as well ....and 1 defensive role ......that's by my count 6 positions open for players to grab

 

[marty36]

What you should do is post a team in positions of the dead cert players ......that'll tell which players maybe considered for which position

IMO the Wings are open ....Douglas HFF /Mid role is open ....1-2 mid roles open as well ....and 1 defensive role ......that's by my count 6 positions open for players to grab

Douglass in my opinion has earned the benefit of the doubt he plays a tough position as a HFF, which is extremly hard to stay iin the game, I would rather be playing HBF than HFF, arguably a very tough poistion to stay involved in the game reliant on the disposal of others

 

[Jack is Back]

I feel those are the only certainties

Out of teh 8 Spots

Mackay, Thommo, Atkins, Milera, Cameron, Brown, McGovern, Seedsman,Hampton, Knight, CEY, Wigg, Menzel, ROB,


Still develppemnt req

Dear, Doedee, Greenwood, Galluci may get a game or two

With Hendo and Lyon gone theres a couple spots free

The only player I feel Im being a little tough on is Brown, but something didnt look right last year

On what planet is Douglas a certain starter in round 1 and Charlie Cameron, McGovern and The RAT "in the mix"?

 

[WaynesWorld19]

Douglass in my opinion has earned the benefit of the doubt he plays a tough position as a HFF, which is extremly hard to stay iin the game, I would rather be playing HBF than HFF, arguably a very tough poistion to stay involved in the game reliant on the disposal of others

Agree your thoughts .....just that Douglas had minimal impact when in the midfield, in particular centre bounces

Douglas plays this year as a 30 yo ....he has the maturity / composure that you'd expect, question is he needs more output than last year .....i assume this is behind the move to another role & i'm assuming out of the midfield rotations ??

People can criticize Thompson all the like .....but watch some of the games in replay & he was still a dominant clearance player

 

[WaynesWorld19]

 

[GreyCrow]

Thank you to all who posted training reports. Whether it turns into Organic Growth at least they were positive and players look to have taken Pyke at his word that training form relates to game time. A few hard at it that had question marks and that makes me smile.

 

[marty36]

Agree your thoughts .....just that Douglas had minimal impact when in the midfield, in particular centre bounces

Douglas plays this year as a 30 yo ....he has the maturity / composure that you'd expect, question is he needs more output than last year .....i assume this is behind the move to another role & i'm assuming out of the midfield rotations ??

People can criticize Thompson all the like .....but watch some of the games in replay & he was still a dominant clearance player

You make a fair point I just feel Douglass has certainly proven himself over time, as has Thommo, and a year younger I would have thommo as a certain starter, thats just an age thing, which can be very presumptious as he didnt play too bad last year he had some great games and expect he may have a few more

 

[marty36]

On what planet is Douglas a certain starter in round 1 and Charlie Cameron, McGovern and The RAT "in the mix"?

Douglass is pretty reliable over many years , both McGovern and Cameron went missing in large chunks last year, which is why they arent certain guaranteed starters. If they perform in the pre season games they will be starters then they can prove their consistency has improved and come this time next year will be part of those 14 players I mentioned

 

[WaynesWorld19]

You make a fair point I just feel Douglass has certainly proven himself over time, as has Thommo, and a year younger I would have thommo as a certain starter, thats just an age thing, which can be very presumptious as he didnt play too bad last year he had some great games and expect he may have a few more

You're correct .....and IMO Thommo didn't play that badly last year ......he was dominant in the centre square and ball-ups .....it was just in field play he was a witches hat, hence my suggestion he take centre bounces and then go to HB

Can you remember who else at the Crows did that ? ......it did happen, but i can't remember the player?

 

[WaynesWorld19]

Douglass is pretty reliable over many years , both McGovern and Cameron went missing in large chunks last year, which is why they arent certain guaranteed starters. If they perform in the pre season games they will be starters then they can prove their consistency has improved and come this time next year will be part of those 14 players I mentioned

To be fair McGoverns first year .....and Cameron was an excellent finals performer

 

[marty36]

To be fair McGoverns first year .....and Cameron was an excellent finals performer

Yes they were, they just need consistency, they will more than likely be starters in the first game but to put all doubt aside on themselves they both need to prove consistency, then there will be no questions over or about them. Its not saying they are rubbish, they could be very very good players with that part of their game fixed. I hope next year they are in that group that gets picked without having to fight for a spot.

But remember its good having a number fight for spots it improves your team big time!

 

[MRB37]

Marty, very rare that a team has 8 changes from a team that finished 5th the year b4 ......more likely 2-3 IMHO, but we also have to factor injuries in, when we simply had a dream run last season, which is hard to see repeated

Everyone healthy I'm guessing the only changes from the side that lost to Sydney will be Knight in for Lyons and maybe Hampton in for Mackay. Douglas and Thommo will be there in Round 1.

But remember its good having a number fight for spots it improves your team big time!

It is in theory, but not if the coach puts a "consistent 22" ideal as his main thing which allows poorly performing players to retain their spot because he doesn't want to make changes.

 

[marty36]

Everyone healthy I'm guessing the only changes from the side that lost to Sydney will be Knight in for Lyons and maybe Hampton in for Mackay. Douglas and Thommo will be there in Round 1.


It is in theory, but not if the coach puts a "consistent 22" ideal as his main thing which allows poorly performing players to retain their spot because he doesn't want to make changes.

If any of those 14 players come into the pre season and light it up , they need to be given an opportunity, those 14 can be judged aginst each other along with the others I havent mentioned its just those are the most likely to get a call up or not make it depending on the performaces of those outside of the 14 certainties

As for fighting for spots, would be unheard of to have 22 players all playing good consistent footy at the same time. So it keeps those in the team on their toes aswell as those trying to break in

 

[Jeffcrowe]

Yes they were, they just need consistency, they will more than likely be starters in the first game but to put all doubt aside on themselves they both need to prove consistency, then there will be no questions over or about them. Its not saying they are rubbish, they could be very very good players with that part of their game fixed. I hope next year they are in that group that gets picked without having to fight for a spot.

But remember its good having a number fight for spots it improves your team big time!

They do need to get consistency but you also need match winners in your team and not a bunch of accumulators , you also need guys with traits that can perform in finals eg speed with cameron and contested marking with McGovern

Both had good finals for young players v Sydney when the heat was really on ( north game wasn't finals like)

 

[Jeffcrowe]

You make a fair point I just feel Douglass has certainly proven himself over time, as has Thommo, and a year younger I would have thommo as a certain starter, thats just an age thing, which can be very presumptious as he didnt play too bad last year he had some great games and expect he may have a few more

I'm a massive admirer of Thommo and his career but too many ' writing on the wall ' type moments in second half of last year to say that game isnt passing him by

20-24 possessions from stoppages isn't enough value when you consider what he can't do any more

Don't mind if he plays occasionally if others are injured or are not stepping up

Won't survive at half back - nowhere to hide on a footy field these days

 

[Jeffcrowe]

No, coffee was after training ......club coffee shop should be renovated

WW - what standard of running was Hampton at in the running session ? Have you got a player he was keeping up with as a comparison? Were CEY, Milera and Wigg better than him in the runs ?

 

[lunacy]

Menzel trained today as a forward ......won't surprise to see him rotate HFF to Wing .....was playing as a high half forward

What did his fitness level (running) look like?
Hampton too (ie in the running drills).

 

[Thetrader15]

Douglass in my opinion has earned the benefit of the doubt he plays a tough position as a HFF, which is extremly hard to stay iin the game, I would rather be playing HBF than HFF, arguably a very tough poistion to stay involved in the game reliant on the disposal of others

Why the f were we playing Douglas on the hff last season anyway. This year we are trying to turn him into a hbf. How many successful mids have turned into other positions in the latter part of their career? It usually ends in tears or they have a season like douglas did last year. Are we going to try to turn jacobs into a fwd next year?
Did Matt Hayden bat at 6 in his last few years