Training 2017/2018 Pre-season Thread

[MRB37]

Gibson will chew metres like you wouldn’t believe

Smithers short to medium kicking game was rated by champion Data a year or 2 back as poor, below average. It’s long booming kicks he’s ok at

Yea, Smithers always had issues with his short kicking, I always remember that 20 metre kick to Seedsman late in the Hawthorn game last year. Booted it over his head by about 10 metres or so, turnover, Hawks scored and we lost.

 

[Sanders]

How? Smith is a relatively unique player. Good defender, tackler, booming accurate kick and smart and creative. Not too many like him in the AFL. Gibson is an honest player.

Not much unique about Smithers, except maybe his sense of humour

He’s not really what you describe him as. He’s not much of a defender, he’s one of the least contested players in the game, but he gets into good spaces, makes good decisions and is a good kick when roosting it long. Huge discrepancy between his best and worst and fairly susceptible to a forward tag

I like Smithers and the creative drive he gives us, but let’s not make him different to what he is

 

[Sanders]

Yea, Smithers always had issues with his short kicking, I always remember that 20 metre kick to Seedsman late in the Hawthorn game last year. Booted it over his head by about 10 metres or so, turnover, Hawks scored and we lost.

Yup

I remember that too

 

[Grooster24]

Agree that EH is looking like he could be another one of Hamish's draft steals. His highlight reels are fantastic. I think he needs to start dominating the SANFL this year. With another AFL pre-season under his belt he should have a body that is at least SANFL ready next year. Even if he is at least a little bit inconsistent I would be expecting him to take apart some games and dominate the forward line next year. If he is going to be our JJ replacement then he needs to be a player that gets 15+ touches a game at AFL level, so he probably needs to be doing at least that much every week in the SANFL. Think he did do that at least on one occasion last year.

These poor draftee kids arent afforded much time to develop before the next kid comes in and I think if he is going to be a really good AFL player that he does need to be one of the best SANFL forwards in the league in 2018 even at 19yo.

I really liked the look of his brother in last year's finals. For being a young player he really stood up. If EH has his brother's attitude on field, that'll great.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Gibson will replace smith

Gibson isn't an elite ball user but a good disposal accumulator.

We need someone more highly skilled to set up play from backline. I would like to see us use Milera, but we may use Douglas with Gibbs taking his midfield spot.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Bit worried about his kicking in that role, but Mackay isn't exactly the best kick either (in terms of being able to consistently hit a target, not just hoofing it 50+ metres to a pack).

Neither Mackay nor Gibson should be candidates to replace Smith.

 

[Shaz2012]

I really liked the look of his brother in last year's finals. For being a young player he really stood up. If EH has his brother's attitude on field, that'll great.

Yeah, one of the few with a bit of mongrel in that team. Hope Elliot is the same. Has got the tools, now needs to talk on the field, as opposed to the player he is trying to displace who prefers to do his talking off field.

 

[StonesThrow]

Not much unique about Smithers, except maybe his sense of humour

He’s not really what you describe him as. He’s not much of a defender, he’s one of the least contested players in the game, but he gets into good spaces, makes good decisions and is a good kick when roosting it long. Huge discrepancy between his best and worst and fairly susceptible to a forward tag

I like Smithers and the creative drive he gives us, but let’s not make him different to what he is

I would have probably agreed with you on most parts before this year. He really brought all of his game together and when he needs to he can defend well imo. Also became harder to shut down. Was destined for more AAs if you ask me. It's a big shame for him.

 

[Redleg Crow]

17. Get Talia fit and sharp
18. Jake Kelly to go up a level
19. Teach Sloane how to break a tag
20. JJ to bring the desperation from last year’s Carlton game to every training session
21. Tex to get a bit lighter and fitter
22. Precautionary removal of all remaining players appendices
23. No injuries

Yes! I forgot that one

 

[Sanders]

I would have probably agreed with you on most parts before this year. He really brought all of his game together and when he needs to he can defend well imo. Also became harder to shut down. Was destined for more AAs if you ask me. It's a big shame for him.

Oh I agree he’s a big loss, he’s a good player and I thought he moved up a gear in the second half of the season

Gibson is magnet, a running machine, you watch chomp up the metres though. He’ll drive and drive. Won’t be as creative as Smithers, maybe not quite as direct but he’ll do a good job in that role

 

[baldandbroke]

Oh I agree he’s a big loss, he’s a good player and I thought he moved up a gear in the second half of the season

Gibson is magnet, a running machine, you watch chomp up the metres though. He’ll drive and drive. Won’t be as creative as Smithers, maybe not quite as direct but he’ll do a good job in that role

And all the talk of his disposal being horrible - I think awkward but effective might be a better description.

If we compare him to someone who apparently has good disposal in our current list ... he measures up just fine:


And that's before factoring in the mongrel part of the equation

 

[kulak]

And all the talk of his disposal being horrible - I think awkward but effective might be a better description.

If we compare him to someone who apparently has good disposal in our current list ... he measures up just fine:

View attachment 439742
And that's before factoring in the mongrel part of the equation

Looks like they play different roles - not sure how comparable the stats are. Mackay with less possessions and more metres gained.

B&F finish comparison would be more meaningful ;-)

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Gibson is not creative enough to replace Smith.

Gibson best position will be in the midfield, either as a wingman or run with player. He is hard running & gets plenty of the ball but isn't damaging.

We need another good ball user who can setup play in defence to support Laird. Whether that be Milera, Douglas or Seedsman type. Gibbs could do the role, but would prefer him in the midfield.

 

[Thetrader15]

And all the talk of his disposal being horrible - I think awkward but effective might be a better description.

If we compare him to someone who apparently has good disposal in our current list ... he measures up just fine:

View attachment 439742
And that's before factoring in the mongrel part of the equation

Stats are wrong...

McKay >3 tackles per game?

Weighs 77kg?

 

[Danoz]

Stats are wrong...

McKay >3 tackles per game?

Weighs 77kg?

Mackay’s tackling and intent this year was very good. Missed more than he made because of his slight frame and can be broken more easily, but he never squibs.

 

[mistylake]

This time last year I wasn't thinking doom and gloom like most on this board. I did think a lot of things needed to go right in terms of development for us to become a good midfield and I think it's fair to say that a lot of things did go right. Sloane played at his usual level (albeit couldn't handle a tag), Brad stayed injury free and got some consistency into his footy. Matt took his game to another level and won the B&F. Atkins improved a bit. Douglas had one of the best most consistent years of his career. Charlie provided glimpses through the midfield albeit very inconsistent and we uncovered an absolute beauty for us in Greenwood. Bottom line a lot of things did go right.

Going into next season, I think our midfield should be better and possibly turn into our strength as the season goes on. Our backline should still be very good but we will miss Smith's rebound and run and carry next year. He does it at an elite level and is up there in terms of meters gained across the competition. I do think that Lever is easier replaced than Smith. Players seem to rise up a notch when they know that spot is there up for grabs. They generally put in a massive preseason and someone does come in and cover the loss in a different way than the player they are replacing.

Our forward line should still be good BUT I am worried that we are losing a lot of "intangibles" with Cameron's departure to Brisbane. The defensive pressure drops off (and not just the tackles but Charlie's ability to worry teams with his pace, rushing them into ineffective disposal). We also become slower and lose more of the X factor, something we don't have a lot off.

But a bit like with the backline spots, I think some players will realise there is a spot available and will put in huge pre-seasons to get than spot and perform their role, albeit a bit differently to what Charlie did. I think Knight will spend a lot of time there now that Gibson can tag. McGovern will take his game to another level injuries permitting.

Overall, I think as a list, we are better placed now than we were 12 months ago due to a great deal of player development that took place in 2017. Even players that didn't play much or at all this year (e.g. Gallucci, Doedee, Poholke etc) are better players now than they were 12 months ago. Their SANFL form at the end of the season was significantly better than it was at the start of the year. There is clear improvement there.

I think while we lost some key players from our best 22, we are in a position where we are still a young team with a lot of improvement from those players in our best 22 plus the youngsters in SANFL that are eying off those vacant spots in the side and readying themselves for a big pre-season. I think we will be top 4 again next year.

Hampton should be able to give us that x-factor and pace. He could be given a few different roles forward, back and mid. Bit of a forgotten option.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Hampton should be able to give us that x-factor and pace. He could be given a few different roles forward, back and mid. Bit of a forgotten option.

Just needs to manage his body better & have a decent run.

 

[WaynesWorld19]

Nothing more cringe-worthy than Man-Spreading

 

[Marcus Fretwell]

With Gibson in to take over Knights role as a defensive midfielder, do we used Knight to replace Cameron up forward?

I'm not sure if Gibson does take over that defensive role in the mid over Riley Knight just like that. I know Gibbo is an elite runner and has done some good jobs on players in the past for north but the reason why he was delisted at the end of this season in the first place, is because he can't kick and butchers the footy way too much. He definitely puts internal pressure on Knight's spot but if you can't use the pill in today's game, you're a liability! Got to be more than just a tagger.

 

[Stiffy_18]

I'm not sure if Gibson does take over that defensive role in the mid over Riley Knight just like that. I know Gibbo is an elite runner and has done some good jobs on players in the past for north but the reason why he was delisted at the end of this season in the first place, is because he can't kick and butchers the footy way too much. He definitely puts internal pressure on Knight's spot but if you can't use the pill in today's game, you're a liability! Got to be more than just a tagger.

Not sure I agree with this. I think Gibson was recruited because we see him as being in our best 22. Otherwise, why bother given his age?

With Cameron gone, more emphasis will be placed on having defensive pressure inside our forward 50 and Knight is someone who can help off-set that a bit. I think we will see Knight play mostly in the forward line this year with the requirement of putting forward line pressure on and forcing the turnover. We rely a LOT on getting the turnover from the opponent coming out of their defence so that we can play the sling shot footy and have repeat entries. We were the highest ranked team in goals scored from turnovers.

Gibson as a 31 year old will play majority of games (if not all) for our AFL team next year and get jobs on tagging guns of the competitions out of the game or at the very least, minimising their hurt factor.

 

[Marcus Fretwell]

Not sure I agree with this. I think Gibson was recruited because we see him as being in our best 22. Otherwise, why bother given his age?

With Cameron gone, more emphasis will be placed on having defensive pressure inside our forward 50 and Knight is someone who can help off-set that a bit. I think we will see Knight play mostly in the forward line this year with the requirement of putting forward line pressure on and forcing the turnover. We rely a LOT on getting the turnover from the opponent coming out of their defence so that we can play the sling shot footy and have repeat entries. We were the highest ranked team in goals scored from turnovers.

Gibson as a 31 year old will play majority of games (if not all) for our AFL team next year and get jobs on tagging guns of the competitions out of the game or at the very least, minimising their hurt factor.

Yeah very good point! I think you're spot on with Knight too replace Camerons forward pressure but obviously it's going to be hard to replace his speed and x-factor but with our game style and needing that forward pressure you are definitely on the money.

 

[Crouch]

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-11-27/exblue-makes-his-track-debut-with-crows

GUN recruit Bryce Gibbs has trained with his Adelaide teammates for the first time.

Gibbs and North Melbourne veteran Sam Gibson were among the new faces alongside the club's first-to-fourth-year players at Football Park on Monday afternoon.

Gibbs played 231 games for Carlton between 2007-17 before securing a move to the Crows on a four-year deal during the NAB AFL Trade Period.

The 28-year-old adds plenty of class to the Crows' midfield as the club looks to go one better on this year's losing Grand Final appearance.

Gibson, 31, brings a wealth of experience after he was surprisingly not offered a new contract by the Kangaroos despite playing 130 consecutive games.

Defender Alex Keath, young forward Ben Davis and key position prospect Harry Dear were on modified duties away from the main group.

The Crows' draftees - forward Darcy Fogarty and running defender Andrew McPherson - were on light duties.

Jackson Edwards was also involved after it was confirmed on Monday he would join the Crows as a father-son selection in the rookie draft.

Skipper Taylor Walker cast an eye over training, while half-forward Tom Lynch completed a little bit of work before leaving the track.

The Crows' senior players will commence pre-season training next Monday, December 4.

 

[Paladin]

I'm not sure if Gibson does take over that defensive role in the mid over Riley Knight just like that. I know Gibbo is an elite runner and has done some good jobs on players in the past for north but the reason why he was delisted at the end of this season in the first place, is because he can't kick and butchers the footy way too much. He definitely puts internal pressure on Knight's spot but if you can't use the pill in today's game, you're a liability! Got to be more than just a tagger.

Gibson finished 5th and 6th in the Roos best and fairest the past 2 years. He wasnt delisted due to form or skill it was purely his age and the fact Norf are rebuilding.

 

[Danger in Texas]

Boy, does Gibbs look good in Crows gear

That mo needs to go pronto, though

 

[Doobie Doedee]

That mo needs to go pronto, though

Keep the mo, buzz the man bun