Bigman’s Training Reports

[Jcpdragonx]

Incorrect on both counts.

Impressive

we've got issues if we're playing berry in 2025.

curtin will get there, not yet though in centre bounces.

 

[Ham]

Great turnout at today at Norwood oval and, even better, there was at least 45 minutes of true match sim which was fun to watch.

Unfortunately the day was soured a bit by a right shoulder injury to Pedlar. He copped a big tackle from Nankervis and while it didn’t appear as serious as previous incidents, he did have to come off and put ice on the area. Guess we wait and see the extent of the injury.

Nick Murray was in rehab after suffering some kind of abdominal issue on Wednesday, thought he looked pretty upbeat though so don’t think it’s serious. Berry was restricted to bike work, might be a groin or back issue? Looked a bit stiff walking around. Cumming was once again in the rehab group although did join the boys for some light skills work. Club is being very conservative with him. Sholl also hurt his ankle midway through the session - looked a bit worrying at first but he didn’t seem too bothered and returned to the field.

No Drury duty today but big Madgen made his return which was good to see.

Overall I thought the vibes were good especially with a bunch of kids being able to kick for goal with the players at the end of the session, Rachele was the one to invite them. I suspect the players enjoyed having a decent crowd to show off in front of, a certain number 23 in particular.

Also a side note - I was surprised how ordinary the Norwood oval surface looked. Lots of bare patches. Needs a fair bit of work before Gather Round.

As for the match sim, it was a rather one-sided affair as one side was clearly stronger than the other. I’m personally not a huge fan of this, I’d like to see the teams a bit more even as it was one-way traffic at times. I’m sure they have their reasons but it feels a bit harsh on the young/fringe players.

Essentially they were A and B teams for the most part with some exceptions. A few players also changed sides after the break. Teams were as follows:

Blue: Keays, Crouch, Thilthorpe, Rachele, Dawson, Walker, Soligo, Michalanney (swapped to White in 2nd half), Hinge (swapped to White), Rankine, Peatling, Neal-Bullen, Laird (swapped to White), Milera (swapped to White), Fogarty, Sholl, Bond, O’Brien, Keane (swapped to White)

White: Jones, Murphy, Curtin, Pedlar, Edwards (swapped to Blue in 2nd half), Cook, Welsh, Taylor, Burgess, Ryan (swapped to Blue), Worrell, Schoenberg, Nankervis (swapped to Blue), Dowling, Smith, Draper, Borlase, Gallagher, Toby Murray, Butts, McAndrew, Madgen

Centre bounces attendances were reasonably tight for both teams. Blue was mostly Crouch, Soligo, Rankine and Peatling with a couple from Dawson and Rachele, while the White team was mostly Curtin, Schoenberg, Dowling and Draper.

Not too many positional surprises although Dawson played quite a bit on the wing, as did Cook who has previously trained almost exclusively as a forward. Dowling got more on-ball time than I expected though this is likely due to no Berry (which would have the flow on effect of Cook playing wing).

Goals for Blue were Keays 3, Thilthorpe 2, Rachele 2, Dawson 2, Crouch, Walker, Neal-Bullen

For White it was just singles to Schoenberg, Laird and Murray.

Rankine was easily the standout today. He was just on another level and honestly extracted the urine at times. One moment in particular where he just put the jets on and sped away from Taylor to set up a Keays goal drew applause from the crowd. He also featured in the most centre bounces alongside Crouch, I think he’s going to play even more midfield than last year.

As for some other players:

Keays - started like a house on fire kicking two goals including a ripper from the boundary. Bit quieter after the break aside from a joe the goose goal courtesy of a lovely tap on from
Rachele. Copped one of the all-time falcons running with flight of the ball without knowing where it was. Deadset bounced right off the top of his scone. Got a big laugh from the crowd.

Crouch - super productive in the guts and even showed some run and carry. Kicked a nice snap goal and tackled well. Only issue was one moment where he asked for the handball receive from Rachele on the right side boundary and immediately ran into trouble. No idea why he’s calling for that ball.

Curtin - had a few nice moments where his smarts and clean hands showed, but was also caught flat footed a few times at stoppage including one where he just let Rankine go off to the races. Still has some work to do on his midfield craft. As a high forward however he’s already very capable even though his contested marking needs to continue improving.

Thilthorpe - only a few flashes of excellence but did some exciting things including a great contested mark on Butts. Just glad to see him out there and moving pretty well.

Rachele - was good without dominating, kicking two goals as well as well as setting up a couple. Took a nice mark on Hinge for one of his goals, which was an absolute sack which somehow went though the big sticks.

Pedlar - prior to the injury I thought he was scratchy out there. Missed a couple of easy targets by hand and foot which he just should be hitting. The moment where he hurt himself I thought he would be too strong for Nank but wasn’t the case. Hopefully the injury isn’t serious but he needs to step things up a bit.

Dawson - probably the most dominant player out there after Rankine. Surprisingly low CBAs but found the ball regardless and ball use was deadly. Took a ripping pack mark too where he just floated in the air. Just a very good footballer.

Walker - once again looked much more lively and sharp in his movements and I thought he got the better of Keane today. Was involved in multiple scores floating around centre half forward and pushing up the ground. Looks super fit.

Soligo - if it wasn’t Dawson who was second best it was this guy. Showed that lovely blend of class and body strength and was seemingly everywhere especially early on. Timing his run beautifully after a slowish start to the summer.

Cook - played predominantly on the wing and was actually quite prolific early on even when the white team was struggling. Fell out of it a bit after the break which isn’t new for Cooky.

Taylor - had one or two decent moments but is struggling to get into it presently. Think he’s been bogged down a touch by the forward role and I wouldn’t be surprised if his ankle is still giving him some problems after hurting it in December. Just didn’t seem quite as light on his feet as previous.

Peatling - not a huge standout but he was value for touches with some seriously nice kicks - not the first time I’ve been impressed by his ball use this summer. Had one terrific moment where he burst out of the centre and laced out Dawson for a goal.

Schoenberg - thought he was one of the better players for the struggling white team. Kicked a nice goal on the run from 45 and almost dobbed another from 50 which just fell short. Going quite well at the moment.

Nankervis - was also one of the white team’s better players when they were under the pump. Ball use continues to improve and he’s deceptively strong despite his skinny frame. Love his agility too, helps him get out of tricky situations which is really handy as a defender.

Dowling - looked good in space and used it well in transition. As an on-baller though he struggled at stoppage and doesn’t have the body strength or tenacity to play there at present.

Fogarty - played more of a cameo role but gee one moment he had was special where he gathered a loose ball in the corridor as clean as a whistle, shrugged off a tackler and gave off to Dawson for a goal.

Draper - the big positive is that he was constantly getting his hands on it at stoppage. The issue is that most times he was wrapped up and unable to find a way out. Looks like a classic case of someone who just needs a bit more time and body strength to play his natural game. Given he has the frame to fill out I’m confident it’ll happen, but don’t expect it all to click just yet. He did find a nice amount of pill on the outside too though which was good to see.

Gallagher - been good to see his rapid improvement these last two months. Still very raw but he’s getting more of it and had a really nice moment where he beat Nank in the air and hit up Murray beautifully for a goal. He’s having more and more impact, just needs to iron out the kinks in his game like his awareness and hesitancy with ball in hand.

Butts - still quite shocked at his body transformation this summer. Saw him in November and he was limping and slightly out of condition. Now moving so much better and looks in good shape. If he can stay injury free it’ll be interesting to see what we do with our key defenders. Hard to see us dropping either Keane or Murray, he’s certainly great depth though.

stoked Tex is looking good

 

[Blue Red and Gold]

we've got issues if we're playing berry in 2025.

curtin will get there, not yet though in centre bounces.

Curtin will be playing, but not at the expense of Berry, Peatling has his spot wrapped up.

 

[Floating Doughnut]

Oh jesus, don't compare him to Bont in any form, I don't think my heart could take that.

We'd be such a destructive side if he was

Just a reflection on his height, we don’t want him at the bottom of packs.
TBH I really don’t know what to make of him at this stage but excited to find out.

 

[Danger in Texas]

Curtin will be playing, but not at the expense of Berry, Peatling has his spot wrapped up.

Yep, the Peatling recruitment always spelt trouble for Bez. The former’s just a more dynamic version of the latter

Really glad to hear our stars are going great guns, especially Ranks getting even more midfield time than we expected

 

[George CantStandYa]

Yep, the Peatling recruitment always spelt trouble for Bez. The former’s just a more dynamic version of the latter

Really glad to hear our stars are going great guns, especially Ranks getting even more midfield time than we expected

Rankine has to be playing midfield, need his brilliance around the ball.

He’s going to have to learn to break a tag though

 

[Cromulant]

Rankine has to be playing midfield, need his brilliance around the ball.

He’s going to have to learn to break a tag though

He gets tagged, he goes forward.

We're building enough depth in our midfield group where he can do that, and we know how much trouble he causes oppo when he's there.

 

[Jeffcrowe]

So that doesn’t happen to any other mid, I asked for an explanation nothing forth coming, god it’s no wonder you cop it on here, what where you beside a fantasy whatever, and I could very well have been mid

Were you a key defender clean hands ? How was your footwork ?

 

[Jeffcrowe]

Rankine has to be playing midfield, need his brilliance around the ball.

He’s going to have to learn to break a tag though

Also needs to learn not to get frustrated and clock someone when the heat comes

When he gets on top of all that and his hammy issue he’s going to be unstoppable

 

[Jeffcrowe]

He gets tagged, he goes forward.

We're building enough depth in our midfield group where he can do that, and we know how much trouble he causes oppo when he's there.

Spot on

 

[Jeffcrowe]

Be surprised if Rankine isn’t a top 5 player in comp by end of year

 

[Danger in Texas]

Those who watched today, btw - would Milera be ahead of Nank right now? Sounds like the former is impressing a lot

 

[kirky]

Curtin didn’t seem too involved, think he’s a long way from a starting mid, I’d play him at half forward.

Rachelle looked fit and lively.

Hard to tell the players for those wearing white and some wearing caps.

Pedlar didn’t do a lot before hurting his shoulder, reckon very little chance of being a starter in the As.

Welsh obviously needs to work on his fitness, didn’t do much, I reckon about 2-5kgs he needs to lose but bloody hell he is quick. Once he gets fit he will be dangerous .

Rankine, Tex, Soligo were the standouts for me off the top of my head.

Peatling some nice centre clearances at acceleration.

Thought Milera looked good, wouldn’t surprise if they are planning on playing him rd 1.

Toby Murray a long way from AFL ready, no way is he a ruck option for us.

Thilthorpe is huge and has lost some mobility, can’t see him doing a lot of rucking either.

A couple of positives, there was a focus on moving the ball on quickly and with speed. Plus I didn’t stick around long enough to hear Nicks speak.

Reckon Milera will have an injury free year after all his contract runs out at the end of this year. 39 games out of a possible 105 over the past few years. Hmmm.

 

[TheEarlyCrow]

He gets tagged, he goes forward.

We're building enough depth in our midfield group where he can do that, and we know how much trouble he causes oppo when he's there.

Absolutely, and imagine the service now with Thrilla bringing the ball to ground

 

[George CantStandYa]

Reckon Milera will have an injury free year after all his contract runs out at the end of this year. 39 games out of a possible 105 over the past few years. Hmmm.

Yeah I don’t think the injuries he’s copped has anything to do with being in contract

 

[kirky]

Pedlars career has just been one big tease.
So incredibly frustrating as if he came on, on top of our other talents would go a long way to premiership success.

Yah think he is the only one tho? There has been a few.

 

[George CantStandYa]

Those who watched today, btw - would Milera be ahead of Nank right now? Sounds like the former is impressing a lot

Reckon as per being a coaches favourite he might be, but Nank is going to be more reliable with his body and has more years left.

 

[kirky]

Yeah I don’t think the injuries he’s copped has anything to do with being in contract

Don’t disagree but the more long term injuries you have the less effective you become.

He isn’t in our best 22 now.

These are the players out of contract this year - take your pick which 4-5 or more don’t get a contract extension

 

[1990crow]

Yah think he is the only one tho? There has been a few.

Of course, but feel he's the most talented one that's come through and therefore biggest let down.

McAsey never looked that talented from day 1.
Jones looked ok but not an obvious star.
McHenry a scrapper, not necessarily game breaker.
Galluci looked like something, but not sure what.

Pedlar looked like a bonafide bull damaging midfielder with the tools.

 

[1990crow]

Best 22 with the reports so far?

FB: Worrell ~ Murray ~ Michalanney
HB: Hinge ~ Keane ~ Milera
C: Cumming ~ Crouch ~ Dawson
R: Obrien ~ Soligo ~ Rankine
HF: Rachele ~ Fogarty ~ Neale-Bullen
FF: Keays ~ Thilthorpe ~ Walker
B: Laird ~ Curtin ~ Peatling ~ Sholl
S: Jones

 

[Danger in Texas]

Reckon as per being a coaches favourite he might be, but Nank is going to be more reliable with his body and has more years left.

Yeah Nank’s the better long-term prospect for us for sure

Though was more asking along the lines of who’s looking like they’re performing better right now, sounds like Milera is ramping up quicker than other times he’s been injured

 

[ams4crows]

So just off the scrimmage, it seems Bond is super highly valued as that lock down player..... I reckon he'll be in the round 1 team (on the bench), Nicks loves him.

 

[PeterSalt]

Understood. Although with his history it seems a matter of when not if.

If he didnt get injured in an illegal tackle by a teammate he would have been hurt soon after.

Sadly some people/players just seem to be made of glass

 

[cleanhands]

Were you a key defender clean hands ? How was your footwork ?

Not to sure what I was, just got a few games for trying, as far as footwork two left feet,

 

[Jeffcrowe]

Not to sure what I was, just got a few games for trying, as far as footwork two left feet,

Sounds a bit like you were like James Hird