Bigman’s Training Reports

[George CantStandYa]

No doubt he had a disappointing year, I'm not disputing that. My point is, last year he was being played in the 'B' team during training week after week, and the vast majority here said "nothing to worry about, they're just trying him against the better players, it doesn't mean anything, you'd have to be crazy to think he's a fringe player". But in retrospect, it turns out that it did mean something.

This year, we're seeing the likes of Nankervis, Curtin, Taylor etc regularly in the 'B' team, while Murphy, Smith and Milera feature regularly in the 'A' team. I think we should take this at face value - the club views the latter players as still being ahead of the youth in the pecking order.

I'd very much like to be wrong, but the longer preseason goes on, the more I'm expecting us to roll out a round 1 side that, once again, reads like they went to our team page and selected "sort by games played".

Milera I can see playing, he’s training well and they love him.

Smith no chance.

Murphy should be no chance, but Nicks is an idiot. If he’s getting a game now ahead of the talent on our list, I’d like to see anyone try and defend Nicks. But even I don’t think Nicks is that big an idiot.

 

[Stephen2]

Jan 21 - Murphy in B
Jan 26 - Murphy in B
Jan 28 - Murphy in B
Jan 30 - Murphy in A
Feb 2 - Murphy in A

Looks like our boy is impressing everyone with a ripper preseason, worked his way into the As and is heading for the meaningless Pre-Season games, where he'll again try his bestest while nobody else does, kick 2 goals and start Round 1.

 

[AFC979810]

Jan 21 - Murphy in B
Jan 26 - Murphy in B
Jan 28 - Murphy in B
Jan 30 - Murphy in A
Feb 2 - Murphy in A

Looks like our boy is impressing everyone with a ripper preseason, worked his way into the As and is heading for the meaningless Pre-Season games, where he'll again try his bestest while nobody else does, kick 2 goals and start Round 1.

View attachment 2217728

That 2 goal, 16 touch game for Murphy against West Coast really set him up for a stellar 2024.

 

[StonesThrow]

I can't handle another year of Murphy

 

[Cromulant]

I can't handle another year of Murphy

I feel for fans that genuinely believe he does a good job.

They are out there.

 

[Scorpus]

Jan 21 - Murphy in B
Jan 26 - Murphy in B
Jan 28 - Murphy in B
Jan 30 - Murphy in A
Feb 2 - Murphy in A

Looks like our boy is impressing everyone with a ripper preseason, worked his way into the As and is heading for the meaningless Pre-Season games, where he'll again try his bestest while nobody else does, kick 2 goals and start Round 1.

View attachment 2217728

Doesn't really need to work his way in though does he?

He's already best 22 and has been for years now

 

[cleanhands]

Doesn't really need to work his way in though does he?

He's already best 22 and has been for years now

 

[George CantStandYa]

I feel for fans that genuinely believe he does a good job.

They are out there.

Nicks

 

[Coopers]

Smith no chance.

Murphy should be no chance, but Nicks is an idiot. If he’s getting a game now ahead of the talent on our list, I’d like to see anyone try and defend Nicks. But even I don’t think Nicks is that big an idiot.

You say that... but we've been here before.

 

[Cromulant]

Nicks

well.... yeah, but I dont feel for him.

 

[Grooster24]

I think he became a fringe player when he had such a bad offseason - came back out of shape, etc.

A wasted year for Pedlar, but I hope he gets it back

What? They did a puff piece on Pedlar in 2024 preseason when they visited Robe. There was quite a bit of talk on here how fit he looked and that based on 2023 form everyone was looking forward to his 2024 season. He was talked up quite a bit. Almost to the point people were hoping he wouldn't get ahead of himself.
How did he come back out of shape...?

 

[Mr_Moogle]

I'm still not sure it isn't some sort of S&M thing for Nicks.

 

[George CantStandYa]

bigman in these match sims, what role has Murphy been playing? Is it the same as previous years pushing up the ground, if that’s the case what have ANB and Keays been training as?

 

[FR0GGY]

The picking of players that they trade, delist or retire at season end is all kinds of baffling. It’s almost like they surprise themselves with list decisions.

I’ve said many times there seems to be a significant disconnect between list management and the match committee.

 

[craig crowing]

A huge thanks to Bigman for doing match reports as they gives a much greater perspective what's happening in the lead uo to what should be a exciting 2025.
Not only does he gives us what's happening at training well before reading elsewhere but with great detail ,that you can visualise the progress of our team and where they might fit.
From these reports along with our later trading and recruiting I don't understand why more posters not getting massively excited about season ahead .
I am placing bet on getting top 4 .

Forward line that includes
Tex -- he will keep a defender busy in games played
FOG -- No reason cant play as well if not better than last year.
TT -- How in the hell cant you get excited by what he can produce and how teams going to match up on
Rachelle -- The talent is there and obviously superbly fit , so just needs to impose himself more and learn to feed off our greater marking presence up forward.
ANB. -- A very good player playing role that Murphy played ,what more is there to say.
Rankine -- playing mid or fwd you just have be drooling to see what he is going to do.
Curtin -- I have never been more excited by a draftee as much as this 197 m classy colossal and size just makes him impossible to match up on after covering other bigs in our fwd line .

MIDS
Without going into great detail along with adding Peatling to mix and possibility of Cumming and more Rankine and maybe not at start of season but adding speed of Draper and of course more mature bodies of Soligo ,Taylor etc etc and of course the skip won't be required to play Fwd ,back and mid in one game.

DEFENCE
With all our injured bigs back and injection of Cumming and Milera into to add experience etc .
How could you not expect the D to improve .

COACHING
Like all I am ver critical of our coaching team led bu Nicks and some look after mates combo .
The positive here is M Davis and like all not sure exact role but must be significant to leave premiership team .
He reminds me of one person a fellow called Phil Walsh and look what could have happened there.
I noticed with interest K Cornes said Phil was the best coach he ever had .

CONCLUDE WITH QUESTIONS FOR BIGMAN
How much is Davis involved and is it in a senior way .
Like many a Worrell fan but from reports and more available quality defenders is he going to get in first lineup.
Club etc getting enthused about Milera form and forcing out kids etc did great job last season .
So has he done a bulk of good stuff or just that flashy move now and again.
Could Andrew if added or T Murray do ok job if ROB injured .
More feedback if possible on Edwards who had huge hopes for but struggled mainly last year and Ryan who jumped ahead of him last year .
Sorry but last is regarding Welsh with no other club showing interest in has he shown more than you expected in what time had.

 

[Flamin Crows]

Nicks

Nicks and Bicks, powerful duo in your corner

 

[Ciao Giacomo]

No doubt he had a disappointing year, I'm not disputing that. My point is, last year he was being played in the 'B' team during training week after week, and the vast majority here said "nothing to worry about, they're just trying him against the better players, it doesn't mean anything, you'd have to be crazy to think he's a fringe player". But in retrospect, it turns out that it did mean something.

This year, we're seeing the likes of Nankervis, Curtin, Taylor etc regularly in the 'B' team, while Murphy, Smith and Milera feature regularly in the 'A' team. I think we should take this at face value - the club views the latter players as still being ahead of the youth in the pecking order.

I'd very much like to be wrong, but the longer preseason goes on, the more I'm expecting us to roll out a round 1 side that, once again, reads like they went to our team page and selected "sort by games played".

I presume last preseason Pedlar was being played in the B team to give him a kick up the arse. Nevertheless, despite his poor preseason and regularly lining up in the B team for match sim, he was selected for the first three AFL matches.

Playing in the B team in the preseason did not restrict his chance to get first shot at the small forward position. After being given an opportunity in the preseason scratchie/practice matches and selected in our first three matches, he was justifiably dropped.

Imho, the players in red or blue in match sim this week do not reflect the Round One pecking order. If we have a full squad to pick from and Murphy, Smith and Milera are all in and Curtin, Taylor and Nankervis are all in the Twos then I will happily hand out the pitchforks to the MOB.

 

[StonesThrow]

A huge thanks to Bigman for doing match reports as they gives a much greater perspective what's happening in the lead uo to what should be a exciting 2025.
Not only does he gives us what's happening at training well before reading elsewhere but with great detail ,that you can visualise the progress of our team and where they might fit.
From these reports along with our later trading and recruiting I don't understand why more posters not getting massively excited about season ahead .
I am placing bet on getting top 4 .

Forward line that includes
Tex -- he will keep a defender busy in games played
FOG -- No reason cant play as well if not better than last year.
TT -- How in the hell cant you get excited by what he can produce and how teams going to match up on
Rachelle -- The talent is there and obviously superbly fit , so just needs to impose himself more and learn to feed off our greater marking presence up forward.
ANB. -- A very good player playing role that Murphy played ,what more is there to say.
Rankine -- playing mid or fwd you just have be drooling to see what he is going to do.
Curtin -- I have never been more excited by a draftee as much as this 197 m classy colossal and size just makes him impossible to match up on after covering other bigs in our fwd line .

MIDS
Without going into great detail along with adding Peatling to mix and possibility of Cumming and more Rankine and maybe not at start of season but adding speed of Draper and of course more mature bodies of Soligo ,Taylor etc etc and of course the skip won't be required to play Fwd ,back and mid in one game.

DEFENCE
With all our injured bigs back and injection of Cumming and Milera into to add experience etc .
How could you not expect the D to improve .

COACHING
Like all I am ver critical of our coaching team led bu Nicks and some look after mates combo .
The positive here is M Davis and like all not sure exact role but must be significant to leave premiership team .
He reminds me of one person a fellow called Phil Walsh and look what could have happened there.
I noticed with interest K Cornes said Phil was the best coach he ever had .

CONCLUDE WITH QUESTIONS FOR BIGMAN
How much is Davis involved and is it in a senior way .
Like many a Worrell fan but from reports and more available quality defenders is he going to get in first lineup.
Club etc getting enthused about Milera form and forcing out kids etc did great job last season .
So has he done a bulk of good stuff or just that flashy move now and again.
Could Andrew if added or T Murray do ok job if ROB injured .
More feedback if possible on Edwards who had huge hopes for but struggled mainly last year and Ryan who jumped ahead of him last year .
Sorry but last is regarding Welsh with no other club showing interest in has he shown more than you expected in what time had.

Is this your first pre season?

 

[Archie87]

Two and a half hour session in the heat from the lads, which can’t have been much fun. Monday sessions tend to be lighter so not a big report today.

Seems I jumped the gun on Cumming, turns out there was no such hamstring injury. Bit surprised given how ordinary he was moving post-game but great news nonetheless. Also great to see Welsh train, albeit in the rehab group. No strapping on the shoulder but was wearing the fluro hat and predominately did running before heading inside.

Was also good to see Tex join the main group for most of the drills. He was held off from most of the running (as was Draper and Nankervis) but looked to be moving pretty well out there. Still feels like it could be a week to week proposition this year for the Texan given his back/hamstring issues.

Once again the lads worked on their front and centres at the feet of the big blokes. There were some interesting aerial battles here. Burgess found it tough going against Butts but was too good for Worrell at times. Thilthorpe vs Murray was a good watch - aside from a lovely one handed grab from Filthy, I’d give the points to big Muz.

There was about 20 minutes of pseudo-match sim to finish off before a bunch of running. Teams were:

Blue - Keays, Murphy, Crouch, Thilthorpe, Rachele, Murray, Dawson, Walker, Soligo, Michalanney, Rankine, Peatling, Neal-Bullen, Laird, Milera, Fogarty, Smith, Borlase, Sholl, O’Brien, Cumming, Keane

White - Jones, Berry, Curtin, Pedlar, Edwards, Cook, Taylor, Hinge, Burgess, Ryan, Worrell, Schoenberg, Nankervis, Dowling, Draper, Gallagher, Drury, T. Murray, Bond, Butts, McAndrew

A few ‘interesting’ selections that I’m sure this board will be big fans of.
Wouldn’t look too much into them unless they become a trend.

A few player thoughts:

Jones - had a great moment at half forward where he just wanted it more than Laird and intercepted the ball up at speed before setting up a goal for the white team. If he starts the year as depth, which seems likely, he’s pretty handy.

Taylor - looked a bit more upbeat today and, despite the heat, was genuinely impressive in the running. Noticed at one point he had to have his feet/ankles restrapped, like I said I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s still recovering from that rolled ankle in December.

Peatling - keeps impressing me. His start to the summer was solid without being spectacular but since the Xmas break he’s really stepped it up and has become quite prominent at times out there. Had one lovely clearance from a boundary throw in where he gathered the ball at pace and streamed away. Has a lot of strings to his bow.

Nankervis - had two absolute shocking kicks that resulted in goals to the opposition, felt a bit sorry for him. Curious as to why he’s being managed - clearly something was, or perhaps still is, troubling him.

Draper - had a fun moment where he received the ball on the wing and had the arrogance to dodge past Dawson and take three bounces with the skipper chasing. Unfortunately wasn’t able to finish his work - he didn’t have anything upfield so handballed to a teammate who was already under pressure - but it’s the dare and zip you want to see. Hopefully the polish will come in time.

O’Brien - took a ripping mark on Toby Murray which left the Ibis a little worse for wear. Was easily the best clunk the big fella has taken all summer. More of that please.

Bigman, this is just a superb effort in yesterday's heat!!! Thanks so much!!!! Absolutely elite!

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

I presume last preseason Pedlar was being played in the B team to give him a kick up the arse. Nevertheless, despite his poor preseason and regularly lining up in the B team for match sim, he was selected for the first three AFL matches.

Playing in the B team in the preseason did not restrict his chance to get first shot at the small forward position. After being given an opportunity in the preseason scratchie/practice matches and selected in our first three matches, he was justifiably dropped.

Imho, the players in red or blue in match sim this week do not reflect the Round One pecking order. If we have a full squad to pick from and Murphy, Smith and Milera are all in and Curtin, Taylor and Nankervis are all in the Twos then I will happily hand out the pitchforks to the MOB.

Regardless, the point is that playing Bs at any point during the preseason isn't usually great news

With Pedlar it showed that he was having a crap preseason and was heading for a poor season

 

[craig crowing]

Is this your first pre season?

Wow lets not be positive eh
Not sure why the name Craig Crowing didn't give you a hint ,maybe
a member since 2009 might have been a clincher .
Surely see the positives and least give us a good chance to least climb up ladder .
Too far to look back 1998 , so lets look forward .

 

[Mostyn]

What? They did a puff piece on Pedlar in 2024 preseason when they visited Robe. There was quite a bit of talk on here how fit he looked and that based on 2023 form everyone was looking forward to his 2024 season. He was talked up quite a bit. Almost to the point people were hoping he wouldn't get ahead of himself.
How did he come back out of shape...?

Hmmm - I don't remember the puff piece, but I do remember conversation here about how he looked thicker. Maybe that's been exaggerated by hindsight, after we saw him have such a bad start to the year.

 

[Ciao Giacomo]

Regardless, the point is that playing Bs at any point during the preseason isn't usually great news

With Pedlar it showed that he was having a crap preseason and was heading for a poor season

I agree but the cmndstab’s point was that Pedlar match stimming in the Bs last season was a sign that he had dropped down the pecking order. The facts were that he played the first three games in the AFL and he truly deserved to be dropped, was injured two weeks later in the SANFL and his season subsequently crashed and burned.

I just think we may be jumping at shadows. Imho it would be pretty dumb to play our best 22 in the same team in match sim all preseason. We will inevitably get injuries and we want the fringe players to slip seamlessly into the team. In our defence we should be trying different combinations for our seven defenders. In the midfield it is critical to try different combinations of inside mids, similar in the forwards.

Is Murphy in front of Rachele, Keays and ANB (plus a bit of Rankine magic)…….no way. Is he higher on the Vaderlist than Taylor and Pedlar ………possibly

At the moment (few injuries, touch wood) we need to add at least Murray, Thilthorpe, Cumming, ABN and Peatling to the team that struggled in the first month last year.

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

I agree but the cmndstab’s point was that Pedlar match stimming in the Bs last season was a sign that he had dropped down the pecking order. The facts were that he played the first three games in the AFL and he truly deserved to be dropped, was injured two weeks later in the SANFL and his season subsequently crashed and burned.

I just think we may be jumping at shadows. Imho it would be pretty dumb to play our best 22 in the same team in match sim all preseason. We will inevitably get injuries and we want the fringe players to slip seamlessly into the team. In our defence we should be trying different combinations for our seven defenders. In the midfield it is critical to try different combinations of inside mids, similar in the forwards.

Is Murphy in front of Rachele, Keays and ANB (plus a bit of Rankine magic)…….no way. Is he higher on the Vaderlist than Taylor and Pedlar ………possibly

At the moment (few injuries, touch wood) we need to add at least Murray, Thilthorpe, Cumming, ABN and Peatling to the team that struggled in the first month last year.

No, that he was dropping down the pecking order.

Using up his 2023 credits, which he was.

Pedlar was on the players closest to being dropped list by the end of preseason. Three diabolical games by all 23 players and he was one who was gone. Nankervis for instance looks like being there now.

Sure it isn't terminal and Nank (or any B lister) could turn things around but it gives us some indication of the coaches' thinking.

 

[Slime Roy]

Jan 21 - Murphy in B
Jan 26 - Murphy in B
Jan 28 - Murphy in B
Jan 30 - Murphy in A
Feb 2 - Murphy in A

Looks like our boy is impressing everyone with a ripper preseason, worked his way into the As and is heading for the meaningless Pre-Season games, where he'll again try his bestest while nobody else does, kick 2 goals and start Round 1.

View attachment 2217728

Punxsutawney Murph!