Bigman’s Training Reports

[Eagleboy2011]

Punxsutawney Murph!

If he sees his shadow does that mean an extra cold winter for the Crows.

 

[ABAB]

Murphy at best will be the sub, hopefully no injuries so will get sub and perform per usually in the 4th quarter.

 

[Jars458]

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

They are out there.

The same ones who think Cornsey should still be coach.

 

[baldandbroke]

Murphy at best will be the sub, hopefully no injuries so will get sub and perform per usually in the 4th quarter.

Really? I don’t think he brings much as a sub either. Surely Murphy is even on the outer of that discussion!?!

Oh god it’s going to be a tough year if we just keep doing the stupid things season after season.

I’m not expecting a day/night change, but please let the new recruits on and off the field have an impact BEFORE it’s too late!!

 

[FR0GGY]

What a ripper idea, bring Murphy on for the last qtr where he goes missing!

 

[Scorpus]

Murphy at best will be the sub, hopefully no injuries so will get sub and perform per usually in the 4th quarter.

Murphy now is in the same position Mackay was about 8 years ago

The club sees him as best 22, not high up in the 22, but at worst a bench spot. The guy who trains the house down, provides leadership and might sneak a few B&F votes here and there. Loyal and team first.

Fans think he's not best 22 or at the absolute highest a fringe role player/backup. Annoyed he's getting bulk games.

Every off season it looks like the club might have found a recruit to replace them. Maybe we trade someone in who plays the same position, maybe there's a promising draftee, maybe we think someone will take the next step. Eventually we bring in 4 or 5 new players over several seasons that could play that same role. It almost looks like we're trying to replace them.

And yet come round 1 they still make the best 22 in addition to (or instead of) the new guys

 

[Slime Roy]

If he sees his shadow does that mean an extra cold winter for the Crows.

Or if you see his name on a Thursday Night Team Sheet!

 

[Mostyn]

Murphy now is in the same position Mackay was about 8 years ago

The club sees him as best 22, not high up in the 22, but at worst a bench spot. The guy who trains the house down, provides leadership and might sneak a few B&F votes here and there. Loyal and team first.

Fans think he's not best 22 or at the absolute highest a fringe role player/backup. Annoyed he's getting bulk games.

Every off season it looks like the club might have found a recruit to replace them. Maybe we trade someone in who plays the same position, maybe there's a promising draftee, maybe we think someone will take the next step. Eventually we bring in 4 or 5 new players over several seasons that could play that same role. It almost looks like we're trying to replace them.

And yet come round 1 they still make the best 22 in addition to (or instead of) the new guys

Let's see what happens.

We never actually traded for a mature aged and better performed version of Mackay, as we've just done for Murphy.

 

[Scorpus]

Let's see what happens.

We never actually traded for a mature aged and better performed version of Mackay, as we've just done for Murphy.

What do you mean? We traded in Paul Seedsman and he played alongside Mackay.

Not as experienced as Neal-Bullen is now but we absolutely did trade in a ready to go player in Mackay's exact position who outperformed him

 

[weekend at bernies]

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

They are out there.

If there was stat for space keeping, then people would realize just how elite he is.

 

[1970crow]

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.

I don't think Taylor is any chance with an uninjured list and it doesn't even mean that Murphy gets in, nor Smith pushing Nank out. I think your pitchfork stash is safe.



Nank may beat out Milera and maybe Curtin misses for a Taylor or Dowling, but there's basically 19 locked in players (injury notwithstanding) for round 1. Probably 20 due to Butts having a late start courtesy of injury. Smith is too far back and should be behind any in-form, yet to debut player. But Murphy, off a good preseason, particularly whatever trial games are planned, could find himself as sub.

I will say with Smith, and although I didn't rate his 2023 as many other did, there's little doubt that his back injury made his 2024 a fair bit worse than it otherwise would have been. He might not be as far back as most would think. Probably not in front of Nank, but if he's fit and uninjured, I wouldn't be surprised if he was to get the nod ahead of Bond or debuting Ryan if injuries got us to that decision. Especially if we're up and about and finals are on the cards.

 

[1970crow]

I don't think Taylor is any chance with an uninjured list and it doesn't even mean that Murphy gets in, nor Smith pushing Nank out. I think your pitchfork stash is safe.

View attachment 2218115

Nank may beat out Milera and maybe Curtin misses for a Taylor or Dowling, but there's basically 19 locked in players (injury notwithstanding) for round 1. Probably 20 due to Butts having a late start courtesy of injury. Smith is too far back and should be behind any in-form, yet to debut player. But Murphy, off a good preseason, particularly whatever trial games are planned, could find himself as sub.

I will say with Smith, and although I didn't rate his 2023 as many other did, there's little doubt that his back injury made his 2024 a fair bit worse than it otherwise would have been. He might not be as far back as most would think. Probably not in front of Nank, but if he's fit and uninjured, I wouldn't be surprised if he was to get the nod ahead of Bond or debuting Ryan if injuries got us to that decision. Especially if we're up and about and finals are on the cards.

Ignore the 2 Dawsons, 1 is Rankine.

 

[Crow till I die]

What do you mean? We traded in Paul Seedsman and he played alongside Mackay.

Not as experienced as Neal-Bullen is now but we absolutely did trade in a ready to go player in Mackay's exact position who outperformed him

Not so sure. If everyone is fit and ready, I just can't possibly see Murphy there.

Michalanney Keane Worrell
Cumming Murray Hinge
Peatling Rankine Sholl
O'Brien Dawson Soligo
ANB Fogarty Rachele
Keays Thilthorpe Walker

Milera Crouch Curtin Laird

Berry

Then Draper is up and coming and they will want to see him get games, Taylor, Dowling, Nank, Butts are all there or thereabouts. Murphy really does look to be coming from a long way back to crack the team

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

Murphy now is in the same position Mackay was about 8 years ago

The club sees him as best 22, not high up in the 22, but at worst a bench spot. The guy who trains the house down, provides leadership and might sneak a few B&F votes here and there. Loyal and team first.

Fans think he's not best 22 or at the absolute highest a fringe role player/backup. Annoyed he's getting bulk games.

Every off season it looks like the club might have found a recruit to replace them. Maybe we trade someone in who plays the same position, maybe there's a promising draftee, maybe we think someone will take the next step. Eventually we bring in 4 or 5 new players over several seasons that could play that same role. It almost looks like we're trying to replace them.

And yet come round 1 they still make the best 22 in addition to (or instead of) the new guys

There will always be just enough injuries/unavailabilities for Murphy to sneak into the team.

Last game of 2024 it was getting quite tight for spots up there. Dowling and Taylor going well, Curtin being trialled across half forward, Keays going well.

Murph under pressure. Could he be squeezed out?

And then...

 

[George CantStandYa]

Not so sure. If everyone is fit and ready, I just can't possibly see Murphy there.

Michalanney Keane Worrell
Cumming Murray Hinge
Peatling Rankine Sholl
O'Brien Dawson Soligo
ANB Fogarty Rachele
Keays Thilthorpe Walker

Milera Crouch Curtin Laird

Berry

Then Draper is up and coming and they will want to see him get games, Taylor, Dowling, Nank, Butts are all there or thereabouts. Murphy really does look to be coming from a long way back to crack the team

Nicks factor

 

[Jars458]

Not so sure. If everyone is fit and ready, I just can't possibly see Murphy there.

Michalanney Keane Worrell
Cumming Murray Hinge
Peatling Rankine Sholl
O'Brien Dawson Soligo
ANB Fogarty Rachele
Keays Thilthorpe Walker

Milera Crouch Curtin Laird

Berry

Then Draper is up and coming and they will want to see him get games, Taylor, Dowling, Nank, Butts are all there or thereabouts. Murphy really does look to be coming from a long way back to crack the team

Won't Bond play as a defensive forward?

 

[StonesThrow]

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 .

I'm always positive, but I'm also a realist and wouldn't put any money on it going by a long period of disappointment!!

 

[Crow till I die]

Won't Bond play as a defensive forward?

Ahh forgot him..but he is not in the best 22 if all are fit, but he is one of those who should be pushing for a spot

 

[Mr_Moogle]

If your 22nd best player is always the same guy every year and keeps getting selected, does that mean there has been zero improvement?

 

[Slime Roy]

If your 22nd best player is always the same guy every year and keeps getting selected, does that mean there has been zero improvement?

Yup. It's "the definition of insanity"

 

[Scorpus]

Not so sure. If everyone is fit and ready, I just can't possibly see Murphy there.

Michalanney Keane Worrell
Cumming Murray Hinge
Peatling Rankine Sholl
O'Brien Dawson Soligo
ANB Fogarty Rachele
Keays Thilthorpe Walker

Milera Crouch Curtin Laird

Berry

Then Draper is up and coming and they will want to see him get games, Taylor, Dowling, Nank, Butts are all there or thereabouts. Murphy really does look to be coming from a long way back to crack the team

The side you've listed only has six forwards and eight defenders, given Curtin has been training midfield.

I think we'd be more likely to pick a side with Milera as sub and Murphy on the bench

 

[Mr_Moogle]

Yup. It's "the definition of insanity"

Every coach has their favourites but you don't expect it to be one of the guys that's going to get you sacked.

 

[Slime Roy]

Every coach has their favourites but you don't expect it to be one of the guys that's going to get you sacked.

Maybe they've got a pact to go work together at the Shapes factory.

 

[1970crow]

Not so sure. If everyone is fit and ready, I just can't possibly see Murphy there.

Michalanney Keane Worrell
Cumming Murray Hinge
Peatling Rankine Sholl
O'Brien Dawson Soligo
ANB Fogarty Rachele
Keays Thilthorpe Walker

Milera Crouch Curtin Laird

Berry

Then Draper is up and coming and they will want to see him get games, Taylor, Dowling, Nank, Butts are all there or thereabouts. Murphy really does look to be coming from a long way back to crack the team

Assum8mg Draper not ready, I wouldn't be surprised if Murphy is in ahead of Taylor and Dowling in the event of a forward line injury.

 

[Gtowncrow]

Really? I don’t think he brings much as a sub either. Surely Murphy is even on the outer of that discussion!?!

Oh god it’s going to be a tough year if we just keep doing the stupid things season after season.

I’m not expecting a day/night change, but please let the new recruits on and off the field have an impact BEFORE it’s too late!!

I would 100% play Taylor or Dowling or Jones as sub before Murph. Even Berry as a late game bulldozer gets the vest ahead of Murph.