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Bigman’s Training Reports

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Something I want to flag here. Bigman had Schoenberg right up there in his best and hardy anyone has brought up the possibility of him squeezing someone out come round 1. I'd like to think we reward an excellent summer and if it comes to it, and he's ahead of Crouch at Training, then so be it. I thought there was a lot to like about Shoey 3 years back when he was still a rookie and it's only because of the development of Soli, Berry, Sholl, and the persistent selection of Laird and Crouch that has seen him struggle to get a spot (well, that and injury and poor form haha). My point is, if he's back and he's firing, I say play the kid - give him his opportunity and see if he takes it.
That doesn't mean I don't want to see Curtin, Peatling injected into the midfield, but if that last spot on the bench is between Crouch and Shoey and Shoey has been training the house down, I'd pick him
 

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I think McLeod has Rankine covered easily for skills.
At this stage, but Rankine is a big reason why people go to watch football.

We now have a team which is good to watch.
 
Something I want to flag here. Bigman had Schoenberg right up there in his best and hardy anyone has brought up the possibility of him squeezing someone out come round 1. I'd like to think we reward an excellent summer and if it comes to it, and he's ahead of Crouch at Training, then so be it. I thought there was a lot to like about Shoey 3 years back when he was still a rookie and it's only because of the development of Soli, Berry, Sholl, and the persistent selection of Laird and Crouch that has seen him struggle to get a spot (well, that and injury and poor form haha). My point is, if he's back and he's firing, I say play the kid - give him his opportunity and see if he takes it.
That doesn't mean I don't want to see Curtin, Peatling injected into the midfield, but if that last spot on the bench is between Crouch and Shoey and Shoey has been training the house down, I'd pick him
I don't think he's done enough or has enough credits in the bank personally.

That said, I expect him to have a better year this year. Achilles are tough injuries to come back from.
 
At this stage, but Rankine is a big reason why people go to watch football.

We now have a team which is good to watch.
Absolutely he is, I don’t think a players skills would improve a lot after his age though.
 
I wouldn't say easily.... but he's got to be pretty damn good to reach McLeod levels of greatness at any stage during his career.

Let's not forget what Bunji did in his first 100 games.
Just watching the highlights, it looked like he nearly drops the ball a couple of times in the run and carry.
Obviously you forget all the times McLeod fumbled but it’s just a feeling I get.
And it wasn’t meant to be a criticism of Izaak, being compared to our best ever alone is a pretty good feat.
 
Just watching the highlights, it looked like he nearly drops the ball a couple of times in the run and carry.
Obviously you forget all the times McLeod fumbled but it’s just a feeling I get.
And it wasn’t meant to be a criticism of Izaak, being compared to our best ever alone is a pretty good feat.
That's something I've also noticed with him, and if he ever does sort that out he becomes even more dangerous
 
Something I want to flag here. Bigman had Schoenberg right up there in his best and hardy anyone has brought up the possibility of him squeezing someone out come round 1. I'd like to think we reward an excellent summer and if it comes to it, and he's ahead of Crouch at Training, then so be it. I thought there was a lot to like about Shoey 3 years back when he was still a rookie and it's only because of the development of Soli, Berry, Sholl, and the persistent selection of Laird and Crouch that has seen him struggle to get a spot (well, that and injury and poor form haha). My point is, if he's back and he's firing, I say play the kid - give him his opportunity and see if he takes it.
That doesn't mean I don't want to see Curtin, Peatling injected into the midfield, but if that last spot on the bench is between Crouch and Shoey and Shoey has been training the house down, I'd pick him

I personally think Schoenberg is done. But im also more than likely wrong. But to your question every player on the list is capable of playing round 1.

Our best 23 is more like a best 18-20 so there is easily 3 to 4 positions up for grabs for players to force their way into selection. Schoenberg is likely to be at the back of the queue for selection in his position because of his poor couple of years and when he came back from injury he didnt set the world on fire either. But if he smashes it in the trial games, he could easily be up for selection. Same with any player. But likely hood is he will have to go through the sanfl and break his way in when opportunities arise.
 
Absolutely he is, I don’t think a players skills would improve a lot after his age though.
We haven't yet seen the best of Rankine in the midfield.

He has improvement still in him.
 
Something I want to flag here. Bigman had Schoenberg right up there in his best and hardy anyone has brought up the possibility of him squeezing someone out come round 1. I'd like to think we reward an excellent summer and if it comes to it, and he's ahead of Crouch at Training, then so be it. I thought there was a lot to like about Shoey 3 years back when he was still a rookie and it's only because of the development of Soli, Berry, Sholl, and the persistent selection of Laird and Crouch that has seen him struggle to get a spot (well, that and injury and poor form haha). My point is, if he's back and he's firing, I say play the kid - give him his opportunity and see if he takes it.
That doesn't mean I don't want to see Curtin, Peatling injected into the midfield, but if that last spot on the bench is between Crouch and Shoey and Shoey has been training the house down, I'd pick him
Schoenberg has given himself a very good chance of playing games this season.

Doubt he will be in the 1st choice side, but we will get injuries, so he has put up his name as one of the next in.

I'm certainly not writing him off & was relieved he remained on our list.
 

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Age tends to diminish our thoughts on past champions ....I watched a game from late in Andy's career, and he absolutely "glided" across the ground, head hardly moving

I put Andy's career above Rankine's career to date ....but both have elite skills of finding space in ball-up congestion ....and Rankine is not close to his prime yet

The trade pick to secure Rankine from GC was a gift
Absolutely no argument there as andy did what he did for a whole bunch of seasons. Izak has that talent but now needs to kick on to bring it for the next decade
 
As for those who say don’t get excited - it’s just preseason - I say bah wrong - this is exactly the time to get excited.

Its all possibilities and potential right now - no scandals, no bodgy camp, no players being dropped, no terrible selections or coaching moves, just pure anticipation of what could be.

No team altering injuries yet (touch wood)

More so than a long time the list of exciting possibilities also fills the sheet.

Headlining are Thilthorpe, Rankine, Curtain, and the introduction of Preatling, Cummings and ANB.

But there is also a feeling Soligo, Fog, Hinge, Worrell, Keane, Michealany, Nank, and Rachele have more to give and are ready to go.

To round it out possibilities remain for Pedlar and Berry, while who knows what Draper may bring once he’s up and running.

List of Bond, Dowling, Cook, Edwards and Ryan and there’s a crop of depth if and when they get opportunity.

Hopefully we’ll see the transition from more experienced players to these youth this year.

Also if Dawson should be a lot better this year as well.

We all know we’ll be facing reality in a few weeks and it won’t be all rainbows and sunshine, so take a minute to enjoy the buzz and crack a smile on the possibilities 😀
There is so much genuine talent there. The other thing I love about the 2025 Crows is it appears they all want to play for the club. This cannot be understated. Even in season 2017 it felt like there were players who would leave at the first opportunity.


The next 5 years is going to be a really exciting time to be a Crows supporter. I could be completely wrong but it feels like something special is building. Enjoy the ride, it doesn't come around often.
 
We’re talking about different things.
I’m talking about his skills not his game play.
I don't think we have yet seen the best of skills on display through the midfield...

He has the ability to be an All Australian midfielder.
 

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At this stage, but Rankine is a big reason why people go to watch football.

We now have a team which is good to watch.
We are in a little window now where we have Dawson and Rankine close to the peak of their powers at the same time

Both very high quality AFL players

We need to try and get some success in these next 3 years , I feel as though we are one trade ( like a Phillipou or NWM ) and a ruck away from having a decent crack at it
 
We are in a little window now where we have Dawson and Rankine close to the peak of their powers at the same time

Both very high quality AFL players

We need to try and get some success in these next 3 years , I feel as though we are one trade ( like a Phillipou or NWM ) and a ruck away from having a decent crack at it
A gun ruckman would make heck of a difference imo... but Draper is not the answer imo.
 

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Bigman’s Training Reports

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