Training 2025 Training Updates | Standards are… TBC

[DuckYeah]

Well being scored against does reduce your chance to take an intercept mark

Brush over the average of 60 inside 50’s a game.

 

[the big lebowski]

Brush over the average of 60 inside 50’s a game.

Inside 50’s against certainly back your argument

 

[7577969923]

All of em are. We cant finish dead stone last again. Cant be taking in players that can’t play the position they are picked in any longer

Who did we have that was better in that position last year? Logue was mostly injured and Corr is not really a key defender.

Chom was a better option than Pink or either Dawson, played some very good games, and would have learned a lot in the process.

 

[KiwiRoo]

Tough crowd

Thought Chom was one of our big positives last year

 

[Merlin007]

Tough crowd

Thought Chom was one of our big positives last year

It's February, nothing else to complain about

 

[7577969923]

Tough crowd

Thought Chom was one of our big positives last year

We must be flying if Chom is our biggest concern!

 

[sacrilecious]

Brush over the average of 60 inside 50’s a game.

What was the quality of those inside 50's like? Most of the time they were fast, under next to no pressure with options out everywhere! So quality ball coming in with multiple leads and options in space to choose from.
The absolute worst case scenario for intercepting. I'd say most of the other guys up there in intercepting are in the better teams in the comp. So while they technically have less overall "opportunities " to Intercept. The ball is mostly coming in slower and under a lot more pressure as a higher ball or a dump kick to a predictable area in a more congested forward line. I'm not saying everytime obviously but at a much higher percentage than us.
As others have said, Chom is so inexperienced as a key defender. It's kind of baffling that you'd just automatically write him off as a total liability other than the occasional Intercept. I'm willing to give Chom a little more credit and back him to be able to improve both his 1 on 1 work and disposal/decision making throughout the year. Especially if Logue and Corr can both finally stay fit and they can start building some chemistry.

 

[Chadwiko]

Tough crowd

Thought Chom was one of our big positives last year

I like Chom.
He's an undeniably good mark, and his strength certainly seems to be playing as that roaming tall interceptor around the half-back line.

He's not a great kick (either open field, or kicking for goal with a career 8.11 to his name) but in this role that's mitigated quite a lot. What he needs is quality rebounders he can quicky give the ball to after taking an intercept mark, and hopefully this year he'll have that.

 

[Chip Scab1]

What was the quality of those inside 50's like? Most of the time they were fast, under next to no pressure with options out everywhere! So quality ball coming in with multiple leads and options in space to choose from.
The absolute worst case scenario for intercepting. I'd say most of the other guys up there in intercepting are in the better teams in the comp. So while they technically have less overall "opportunities " to Intercept. The ball is mostly coming in slower and under a lot more pressure as a higher ball or a dump kick to a predictable area in a more congested forward line. I'm not saying everytime obviously but at a much higher percentage than us.
As others have said, Chom is so inexperienced as a key defender. It's kind of baffling that you'd just automatically write him off as a total liability other than the occasional Intercept. I'm willing to give Chom a little more credit and back him to be able to improve both his 1 on 1 work and disposal/decision making throughout the year. Especially if Logue and Corr can both finally stay fit and they can start building some chemistry.

And this doesn't solve our list predicament. The underlying issue.

We don't need a CHB. We have 2 more waiting in the wings (WDawson and Matlock). 3 if you include K.Dawson who is going ok as depth.

It blows me away how people can't see this as a concern.

Learn the ropes at CHF or we need to Trade/Draft (gee we've had success at this previously) one in and wait for them. With our midfield, the clock is tick tick ticking away. LDU is 27 soon.

 

[Its a Process]

Anyone at training?

 

[DuckYeah]

Who did we have that was better in that position last year? Logue was mostly injured and Corr is not really a key defender.

Chom was a better option than Pink or either Dawson, played some very good games, and would have learned a lot in the process.

Kal.

 

[footy2016]

Kal.

Please stop....Kal Dawson was beyond horrific for the back half of the season. Wont be anywhere near the 22 and if is we are in all sorts. Purely depth player at best.

 

[Shinboner1]

Anyone at training?

you'd hope some of the players showed up

 

[DuckYeah]

What was the quality of those inside 50's like? Most of the time they were fast, under next to no pressure with options out everywhere! So quality ball coming in with multiple leads and options in space to choose from.
The absolute worst case scenario for intercepting. I'd say most of the other guys up there in intercepting are in the better teams in the comp. So while they technically have less overall "opportunities " to Intercept. The ball is mostly coming in slower and under a lot more pressure as a higher ball or a dump kick to a predictable area in a more congested forward line. I'm not saying everytime obviously but at a much higher percentage than us.
As others have said, Chom is so inexperienced as a key defender. It's kind of baffling that you'd just automatically write him off as a total liability other than the occasional Intercept. I'm willing to give Chom a little more credit and back him to be able to improve both his 1 on 1 work and disposal/decision making throughout the year. Especially if Logue and Corr can both finally stay fit and they can start building some chemistry.

Most of the time they were fast and direct? You are guessing. You would have to go back and watch 1,500 entries into our D50. There is no way you remember 100 oppo entries into 50

 

[DuckYeah]

Please stop....Kal Dawson was beyond horrific for the back half of the season. Wont be anywhere near the 22 and if is we are in all sorts. Purely depth player at best.

Which says everything doesn’t it? I think we are in all sorts.

 

[Samsquanch]

Geez we're good at jumping the gun on here

It's the only thing that is left after jumping the shark.

 

[shinboner magic]

When talking about the defence - you sometimes have to look further afield.
Is there pressure from the mids / forwards - are teams running in waves unchecked , with loose players everywhere.
It’s pretty hard to keep an eye on your direct opponent and the ball carrier without losing vision of your opponent.

Also is Lmac on the field

 

[Disco Dew]

It's the only thing that is left after jumping the shark.

Could always try kick flipping the shark.

 

[KillaKanga]

Tough crowd

Thought Chom was one of our big positives last year

Yeah I thought so to. But then after reading the last 4 pages I hope they tear up his contract and let him flourish down at the Div 4 ressies.

 

[Disco Dew]

He’s setting us up so he can lay into us. Its not a realistic prediction.

You don't think 8 wins is realistic? Thats ****ing concerning. Although this is duck ever the optimist

I know we've struggled to get 8 wins over the last 3 seasons combined but surely it has to start clicking at some point. Why not this year?

As to kane, who gives a **** if he's attempting to set us up? is he wrong?

I don't know what my expectations are this year to be perfectly honest but another year like the last few will be a disaster for the club. I agree with what kingy said yesterday (i think) if this year is another stinker clarko probably needs to hand the keys back.

End rant.

 

[jezaroo]

We have had much bigger issues than Chom FFS

 

[The Nostradamus]

Chom to get all aus CHB this year

 

[Disco Dew]

We have had much bigger issues than Chom FFS

I was just happy to see the bloke string some games together.

Oh well...

 

[Chip Scab1]

It's the only thing that is left after jumping the shark.

The fact that anyone is here is really a good effort. That we have so many who give a toss bag is credit to us or indicative of the state of our lives, doesn't really bother me which one it is.

Jumping hoops, guns and sharks is all good by me, in fact, I'm all for it if done in club attire.

 

[Kangaroos4eva]

https://www.afl.com.au/news/1267092

NORTH Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson has tipped No.2 pick Finn O'Sullivan to make an instant impact at AFL level this season, as the club braces for tough midfielder George Wardlaw to miss at least the first four games of its campaign.

O'Sullivan has been a standout on the track for the Kangas this summer after arriving at the club last November, with the club set to develop the teenager in multiple roles before injecting him into a talented midfield group.

The former Oakleigh Chargers onballer has spent extended minutes playing on a wing in North Melbourne's match simulation drills, with the club also comfortable throwing O'Sullivan both forward and back.

It's set to be a role that O'Sullivan could take into a round one clash against the Western Bulldogs on March 15, with Clarkson hinting the youngster could earn his AFL debut early in the campaign.


"He's the old-fashioned utility," Clarkson told AFL.com.au from Arden Street this week.

"Because of his body frame, we think he's going to grow into a pretty strong lad and a flexible player. He's got that capability to play both on the inside and the outside, but probably – more than likely – in his first year or two it'll be more outside play. That'll be half-forward, wing, half-back.

Finn O'Sullivan poses for a photo during the Telstra AFL Draft on November 20, 2024. Picture: Getty Images

"Just over time, a little bit like Harry Sheezel and Colby McKercher and these types of guys, and a little bit like they've done with Nick Daicos too, you give these guys opportunities on the outside in their first year or two and just slowly infiltrate them through the middle of the ground where there's a bit more contest stuff.

"When their bodies are a bit stronger and they're used to the pace of the game, we'll probably do the same with Finn. But, given what we've seen over the summer, he'll be in really, really heavy contention to be playing early in the year."

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O'Sullivan's arrival has somewhat eased the blow of losing Wardlaw to another significant hamstring injury last month, with North Melbourne initially predicting that the 20-year-old would miss between 10 to 12 weeks with a "high-grade strain".

However, Clarkson has been impressed by Wardlaw's speedy recovery from the unfortunate setback and indicated the tough onballer could return after the side's first month of the season.

"It's a little bit early to know," Clarkson said.https://www.afl.com.au/
https://www.afl.com.au/


"I'm really surprised with how well he's progressed over the last week. I was so pleased that he bounced back into the footy club after those first four days, because it was pretty demoralising.

"When you work so hard to get your body right, then out of nowhere an injury comes and there's no sign of it and no indication whatsoever on whether something like that might happen, there's the initial disappointment to overcome. But then he bounces into the club.

"It's all depending on his attitude with these long-term injuries. You can turn a 12-week injury into a 10-week injury, just because you get back on the horse a little bit quicker and your attitude is so strong and you attack your rehab in the right manner and do all of the right things. By and large, that's what we've seen thus far.

"I think he's probably, more than likely, going to miss the first month of the season or thereabouts. I'd be hopeful that it's somewhere around round four, five or six that he'll be back playing footy."

George Wardlaw in action at a North Melbourne training session on January 13, 2025. Picture: North Melbourne FC


The setback was an unfortunate one for Wardlaw, who had worked tirelessly to maintain his fitness across the summer after sustaining multiple hamstring injuries both in his draft year and across his first season at Arden Street.

But Clarkson described the injury, sustained during a match simulation drill, as not something "anyone could cope with" and praised the manner with which the youngster has returned to the club to kickstart his rehab.

"It was a tough one," Clarkson said.

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"He had a really good preparation and he hadn't had any hamstring issues for about 18 months. His first year, we wrapped him up a little bit early because he had some hamstring tightness or maybe a slight strain. I reckon it was about round 17 or 18, so we wrapped him up for that year.

"He had a really good summer, then he progressed really well over the course of last year. He had a couple of hiccups in the back half of last year with concussion, but nothing to do with soft tissue.

George Wardlaw in action during the R20 match between North Melbourne and Geelong at Blundstone Arena on July 27, 2024. Picture: AFL Photos


"This one came out of the blue a little bit. It's a very, very different injury. He's such a dynamic player, George, he's so powerful from the knees to the hips. It's where he exerts all of his power from.

"To his defence, I don't think – in the mechanism to which he hurt his hamstring – I'm not sure anyone could cope with that. He was at such an angle, at such speed, picking up a groundball. He just put his body under enormous stress.

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"It's also that period of time, too, as we've seen with all clubs across the last two or three weeks – and we're going to see it for the next six or eight – it's not going to be until about the start of April or mid-April until the whole competition is conditioned to the rigours of AFL football. We're really fit, strong, running-wise in the gym through October, November, December, January. But it's a different level of fitness all together in February and March, going into April.

"George was vulnerable to that, just like 670 others are going to be over the next eight weeks. He was really, really disappointed when it first happened, as any player is when they get injured. Particularly after they've done a mountain of work over the summer.

"But we fortunately had a four-day break and he had a chance to get away from the club, spend some time with his family. By the time he came back on the Monday, he just rolled the sleeves up and got to work with his rehab."