Bigman’s Training Reports

[WeeBlake]

Be interesting to see what they do with Dawson if he struggles through preseason. Will they throw him into the middle underdone from round one, or will they give him time to get his body right?

 

[WetCrow1991]

We were hopeless against West Coast and North Melbourne in the lead up to finals.

And some of our best late season wins came with conceding a huge number of I50s, being efficient up forward with limited supply and getting beaten in stoppages. We hung on grimly for wins on those occasions but it wasn't a long-term winning formula as September proved. In hindsight, the writing was on the wall.

Historically we tend to make excuses for these big stage flops instead of examining game plan, selection, coaching staff or playing personnel.

Laird's 30 touches against the Hawks were really valuable, his work on ball, and great decision making really helped us create scoring opportunities.

Really need to get the ball in his hands as much as possible!

 

[WheresGroomgone]

Maybe Balme has had an actual effect with no Murph or Smith.

Like we literally CANNOT select them.

This could be the magic we've been waiting for.




Nek minnit - what if they nominate for the MSD? Glorious!

Nope Smith signed up for Streaky Bay Hawks!

 

[cmndstab]

WHAT ELSE CAUGHT THE EYE​

With Ah Chee now at the club, nearly all of the Crows list was on the track.

Captain Jordan Dawson was out there after he was one of only a handful of senior players who did not report for day one of pre-season last week.

Izak Rankine only walked a lap or two before going inside but the Crows have said it is nothing serious.

Last year’s top draftee Sid Draper was inside as he deals with a back issue.

Fellow draftee from last year Tyler Welsh looks to have gotten leaner after his first season at AFL level.

bigman breaking news again. The newspapers should pay him a retainer!

 

[ams4crows]

Be interesting to see what they do with Dawson if he struggles through preseason. Will they throw him into the middle underdone from round one, or will they give him time to get his body right?

If it was so bad why not send him in for surgery? Or is it stress fracture related?

 

[kirky]

With the new rules about last touch do you think it's strange that there seems to be a fair bit of training regarding wing work as compared to corridor work.

Its not last touch, it is last disposal between the arcs. Big difference.

 

[Mutineer]

If it was so bad why not send him in for surgery? Or is it stress fracture related?

Surgery from what I've read is a last resort for "Pars Defect" (spondylitis)

Pars Defect | My Physio My Health

Pars defect is a condition where there is a defect or fracture in a small, thin portion of the vertebra called the pars interarticularis.

www.myphysiomyhealth.com.au

 

[BRL121]

Surgery from what I've read is a last resort for "Pars Defect" (spondylitis)

Pars Defect | My Physio My Health

Pars defect is a condition where there is a defect or fracture in a small, thin portion of the vertebra called the pars interarticularis.

www.myphysiomyhealth.com.au

I think he's referring to Dawson.

 

[Syd Crow]

Nope Smith signed up for Streaky Bay Hawks!

 

[Mutineer]

I think he's referring to Dawson.

Probably the same applies if that's the case.

 

[jenny61_99]

Mismanaged groin issues.

Burgo got it wrong?

 

[adelaidecrows]

Surely someone in here knows something?

Draper is a persistent over trainer and fitness fanatic. It would not be a stretch to conclude that the dude over did it. I wouldnt be worried. They are likely managing him until after christmas so he can recover. Fitness isnt his problem nor will he lose anything. The problem with some players is they do too much and they require management.

 

[adelaidecrows]

Ours have well and truly used theirs

They are on maximum handicap

 

[Thylacinus]

Have I missed something? Are there real long term injury issues with Dawson?

 

[Peter Doherty]

Have I missed something? Are there real long term injury issues with Dawson?

What makes you say that? Looks like he was at training today.

 

[Thylacinus]

What makes you say that? Looks like he was at training today.


View attachment 2489198

Cool. It was WeeBlakes comment at the top of this current Page in Bigmans Training Report that triggered the reaction. He wrote: "Be interesting to see what they do with Dawson if he struggles through preseason. Will they throw him into the middle underdone from round one, or will they give him time to get his body right?"

 

[dylan123]

13. Walker - I know he’s got nothing to prove (and looks in good nick) but I still think if you’re fit enough, you still do the time trial. I wonder if Burgo would’ve allowed the same leeway?

Don't suppose he's looking any leaner? With us taking him out of the forward 50 ruck last season, the need to be as big doesn't feel like it's there. Doubt it changes at this stage in his career but one can hope.

 

[1970crow]

I think there is a clear answer as to why we fell away, fitness.
The boys were absolutely cooked come the first two finals, add in the mental toll the whole Rankine saga the week before probably took on the group.

This year I think we will see a lot more rotations through the midfield to find the right balance and more players being rested throughout the year. Dawson battling a leg issue, Rankine being out made us rely on players such as Laird and Keays who had barely played midfield all year add that to Berry being more of a mainstay rather than a rotation.

McKeown will be working on this.

I think you’re spot on identifying the issues but I highly doubt we’ll see the change in the shallow midfield and continuity credits philosophies. And why would McKeown be on this? Wasn’t Burgess the best, if he didn’t have influence, why would the new bloke?

 

[1970crow]

So, is Draper still having problems from the pars defect?

Whisper I heard is his groins are shredded, shouldn’t have finished the season last year.

 

[spenze]

Burgo got it wrong?

Everyone is human

 

[1970crow]

Burgo got it wrong?

Ask Crouch, Soligo or Dawson.

 

[Slim258]

I think you’re spot on identifying the issues but I highly doubt we’ll see the change in the shallow midfield and continuity credits philosophies. And why would McKeown be on this? Wasn’t Burgess the best, if he didn’t have influence, why would the new bloke?

Rose colored glasses but as professionals in the industry, I am hope they can identify in the end of year review, the same thing that I could as I sit on my couch drinking beer

 

[1970crow]

Rose colored glasses but as professionals in the industry, I am hope they can identify in the end of year review, the same thing that I could as I sit on my couch drinking beer

If you go back to when we recruited Burgess, it was said a bit that he’d fix that. Reality is that the coaches do selection and the other guys prepare the group physically. If a player is injured, it’s still the old docs and fitness test. And even then, depending on the importance/experience level of the player, their view carries a lot of weight.

 

[Betts are off]

Im genuinely so excited about the trajectory of Dan Curtin.

Having him and Dawson at their peaks for 4-5 years together to rotate through the midfield/fwd is like playing chess with 2 Queens on the board.

It should be the most problematic matchup for oppo coaches each and every week.

 

[Not Darryl Moss]

No no, my point is - as much as we all want Rankine up in the midfield, having him in the forward line (along with Ah Chee) makes us look much more quicker and dynamic.

With Tex AND Fog in same forward line we just look slow...

CACH can always cover in the forward line, but it'd be a crime not to play him in a mid role given that is our biggest weakness into 2026 - except for ruck maybe... CACH as catch can?