Training Training updates 2026.

[partypie]

Maybe it's a terminology thing. To me, difficult to pin down in a tackle suggests you can hold onto the footy under pressure and either break through tackles or dodge them. I haven't seen Allan play that way at all. He gets rid of it, often in a rush, when a tackler is bearing down.

Yeah maybe we have two different interpretations on that one, Ed is never going to be the brute force break through tackles or be elusive enough to slip through when tacklers have their hands on him (although he's not bad at that either), but he does appear to have enough core strength and size to stand up in tackles long enough to get the ball out and does seem to be able to accelerate out of congestion and away from would-be tacklers pretty well, or at least that's the impression I've got.

Where I'm biggest on him though is the 2-3 games last year where literally everyone looked stuffed while he was still running on top of the ground and linking up on the near side wing and we desperately need that running and link up play going forward.

The bloke in the middle of a chain of possession doesn't always have the "sexy" highlights (ie. intercepting / winning the ball down back or clunking them / hitting the scoreboard up forward), but without those link-up types through the middle trying to break the lines footy as it is played today becomes a lot more difficult.

 

[WanderingDude]

I'll edit it.

I’m trying to reform as per Vicky Parks wise words. I do it all the time, I overuse edit. I only mentioned it because I’m an expert (edit past here) at not putting players name or context .

 

[WanderingDude]

Dees did pretty bloody well out of recruiting kpd from other clubs, as did Hawks before them. We've had a recent history of cheap successes in Dunn and Roughy. The blokes you've listed might have been high profile, but they weren't highly rated except perhaps for potential.

The problem is demand and supply. The availability of good options appears to be limited. The prices paid is an issue. The hawks and Melbourne have done well. But the cost for Melbourne was high and the equivalent today would be higher.

 

[PieBeast]

Some of you are being way too harsh on Allan, I reckon he's every chance to make it.



At Lacrosse or Polo.

 

[sr36]

Yeah maybe we have two different interpretations on that one, Ed is never going to be the brute force break through tackles or be elusive enough to slip through when tacklers have their hands on him (although he's not bad at that either), but he does appear to have enough core strength and size to stand up in tackles long enough to get the ball out and does seem to be able to accelerate out of congestion and away from would-be tacklers pretty well, or at least that's the impression I've got.

Where I'm biggest on him though is the 2-3 games last year where literally everyone looked stuffed while he was still running on top of the ground and linking up on the near side wing and we desperately need that running and link up play going forward.

The bloke in the middle of a chain of possession doesn't always have the "sexy" highlights (ie. intercepting / winning the ball down back or clunking them / hitting the scoreboard up forward), but without those link-up types through the middle trying to break the lines footy as it is played today becomes a lot more difficult.

I agree with all of that. Allan is an outstanding runner. If he tidies up his ball use and gets better in a defensive contest he'll become a valuable player. They're big ifs though.

 

[Jen2310]

Training - Friday, December 12th.

Pretty much a full squad.

• Lippa
• JDG
• IQ
• Maynard
• Josh D *
• Schultz
• Houston *
• Mcstay
• Perryman
• Demattia
• Cameron
• Parker
• Allan
• Frampton
• Prindable
• TJ *
• Smit
• Steene
• Sidey
• Hill *
• Ryan
• Crisp
• Reef *
• Cochran
• Membrey
• West
• Moore *
• Swadling
• Sullivan *
• Buller
• Nick D
• Harrison
• McCarthy
• Howe
• Hayes
• Howes
• Anderson
• Saxena
• Long
• Steele

+
Will Phillips
Oskar Faulkhead
Ed Perryman

Jamie, Pendles and Beau were MIA

* Means those in rehab or partially (like Reef, TJ, Sullivan, Moore who did most things but not match sim)

+ Reef almost 9 months post ACL is now in 98% of drills. Basically everything but match sim. I would think post xmas, he'll be back in full training.
But in the stuff he was involved in, as close to match sim he could get, he played a higher defence role. Using his pace to take the game on and run down the ground.

+ Lippa was pretty proactive playing through the midfield as he provided strong running capability and was involved in a lot of chains as they worked on moving the ball with efficency.

+ Howes is out of rehab and looked like he was lining up in the forward line. I know there was questions where they would play him after them training him a little in defence at the end of the season.

+ It was Josh's first time on the track and he was very much in rehab, looked to be going very slowly whatever the issue is. Could be his foot that he usually has trouble with at the start of preseason the last couple seasons. Just did some slow running and bit of agility work

+ After it coming out about Bobby's hamstring issue, it makes sense why he had only been doing running last few sessions.

+ Houston still in rehab, but now starting to participate in non contract drills, so he's slowly making progress from his recovery

+ Mcstay looked good. He was more or less out of rehab, doing a lot of match play. He was clunking strong marks and providing a good lead up.

+ Prindable has very strong hands as he can mark contested for a mid. His strong work ethic was noticeble.

+ Westy was generally one of the preferred targets up forward as he looks fitter, using his pace off the mark to lead up to the ball.

+ With Buller, I think people will be pleased with this recruit. He seems really athletic and mobile for someone his size. Has good hands and was proving good leads up in the forward line. Havent seen either him or mcstay doing any ruck work, so it'll be interesting what they plan to do with the 2nd ruck role.

+ Swadling's work ethic to get from contest to contest is one of the things thats very noticeable when you watch him.

+ Ned Long's running capability, work rate and good hands stood out. Some of his handballs were crazy, in a good way (getting some tips from Nick). Looks like he's been working on some things in the off season.

 

[Apex36]

I saw nothing in Reef’s games last season
that showed he was anything like Murphy.

Hard to tell either way tbh, how much can you get from 1 and a bit games?

 

[WanderingDude]

Thanks for the report.
I am disappointed at where Houston and Hill are, that is not disappointed in them.
Buller sounds very good, just what was needed post Cox and Checkers. A long way to go.
Another step up from Long would be huge. His attitude appears excellent, so every chance.
Reef and Lippa up and about are good signs.
Can their Christmas break be moved to next Christmas? I don’t want them to stop. Kinda like a bank branch closure, your not loosing your branch, we are just moving its services to a suburb two suburbs away.

 

[sr36]

Training - Friday, December 12th.

Pretty much a full squad.

• Lippa
• JDG
• IQ
• Maynard
• Josh D *
• Schultz
• Houston *
• Mcstay
• Perryman
• Demattia
• Cameron
• Parker
• Allan
• Frampton
• Prindable
• TJ *
• Smit
• Steene
• Sidey
• Hill *
• Ryan
• Crisp
• Reef *
• Cochran
• Membrey
• West
• Moore *
• Swadling
• Sullivan *
• Buller
• Nick D
• Harrison
• McCarthy
• Howe
• Hayes
• Howes
• Anderson
• Saxena
• Long
• Steele

+
Will Phillips
Oskar Faulkhead
Ed Perryman

Jamie, Pendles and Beau were MIA

* Means those in rehab or partially (like Reef, TJ, Sullivan, Moore who did most things but not match sim)

+ Reef almost 9 months post ACL is now in 98% of drills. Basically everything but match sim. I would think post xmas, he'll be back in full training.
But in the stuff he was involved in, as close to match sim he could get, he played a higher defence role. Using his pace to take the game on and run down the ground.

+ Lippa was pretty proactive playing through the midfield as he provided strong running capability and was involved in a lot of chains as they worked on moving the ball with efficency.

+ Howes is out of rehab and looked like he was lining up in the forward line. I know there was questions where they would play him after them training him a little in defence at the end of the season.

+ It was Josh's first time on the track and he was very much in rehab, looked to be going very slowly whatever the issue is. Could be his foot that he usually has trouble with at the start of preseason the last couple seasons. Just did some slow running and bit of agility work

+ After it coming out about Bobby's hamstring issue, it makes sense why he had only been doing running last few sessions.

+ Houston still in rehab, but now starting to participate in non contract drills, so he's slowly making progress from his recovery

+ Mcstay looked good. He was more or less out of rehab, doing a lot of match play. He was clunking strong marks and providing a good lead up.

+ Prindable has very strong hands as he can mark contested for a mid. His strong work ethic was noticeble.

+ Westy was generally one of the preferred targets up forward as he looks fitter, using his pace off the mark to lead up to the ball.

+ With Buller, I think people will be pleased with this recruit. He seems really athletic and mobile for someone his size. Has good hands and was proving good leads up in the forward line. Havent seen either him or mcstay doing any ruck work, so it'll be interesting what they plan to do with the 2nd ruck role.

+ Swadling's work ethic to get from contest to contest is one of the things thats very noticeable when you watch him.

+ Ned Long's running capability, work rate and good hands stood out. Some of his handballs were crazy, in a good way (getting some tips from Nick). Looks like he's been working on some things in the off season.

Reef playing a different role could be to do with Billy Frampton having a better year last year. Or it might be still to do with his knee and not wanting him in push and shove wrestling situations. Although I see him more suited to a Maynard style role, so I'd be happy to see it continue.

 

[sr36]

Hard to tell either way tbh, how much can you get from 1 and a bit games?

The best sign was a two year extension - 5th year - yet to establish himself with a run of senior games - two years in that situation would be incredibly rare - it was a big show of confidence from the list manager.

 

[Jen2310]

Reef playing a different role could be to do with Billy Frampton having a better year last year. Or it might be still to do with his knee and not wanting him in push and shove wrestling situations. Although I see him more suited to a Maynard style role, so I'd be happy to see it continue.

Or maybe they know prefer him to have a third tall role rather than have the responsibility of that key back role. Or one that would be better to utilise his strengths. Hard to know. But its early days in his come back.
Will get a better picture when he is in full training, which is close
Whatever the reason, I do like this running/ run and carry role up the field for him.

 

[sr36]

Whatever the reason, I do like this running/ run and carry role up the field for him.

The question would be ball use. I think using his pace defensively to close down space and impact defensive contests is a safer bet.

 

[sr36]

The problem is demand and supply. The availability of good options appears to be limited. The prices paid is an issue. The hawks and Melbourne have done well. But the cost for Melbourne was high and the equivalent today would be higher.

Yeah. Like forward pocket it's had a big re-rating as a position of greater importance with far more expected of them and decent prospects cost a lot.

 

[manicpie]

Yeah. Like forward pocket it's had a big re-rating as a position of greater importance with far more expected of them and decent prospects cost a lot.

They would be on par with key forwards now. Especially the good ones

 

[WanderingDude]

They would be on par with key forwards now. Especially the good ones

Yep, Carlton mates have it right. Small forwards are about kicking goals and kicking goals. It’s why Collingwood paying a fortune for Shultz was an error in judgement. Owies on the other hand is a star who kicks goals and delivers what’s needed, for WC.

Joy in the world can be magnificent. Shultz on the market now would be worth more than we paid and is growing.

 

[sr36]

They would be on par with key forwards now. Especially the good ones

I think they're even more important. Darcy and Thilthorpe may change that opinion over the coming years though.

 

[sr36]

I’m trying to reform as per Vicky Parks wise words. I do it all the time, I overuse edit. I only mentioned it because I’m an expert (edit past here) at not putting players name or context .

It's hard to tell whether Vicky Park is providing a valuable service and raising standards or whether she's a name nazi akin to that grammar nazi NMBB.

 

[WanderingDude]

It's hard to tell whether Vicky Park is providing a valuable service and raising standards or whether she's a name nazi akin to that grammar nazi NMBB.

No grammar nazi is going to influence my failings, I just can’t be helped. I would not enjoy being on the receiving end of a VP outburst. Otherwise observing them land is magical.

 

[Vicky Park]

It’s not that difficult to insert the name of the player into a post. Really.

You all need to try harder.

 

[sr36]

It’s not that difficult to insert the name of the player into a post. Really.

You all need to try harder.

Think of it as a challenge. I used to write reading comprehensions and one of the things you build in is how far back they can reference a pronoun - admittedly we never looked at 6 pages back.

 

[jmac70]

It’s not that difficult to insert the name of the player into a post. Really.

You all need to try harder.

 

[granniewolf]

It's hard to tell whether Vicky Park is providing a valuable service and raising standards or whether she's a name nazi akin to that grammar nazi NMBB.

So, Vicky Park is a she?
At times it's hard to figure out the gender of some posters.

 

[sr36]

So, Vicky Park is a she?
At times it's hard to figure out the gender of some posters.

You can tell because WanderingDude and I edited our posts and put in the names. If she was a man, we would have gotten into a heated argument about our god given rights to use pronouns.

 

[granniewolf]

You can tell because WanderingDude and I edited our posts and put in the names. If she was a man, we would have gotten into a heated argument about our god given rights to use pronouns.

Hahahahaha, that's what I thought, however, she might not have noticed.

 

[WanderingDude]

Hahahahaha, that's what I thought, however, she might not have noticed.

VP is probably preparing to deliver.