Bigman’s Training Reports

[Golumless]

From memory our record with Butts in the side last year was pretty good too? He really stepped up - start of last year I had him sitting between Murray and Borlase as second option but he really upped his game and was unlucky to finish the year out of the side. Thought he was probably better than Murray tbh and looked both bigger and more mobile. I can see a situation where we need both in the side for some games where opposition sides are running with two massive forwards.

There is no situation, barring a where we're forced to due to many injuries, where both are needed. They're both waaaayyyy too shit offensively, and defenses are built around gun tall interceptors.

Even against the tall monsters, you are always better off just treating it that Keane/Worrell will do their thing against their second forward.

 

[Not Darryl Moss]

You upset the apricot slice brigade by stating facts.

It's not facts, it's opinion (until the end bit in brackets).

 

[Pugsley]

It's not facts, it's opinion (until the end bit in brackets).

I'm going to call you not Clive Moore

 

[jimvic]

There is no situation, barring a where we're forced to due to many injuries, where both are needed. They're both waaaayyyy too shit offensively, and defenses are built around gun tall interceptors.

Even against the tall monsters, you are always better off just treating it that Keane/Worrell will do their thing against their second forward.

Will be interesting to see how Murray goes with a bit more game time under his belt coming back from his knee injury. I wouldn't rub him out just yet

 

[Betts are off]

Will be interesting to see how Murray goes with a bit more game time under his belt coming back from his knee injury. I wouldn't rub him out just yet

Im a big Nick Murray fan. At his best he's shown himself to be a very tough and fearless opponent with shockingly explosive traits.

I still wonder whether his Kamikaze attack on the footy could be used elsewhere. 2nd Ruck, or forward (the kind who crashes the back of intercepting defenders).

 

[MarcusP2]

Yep I’m happy we are practising boundary line clearances with the last touch rule coming in

How many balls actually go out of bounds between the arcs directly off a handball or kick that aren't already called insufficient? AFL had it at 3 per game in their analysis. Stoppage numbers would've been at the 2023 average.

 

[George CantStandYa]

How many balls actually go out of bounds between the arcs directly off a handball or kick that aren't already called insufficient? AFL had it at 3 per game in their analysis. Stoppage numbers would've been at the 2023 average.

How many would be genuine boundary line throw ins now?

 

[MarcusP2]

How many would be genuine boundary line throw ins now?

3 less than there was this year?

 

[George CantStandYa]

3 less than there was this year?

Which is how much?

 

[Jcpdragonx]

Fascinated to see how the Keane-Butts-Murray battle for 2 KPD spots progresses in 2026.

Before last year started I didnt have had Butts in the mix for best 22. But its hard to deny how good we look with him in the side. Freed Keane and Worrell up to be so much more damaging.

From the Bigman files, hes probably performing the best of the 3 to date in preseason.

Feel like Murray is the player in danger right now.

Butts should have taken his place last year, but Nicks already has the pecking order instilled in his brain.

 

[MarcusP2]

Which is how much?

17, down from 20. Approximately 25% of all stoppages.

 

[Cromulant]

17, down from 20. Approximately 25% of all stoppages.

Less than 20% actually

 

[Golumless]

Will be interesting to see how Murray goes with a bit more game time under his belt coming back from his knee injury. I wouldn't rub him out just yet

Not only wouldn't I, but it's not even a debate in my mind between the two.

 

[Pugsley]

Not only wouldn't I, but it's not even a debate in my mind between the two.

 

[StonesThrow]

Murray's form before doing his knee was better than anything Butts has produced. He was dynamic, not just a lock down defender.

 

[Truck25]

Murray's form before doing his knee was better than anything Butts has produced. He was dynamic, not just a lock down defender.

Agree, I had Murray before Butts as well, I think it might come down to who we play, if the oppo have a smaller forward line then Murray, if it is taller then Butts

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Murray's form before doing his knee was better than anything Butts has produced. He was dynamic, not just a lock down defender.

Hopefully Murray can get back to his best next season.

Imo, we should have managed him & Butts better last year.

 

[Mutineer]

Agree, I had Murray before Butts as well, I think it might come down to who we play, if the oppo have a smaller forward line then Murray, if it is taller then Butts

That doesn't seem to be how Nick's and the coaches work though, Murray seems to be their preferred player over Butts but my feel is Butts, Keane, Worrell is the best mix for us.

 

[conVINCEd]

In the 2023 Gather Round opener v Carlton, Nick Murray was herculean. Looked imposing and dominant.

Hasn’t got back to that level since the knees and Butts was clearly the better option in ‘25.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Agree, I had Murray before Butts as well, I think it might come down to who we play, if the oppo have a smaller forward line then Murray, if it is taller then Butts

Should be horses for courses depending on both form & opposition matchups.

 

[Jetwa5h]

Hopefully Murray can get back to his best next season.

Imo, we should have managed him & Butts better last year.

Id like to see some form of rotation maybe as a management exercise between Butts, Murry & Keane

 

[George CantStandYa]

Murray's form before doing his knee was better than anything Butts has produced. He was dynamic, not just a lock down defender.

That was before Keane came on the scene, a better balance is Keane able to play looser, with Butts locking down on their best forward.

 

[Truck25]

That doesn't seem to be how Nick's and the coaches work though, Murray seems to be their preferred player over Butts but my feel is Butts, Keane, Worrell is the best mix for us.

I think you know what you get with Butts, just a dour defender. But when Muzz is in the zone he is a better defender and great to watch, he's a wall, oppo players get nervous (probably some of our guys too), could be a knee to the kidney coming. I love that. but he does have quieter games.

 

[BRL121]

I think you know what you get with Butts, just a dour defender. But when Muzz is in the zone he is a better defender and great to watch, he's a wall, oppo players get nervous (probably some of our guys too), could be a knee to the kidney coming. I love that. but he does have quieter games.

The trouble is that he has zero agility and the turning circle of a Mack truck since his injury. He looks embarrassing out there when required to change direction.

 

[Mutineer]

I think you know what you get with Butts, just a dour defender. But when Muzz is in the zone he is a better defender and great to watch, he's a wall, oppo players get nervous (probably some of our guys too), could be a knee to the kidney coming. I love that. but he does have quieter games.

I seriously doubt he's a better defender, sure he's more attacking but I still think Butts, Keane, Worrell is our best mix of tall defenders.