Training Axeman’s training reports and discussion thread

[Tasmaniac]

I've been a bit concerned I've read at least 2 comments saying that Mitch Lewis was good on the lead & mark, but not good on the standing contested mark.

That's a pretty large limitation for a 198 cm forward.

Midfielders can't be expected to hit him up on the lead all the time.

Maybe I'm projecting too much on a couple of comments.

 

[kazzooka]

I've been a bit concerned I've read at least 2 comments saying that Mitch Lewis was good on the lead & mark, but not good on the standing contested mark.

That's a pretty large limitation for a 198 cm forward.

Midfielders can't be expected to hit him up on the lead all the time.

Maybe I'm projecting too much on a couple of comments.

Yeah, the big guys job is to crash packs and win one on ones.

No point in the big guy doing the leading bruest and wingard can do that just as well.

 

[westhawk]

Yeah, the big guys job is to crash packs and win one on ones.

No point in the big guy doing the leading bruest and wingard can do that just as well.

Taking pack marks will come as he gets older and stronger, only a young kid at the moment. He will eventually clunk pack marks

 

[hfc70]

Thanks HH for a comprehensive report on training - greatly appreciated in this boring period.

One would assume Reeve will be offered a spot on our list going by recent reports.

Scully up & running (that’s some serious running) gives us all how it will be sooner rather than later that he will be playing footy

The appearance of TOM cannot be understated - by players & supporters alike. The guy is next level when it comes to professionalism. Will be very interesting to see how his recovery ends up

Like a few have already said - would love to see Lewis cement a spot in the forward line, something that we are screaming out for.

Exciting times - let’s hope it’s another teams turn to have poor luck in injuries as I think we have definitely had our fair share (and then some)
Can’t wait for the contra club

 

[LegendLewis]

Hey Axe and HH, thanks for the training reports!
I have been reading some other club boards and yours are by far superior in quality and detail! TY
I was wondering if you have noticed whats happening in the midfield training without TMitch? Are they giving Cousins a go to be the in and under feeder? Does he look like he may make it? Or do you think they are going to go for Howe or?? TBH I can't work out what our midfield set up will look like this year!
Cheers

 

[Easy Slips Catch]

I've been a bit concerned I've read at least 2 comments saying that Mitch Lewis was good on the lead & mark, but not good on the standing contested mark....

The extra muscle will make a world of difference. Lewis does pick up the flight of the ball early. He gets blocked and infringed in just about every marking contest in the VFL. Defenders rate him.

 

[The_Axeman]

Hey Axe and HH, thanks for the training reports!
I have been reading some other club boards and yours are by far superior in quality and detail! TY
I was wondering if you have noticed whats happening in the midfield training without TMitch? Are they giving Cousins a go to be the in and under feeder? Does he look like he may make it? Or do you think they are going to go for Howe or?? TBH I can't work out what our midfield set up will look like this year!
Cheers

Thanks LL.
Cousins, Howe & Worpel are all training with the midfeild, as is Harry Jones. Harry Morrison has also been doing some center clearance work wiht the rucks and onballers. For my money, Cousins is in prime position to take on the Mitchell role. He is very much an in and under player and seems to be generating good synergy with O'meara as his release option. Howe is playing the role of the big bodied, battering ram type player, helping to make space for Cousins, Worpel and Shiels. I think botth Cousins & Howe will be prominent this year and Worpel will go up a notch or two.

 

[Luv_our_club]

There were many positives to take away from training this morning however seeing Tom Mitchell walking down the steps was a sight to behold. The fact that Tom walked down the steps rather than take the elevator and walk down the race was amazing enough before he walked up the steps after spending close to 90 minutes on the ground. After the hand ball drills Tom did some stretching and took off his support bandage prior to leaving the ground.

The full list trained along with Jed Reeves. The rehab/work load group involved hand ball drills in a circle before pairings with Mitchell/Bruest, Birchall/Scully and Wingard/Scrimshaw. Scully was the standout with an exercise involving one player hand balling a football between two tennis balls thrown by the other player. However after watching O'Meara before Christmas his ball handling skills are elite and from another planet. Kosi trained separately and is often on an individual program.

Here are my brief thoughts on the players that caught my attention today:
Morrison - Looks stronger over the ball, reads the game well, makes good decisions and uses the ball well. ***
Roughhead - Slimmer and running with more freedom and pace. ***
Impey - Clean and fast and loving life. Second year and ready to fire. ***
Worpel - Very strong in the contest and is a natural footballer. Whilst not an elite kick he generally kicks to advantage. ***
Sicily - Elite reading and skills and the surprise was he applied pressure to the forwards. ***
McEvoy - Trim and moving very well. Palming to advantage was good.
Lewis - There is a lot to like with his clean marking when on a lead and accurate kicking. Deceptively mobile for 198 cms. Game plan the key.
Burgoyne - Nothing seems to have changed.
O'Meara - Magnificent and moving with freedom. ***
Nash - Has been working hard on his goal kicking and is improving his conversion. Very good one on one so I'd like to see him in a defensive role until he can better read the play.
Frawley - Solid with some very good spoils with late closing on the opponent.
Glass - Stronger and appears more balanced and composed. Learning to read the game is the key.
Smith - Showing leadership and regularly breaking the lines.
Howe - Very strong in the packs and improved ball security and disposal by foot. ***
Schoenmakers - Looks leaner and moved very well today. Did not seem to be restricted. marking and kicking very good.
Pittonet - Stronger and getting to more contests to make a path for ball carriers.
Jiath - Does the spectacular but needs to be more consistent. I like the way he takes the game on but sometimes gets ahead of himself.
Brand - Had a really good session him good reading of the flight and ability to break away. Played back and forward roles.
Mirra - Very solid and reliable. Reads and understands the game. ***
Walker - Looked very good with speed, ball handling and use by foot. Seems to read the game well and is a good prospect.
Jones - Won a lot of the ball with good reading and hard running. Is strong in the contest. Is working hard on his disposal by foot.
Golds - Very impressive. Think Tom Schneider however with pace and a very good kick.

*** equals confident will improve this season.

Thanks HH.

From your memory, or next time you are at the track, i would love an few words on Ricky H. Cheers.

 

[houdinihuddo]

Thanks HH.

From your memory, or next time you are at the track, i would love an few words on Ricky H. Cheers.

Hendo is a contradiction. You don't really notice him and yet he is always running hard and linking up in attacking positions. He flies under the radar and I think his value is generally underated.
LL, I agree with Axe. I'm excited by the opportunity presented to the likes of Worpel, Howe and Cousins whilst Tom is missing. I can see a long term gain.

 

[Bugs1977]

Hendo is a contradiction. You don't really notice him and yet he is always running hard and linking up in attacking positions. He flies under the radar and I think his value is generally underated.
LL, I agree with Axe. I'm excited by the opportunity presented to the likes of Worpel, Howe and Cousins whilst Tom is missing. I can see a long term gain.

Hendo will end up being an important cog to the team this season just due to his positional flexibility. I can see Hendo, Scully, Smith, Impey and Morrison all rotating from the wings to on the ball and even through the back line. With Tom out for the year Hendo I feel becomes very important as he can play anywhere between the HB and HF lines.

I know everyone is counting us out this season but I feel that even though we won't be as good without Tom, we'll definitely be different and by this I mean a lot faster with the run a carry of the ball. All this however will be highly dependent on the fitness of Scully and Birchall. If those two keep tracking along nicely then we might just shock all the doubters who are counting us out. It will be very interesting to read these training reports over the next 6-7 weeks to see how those guys are tracking. Fingers crossed.

 

[Luv_our_club]

Hendo was one of our best players in the finals, and had a huge impact in games during the year. He is really tall for a mid and he is hard to tackle, and he runs all day, and he finishes in front of goal so well. I can see him in our best team for the next 5 years, defying his age.

He must be camera shy. I haven't seen him on Hawks.com all preseason (or i couldn't recognise him)

 

[Argy]

I miss Lake

Come to think of it - this 2015 backline was a bit good hey?

Stratton Lake Burgoyne
Birchall Frawley Gibson

Hodge

Bloody hell

Yep. I just finished watching the 2015 Granny again. Not too shabby.

 

[Argy]

I've been a bit concerned I've read at least 2 comments saying that Mitch Lewis was good on the lead & mark, but not good on the standing contested mark.

That's a pretty large limitation for a 198 cm forward.

Midfielders can't be expected to hit him up on the lead all the time.

Maybe I'm projecting too much on a couple of comments.

Plus, the way the game is played nowadays, forwards "lead" backwards into space toward the goals.

 

[Mojo]

Thanks LL.
Cousins, Howe & Worpel are all training with the midfeild, as is Harry Jones. Harry Morrison has also been doing some center clearance work wiht the rucks and onballers. For my money, Cousins is in prime position to take on the Mitchell role. He is very much an in and under player and seems to be generating good synergy with O'meara as his release option. Howe is playing the role of the big bodied, battering ram type player, helping to make space for Cousins, Worpel and Shiels. I think botth Cousins & Howe will be prominent this year and Worpel will go up a notch or two.

I tend to agree. I'm a little worried by the.. shall we say lack of IQ in the middle, with Tom going down - Cousins and Howe don't fill me with confidence lining up in the middle compared to what we've had in the past.

 

[Mojo]

Hendo was one of our best players in the finals, and had a huge impact in games during the year. He is really tall for a mid and he is hard to tackle, and he runs all day, and he finishes in front of goal so well. I can see him in our best team for the next 5 years, defying his age.

He must be camera shy. I haven't seen him on Hawks.com all preseason (or i couldn't recognise him)

Hendo offers two things: run & scoring ability.

We looked much more destructive when he played in 2018 - his ability to offer leads and make space, then to finish off in front of goal every game was pivotal with our lack of run and experience last year.

 

[Billyc]

Let’s be honest guys - our midfield brigade is going to be among the weakest in the comp in 2019. We had a superstar in 2018 but it was paper thin beyond Mitchell.

Jaeger is good, could be very good but his body is far from reliable. Worpel is a promising kid. Howe, Cousins, Sheils are triers. Unless Wingard can play huge midfield minutes and both he and Jaeger can take their games and fitness to elite levels, no side is going to be worried about our midfield. The success of our 2019 campaign will be more around what game plan Clarko comes up with in spite of our weak midfield.

What I’m most interested to hear about is any interesting tactical observations from training as to how we might do that.

 

[Leather Poisoning]

Mitchell out, Wingard and Scully in.

Would love all three to be playing but the best 22 has net gain despite losing Mitchell.

Wingard will be a midfielder for us this year. I thought it before the Mitchell injury but now that Tom's out then it'll be JOM and Wingerz + support crew.

 

[Bugs1977]

Mitchell out, Wingard and Scully in.

Would love all three to be playing but the best 22 has net gain despite losing Mitchell.

Wingard will be a midfielder for us this year. I thought it before the Mitchell injury but now that Tom's out then it'll be JOM and Wingerz + support crew.

As I said in earlier post today, I don’t know if we’ll be better but we’ll most certainly be different. The ace in the pack is Scully and hopefully Birch too.

This is effectively our losses / gains:
Out: Mitchell, Burton, Duryea
In: Wingard, Birchall, Scully, Scrimshaw, Minchington

Do the gains outway the losses or vice versa? We won’t know until mid season and I wouldn’t be surprised to see us either side of the top 8. Either way it’s going to be fun / interesting to see what Clarko does to plug the holes in our leaking ship.

 

[Billyc]

Mitchell out, Wingard and Scully in.

Would love all three to be playing but the best 22 has net gain despite losing Mitchell.

Wingard will be a midfielder for us this year. I thought it before the Mitchell injury but now that Tom's out then it'll be JOM and Wingerz + support crew.

Certainly if we get scully up and firing that will make a big difference. But that is a big if. As is Jaeger’s body holding up as a number 1 midfielder. We are going into the season with very little margin for error. One or two more injuries and the midfield is disastrously weak.

My suspicion is we will see just how much Mitchell was holding us up last year though.

 

[TylerDurden]

Certainly if we get scully up and firing that will make a big difference. But that is a big if. As is Jaeger’s body holding up as a number 1 midfielder. We are going into the season with very little margin for error. One or two more injuries and the midfield is disastrously weak.

My suspicion is we will see just how much Mitchell was holding us up last year though.

This.

You only have to compare to the depth other teams have.

For example, Pies: Pendles, Beams, Sidebottom, Treloar.

Sure, Cuz and Howe will get a crack. But we are gonna come up against some talented and hardened midfield units this year. At times, it won’t be pretty without Mitch.

 

[Mitchell54]

This year is the year if Howe really wants to lock up a midfield spot.

He has been around the mark for a couple years but has never really announced himself and put in a good submission to be handed a key the the lock of a midfield position.

 

[Randy Campbell]

At least, there will be a lot more clearances available to our other midfielders to win.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

“Never write off Hawthorn, Sandy”.

 

[Dewnior]

I miss Lake

Come to think of it - this 2015 backline was a bit good hey?

Stratton Lake Burgoyne
Birchall Frawley Gibson

Hodge

Bloody hell

I prefer the 2014 version

Stratton Lake Burgoyne
Birchall Gibson Hodge

Mitchell

 

[Kanga Commando]

Thanks LL.
Cousins, Howe & Worpel are all training with the midfeild, as is Harry Jones. Harry Morrison has also been doing some center clearance work wiht the rucks and onballers. For my money, Cousins is in prime position to take on the Mitchell role. He is very much an in and under player and seems to be generating good synergy with O'meara as his release option. Howe is playing the role of the big bodied, battering ram type player, helping to make space for Cousins, Worpel and Shiels. I think botth Cousins & Howe will be prominent this year and Worpel will go up a notch or two.

How about Minchington ? forward only ? I dont know enough of him except some highlight footage has shown him bursting from the centre for the saints ( maybe 2nds ) Although I have met him - nice young bloke.