2019 Training Reports

[Wally Walpamur]

http://www.afl.com.au/video/2019-01-31/freo-speedster-up-and-running

AFL.com’s preseason report.

Phwoar Bennell and Lovey look in ripping condition in that video. They'll be like two new signings if they can stay fit. Jesse looks like he's integrating well, as well.

 

[Channels]

I think from all the reports i read that Bennell is rarely in match sims but in the running laps/managed group.

Just trying to understand if he's likely to play or not?


And thank you to the training reporters, i don't live in WA anymore but i love the reports.

 

[ShredBot]

Didn't get time to write this up yesterday due to stupid work....

It was a beautiful day for football, perfect conditions. DIdn't get to watch super closely though as I had the kids in tow.

Sandi, S Hill, Bennell, Ballas, Valente and Dixon working off to the side when I arrived. Just doing run throughs nothing to hard. Dixon was being made to do quite a lot of directional changes at speed. None of them looked banged up and all seemed to be moving really well. Hamling did laps for the majority of the session after doing a few of the early drills.

SHilly didn't seem hindered while running but spent quite some time talking with the trainers while doing kicking motions.

Cerra had one of his shoulders strapped up which I hadn't seen so far this preseason. He didn't look hampered in any way and did the full session so nothing to worry about.

Would love to have some more info on how Walters is travelling. He's out there doing the drills and always the most vocal but I don't think he's 100% yet.

The energy of the whole squad seems really good. Lots of talking, callouts, etc. Everyone is looks in ripping nic. Sean Darcy's transformation over the past 2 years shows his level of application and determination, a credit to himself and it shows in how well he moves. So much more nimble now and you can see quite a difference in how high he can jump in the ruck from when he first arrived.

In fact all our KPPs are looking in great shape. Darcy, Lobb, Tabs, Hogan, Hamling, APearce, Logue, Cox. In particular Lobb's kicking impressed me today, some lovely spearing kicks, Tabs with some lovely groundwork (I'll talk about that in a minute). I haven't been to training for about a month so to see how far Hogan has come was a surprise. With still 8 weeks to go until round 1 and with what they are already letting him do I'd be fairly surprised now if he's not ready for Rnd 1. As said early in the thread he did all the drills bar the last of the sims. Moving well, kicking and marking, scrambling for loose balls (again more on this later).

Watched Banfield a fair bit to see where he's at. If he isn't playing for Freo he will be a shoe-in for the WAFL BnF Simpson medal. Absolute beastly size now, strong as an ox and certainly isn't afraid to use it even in the sims (I think it was Schultz who he gave a very solid bump). Was wearing a yellow bib in the bigger training sims though which seems to be mainly the 'possibles' group of players and not the likely B22 players. I'm sure match sims and JLT will be the main decider come Rnd 1.

As said earlier it was good watching the midfield drills. Fyfe, Mundy, Brayshaw, Cerra, Conca and Coyler seemed to be the main group. Alot of stopping and discussing/pointing in between drills. Looked slick but very little pressure from the token opposition.

The drills were all about ball movement. Full ground length from kick in to the opposite goal square. I get the drills are about practising quick ball movement but it really irritates me when I see Tabs/Hogan/Lobb purposely not marking the ball but tapping the ball to ground for the crumbers to gather. Then when the ball if finally kicked to the deepest forward the drill is reset with little thought about actually kicking the goal. A few times the forward would kick for goal but you could clearly see it wasn't the focus of the drill as everyone's attention would switch back to the kick-in.

The drill and ball movement actually looked bloody sharp and it was good to see Tabs doing some nice groundwork, Hogan really moving about and some quick 15 seconds end to end play. But to me greater importance should be on nailing the execution parts. Every chance a KPP gets to take a mark in a game like situation they should take it (Eagles showed how important aerial control is to footy). Every chance a forward gets to kick for goal it should be taken seriously, like the game is on the line. Not an after-thought.

Liam Henry is probably just taller than Mzungu, not an ounce of fat on him and look to be building up his body quite well for a 17yr old. Fast and good skills, will be watching with interest.

Other short notes.

Tucker looked good - sharp skills, fit and didn't look phased by his foot issue from last year.

North has definitely been working hard on his body. Looking quite a bit bigger than last year. Good speed and still has that lovely long left boot.

Luke Ryan probably the best kick in the team. At one part of the full length drill he ran with the ball a bit before delivering i50. Would love to see him adding some Wilson-like running to his game. Jet!

Duman with some lovely skills aswell. Would not be upset if he was B22 this year.

Fyfe will have the brownlow wrapped up by the bye. Beast!

Overall I saw what I have seen all summer. The team is clearly in high spirits and have bonded very well. They are looking in great shape (We're not sending lambs to the slaughter like last year). All our younger players have beefed up and are looking fit which should help us run out games and hold our skill levels up better under fatigue.

The team as a whole is looking sharper because we've clearly recruited/drafted with skills in mind. I can't help but feel positive after watching them. In my mind SHill and Hogan are looking good for Rnd1 barring any complications.

Great Report! keep up the good work.. much appreciated

 

[Stars align]

What do you mean Hogan argued with the trainers? Like they were pulling him out and he wanted to keep going?


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

Having watched you guys train a few times this pre season primarily from the "rehab" pocket it is no surprise hogan was pulled from a drill . The guys in the rehab group are on strict programs. Every time they change from exercise to exercise it has to be communicated via the fitness guy so much so that I saw Sandi ask permission to join a short kicking exercise. On another occasion a player was instructed 20 kicks on your right and left no more. Do the "physeders" have to much say I don't know but this seems to be consistent across all clubs with fitness guys being head hunted .
Anyway have been impressed by what I've seen to date and expect to see a more attractive game style from your lads

 

[Belnakor]

I think from all the reports i read that Bennell is rarely in match sims but in the running laps/managed group.

Just trying to understand if he's likely to play or not?


And thank you to the training reporters, i don't live in WA anymore but i love the reports.

my guess is Bennell will probably be on a different program for the forseeable future even if he is playing regularly

 

[heavho]

Sandi doesn’t have to do much on the track .He is a seasoned player that knows his body and putting him in cotton wool is a good thing to preserve his body for hopefully most of the season. He is still one of the best ruckman in the comp. Darcy needs to be out there because if Sandi goes down he is thrown into number 1 ruckman calculations but there is a number of guys that can play in the ruck. Lobbe and tabener could rotate in there. But Sandi has to be number one ruckman. His taps and down the line marks out of defense could get us into the finals. Once finals is out of the equation then Darcy should be thrown into the mix.

 

[theGav56]

Sandi doesn’t have to do much on the track .He is a seasoned player that knows his body and putting him in cotton wool is a good thing to preserve his body for hopefully most of the season. He is still one of the best ruckman in the comp. Darcy needs to be out there because if Sandi goes down he is thrown into number 1 ruckman calculations but there is a number of guys that can play in the ruck. Lobbe and tabener could rotate in there. But Sandi has to be number one ruckman. His taps and down the line marks out of defense could get us into the finals. Once finals is out of the equation then Darcy should be thrown into the mix.

In that recent afl.com video you can see Darcy in the background when they are discussing Bennell. Gee he is looking good (as had been consistently reported by the training reporters). Is he throwing down the challenge to Sandilands;

"Take a rest old fella. Or if you want something to do, there's lawns to mow. Sshhhhh, I've got this."

 

[Freeeoo]

In that recent afl.com video you can see Darcy in the background when they are discussing Bennell. Gee he is looking good (as had been consistently reported by the training reporters). Is he throwing down the challenge to Sandilands;

"Take a rest old fella. Or if you want something to do, there's lawns to mow. Sshhhhh, I've got this."

I hear what you're saying and yes Darcy needs to be transitioned into the number one spot through this year. However, I watched Sandi and Darcy going one on one ruck duals a couple of weeks ago and Sandi schooled him, won every single hitout easily.
If we are going to work our way up the ladder this year and even be a finals threat then Sandi still has a role to play.

 

[Taylor]

Aaron doesn't get shorter as he gets older, not significantly enough anyway.

 

[Walkingwounded]

In that recent afl.com video you can see Darcy in the background when they are discussing Bennell. Gee he is looking good (as had been consistently reported by the training reporters). Is he throwing down the challenge to Sandilands;

"Take a rest old fella. Or if you want something to do, there's lawns to mow. Sshhhhh, I've got this."

Saw Darcy training today... he is a leaner, meaner, rucking machiner.

Almost didn’t recognise him, not quite the Tabs specimen type, but heading in that direction.

Very impressive.

By the back end of the season he will be #1 ruckman!

 

[arsesmart]

If March comes around and Darcy's beating Sandi in something approaching 50% of ruck duels, then he might have a starting stake for the mantle. Until then Sandilands rules.

 

[theGav56]

I hear what you're saying and yes Darcy needs to be transitioned into the number one spot through this year. However, I watched Sandi and Darcy going one on one ruck duals a couple of weeks ago and Sandi schooled him, won every single hitout easily.
If we are going to work our way up the ladder this year and even be a finals threat then Sandi still has a role to play.

Yeah I know, and think Sandilands is our best ruck. But if Darcy wants it, then I want him to sit Sandi down on his backside and get him out of the road, not just wait until he retires. He seems to have a naturally aggressive personality, and has clearly put in a heavy training load, and I am a bit disappointed to read the bit in bold. I would like Lyon to be letting him know that he expects him to force him out.

 

[wayToGo_]

Sandi is arguably the best ever hit-out ruck in the history of AFL - age hasn't and won't really impact that. Darcy is unlikely to ever overtake him in that area but he can be better around the ground - be more dangerous up forward, be more mobile, be willing to kick the ball etc. I'm just loving watching Darcy's progression learning from the best. Still think Sandi plays every game he is fit but the fact Darcy is even starting to ask the question (not being gifted games because he is young) is pretty exciting for the future.

 

[rgauci]

Saw Darcy training today... he is a leaner, meaner, rucking machiner.

Almost didn’t recognise him, not quite the Tabs specimen type, but heading in that direction.

Very impressive.

By the back end of the season he will be #1 ruckman!

You’ve left me hanging for more, there’s an article saying they had full ground match simulation, 12 mins per half today. In the report it indicates Darcy tackled Cerra and left him worse for wear which he shook off eventually and kept playing. Said Wilson kicked a goal from 55.

Any extra insights?

 

[theGav56]

You’ve left me hanging for more, there’s an article saying they had full ground match simulation, 12 mins per half today. In the report it indicates Darcy tackled Cerra and left him worse for wear which he shook off eventually and kept playing. Said Wilson kicked a goal from 55.

Any extra insights?

Yeah, that got me excited too. Same like when Sandi clears a path. Nothing like a big fella letting the opposition know they are around.

 

[drEDD88]

watched a bit from the far side today.

Just a few notes:
• they started incorporating more attack into their match sim / drills. rather than resetting on every turnover or not actually kicking for goal like they did in previous weeks.

•I was pretty close to the “b group” match sim and Bewley was out and out the best there. He won almost all clearances and had a pretty amazing top speed ground ball get. Definitely against weaker opponents but good signs.

•I saw the Darcy tackle on Cerra. I believe they were worried it was a head knock but the medico guy didn’t seem to think it was a problem and cerra played on immediately. I don’t think there is much chance of injury.

•cerra, in a half back role, did a pretty amazing turn in traffic to avoid being tackled by 2 players and hand balled to brayshaw. As was advertised when we drafted him; he just looked like he had unusual amounts of time in the little contest.

• Darcy does look like a beast but he dropped a couple of uncontested marks. One of which would have been a kick at goal from 5m out right in front. If he sorts that out he might contest Sandi by showing more utility than just tap work but I reckon Sandi is still ahead for now.

 

[Freeeoo]

Yeah I know, and think Sandilands is our best ruck. But if Darcy wants it, then I want him to sit Sandi down on his backside and get him out of the road, not just wait until he retires. He seems to have a naturally aggressive personality, and has clearly put in a heavy training load, and I am a bit disappointed to read the bit in bold. I would like Lyon to be letting him know that he expects him to force him out.

To be fair there isn't a ruckman in the country that could go one on one against Sandi (in a pure hitout contest) and I think Darcy is the luckiest young ruckman in the comp to be mentored by the great man.

 

[Scham]

Unfortunately for Sandi there’s much more to the ruckman role that winning hitouts these days.

 

[wayToGo_]

Injury-plagued midfielder Harley Bennell is also progressing solidly as he looks to add to his two appearances in the past three seasons at Fremantle.

"I wasn't at a session on a Friday and Peter Bell rang me and they were all raving about how he trained,” Lyon said.

“So it was exciting for Harley and us, but there's plenty of work to go.”

 

[freoextra]

Had my first look today.

Nice fit squad with good numbers at all drills.

Rehab was S Hill, Valente, H Bennell, Ballas and a no show from Hogan. All rehab appeared to be running pretty freely with perhaps Bennell the most laboured. S Hill was running well with that high striding action and you can't help feeling that the round 3 prediction might be a worse case.

Did not stay long enough to see the full ground training but I liked what I saw of Colyer (as quick as described and kicking well) Logue continues to match all the major forwards with ease and is very aggressive if beaten. The team in general does look very fit and strong with very few skinny kids

Was especially expecting a skinny kid when I looked for Carter and was very surprised at how well developed body wise especially through the legs.

In general, not a bad session in strong winds with plenty of enthusiasm but little that stood out. Ruck work was good with nice clean clearances mainly through Fyfe, Brayshaw and Mundy (yeah what a shock!). I thought all the talls looked in ripping shape and contested well.

Not a real report without a negative, I am told, so B Cox looks in great shape but his kicking to a target 20 Metres away was the worst in the group by a long shot.

A lot of work on skills today, I really don't understand the 'they don't work on their skills enough' reports we sometimes hear.

 

[rgauci]

Had my first look today.

Nice fit squad with good numbers at all drills.

Rehab was S Hill, Valente, H Bennell, Ballas and a no show from Hogan. All rehab appeared to be running pretty freely with perhaps Bennell the most laboured. S Hill was running well with that high striding action and you can't help feeling that the round 3 prediction might be a worse case.

Did not stay long enough to see the full ground training but I liked what I saw of Colyer (as quick as described and kicking well) Logue continues to match all the major forwards with ease and is very aggressive if beaten. The team in general does look very fit and strong with very few skinny kids

Was especially expecting a skinny kid when I looked for Carter and was very surprised at how well developed body wise especially through the legs.

In general, not a bad session in strong winds with plenty of enthusiasm but little that stood out. Ruck work was good with nice clean clearances mainly through Fyfe, Brayshaw and Mundy (yeah what a shock!). I thought all the talls looked in ripping shape and contested well.

Not a real report without a negative, I am told, so B Cox looks in great shape but his kicking to a target 20 Metres away was the worst in the group by a long shot.

A lot of work on skills today, I really don't understand the 'they don't work on their skills enough' reports we sometimes hear.

Sandilands doing match sim? Sandilands there at all?

 

[Halfbaked]

Sandilands doing match sim? Sandilands there at all?

Sandi came out towards the end of training and watched from the fence.
More concerning was Banfield tackling Fyfe into the ground. Fyfe came off the ground with what look a shoulder or arm problem.
It was the same arm that he has the elbow problem.

 

[yyou]

Sandi came out towards the end of training and watched from the fence.
More concerning was Banfield tackling Fyfe into the ground. Fyfe came off the ground with what look a shoulder or arm problem.
It was the same arm that he has the elbow problem.

maybe the Flyer will be grounded for the AFLX?
cotton wool time?

 

[rgauci]

Sandi came out towards the end of training and watched from the fence.
More concerning was Banfield tackling Fyfe into the ground. Fyfe came off the ground with what look a shoulder or arm problem.
It was the same arm that he has the elbow problem.

Both of those are big concerns. Goldstein will eat Darcy for Breakfast. There isn’t a 20 year old ruck that can match the older ruckman. We need Sandilands for round 1. I haven’t heard anyone mention Sandilands training since before Christmas.

 

[Kenny_01]

Surely (hopefully) Fyfe is fine?