Training Axeman’s training reports and discussion thread

[SHAKESPEARE]

I reckon a cheeky $50 would be my limit.

It was built for him

No Mitchell...he is finally completely fit after a couple of years getting back into the groove.

I reckon he shits it in. Who is going to take votes of him? Hopefully Worpel

 

[Adrian Dodoro]

So today’s session started with an hour or so of warm ups and various group based drills before the real action started, an intraclub made up of three 12 minute quarters (or thirds to be mathematically correct) with two AFL umpires officiating.

So lets get to the good stuff.

Opposing centre square midfields were J’OM, Howe and Worpel in the Blue versus Cousins, Shiels and Jones in the orange. Big Boy and Pitto were rucking for the Orange team, Ceglar & Reeves were rucking for the Blue.

Smith in orange and Henderson in blue on the wings

T’OB was playing in defence for the blue team along with Sicily, Hardwick, Frawley and Greaves, Morrison against the orange forward line of Lewis, Rough, Poppy, Ross and others.

Orange defence was Brand, Impey, Burgoyne, Glass, Mirra and Miles against blue forward line Gunston, Schoe, Bruest, Nash and others

My thoughts on the game:

Jaegar was outstanding. So clean with the ball and there is no doubt in my mind that he has fully regained his burst of pace. Took a sensational one handed overhead mark about 40 metres out on a 45 degree angle, then went back and coolly slotted it for the first goal to the blue team. Jaegar’s versatility in the midfield will be vital. He can do the in and under stuff and get his own ball but he also plays the role of the release man for the other in and under mids and that is where his burst of pace really comes into play. Several times he just scooped the ball up in the square and sliced his way through traffic to hit up a target much to his teammates delight. Exciting stuff! He will carry a bigger load this year without Tom and he looks to be very much up for it.

Howe worked well with the other mids, often just creating space for them to get first access to the ball or crashing his way through after getting it himself.

Worpel’s clearance work was excellent and I’m not as down on his disposal as some are. I think he is a fraction quicker than he was last year too. Super aggressive and just keeps finding and getting the ball.

Harry Jones was the big one for me today. He was given a key mid role and was very, very good. Got a number of clearances and his delivery into the forward line was particularly good. The entire playing group was vocal in their encouragement and praise of Harry throughout the game as were the coaches. If he can stay fit, this will be a big year for Jones and it would appear that there is a real push to make it happen.

Cousins is the one that I believe will be stepping up to fill the Mitchell void. He was excellent again today. In and under is his strength, but he did a lot of good link up work today. He has very good vision and is hard to tackle. He often gets to the ball first, never panics. Mitchell and other coaches were very happy with his work.

Henderson was one of the best on the ground. He just consistently pops up in the right spot and his work rate is incredible.

Sicily was just his usual elite self, and to back up houdinhuddo’s observations from Wednesday, he was much more attacking and aggressive than usual. He ran down Burgoyne on the wing like a cheetah taking down a gazelle. Both S Mitchell and Monkhurst were pleasantly shocked by his turn of speed and aggression. But it was his intercept marking and kicking that were on show today. He just hit up targets that very few would even try to make and he never missed.

Impey was one of the best on for the first two quarters. He is electric. He was alternating between wing and defence and took a ripper of an intercept mark on the last line of defence.

Pitto was huge today. Not just his ruck work, which was good, but his movement around the ground, agility and aggression. He is really impacting contests and generally much more prominent, very good signs. CJ flew for a mark in defence but dropped it, Pitto pounced, side stepped CJ and soccered the goal through. Really nimble for such a big man.

Connor Glass was one of the highlights for me today. Regularly used his uber speed to intercept and spoil but was very clean with the ball in hand and hit targets over short and long distances. He looks confident and I could see him cementing a spot this year.

Nash seems to be getting better as the pre-season goes on. He positioned himself well today and got quite a bit of the ball and used it well when he had it.

Rough was great today. He played some midfled time today and had the ball on a string. Might be a very useful guy to have in the middle in Tom's absence.

My first really good luck at Tim Mohr today and he will be a very handy guy to have up our sleeve. He is a huge unit but the dude can play.

Edited to add that I thought TO'B was more than handy as a key defender today.

Scully ran very intensely for the first hour or so.

Birchall ran all session.

Walker, Ollie and Scrimshaw also just ran and did some boxing.

That’s all until next week.

Thanks AxeGod, any comments on Miles, Glass or Golds? I reckon that trio are real 0 or 100 for 2019, Golds' 100 being in the VFL ofcourse. But Miles and Glass who knows.

 

[tommyk72]

It was built for him

No Mitchell...he is finally completely fit after a couple of years getting back into the groove.

I reckon he shits it in. Who is going to take votes of him? Hopefully Worpel

Gotta win enough games. That’s the one thing I’d be worried about.

 

[SHAKESPEARE]

Gotta win enough games. That’s the one thing I’d be worried about.

We should be good for at least 8.

A few 2's in honorable losses as the lone hand and its all over!

 

[Mississippi]

“ … like a cheetah taking down a gazelle ..”

Axeman, you continue to outperform yourself.
Your prose has become a thing of beauty.

John Keats is swooning in his grave.

 

[The_Axeman]

Thanks AxeGod, any comments on Miles, Glass or Golds? I reckon that trio are real 0 or 100 for 2019, Golds' 100 being in the VFL ofcourse. But Miles and Glass who knows.

Glass i mentioned in my Post. Miles was one i meant to mention but overlooked. I thought he was very good today. I'm not sure where he fits amongst all of the other half back flankers but he is certainly worthy of a spot on the list.

Golds has impressed at every session. He is a natural footballer. Not sure why he lasted until the Rookie draft. Maybe it's his size, but he has all of the other attributes that you want to see and he is very quick.

 

[MrPremiership]

My 2 cents from a long session, i try to keep it balanced:

Worpel - get excited. Noticeably trimmer and moving very well. Performed very well at the contest. Kicking isn't elite but its not terrible. Needs to improve decision making.

Roughy - really liked him the the match sim. Moved well and looks good. Happy with his work around the ground and think he'll be an asset if we can float him around a high-half forward, pinch hit in the middle and float forward and be dangerous.

Jaeger - my favourite part of the morning was watching him tear it up. All I will say is, do yourself a favour and put $50 on him for Charlie

Cousins - i like what he does at the clearances, but still feel he gets lost after that. Think he'll be a player, but he's a long way off. Received the most feedback from the coaches, not in a negative way, but instructional. Seems the likely Mitchell cover but we shouldn't kid ourselves about where he is at.

Jones - was great to see him given a prominent role in the sim, and seemed to have an impact.

CJ - is one i was keen to keep an eye out for all session. Flashy but a long way off. Does a few nice things but lacks game sense. Plenty to work with.

Pittonet - was super impressed, as Axe already said, with he ground work. Got involved and didn't look so lost (like he did in St Kilda game in 2018).

Sicily - just going through the motions, but has all the weapons. If he keeps fit (and suspension free) he will be All Australian in 2019.

McEvoy - looks very trim. We're stripping weight off as a standard these days

Lewis - noticeably bigger through the chest and shoulders, like what i saw during drills. Such a good kick. Needs to be given the KPF role.

Birchall and Scully in rehab, few others also like Scrimshaw which is a shame, really wanted to see him up close again today.

 

[hawkermitch]

Happy to here the young guys are training well especially Cuz and Jones.

I'm keen on any info about young Dylan Moore and Mat Walker.
Is Kosi training or just running? TIA

 

[MrPremiership]

Happy to here the young guys are training well especially Cuz and Jones.

I'm keen on any info about young Dylan Moore and Mat Walker.
Is Kosi training or just running? TIA

Didn't notice Moore or Kosi. Walker wasn't doing much, boxing and light drills.

 

[MrPremiership]

To be fair, the new draftees in each year don't do 100% of training. The club intentionally holds them back because their bodies just aren't ready for the load.

 

[The_Axeman]

Happy to here the young guys are training well especially Cuz and Jones.

I'm keen on any info about young Dylan Moore and Mat Walker.
Is Kosi training or just running? TIA

Kosi is not training yet. Dylan Moore was fully involved in all the training. Mat Walker just ran & did some boxing as MrP said.

 

[Changa10]

Kosi is not training yet. Dylan Moore was fully involved in all the training. Mat Walker just ran & did some boxing as MrP said.

Thanks Axe and MrP. As neither of you mentioned Chad, I assume he was a no show today?

 

[MrPremiership]

Thanks Axe and MrP. As neither of you mentioned Chad, I assume he was a no show today?

I didn't see him, but I was focusing on others. Likely to have stayed inside and rested the calf

 

[Mrzohs]

Excellent reports guys its great to hear cousins,worpel,jones all ready for big seasons we will definatly need it.

But we will need a experinced head like a wingard,smith or possibly scully next to jaeger allowing those young guys to come in as the 2nd 3rd, 4th midfield rotations and we might hold up.
They dont have the hardened pre seasons in there body's to match the best mids over 4qtrs wk in wk out, they will quickly get burned out in the 2nd halves of games, if to much work falls to them.

Also omerea will rise in tom absence and show he class, while racking up huge numbers i have no doubt.

 

[TylerDurden]

But we will need a experinced head like a wingard,smith or possibly scully next to jaeger allowing those young guys to come in as the 2nd 3rd, 4th midfield rotations and we might hold up.
They dont have the hardened pre seasons in there body's to match the best mids over 4qtrs wk in wk out, they will quickly get burned out in the 2nd halves of games, if to much work falls to them.

This. Clarko and S Mitchell will want experienced players in there:
JOM
Shiels
Burgoyne
Scully
Wingard

With Worpel and Howe in support.

Thanks for all the reports guys. Makes this joint a ripping place to be during work lunch breaks!

 

[The_Axeman]

My 2 cents from a long session, i try to keep it balanced:

Worpel - get excited. Noticeably trimmer and moving very well. Performed very well at the contest. Kicking isn't elite but its not terrible. Needs to improve decision making.

Roughy - really liked him the the match sim. Moved well and looks good. Happy with his work around the ground and think he'll be an asset if we can float him around a high-half forward, pinch hit in the middle and float forward and be dangerous.

Jaeger - my favourite part of the morning was watching him tear it up. All I will say is, do yourself a favour and put $50 on him for Charlie

Cousins - i like what he does at the clearances, but still feel he gets lost after that. Think he'll be a player, but he's a long way off. Received the most feedback from the coaches, not in a negative way, but instructional. Seems the likely Mitchell cover but we shouldn't kid ourselves about where he is at.

Jones - was great to see him given a prominent role in the sim, and seemed to have an impact.

CJ - is one i was keen to keep an eye out for all session. Flashy but a long way off. Does a few nice things but lacks game sense. Plenty to work with.

Pittonet - was super impressed, as Axe already said, with he ground work. Got involved and didn't look so lost (like he did in St Kilda game in 2018).

Sicily - just going through the motions, but has all the weapons. If he keeps fit (and suspension free) he will be All Australian in 2019.

McEvoy - looks very trim. We're stripping weight off as a standard these days

Lewis - noticeably bigger through the chest and shoulders, like what i saw during drills. Such a good kick. Needs to be given the KPF role.

Birchall and Scully in rehab, few others also like Scrimshaw which is a shame, really wanted to see him up close again today.

I like the fact that our observations generally align MrP. It gives me confidence that I am getting it right and not just making crap up. The only point that I will differ on in this case is Cousins. I do agree that he very much had a tendency to disappear or look lost, but the last two sessions that I've been to I reckon he has looked more assured and confient in his role. Today inparticular he was heavily involved in many passges of play. I wonder if that has something to do with the opportunity that losing Tom has presented?

 

[The_Axeman]

Thanks Axe and MrP. As neither of you mentioned Chad, I assume he was a no show today?

Yep. No Chad. I think he'll be back amongst it next week.

 

[Deleted member 170709]

My 2 cents from a long session, i try to keep it balanced:

Worpel - get excited. Noticeably trimmer and moving very well. Performed very well at the contest. Kicking isn't elite but its not terrible. Needs to improve decision making.

Roughy - really liked him the the match sim. Moved well and looks good. Happy with his work around the ground and think he'll be an asset if we can float him around a high-half forward, pinch hit in the middle and float forward and be dangerous.

Jaeger - my favourite part of the morning was watching him tear it up. All I will say is, do yourself a favour and put $50 on him for Charlie

Cousins - i like what he does at the clearances, but still feel he gets lost after that. Think he'll be a player, but he's a long way off. Received the most feedback from the coaches, not in a negative way, but instructional. Seems the likely Mitchell cover but we shouldn't kid ourselves about where he is at.

Jones - was great to see him given a prominent role in the sim, and seemed to have an impact.

CJ - is one i was keen to keep an eye out for all session. Flashy but a long way off. Does a few nice things but lacks game sense. Plenty to work with.

Pittonet - was super impressed, as Axe already said, with he ground work. Got involved and didn't look so lost (like he did in St Kilda game in 2018).

Sicily - just going through the motions, but has all the weapons. If he keeps fit (and suspension free) he will be All Australian in 2019.

McEvoy - looks very trim. We're stripping weight off as a standard these days

Lewis - noticeably bigger through the chest and shoulders, like what i saw during drills. Such a good kick. Needs to be given the KPF role.

Birchall and Scully in rehab, few others also like Scrimshaw which is a shame, really wanted to see him up close again today.

Geez after Axemans rave review your review smacks me back down and lowers my expectations a tad particularly re Cuz.

Thanks for the insight

 

[MasterSamurai]

This has to be the longest pre season in living memory that I can remember!!
Re- jaeger- he will get heavily tagged so we need others to step up to the plate.

 

[Hodginator]

I try not to get too carried away with pre season reports, but today’s report makes it hard not to.

 

[SHAKESPEARE]

I try not to get too carried away with pre season reports, but today’s report makes it hard

Fixed

 

[Bugs1977]

Gotta win enough games. That’s the one thing I’d be worried about.

Shane Crawford says hi

 

[Lord Mud of Glenferrie]

Cheers Mr Axe and Mr P. Did either BB or Cegs play forward when not rucking. Was there any indication that both could alternate as a key forward.

 

[hawkmang]

Can anyone help me out, will we be training at Waverley on Monday or Tuesday? I’m over from Perth and keen to check the boys out. I’ll even give a write up!

 

[tommyk72]

Shane Crawford says hi

10 wins and a draw for 9th ain't too bad.

If Jags wins the brownlow, we'll be in the 8 I reckon. (I know that's circular logic, but I think you get what i'm saying).