Player Watch #11 Luke Trainor

[tugga]

It’s worth noting that earlier on he was playing in a HB or BP sweeping type role , prob one of the easier positions to play , he’s now on the wing and I suggest is being taught two way play and coming up against some bloody good players

Agree. He is learning in the job and probably getting jobs that is isn’t ready for just yet but will benefit in the long term.
Good footy smarts and presents well. He is tracking well above exp for a first year player.

 

[tigs2010]

Agree. He is learning in the job and probably getting jobs that is isn’t ready for just yet but will benefit in the long term.
Good footy smarts and presents well. He is tracking well above exp for a first year player.

Especially a 1st year pick 20+ KPP.

Worth noting where he was picked was a PF teams pick. He could have slotted into a top 4 team on easy street instead of being under siege.

 

[Dr Tigris]

What the club is doing with him is interesting. Sort of seems like they see him as not just a KPD. Maybe a tall running player. Creating a point of difference long term. We've got enough good KPDs to allow Trainor to be that Richo on the wing style guy.

 

[el_simo]

Well to be fair if gibcus comes on I’m not sure there is room for Trainor. Not with balta, miller, gibcus, brown in the backline. Lots of ifs there though.

One thing that has really stuck out is how poor his kicking has been. Lots of time to get it right, but it’s been quite noticeable

 

[Andyy]

What the club is doing with him is interesting. Sort of seems like they see him as not just a KPD. Maybe a tall running player. Creating a point of difference long term. We've got enough good KPDs to allow Trainor to be that Richo on the wing style guy.

Reminds me of Hawks + Birchall. Tall but not exactly playing KPD a lot of the time.

 

[Andyy]

Well to be fair if gibcus comes on I’m not sure there is room for Trainor. Not with balta, miller, gibcus, brown in the backline. Lots of ifs there though.

One thing that has really stuck out is how poor his kicking has been. Lots of time to get it right, but it’s been quite noticeable

Miller IMO has done enough to keep his spot.
Balta should earn his back you'd think.
Gibcus has done nothing for two years to suggest he'll come on, but I understand that's your conditional hypothesis here.

Trainer clearly a defender.

Brown + Balta are the ones I'd be experimenting with. Maybe on the wings.

 

[Grrr]

Well to be fair if gibcus comes on I’m not sure there is room for Trainor. Not with balta, miller, gibcus, brown in the backline. Lots of ifs there though.

One thing that has really stuck out is how poor his kicking has been. Lots of time to get it right, but it’s been quite noticeable

His draft profile says he was a very good and reliable user of the ball. I think he has backed that up especially early on where he kicked the ball very well and creatively. I think his confidence has dropped a bit due to playing out of position and the gravity of a missed kick at this level is weighing on him a bit. Not unusual at all.

Once he really settles, and he won't take long because he is such a natural footballer, I think his kicking will be very sound.

 

[Coach_Required]

Well to be fair if gibcus comes on I’m not sure there is room for Trainor. Not with balta, miller, gibcus, brown in the backline. Lots of ifs there though.

One thing that has really stuck out is how poor his kicking has been. Lots of time to get it right, but it’s been quite noticeable

Geez we can be a tad harsh on our 1st or 2nd year players.

His disposal efficiency is 69% so yes can be a lot better but still better than the likes Ralphsmith, Hopper, Balta, Nank, McIntosh, & Sonsie.

He is 12th worst in the team for turnover averages, Taranto, Prestia, Vlastuin, Short & Hopper the top 5.

He is 8th worst in our side for clanger averages behind Hopper, Nank, Taranto, Vlastuin and a few others.

Why is it he gets signalled out when players like Vlastuin, Ralphsmith, Balta, Prestia, Nank etc all get minimum criticism for their disposals?

Does my head in the way we talk about the young players on our list. I also think looking at these stats if you're playing the rebounding defender or a midfielder your DE%, clangers, turnovers is going to be higher than others.

 

[el_simo]

Geez we can be a tad harsh on our 1st or 2nd year players.

His disposal efficiency is 69% so yes can be a lot better but still better than the likes Ralphsmith, Hopper, Balta, Nank, McIntosh, & Sonsie.

He is 12th worst in the team for turnover averages, Taranto, Prestia, Vlastuin, Short & Hopper the top 5.

He is 8th worst in our side for clanger averages behind Hopper, Nank, Taranto, Vlastuin and a few others.

Why is it he gets signalled out when players like Vlastuin, Ralphsmith, Balta, Prestia, Nank etc all get minimum criticism for their disposals?

Does my head in the way we talk about the young players on our list. I also think looking at these stats if you're playing the rebounding defender or a midfielder your DE%, clangers, turnovers is going to be higher than others.

There’s no need to be so defensive. Draftees can be criticised too. Our disposal as a whole is atrocious from experienced players to draftees. This topic is about Trainor, that’s why I commented on his disposal, which has been poor. As I said before he has time to get it right and I think he will, I’m not worried at all. It’s just a discussion, so don’t jump to be so defensive

Also you can list all these stats but they aren’t relative since all of those players get much more ball

 

[Grrr]

Miller IMO has done enough to keep his spot.
Balta should earn his back you'd think.
Gibcus has done nothing for two years to suggest he'll come on, but I understand that's your conditional hypothesis here.

Trainer clearly a defender.

Brown + Balta are the ones I'd be experimenting with. Maybe on the wings.

I think we lose nothing by as you say taking Trainor off the wing and back to half back, and swapping him with Brown.

Brown is quicker, a great kick and needs to get a bit more run and attack in his game. It worked with Banks. We bomb it forward off our half back wing, but Brown has the ability to hit very creative passes, especially going back to the middle of the ground where defences hate it.

Likewise giving Balta a run on the wing might just snap him into gear. He is quick enough and would break through tackles, the only thing is defensive running, but others can cover that a bit. Very attacking move.

And Trainor is a potentially great half back.

 

[Dr Tigris]

I think we lose nothing by as you say taking Trainor of the wing and back to half back, and swapping him with Brown.

Brown is quicker, a great kick and needs get a bit more run and attack in his game. It worked with Banks. We bomb it forward off our half back wing, but Brown has the ability to hit very creative passes, especially going back to the middle of the ground where defences hate it.

Likewise giving Balta a run on the wing might just snap him into gear. He is quick enough and would break through tackles, the only thing is defensive running, but others can cover that a bit. Very attacking move.

And Trainor is a potentially great half back.

I agree with you. But it is interesting looking at that list. We have potentially too many KPDs and players suited to be moving the ball out of the back half. Which is great. If we can free up guys like Gibcus, Brown and Trainor they can be so damaging. It'd be awesome if we can build a list with good defensive structure, but also the ability to move the ball fast and accurately into the forward line. And they are also tall.

Sort of looks a bit like a plan to have great skills coming out of the back half, along with a solid group of stoppers. Wait a few years and we might be a dangerous team on the rebound.

 

[Meteoric Rise]

Miller IMO has done enough to keep his spot.
Balta should earn his back you'd think.
Gibcus has done nothing for two years to suggest he'll come on, but I understand that's your conditional hypothesis here.

Trainer clearly a defender.

Brown + Balta are the ones I'd be experimenting with. Maybe on the wings.

You have nominated just about our two worst tanks as wingers. Brown and Balta are not going to be AFL wingers in this lifetime or the next.

The way all these guys and their roles shake out ultimately is not going to be clear for some time. And even then it will be subject to changing with what the team needs.

But Trainor looks like being at least a Michalanney or Josh Worrell level player just taking a couple of roughly similar Crows as examples. He will surely be able to play back, wing, or forward as required.

 

[Grrr]

I agree with you. But it is interesting looking at that list. We have potentially too many KPDs and players suited to be moving the ball out of the back half. Which is great. If we can free up guys like Gibcus, Brown and Trainor they can be so damaging. It'd be awesome if we can build a list with good defensive structure, but also the ability to move the ball fast and accurately into the forward line. And they are also tall.

Sort of looks a bit like a plan to have great skills coming out of the back half, along with a solid group of stoppers. Wait a few years and we might be a dangerous team on the rebound.

Well we won't have Broad and Vlastuin forever so there will be a couple of spots up for grabs.both play tall and rebound, so Trainor in particular looks like a replacement in that regard. Brown could be a wingman perhaps and Banks looks set for one half back.

I think our kicking out of the backline could be a real strength as you say. Miller is a deadly kick with good penetration and accuracy for about 50m+. Gibcus is also a beautiful kick and the one that really surprised me on the weekend was how well Blight kicked the ball. I had him pegged as a similar type to Broad and Grimes, safe and not that long, but his kicking was a real surprise vs Geelong. Kicking has a lot to do with confidence.

Would like to see us draft a running and kicking half back with real pace, a bit like we hoped Smith might be but that's looking less and less likely.

 

[Andyy]

You have nominated just about our two worst tanks as wingers. Brown and Balta are not going to be AFL wingers in this lifetime or the next.

The way all these guys and their roles shake out ultimately is not going to be clear for some time. And even then it will be subject to changing with what the team needs.

But Trainor looks like being at least a Michalanney or Josh Worrell level player just taking a couple of roughly similar Crows as examples. He will surely be able to play back, wing, or forward as required.

Might need to rotate them more then.

Not aware that Brown has a poor tank - why do you say this?

They can both run quick, mark well, kick long etc.

Surely an option worth trying vs the ongoing failure that is HRS + KMac.

 

[Meteoric Rise]

Might need to rotate them more then.

Not aware that Brown has a poor tank - why do you say this?

They can both run quick, mark well, kick long etc.

Surely an option worth trying vs the ongoing failure that is HRS + KMac.

Brown is swift but the track watchers from Puntroadend have all noted he is consistently right near the back in the 2km time trials etc. As is Balta. If this were not the case Brown would be playing as our principle rebounding half back right now, and would be being talked about as a star player.

Hopefully his stamina improves but he is not going to be a winger. This is why we have played Brandon Ellis, McIntosh, Ralphsmith on the wing, they have great endurance, and the position requires it.

 

[Andyy]

Brown is swift but the track watchers from Puntroadend have all noted he is consistently right near the back in the 2km time trials etc. As is Balta. If this were not the case Brown would be playing as our principle rebounding half back right now, and would be being talked about as a star player.

Hopefully his stamina improves but he is not going to be a winger. This is why we have played Brandon Ellis, McIntosh, Ralphsmith on the wing, they have great endurance, and the position requires it.

But there's also no point being able to run all day if you're relatively useless like our current options

 

[Dr Tigris]

Well we won't have Broad and Vlastuin forever so there will be a couple of spots up for grabs.both play tall and rebound, so Trainor in particular looks like a replacement in that regard. Brown could be a wingman perhaps and Banks looks set for one half back.

I think our kicking out of the backline could be a real strength as you say. Miller is a deadly kick with good penetration and accuracy for about 50m+. Gibcus is also a beautiful kick and the one that really surprised me on the weekend was how well Blight kicked the ball. I had him pegged as a similar type to Broad and Grimes, safe and not that long, but his kicking was a real surprise vs Geelong. Kicking has a lot to do with confidence.

Would like to see us draft a running and kicking half back with real pace, a bit like we hoped Smith might be but that's looking less and less likely.

Yeah the smaller faster type is something we're a bit short on. But the fact that we have drafted so many guys to fit these profiles looks like a plan. Both Brown and Trainor can play smaller as well.

If all goes to my plan we will have a fantastic defence that can both stop and rebound. Also will provide us with great kicks if we have to go slower and pick a team apart. Just need the midfield that can work with them.

 

[Grrr]

Yeah the smaller faster type is something we're a bit short on. But the fact that we have drafted so many guys to fit these profiles looks like a plan. Both Brown and Trainor can play smaller as well.

If all goes to my plan we will have a fantastic defence that can both stop and rebound. Also will provide us with great kicks if we have to go slower and pick a team apart. Just need the midfield that can work with them.

The midfield right now is a problem. Good at getting the ball, lousy at using it and no footspeed so teams can run off us easily.

But that is not going to be forever as we have the pieces just need the time and injury luck. McAuliffe, Lalor, Smillie, Hotton, maybe Campbell, even Algar could surprise. Plus a mid or two in this years draft. Might take another 2-3 years, but we will have transitioned by then all over the park, so the not so old slow midfield in Taranto and Hopper will really have to up their game, which I can't see.

 

[GhostofJimJess]

If the version of Luke Trainor we are seeing right now was available in the 2025 draft, he would be a clear #1 pick.

His balance, his athleticism, his smarts, his ability to compete against bigger bodies, and his sheer courage have all been on display for all to see.

Imagine injecting this 19-year-old version into a squad in December with a full career in front of him.

He's had a fantastic debut season - we could hardly have asked for more.

 

[captain cotch 9]

If the version of Luke Trainor we are seeing right now was available in the 2025 draft, he would be a clear #1 pick.

His balance, his athleticism, his smarts, his ability to compete against bigger bodies, and his sheer courage have all been on display for all to see.

Imagine injecting this 19-year-old version into a squad in December with a full career in front of him.

He's had a fantastic debut season - we could hardly have asked for more.

 

[tigs2010]

If the version of Luke Trainor we are seeing right now was available in the 2025 draft, he would be a clear #1 pick.

His balance, his athleticism, his smarts, his ability to compete against bigger bodies, and his sheer courage have all been on display for all to see.

Imagine injecting this 19-year-old version into a squad in December with a full career in front of him.

He's had a fantastic debut season - we could hardly have asked for more.

Pick 2 because Whitlock would go 1

 

[lalorGOAT]

I will never pay attention to the rising star again if Trainor doesn't get a nomination. ****ing rort.

 

[wegetpumped]

Should have left the kid down back where he was playing good footy and getting the games into him. Instead we try him elsewhere where his form has dropped right off. Next season would have been a different story with a full confidence boosting season.

 

[Dr Tigris]

The midfield right now is a problem. Good at getting the ball, lousy at using it and no footspeed so teams can run off us easily.

But that is not going to be forever as we have the pieces just need the time and injury luck. McAuliffe, Lalor, Smillie, Hotton, maybe Campbell, even Algar could surprise. Plus a mid or two in this years draft. Might take another 2-3 years, but we will have transitioned by then all over the park, so the not so old slow midfield in Taranto and Hopper will really have to up their game, which I can't see.

TT and Hopper are good at what they do. Which does not include great fast incisive ball movement.

I might add Rioli as a part timer in the midfield for speed and ball movement. Also defensive pressure.

We will have to replace TT and Hopper over time. So I expect us to draft a couple of inside mids over the next few years. Or of course trade/FA for them.

 

[Grrr]

TT and Hopper are good at what they do. Which does not include great fast incisive ball movement.

I might add Rioli as a part timer in the midfield for speed and ball movement. Also defensive pressure.

We will have to replace TT and Hopper over time. So I expect us to draft a couple of inside mids over the next few years. Or of course trade/FA for them.

But we have big inside mids in McAuliffe and Smillie. I'd rather see a Prestia replacement with speed and natural ball winning ability. I think TT and Hopper will go by the wayside, I think in a year or two they will be holding us back, they are only going to get slower which kills us against the good sides.