Training 2018 Preseason Thread

[AcuteWhistle]

So what is the story re preseason this year, practice games instead of the usual nab cup as well as this aflx crap?

 

[LB#16]

How long till everyone is back training? I thought they'd have been back a couple weeks ago.

This morning!

 

[Mercurial89]

What do the lunges with the Wooden stick help with?

Is it posture?

 

[Bombermania]

What do the lunges with the Wooden stick help with?

Is it posture?

I think its to do with balance but maybe its a message that we are coming with a big stick to hit the opposition with.

 

[mike14]

What do the lunges with the Wooden stick help with?

Is it posture?

Posture, engages the core, stops cheating by using your hands to push off the thigh

 

[Towno78]

What do the lunges with the Wooden stick help with?

Is it posture?

They're just stretching mate.

 

[BOMBERS 4 LIFE!!!!]

 

[eDPS]

 

[akiva]

When these boys have the time trial?

Love watching them (probably because I hated doing them).

 

[eDPS]

James Stewart has gone full beast mode

 

[Laverde2Smack]

James Stewart has gone full beast mode

Imagine if it was franga that did that....

Sent from my F3115 using Tapatalk

 

[Pweter]

James Stewart has gone full beast mode

Just needs to remember to not take Walla on in the future

 

[Liberator]

Stewart for midfield!

 

[Sockeye]

James Stewart has gone full beast mode

May be just the camera angles but Zaharakis looks like he has bulked up. Maybe he has put his hand up to spend more time 'inside'?

He is a mature player now and has probably lost a bit of toe compared to his younger days. Showed a willingness to tackle and get his hands dirty last season more than ever before. He had his highest number of disposals and tackles for a season last year. His uncontested possession count was also the highest, but this could be as much to do with Wooshas' game plan as anything else.

 

[BOMBERS 4 LIFE!!!!]

Essendon aims to strengthen its defence to move closer to achieving premiership aspirations

KATE SALEMME, Herald Sun
November 30, 2017 9:33am
Subscriber only

ESSENDON strengthened its forward line with two star recruits during the trade period but the Bombers are searching for improvement in a different area to take the next step in 2018.

Ranked 12th in the league for points conceded to opposition, coach John Worsfold knows his side must improve its defence to go deep in Septemberdespite the fact his side will boast one of the best forward lines in the competition next year with Jake Stringer and Devon Smith joining the likes of All-Australian Joe Daniher, Orazio Fantasia and Cale Hooker inside 50.

The Bombers this year conceded an average of 91 points per game to its opposition, while eventual premiers Richmond averaged just 76 points against during the home-and-away season.

Creating a balance between attack and defence — Essendon was ranked third for points scored in 2017 — is the key to success, a point being underlined to the players over the pre-season.

Essendon captain Dyson Heppell hits the training track. Picture: Michael Klein

“Looking back at last year I think it was really successful, obviously that final wasn’t a true reflection on the season overall but it gives us a good indicator and that hunger and drive to see where we need to get to,” captain Dyson Heppell said.

“We’ll be building on that.

“We were in the top three or four in our offence, our scoring so that was no issue but our defensive side of the game was what let us down.

“We’re trying to find a really healthy balance of our attack and defence.

“‘Woosh’ (coach John Worsfold) put up a stat the other day that over the last 21 years 18 of the last 21 premiership sides have been in the top four or five in attack and in defence so you need that really good balance.

“The defensive side of our game is something we will strongly strive towards this pre-season.”

The full Essendon squad returned for pre-season training this week, including recruits Jake Stringer, Devon Smith and Adam Saad who had already been back with the first-to-fourth-year players.

Essendon recruits Devon Smith and Jake Stringer complete some extra running drills. Picture: Michael Klein

The group has returned fit and ready to attack training.

“We’ve been cracking in from the first session,” Heppell said. “A lot of competitive, aggressive contested ball drills. It’s an area we want to improve and we’ve started that from day one.”

The Bombers have labelled 2017 a success despite its disappointing finals exit, a 65-point smashing at the hands of Sydney.

But after a fruitful off-season that delivered three best 22 recruits in Stringer, Smith and Saad, Essendon is expected to be among the league’s biggest improvers — rated a $13 premiership chance with TAB and $3.50 to finish top four.

Adam Saad is one of three high-profile Essendon recruits. Picture: Michael Klein

Worsfold says 2018 is the time for the club and its players to “step up”.

“Yes we did make the finals but it was just a final and we know that what we’re here for is to get better, win finals and aim to win our 17th premiership,” he said.

“That’s the next level we are striving for, looking for every avenue to improve.

“2018 is the time for us to step up.

“Hard work, it’s tough, this is a brutal competition that does not give you anything easily. We have to stand up and be prepared to do the work to grab it.

“Our planning in the off-season has been looking at every possible area we can take our football to the next level. We need our game plan to be stronger and more consistent, we need to be fitter and stronger as a group.”

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/a...s/news-story/2ab495f17f4425de0b2cf0aac845f724

 

[eDPS]

May be just the camera angles but Zaharakis looks like he has bulked up. Maybe he has put his hand up to spend more time 'inside'?

He is a mature player now and has probably lost a bit of toe compared to his younger days. Showed a willingness to tackle and get his hands dirty last season more than ever before. He had his highest number of disposals and tackles for a season last year. His uncontested possession count was also the highest, but this could be as much to do with Wooshas' game plan as anything else.

Nah he looks the same to me, ive been saying the same thing as you these last few years although I thought he stepped up a few times in the guts this year.

 

[Blind Turn]

It’s been mentioned in his own thread how well Begley did in the time trial but I’m also excited that Langford and Long are really pushing themselves. I’m Matthew Knights level ‘bullish’ about these 3 next season.

 

[Whispering_Jack]

How did Stanton go?

 

[Eleven 38]

It's good that 5 out of the top 8 in the 2k are blokes who haven't got cemented spots in the best 22. Shows that competition for spots has already started.

 

[The Prosecutor]

How did Stanton go?

Must be injured, he's normally up there with Ambrose.

 

[HirdyLannister]

Stants is retired, unless this a joke I'm missing like how he is always in our top 3?

 

[Whispering_Jack]

Stants is retired, unless this a joke I'm missing like how he is always in our top 3?

Yeah, the second part of your sentence.

 

[Bombermania]

How did Stanton go?

Banyule FC didn't bother having a time trial as it knew Stants would win it

 

[eth-dog]

Banyule FC didn't bother having a time trial as it knew Stants would win it

Have on good authority they did just to see how far behind second finished

 

[DapperJong]

Stants is retired, unless this a joke I'm missing like how he is always in our top 3?

Come on mate.