2019 Training Reports

[theGav56]

Seriously makes you wonder how Matera is going to go given his limited benefits beyond goal scoring. Ordinary for both defensive pressure and midfield ability.

 

[Taylor]

He should be the forward who presses up the ground for a mark, or to get to the feet of Lobb taking marks on the wing.

Being able to turn onto the left foot would be a boost if he is matched up on a guy who isn't quite switched on.

 

[Docker82]

Eddie Betts who’s generally considered one of the best small forwards of the modern era does not average two goals a game throughout his career.

For a career 1.5 goals per game as a small forward is pretty damn good. Ballantyne was so far beyond WAFL level it was ridiculous but that isn’t the standard required to be worth drafting as a mature ager. It’s quite likely a few of these mature agers end up being role players and that’s ok. We need to except role players have their spot.

In 2013 we had Spurr, Crowley and Mzungu playing great roles for the club. It was De Boer, Suban, Clarke, Dawson, Sutcliffe and an 19 year old Lachie Neale picked more for potential than output at the time that sealed our fate.

 

[wayToGo_]

We seem to be collecting a plethora of small forwards, most supposedly pressure small forwards.

Let’s name a few

Colyer avg <1 goals
Schultz < 1.5 goal average in VFL
Switkowski < 1.5 goal average in VFL
Matera 1.2 goal average across AFL

Ballas averages 1.5 goal across AFL career

Son Son was averaging 1.8 goals before the midfield move.. Son Son please play more forward and just relieve in the midfield!

And Crowden, Giro (are they small forwards or mids)

Question is if you can’t kick lots of goals in lower leagues it’s hard to imagine they will blossom at AFL level.

Before Ballas was drafted he kicked 75 goals in the WAFL in 2008.

None of the new guys have shown they can do that so let’s not pump the tyres up on expectations. They are role players not game changers.

Examples of role players include Tipungwuti (I’m sure that’s spelt wrong) for Essendon .. averages 1 goal a game, but plays a role.

But gee would be good to snag a small forward with a bag full of tricks! The Wizard averaged just over 1.93 goals a game! Makes the forward line a seriously dangerous place. Errr yeh and exciting to watch.

You've got to give them an opportunity first though. Switkowski's 19 goals in 12 games (in 2017 - that's 1.58 gpg), and Shultz's 24 goals in 20 games (in 2018) and 31 goals in 17 games (in 2017 - that's 1.8 gpg) at VFL level aren't that dissimilar to Ballas 28 goals in 18 games (in 2007 WAFL - 1.56 gpg).

Ballas really is cooked now. I hope we don't need to see him at AFL level again (apart from a farewell game) and back in other options that will be around for the coming years. I will always regard him as a legend for Freo but if not for getting on the end of a heap of cheapies, his last season would have been career ending imo (it really should have been anyway). He's only averaged 1.18 goals since his best of 2.45 way back in 2014.

Matera's season was just as bad (arguably worse) but at least he has the excuses of it being his first year at the club, and playing a lot in the midfield/up the ground (for some unknown reason). His 2017 output @ GC before injury was very good (2.2 goals and 6.8 score involvements per game), so he'll need to re-find that quickly to find a place in the best 22. Think he's got more chance to re-find form than Ballas.

I think we should have some optimism... we have a clean slate with our forward line heading into 2019. Everyone will be competing for spots as we now have some depth options. Irrespective of how we go in 2019, we get to see who is up to it and who isn't, and if we still have any gaps to fill in the next trade period. The opportunity to secure a best 22 spot (that is up for grabs) and/or fear of your career being over should be motivation enough to see plenty of improvement with our small forward brigade in 2019.

 

[Unique Name]

Just be prepared to see Ballas lining up Rnd 1.

 

[dockerfemme]

Just be prepared to see Ballas lining up Rnd 1.

I need a ‘don’t like’ button for this. I agree with you but I dislike the prospect.

 

[Walkingwounded]

Just be prepared to see Ballas lining up Rnd 1.

Unless someone steps up during preseason trial games, like Banfield did last year, booked his early games on the back of excellent preseason form!

 

[Del183359]

Ugh

 

[wayToGo_]

Just be prepared to see Ballas lining up Rnd 1.

Reported for not being in the melt thread

 

[Righteo]

Ballas kicked 4 goals against a pretty good Pies team in round 23...

You're only as good as your last game right?

 

[Arcassius]

You've got to give them an opportunity first though. Switkowski's 19 goals in 12 games (in 2017 - that's 1.58 gpg), and Shultz's 24 goals in 20 games (in 2018) and 31 goals in 17 games (in 2017 - that's 1.8 gpg) at VFL level aren't that dissimilar to Ballas 28 goals in 18 games (in 2007 WAFL - 1.56 gpg).

Ballas really is cooked now. I hope we don't need to see him at AFL level again (apart from a farewell game) and back in other options that will be around for the coming years. I will always regard him as a legend for Freo but if not for getting on the end of a heap of cheapies, his last season would have been career ending imo (it really should have been anyway). He's only averaged 1.18 goals since his best of 2.45 way back in 2014.

Matera's season was just as bad (arguably worse) but at least he has the excuses of it being his first year at the club, and playing a lot in the midfield/up the ground (for some unknown reason). His 2017 output @ GC before injury was very good (2.2 goals and 6.8 score involvements per game), so he'll need to re-find that quickly to find a place in the best 22. Think he's got more chance to re-find form than Ballas.

I think we should have some optimism... we have a clean slate with our forward line heading into 2019. Everyone will be competing for spots as we now have some depth options. Irrespective of how we go in 2019, we get to see who is up to it and who isn't, and if we still have any gaps to fill in the next trade period. The opportunity to secure a best 22 spot (that is up for grabs) and/or fear of your career being over should be motivation enough to see plenty of improvement with our small forward brigade in 2019.

Matera's season was just as bad (arguably worse) but at least he has the excuses of it being his first year at the club, and playing a lot in the midfield/up the ground (for some unknown reason).

A few years ago we focused on getting our small forwards to be more flexible by having them rotate through the middle. It helps get them into the game, leverages their speed, and helps them lose their defenders. Originally Walters, Neale and Ballas were being trained to rotate with one another.

I think Ross still likes his positional flexibility, so that have no doubt that Matera will be spending more time forward this year, but still rotating through the middle

 

[Bicco]

Ballas kicked 4 goals against a pretty good Pies team in round 23...

You're only as good as your last game right?

As in your last game ever?

 

[wayToGo_]

Ballas kicked 4 goals against a pretty good Pies team in round 23...

You're only as good as your last game right?

Also reported because nobody here can like this.

 

[theGav56]

Yeah it is funny with small forwards.Players like Betts with their precocious talent are a disruptive factor for the defence beyond their goal kicking. They have match winning ability beyond their 1.5 goal average, and they force you to adjust to stop that from occurring. Their presence makes other forwards more dangerous, and they open up scoring possibilities.

 

[Daddoo]

Just read the Alf.com.au article ranking all defenses. They put Freo at #12 which I actually think is a pretty optimistic assessment at this point. They didn’t perform at this level last year so they’re really going on potential at this point. I’m surprised that a Freo defense would get props by Melbourne journos.

I’m excited to see what a second year APierce can do and the addition of Logue. I could actually see a top 10 defense if each of these guys can perform at a level where we expect them to play. With an improved forward line and (hopefully) improved i50s there should be less pressure on the back line over all.


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Del183359]

Just read the Alf.com.au article ranking all defenses. They put Freo at #12 which I actually think is a pretty optimistic assessment at this point. They didn’t perform at this level last year so they’re really going on potential at this point. I’m surprised that a Freo defense would get props by Melbourne journos.

I’m excited to see what a second year APierce can do and the addition of Logue. I could actually see a top 10 defense if each of these guys can perform at a level where we expect them to play. With an improved forward line and (hopefully) improved i50s there should be less pressure on the back line over all.


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

I think our back six have shown their potential and I’m confident they’ll show that again in 2019.

I think the question marks will be over how our mids will supply our new forward line given the loss of Neale, and the recruitment of Hogan and Lobb.

 

[dropbear101]

Can anyone find that photo of logue next to fyfe.

 

[Daddoo]

Can anyone find that photo of logue next to fyfe.

Look on this thread post #1458.


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[gaskin]

Just read the Alf.com.au article ranking all defenses. They put Freo at #12 which I actually think is a pretty optimistic assessment at this point. They didn’t perform at this level last year so they’re really going on potential at this point. I’m surprised that a Freo defense would get props by Melbourne journos.

I’m excited to see what a second year APierce can do and the addition of Logue. I could actually see a top 10 defense if each of these guys can perform at a level where we expect them to play. With an improved forward line and (hopefully) improved i50s there should be less pressure on the back line over all.


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

I actually think 12th is a bit of a poor ranking. Our defence is easily top 10 IMO with a lot of problems coming from midfielders not getting back and helping or following their man when the opposition transition quickly.

 

[Taylor]

I actually think 12th is a bit of a poor ranking. Our defence is easily top 10 IMO with a lot of problems coming from midfielders not getting back and helping or following their man when the opposition transition quickly.

Journalists give the simple answers to complex problems.

 

[Wally Walpamur]

I reckon we’ll finish top 8 defence and goals and make the 8

 

[Arcassius]

Journalists rate things based on last season and in isolation. Our defense is rated on points against although a big reason for that was our midfield hosting 2-3 first year players at a time and being slaughtered. You get enough ball coming into the back line, and you'll leak goals too. I don't bother with the ratings - they are meaningless. We'll improve this season on the back of any improvement in our team defense

 

[jedi mind tricks]

Journalists can say whatever they like. It has no bearing on the outcome

 

[wayToGo_]

I don't mind our rating - I think our backline is capable of being far higher but it's far better to exceed expectations than to fall well below them.

What I don't get though is Essendon coming in at 4th??? The hype train has really left the station in Victoria for the Bombers. Setting them up very nicely to fail again. I don't get why they think they will improve so dramatically... especially in the backline? Hooker and Hurley will always be fairly solid pillars but highly unlikely to improve on past years. Gleeson is average. McKenna and Saad like to run and are exciting to watch for 1 or 2 plays a game but can either of them kick or defend? Unless Francis is suddenly going to become a gun overnight I don't understand their reasoning for the massive improvement? There is just no way they should be seen as ahead of some proven defensive units like Adelaide, Sydney, Hawks etc. I mean Taberner towels them up every time he plays against them.

 

[theGav56]

Our entire backline is virtually new compared to 2 years ago. It's fair to have some cynicism, but I just see upside. Especially with Logue coming in.