Training 2023 Pre-season thread

[martinson]

I thought McKenna was a lot better this week compared to the last. With that in mind, he's still quite rusty.

would not be surprised to see him named round one, but equally wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't hold that spot for long if he doesn't perform.

I think he improved from one practice game to the other. Particularly his disposal .

He's actually a real unit and can run like crazy so as he improves I'm hopeful he'll become a weapon.

Has that rare line breaking capacity that is like gold if he can pull it off.

 

[Cubs2Lions]

 

[The Flying Belgian]

I thought McKenna was a lot better this week compared to the last. With that in mind, he's still quite rusty.

would not be surprised to see him named round one, but equally wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't hold that spot for long if he doesn't perform.

Admittedly I missed a few periods of the game, but I thought so too. I think he possibly was trying a little hard vs Sydney.

Probably good to note too, that the defensive aspect of defenders game is arguably more important than what they do with the footy. As observers, I think it's sometimes to quantify what expected of them.

 

[Berrygood]

I was very much on the McKenna bandwagon but he looked very rusty out there, both disposal and pace. I'd have Wilmot ahead at this stage, though I suspect we might see both with one pushing up to the wing (like Wilmot on Thursday).

I'm really not on the McKenna bandwagon. As much as everyone has talked about his speed, run, attacking ability, very little has been said about his defensive qualities. In a preseason where the focus has been our defense and our improved defensive need to go further, I'm not sure he is up to it yet. Happy to hear otherwise if others have a different opinion.

I also think McKenna is just trophy shopping. He got his prize in Ireland and now is just looking to balance his mantelshelf with an Afl gong. I don't see any real long-term loyalty from this bloke, a hit n run effort at best. For this reason I'd much rather see opportunity go to Wilmot. I'd rather us put time into our youth that has long-term potential than a short-term sugar rush.

McKenna may be a good or better than good player and may be handy thru the year but I'm just not sold on him yet. If he can prove himself this season then re-sign for longer than 1yr I might change my mind.

 

[Tom14]

I'm really not on the McKenna bandwagon. As much as everyone has talked about his speed, run, attacking ability, very little has been said about his defensive qualities. In a preseason where the focus has been our defense and our improved defensive need to go further, I'm not sure he is up to it yet. Happy to hear otherwise if others have a different opinion.

I also think McKenna is just trophy shopping. He got his prize in Ireland and now is just looking to balance his mantelshelf with an Afl gong. I don't see any real long-term loyalty from this bloke, a hit n run effort at best. For this reason I'd much rather see opportunity go to Wilmot. I'd rather us put time into our youth that has long-term potential than a short-term sugar rush.

McKenna may be a good or better than good player and may be handy thru the year but I'm just not sold on him yet. If he can prove himself this season then re-sign for longer than 1yr I might change my mind.

I agree, he doesn't have nearly the loyalty of our great leaders like Lachie Neale, Josh Dunkley, Jack Gunston, Joe Daniher, Jarryd Lyons, etc

 

[briztoon]

The problem with playing both Dev and Answerth together (especially in those distributing positions such as wing /HBF) is the number of skied, hurried kicks that result. They also don’t offer a lot of pace.

Dev makes my 22 as a relief inside midfielder - offering a harder defensive edge to others, whereas I’d rather speed and/or better users (Coleman, Wilmot, McKenna, Rich, Ah Chee, Tunstill) to Answerth at this stage.

The whole point of having a squad of players with different strengths, however, is not just to cover injuries. We should be more flexible depending on the condition and opposition, a “horses for courses” if you will… Answerth should get a look against sides with multiple smaller-mid forward options like Collingwood, Sydney and Adelaide.

Eh…

 

[FeastOrFamine]

I think Answerth is best 22. His kicking may be a bit skew whiff, but he's got the mongrel about him that I think we need.

I thought he was unfairly maligned by many on here for some of his performances last year. To be able to come back and play every game after having OP is a massive achievement. As for who he would displace from the team, I honestly wouldn't have a clue. Everyone who played on Friday played pretty so there'd be some very unlucky players.

 

[Nathan Barley]

I think along with 3 talls we have 3 locks as smaller defenders; Starcevich, Rich and Kiddy. Need a 4th but I'd like someone with flexibility so I'd select Wilmot and Rayner on the bench who can also play wing or forward. Ah Chee another option.

Lots of options

 

[Nathan Barley]

Eh…
View attachment 1621082

There are different ways to measure pace

 

[martinson]

I'd rather someone come to us because he wants to win a flag than go somewhere else because he thinks he can get a game there.

 

[Section 5]

I was very much on the McKenna bandwagon but he looked very rusty out there, both disposal and pace. I'd have Wilmot ahead at this stage, though I suspect we might see both with one pushing up to the wing (like Wilmot on Thursday).

That is the best i have seen so far this year form McKenna, which is about the minimum you would want from a half back.
The club usually play players they go after. So, it won't surprise me if he holds his spot in the early rounds.
He is improving slowly after 2 years away from AFL so that is something.

We have suitable replacements. Whoever the club chooses is fine with me at this early stage.

 

[jjami15]

There are different ways to measure pace

It was noticeable on the other evening’s game that Dev has toe when he needs to use it.

 

[Brett C]

There are different ways to measure pace

Perhaps the state draft combine results where his time would have put him 1st in agility and 3rd for the 20m sprint at the AFL combine measure his pace.

That along with his top speed is a pretty accurate measurement.

 

[Nathan Barley]

It was noticeable on the other evening’s game that Dev has toe when he needs to use it.

Yeah I was impressed by the way he moved on Thursday

 

[briztoon]

I don’t know what Ashcroft’s top end speed is like, but I’d probably back Dev over 60 meters ahead over any of our other mids or wingers.

 

[Berrygood]

I agree, he doesn't have nearly the loyalty of our great leaders like Lachie Neale, Josh Dunkley, Jack Gunston, Joe Daniher, Jarryd Lyons, etc

At least all those players signed on for longer than a year. They also didn't shop themselves around to other clubs in a window. I may be wrong about McKenna, happy if I am, but that's just the way I feel at the moment. Certainly no need to be sarcastically passive aggressive. If you disagree, say you disagree and put fwd a counter argument with your point of view. I'm very happy to discuss issues in an open and respectful way.

 

[Berrygood]

I'd rather someone come to us because he wants to win a flag than go somewhere else because he thinks he can get a game there.

I do appreciate that point of view. Everyone that comes here should want to win a flag. I just feel it was a bit mercenary the way it came about. As I also said I'd be happy if I was wrong.

 

[M Malice]

At least all those players signed on for longer than a year. They also didn't shop themselves around to other clubs in a window. I may be wrong about McKenna, happy if I am, but that's just the way I feel at the moment. Certainly no need to be sarcastically passive aggressive. If you disagree, say you disagree and put fwd a counter argument with your point of view. I'm very happy to discuss issues in an open and respectful way.

I think that year contract for McKenna would have been club initiated, we want to see if he has still got it before committing to him long term, I'm sure McKenna would have preferred 2-3 years. Loyalty works both ways, clubs will often move on players who would rather stay eg. Daniel Bradshaw.

 

[BuntonRules]

I do appreciate that point of view. Everyone that comes here should want to win a flag. I just feel it was a bit mercenary the way it came about. As I also said I'd be happy if I was wrong.

I am just happy he chose to come here, rather than somewhere else.

 

[martinson]

I do appreciate that point of view. Everyone that comes here should want to win a flag. I just feel it was a bit mercenary the way it came about. As I also said I'd be happy if I was wrong.

As I understand it we went and approached him.

 

[DERRINALPHIL]

McCluggage scared to kick for goal.

I’m scared of Clug kicking for goal

 

[Nunez]

I’m scared of Clug kicking for goal

He will kick 15+ goals this year. Bookmark it

 

[BrainOfMorbius]

I find this "mercenary" concept a bit old-fashioned and irrelevant in a fully professional era. Frankly I don't care if he comes to us because he thinks he is a better chance of winning a premiership with us. Same as I don't begrudge players who move on for better opportunities or pay packets.

 

[Berrygood]

I think that year contract for McKenna would have been club initiated, we want to see if he has still got it before committing to him long term, I'm sure McKenna would have preferred 2-3 years. Loyalty works both ways, clubs will often move on players who would rather stay eg. Daniel Bradshaw.

I can see that the 1yr contract may have been initiated by the club for those reasons, I initially thought that too. That makes sense. It could also be initiated by him for the reasons I thought too, we don't know for sure. Maybe it's a bit of both.

Why I think this way is that I read an interview with him where he said after winning the All Ireland Gaelic Football final he wanted to add an Afl flag to his collection. His collection, ticking boxes. He was very quick to leave his Irish club to try to achieve that. My worry is he would be just as quick to leave if he wins one here. Maybe I inferred the wrong thing from the article, or the tone of the author led me that way.

I also appreciate that loyalty isn't big for a lot players these days, or clubs for that matter. That irks me. Both want to get what they can out of the game while they can. That's the professional age I guess. As long as there's an F.C. at the end of the team name and not a Pty Ltd, to me there's a place for club and player loyalty.

 

[martinson]

I can see that the 1yr contract may have been initiated by the club for those reasons, I initially thought that too. That makes sense. It could also be initiated by him for the reasons I thought too, we don't know for sure. Maybe it's a bit of both.

Why I think this way is that I read an interview with him where he said after winning the All Ireland Gaelic Football final he wanted to add an Afl flag to his collection. His collection, ticking boxes. He was very quick to leave his Irish club to try to achieve that. My worry is he would be just as quick to leave if he wins one here. Maybe I inferred the wrong thing from the article, or the tone of the author led me that way.

I also appreciate that loyalty isn't big for a lot players these days, or clubs for that matter. That irks me. Both want to get what they can out of the game while they can. That's the professional age I guess. As long as there's an F.C. at the end of the team name and not a Pty Ltd, to me there's a place for club and player loyalty.

From my perspective I'm fine with everything he said .He wants to win an AFL flag . Everyone has their reasons. His is valid.

I think it's drawing a long bow to imply he's disloyal. We won't give him another contract if he doesn't shape up. It can't have been that easy to come out here again after what happened to him during covid. All I take from it is that he's extremely motivated.