Training 2024 training updates.

[Jen2310]

Ryan Eyre? He should get sponsored by a particular Irish airline…

Hahaha I flew on that airline once. To Amsterdam


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[Obese Arachnid]

Hahaha I flew on that airline once. To Amsterdam


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How was the cream of bud soup?

 

[legendstatus]

Uber passed the ground this morning and saw a bunch of athletes on the ground assuming they belong to us, so ground seems to be ready to go

Game on !

 

[partypie]

They’re slowly self destructing. Hopefully it continues.

Culture starts with the people at the top, so no reason to not see it continue?

 

[Apples]

Is training at Vic Park on Thursday, or back at Olympic Park?

 

[BillyElliott]

Is training at Vic Park on Thursday, or back at Olympic Park?

Back at AIA from Thursday.

 

[swoop42]

Who else looked good in Morwell?


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After arriving at the ground a couple of minutes after the scheduled start time my first thought was I needed two more of myself to be able to take it all in.

With the squad split into multiple groups across the ground and rotating from one drill to another it's impossible to be everywhere you want to be. Not sure how you do it Jen.

Probably the biggest takeaway from the early stages was seeing Moore in attendance though he didn't complete full training. We found out days later he was having to undergo minor surgery so the reason became clear.

As expected most of the senior players weren't in attendance and this extended to Crisp also who had trained a couple of days prior in Morwell.

Quaynor, Schultz and Begg were other notable absentees from the session.

In one of the early drills which was focused on tackling and corralling an opponent close to the boundary, after witnessing every player either surrendering themselves to the tackle or being unable to invade the opponent, Naicos underlined his sublime evasive ability in close and competitivess by getting himself clear.

It was just a small moment but to me it only further hightlighted why he is such a special talent.

As for the rest of the session a few observations:

De Goey - While it's hardly new news this training session only reinforced that he is very much a midfielder now and those hoping for more forward time in 2024 will be left waiting. Not sensing any concerns about a Premiership hangover with him (or the group as a whole) as he looked fit and hungry for the contest.
Hill - If he keeps his head on straight after his Premiership winning Norm Smith performance then he'll be going to another level in 2024 if this display was any guide. He used Cyril Rioli as his inspiration for GF day and while he's unlikely to reach that level (his career stats aren't a match to date) his 24 game 33.14 goal 5th season was at least in the ball park of Cyril in his 5th year (2012) when he finished with 39.22 from 23 games.
Macrae - Pushed forward and kicked 2 goals for the winning side in the 30 minute match practice. This is the kind of extra string to his bow he'll need if he's to become AFL relevant.
Johnson - Looked bigger and stronger through the shoulders and biceps. If this wasn't my eyes playing tricks then he's well ahead of last off season when he returned out of shape. With the unfortunate injury to McStay he has his opportunity and judging by the numerous shots on goal he generated for himself during the morning, I'd say he's on his way to a potential career best season if his body remains healthy.
Lipinski - Got to give to credit when credit is due. This is one fit guy and in the mixture of running exercises at the end of the training session he was always leading his group. If he suffers no further setback to that shoulder of his then I think we'll see a more body confident player in 2024 and with that improved performances.
Sofronidis - The rumours were true. This is one skinny mofo. Not KP material but on the upside his slim physique means he's light on his feet and seems to cover the ground well. Like Lipinski was often one of the front runners in the exercises at the end of training. Fitness would appear no issue. Haven't see enough to really know what type he reminds me of but perhaps someone like Langdon if forced to pick at this early stage. Jury still out whether he'll make the cut for a rookie list position.
Jiath - We'll need to be patient because like Hine alluded to at the time of his drafting he looks every bit the skinny teenager. Competed in all the training but sat out the practice game (well practice quarter). There was a moment however, just a moment, when his forward opponent fumbled the ball and in a flash he gathered the ball cleanly and went running away without hestitation. No doubt his natural instincts fit the mould of how we want to play.

 

[manicpie]

How was the cream of bud soup?

I never tried that but I did enjoy my coffee with a joint in Amsterdam, $3 was too good to refuse

 

[Apples]

"There was a moment however, just a moment, when his forward opponent fumbled the ball and in a flash he gathered the ball cleanly and went running away without hestitation. No doubt his natural instincts fit the mould of how we want to play."

These are the little observations that I love; when an observer sees something, a small moment of skill, that promise so much. Thanks for a nice piece.

 

[Jen2310]

After arriving at the ground a couple of minutes after the scheduled start time my first thought was I needed two more of myself to be able to take it all in.

With the squad split into multiple groups across the ground and rotating from one drill to another it's impossible to be everywhere you want to be. Not sure how you do it Jen.

Probably the biggest takeaway from the early stages was seeing Moore in attendance though he didn't complete full training. We found out days later he was having to undergo minor surgery so the reason became clear.

As expected most of the senior players weren't in attendance and this extended to Crisp also who had trained a couple of days prior in Morwell.

Quaynor, Schultz and Begg were other notable absentees from the session.

In one of the early drills which was focused on tackling and corralling an opponent close to the boundary, after witnessing every player either surrendering themselves to the tackle or being unable to invade the opponent, Naicos underlined his sublime evasive ability in close and competitivess by getting himself clear.

It was just a small moment but to me it only further hightlighted why he is such a special talent.

As for the rest of the session a few observations:

De Goey - While it's hardly new news this training session only reinforced that he is very much a midfielder now and those hoping for more forward time in 2024 will be left waiting. Not sensing any concerns about a Premiership hangover with him (or the group as a whole) as he looked fit and hungry for the contest.
Hill - If he keeps his head on straight after his Premiership winning Norm Smith performance then he'll be going to another level in 2024 if this display was any guide. He used Cyril Rioli as his inspiration for GF day and while he's unlikely to reach that level (his career stats aren't a match to date) his 24 game 33.14 goal 5th season was at least in the ball park of Cyril in his 5th year (2012) when he finished with 39.22 from 23 games.
Macrae - Pushed forward and kicked 2 goals for the winning side in the 30 minute match practice. This is the kind of extra string to his bow he'll need if he's to become AFL relevant.
Johnson - Looked bigger and stronger through the shoulders and biceps. If this wasn't my eyes playing tricks then he's well ahead of last off season when he returned out of shape. With the unfortunate injury to McStay he has his opportunity and judging by the numerous shots on goal he generated for himself during the morning, I'd say he's on his way to a potential career best season if his body remains healthy.
Lipinski - Got to give to credit when credit is due. This is one fit guy and in the mixture of running exercises at the end of the training session he was always leading his group. If he suffers no further setback to that shoulder of his then I think we'll see a more body confident player in 2024 and with that improved performances.
Sofronidis - The rumours were true. This is one skinny mofo. Not KP material but on the upside his slim physique means he's light on his feet and seems to cover the ground well. Like Lipinski was often one of the front runners in the exercises at the end of training. Fitness would appear no issue. Haven't see enough to really know what type he reminds me of but perhaps someone like Langdon if forced to pick at this early stage. Jury still out whether he'll make the cut for a rookie list position.
Jiath - We'll need to be patient because like Hine alluded to at the time of his drafting he looks every bit the skinny teenager. Competed in all the training but sat out the practice game (well practice quarter). There was a moment however, just a moment, when his forward opponent fumbled the ball and in a flash he gathered the ball cleanly and went running away without hestitation. No doubt his natural instincts fit the mould of how we want to play.

Thanks! And yeah, when they are separated in groups it's hard to focus everywhere, so I tend to focus on who is in front of me, as they tend to rotate.

That's good to hear about Fin. That's what we like to hear.

Eyre?

 

[SchuPie]

Macrae - Pushed forward and kicked 2 goals for the winning side in the 30 minute match practice. This is the kind of extra string to his bow he'll need if he's to become AFL relevant.

Yep - he has others now coming for his spot (whether from within or via trade at end of year)
Imo he has to become a goal-kicking distributer version of Titch / Adams
My feeling is that if he doesn’t he’ll become part of a trade for Smith / Holmes or similar

 

[Jen2310]

Once the opportunity comes for fin, and it will, now without Adams; he needs to take it with both hands. This is his year. Make or break.

 

[Abdul_The_Bull]

I believe he will take his opportunity. He has been developing nicely at VFL level and as Fly has stated, he's above that level. From the outside it appears that Fin has been patient and has been active in his own development with the coaching staff. I have a positive expectation that when he makes the side he will remain in it and become a quality contributor.
There's just something different about his journey to others that suggests (at least to me) that he will come into his own.

 

[RobJD]

Yep - he has others now coming for his spot (whether from within or via trade at end of year)
Imo he has to become a goal-kicking distributer version of Titch / Adams
My feeling is that if he doesn’t he’ll become part of a trade for Smith / Holmes or similar

Good to see that Fin kicked a couple of goals, from the little that I saw of him last year, his goal kicking - especially on a couple of occasions running through the 50 metre arc was disappointing. That was the only aspect of his game that didn't appear to be AFL standard.

 

[satanshoof101]

Yep - he has others now coming for his spot (whether from within or via trade at end of year)
Imo he has to become a goal-kicking distributer version of Titch / Adams
My feeling is that if he doesn’t he’ll become part of a trade for Smith / Holmes or similar

I wonder if Holmes and Smith don't come through if Collingwood would target Hayden Young, maybe offer Ed Allen as part of a trade with Young. I believe he is playing as a full time mid this year.

 

[Jen2310]

I wonder if Holmes and Smith don't come through if Collingwood would target Hayden Young, maybe offer Ed Allen as part of a trade with Young. I believe he is playing as a full time mid this year.

We aren’t offloading ed Allan who we gave confidence in giving him a 4 year contract to. He is part of our long term future.
Especially with Sidey at the end


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[LuckyLee]

I think they will slide this year. I see them as a 6th to 7th team.

Me too. Too much off field instability.


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[LuckyLee]

I mean, the discussion was surrounding key forwards, but ok.

Fair enough. Was just having a bit of fun with you. Regardless, it’s hard to make much of a case for GWS sliding badly this season.


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[Dead Eye Didak]

Me too. Too much off field instability.


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And the mental scars of getting knocked out in straight sets, two years running. They may actually be more confident of advancing from outside the top 4!!

 

[Dead Eye Didak]

I wonder if Holmes and Smith don't come through if Collingwood would target Hayden Young, maybe offer Ed Allen as part of a trade with Young. I believe he is playing as a full time mid this year.

What about Gulden who is out of contract at the end of this year. Maybe we look at Will Hayward who is a free agent at the conclusion of this year. Could be handy up forward at only 25 years old, with Mihocek closer to the end.
Be interesting to see who we target at season’s end or even during the season. We no doubt will be looking at King, Holmes, Smith, McDonald, JUH, Gulden the bigger names who are available this year. Whether we are able to get any of the "bigger" names over the line, will be fascinating to watch or we just keep with the trend of our recruiting over the past few years, and get the not so big fish, and go for a Hayward, Taberner, Rowbottom etc....
I still have a feeling one of Holmes or Smith will be with us in 2025, and we will have a huge crack at JUH, even though reports are Sydney are offering him 10 years. I would love to land 2 of those 3!!!

 

[Ctracks]

Is Fin really too slow for AFL. I don't think he is slow.

 

[RobJD]

Me too. Too much off field instability.


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And they are heavily reliant on Gawn remaining fit and holding form - that's a big ask for a 32yo who has had two knee reco's and has carried the side for the past few years. They don't seem to have much to back him up - Fullarton seems more like a forward/ruck than a first ruck and the rest of their ruck candidates are still in nappies.

 

[Markfs]

looks like some people are going to be disappointed by the end of the year...

 

[satanshoof101]

We aren’t offloading ed Allan who we gave confidence in giving him a 4 year contract to. He is part of our long term future.
Especially with Sidey at the end


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You would swap Hayden Young for Ed Allen. Yes Allen has a lot of upside and could be a Sidebottom replacement but a 22 year old Hayden Young for Ed Allen who could want to go home. Also maybe he signed 4 years straight off the bat so Collingwood would have more chips at the trade table?

 

[Jen2310]

You would swap Hayden Young for Ed Allen. Yes Allen has a lot of upside and could be a Sidebottom replacement but a 22 year old Hayden Young for Ed Allen who could want to go home. Also maybe he signed 4 years straight off the bat so Collingwood would have more chips at the trade table?

He has no interest in going home. Plus his brother lives here.
No I would not swap him for young. If young wants to come then he can wait til FA given he is contracted until 2027


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