Training 2025 Pre Season and Training Reports Thread

[grassman75]

It's refreshing over the constant glum crap

Now can we get back to sacking Bevo?

 

[Fossie 32]

Long time listener, first time poster.

I actually think the list has enough talent to be competitive this year. Whilst the injuries haven't been ideal, I feel as if the depth we have across the field can keep us in games against most teams. Whilst the jungle drums might beat pretty loud if we drop the early games, I hope Bevo can find the spark which had players wanting to run through walls in 2016 and 2021.

Sorry for the toxic optimism, just thought it was time

 

[Fossie 32]

Short memories, anyone remember the 2016, had a terrible run with injuries for most of the year. Survived or some will say thrived in adversity. Then got our senior players back and won the premiership.

Injuries create opportunities

I was just saying that to someone today - 2016 was the worst year I can remember for injuries

 

[Pencil case]

Dolan probably gets a chance this year if he shows even a little bit of form at VFL level. Seems to be highly rated internally.

There’s a reason a whole lot of clubs had Dolan at the top of their whiteboard with their second pick.

 

[Highlander]

I would almost guarantee that McNeil, Vandermeer or Jones gets first crack at the small forward role with Weightman out, but I'd much rather give Dolan first crack, or even Hynes.

I'm so tired of McNeil and Vandermeer. McNeil has a lot to work with but just never delivers and Vandermeer has only had a handfull of serviceable games.

 

[Dogs_R_Us]

Injuries create opportunities. We need 10 players to step up in a big way this year just like 2016

Frezze
Muffin
Bus
Don
Art
Xander
Harley
East
...
...

Translation?

 

[perro_loco]

Injuries create opportunities. We need 10 players to step up in a big way this year just like 2016

Frezze
Muffin
Bus
Don
Art
Xander
Harley
East
...
...

Please explain

 

[BIG_BONTS]

Translation?

Frejiah
Crossley
Buss
JOD
Arty
Sanders
Davidson
West

Plus Croft

 

[RedWhite&Blue]

Now can we get back to sacking Bevo?

Just sack someone, anyone, we need some heads rolling!

 

[RedWhite&Blue]

Think I agree with both sentiments lol.

We have to give Sanders and Busslinger a go, we invested a lot in them, the injuries have opened a spot, it’s time.

but ar the same time they’re getting those spots based on potential and hope. Unfortunately that’s just what needs to happen - more experienced options like Baker or Gardner aren’t going to give us anything better.

Meanwhile we’re looking at options like a Crossley-English duo, Buku up forward, Davidson etc to replace basically the best shot generator in the afl.

Meanwhile to replace Cody’s goals we’ve got McNeil who shits himself in front of goals, VDM (lol) and AJ who has shown flashes of talent once in a blue moon. Or Hynes who of course has zero exposed form at the level and is in his first season anyway.

we’re looking at significant downgrades in several areas. There is potential for Sanders, Buss and even AJ to improve and give us decent production but…

What we do know is that Bev does his best work when we seem down and out, and struggles when the expectations are actually there. We’re at a point where some crazy shit might be needed and that’s when he can kind of start to cook. Admittedly you sometimes you get Easton Wood in the forward line.

I do think and hope this is Bevo’s last season at the helm (have been for awhile) but I’m kind of intrigued to see how he goes about managing all this. Coaching masterclass? Bottom 4 trainwreck? Another season finishing 8th and losing in the first week of the finals? No idea what to expect.

****ing love the highlighted bit!

 

[Snarls Barkley]

I would almost guarantee that McNeil, Vandermeer or Jones gets first crack at the small forward role with Weightman out, but I'd much rather give Dolan first crack, or even Hynes.

I'm so tired of McNeil and Vandermeer. McNeil has a lot to work with but just never delivers and Vandermeer has only had a handfull of serviceable games.

Only Bont has had more consecutive games in the 22 than Vandermeer's 35 (Dale and Williams have longer consecutive game streaks but have started games as sub). So yeah, get ready for more VDM.

 

[CaptainWorpedo]

They both had pretty much full strength teams

The Hawks didn’t have their full strength team.

No Lewis, Dear, Barrass, Impey, Amon, D’Ambrosio, Jaith and Watson, all part of best 22.

Looking forward to the Hawks and Doggies game next.

 

[Bald]

The Hawks didn’t have their full strength team.

No Lewis, Dear, Barrass, Impey, Amon, D’Ambrosio, Jaith and Watson, all part of best 22.

Looking forward to the Hawks and Doggies game next.

We aren’t.

 

[go_sports_team]

We aren’t.

Feels like it won't be pretty.

 

[Doggy]

Feels like it won't be pretty.

They will drop a bit this year

 

[Dog 36]

They will drop a bit this year

Not sure about that

Couple good additions and another pre season for some of their younger players I expect them to be around abouts when the whips are cracking

 

[Doggy]

Not sure about that

Couple good additions and another pre season for some of their younger players I expect them to be around abouts when the whips are cracking

Absolutely everything went right for them last year and they had a very injury free year.

They won't necessarily get it so easy again when teams also know what to expect now.

Barrass has possible injury issues and Battle is ok.

 

[maddog37]

The Hawks didn’t have their full strength team.

No Lewis, Dear, Barrass, Impey, Amon, D’Ambrosio, Jaith and Watson, all part of best 22.

Looking forward to the Hawks and Doggies game next.

It will be nice to see your coat tail supporters act like entitled flogs again.

 

[Mofra]

Absolutely everything went right for them last year and they had a very injury free year.

They won't necessarily get it so easy again when teams also know what to expect now.

Barrass has possible injury issues and Battle is ok.

Injury free?
They lost their best KPF and their number 2 KPD for the year, and their B&F winner missed a number of games too.

 

[Doggy]

Injury free?
They lost their best KPF and their number 2 KPD for the year, and their B&F winner missed a number of games too.

No team has a fully injury free year ....

I'm surprised you took that literally.

They had a pretty good run though and they had a lot go right. Let's see how they go as the hunted now. Second favourite for the flag is wild.

 

[Mofra]

No team has a fully injury free year ....

I'm surprised you took that literally.

They had a pretty good run though and they had a lot go right. Let's see how they go as the hunted now. Second favourite for the flag is wild.

They arguably had a worse year of injury than we did last year. No way they had a "good run".

It's why I'm less concerned about our injuries right now than other posters are. Good teams learn to cope, and some of the kids who get exposed to the senior level may surprise us. I'm really bullish on what Hynes and Dolan can do. They need time but I'm confident both will become really good players for us.

 

[Doggy]

They arguably had a worse year of injury than we did last year. No way they had a "good run".

It's why I'm less concerned about our injuries right now than other posters are. Good teams learn to cope, and some of the kids who get exposed to the senior level may surprise us. I'm really bullish on what Hynes and Dolan can do. They need time but I'm confident both will become really good players for us.

Hopefully they will be good.

But my point still stands. Let's see how Hawthorn go as the hunted. I'm not convinced they should be second favourite for the flag at all.

 

[Mofra]

Hopefully they will be good.

But my point still stands. Let's see how Hawthorn go as the hunted. I'm not convinced they should be second favourite for the flag at all.

I think they'll push for top 4.

Brisbane and GWS are my early pick as top 2. Freo shaping up to be very good this year too.

 

[Bald]

Yeah I'll eat my shoes if Hawthorn don't finish top four. The acquisitions they've brought in are ridiculous.

They've comfortably got the best back line, a very good midfield group and a hugely talented, albeit small forward line.

 

[VitalDread]

Jamarra back with the AFL team today

Great news