Apples' Training Reports

[DaVe86]

I thought last year before he got injured, Sinclair was our most important defender. He was one of the only players taking the game on, and his disposal was actually really good. If he can stay injury free, he is a lock in our 22, I have no doubt about it.

Based on the pre-season reports, it sounds like he is in really good nick.

 

[Soups]

I thought last year before he got injured, Sinclair was our most important defender. He was one of the only players taking the game on, and his disposal was actually really good. If he can stay injury free, he is a lock in our 22, I have no doubt about it.

Based on the pre-season reports, it sounds like he is in really good nick.

Yep I agree too. Cops a lot of flack but he's made that small running defender his position.

He was really unlucky last year. To get 3? Concussions in one year is terrible. Hopefully he can have a clear run because he probably can't afford to get the same amount of head knocks this year.

 

[Bloben]

I thought last year before he got injured, Sinclair was our most important defender. He was one of the only players taking the game on, and his disposal was actually really good. If he can stay injury free, he is a lock in our 22, I have no doubt about it.

Based on the pre-season reports, it sounds like he is in really good nick.

I'm looking forward to see how our backline performs this year. We have made some significant structural changes but should be much more mobile and attacking. I really rate Sinclair and Ramsey as both defenders and attacking running defenders.

Howe was great last year and with a preseason training as a defender could be even better. I think Goldsack should be given a crack at it too. We will have Dunn and Keeffe but when we play against some teams with tall forward lines we will be quite stretched.

 

[pablo disco bar]

I fear sinclairs career will be over before the season is out due to concussion

 

[Quicky]

Anyone go to training today?

 

[TradeDraft]

The criticisms of his skills are really boring. In game he's as reliable as anyone and he runs good lines unlike supposedly better kicks in Oxley and Langdon who love the sideways option to pad their numbers!

Well I guess unless he is Injured he will play every game this season

 

[TradeDraft]

Anyone go to training today?

Was it even on today with the Superbowl on today?

 

[DaVe86]

I fear sinclairs career will be over before the season is out due to concussion

It's going to be one of the big questions out of 2017.

Were Sinclair's concussions just bad luck...or does he have an underlying issue.

We hope it was just bad luck...but having said that one can't help but think that he is probably one more concussion away from ending his career.

 

[TradeDraft]

It's going to be one of the big questions out of 2017.

Were Sinclair's concussions just bad luck...or does he have an underlying issue.

We hope it was just bad luck...but having said that one can't help but think that he is probably one more concussion away from ending his career.

Well he is a Full On Player that does not take a Sideway Step

 

[DaVe86]

I currently have our backline shaping as:

Goldsack, Dunne, Sinclair
Maynard, Reid, Howe

Varcoe the 7th

Varcoe + Sinclair offering run, and Maynard with his booming left foot can be a weapon.

I'm looking for Scharenberg to take over from Goldsack, and maybe Ramsey comes in as the 7th with Varcoe moving more onto a wing.

 

[frizzle]

I currently have our backline shaping as:

Goldsack, Dunne, Sinclair
Maynard, Reid, Howe

Varcoe the 7th

Varcoe + Sinclair offering run, and Maynard with his booming left foot can be a weapon.

I'm looking for Scharenberg to take over from Goldsack, and maybe Ramsey comes in as the 7th with Varcoe moving more onto a wing.

Ramsay or Sinclair can play the small running defender well. Missing both of them for vast amounts of games last season hurt us big time.
The question is can they be relied upon to keep the likes of Betts, Rioli & Walters etc quiet in a one on one basis when they are called to do so?

 

[THATSGOLD]

I currently have our backline shaping as:

Goldsack, Dunne, Sinclair
Maynard, Reid, Howe

Varcoe the 7th

Varcoe + Sinclair offering run, and Maynard with his booming left foot can be a weapon.

I'm looking for Scharenberg to take over from Goldsack, and maybe Ramsey comes in as the 7th with Varcoe moving more onto a wing.

Don't mind that but take the E off Dunn and give it to Keeffe. No pun intended.

 

[Anzacday]

Was it even on today with the Superbowl on today?

The answer is yes...

 

[PonsfordMagpie]

Agree Since 2010 it's keep going Backwards

It isn't that bad, Dave.

Nicks has its moments and some people can be provocative at certain instances, but there's still a lot of quality posters on the board that I enjoy reading.

It's very easy to bag Nicks in an echo chamber, but I've noticed that you haven't stopped posting there though.

 

[TradeDraft]

It isn't that bad, Dave.

Nicks has its moments and some people can be provocative at certain instances, but there's still a lot of quality posters on the board that I enjoy reading.

It's very easy to bag Nicks in an echo chamber, but I've noticed that you haven't stopped posting there though.

When did I say I ever Stop Posting There?

Nicks pretty much has the Same Posters on there but Conversations can be very slow and small

 

[PonsfordMagpie]

No, I'm saying for someone who constantly criticises it on BigFooty, you keep posting over there, which I find somewhat unusual. Obviously the website can't be that bad in your mind if you're still willing to post on it.

Nicks is always quiet over the off-season period, so there's nothing unusual about that. There really isn't much to post about at this time of the year apart from the odd training report, news-related items and everyone posting their ideal best 22 and of course the new women's competition has garnered an interest from a certain section of the board.

Nicks has a lot of traffic during the season. Maybe I'm defending it too much for people's liking, but I like the fact that it's an exclusive Collingwood forum and I've made many good friends out of it as a result, and it's very easy to write it off as a rubbish site as someone mentioned in this thread.

It isn't perfect and there's a few shit-stirrers on both sides, but among all that there's still plenty of rational and realistic posters who contribute something worthwhile to the board.

 

[Stifler's mom]

Sinclair is so under rated. If doesn't get knocked out or get injured he will kill it.

Sorry to see him injured, but I'll say it for the millionth time.

He's nowhere near best 22 IMO.

 

[Apples]

It was a warm sunny morning for training, with a northerly breeze to keep things comfortable.

Not training:
Ben Sinclair, Jamie Elliott, Daniel Wells
Limited training:
Rupert Wills, Jordan DeGoey, Kale Kirby, Mason Cox
Injuries:
Josh Smith went down after a bump from Phillips and immediately clutched his ankle in pain. Players came in to assist, but trainers were quickly carrying him from the field. After training as we were sampling the surprisingly good Glasshouse pizza, Josh walked around the boundary with crutches, but was placing full weight on his feet. Probably not as bad as we first feared.
Mason Cox left the track after a 30 minute ruck session. Not sure if was injured or not.

Good News:
Ben Reid, Brayden Sier, Tom Langdon, Ben Crocker, Callum Brown and Sam McLarty completed full training. Langdon was pretty rusty in match play as we’d expect, but Reid and Sier moved impressively. So did Callum Brown who has terrific evasive skills and the confidence to use them.

It was a quite laid back affair early, with only a few players on the track at 9:30. It took until 10am for Bucks to call them into the middle for a chat. Players then broke up into 4 groups to practise possession/evasion/defensive evasion skills.

Not so Good News:
Kayle Kirby began a time trial with a trainer. Is it possible that a player can look worse after 2 months of preseason than at the beginning? Kirby looks light years away from being match fit. He’s overweight and out of condition. Does anybody know what’s been going on with this boy?

It appeared that training was going to consist of a series of drills with emphasis on ball movement, because that’s all that happened until 11am. Four players were taken to the Glasshouse side for a ruck session with Anthony Rocca. Grundy, Cox, Keeffe and Max Lynch worked there for about 30 minutes.

After a short break, Buck’s called the players into the centre and the magnetic board appeared. Good we thought, match simulation. We wanted to see if Brayden Sier and Reid would take part. They did.

Reid played fullback on Darcy Moore. Darcy had his best session all summer in my opinion, providing a strong target, moving impressively and booting 3 goals.

Sier played in the middle for most of this session and was clean with the ball when given a chance. I know I keep saying it, but this boy moves like well-oiled machine. Bucks kept a very close eye on him.

Both Lyndon Dunn and Howe were impressive at the other end, dominating the back area. Their kicking really stood out this morning. Howe in particular, hit targets with sensational, low bullet-like passes.

In the middle, Tay Adams had the ball on a string. He was everywhere and used the ball very well indeed. Adams has been a standout over the sessions I have attended. It’s not just his work ethic, but his vastly improved use of the ball that has impressed.

The ruck duels were fascinating. Please take note Dave! As we know, Grundy has been one of our standouts over summer. He has dominated the centre square and worked his butt off in running and sprint sessions. Today I thought he lowered his colours to Lachie Keeffe. I think Grundy may have palmed cleanly on one or two occasions, but Keeffey used his body well and showed a surprising cool ability to get his hands to the ball first. Grundy shone when the ball hit the ground, but Keeffe’s performance in the ruck was what some of us having been waiting years to see.

I asked Bucks 3 years ago if he had plans for Keeffe in the ruck. He asked a question back, “Why would I use him in the ruck when I have two really good rucks in Grundy and Witts?” When I asked Keeffe about where he’d like to play he was diplomatic, saying he was happy to get a game, but indicated he’d love a go in the ruck. He looks like getting his chance in 2017.

Jarryd Blair was also extremely busy in this match play. He reminded me of the young Blair, as he ran in circles, shedding tackles and waiting for the right target. Today, he hit them consistently.

After the majority players left the field at 11:40, Bill Davoren took 4 players through a series of gruelling sprints. Ben Reid, Sam McLarty, Brayden Sier and Tom Langdon slogged it out under the watchful eyes of Buckley, Sanderson and Harvey.

Overall, I was impressed with what I saw today. In particular, the ball use and quick, slick movement was a standout. Happy to try to answer any questions you may have.

Neil.

 

[Soups]

Good to hear Sier, Reid, McLarty and Langdon were back into full training. Would really like to see them in a JLT game. Hopefully these boys can stay on the park and have a big run at it this year.

Cheers Neil, brilliant report as always.

 

[Apex36]

Really pleased to hear Sier is finally out on the track and looking good, ditto Reid.

Kirby definitely sounds like he needs some hugs

Cheers for the excellent report once again Neil.

 

[Hong Kong Pie]

Thanks for the report!

Where did De Goey seem to spend most of his time, Mazzarjo? In the middle or forward?

 

[Daicos Torpedo]

Thanks Neil!
How were the young players like Maynard, Sharenberg and Phillips? Do they look like they could improve the 5-10% that is needed for us to go into the 8?
Also, was Faz ok today? He could be a surprise if he was played one on one out of the goal square like Alan Jakovich!! He has the goods, and if he got form it could be infectious for him and our forward line.
Glad to hear Moore played well!
Cheers,
Torp

 

[Vicky Park]

Ben Reid, Brayden Sier, Tom Langdon, Ben Crocker, Callum Brown and Sam McLarty completed full training. Langdon was pretty rusty in match play as we’d expect, but Reid and Sier moved impressively. So did Callum Brown who has terrific evasive skills and the confidence to use them.

Love your positive report on Sier. But I cant wait to see more of McLarty. He's somewhat the forgotten man around these parts.

 

[Vicky Park]

Kirby definitely sounds like he needs some hugs

If only hugs could do it Apex!

 

[PicaBoo]

Thanks for the report. Anything we should read in that White was not taking part in the ruck drills?