Crows on Track for 08 - Symes aims for midfield role

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Crows on the run for 2008
By Katrina Gill,
for afc.com.au

ADELAIDE’S pre-season officially got underway on Monday with two gruelling hours of fitness testing in sweltering conditions.

The session kicked off with a 3km time trial, in which the super fit Nathan van Berlo showed he’s still the man to beat with an impressive time of 9.47.

Former rookie Greg Gallman made good with his promise to challenge van Berlo’s pre-season dominance by finishing just a few seconds behind the onballer.

Andrew McLeod, as the oldest and arguably best-performed player at the club, was excused from the run through Adelaide’s city streets.

New recruit Brad Symes impressed on his first day of training with a top-10 finish in the time trial.

“The session was a bit of a wake up-call,” Symes said.

Symes, like Gallman, Porplyzia and Douglas, is determined to improve his fitness with the aim of becoming a regular midfielder.

The 22-year-old was lured to West Lakes with the promise of more opportunities and Symes sees the developing Adelaide midfield as his ticket to regular AFL.

“I grew up playing in the midfield,” Symes said.

Just a snippett from the article. Click here for the rest.

Great to see all the guys back training. Looking forward to 08

 

[earlsta]

Just a snippett from the article. Click here for the rest.

Former rookie Greg Gallman made good with his promise to challenge van Berlo’s pre-season dominance by finishing just a few seconds behind the onballer.

Very impressive that is, he's just 18.

 

[Drummond]

Very impressive that is, he's just 18.

Gallman the tagger it is! He obviously has great fitness and he’s also extremely quick. I don’t think he’s tall enough to be a key defender so he’s either going to play a similar role to Jason Torney or be a tagger. I would assume it’s the latter. He showed some good signs when he played in the midfield for North reserves and I would suspect we’ll see him spend more time there next season.

I’m not yet convinced about Gallman and we need to keep in mind Hinge was upgraded after one year on the rookie list and yet only went on to play a single game before being delisted. But a good attitude, speed and fitness are all very good tools so let’s hope he continues to develop.

 

[WaynesWorld19]

Did anyone else notice the photo with the article - is it me or does Griffin look much bigger ?

 

[Southerntakeover]

Gallman the tagger it is! He obviously has great fitness and he’s also extremely quick. I don’t think he’s tall enough to be a key defender so he’s either going to play a similar role to Jason Torney or be a tagger. I would assume it’s the latter. He showed some good signs when he played in the midfield for North reserves and I would suspect we’ll see him spend more time there next season.

I’m not yet convinced about Gallman and we need to keep in mind Hinge was upgraded after one year on the rookie list and yet only went on to play a single game before being delisted. But a good attitude, speed and fitness are all very good tools so let’s hope he continues to develop.

Certainly is impressive though, a good attitude and hard work in the pre season should go along way towards Gallman playing this year, if van Berlo's example in 2005 is anything to go by.

 

[earlsta]

Did anyone else notice the photo with the article - is it me or does Griffin look much bigger ?

I noticed that too, Griff looks more bigger around the arms, it's a small picture though.

 

[Dandy_GO]

Yeah, hard to tell from that. Still, I hope so - he could definately use it.
Also needs to learn to use it. I love Griff, but I've noticed him shirk a few contests against blokes half his size - most notably during the Hawthorn final - and I really don't like that in ruckmen.

Anyway, back on topic, good signs from the younger brigade! No surprises from VB.

 

[RoosterLad]

Gallman - gun.

 

[Stiffy_18]

Did anyone see the footage of the boys running? VB finished some 10 odd meters in front of the entire group!

 

[earlsta]

The extraordinary paranormal forces that retract from his body probably kept everyone at bay.

 

[Southerntakeover]

The extraordinary paranormal forces that retract from his body probably kept everyone at bay.

On the contrary, he was pulling them along in his windstream.

 

[swanfan]

There was never any doubt VB would finish ahead of the group.
I was never a big rap for Gallman and Symes but they are putiing their hand up and challenging others for roles in key positions and that is to be commended.

If our entire squad shows the application that VB, Gallman and Symes are showing this early, I think our season will be promising.

 

[marvin]

It seems strange to be reading about the pre-season run without the usual story about Scott Welsh trailing the field in. So who came last this year?

 

[betterthanu]

I would love to hear how Porplyzia went to see if hes a chance for the midfield this year. Also Sellar.

 

[swanfan]

It seems strange to be reading about the pre-season run without the usual story about Scott Welsh trailing the field in. So who came last this year?

Scott Thompson. I heard he was burnt out.

 

[Southerntakeover]

Scott Thompson. I heard he was burnt out.

Actually, he won the Goodwin run endurance drill.

I know you were joking, but still... dont insult a man with huge guns.

 

[swanfan]

Actually, he won the Goodwin run endurance drill.

I know you were joking, but still... dont insult a man with huge guns.

Sorry mate, he knows where to find me. He lives around the corner from my sister.

 

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Here's a slightly bigger pic:

Griff does look a bit bigger in the arms, but that could just be from the motion of his arms..Good to see him nice and keen up the front

 

[MickyCrow]

From the news Stiffy was last i gathered, but still posted an acceptable time, hopefully this means Sellar has put in some ps work, it took him weeks last time

 

[James23]

^ wouldnt surprise me seeing him in gawler friday nite choofin away on his smoke with a beam in his hand all nite

 

[maccas_no1]

Good to see the lads putting in the hard yard in preperation for 2008.

Hentschel have a run??? Where is he at with his rehab???

 

[WheresGroomgone]

Who's the bloke behind Goodwin and Reilly??

 

[BockPorplyziaFC]

Who's the bloke behind Goodwin and Reilly??

Thats Brad Symes isn't it?

Same story every year but it is good to hear we have a few of the younger guys doing good things.

 

[ok.crows]

Who's the bloke behind Goodwin and Reilly??

It might be Brad Symes.
http://afc.com.au/Season2007/Player...layerId/15827/teamId/40/typeId/2/Default.aspx

Some pics:

 

[Drummond]

Yep that's Symes alright.

Looking at the footage of him on the news tonight, that kicking style needs some serious work. That's the main issue I have with Symes, he can find the ball but that isn't much good if you're missing your target half the time. It’s essential that he works on his foot skills if he is to make it at the top level.