Crows Training

[Damp Squarie]

I had the opportunity to watch the Crows train twice this week at Max Basheer Reserve; this so I thought Id share what I found on this board {which has been a bit devoid of football banter}

Training consisted of a third of a lap, 15 minutes of limbering and stretching before 5 group circlework that was pretty impressive from a football starved supporters point of view.
Heaps of pace,lots of voice,very few mistakes and no injury problems...
Bode was the only player that was strapped (Just above the knee)- but trained well

Fitzgerald & Johncock looked the pick of the lesser lights with both lads getting a lot of complimentary remarks from leaders like Bickley and Goodwin.

Schell (Shellfish) has a bit to do and looked a tad flat.

Stevo was missing and I couldnt see Perrie ( Couldnt pick him out.

Jars {The magical goalkicking supremo} was absent as well.

Cheers!

 

[ok.crows]

Originally posted by topjars
I had the opportunity to watch the Crows train twice this week at Max Basheer Reserve; this so I thought Id share what I found on this board {which has been a bit devoid of football banter}

Training consisted of a third of a lap, 15 minutes of limbering and stretching before 5 group circlework that was pretty impressive from a football starved supporters point of view.
Heaps of pace,lots of voice,very few mistakes and no injury problems...
Bode was the only player that was strapped (Just above the knee)- but trained well

Fitzgerald & Johncock looked the pick of the lesser lights with both lads getting a lot of complimentary remarks from leaders like Bickley and Goodwin.

Schell (Shellfish) has a bit to do and looked a tad flat.

Stevo was missing and I couldnt see Perrie ( Couldnt pick him out.

Jars {The magical goalkicking supremo} was absent as well.

Cheers!

Stevens has a back injury. There is a note about it on the AFC website.

Lets hope Fitzgerald turns out to be more than just a lesser light. Unfortunately I don't hold out such a hope for Schell, but perhaps he can improve.

Roll on season 2002.

 

[ant]

Cheers for that TopJars, much appreciated. Seems like only Stevens will be missing round one of the preseason cup, which sounds good, but there's still plenty of opportunities for misfortune to strike, let's hope it doesn't

 

[figjams95]

Fitzgerald/Welsh...Ffwd's?

Any of you Crows supporters know whether or not new recruit Fitzgerald looks fit/skilled enough to hold down ffwd this year or is welsh still the preferred option?

Fitzgerald has had a history of breaking down cause of his light frame but his skills are apparently good enough...

Peter.

 

[Damp Squarie]

He certainly looks fit enough if build and agility are a guide at this early stage.

His ability in the heat of a game is really yet to be tested at AFL level given that hes probably only played about 10 - 15 games??

What the lad needs is confidence in himself and confidence shown by the club.

There will be huge expectation on his shoulders not unlike Richardson was under last season.

The difference being - Fitzy is taller and weighs about 8 kilos lighter than the slothlike Richo...and Fitzy appears more agile (Turning circle wise) than Richardson.

I think Welsh is more suited to a flank. My other option would be Bienke or soft**** Marsh then perhaps Schell

 

[figjams95]

Fitzgerald...

Fitzgerald has been listed at just 90 kilo's for the past 3 seasons at 196cm which would seem a tad too light. I was listening to Dermott Brereton early in 2001 on the radio and he said back then he would star in the 1st month (when the grounds were still dry) and then struggle thereafter (when he was playing with the Swannies)...
He wasn't far wrong...11 goals straight in the 1st 3 games (Saints, Eagles, Dees)...4.4 in the next 6 before breaking down again...

Doesn't turn 26 until Nov 2002...

Does he look about the same weight (imagine he does)?

If he's training well, that's a start...don't imagine skills are the problem...like u said, confidence & staying fit the big ?

Another one...how's Biglands doing...reckon this guy could be the leagues best in another 2-3 years...

Peter

 

[ok.crows]

Re: Fitzgerald...

Originally posted by figjams95
Fitzgerald has been listed at just 90 kilo's for the past 3 seasons at 196cm which would seem a tad too light. I was listening to Dermott Brereton early in 2001 on the radio and he said back then he would star in the 1st month (when the grounds were still dry) and then struggle thereafter (when he was playing with the Swannies)...
He wasn't far wrong...11 goals straight in the 1st 3 games (Saints, Eagles, Dees)...4.4 in the next 6 before breaking down again...

Doesn't turn 26 until Nov 2002...

Does he look about the same weight (imagine he does)?

If he's training well, that's a start...don't imagine skills are the problem...like u said, confidence & staying fit the big ?

Another one...how's Biglands doing...reckon this guy could be the leagues best in another 2-3 years...

Peter

Fitzgerald is a big risk but also a fair hope. He is listed in the player profiles on the AFl site as 202cm - not 196cm. That is quite a bit of difference.

When he left Adelaide to play for Sydney he was as skinny as a rake.

I have had only a brief glimpse of him this pre-season, and he looks to have bulked up on that considerably. I don't know his current weight.

Even though he may be a little burdened by expectations, I don't really think there is much doubt about his ability - the big worry remains if he can remain uninjured.

Biglands has size & enthusiasm and is a trier - but not blessed with consumate skills. Not quite tall enough to compensate for dubious skills. Can take a mark, but drops quite a few as well. His kicking can be described as ordinary at best. There is room for improvement, and he is improving, but I think league's best is a real stretch.

 

[Damp Squarie]

Concur with OK Crows .
Biglands was a big improver last year IMO
Has got a bit of aggro about him that I like.

I think he will shine again this year in the ruck hence my earlier reference to Marsh. He'll want o put his hand up early to make the starting 22 or find himself looking for another position