Friday's Training.

[knightwheelrqr]

Fraser would be very average as a target deep in the 50. Hell, in your initial post you specified that in 2002 he impressed across half forward. He's skinny, doesn't use his body well against good defenders, isn't aggressive, and is average over his head for his size as well. If he's a forward, he'll be a lead up forward.

As a forward I would use him more so to push up the ground, then once the ball be being "thrust" forward push back towards goal is how I would see him as being most dangerous and best used.

As a tall flanker if matched up on by bigger opponents he could very well run them off their feet and beat them through the middle of the ground and while playing on lesser sized opponents could certainly push deeper into the forwardline where he can beat them one on one.

With Jolly still playing 75-85% ruck time though. That would leave Wood forward. Fraser, Wood, Cloke and JA is a bit tall for my liking. Which is why I would still favor leaving Wood out of the 22 and having Fraser backup Jolly with limited rucking minutes. Not to say Wood isn't a quality ruck, but with Jolly the superior ruckman just don't see him getting enough time for his place in the side to really be viable.

But certainly this idea of having all 3 in the side naturally needs to be trialed in any case regardless of whether logically it will work or not.

 

[Zahki]

Thanks for the report Jimmy. I gotta say I'm excited at the prospect of Fraser playing a CHF role. If nothing else it gives more options and a bit more firepower to our forward line, which was the glaring weakness last year. Fraser still can be a very good player, if he can stave off injury then I reckon he'll have a big season. That's a big 'if' though, can only hope he's managed well and doesn't bust his knee again, I'd rather see him out resting than out injured.

 

[soreplums]

Yes 2002 isn't recent, but he has proven from his younger years that he is very capable of playing a forward position, some ruckman simply cannot do it, Fraser can so that is a plus.

Look at the forwards, especially the forwards you've mentioned, Cloke Medhurst and Anthony. They don't really provide a target deep in the 50, that's where Fraser can be a very important player, along with Jolly, being a 'get out of jail' player when we have no where to go. He is pretty good in the air and very good at ground level, don't underestimate this as an asset.

totally agree. We have a very good forward line on paper, but we have always missed a big target deep in the forward line. I think Fraser could be one plyer who could be dangerous for us up forward. not many clubs have a 200cm backman

 

[Snoop Dog]

really pleased Tom Young backed up well. Did he keep up with the pace of the game?

 

[MAGP1ES]

Thanks for the report JC8.

.

 

[jimmy_clement#8]

really pleased Tom Young backed up well. Did he keep up with the pace of the game?

He did. He certainly looks on track at this stage to being an AFL player. Good dasher off half-back, for a 17 yr old he didn't look out of place one bit amongst the boys this week and last.

 

[DNine]

I think what we have seen in the past, is a stuffed and resting, or injured Fraser in the forward line. When fully fit, and not have to take flying jumps into big bustling ruckman, Fraser would be very handy up forward.

Its all about rotation, both in and out of the side, off and on the bench, and in and out of crucial positions that I believe is going to do the job for Collingwood this year.

 

[doppleganger]

Great report, thanks.

Some interesting stuff......

Reid, players looking to give him the ball....he may indeed be given a spot in the 22 and if can provide some run may also release Heater a bit further up the ground...def one to watch in the nab cup

Medders, almost the forgotten man....all this talk bout Rus/Dawes/Fraser...Medders is an AA forward capable of 50 goals.....him in good form adds plenty to us up forward......he is a leading option plus great once the ball hits the deck

Ball & Jolly, over the moon with these two.....massive help to our mids

Didak, make him a perm on-baller....he was a dominant junior playing on-ball and he now has the tank....his creativity is something we can use in the middle

Goldsack, good that he is pushing hard for a spot in the side....plenty of competition for a HB tagger type spot....Toovey, Goldy, S.Buckley, B.Johnson, Macaffer could all be options......although still wish we had M.Clarke for that posi!

Fraser, would like him up and about more....obviously I am still a big wrap for Josh and believe he adds plenty to the side...if Josh can be our back-up ruck whilst also be a dangerous floating tall we are a much improved side on last year.........ie Jolly is a massive upgrade on Josh as number 1 ruck
Josh is a massive upgrade on L.Brown as our versatile back-up

Guess at a best 22 based on some of that

B - Tooves, Presti, Max
HB - Harry, Reid, Heater
C - Didak, Swan, Thomas
HF - Leon, Cloke, Medhurst
F - Lockyer, Anthony, Sidebottom
Foll - Jolly, Pendles, Ball

Int - Fraser, Goldsack, Beams, O'Bree

Blokes couldn't fit in

Wood, Dick, McCarthy, B.Johnson, S.Buckley, N.Brown, Dawes, Rusling, Wellingham, L.Brown, Macaffer

some solid depth!!

 

[knightwheelrqr]

Guess at a best 22 based on some of that

B - Tooves, Presti, Max
HB - Harry, Reid, Heater
C - Didak, Swan, Thomas
HF - Leon, Cloke, Medhurst
F - Lockyer, Anthony, Sidebottom
Foll - Jolly, Pendles, Ball

Int - Fraser, Goldsack, Beams, O'Bree

Blokes couldn't fit in

Wood, Dick, McCarthy, B.Johnson, S.Buckley, N.Brown, Dawes, Rusling, Wellingham, L.Brown, Macaffer

some solid depth!!

On form at current my guess would be: (For round 1)

F: Tarkyn Lockyer Jack Anthony (assuming available) Paul Medhurst
HF: Josh Fraser Travis Cloke Leon Davis
CEN: Dale Thomas Dane Swan Alan Didak
HB: Nick Maxwell Ben Reid Heath Shaw
B: Harry O'Brien Nathan Brown Alan Toovey
FOLL: Darren Jolly Luke Ball Scott Pendlebury
BENCH: Dayne Beams Steele Sidebottom Shane O'Bree Tyson Goldsack
EMG: Ben Johnson Cameron Wood Simon Prestigiacomo (Doesn't look as good as in 2009 and Brown and Reid at this point in time are both looking better)
Also will be considered: Leigh Brown Brent Macaffer John McCarthy Chris Dawes (Looking better than 2009) Simon Buckley Sharrod Wellingham Sean Rusling Brad Dick (Once back)

 

[Copeland]

With the inclusion of Ball into our midfield, where does this leave Blair??

 

[Quicky]

With the inclusion of Ball into our midfield, where does this leave Blair??

Further down the pecking order. I've got a feeling this will be O'Brees last year so I don't think it will affect him too much long term. He's got to get ahead of Wellingham and McCarthy if he wants to push for selection in the seniors.

 

[HFF]

It leaves Blair exactly where he is- on our rookie list.

He is well behind other options who are trying to break into our midfield such as J-Mac, Wellingham, Blight and also guys like Rusty and Beams who are virtually in our best 22.

 

[Philpie]

On form at current my guess would be: (For round 1)

F: Tarkyn Lockyer Jack Anthony (assuming available) Paul Medhurst
HF: Josh Fraser Travis Cloke Leon Davis
CEN: Dayne Beams Dane Swan Dale Thomas
HB: Nick Maxwell Ben Reid Heath Shaw
B: Harry O'Brien Nathan Brown Alan Toovey
FOLL: Darren Jolly Luke Ball Scott Pendlebury
BENCH: Steele Sidebottom Shane O'Bree Tyson Goldsack Ben Johnson (Likely to get phased out as season progresses)
EMG: Simon Prestigiacomo (Doesn't look as good as in 2009 and Brown and Reid at this point in time are both looking better) Cameron Wood Leigh Brown
Also will be considered: Brent Macaffer John McCarthy Chris Dawes (Looking better than 2009) Simon Buckley Sharrod Wellingham Sean Rusling Brad Dick (Once back)

Your missing a bloke called Didak.

 

[Boris the Contradiction]

On form at current my guess would be: (For round 1)

F: Tarkyn Lockyer Jack Anthony (assuming available) Paul Medhurst
HF: Josh Fraser Travis Cloke Leon Davis
CEN: Dayne Beams Dane Swan Dale Thomas
HB: Nick Maxwell Ben Reid Heath Shaw
B: Harry O'Brien Nathan Brown Alan Toovey
FOLL: Darren Jolly Luke Ball Scott Pendlebury
BENCH: Steele Sidebottom Shane O'Bree Tyson Goldsack Ben Johnson (Likely to get phased out as season progresses)
EMG: Simon Prestigiacomo (Doesn't look as good as in 2009 and Brown and Reid at this point in time are both looking better) Cameron Wood Leigh Brown
Also will be considered: Brent Macaffer John McCarthy Chris Dawes (Looking better than 2009) Simon Buckley Sharrod Wellingham Sean Rusling Brad Dick (Once back)

Personally I don't think Didak's in our best 22 either

Edit in order?

 

[Boris the Contradiction]

Your missing a bloke called Didak.

Beat me by a minute Philbie.

 

[knightwheelrqr]

Your missing a bloke called Didak.

Yes. Not used to placing him in the midfield. Too used to having him on a forward flank

Johnson gets the squeeze.

On current forward would say Goldsack has him.

Presti, Johnson and Wood will all be pretty stiff not to make the side. But such is life in a deep team

 

[Snoop Dog]

He did. He certainly looks on track at this stage to being an AFL player. Good dasher off half-back, for a 17 yr old he didn't look out of place one bit amongst the boys this week and last.

thx pal - he offers a great deal of potential and if his pace can improve a bit then he is going to be a very hard match up. getting these games into him will be great for his year ahead. the size he is as a 17yo just offers so much upside.

 

[HFF]

Johnson and Wood may be "stiff" to miss out, however, Presti is an automatic selection.

He is arguably our best defender. FB belongs to him anyway you cut it.

 

[Visions]

Can anyone who has seen any of the intra club matches advise the game plan being used? Same old chipping and hugging the boundary line or more free flowing direct down the centre?

 

[zorbadunde]

It leaves Blair exactly where he is- on our rookie list.

He is well behind other options who are trying to break into our midfield such as J-Mac, Wellingham, Blight and also guys like Rusty and Beams who are virtually in our best 22.

i think balir has shown more than j-mac and blight in his vfl games.

i know he is undersized but i believe if given the chance he will shine

 

[Dawson]

Can anyone who has seen any of the intra club matches advise the game plan being used? Same old chipping and hugging the boundary line or more free flowing direct down the centre?

You mean like most of the other clubs do (with the exception of Geelong)?

 

[Handsofstone]

Further down the pecking order. I've got a feeling this will be O'Brees last year so I don't think it will affect him too much long term. He's got to get ahead of Wellingham and McCarthy if he wants to push for selection in the seniors.

Excellent post Quicky. If I am allowed to express an opinion then let me be so bold - O'Bree is done. Stick a fork in him

 

[Insider]

Excellent post Quicky. If I am allowed to express an opinion then let me be so bold - O'Bree is done. Stick a fork in him

I know I don't post too many comments but I couldn't agree more with the above. He was shown up so badly in the first final against St.Kilda last year that I simply can't get it out of my head. Club must move forward with the likes of Beams, Sidebottom, Macaffer and McCarthy as midfield choices before O'Bree. We will not win a premiership whilst O'Bree is in the first picked 22. He has been a terrific servant of the club and very under-rated but there are now better players than him with the arrival of Ball.

 

[TradeDraft]

Favourite when are you putting the Full Report Up?

 

[JOELY]

lol!