Opinion Is this it? Is this what we've waited almost 20 years for?

[Maxabillions]

Can someone explain to me what a big bodied mid is?

Think it looks something like this?

 

[Proper Gander]

Can someone explain to me what a big bodied mid is?

It’s a midfielder with a big body.

 

[Bombermania]

Can someone explain to me what a big bodied mid is?

I've always taken it too mean a dominate mid that wins the clearances and is difficult to tackle.

 

[Darealrath]

We look good on paper. My worry is that some of what worked so well in the second half of last season may have been forced by injury (e.g. Brown at CHF). Felt like we stumbled on the right balance and if we try and shoehorn some bigger names back it may throw it out of whack.

 

[BOMBERS 4 LIFE!!!!]

I've always taken it too mean a dominate mid that wins the clearances and is difficult to tackle.

So Patrick Cripps or Josh Kennedy type.

Although we got Shiel i still think we lack that type having a mid like that would have helped us win those 2-3 games ie Hawks,Pies etc.

 

[Mad Bomber Sean]

That is simply, categorically, not true.

Disagree. Stringers fitness has improved a little but nothing to write home about. There is no secret here. You can see it on the training track. He hasn’t improved significantly, certainly not to be able to play midfield much.
I would say his attitude has significantly improved when compared with his last year at the Dogs.

Overall his fitness level is sufficient to play his traditional forward role and an occasional fling in the middle. But certainly not extended runs in the middle.

 

[Mad Bomber Sean]

Like I said earlier I don’t buy the big body midfielder = success argument. Plenty of good clearance players that ain’t massive units. Mitchell is the best clearance player in the league statistically, but he isn’t massive. Martin is big and very good at contested possesion, again not massive, Libba during the flag year was also very very very good at clearances& hard balls but again not massive or the supposed big body mid.
Shiel in his 17 year was a massive clearance & contested ball magnet. Yet he isn’t massive or the supposed prototype big body mid.

Also is Myers not a big bodied mid, perhaps Heppell also? Ditto Langford potentially. Laverde?

I for one don’t buy the argument that a BBM is required to win a flag.

I didn’t challenge said Bomber legend on the matter. But instead thought the above.
Out of respect, I choose not to overflow with football talk in his company. Plus little doubt he would get pretty bored with it all.

 

[BOMBERS 4 LIFE!!!!]

More than happy for String to stay forward with the occasional bursts in the middle.

Loved his goal against the Saints,Saints kick backwards and fumble,Stringer grabs the ball and puts it through.

 

[Macca18]

Given the amount of talk and optimism about 2019 (from not just our own supporters either) during this pre-season... we will either comfortably meet expectations or could be one of our most disappointing campaigns of recent times (and there have been a few). Some serious change needed if this list cannot qualify for the finals - there are better teams out there at the moment (West Coast, Collingwood, Melbourne & Richmond come to mind) that deserve to/will likely finish higher than us but not enough for us to not make the finals.

Let's hope the playing group and others at the club haven't been enjoying the taste of their own bathwater over the break... a factor in which resulted in a 2-6 start last season. The addition of Smith, Saad & Stringer meant it was all just going to happen for us. It didn't. Talent and ability often aren't the problem for us... it's the mental side of the game. What have we learnt? Hopefully plenty. As always that first month of games for us is going to tell us so much. I think the Friday Night game against Melbourne early on has the potential to be season defining.

Cautiously optimistic.

 

[Lore]

Cautiously optimistic.

Quoted for posterity

 

[Beerfish]

Let's hope the playing group and others at the club haven't been enjoying the taste of their own bathwater over the break... a factor in which resulted in a 2-6 start last season. The addition of Smith, Saad & Stringer meant it was all just going to happen for us.

Pretty sure that had absolutely nothing to do with our poor start.

 

[Jade]

Disagree. Stringers fitness has improved a little but nothing to write home about. There is no secret here. You can see it on the training track. He hasn’t improved significantly, certainly not to be able to play midfield much.
I would say his attitude has significantly improved when compared with his last year at the Dogs.

Overall his fitness level is sufficient to play his traditional forward role and an occasional fling in the middle. But certainly not extended runs in the middle.

You can’t disagree with a fact.

 

[DERO]

You can’t disagree with a fact.

The fact that he was unable to do a full pre-season last year and this year he has?

OH BABY

 

[BOMBERS 4 LIFE!!!!]

Today's training report by nackers from Bomberblitz

Training today in hot conditions, it reached 33 degrees by the time they finished a long session of a little over 2 1/2 hours.
The modified group consisted of Daniher, Begley, Hooker, Zerk, McKenna and Long.

Gleeson did the first third of the session with the main group before moving to the modified for more running when the training went to more contested work. Ridley started with the main group but had left half way through, I didn’t see what happenned to him. Smith also did the first half of the session with the main group before getting a rubdown from trainers and moving to running on the second oval. Francis did about 3/4 of the session before leaving with what looked like a corkie.

Tom Bellchambers completed the whole session with the main group as did Parish, however he only used his left foot when kicking. Fantasia only had the 2 fingers on his left hand strapped and looked as good as ever.

Absent were McPhee, Mossie, Gown, Ham and Jok.

I am pleased to say it looked like Daniher and McKenna in particular had stepped up their training in the modified group. They both did numerous sprints at a much higher intensity than previously and didn’t to my eyes show any particular discomfit apart from natural tiredness. Not to discredit any previous reports at all but that was what I saw today. Daniher as part of a drill kicked a couple of balls across his body from about 50 without any discomfort which I also took as a good sign.

There was a lot of work around stoppages today. For quite a while there was a rotation of 4 different groups of 4 players simulating a centre square clearance with 2 groups of 4 opposing each other. The thing that stood out to me the most was the depth of our midfield, as another group was brought in it was always a quality group. One thing to note was that Stringer was part of this group and Francis wasn’t.
There was also specialised training again on body work with Rutten in a group of key position players consisting of Hurley, Brown, Stewart, Hartley, Smack. I took a few pics today and will upload some examples of some of the work he has been doing.
Later there was 2 different groups working in different directions near the boundary. I wasn’t completely sure of what they were trying to achieve but it was clearly around player movement around stoppages. There was a lot of instruction and talk from the coaches telling different players to come in or stay out and where to go to during the plays.

Towards the end of the session there was a very intense session of keepings off with a group of 5 players trying to get off 10 consecutive handballs in a very confined area against 2 defenders. At one point Ambrose laid a Brad Hill type tackle on Parish which led to a large scuffle of players with Ambrose, Myers and Stringer prominent. In this age we know it didn’t happen unless you get the photos - luckily I did with the evidence to be uploaded shortly. It ended in good spirits with handshakes all round but was a good example of the intensity.
A couple of standouts from today - McGrath, it wouldn’t surprise me if he makes the transition from a midfield rotation to a genuine weapon this year. Instead of making the quick handball he is now running the ball out of stoppages and his shimmies and change of direction are elite. His extra size gained in the off season is also helping to break more tackles.

I was also very impressed with Guelfi in the keepings off drill, he had time, composure and very rarely missed a target. Another one who will be hard to keep out of the team.

 

[I Remember Bluey]

 

[Haychh]

Today's training report by nackers from Bomberblitz

Not gonna lie, the little bit about McGrath as an explosive tackle-breaking mid gets me excited in the loins

 

[hurlygurdy]

Had lunch with an Essendon legend the other day. He said that top 8 was the goal and perhaps a finals win. Anything else is a bonus. He highlighted a lack of a genuine big bodied mid to explain his position.

He made no reference to the injuries we have except for Joe.
He mentioned that he wasn’t really running and was very far back from the rest of the group.

He doubts Joes replacements and there capacity to carry the team in front of goals. Brown, Mckerenan, Clark, Stewart & Stringer ain’t good enough according to him.

Mckeena is also a concern - he isn’t right at the moment, does he also have a problem with his groin?

Begley, Gleeson and Redman won’t come into the selection frame until mid season.

Smith hasn’t trained a lot this preseason and I wonder how he is going to perform without the kind of elite fitness he displayed last season.

Zaharakis is also under a small clound from what I understand.

The good news is that guys like Laverde, Langford, Guelfi & Ambrose are back and running hard. Francis is killing it and taking his fitness to a new level.
The kid is like Jesus Christ for me at least. He has also been training with the mids at times during preseason. This can only be a good thing for his confidence and fitness.

Raz hasn’t stopped running despite his injured hand and has shown new tricks marking one handed. He is now 100% and displaying great skills and tenacity.

Stringer is still only average for fitness and hasn’t really developed this that much since coming to the club. With Danihers slow recovery he won’t be able to play many midfield minutes anyway.

I was hoping with the inclusion of Shiel we would have to drop some other great players, but that’s not the case as many won’t be cherry ripe for round 1 anyways.

In conclusion i doubt this will be the season we have waited for for 20years. However we should still aim for 14+ wins. That’s two more wins that 17 & 18 and should give us a strong chance to make top 8.

Can we do that without a fit Joe ? The jury is out on that. But I think that we are good enough to get close.

When talking about specific predictions the whole question is kind of false to start with. Aim is to make the 8? Well year sure, just like everyone else i guess. The point is that we now have the list to decide our own fate (to a point). It may all come together and we get top four and then again it might not. Either way, there is no denying the potential that exists right now. We have the age mix right, we have enough stars and x-factors. We have enough speed, we have enough physicality. Putting it together for 22 rounds is the hard bit!
Shame to hear that about Joe though. Seems like at best they might manage him through the first half of the season? Gives the second tier another great opportunity i guess.

 

[Haychh]

When talking about specific predictions the whole question is kind of false to start with. Aim is to make the 8? Well year sure, just like everyone else i guess. The point is that we now have the list to decide our own fate (to a point). It may all come together and we get top four and then again it might not. Either way, there is no denying the potential that exists right now. We have the age mix right, we have enough stars and x-factors. We have enough speed, we have enough physicality. Putting it together for 22 rounds is the hard bit!
Shame to hear that about Joe though. Seems like at best they might manage him through the first half of the season? Gives the second tier another great opportunity i guess.

If we're being real.. This year we probably have around a 2-3% chance of winning a flag, we haven't won a final in 15 years.

In 2020 our flag chances possibly go up closer to 7-8%. If Joe has to sit out all of 2019 to get his body right then so be it. He still has a lot of prime years of footy left, i'd rather us be extra cautious with him now than knock 2-3 years off his career at the backend.

 

[hurlygurdy]

If we're being real.. This year we probably have around a 2-3% chance of winning a flag, we haven't won a final in 15 years.

In 2020 our flag chances possibly go up closer to 7-8%. If Joe has to sit out all of 2019 to get his body right then so be it. He still has a lot of prime years of footy left, i'd rather us be extra cautious with him now than knock 2-3 years off his career at the backend.

Not so sure about 2020 being so much better an opportunity. We have a large number of players in their peak right now or possibly peaking. 2020 certainly looks good as well but there is the chance that all of Hooker, Hurley, Zaka, Myers, Ambrose and Brown will be heading downhill so nothing is certain. The lesson learned in the last few years of premierships is that you get the right mix for a fleeting moment and you capitalise. I don't believe finals experience counts for jack. I think you start to feel pretty good about playing finals after you win the first couple!

 

[BOMBERS 4 LIFE!!!!]

Not so sure about 2020 being so much better an opportunity. We have a large number of players in their peak right now or possibly peaking. 2020 certainly looks good as well but there is the chance that all of Hooker, Hurley, Zaka, Myers, Ambrose and Brown will be heading downhill so nothing is certain. The lesson learned in the last few years of premierships is that you get the right mix for a fleeting moment and you capitalise. I don't believe finals experience counts for jack. I think you start to feel pretty good about playing finals after you win the first couple!

I agree we have the talent must srtike now for a flag.

 

[Andronicus]

He made no reference to the injuries we have except for Joe.
He mentioned that he wasn’t really running and was very far back from the rest of the group.

He doubts Joes replacements and there capacity to carry the team in front of goals. Brown, Mckerenan, Clark, Stewart & Stringer ain’t good enough according to him.

Mckeena is also a concern - he isn’t right at the moment, does he also have a problem with his groin?

Begley, Gleeson and Redman won’t come into the selection frame until mid season.

Smith hasn’t trained a lot this preseason and I wonder how he is going to perform without the kind of elite fitness he displayed last season.

Zaharakis is also under a small clound from what I understand.

The good news is that guys like Laverde, Langford, Guelfi & Ambrose are back and running hard. Francis is killing it and taking his fitness to a new level.
The kid is like Jesus Christ for me at least. He has also been training with the mids at times during preseason. This can only be a good thing for his confidence and fitness.

Raz hasn’t stopped running despite his injured hand and has shown new tricks marking one handed. He is now 100% and displaying great skills and tenacity.

Stringer is still only average for fitness and hasn’t really developed this that much since coming to the club. With Danihers slow recovery he won’t be able to play many midfield minutes anyway.

I was hoping with the inclusion of Shiel we would have to drop some other great players, but that’s not the case as many won’t be cherry ripe for round 1 anyways.

In conclusion i doubt this will be the season we have waited for for 20years. However we should still aim for 14+ wins. That’s two more wins that 17 & 18 and should give us a strong chance to make top 8.

Can we do that without a fit Joe ? The jury is out on that. But I think that we are good enough to get close.

Am I missing something? That seems like talking about injuries a hell of a lot for someone making no reference to them other than Joe.

 

[BOMBERS 4 LIFE!!!!]

Reading the AFL's 10 year challenge for all 16 clubs.

Our club makes for some sad reading lets hope 2019 is the year we anounce our selfs.

 

[boncer34]

Like I said earlier I don’t buy the big body midfielder = success argument. Plenty of good clearance players that ain’t massive units. Mitchell is the best clearance player in the league statistically, but he isn’t massive. Martin is big and very good at contested possesion, again not massive, Libba during the flag year was also very very very good at clearances& hard balls but again not massive or the supposed big body mid.
Shiel in his 17 year was a massive clearance & contested ball magnet. Yet he isn’t massive or the supposed prototype big body mid.

Also is Myers not a big bodied mid, perhaps Heppell also? Ditto Langford potentially. Laverde?

I for one don’t buy the argument that a BBM is required to win a flag.

I didn’t challenge said Bomber legend on the matter. But instead thought the above.
Out of respect, I choose not to overflow with football talk in his company. Plus little doubt he would get pretty bored with it all.

Jake disagrees strongly with your assessment.

 

[BOMBERS 4 LIFE!!!!]

Was looking at the fixture

Rd 1 - GWS
Rd 2 - Saints
Rd 3 - Demons
Rd 4 - Lions

4-1 with our only loss to Melbourne or GWS would be a great start

 

[Haychh]

Was looking at the fixture

Rd 1 - GWS
Rd 2 - Saints
Rd 3 - Demons
Rd 4 - Lions

4-1 with our only loss to Melbourne or GWS would be a great start

Remember beating Adelaide Round 1 we all came out at said we’d be 5-0 then lost to Freo and WB the next 2 weeks? I remember