Training Pre-Season 2023 (First game 18/3 v North)

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InNicNatWeTrust said:
West Coast Eagles training notes: Jack Darling restricted to walking laps in light session

Mitchell Woodcock

Jack Darling at training on Monday. Credit: Iain Gillespie
Feeling the pinch?

It’s only December, but the sight of Jack Darling chatting to fitness staff and failing to even break into a jog while completing laps isn’t a great one for Eagles fans.

Darling missed all of last pre-season due to his reluctance to get vaccinated for COVID-19 and struggled to find his best form in 2022, kicking 34 goals in 21 games.

The 30-year-old last month returned to training appearing in top shape as he gets set to step up in West Coast’s forward line after the retirement of spearhead Josh Kennedy.

But he was restricted to the lightest of duties on Monday at Mineral Resources Park, walking laps while his teammates put in plenty of running.

Darling walking laps. Credit: Iain Gillespie/The West Australian

He then spent time stretching in one of the dugouts before having a long chat with coach Adam Simpson and other officials.

Darling stretches it out.

Darling stretches it out. Credit: Iain Gillespie/The West Australian

Superstar ruckman Nic Naitanui was a notable absentee at Monday’s session.

Like many of his teammates, the dual All-Australian had returned earlier than needed last month, but failed to join teammates as he comes off post-season knee surgery.

Dual All-Australian Elliot Yeo also continued to train away from the main group as he recovers from a calf injury, as did Xavier O’Neill and Luke Foley.

West Coast midfielder Dom Sheed is looking to take his game to the next level.

ON THE REBOUND

Sheed backs himself to find best form after horror season

Mitchell Woodcock
You’re going to go far, kids

West Coast’s new kids on the block all turned out for training together for the first time as the Eagles enter a new era.

WA recruits Reuben Ginbey and Elijah Hewett already had a couple of sessions under their belt, but they were now joined by their fellow draftees from interstate.

South Australian ruckman Harry Barnett spent all his time away from the group, starting the session by running with captain Luke Shuey before being joined by development coach Jacob Brennan.

Victorian speedsters Coby Burgiel and Noah Long also made their maiden appearances as Eagles, doing light run-throughs with Ginbey, Hewett as well as Shuey and veteran Shannon Hurn.

The draftees then did some light skills sessions away from the main group, with Barnett finally joining them but failed to kick.

All of the draftees will be slowly integrated into the senior program.

Ramping up

Those Eagles that did join in the main session did not escape lightly.

The session started with some serious running, which intensified slowly as they build towards time trials, which midfielder Dom Sheed said is expected to be held on Wednesday.

Several players coming off serious injuries in 2022 were looking unhampered by their previous ailments, including Sheed, Tom Cole, Oscar Allen and Jeremy McGovern.

Tom Barrass and his teammates warm up before some hard running.

Tom Barrass and his teammates warm up before some hard running. Credit: Iain Gillespie/The West Australian

There was no surprises in who led the packs, with Jamie Cripps, Andrew Gaff, Cole and Greg Clark pushing hard.

Several of the key position players were at the back, with Bailey Williams, who looks to have added some significant muscle, trailing behind.
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Thanks mate, much appreciated
 
Keys said:
Ginbey in his press conference said he’s staying with Bazzo and Chesser and played a round of golf with them and Culley followed by dinner to build a bond. So they’re starting on the right foot

You want to be careful though because whilst I agree that you want a midfield to develop together you don’t want cliques forming in clubs too much. It’s going to be something to manage carefully the next 2-3 years because we still have a biggish group of older 28+ players and are growing group of 21 and unders with not much in between
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I can understand your paternal concerns, but gee-whiz a game of golf and a dinner are hardly red flags for intervention by a behavioural support practitioner. Good on the kids for taking positive steps to meld into what can be a stressful and demanding environment, particularly if you’re 18 years of age, or thereabouts. I think the club’s new age demographic is a huge positive and I can’t wait to see how we develop over the next couple of years with the older players guiding the ship for the next year or two.
 

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dkalphy said:
hey mate thanks for these and keep em coming, longer vids would be great
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Yeo_Check_Out_ma_Flow said:
Nice mate. Thanks. Would love to see more of these are preseason rolls on.

Trew looks clean, sharp. Hope he kills it this season.

Samo Malinga took a nice falcon in the first video.
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I'm happy to do it!

I can only get to training on the odd occasion, but will definitely make sure I get vids when I can.
 
A couple of points from training:

  • Clarke was really vocal during the drills - taking on a real leadership persona.
  • Hurn was spending part of the time almost mentoring the younger fellas whilst training himself. The same with Boots, but Bunga was really noticeable.
  • There was a lot of talk between the players about who was mentoring the new kids etc... it was just good to hear.
  • Jake Waterman was getting some specialised attention from one of the trainers. He looked really uncomfortable. I am drawing a huge bow here and I am not expert at all, but from the exercises they were doing I am wondering if his back is possibly playing up. Whatever it is, there is definitely a niggle.
  • What else?.... When the players stuffed up they were immediately given the ball again so they can get the next touch and move on from their stuff up. Jamo had to do this a few times (one of them is captured in one of the videos I posted).
 
VicBased said:
Junior saying it is his most professional pre season yet. Looks fit too. *sake, whatever happened to graciousness and gratitude?
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The article I saw had that as the headline but then when I read through it, he said that there isn't much difference between West Coast and Port regarding training.
 
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