Training Pre-season Training 2017

[avishka5]

Shuey, gaff, priddis and Mitchell are the only locks for midfield spots

Players like masten, sheed, redden, Jetta, Duggan, Hutchings, yeo, karpany and possibly partington are going to be competing for the remaining spots.

Masten and sheed are arguably ahead of the others but I think the fact we consistently failed to spread the load will mean spots won't be guaranteed. At least I hope not

Yeah 100%
Good News is that there's a few names on that second list that had a stinker and need show improvement. If they all show improve/return to form then the general depth of the midfield would be pretty healthy and we won't have to be heavily reliant on our top tier mids.

I personally would love duggan in mastens spot as he is a great ball user but also hunts the footy with ferociously. It's a good spot for him to be playing as he could eventually move into a permanent midfield role as his body develops.

 

[Keys]

Keys how would you compare the work rate of Priddis v Le Cras ?
To me Priddis does everything to improve while Lecca looks like he is treading water.
I might even ask Simpson this question tomorrow at training

That's a fair assessment of the two

Priddis pushes himself always whilst lecca looks like he has a bit more to give. Lecras isn't in full training mode though so that might be a little unfair and he doesn't need the same tank that priddis does

 

[avishka5]

He's not noticeably bigger no and he's a bit behind the leading mids when it comes to endurance. I also find him one of the harder guys to spot in drills so I haven't noticed him as much as some others

I'll try and follow him a bit tomorrow and get a couple of stalker snaps for you

Like many I'm keen on sheed as I think he's form could shape our year next year.

 

[KamakazeSalami]

Can picture you giggling watching training, shouting "We love you Dr Watson" hehehe

EFA

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[WCEswift]

Going for a bit tomorrow with the nephew in his wings number 11 lookin forward to it

 

[Keys]

Going for a bit tomorrow with the nephew in his wings number 11 lookin forward to it

The players are usually happy to sign autographs and have photos taken when they leave if he's into that sort of thing - it'll be 11.00-11.30 before they finish up though

 

[KamakazeSalami]

http://www.westcoasteagles.com.au/video/2016-12-15/gaff-looking-to-add-inside-grunt

Two positives for me from this -

Firstly they're looking to add a bit more size to his frame so he can compete inside a bit more and secondly that he wants to hit the scoreboard more.

Two weaknesses of our midfield are the lack of numbers that can contribute inside and outside (too many one dimensional mids) and the collective lack of goals from the midfield group.

Sounds like those issues are being addressed

Hope the additional kgs don't affect his running game though, which it could. Agree we don't have enough mids giving an 'inside' chop out to Priddis and Shuey last year but hope we don't take away some of Gaff's strength in trying to bolster the overall inside game.

More goals from the mids. Yes please.

Interesting he didn't mention Giles when talking about the ruck options until Nic gets back.

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[avishka5]

Hope the additional kgs don't affect his running game though, which it could. Agree we don't have enough mids giving an 'inside' chop out to Priddis and Shuey last year but hope we don't take away some of Gaff's strength in trying to bolster the overall inside game.

More goals from the mids. Yes please.

Interesting he didn't mention Giles when talking about the ruck options until Nic gets back.

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He's already one of the the fittest players in the comp and a few kg's wouldn't impact it too much. Getting Gaffy spending more time in the guts now could go a long way once the likes of mitch and priddis leave. He's a gun player but the only way he can go to the next level is if he has an impact in the middle.

 

[Keys]

Hope the additional kgs don't affect his running game though, which it could. Agree we don't have enough mids giving an 'inside' chop out to Priddis and Shuey last year but hope we don't take away some of Gaff's strength in trying to bolster the overall inside game.

More goals from the mids. Yes please.

Interesting he didn't mention Giles when talking about the ruck options until Nic gets back.

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He does look a bit thicker and his running has been fine. I understand where you're coming from but I from what I've seen so far I don't think it's a concern

 

[KamakazeSalami]

He's already one of the the fittest players in the comp and a few kg's wouldn't impact it too much. Getting Gaffy spending more time in the guts now could go a long way once the likes of mitch and priddis leave. He's a gun player but the only way he can go to the next level is if he has an impact in the middle.

It's not just the extra kgs he will be carrying. More of an inside game requires more bash and crash and certainly more toll on your body, and I mean during games. Is he going to be able to keep that incessant running game deep in the third and fourth quarter where he can really hurt the opposition if he is bashing and crashing through the first and second?

Please note, these are just musings. I'm not saying he can't. I just know his strength lies in his ability to just keep running and presenting all game. I'd hate to see him lose some of that for the need to balance our inside game.

I actually kinda like your idea of getting Masten (if anyone) to become more inside focused, because to me he doesn't have the same hurt factor on the outside as Gaff does and so we'd potentially lose less. But then Masto would Probs get caught HTB that many times they'd name an award after him.

Overall though I think we need to have less of these one dimensional players (either inside or out) and just have mids who can hold their own in a contest AND can do something with the pill in space.

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[matt_bas]

http://www.westcoasteagles.com.au/video/2016-12-15/gaff-looking-to-add-inside-grunt

Two positives for me from this -

Firstly they're looking to add a bit more size to his frame so he can compete inside a bit more and secondly that he wants to hit the scoreboard more.

Two weaknesses of our midfield are the lack of numbers that can contribute inside and outside (too many one dimensional mids) and the collective lack of goals from the midfield group.

Sounds like those issues are being addressed

So kicking a few more goals and winning more contested ball. Lock him in for the Brownlow

 

[RookiePick]

Mastens only hurt factor is outside. He really suffered with our bizarre high contested gameplan of 2016.

 

[avishka5]

It's not just the extra kgs he will be carrying. More of an inside game requires more bash and crash and certainly more toll on your body, and I mean during games. Is he going to be able to keep that incessant running game deep in the third and fourth quarter where he can really hurt the opposition if he is bashing and crashing through the first and second?

Please note, these are just musings. I'm not saying he can't. I just know his strength lies in his ability to just keep running and presenting all game. I'd hate to see him lose some of that for the need to balance our inside game.

I actually kinda like your idea of getting Masten (if anyone) to become more inside focused, because to me he doesn't have the same hurt factor on the outside as Gaff does and so we'd potentially lose less. But then Masto would Probs get caught HTB that many times they'd name an award after him.

Overall though I think we need to have less of these one dimensional players (either inside or out) and just have mids who can hold their own in a contest AND can do something with the pill in space.

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don't think Gaff will ever be the bash and crash type. However, some of his best games have been where his spend more time in the guts. The most recent of those games was the crows game where he collected the most CP's and clearances and yet he finished the game strongly. By adding a few more KG's it allows him to back that sort of effort each week, instead of being managed.


Masten had a decent year in 2013 and by memory he spend a lot of time in the middle and was affective. I disagree about masten being in affective on the outside. His decision making is shite in congestion but with space and time he generally becomes a great weapon going into attacking 50. He doesn't hit the scoreboard but gets it to the hands of a leading forward. As i said before im unfazed by masto playing or not. If he plays we are guaranteed of 25-20 touches ( we really lacked mids racking up the tuches last week) but if he doesn't someone young and skillful gets a spot in the side.

 

[Eaglespur]

I would have thought Sheed and Redden were the ones who will heavily rotate through the middle and provide an inside chop out.

 

[WCEswift]

The players are usually happy to sign autographs and have photos taken when they leave if he's into that sort of thing - it'll be 11.00-11.30 before they finish up though

Sounds good thanks for the heads up

 

[2006_Eagles]

http://www.westcoasteagles.com.au/video/2016-12-15/gaff-looking-to-add-inside-grunt

Two positives for me from this -

Firstly they're looking to add a bit more size to his frame so he can compete inside a bit more and secondly that he wants to hit the scoreboard more.

Two weaknesses of our midfield are the lack of numbers that can contribute inside and outside (too many one dimensional mids) and the collective lack of goals from the midfield group.

Sounds like those issues are being addressed

Gaff is so outside it's not funny

How can he just be made into an inside mid when the instincts, muscle memory etc aren't there?

 

[dajesmac]

Gaff is so outside it's not funny

How can he just be made into an inside mid when the instincts, muscle memory etc aren't there?

I don't think it's about changing his role but moreso developing him into a more well rounded midfielder with a more balanced skillset. By making it a focus at training and placing him at a few more centre bounces the intention will be that he can get better at winning his own ball. A Gaff who could win the ball on the inside consistently would make him one of the better mids in the game.

I don't think he will get that far but this is more about Simpsons' multi-position capability focus than anything.

 

[Eaglespur]

I don't think it's about changing his role but moreso developing him into a more well rounded midfielder with a more balanced skillset. By making it a focus at training and placing him at a few more centre bounces the intention will be that he can get better at winning his own ball. A Gaff who could win the ball on the inside consistently would make him one of the better mids in the game.

I don't think he will get that far but this is more about Simpsons' multi-position capability focus than anything.

Yeah i cant see this being a negative thing, unless they do a Lecca and try and turn him into something he is not. Him wanting to be a bit stronger/capable of winning his own ball and score more goals cant be a negative thing.

 

[Fatty rules]

That looks like ochre... There had better of been some freakin bad lighting or something in this photo. I almost threw up my lunch.

Kicks with his tongue out - like Shuey

 

[Suma Magic]

I've got Rioli fever.

Just really hoping he is actually good enough. Be so good to have a genuine crumber around goals.

 

[Turboman1994]

Gaff is already an AA level midfielder and one of the best in the league at what he does. If he adds goal kicking and a more inside game to his belt he's a A+ level player

 

[avishka5]

I've got Rioli fever.

Just really hoping he is actually good enough. Be so good to have a genuine crumber around goals.

Craving for a bit of Willie ehy?

 

[Astro35]

For the guys going to the open training today - can you please let me know how Schofield is going?

 

[KamakazeSalami]

Gaff is already an AA level midfielder and one of the best in the league at what he does. If he adds goal kicking and a more inside game to his belt he's a A+ level player

No doubt it'd take him to the next level. Just wondering whether trying to get him there will take away what currently makes him as good. Having said that, thought he was pretty ordinary for the first half of the season. His kicking went to shit and became another one of our bang-it-on-the-boot-and-hope brigade. To his credit he worked through it and did start to come good in the back end of the season.

One thing he has going for him in this search for a bit more ball winning nous is intent. He is slight but he certainly isn't afraid to throw himself at the contest and have a crack. He isn't about bruise-free footy. He just hasn't had much success at it because he really hasn't had the physicality to impact a contest and he lacks some of that nous.

As for more goals. That to me is as much about how we structure up and who we look for, as the ability to convert. As a team I don't feel we get our mids (or they don't get themselves) into scoring positions. And on the rare occasions we do, more often than not they shit the bed and screw the opportunity.

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[SpaceClef]

I think Gaff should stay far outside but if he can win more of those one on one contests on the wing then he will become a far more dangerous player.

Currently he loses more contests than he wins but he is pretty good at halving them and forcing a stoppage.

Still, if he can start to win them more he will become an absolute weapon.