Training Pre Season

Verdun66

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Reading all the posts with interest about individual improvements and how those individuals may progress to B+ or A grade. But a factor I am going to be looking at is how we can continue to gel as a team.

I remember back in 2012 to probably 2014 in post match analysis I would comment that we looked like strangers playing together. The team honestly looked like none of them had ever met, let alone have trained or played together.

This group are not only getting to the 40-80 games levels individually. They are getting there playing pretty consistently together. I see they go on their end of season trips, and are building great friendships and team spirit. And they are building that elusive thing of team cohesiveness and understanding. Our list has been pretty stable for a while.

Richo has been reluctant to make many changes and that has caused some disquiet among some supporters. But a benefit is that the team understanding is developing alongside the individual improvements. That indefinable concept of ‘team’ is going along quite nicely I think.

It is the hidden thing in the great teams and explains why sometimes the whole is greater than the sum of it’s parts. At least I think that is how that saying goes!
 
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I was pleasantly surprised to see the article say that Coffey was training as an inside mid. I didn’t think that was an area we needed too much extra. But it says he’s excelling so that’s pleasing.

I wonder if it’s to help him build his contested game, or if they really see him as an insider.
 

aussierulesrules

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I was pleasantly surprised to see the article say that Coffey was training as an inside mid. I didn’t think that was an area we needed too much extra.
We might have plenty of options there, but not enough of them have speed, or his kicking ability, let alone his size/height, so I imagine we're hoping he'll be able to play there pretty soon, and add those attributes to our midfield.

That said, I'm sure they are hoping it will improve his contested game and that he'll probably be more likely to play outside or off HB when he plays this year.
 

Human Person

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I was pleasantly surprised to see the article say that Coffey was training as an inside mid. I didn’t think that was an area we needed too much extra. But it says he’s excelling so that’s pleasing.

I wonder if it’s to help him build his contested game, or if they really see him as an insider.
Actually, I just rewatched his highlights and tried to look for evidence of him as an inside mid, and it seems I underrated him in that department. He stood up in a few tackles and was able to weave through traffic and fire a handball out to advantage. So the attributes are there, can he build them up to be able to do it consistently at a high level is the question I guess.
 

Brains Trust66

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Is Ed Phillips going to get a game this season? Or Bailey Rice?
I would like to see them both get a game but I think Phillips as to start burning up teams in the twos before he will become a chance . Rice has been doing all he can , there were a few times last season where he was so close to getting a game . The problem for him now is he is basically waiting for injuries or loss of form and then it depends on which player is injured because if it’s Savage or Robbo they might go for White or even Coffield or Clark . It’s going to be hard but if he gets there he will of deserved it that’s for sure.


Can’t wait for 2018 season.
 

Ads734

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Actually, I just rewatched his highlights and tried to look for evidence of him as an inside mid, and it seems I underrated him in that department. He stood up in a few tackles and was able to weave through traffic and fire a handball out to advantage. So the attributes are there, can he build them up to be able to do it consistently at a high level is the question I guess.
e attributes are definitely there like you said. It’s about learning how to develop his stoppage work. If he he can and there is zero reason as to why he wouldn’t be able he will be a serious player. At the training I was at the most surprising thing about coff and I’ll confess I’ve seen him play on tv/YouTube in at least 8-10 games is how quick he actually moves his feet. He is not like Acres,Clarke.”, Pendlebury who have long loading strides. If anything he is more of a mix of Jack Steven and Sinclair in that his legs just motor. Then you take into account his elite elite decision making and the fact that he never loses his cool and we have someone who can really be Moulded into a beast
 
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e attributes are definitely there like you said. It’s about learning how to develop his stoppage work. If he he can and there is zero reason as to why he wouldn’t be able he will be a serious player. At the training I was at the most surprising thing about coff and I’ll confess I’ve seen him play on tv/YouTube in at least 8-10 games is how quick he actually moves his feet. He is not like Acres,Clarke.”, Pendlebury who have long loading strides. If anything he is more of a mix of Jack Steven and Sinclair in that his legs just motor. Then you take into account his elite elite decision making and the fact that he never loses his cool and we have someone who can really be Moulded into a beast
Agree on speed factor when I,saw him in match simulation he played on Gilbert and was not out of place . The aspect that impressed me most was the decision making . It was alsways about the long option and understands not to run himself into trouble when he breaks free . A lot of players who can break from congestion just run blindly then think of disposal . Think Ralph Clarke , Acers can be a bit like this however seems to have ability to stay free . I mentioned the other day that Connellan took off but just run into trouble or into wrong position .
On Clarke i think the issue is he is not as showy as coffield and is quite light as yet .Also very quiet so may take longer to feel at home but will build and his consistency will be a feature
 

BrutThough

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Absolutely, I think we all know the talent he has is unmatched by most of the comp, which is why we expect so much from him.

The thing he probably needs to improve most (outside his goalkicking) is his consistency. He played some cracking games last year, but there was too big a gap between his best and his worst, and there were too many average games there (especially early season), but hopefully that will continue to improve as he gets fitter and/or stronger.

This is only his 2nd full preseason in about 5 or 6 years apparently, and he's only now got a manly looking build, so it's no surprise he's still got plenty of improvement there.
Very true, hopefully that comes this season with another preseason and no longer looking like a kid. He is such a confidence player, that if he starts dominating every week, the sky is the limit really. And same with his goal kicking, if he can start kicking his first one for the game each week, his accuracy will improve dramatically - as he tends to kick straighter for a game when he nails his first one.

He is one of the few players I have watched and just seem certain that he is going to win a Brownlow one day, there is just something about him which makes me certain about that.
 

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The Saints' new recruits have completed 70 to 75 per cent of the pre-season program as they build their fitness and strength up to AFL standard. Hunter Clark has trained with the midfielders and shown the ability to make good decisions under pressure in training. He has done a lot of work off a wing and impressed the coaches with his disposal and evasiveness. Nicholas Coffield has also trained with the midfielders, rather than at half-back where the Saints are comfortable with their depth. He has looked AFL standard as an inside midfielder and has been a sponge with the club's established on-ballers. Oscar Clavarino has worked closely with backline coach Henry Playfair and has impressed with his intercept marking. Adding size is a key focus for the slightly-built 195cm defender. Ben Paton is the most physically ready of the recruits, training with the midfielders and using his hardness in contested drills. Rookie Doulton Langlands has brought the outside run and carry the group craves, showcasing his speed regularly in training.

The standout: Both Hunter Clark and Nicholas Coffield are expected to push in for JLT Community Series games, but Coffield has been clearly the best performed and already looks comfortable with every aspect of AFL training.

Taken from the AFL page

Can’t wait for 2018 season.
 

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Spaceship7

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I've a feeling that Coffield and possibly Paton/Clark can give a good crack at rising star award

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Would be incredibly surprised if Witherden doesn't win it. The kid averaged 24 touches over 9 games (never below 18) and now has two pre-seasons under his belt compared to everyones 1. Plus he is a freak.

Coffield and Clark both $21 atm, but don't think either will play enough games. I mean compared to LDU who surely plays almost every game for a bottom of the table north. Also an injury from old man sandilands could see Darcy ruck a whole year and he was crazy impressive in his 8 games last year.

I think a rising star nom from a couple of our boys (be it clark, coffield, battle, long, phillips) i'd be happy as
 

Ekomaira

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The Saints' new recruits have completed 70 to 75 per cent of the pre-season program as they build their fitness and strength up to AFL standard. Hunter Clark has trained with the midfielders and shown the ability to make good decisions under pressure in training. He has done a lot of work off a wing and impressed the coaches with his disposal and evasiveness. Nicholas Coffield has also trained with the midfielders, rather than at half-back where the Saints are comfortable with their depth. He has looked AFL standard as an inside midfielder and has been a sponge with the club's established on-ballers. Oscar Clavarino has worked closely with backline coach Henry Playfair and has impressed with his intercept marking. Adding size is a key focus for the slightly-built 195cm defender. Ben Paton is the most physically ready of the recruits, training with the midfielders and using his hardness in contested drills. Rookie Doulton Langlands has brought the outside run and carry the group craves, showcasing his speed regularly in training.

The standout: Both Hunter Clark and Nicholas Coffield are expected to push in for JLT Community Series games, but Coffield has been clearly the best performed and already looks comfortable with every aspect of AFL training.

Taken from the AFL page

Can’t wait for 2018 season.
one thing we know about you mate is you absolutely can't wait for the 2018 season :p
 

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Hi guys,

In regards to the training camp this week, I have just checked with our football department, and the camp is in conjunction with Geelong Grammar and the Melbourne Storm – Both clubs will be training/working on strategy and tactical game plan simulation so the sessions are going to be closed off from the public.

I know some wanted to go watch them but there you go - sorry!
 

Sainterz12

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Hi guys,

In regards to the training camp this week, I have just checked with our football department, and the camp is in conjunction with Geelong Grammar and the Melbourne Storm – Both clubs will be training/working on strategy and tactical game plan simulation so the sessions are going to be closed off from the public.

I know some wanted to go watch them but there you go - sorry!
What’s abouts if we promise not to tell Melbourne Football club what we saw?
 

BrutThough

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Hi guys,

In regards to the training camp this week, I have just checked with our football department, and the camp is in conjunction with Geelong Grammar and the Melbourne Storm – Both clubs will be training/working on strategy and tactical game plan simulation so the sessions are going to be closed off from the public.

I know some wanted to go watch them but there you go - sorry!
What a fantastic opportunity for our players to be around the storm players and see them train - definitely a lot that can be learnt from them
 

DarkSaint

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Thread starter #2,748
Hi guys,

In regards to the training camp this week, I have just checked with our football department, and the camp is in conjunction with Geelong Grammar and the Melbourne Storm – Both clubs will be training/working on strategy and tactical game plan simulation so the sessions are going to be closed off from the public.

I know some wanted to go watch them but there you go - sorry!
That is actually great news to hear that we are training with a team from another code.

Hopefully they get a few tackling tips from the storm boys, because apart from Steele, Dunstan and Gilbert the rest of the teams have got spaghetti arms when it comes to sticking a tackle!

That was one of the issues that I have noticed over the last couple of years that we attempt a tackle but don't really stick it allowing teams to handball away etc.
 

cooperrules

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Good to hear, glad they're doing it with the Storm and glad they're working on tactical stuff away from prying eyes. Just hope we get to see some pics and reports from the club.
Wouldnt be a bad move to adopt them as a brother club. Brilliant club with an appetite for success. They do all things of the highest quality.
 
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