Training Preseason Training Thread - 2024/25

[Keys]

And that’s me done for preseason

Probably the best conditioning I’ve seen the squad in since I’ve been attending training.

There’s a bit to look forward to this season albeit we’ll lose more than we win and there’ll be the occasional shellacking when things come completely unstuck

Stay positive, take the good with the bad as the players learn the new game plan and Mini identifies what he has to work with. Some will thrive, others will fall away but one thing I’m sure of is that the effort and desire to compete and improve will be there

Onwards and upwards, enjoy the season

 

[Obeanie1]

So many of our younger players look in fantastic shape, a lot different to the not too distant past. Our new S&C guys have really changed the look of the squad

You swap out the old run down tires on the Hilux and she looks a million dollars.

Do that with 20 players and the S&C team have something young and newto work with.

 

[ArdentEagle]

Like it or not, when we play up off the field, history says we play well on the field.
All minor indiscretions (thank F) but Punxsutawney Phil is forecasting a top 8 finish next year.

 

[eaglesnutcase]

Like it or not, when we play up off the field, history says we play well on the field.
All minor indiscretions (thank F) but Punxsutawney Phil is forecasting a top 8 finish next year.

8 next year is a given! Even got a VERY quiet hope for this year

 

[FatPizza]

Nek minit the board is in utter meltdown at 3/4 time in the first preseason match

No doubt. But at least we'll be whinging at something tangible.

 

[ArdentEagle]

8 next year is a given! Even got a VERY quiet hope for this year

Silly Ardent!

 

[Mattman93]

I've seen them at training, extremely fit looking group now, even Gov

I'd say Gov is slipping under the radar as potentially the most noteworthy physique of the pre-season. He looks the slimmest/leanest I think I've ever seen him (though it's unclear whether this typically actually correlates with optimal form in his case).

 

[RanaNaved]

I'd say Gov is slipping under the radar as potentially the most noteworthy physique of the pre-season. He looks the slimmest/leanest I think I've ever seen him (though it's unclear whether this typically actually correlates with optimal form in his case).

Yeah he looks great. Gov is Gov, if he's free of any debilitating injuries he's going to be great, just a natural

 

[shoutsatclouds]

I'd say Gov is slipping under the radar as potentially the most noteworthy physique of the pre-season. He looks the slimmest/leanest I think I've ever seen him (though it's unclear whether this typically actually correlates with optimal form in his case).

wary of removing too much blubber from around his glass ribs...

 

[LittleFires]

To be fair Gov has been presenting in excellent nick the last 2-3 preseasons really.

It’s why I was so happy to see him get AA last season and win the JW Medal - the hard work of him getting into top shape paying off

 

[Dom sheed pocket]

To be fair Gov has been presenting in excellent nick the last 2-3 preseasons really.

It’s why I was so happy to see him get AA last season and win the JW Medal - the hard work of him getting into top shape paying off

He first lost the weight during the covid shutdown, and I thought for quite a while that he was a worse player for it.

It’s great to see he got his 5th AA blazer, and I think the leaner build will help him prolong his career a little bit longer than he otherwise would.

 

[Yeahnahmate]

Two photos from last decade probably proved my point. For all his faults Cuzz played top level seasons year on year, Ryan has done it once.

One good one hey? Premiership player ‘18, 7th in club champ ‘19, AA ‘20 and 6th in club champ, 10th club champ 2022. That’s in his 7 seasons…soooo I’d suggest you go back to bed there champion

 

[We_The_West]

Ginbey - really excited to watch him grow this year. Was really confident across half back. Flying as 3rd up plenty of times, and looked to get involved on offence.

I hope by the second half of the season Ginbey really starts to have a real presence in the back 50. Tom Stewart 2.0

I know it will take some time for the boys to learn the game plan, but I'm more excited by a new plan than what looked like a lack of plan under Simmo the last few years.

JWill - was the best of the forwards. That 2nd ruck/forward spot is his, I’ve got no doubt.

Jack's footy IQ is impressive and it will be exciting watching him develop over the next few years. Will average 1.5 goals a game this season.

Whichever of Waterman, Allen or Williams gets the smallest defender....kick it to them.

Long - rarely sighted in match sim, but back to full training is a positive.

Really happy that he got some exposure across his first two seasons - now I would love to see him play in the WAFL and dominate a game across half forward with bursts on ball. Getting 20+ touches and 2 goals a game and building his confidence and ball winning. Another with great footy IQ.

 

[Fatty rules]

I hope by the second half of the season Ginbey really starts to have a real presence in the back 50. Tom Stewart 2.0

I know it will take some time for the boys to learn the game plan, but I'm more excited by a new plan than what looked like a lack of plan under Simmo the last few years.



Jack's footy IQ is impressive and it will be exciting watching him develop over the next few years. Will average 1.5 goals a game this season.

Whichever of Waterman, Allen or Williams gets the smallest defender....kick it to them.




Really happy that he got some exposure across his first two seasons - now I would love to see him play in the WAFL and dominate a game across half forward with bursts on ball. Getting 20+ touches and 2 goals a game and building his confidence and ball winning. Another with great footy IQ.

Nah, always kick it to Waterman. Best KPF in the comp.

 

[We_The_West]

Nah, always kick it to Waterman. Best KPF in the comp.

Just run the ball to 40-50m and have a ping

 

[WCE_phil]

Just run the ball to 40-50m and have a ping

Oh, so you want us to all play the Tom Gross and Jamie Cripps game......

 

[We_The_West]

Oh, so you want us to all play the Tom Gross and Jamie Cripps game......

I wouldn't say all... but it would be nice seeing some mids and half forwards streaming forwards and kicking goals on the run from distance. Similar to Warner, Rayner and Z.Bailey types.

I'm always curious when you see a player 50-60 out try and bite off the perfect pass to a leading forward under pressure. It's been a few years since we've seen many eagles have the confidence to run in and have a shot.

 

[ghostbat12]

Oh, so you want us to all play the Tom Gross and Jamie Cripps game......

And Peter matera….except matera would have a ping from 60-65.

 

[Kegs15]

I wouldn't say all... but it would be nice seeing some mids and half forwards streaming forwards and kicking goals on the run from distance. Similar to Warner, Rayner and Z.Bailey types.

I'm always curious when you see a player 50-60 out try and bite off the perfect pass to a leading forward under pressure. It's been a few years since we've seen many eagles have the confidence to run in and have a shot.

I do agree - think we've in the last 5-10 years overly focused on our forwards alone as the source of goals. This was fine when we had Kennedy, Prime Darling, Prime Cripps, Ryan, Rioli, LeCras as a ridiculously stacked fwdline but with a bit less experience down there and the stand rule changing how teams defend think we've been a bit behind the times.

Brisbane do it really well where opposition teams know they have players willing to run and take the shot from 50, so they need to defend the whole 70m arc and spread their defence thinner, allowing better space for even average forwards like Hipwood to lead into.

With us in the last few years teams have been able to defend the 40m arc pretty much and lock us up into a scrap whenever Waterman or Allen don't clean mark it. Maybe/likely it's a confidence thing but so many kicks have just gone to someone like BWilliams in a contest 35m out where teams can rebound off the drop of the ball.

Not saying overdo it and think definitely it should be left to players who can actually pull it off (Harley, Yeo, Hewitt, Maric) and not Cripps. But IMO if we take say 3 of those pings in a game and even if we only nail one, think that opens up the defence for a few more goals a game through their defence being on notice for it. Collingwood also does it really well, teams stress about DeGoey and Daicos 55m out and they get opportunities to just chip it to Elliot or Hill standing 35m out in the hole.

 

[We_The_West]

I do agree - think we've in the last 5-10 years overly focused on our forwards alone as the source of goals. This was fine when we had Kennedy, Prime Darling, Prime Cripps, Ryan, Rioli, LeCras as a ridiculously stacked fwdline but with a bit less experience down there and the stand rule changing how teams defend think we've been a bit behind the times.

Brisbane do it really well where opposition teams know they have players willing to run and take the shot from 50, so they need to defend the whole 70m arc and spread their defence thinner, allowing better space for even average forwards like Hipwood to lead into.

With us in the last few years teams have been able to defend the 40m arc pretty much and lock us up into a scrap whenever Waterman or Allen don't clean mark it. Maybe/likely it's a confidence thing but so many kicks have just gone to someone like BWilliams in a contest 35m out where teams can rebound off the drop of the ball.

Not saying overdo it and think definitely it should be left to players who can actually pull it off (Harley, Yeo, Hewitt, Maric) and not Cripps. But IMO if we take say 3 of those pings in a game and even if we only nail one, think that opens up the defence for a few more goals a game through their defence being on notice for it. Collingwood also does it really well, teams stress about DeGoey and Daicos 55m out and they get opportunities to just chip it to Elliot or Hill standing 35m out in the hole.

Petch is probably the one player who looks likely to run in for a shot from the last few years.

Will be interesting to see how he goes with Minis game plan. Hope he goes well either way may be able to trade him at seasons end.

 

[kane249]

Andrew Embley has two sons.

2 boys and 2 girls, doing his bit for the AFLW team as well

 

[flyinghi64]

Training today?
Great day to head down and stand in the sun.

Def don't miss the pre-season days in this heat.

 

[woosha24]

He first lost the weight during the covid shutdown, and I thought for quite a while that he was a worse player for it.

No one can change my mind that fat gov = best gov.

The guy built his name on playing lazyman footy - watch the play unfolding ahead of you, use your footy IQ to work out where the ball's gonna get kicked, are go sit in that spot. No running, no spoiling, just park your dumptruck under the ball and enjoy your post-game KFC Family Feast buckets.

Something we can all aspire to.

 

[JackOutback]

And Peter matera….except matera would have a ping from 60-65.

Sets sail for home… and the Eagles have hit the front!

 

[Deepthroat]

Think this year it looks more generalised. Ginbey has looked like a ****ing statue of David with a mullet for a couple of years but this year it seems there are more lads in top nick.

I recall two preseasons ago when Culley was the next Adonis and about to tear the comp a new one........

 

[RanaNaved]

I recall two preseasons ago when Culley was the next Adonis and about to tear the comp a new one........

I don't recall people ever being that bullish