Skills training

[Visro]

From the West a few days ago:

Worsfold indicated the Eagles would place a heavy emphasis on improving skill levels over the summer.

"I am not specifically saying skills is where this side has fallen down in the past but it is an area where they can improve," he said.

This is a good move by Woosha. There are a few players in our squad that if they improve their skills could be very good players. Some of the players who I believe will benefit from extensive skills training:

Trent Carroll
Michael Collica
Dean Cox
Darren Glass
Richard Taylor
Josh Wooden

and to a lesser extent:

Andrew Embley
Daniel Kerr
Rowan Jones

Anyway, I think its a very good move. Our skills have dropped away in KJ's time and obviously he didn't train them so much in the area. Hopefully over summer, the skills will return.

Another question, who do you think will bulk up? Cuz did it last year to a massive extent? I'm hoping he gives a few tips to Kane Munro and Daniel Kerr. Both need more meat on their bones. Expect to see Glass and Gaspar also bulk up as well as McDougall. When is the earliest new draftees can begin training? I'm fricking missing football allready!

Vis

 

[iceman]

Does anyone think McDougall will get a game this year?? Assuming he does bulk up??

In response to your question, i think Munro and Gasper need to bulk up if they want to become regulars....

 

[TheRealBuzz]

McDougall needs to gather some momentum and good form at WAFL level before we blood him.

Regarding the skill level at the Eagles, I think the whole team (except Roo) suffered from shocking kicking skills. Even Cuzz turned the ball over allot more then he used to.
I think it had allot to do with the players not having any confidence or self-belief, which Ken Judge attributed to.

Ooohhh and we're talking about players’ bodies as well, I'm an expert on that topic.

I recon Dean Cox will do nothing but eat and lift weights all summer. He has the talent, just needs to put some meat on his bones.
Obviously Polak, McDougall and Munro need to bulk up as well.

Jakovich should hit the gym as well, that guy really needs to bulk up some more. Bloody pencil neck geek.

 

[iceman]

Originally posted by TheRealBuzz
Obviously Polak, need to bulk up as well.

Polak?? I'd rather not make assumptions till after the draft

 

[GoEagles]

So the club should lock a few of the boys at Sizzlers over the summer to put on weight? Maybe not that type of food, but certainly some players need to be put on a 'get bulky diet' over the preseason.

I was very excited to read that Woosha really is going to emphasise training drills that will be similar to game day situations with the same intensity. Seems like a much better solution to Ken Judge's training program - kick to kick with him blowing a whistle every 15 seconds.

 

[Voice of Reason]

I read Woosha's piece in the West and thought it was really good. Skills and wanting to play footy - being self-starters. We really missed that sort of approach under Judge - the players looked like they were trapped in a school room where they didn't want to be.

With a couple of exceptions (yes, I am referring to Kane Munro) and some natural development from the younger players, I think the Eagles don't need to bulk up - it's more about attitude, skills, pace and endurance than being a muscle-man.

 

[Visro]

Not many of the players need to bulk up, its just a few that really need to bulk up.

 

[WA]

I also read Woosha's bit in yesterday's paper and liked what I read. Suprising as it may be to some of you , I specifically liked what he had to say about Troy Wilson. Apart from recognising tha fact that in his 18 games he wasn't always on the ground, he showed some confidence in him (and others) - something that was also lacking with Judge.

 

[Visro]

Originally posted by WA
I also read Woosha's bit in yesterday's paper and liked what I read. Suprising as it may be to some of you , I specifically liked what he had to say about Troy Wilson. Apart from recognising tha fact that in his 18 games he wasn't always on the ground, he showed some confidence in him (and others) - something that was also lacking with Judge.

I didn't get yesterdays paper so could ya tell me briefly what he said?

 

[WA]

Vis, I'm assuming you mean what he said about Wilson, so:

And full forward? Is Troy Wilson a one-position player?
Well, he has played in the backline. But he offered the team a strong, hard-leading target and kicked 40 goals last season, which is a reasonable return from 18 games. He wasn't on the field for all of those games. He may have kicked 60 goals if he'd been on the field for every game, which is a pretty good return. You'd hope he'd be better for that experience in his second year. I'm not setting him a goal target though.

Do you need him for his physical presence as much as his goal kicking?
Well, with his size, speed and strength, he makes people aware that he's coming out from full forward. I won't be instructing him to take players out but if he's coming out with his eyes on the ball, we'll see alot of physical contests. People will come across him and he can cope with that and give us a good result.

Vis - if you meant the article in general, let me know and I'll give you a brief outline!

 

[Visro]

More of the article in general was what I was referring to. It will probably appear on th West website in the next couple of days anyway.

 

[TheRealBuzz]

I thought the article was great.
Worsfold said several times that he wants the players to start enjoying their footy more.
The doom and gloom that came over the Eagles under Ken Judge will soon be lifted.
Expect a more confident and spirited team in 2002.

One thing that didn't please me though, was when Woosh said that he didn't think Darren Glass and Travis Gaspar were ready to step into Milli's and Jako's boots just yet.
He's probably right, but I don't think that would have done their confidence much good.