Training 13/6

[- PC -]

Wandered down for a Wednesday evening look at the boys. Liked what I saw, even with my poor eyesight

The boys looked keen and sharp and trained as if they were 8-2 and not 6-4, no special set ups I saw, apart from the rucks out the back with Redden.After they came back to the main group they did some boundary work and Meesen was matched up against Griff and Hudson and Maric was a side player though he did compete in some skill drills later.

I originally thought ( the poor eyesight ) Griff had a white shirt on but it was Gill..hey he has curly hair and is tall. Him and Trent ( with one leg thinner than the other ) Bode, Biglands , Johncock and a few others did skill work on the boundary and all looked clean with their hands.

Stevo trained away from the main group doing laps and ball work to keep warm with Jonas? doing some brilliant droppies

All in all a good oportunity for me to have a look at how the boys move and the best news was when Roo was asked by a fan if he was playing this week came out with a strong ''yes no problems''

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Any sign of Goody?

 

[- PC -]

No Goodwin at all. Nor Burton

 

[Mad Dog]

Thanks for the report PC.

Stiffy must be doubtful with the thigh.......

 

[- PC -]

Thanks for the report PC.

Stiffy must be doubtful with the thigh.......

I wouldnt think so. Johncock looked all smiles as he wandered in an hour early. I got the feeling it was more to not strain it , more than any doubt. It was strapped from groin to knee though

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

In the ruck drills, how did Griffin look (considering he has struggled the past few weeks) v Maric/Meesen who would be a chance of replacing him?

BTW, thanks for the training report.

 

[- PC -]

Without wanting to give Drummond a woody it was more focused on Meesen v Griffin v Hudson

Griff looked ok as did Meesen. Hudson is definitely number 1 and even got frustrated later when he missed a shot at goal.

I just had this feeling Griff may be rested and Meesen may be given a game or 2 . Then again I could be wrong.

 

[Drummond]

Getting a tad excited here.

For a ruckman who was drafted with pick 8 his ruckwork has never been elite. He wins his faire share of hitouts, always considerably less than Maric though, and his taps are often only average. IF he bulks up a bit more he wouldn’t get knocked down and outbodied so often. If that is to happen he could be an elite big man in the competition because his work around the ground has and always will be his strength. For a 19/20 year old to average 13 possessions and 5 marks per game is quite good, he just needs to work on becoming a more effective ruckman which involves getting up higher and gaining more strength.

 

[bus24]

Unleash the Meese.

God I hope he re-signs

 

[betterthanu]

Getting a tad excited here.

For a ruckman who was drafted with pick 8 his ruckwork has never been elite. He wins his faire share of hitouts, always considerably less than Maric though, and his taps are often only average. IF he bulks up a bit more he wouldn’t get knocked down and outbodied so often. If that is to happen he could be an elite big man in the competition because his work around the ground has and always will be his strength. For a 19/20 year old to average 13 possessions and 5 marks per game is quite good, he just needs to work on becoming a more effective ruckman which involves getting up higher and gaining more strength.

He said in that interview on afc.com that hes been able to bulk up a bit while injured. He called it a "blessing in disguise". Did he look any bigger today PC?

 

[- PC -]

Lets be realistic. To me Griff needs a rest and the mid season break is ideal. Maric seemed to be 4th string and his performances lately have been mediocre. Meesen also has struggled but if ever the AFC were wanting to find out about aplayer now is the time

This is not to say Meesen should come in and dominate ( huge kudos if he does) but to be the 2nd ruckman and to get some time on the ground.

If he contests and is a body to bring the ball to ground then he will learn more just by being out there.

 

[- PC -]

He said in that interview on afc.com that hes been able to bulk up a bit while injured. He called it a "blessing in disguise". Did he look any bigger today PC?

Cant really say. Not seeing him before ( lived in Perth) I have no base to work from ...and pics dont help

I do know he needs a solarium..if he cant win taps just roll his socks down and angle his kneecaps for glare

 

[bus24]

Lets be realistic. To me Griff needs a rest and the mid season break is ideal. Maric seemed to be 4th string and his performances lately have been mediocre. Meesen also has struggled but if ever the AFC were wanting to find out about aplayer now is the time

I wouldn't say the Meese has struggled since his return from injury. He's played 2 ressies games and absolutely tore it up on the weekend.

 

[Drummond]

Unleash the Meese.

God I hope he re-signs

I know there are many on here who feel strongly about "gifting games" in order to persuade people to stay, but in this case I feel we might have to. It’s a fact that if Meesen feels he’s wanted and is going to get games with the Crows he’s all the more likely to stay. Therefore I think we would be better off to give him a few games, EVEN if his form doesn’t really warrant it. We did it with Jericho albeit under slightly different circumstances. If Meese puts together a few good performances with the Legs, I say give him a game or two. If he stays our ruck stocks look incredibly strong for the future, if he leaves we’ve wasted our second highest pick in club history.

He said in that interview on afc.com that hes been able to bulk up a bit while injured. He called it a "blessing in disguise". Did he look any bigger today PC?

That is great news!

 

[Mad Dog]

Lets be realistic. To me Griff needs a rest and the mid season break is ideal. Maric seemed to be 4th string and his performances lately have been mediocre. Meesen also has struggled but if ever the AFC were wanting to find out about aplayer now is the time

This is not to say Meesen should come in and dominate ( huge kudos if he does) but to be the 2nd ruckman and to get some time on the ground.

If he contests and is a body to bring the ball to ground then he will learn more just by being out there.

I don't think the AFC could not give him a game in his 3rd year on the list - and still keep a straight face come contract time.

I would say Meesen is a monty to give Griff a break at some stage soon

 

[Crow-mo]

I don't think the AFC could not give him a game in his 3rd year on the list - and still keep a straight face come contract time.

Agree

if he doesn't warrant a game in year 3, he doesn't warrant an extension either.

if he's doing the right things, with the right attitude, he must be close to selection.

 

[Blue Red and Gold]

Its time


Unleash the Meese

 

[Alex99]

I would look at giving either Meesen or Maric a game this week. I would either take a punt and play jonahing Griffin as a tall forward or give him a week or 3 (with the bye) in the SANFL. Griffin has been tremendous this year but over the last few weeks it’s not like he has been offering us any thing to keep his place.


In the SANFL this week; Norwood has the bloody bye as well so that sucks. It would have been good for John Meesen to get a senior game and put in a good performance

 

[KUNG FU]

Griff has been far beyond expectations, but thats still not enough to reason to contain the Meese. I think I'm going to pass out with excitement at the thought of Meese getting a game.

And Crow-Mo, he has the potential to be an elite ruckman (not just AFL standard, but AA standard), he deserves as many years on the list as we can afford. 5 years at least barring some horrendous injury run. If its good enough for Jericho, its definitely good enough for Meese.

 

[21knights]

I don't mean to be a debbie downer, but everyone seems so excited about meese that I see a let down coming on.

 

[jmorg1]

Everyone talks about the quality of Meese but where is it? Nothing at SANFL level, nothing at AFL level.

TAC level.

Also SANFL reserves level.

 

[Mad Dog]

TAC level.

Also SANFL reserves level.

boy - are you going to be in trouble.....

 

[Redlegs14]

Eh....in fairness I haven't exactly seen a ton of the lad but I wouldn't scoff at a direct trade for Varcoe.

Why are you still here?

Did you think by not posting for a few days, we would forget what you said?

Don't make bold statements, and then not have the balls to back up those statements.

 

[Alex99]

Eh....in fairness I haven't exactly seen a ton of the lad but I wouldn't scoff at a direct trade for Varcoe.

Travis Varcoe has enormous value right now because he is playing AFL games and the type of player our forward line is craving for. I don’t think he will become much more than a very good small forward. IMO He will never take that next step like Andrew McLeod and become superstar midfielder.

John Meesen has the potential to become a Mathew Primus/Michael Gardner (type player when they were in there prime) clone and dominate game around the ground; I believe if we do that trade (Varcoe for Meesen) will look silly in a few years.

It is imperative that we keep him in crow’s colours and the first step is to give him a few games ASAP to entice him to stay in Adelaide.

If Neil Craig and the Adelaide match committee desperately want Travis Varcoe, they should be looking at different avenues to get that deal done.

Meesen for Varcoe (today is good for us), in 5 year time Geelong will be loving it.

 

[Redlegs14]

I am going to put my Bigfooty account on the line here: The Crows, having lost this game, will beat both Geelong and West Coast now. If they don't I will close this account and never come back, ever. No other aliases, no technicalities, I won't return.

And just in case you have forgotten, this is what you said.