Training News

[bushie]

He hurt his knee in the 2nd Irish game.

So is the brace for protection from surgery??

Or is their an underlying problem that doesn't need the knife, but time to heal?

I rate this kid very highly. He is integral to our success IMO.

 

[Ripper]

So is the brace for protection from surgery??

Or is their an underlying problem that doesn't need the knife, but time to heal?

I rate this kid very highly. He is integral to our success IMO.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

 

[bushie]

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

LOL, that is one of the more cryptic answers to a question that I have ever received.

But I will take your word on it!

 

[newlander77]

Cheers for the update Wombat.

Black seemed to be moving freely at training last week, although he didn't take part in any contact work.

Well speaking to Black today, he said he wont have any pre-season at all basically.

 

[dominguez]

I rate this kid very highly. He is integral to our success IMO.

Clearly best 18 IMO, and will be a massive loss if he's not right. Looked fine at training though, so fairly confident he will be fine.

 

[dominguez]

Well speaking to Black today, he said he wont have any pre-season at all basically.

He ran about a dozen laps at a quick pace at training last week, running looks to be okay but contact to the hip must be the issue??

 

[Scham]

Well speaking to Black today, he said he wont have any pre-season at all basically.

With Schammer out as well, this is a blow! Hope Brownie is up to the challenge, he could get a chance with these two unavailable.

 

[mini bus]

To me it seems Crowley's brace is just for protection or support he looked to be training at a reasonable pace and taking part in all the drills but as i said in another post it was a fairly light session.

 

[dominguez]

Don Pyke has joined our coaching staff on a part time basis.

 

[newlander77]

Crowley was still away from the main group yesterday, but he has lost the heavy knee brace and only has light strapping on his knee now.

 

[bushie]

Crowley was still away from the main group yesterday, but he has lost the heavy knee brace and only has light strapping on his knee now.

Cheers fat wombat!

That at least is a step in the right direction.

Does he look proppy or is he moving freely without it?

 

[newlander77]

Cheers fat wombat!

That at least is a step in the right direction.

Does he look proppy or is he moving freely without it?

He was getting around okay! It looked like they were just trying to get some conditioning into him prior to him joining the main squad. He did some running with the GPS strapped to his back, then he did some kicking with Longmuir then practiced snapping goals from the pocket. I asked him how he was and he said he'll be good to go!

 

[bushie]

He was getting around okay! It looked like they were just trying to get some conditioning into him prior to him joining the main squad. He did some running with the GPS strapped to his back, then he did some kicking with Longmuir then practiced snapping goals from the pocket. I asked him how he was and he said he'll be good to go!

Sounds good!

Thank you fw,

I really do appreciate it.

Actually I am sure all of us who live away appreciate it!

 

[rgauci]

Thats great news. I was really concerned about our midfield with Schammer going down. If you add Crowley to that list, our improvement group of the last few years, only Peake would be available. Those 3 imparticular have moved our midfield from one-pace one-height to have a few dimensions.

 

[macca69]

I was really concerned about our midfield with Schammer going down. If you add Crowley to that list, our improvement group of the last few years, only Peake would be available. Those 3 imparticular have moved our midfield from one-pace one-height to have a few dimensions.

Hows Andrew Browne's pre-season been so far, would he be a chance to fill in for the above mention injured blokes? He's a pretty talented player but has had chronic hammy problems IIRC, does he appear over them?

 

[rgauci]

Hows Andrew Browne's pre-season been so far, would he be a chance to fill in for the above mention injured blokes? He's a pretty talented player but has had chronic hammy problems IIRC, does he appear over them?

I can't see him getting a game at the moment. Obviously i don't know how preseason is going. There's a lot of players who were in front of him at the end of 2006.

Remember missing from the Sydney final were: Hasleby, Grover, Thornton, Haddrill who were all considered regulars in 06 or before. With the Addition of Tarrant and Solomon, not to mention the improvement from Duffield, Drum and Dunn could see a spot in the 22 hard to come by.

We have quite a bit of depth at the moment. Possibly too much, if its possible to have too much depth. I guess it limits the spot for development players.

 

[macca69]

I can't see him getting a game at the moment. Obviously i don't know how preseason is going. There's a lot of players who were in front of him at the end of 2006.

Remember missing from the Sydney final were: Hasleby, Grover, Thornton, Haddrill who were all considered regulars in 06 or before. With the Addition of Tarrant and Solomon, not to mention the improvement from Duffield, Drum and Dunn could see a spot in the 22 hard to come by.

We have quite a bit of depth at the moment. Possibly too much, if its possible to have too much depth. I guess it limits the spot for development players.

Yeh you have excellent defensive depth, and pretty good depth in your forwardline. But IMO your midfield depth is relatively week and that's where your current injury issues are. The likes of Thornton, Grover, Haddrill, etc aren't going to replace Schammer, Black or Crowley (Thornton could possibly replace Black though).

That's why I brought up Browne, because he's a midfielder with some ability. Which other fringe players would be ahead of him in terms of claiming a midfield spot? Can Duffield play there? (Dunn and Drum would struggle to play that role at AFL level IMO). Maybe Gilmore or Webster perhaps? But Browne should be seriously considered IMO.

 

[dominguez]

Browne has been training well, and will play a couple of nab cup games. If he impressses during those games he is a good chance to play round one.

 

[rgauci]

Yeh you have excellent defensive depth, and pretty good depth in your forwardline. But IMO your midfield depth is relatively week and that's where your current injury issues are. The likes of Thornton, Grover, Haddrill, etc aren't going to replace Schammer, Black or Crowley (Thornton could possibly replace Black though).

That's why I brought up Browne, because he's a midfielder with some ability. Which other fringe players would be ahead of him in terms of claiming a midfield spot? Can Duffield play there? (Dunn and Drum would struggle to play that role at AFL level IMO). Maybe Gilmore or Webster perhaps? But Browne should be seriously considered IMO.

I disagree regarding the replacements for Black, Schammer and Crowley. Thornton is the obvious replacement for Black. Drum is a utility who is also capable on-ball. He started playing on the ball towards the end of the WAFL season with a couple great games. Duffield is predominently a back pocket but could also be used in a midfield role. Solomon has been training as a forward but could also cameo in midfield roles. Much like Crowley.

I guess i should have mentioned Gilmore and Webster are also ahead of the likes of Browne at this stage.

If Tarrant replaces Headland in the forwardline. I think Headland could also contribute in the on-ball department. Similarly Duffield/Grover/Haddrill/Thornton in the backline could release Hayden for a midfield role.

So in short i think our midfield is right and Browne finds himself right down the list.

1. Hasleby
2. J.Carr
3. Bell
4. M.Carr
5. Black
6. Peake
7. Headland
8. Crowley
9. Schammer
10. Hayden
11. McManus
12. Cook
13. Webster
14. Gilmore
15. Browne

 

[macca69]

Tarrant and Headland play completely different roles. No reason they both won't play in the forwardline together.

I haven't seen Drum at WAFL level, but at TAC level he looked lost when played pretty much anywhere except HBF. If he's gone alright in midfield in the WAFL, then good on him, he'd be ahead of Browne if that's the case.

Hayden is crucial to your defensive set up. No coincidence that your increase in form last year coincided with his return to the side (obviously there were other factors as well, but don't neglect the importance of his role in defence).

So given that list you provided and that Schammer, Crowley and Black could all be missing and that Headland and Hayden will likely be playing non-midfield roles, then I'd say there are 5 clearly ahead of him (Hasleby, Carr, Carr, Bell and Peake) and he's as good as any of the next tier and good NAB cup form could see him getting picked ahead of Macca, Cookie, Webster, etc.

 

[dominguez]

If Headland was capable of playing in the midfield he would, but he has struggled there and that is why he is played at half forward. Webster also seems more suited at half forward, although I think he will struggle to get a game with the arrival of Tarrant and Solomon. Browne looked good before being cut down by injury, and deserves an opportunity ahead of Gilmore, who has failed to grab a regular spot despite plenty of chances.

Drum must be injured because he hasn't been training, but there haven't been any reports of what the problem is.

 

[Cheetah]

Two good well thought out posts Macca, nothing wrong with your logic. You actually sound like you might have done your homework and watched a few games?

Are you a closet Freo supporter???

 

[macca69]

Two good well thought out posts Macca, nothing wrong with your logic. You actually sound like you might have done your homework and watched a few games?

Are you a closet Freo supporter???

Cheers, I try to catch the odd Freo game, although I'm a full on West Coast fan. I don't mind the dockers though, maybe being based in Victoria means I'm not a stereotypical 'hate all things freo type'. Plus I have a connection or 2 to some of the staff at Freo. Not going to elaborate further on that though.

 

[newlander77]

In the 2 sessions I have watched in the last couple of weeks, Soloman either does not look fit or up to the same intencity of the other players. Even in the full length field ball drills he looked heavy and barely breaking into a jog (just cruising). He looked lost and overweight. Hopefully he picks things up in the pre-season games. Personally I'd be picking Campbell or Webster ahead of him at the moment.

Headland from what I have seen has been training with the midfield group, not the forwards.

Crowley I still think will feature in the pre-season games. Maybe not in week 1, but he'll get some pre-season game time under his belt.

Gilmore also looks like he's not too far off joining the main group.

I'm not convinced Browne is over his injury problems. The coaches seem to be keeping a very close eye on him and he didn't even participate in one of the sessions.

 

[rgauci]

In the 2 sessions I have watched in the last couple of weeks, Soloman either does not look fit or up to the same intencity of the other players. Even in the full length field ball drills he looked heavy and barely breaking into a jog (just cruising). He looked lost and overweight. Hopefully he picks things up in the pre-season games. Personally I'd be picking Campbell or Webster ahead of him at the moment.

Headland from what I have seen has been training with the midfield group, not the forwards.

Crowley I still think will feature in the pre-season games. Maybe not in week 1, but he'll get some pre-season game time under his belt.

Gilmore also looks like he's not too far off joining the main group.

I'm not convinced Browne is over his injury problems. The coaches seem to be keeping a very close eye on him and he didn't even participate in one of the sessions.

This doesn't surprise me at all. Our forwardline becomes very cramped if Murphy, Pavlich, Tarrant, Longmuir, Crowley, Headland, Solomon and Farmer all have spots thier. Longmuir obviously can also play ruck, so his spot in the 22 is assured. Versatility being the key. Crowley, Headland and Solomon need to show they can spend time in the midfield, otherwise their spot may be up for grabs.

I really think the team will reshuffle the forwardline or backline (i forgot about DOdd, he could also play midfield) before Browne will get a game. We have too many of his type already in the team. I hope he proves me wrong and has a stella season, because it'll mean he's earnt his spot.