Training report - Mon 12th Jan

[Collins-Langford-Ayres]

I have wood !!

Thanks guys.

Hartung doing everything right it seems.

 

[cryptor]

Great report guys.

I wasnt sure if picking up Billy over Lewis taylor was a good decision as i loved that kid before he got drafted. But after reading all these reports about Billy it kinda getting me exited and i cant wait to see him on the park.

Also if i am not wrong Billy is still elligible for Rising star ?

He is. $41 with Sportsbet last I checked a few days ago.

 

[sven_inc]

To those who can get down to training can you please keep an eye on the Stratton-to-midfield concept? Tantalising prospect!

 

[dermott]

Personally I can't see Stratton as a midfielder.

 

[cryptor]

Personally I can't see Stratton as a midfielder.

I agree. Leading half forward to cover Gunston or give him a chop out perhaps. But the coaches have been right before. Playing Rough in the ruck/midfield is a big one that a lot didn't think made sense when they thought it was KPF/B or nothing. I'm prepared to put faith in whatever they want to try. That said, it was one training session. Might mean nothing.

 

[marklar]

He is. $41 with Sportsbet last I checked a few days ago.

Worth a few speculative dollars, it's been a while since we've won a RS.

 

[Bonscott1980]

Thanks guys,nice reports good hearing them all

 

[Stratton_Gun]

Billy better be good this season otherwise there will be some heads rolling on here
Can't see Stratts anywhere but where he is now. Can take talls (not Hawkins,Cloke,Tippett types though) or smalls and very underrated outside of Hawthorn

 

[cryptor]

Billy better be good this season otherwise there will be some heads rolling on here
Can't see Stratts anywhere but where he is now. Can take talls (not Hawkins,Cloke,Tippett types though) or smalls and very underrated outside of Hawthorn

Defense is definitely his best position but with all the quality backline players at our disposal this year it makes sense that they at least try and see how flexible he can be.

 

[wahawk]

Defense is definitely his best position but with all the quality backline players at our disposal this year it makes sense that they at least try and see how flexible he can be.

Flexibility
Clarko's 2nd mantra

After replace 1soldier with another soldier

 

[Blaze Storm]

Flexibility
Clarko's 2nd mantra

After replace 1soldier with another soldier

I feel like he's going beyond that a little, probably taking a note from NFL where they have offensive/defensive specialist teams.

Wouldn't be surprised to see 5 points up with 2 minutes to go ala Port Adelaide prelim, suddenly stacked backline with tall mobile defender options and the "creative clearance" players in the mid replaced with "kill the ball"-type tackling players

Look at Stratt's last-line tackle on Danger in the 2012 PF and you can see how we might benefit from him having a run in the mid in those situations.

Could also see Strat/Lither being used as chop-out taggers for the likes of Mundy/Fyfe etc...

 

[cryptor]

Flexibility
Clarko's 2nd mantra

After replace 1soldier with another soldier

I guess that's what happens when you have such a strong team and list. It's no longer enough just to be really good at your position. You need to be able to do even more.

 

[HawthornHawk]

Personally I can't see Stratton as a midfielder.

I agree but looking back at last years Prelim- Wingard had made no impact on the game until he went to the midfield. If Stratts were a bit better versed in clearance basics it will give us more flexibility in future similar situations

 

[QuietB]

I agree but looking back at last years Prelim- Wingard had made no impact on the game until he went to the midfield. If Stratts were a bit better versed in clearance basics it will give us more flexibility in future similar situations

Or Stats is just being familiarised with the midfield so that when Wingard goes there next time his shadow follows him. Might be an insight into where Clarko thinks the next front is coming from.

 

[markr]

It wouldn't even need Stratts to go to the midfield. There are plenty of midfielders who rotate forward and vice-versa. So with a back-line stoppage there is every change Stratts' current opponent could be a gun midfielder (like Wingard, or Fyfe or Ablett resting forward). The more he knows about how we and others setup around stoppages in that situation the better. A bloke like Fyfe is going to do everything to exploit his additional knowledge when he gets a mismatch like that around a stoppage.

 

[Rowie6]

I was there again this morning too, walking laps of the ground so I could get closer looks. Nothing I saw contradicts Axeman's observations so I'll just add in some extras. Unfortunately it probably won't be as detailed and comprehensive as last Friday's haha.

Lewis - Will be the next captain. Demands excellence from everyone around him and delivers it himself. Very vocal today.

Suckling - Spent a lot of time today doing running sessions with Whitecross.

Mitchell - Was wearing a long sleeve top under a training shirt while most everyone else was in singlets. Mustn't have been too hot though because he never look tired despite always looking like he was working hard. Was giving instructions to a group of 10 mids on how to do something he always does and he had their full and undivided attention.

Duryea - Tended to be in the groups at the other end of the ground to where I was for most of the morning so I didn't get a good look. I did see him win a few contests and he was out there until the end unlike Friday.

Hill, Anderson, Spangher - Appeared to be in a rehab group as they did reflex/handballing drills on the sidelines for about 30 minutes before going upstairs. All laughing and joking around so nothing serious I'd say. Little niggles and time management most likely.

Whitecross - Mostly spent all morning doing running. Looks really fit. Was out there until the end.

Smith - Always running super hard. Kicked a re-enactment of his 2013 GF goal minus the celebration.

Lake - Was training as a forward for the majority of the time during the fwd/def training drills.

O'Brien - Looked pretty good. Kicked some goals but spent time boxing on the sidelines while the fwd/def drills went on.

Stratton - Very interestingly trained with the midfield group today. I thought this may have been due to odd numbers but Puopolo and Burgoyne were among the the fwd/def group and both play plenty of midfield time in games. Could be that Stratton will be tried as that 190cm+ "Mundy type" mid?

Schoenmakers - Backed up his good report from Friday with an even better session. Looks to be one of the fastest AND fittest among the fwd/def group. Won numerous 1on1's against Gibbo both in the air and on the ground. Also managed to beat Frawley off the mark to get front position a couple times. Has something to prove.

Litherland - From what I saw not as clean as he was in horrible conditions Friday but that could've just been me catching him at the wrong times lol. Works incredibly hard with his running though.

Hartung - I don't have anything to add to what Axeman said except to reiterate just how lucky we have been to pick him up. Very exciting players who justs gets to everything inside and outside. Would dominate a drill and then the group would have to run from one pocket to the opposite pocket at the other end of the ground along the boundary. He came first or equal first every time.

Grimley - Had a really good look at him for 10 minutes today in one particular drill where players needed to rotate between 3 different positions. Offense or defense inside the diamond or one of four players who stands at each corner of the diamond (about 15-20m a part) to act as outlet options. He was very reactive when playing defense and only ever offered 2 step leads on offense. What was worst of all was that when it was time to swap positions he'd always look to swap to the easiest position standing on perimeter. Where each player should've spent about a third of their time in each type of position he was in the easiest one well over half of the time. Has the talent but he is lazy. Not expecting much from him this year again sadly.

I am now disappointed we have stuck by Grimley he has so much ability with the wrong head on his shoulders,it sounds as if he is just wasting his time,hopeful Shoey work ethic gets him to the next level at least if he goes down he will go down with a fight!!!

 

[Books]

Billy was 20 I think.

Any news on Anderson or Woodward (awesome report btw!!)

From memory I think Hartung was pick #24.
Pre-draft he sounded like just an outside runner. Elite, and useful, but limited. So I am stoked to read that he is looking like so much more than that!
Another win for our recruiting team.

 

[threesixpio]

From memory I think Hartung was pick #24.
Pre-draft he sounded like just an outside runner. Elite, and useful, but limited. So I am stoked to read that he is looking like so much more than that!
Another win for our recruiting team.

Brad Hill was such a bloody steal so if Billy gets there we have nailed a couple of drafts. TOB might have some pressure this year

 

[Brishawk]

From memory I think Hartung was pick #24.
Pre-draft he sounded like just an outside runner. Elite, and useful, but limited. So I am stoked to read that he is looking like so much more than that!
Another win for our recruiting team.

I think the re-draft reports we accurate based on exposed form/behaviour. IT is a concern I shared even last year in the games I saw. Not strong enough over the ball to play inside (not for lack of effort, just a lack of size) and no ability in the air had me very worried. Looked HBF but 5-10 cm too short.

If he can develop his weaknesses he has some raw tools in terms of skills, tenacity, running power and agility to be a very good player. Good to hear he is making strides!

 

[Collins-Langford-Ayres]

To those who can get down to training can you please keep an eye on the Stratton-to-midfield concept? Tantalising prospect!

Can't see it. Maybe some cameos on the wing...

I think his elite endurance for a medium defender makes him so valuable picking up the third talls or the resting midfielders. He's good enough to keep up with guys like Bartel, Joey Kennedy, Cotchin, Divie J, Wingard, Danger, GAblett, Swan, etc but also brilliant in the air and reads it so well off the boot.

Also then frees up guys like Birch and Suckers to play on the 6th forward and run riot setting up our attacks.

 

[Brant]

It wouldn't even need Stratts to go to the midfield. There are plenty of midfielders who rotate forward and vice-versa. So with a back-line stoppage there is every change Stratts' current opponent could be a gun midfielder (like Wingard, or Fyfe or Ablett resting forward). The more he knows about how we and others setup around stoppages in that situation the better. A bloke like Fyfe is going to do everything to exploit his additional knowledge when he gets a mismatch like that around a stoppage.

I agree - there are also a whole bunch of ball-ups that take place in our Backline & Stratts knowing how to cover an opposition Mid in our Backline means we don't have to bring one of our Mids down as well.
Just another form of versatility that gives more options IMO.

 

[Dixie Flatline]

Thanks for the reports. I was going to go to training but decided at the last minute to take my brood to the zoo. Will try to get there on Monday.

 

[Agent Smith]

Thanks for the reports. I was going to go to training but decided at the last minute to take my brood to the zoo. Will try to get there on Monday.

You went to Carlton training instead? WTF??