Training Training Reports - Current report, Monday 13th February, Post #1427

[Hawk Hawkins]

16 players ran PBs in the time trial. I wonder if it's all the younger guys reaching or approaching their AFL peak fitness levels, or just a random spread based on a certain direction the fitness staff are steering the squad in.

Stratton coming second in the time trial was interesting. I knew he was fit and wasn't slow but to come second when we have quite a few very impressive athletes on the list... hopefully he just smashed his PB. Eddie Betts won't be sleeping soundly any more.

I also wasn't sure whether to take it as a positive or negative that Strats came second. Let's hope it's a positive and he keeps it up come the start of the season.

 

[Jake_09]

Going on the captaincy discussion for a minute, is Whitecross by any chance a breakout season away from the job? At times in the past he was a part of the discussions. He certainly seems to have the mental determination part down.

I think it'd be a long shot mate but I often wonder the same thing. The bloke oozes leadership.

 

[Hodginator]

Just watched the Andrew Russell video and....

 

[Gralin]

If you go back and look Stratts was top 5 when hilly and Billy were running
He almost never leaves the ground unless injured
He's an endurance athlete

 

[Argy]

Going on the captaincy discussion for a minute, is Whitecross by any chance a breakout season away from the job? At times in the past he was a part of the discussions. He certainly seems to have the mental determination part down.

Definitely captain material, but needs three more seasons to get his chance. Would love to see it, (but am not holding my breath).

 

[moginie]

If you go back and look Stratts was top 5 when hilly and Billy were running
He almost never leaves the ground unless injured
He's an endurance athlete

IIRC he was pretty good last preseason too.

To me, he's putting in the amount needed to stay at the top of his game for as long as possible. What a great example to others on the list.

 

[Sixpence]

I also wasn't sure whether to take it as a positive or negative that Strats came second. Let's hope it's a positive and he keeps it up come the start of the season.

Why would it be a negative? As others mentioned, him and Shiels always rounded out the top 5 behind Omith, Hill and Hartung. No surprise they're 2nd and 3rd with Hill and Hartung missing.

 

[Nathan Detroit]

One of my favourite early Aerosmith songs!

That's actually a cover, originally done by Clarence "Bull Moose" Jackson in 1951 or 52. As fun as the remake is, the original is still tops for me!

My favorite line in the AFL article yesterday: "We had 16 players run PBs (personal bests) and the guys that didn't were very, very close," (Andrew) Russell said. "So we were really pleased with it."

16 PBs??? Is that a common occurance?

 

[The_Axeman]

Well, it's a rather wet morning here in the eastern suburbs, but I'm heading down anyway. I'll report back later.

 

[threesixpio]

Axeman for Prime Minister

 

[Garf]

On my way also...

 

[Hawk Hawkins]

Why would it be a negative? As others mentioned, him and Shiels always rounded out the top 5 behind Omith, Hill and Hartung. No surprise they're 2nd and 3rd with Hill and Hartung missing.

Because he came second and he usually finishes fifth. Thanks for listing the other speedsters.

 

[kazzooka]

Agree with your points! I actually raised this point back in about 2009 when I thought he was suspect one on one defensively. He went on to improve out of sight which was great so I have wondered about it for a while. I guess to me it boils down to why he slowed up last season. Was he carrying a niggle? Did the oppo put more time into him? Or has he just slowed up a bit. If it is just age then it would be a waste of time but if not it would be interesting to see how he went. I think he is creative enough with the footy to cause headaches and I think he is smart enough to get enough of the pill.

No Suckling last season must have been more pressure on Birchall to provide the run.

 

[Davo23]

Axeman for Prime Minister

Axeman is too good for Prime Minister.

President of the HFC?

 

[TazHawk15]

Axeman is too good for Prime Minister.

President of the HFC?

I don't think the Axeman would be much chop.

 

[Mrzohs]

Definitely captain material, but needs three more seasons to get his chance. Would love to see it, (but am not holding my breath).

before whitecross went down the last time.. he was seen as the hodge replacement ahead of shiels... he a very tough competitor and always barking instructions at the boys. just think he missed he boat unfortunatly due to injury.

not sure shiels is a great replacement..1 does he have the mongrel? 2 is he own game good good enough? time will tell big yr for shiels redesicover he best i hope

 

[Steven Tyler]

That's actually a cover, originally done by Clarence "Bull Moose" Jackson in 1951 or 52. As fun as the remake is, the original is still tops for me!

My favorite line in the AFL article yesterday: "We had 16 players run PBs (personal bests) and the guys that didn't were very, very close," (Andrew) Russell said. "So we were really pleased with it."

16 PBs??? Is that a common occurance?

Train Kept A Rollin is an early fav too
Also a cover

 

[Billyc]

That there is no clear successor to Hodge (I suspect Roughy is more concerned with his own recovery) suggests that he should hold the captaincy until retirement. He's possibly the greatest captain we have ever had so that is more than reasonable.

While it is not a prerequisite for being a good captain, I don't think Shiels is a good enough player. He will lead by example and has the respect of his teammates but what is the highest he has ever finished in our B&F? He would struggle to have been in our top 10 players in recent years. With a game on the line, he's not a guy that can drag us over the line and is not at all feared by opposition sides.

The same goes for Whitecross whose name has been thrown up. Great person, no doubt a very good leader but he's yet to even secure himself as a clear, season-long best 22 player. It was only late in the 2016 season he cemented a spot and history with the likes of Langford and Duryea suggest that may not mean he continues in that vein of form. He needs to focus on his own game and fitness, not captaincy.

Smith is a better player than Shiels or Whitecross but does he have the mongrel required to be captain? Again I don't really see him as a captain type - seems a very laid back personality.

Then there is Gunston. Of the four, his onfield role is most suited to captain. He's versatile, a star, a matchwinner and a big game specialist. But the captaincy comes with a lot of off-field responsibilities and I'm not sure he's well-equipped for that.

O'Meara and Mitchell have just arrived and everyone else is too young to be considered.

I'd give it another 12 months with Hodge and see who emerges. My hope is that O'Meara does as he's the one guy who might tick every box.

 

[Thaihawk]

Axeman is too good for Prime Minister.

President of the HFC?

And too straight!

 

[illnino]

That there is no clear successor to Hodge (I suspect Roughy is more concerned with his own recovery) suggests that he should hold the captaincy until retirement. He's possibly the greatest captain we have ever had so that is more than reasonable.

While it is not a prerequisite for being a good captain, I don't think Shiels is a good enough player. He will lead by example and has the respect of his teammates but what is the highest he has ever finished in our B&F? He would struggle to have been in our top 10 players in recent years. With a game on the line, he's not a guy that can drag us over the line and is not at all feared by opposition sides.

The same goes for Whitecross whose name has been thrown up. Great person, no doubt a very good leader but he's yet to even secure himself as a clear, season-long best 22 player. It was only late in the 2016 season he cemented a spot and history with the likes of Langford and Duryea suggest that may not mean he continues in that vein of form. He needs to focus on his own game and fitness, not captaincy.

Smith is a better player than Shiels or Whitecross but does he have the mongrel required to be captain? Again I don't really see him as a captain type - seems a very laid back personality.

Then there is Gunston. Of the four, his onfield role is most suited to captain. He's versatile, a star, a matchwinner and a big game specialist. But the captaincy comes with a lot of off-field responsibilities and I'm not sure he's well-equipped for that.

O'Meara and Mitchell have just arrived and everyone else is too young to be considered.

I'd give it another 12 months with Hodge and see who emerges. My hope is that O'Meara does as he's the one guy who might tick every box.

My thoughts exactly. WX, Shiels, Smith and Stratton are definate leadership group material, but not people who I'd suggest would make a great replacement for Hodge (Shiels would be leading the race from that group though IMO).

Roughead, while definitely captain material, is 30 now and obviously his time in the game is coming to an end sooner rather than later, so there really isn't much to gain as a team by having him captain for such a (relatively) short time.

Gunston is actually my preferred choice as I think he has what it takes, certainly on field... but even off field IMO from what I've seen and heard. Would love for the club to tell Gunners he is in the running to captain in '18 and for Hodge to then really mentor him this year to help prepare him for the roll.

The massive unkown is O'meara. Some may argue it would be too soon for him to captain the team in '18 after only one season at the club, but I don't agree with that IF.... he is able to put together a solid and consistent season this year and IF he shows his leadership potential during and between games. IF this happens, then as Billyc says, JOM seems to tick every box.

 

[Brishawk]

That there is no clear successor to Hodge (I suspect Roughy is more concerned with his own recovery) suggests that he should hold the captaincy until retirement. He's possibly the greatest captain we have ever had so that is more than reasonable.

While it is not a prerequisite for being a good captain, I don't think Shiels is a good enough player. He will lead by example and has the respect of his teammates but what is the highest he has ever finished in our B&F? He would struggle to have been in our top 10 players in recent years. With a game on the line, he's not a guy that can drag us over the line and is not at all feared by opposition sides.

The same goes for Whitecross whose name has been thrown up. Great person, no doubt a very good leader but he's yet to even secure himself as a clear, season-long best 22 player. It was only late in the 2016 season he cemented a spot and history with the likes of Langford and Duryea suggest that may not mean he continues in that vein of form. He needs to focus on his own game and fitness, not captaincy.

Smith is a better player than Shiels or Whitecross but does he have the mongrel required to be captain? Again I don't really see him as a captain type - seems a very laid back personality.

Then there is Gunston. Of the four, his onfield role is most suited to captain. He's versatile, a star, a matchwinner and a big game specialist. But the captaincy comes with a lot of off-field responsibilities and I'm not sure he's well-equipped for that.

O'Meara and Mitchell have just arrived and everyone else is too young to be considered.

I'd give it another 12 months with Hodge and see who emerges. My hope is that O'Meara does as he's the one guy who might tick every box.

I thought vanders might not have been good enough to be captain but he was great in the role. Sheils is a much better player and his leadership is well regarded. I'm happy to wait a year but I doubt it will change anything unless burton or omeara step up considerably.

 

[illnino]

I thought vanders might not have been good enough to be captain but he was great in the role. Sheils is a much better player and his leadership is well regarded. I'm happy to wait a year but I doubt it will change anything unless burton or omeara step up considerably.

Burton is surely too young to captain next year though wouldn't you think? He'd have only just turned 21 and have maybe 30 games under his belt. Talk about pressure.

JOM on the other hand would have just turned 24 and have maybe 60 games under his belt by then.

Think it comes down to Shiels, Gunston or JOM.

...or Fyfe

 

[The_Axeman]

It was a wet morning at Waverley to start with but as the players filtered out the rain stopped, leaving a cool and very overcast morning for training, much nicer than last week’s heat.

Managed to get a really good look at a bunch of the new/younger players. Here are my thoughts on today’s session:

James Cousins is this year’s Kade Stewart. Looks exceedingly comfortable for a Rookie and is not afraid to call for the ball and be the play maker. I called it for Stewart last January and I will call it for Cousins today, he will be elevated.

Connor Nash = Get Excited!! I am truly stunned at how quickly he has picked up the game. He has speed and agility to burn but his running patterns are fantastic, always seems to either beat his opponent to the ball for a big Gibbo style intercept fist or at least halves the contest. I believe there some within the club that are really pleased with what they are seeing.

Harry Morrison looks a likely type. Very comfortable in all of the drills and held his own in the tackling drills against Rough who is twice his size.

Sicily was very prominent in the match drill, taking really good pack marks and showing his trademark aggression. I think he will go up another notch this year and with Rough back in the forward line he will be a real handful for oppo defenders.

Speaking of Rough, showed some real class and trademark bullocking in the match drill. He is going full tilt and it’s a beautiful sight to see.

Fitzpatrick was good in the match drill. Shows good poise and is a great mark. Was used as the marking option number of times buy the defender taking the kick out.

Luke Surman really impressed me today. This is the first I have seen of him in full training. He was playing largely as key defender and was impressive with his closing speed and ability to get his long arms to the ball first. He successfully spoiled a number of what I thought would be certain marks by his opponent. Could he be a future KPD?

Ty Vickery = a total contrast to last Friday’s session. Last week he looked a little lost and reserved. Today I thought he was very good. Really stepped up in the match drills, was in the thick of the action and looked way more composed and comfortable. Hit his targets every time and used his big frame effectively. The de-tigering process is underway and starting to work.

Kieran Lovell is very quick and demonstrated his exceptional side step and evasive skills during the match drill. Took possession in the back line, ran down the middle evading all who came at him with deft little side steps in true Sam Mitchell style. Unfortunately he turned over the kick but the run and evasiveness was outstanding. He must have one of the best side steps in the league.

Tackling drills and core strength were a real focus today with two separate sessions approximately an hour apart. These sessions involved the players partnering up with one starting on the ground with the ball and the other holding him down. Objective of the player with the ball was to retain the ball and get to his feet, object of opponent was to keep them down and strip them of the ball. This was intense stuff. Haven’t heard that much grunting and groaning since Monica Seles played tennis. Jaeger was partnered up with Tom Mitchell in both sessions and there is no way known that they would be letting Jaegar do stuff like this if his knee was not 100%. The amount of strain on their joints is huge. Incidentally, Tom Mitchell was one of only a couple of players who managed to get to their feet. The guy is a beast. Whitecross was one of the others that manged to get his feet.

On the topic of Jaegar, he was again going full tilt in the match drill and is as classy as it gets.

O’Rourke, Breust and Stratton seemed to be part of a small re-hab group but I don’t think there is anything significant about that.

As always, I will add anything I remember over the course of the day.

Cheers,
Axeman

 

[illnino]

Woah woah woah, Axeman.... I havent even strated reading that yet but seeing as its a day off for me and I'm thirsty and it's surely midday somewhere... Imma have to grab a beer before delving into this report.

Cheers bloke!

 

[Spanish Sahara]

You have just made this Friday even better The_Axeman