Thank you.Since Sonja took over it has been far harder for me to get any inside info as to how players are tracking (which is a really good thing, because in the past we leaked like a sieve)
Nonetheless I got a few little tidbits from my source recently.
The two players who have impressed the most have been Comben and Goater. Probably no surprised to track watchers. Goater ticking all the boxes and really knuckling down to understand the deficiencies in his game. Comben added weight but hasn’t lost any of his athleticism, first time he had been able to train pain free since he was 15 years old. Club is so excited by the both of them and they haven’t even scratched the surface of their talent.
Powell and Phillips pushing one another to the limit. Both significantly stronger and running better than this time last year. Focus for both of them is improving their outside game and defensive transition. Shiels spending a significant amount of time with them teaching them all about positioning and team defence around stoppages. Speaking of Shiels, the players love him, such a natural student of the game and very smart. Will have a big impact on the development of our younger kids, particularly with accountability.
Both Stevo and TT have been ticking a lot of boxes. Both have been told they need to increase their strength if they want to play a significant role in AC’s team in the future.
Expect Paul Curtis to take his game to another level. Hasn’t missed a session, added 3kg and has improved every part of his running. Is one of AC’s early favourites and he can see a Luke Bruest type player in him.
Edwards has added 4kg to his frame, spending stacks of time in the gym. With Free on the list expect him to spend a lot more time forward in the VFL.
CCJ got a bit of a rocket in the first few weeks of pre-season and has responded. Expect him to be in front of Xerri for the 2nd ruck spot come the start of the year.
Wouldn’t expect Greenwood to play much of a role. With Cunners coming back and also Howe/Shiels running through the midfield he’ll probably end up depth only.
Arch ticking every single box that has been asked of him. AC loves the way he goes about his training and learning. Some of the clubs development staff can’t believe how much he has progressed in the last 4 months. Kid is a sponge when it comes to wanting to learn.
Like Arch, Perez is having a ripping pre-season. Another one who is a sponge and desperate to get the best out of himself. He’ll leave no stone unturned.
Scott, Mahony and Lazz all professional as ever. No surprises they are ticking all the boxes.
Hall & Bonar have been told in no uncertain terms to get fitter and stronger. Bonar in particular is starting a long way down the pecking order.
Ford has improved his fitness. Next step in his development is to start showing more ability to find the footy up the ground.
Ziebell won’t be played anywhere near the forward line. AC desperate for more dynamic movement forward of centre.
Tucker, Corr, Taylor, Spicer and Bergman all on modified programs. Nothing serious with any of them though.
On the newbies; Wardlaw on a restricted program. Happy with his progress, but they are slowly easing him into it to make sure it’s not his running gait that has caused him hamstring issues. All about building resilience into his body.
Sheezel has also been on a modified program due to a few niggles. There is no rush with either of them. Focus for Sheez is getting stronger to deal with the mature bodies. Super impressed with his running capacity.
George will start running around March. Everyone reckons he is a real loveable kid, has a bit of swagger about him.
Harvey has a fair way to go with his conditioning, but he has natural strength which has stood out a lot in match sim.
Happy New Year All!









