2021 pre-season training

[barracuda]

There is a solid internal trial on this Thursday. 4 x 20 minute quarters with best forward line playing on best defense.

[MightyBloods]

There is a solid internal trial on this Thursday. 4 x 20 minute quarters with best forward line playing on best defense.

Now that I'd like to see in person...unfortunately I live in Melbourne.

[rickmat]

No update for quite a few weeks from the Vice President Football Operations on situation with injuries

[joeykanga]

What time does it begin ?

[Mark26]

There is a solid internal trial on this Thursday. 4 x 20 minute quarters with best forward line playing on best defense.

Sounds interesting. Would you be able to share some insight into how we are travelling if you have access Barra?

[MattW]

It you like the above mentioned article on Mills Ready for Return to midfield interesting then perhaps you should get it directly from the Horse mouth and listen to https://player.whooshkaa.com/episode?id=786316. This is a very in-depth (38 minutes long!) interview that covers a lot of areas. Highly recommended!

Agreed, well worth a listen. Unusually thoughtful questions. It's up on spotify - search 'Your Coach'.

[barracuda]

What time does it begin ?

I’m not too sure, usually around 10

[dejavoodoo44]

Agreed, well worth a listen. Unusually thoughtful questions. It's up on spotify - search 'Your Coach'.

Yes, that interview formed the basis of an article that was posted by Riley Beveridge, on the AFL site the other day; which was a fair bit above the usual AFL site standard.

One thing that I found curious, though; is that Longmire now seems to view being away in hubs last season, as an almost entirely positive bonding experience for everyone involved. It's like there's no longer any recall of the Elijah Taylor saga. Which might be healthy?

[mcs]

Yes, that interview formed the basis of an article that was posted by Riley Beveridge, on the AFL site the other day; which was a fair bit above the usual AFL site standard.

One thing that I found curious, though; is that Longmire now seems to view being away in hubs last season, as an almost entirely positive bonding experience for everyone involved. It's like there's no longer any recall of the Elijah Taylor saga. Which might be healthy?

The mind (well at least for my poor version of one) often remembers the most recent things the best. We played some really decent footy over the last 6 weeks or so of the season (despite not winning many games of course), and at that time there seemed to be a fair amount of press around about how happy the group was and getting on well. So maybe that element is sticking strong in Longmire's mind, rather then the huge negatives around the Taylor mess earlier in the season.

I'm very intrigued to see how we go this year - not only because we should actually be able to get to some games, but to see how well we can build on a decent back end to last season, where there were genuinely good signs for the future when we pushed some very good teams pretty hard.

[dejavoodoo44]

The mind (well at least for my poor version of one) often remembers the most recent things the best. We played some really decent footy over the last 6 weeks or so of the season (despite not winning many games of course), and at that time there seemed to be a fair amount of press around about how happy the group was and getting on well. So maybe that element is sticking strong in Longmire's mind, rather then the huge negatives around the Taylor mess earlier in the season.

I'm very intrigued to see how we go this year - not only because we should actually be able to get to some games, but to see how well we can build on a decent back end to last season, where there were genuinely good signs for the future when we pushed some very good teams pretty hard.

Yes, we all have a variety of heuristics, that make mental functioning that little bit simpler: even if they can lead us astray. And I'm sure that there's no value in Horse expending any mental energy on last year's scandals. It's just that I expected a throwaway line, like, "apart from the obvious distractions".

And I'm also optimistic about the coming season. We put in some good performances, even though we were injury ridden, and most of the squad should still be on an upward trajectory.

[bloodspirit]

I caught some of the match sim today - thanks for the tip, barracuda.

I don't feel I came away with that much to report, and I'm not overly confident in my ability to rate what's going on in that situation, but I know every nugget is gold here, so I'll offer what I can:

* Logan McDonald was impressive, I was relieved to note. He isn't spindly and he's got a good tank. I seem to recall someone on RWO recently posting that he and Campbelle aren't ready to play AFL, but I'm not sure I agree. Why not? What I liked was the way McDonald kept running strongly and offering leads all match and also remained focused and concentrated on what was happening in the game. He seemed to maintain his concentration well and worked over first Fox and then O'Connor, with some success. Before today I was still feeling a little bit that, with such a young key position prospect, there is probably a bit of speculation and, despite his great promise, he may not live up to it. Obviously that is still possible but I left the oval feeling that his lofty reputation has a solid foundation and the odds of him being a success are pretty good.

* I didn't notice McCartin or Brand - doesn't mean they weren't playing because I didn't do a roll call and try to check who was there. Ditto JPK - didn't clock him. Most of the players were playing in their own numbers, but a few were not.

* Heeney on the other hand was playing and he got on the end of a couple of goals. He's looking like he'll be right for round 1.

* Buddy, conversely, was a bit of a forlorn sight, sitting on his own on the sidelines on the far side of the ground just watching. He reminded me of a proud but aging caged lion.

* Ling was playing a really accountable defensive role, mostly on Hayward while I was watching. I thought he did pretty well. I realise this means that Hayward must have been playing mostly forward.

* Amartey used his greater size to make life difficult for Gould quite effectively, which was great to see. Gould was playing pretty physically, with lots of pushing and shoving. I didn't get to witness Gould doing a lot of rebounding and such but I did see that he kept very close to the player he was defending against, unlike Melican who was a lot looser. Gould also had to struggle a bit with McLean, who is a unit, and a bigger unit than Gould is. I remember someone posted that Gould had the better of Logan McDonald when they were matched up on another day recently - I would have liked to see that.

* Melican spent quite a lot of time matched up against Reid, and I thought that Reid had the better of him.

* Campbell kicked well, repeatedly finding his targets. Then again, so did Errol Gulden! Campbell was playing off half-back whereas Gulden was more in the midfield. Gulden probably got more of the ball and used it very well, setting up a couple of goals in the time I was watching. I really liked what I saw from Gulden. He could be ready to play but he is certainly smaller than most and I wonder if that will hold him back. I'm thinking it may not.

* it was a disturbingly high scoring match sim. I put this down to the lesser defensive pressure being applied compared to a real match.

* I least observed the midfielders and what was happening there. Hickey spent a fair bit of time in the ruck. Hickey, Amartey and McLean were all playing on the same team (red) and I think it was mostly Sinclair opposing Hickey and Amartey in the ruck.

So they are my assorted offerings. Hopefully others who saw more and/or are better at evaluating this kind of thing than me can add their two bob also. I look forward to hearing.

[dejavoodoo44]

I caught some of the match sim today - thanks for the tip, barracuda.

I don't feel I came away with that much to report, and I'm not overly confident in my ability to rate what's going on in that situation, but I know every nugget is gold here, so I'll offer what I can:

* Logan McDonald was impressive, I was relieved to note. He isn't spindly and he's got a good tank. I seem to recall someone on RWO recently posting that he and Campbelle aren't ready to play AFL, but I'm not sure I agree. Why not? What I liked was the way McDonald kept running strongly and offering leads all match and also remained focused and concentrated on what was happening in the game. He seemed to maintain his concentration well and worked over first Fox and then O'Connor, with some success. Before today I was still feeling a little bit that, with such a young key position prospect, there is probably a bit of speculation and, despite his great promise, he may not live up to it. Obviously that is still possible but I left the oval feeling that his lofty reputation has a solid foundation and the odds of him being a success are pretty good.

* I didn't notice McCartin or Brand - doesn't mean they weren't playing because I didn't do a roll call and try to check who was there. Ditto JPK - didn't clock him. Most of the players were playing in their own numbers, but a few were not.

* Heeney on the other hand was playing and he got on the end of a couple of goals. He's looking like he'll be right for round 1.

* Buddy, conversely, was a bit of a forlorn sight, sitting on his own on the sidelines on the far side of the ground just watching. He reminded me of a proud but aging caged lion.

* Ling was playing a really accountable defensive role, mostly on Hayward while I was watching. I thought he did pretty well. I realise this means that Hayward must have been playing mostly forward.

* Amartey used his greater size to make life difficult for Gould quite effectively, which was great to see. Gould was playing pretty physically, with lots of pushing and shoving. I didn't get to witness Gould doing a lot of rebounding and such but I did see that he kept very close to the player he was defending against, unlike Melican who was a lot looser. Gould also had to struggle a bit with McLean, who is a unit, and a bigger unit than Gould is. I remember someone posted that Gould had the better of Logan McDonald when they were matched up on another day recently - I would have liked to see that.

* Melican spent quite a lot of time matched up against Reid, and I thought that Reid had the better of him.

* Campbell kicked well, repeatedly finding his targets. Then again, so did Errol Gulden! Campbell was playing off half-back whereas Gulden was more in the midfield. Gulden probably got more of the ball and used it very well, setting up a couple of goals in the time I was watching. I really liked what I saw from Gulden. He could be ready to play but he is certainly smaller than most and I wonder if that will hold him back. I'm thinking it may not.

* it was a disturbingly high scoring match sim. I put this down to the lesser defensive pressure being applied compared to a real match.

* I least observed the midfielders and what was happening there. Hickey spent a fair bit of time in the ruck. Hickey, Amartey and McLean were all playing on the same team (red) and I think it was mostly Sinclair opposing Hickey and Amartey in the ruck.

So they are my assorted offerings. Hopefully others who saw more and/or are better at evaluating this kind of thing than me can add their two bob also. I look forward to hearing.

Thanks for the report.
Good that our draftees, McDonald, Campbell and Gulden were all doing well. It will be interesting to see when each one makes their debut. Personally, I'd be happy enough if they started in the reserves and had to force their way in. But of course, if any of them are really flying in the preseason, then they probably should be picked straight away. As was the case with Papley a few seasons ago.

Interesting that Ling was playing as a tight defender. Not sure that I see him as the next Nick Smith; as I would say that his main assets are his elusiveness and speed. But hey, if a defender can beat a forward in a one on one, and then hurt them on the rebound, that can only be a good thing.

[Auntie.Gerald]

Lyon implores Demons to pursue former Pick 1 Paddy McCArtin | Zero Hanger

Thanks Bspirit

mate a quick one.........is Paddy really training with us like everyone saids ?

i havent seen anyone mention they have seen him when watching training ?

if so did he stand out ?

[bloodspirit]

Lyon implores Demons to pursue former Pick 1 Paddy McCArtin | Zero Hanger

Thanks Bspirit

mate a quick one.........is Paddy really training with us like everyone saids ?

i havent seen anyone mention they have seen him when watching training ?

if so did he stand out ?

I don't know. I haven't been to much training and I haven't seen him. The word is he's training to play with the VFL team. I haven't seen those players either.

Today, there were a bunch of other young players on the sidelines in Swans strips. Bartholomaeus may have been one of them. I presume they were top-ups. I didn't see any of them take the field in the match sim but they may have been doing training with the rest of the list before or after the match sim. I presume they are not going to make the VFL team players train entirely separately to the AFL squad (unless this is necessary for Covid reasons).

[Aprilbr]

You would certainly think McCartin would stand out if he was there! The Herald Sun reported he was or was about to be with us but the proof is in the pudding as they say.