2023 Preseason

[707]

Thanks Sean, wish I was in Sydney and able to get to watch training. I could go and watch the Crows but, nahhh!

Assume this is the last week of training or do they reappear for early next week?

[SeanM]

I am not sure when the last training session is.

In the football update video last month, Charlie Gardiner was saying young players would have a 3 week training block from the 28th Nov and older players a 2 week training block from 5th December.

2023 Sydney Swans football update

[SeanM]

Friday morning again got there late probably after 10.30am.

* They were doing full full field ball movement from goal to goal repeatedly. There were only 7 opposing players in blue vests so I think it was intended to be quick attacking movement.

* Then seemed to do 18 vs 15 full field ball movement from goal to goal till a side turned the ball over to the other side. This would have been more structurally similar to full sided teams.

* Then split into 3 teams and played round robin on a smaller marked out oval. It was games of 12 vs 12.

* Then it finished with running. Initially half of the oval boundary. And finishing with longer slower laps of the oval. The first year players split off at this point and did skills work and small sided handball games with a few of the coaches.

Hall Kahan, Sheather and McLean seemed to be running laps of the boundary at various points of the session. I did not note who was not there. But I don't think Franklin or Reid were there. And maybe not Rankin.

[liz]

Hall Kahan, Sheather and McLean seemed to be running laps of the boundary at various points of the session. I did not note who was not there. But I don't think Franklin or Reid were there. And maybe not Rankin.

I watched for an hour or so this morning - from around 10am to 11am. My first time this (pre) season.

I didn't see Buddy (and he's hard to miss). Reid and Rankin were there watching for a while but then disappeared towards the club facilities. McLean participated in many of the drills but then joined the running group. That suggests to me he's fit (ie injury free) but needs to build up his fitness base a bit more than the rest of the squad. Sheather may have been the same, in that he was only running for part of the time that I watched. But, unlike McLean, I didn't specifically notice him taking part in drills before hand.

The only players I couldn't identify as being definitely out there (other than those already mentioned) were Wicks, McInerney and Magor. That's not to say they weren't there - it's just that I couldn't pick them out. There was one player in a floppy hat, which obscured his face and thus made it hard to identify. I am pretty sure it wasn't McInerney (a little too short, didn't move the right way). It could have been Wicks but I suspect it was probably Magor, as he was on the slight side, and I think I could recognise Wicks from his movement.

It took me ages to realise the guy running laps on his own for most of the session was Hall Kahan. I'd just about decided he must be a VFL player, despite the fact it seemed to be just the AFL squad out there today, and in any case, I think I'd recognise most (maybe all) of the VFL squad. Then it occured to me who he was. It's not just that he looked different with his hair closely cropped, it was also the bulk that he seems to have added. His physique was very different to that which arrived at the club nine months ago.

Most of the drills were doing what I think of as "meat and potatoes" kind of stuff, rather than activities that might allow individual players' attributes to shine through. So it was hard to identify stand-outs. But I did note the following (some of which will surprise no-one):

- Chad high-energy ("bouncy") in everything I saw him do, but especially when they were flicking handballs around in a confined space and heavy traffic
- Errol's concentration and care in everything he did was evident
- Once the drills opened up a bit and there was more focus on moving the ball the length of the ground, Blakey demonstrated he's lost none of his blistering pace
- Heeney was just, well, smooth
- Corey was also a smooth mover, though more with his physical movement than his skill execution. (Not that he was in anyway deficient in that department, just not Heeney-smooth).
- Owen looked mobile and co-ordinated for a tall, still-lanky teen. His kicking action looked smooth too. (ie he kicked not like a ruckman)
- Mitchell was the stand-out to me of the draftees in terms of energy. (Not that the rest were deficient - he just looked like he was trying extra hard.)
- Francis had some good moments in a drill where he was an outnumbered defender trying to spoil the team trying to move the ball. His closing speed looked impressive.
- Logan got down on himself when he allowed Hickey to spoil his disposal, and then fluffed the follow-up kick. There was a bit of hand-thumping. But when took a mark in the foward line and was encouraged to take the shot on goal, he looked smooth (and accurate).

[SeanM]

I saw Wicks there today. Sometimes from a distance I find it hard to distinguish the shorter players with white cap on.

Magor was there, usually in the forward line. He was wearing the floppy wide brim hat and he has long curly hair.

[MattW]

Thanks Sean and liz!

[bloodspirit]

Can anyone confirm that was the last training session for 2022? Also, does anyone know the day they will resume training?

[SeanM]

I walked past moore park at 10am on Monday and the oval was empty.

[bloodspirit]

Thanks Sean.

[i'm-uninformed2]

A question for the regulars at PS training - how’s Campbell looking?

I know there was some report early he struggled in a particular 2 or 3km run, but that can happen. I’d be keen to hear which group (ie mids v backs) he’s been training with and how strongly he’s performed based on available sightings. It’s possible we will get a better view in the New Year when they return.

I’m still convinced when he pops, he’ll pop quickly and strongly, but curious regardless.

[SeanM]

Campbell seemed to be training with the mids. As was Mcinerney, so I would still expect them to play other positions.

I have not really been paying much attention to him. But I find it hard anyway to predict which players will have a good season.

2km is a bit under 4 and 1/2 laps of the oval. I don't think it is a concern if he can't run the distance as well as other players or did not pace himself. He may be more of a burst player. It might be more relevant if he was a specialist winger that needs to constantly run up and down.

[Aprilbr]

Much like 2022 was a critical year for Dylan Stephens, I think 2023 is a key year for Campbell. Dylan really stepped up and solidified a best 22 position last season. Hopefully, Campbell will too!

He faces stiff competition though for the positions in which he plays. Given his burst speed and beautiful kick, I wonder whether he could develop into a role like that of Daniel Rich at Brisbane? He is not as stocky but has the other attributes. Just a thought.

[rickmat]

When does pre season restart?

[Mark26]

Much like 2022 was a critical year for Dylan Stephens, I think 2023 is a key year for Campbell. Dylan really stepped up and solidified a best 22 position last season. Hopefully, Campbell will too!

He faces stiff competition though for the positions in which he plays. Given his burst speed and beautiful kick, I wonder whether he could develop into a role like that of Daniel Rich at Brisbane? He is not as stocky but has the other attributes. Just a thought.

I've been watching last year's games again and have just finished watching round 5 against West Coast. Campbell was travelling nicely at the start of the 2022 season and worked well alongside Blakey setting up our attacking plays. He competes well, isn't afraid of physicality and had that wonderful lazer left kick we're all well aware of and love.

I too think this year is the year when he might go to another level. I certainly hope so and another pre-season should see him stronger and perhaps fitter than last year.

On a separate note, I wonder how Sheldrick is going? When he played in round 1, he looked okay and like Campbell, should be better for having another pre-season under his belt.

[Aprilbr]

I heard recently that Dylan Stephens is looking physically stronger again in pre-season and has maintained if not further improved, his areobic running. Perhaps he will take another step in 2023? Let's hope so.