2023 Preseason

[Ruck'n'Roll]

Just wondering if you can get in and what it's like, to the naked RWO follower. Thanks

My mind is goggling at the thought of the new Swans trading facility besieged by hoards of naked RWO followers. With all due respect - it's not the prettiest image.

[Kafka's Ghost]

Almost? Who else to you rate?

The only other pundit worth reading is Titus O’Reily.


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[SeanM]

Thanks Sean

Anyone else looking like they are taking a step ahead in their development / skills / intensity?

I find it hard to make judgements on players based on training. I just have superficial observations. I don't think any of the new draftees will debut early.

* Konstanty - Mainly seen him this year. Seems to have settled into training as initially it can be a step up. Last Monday was able to get a few possessions in the match sim. From watching him in drills seems quite light on his feet. And he has quick flat kicks and handpasses.
* Vickery - Not seen a lot of him. Slight build so probably longer term prospect. Seems to start deeper in defence and run forward in support rather than at half back. Strength seems to be keeping possession in defence with his short kicking. I often see him repeatedly practice 20m precise kicks.
* Mitchell - You often see 1st year mids being overawed training with the senior mids and stand back a bit. But Mitchell seemed immediately comfortable. I have seen him put a light fend into a senior mids chest to give himself space. And get really involved in a central position in a handball possession drill. Already a good runner, tall and has the frame to put on size. I think he might get a taste of AFL football later in the season. On Friday he played on the wing but seems like he has got good hands so may play partially inside longer term.
* Edwards - I have not watched the defenders that closely so not seen a lot of him. Seeing him up close, he is well built and athletic. So has the build to be a McCartin size defender.
* Owens - I can't judge rucks. He will obviously be a long term prospect. I agree with Bloodspirit that he looks a surprisingly good field and goalkicker. On Friday he quite easily found free players with longer kicks. My guess he will be a ruck/forward with decent skills, mobility and can float forward rather than a dominant tap ruck.
* Magor - Seems more comfortable as a medium forward than a midfielder. Don't think he is going to be as an athletic forward as Hayward or buzz around like Papley. Probably will be a smart medium forward with clean hands, good skills and an instinctive shot at goal. Still think he is a long term prospect though looks a talented player for such a late rookie pick.

Of the inexperienced guys from last years reserves

* I think Warner will probably debut early in the season. Still plays on the wing but probably has versatility. Bulked up, good runner, composed in possession and seems quite driven. Interesting to see how he handles the step up if he gets a chance in the trial games.
* Sheldrick - Not watched him too closely. Initially was training with the forwards but saw him recently train with the mids. So unsure whether he is aiming to be the next inside midfielder to come in or compete for the small forward spot with Wicks and Clarke.
* Roberts - Not flashy. But still seen him regularly do good things. I guess he will keep developing into a solid midfield backup.
* Gould - Not watched the defenders closely so can't judge his defensive skills. He does have a lean build closer to someone like Rampe. So I feel he will be more of a medium defender than in the McCartin/McLean weight class. Obviously has a long attacking kick. But can turn it over trying an overambitious kick so may need to balance that at AFL level.
* Hall Kahan - Was one of the talented reserve performers last year so interested in how he will do. He has had a delayed start to training and mainly done a lot of running around the boundary. He looks a very quick smooth runner. And looks like he has a precise kick during drills.
* Rankin - another who has had an interrupted start to preseason. Did see him get a few possession in the match sim on Friday. Seemed to be playing on the flank in various positions.
* McAndrew - I can't judge his ruckwork. He is really tall, well built and mobile for his size. I assume he will keep working on his skills.
* Sheather - Seems to be training with the forwards. I have not seen much of him.

[Scottee]

Great stuff Sean : )

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[Auntie.Gerald]

Many thanks Sean

Very much appreciated

It is tricky to watch so many players and get a sense of their development. I must say the few times I ever dropped in last season it takes a bit just to easily identify every player at a distance.

Especially when there are some serious senior players dominating and us supporters not knowing straight away if a player like say Konstanty is simply given the instruction to play a run with and or hard tag in a game sim drill.

[MattW]

Great work, Sean; thanks so much.

[wolftone57]

Thank you Sean, very illuminating.

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[707]

aaaaand SeanM, that's a big thumbs up from me well

[Mark26]

I'm joining the long queue too. Thanks Sean! Your comments are insightful and considered.

[SeanM]

Got there Monday after 9.30am and training would have been going for a while.

-At the beginning I saw Reid, Franklin and Hickey doing stuff on one side of the oval. Reid and Franklin stayed longer running and kicking the ball to each other. Melican was in the main group and seemed to do almost all of the session. Hall Kahan and Rankin were also in the main group now rather than doing constant running around the oval.

- They were doing a drill when I got there. Split up into 3 teams and split the oval in 2 lengthwise. Team A attacks against team B and once they score a goal. Team C starts attacking the other way on the adjacent oval against team A. Then once they have scored, team B starts attacking on adjacent oval against team C. They did a very similar drill last week. But today they allowed a lot of time for the defending team to get into position. So it seemed less about counter attacking against an exposed opponent trying to get back into position.

- Then set up on 4 corners of a large square and did a simple long kicking drill. Players would just have to kick and then run to the adjacent corner.

- Next split up into 3 teams and played 3 games of round robin 12 vs 12 on a reduced sized oval. Konstanty got a big cheer from the players for a defensive effort. He made an initial tackle on a player to force a rushed disposal. Then got up and chased and dragged down the next player catching him holding the ball. Also saw Florent go for a few runs from defence and use the ball well with short passes. Also saw Hayward's athleticism with his pace and leap. He was able to intercept a few kicks in the forward line and get into space to take marks.

- Next after a small amount of running. They split between mids and fwds/defenders. Mids were doing some kind of 7vs7 game originating out of stoppage. I went over to the Northern goal to watch the fwds/defenders. They were doing 3 vs 3 contests. There would be a long high kick to 2 talls competing in the goal square with 4 smalls/mediums running in to crumb. Each group got to face 3 consecutive aerial contests so they had to reset quickly. Watching up close I appreciated having a key defender like T.McCartin. He was was able to use his bodywork and reading the flight of the ball to regularly take clean contested marks above his head. So often there was not a crumbing opportunity for his opponents.

- Rest of the session seemed fairly light and easygoing. A few players had to do a few pushups and have shots at goal from 30m directly in front. Then rotated through 3 skill stations. (A handball game handpassing between poles, picking up a loose ball under pressure and a kicking drill.) Then they did a simple ball movement drill moving it from a goal kick-in to the opposite goal. When I left around 11am the players were starting to do their own unstructured stuff.

[707]

Thanks again SeanM, cheers

[707]

Practice games organised by the clubs, no dates yet

Brisbane will face Sydney at Tramway Oval outside the SCG and is then expected to host a practice match at the Lions' new base the following week.

[chalbilto]

Heard on the radio today that Brisbane will play a scratch against Sydney, then they will have a practice match against Geelong in Brisbane maybe at their new base.
I don't know who Sydney is playing, probably GWS as per usual.

[Mel_C]

Heard on the radio today that Brisbane will play a scratch against Sydney, then they will have a practice match against Geelong in Brisbane maybe at their new base.
I don't know who Sydney is playing, probably GWS as per usual.

On Big Footy it was mentioned that Heeney said in an interview that we are playing Carlton in a pre season game.

[joeykanga]

Zero hanger reports that it'll be Carlton Tbc march 2 to march 5

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I can't trust myself to post the link and not crash this forum. What's the trick to posting the link