I don't agree that our backline has depth and size. Frost is average, McCabe is a kid unlikely to play much senior footy this year, Blank needs to improve his skills (particularly offensive skills) and Grainger-Barrass has a big question mark both in terms of performance and where he might play. Obviously there's Sicily who can play tall, but I don't think we have a great deal of tall depth.
You are too kind Stephen - Frost is the worst player on our list. I will back Blank to improve given his age and body size but he also needs to keep his aggression in check.
I still think our backline lacks a gorilla type like Lake or Frawley to lock down forward gorillas. I’m hoping James Blanck can develop into that role but he’s got work to do still.
Mitch Lewis was a non-participant with the main group and did the lightest of activities eg. walked laps, rode the bike. Nothing was discernible from his movements & no strapping.
Wingard worked to his own program.
Gunston & Mitchell were the only ones to drop out of the main drills from time to time to do run throughs and both missed the first full ground managed match sim activity.
Managed match sim - full ground, but the tops & bibs teams were not discernible as to probables/possibles eg. main mids (ie. Nash, Worpel, Ward, CMac, Hustwaite, Mackenzie, Newcombe, Stephens) swapped teams regularly & the key backs played on both sides.
Hardwick played forward.
Weddle played back half.
Amon was off half back.
CJ & D’Ambrossio played wings.
DGB in the back half as was McCabe.
Watson mainly forward & did a short spurt in midfield.
Blanck took Chol who moved well in the match sim which given his time trial running raises the “argument” of an athlete versus a footballer.
Finished the main program with solid running activity basically goal square to goal square x2 with 2 min break. (4 times I think.)
Weddle, Meek, Serong & a couple of others did sprints around the boundary line (training gear gates to about 20m from point post).
A couple of visitors - Ned Maginness & Shaun Burgoyne’s son Ky - they were onlookers for the match sim.
Eyebrows were raised when Weddle took the marking pad and put himself under the high balls towards the end of the session - what are assistant coaches’ role?
(Ended up rotating amongst the players with assistant coach doing a 2nd pad.)
Why Blake H forward? The answer is fairly obvious. Forward pressure or lack therof. Ginnivin and Watson and not going to add it, at least in the short term (and probably never for Ginnivan) and Blake H can. Plus we have more defensive options for small. Have faith in Sam he knows what he's doing.
I don't agree that our backline has depth and size. Frost is average, McCabe is a kid unlikely to play much senior footy this year, Blank needs to improve his skills (particularly offensive skills) and Grainger-Barrass has a big question mark both in terms of performance and where he might play. Obviously there's Sicily who can play tall, but I don't think we have a great deal of tall depth.
You are too kind Stephen - Frost is the worst player on our list. I will back Blank to improve given his age and body size but he also needs to keep his aggression in check.
Hear hear re C-Mac. Already a very good player in a tough position, future star.
Looks like the “kiss of death” on no injuries may have struck with Will Day!
I still think our backline lacks a gorilla type like Lake or Frawley to lock down forward gorillas. I’m hoping James Blanck can develop into that role but he’s got work to do still.
Some observations from today’s session.
Mitch Lewis was a non-participant with the main group and did the lightest of activities eg. walked laps, rode the bike. Nothing was discernible from his movements & no strapping.
Wingard worked to his own program.
Gunston & Mitchell were the only ones to drop out of the main drills from time to time to do run throughs and both missed the first full ground managed match sim activity.
Managed match sim - full ground, but the tops & bibs teams were not discernible as to probables/possibles eg. main mids (ie. Nash, Worpel, Ward, CMac, Hustwaite, Mackenzie, Newcombe, Stephens) swapped teams regularly & the key backs played on both sides.
Hardwick played forward.
Weddle played back half.
Amon was off half back.
CJ & D’Ambrossio played wings.
DGB in the back half as was McCabe.
Watson mainly forward & did a short spurt in midfield.
Blanck took Chol who moved well in the match sim which given his time trial running raises the “argument” of an athlete versus a footballer.
Finished the main program with solid running activity basically goal square to goal square x2 with 2 min break. (4 times I think.)
Weddle, Meek, Serong & a couple of others did sprints around the boundary line (training gear gates to about 20m from point post).
A couple of visitors - Ned Maginness & Shaun Burgoyne’s son Ky - they were onlookers for the match sim.
Eyebrows were raised when Weddle took the marking pad and put himself under the high balls towards the end of the session - what are assistant coaches’ role?
(Ended up rotating amongst the players with assistant coach doing a 2nd pad.)
You jinxed us……. Will Day 😩
No injuries pls. The first 5 games are going to be tough, hoping for wins Essendon and Geelong
Why Blake H forward? The answer is fairly obvious. Forward pressure or lack therof. Ginnivin and Watson and not going to add it, at least in the short term (and probably never for Ginnivan) and Blake H can. Plus we have more defensive options for small. Have faith in Sam he knows what he's doing.