Pre-season training - 2016

[jeemak]

I don't see how Minson losing a chunk of kg's will actually help his game, as if it would he'd have already done it more drastically than he has in the incremental decreases we've seen over the last couple of years.

He's a limited aerobic performer and he always will be. He'd be better off changing one or two subtle areas of his technique and approach to contests around the ground in my view, to limit the negative infringements he commits to limit his overall risk profile when playing.

[LostDoggy]

It's not just Minson. Boyd and Adams (and probably others) are also on programmes to reduce bulk and improve mobility.

[Bulldog Joe]

I don't see how Minson losing a chunk of kg's will actually help his game, as if it would he'd have already done it more drastically than he has in the incremental decreases we've seen over the last couple of years.

He's a limited aerobic performer and he always will be. He'd be better off changing one or two subtle areas of his technique and approach to contests around the ground in my view, to limit the negative infringements he commits to limit his overall risk profile when playing.

The issue with Minson is really about the change of the game particularly with Bevo.

Under McCartney we played a stoppage based game which really suited Will's skill set, unfortunately his strength (which is his strength) is of more limited value in the more open style.

He lacks the speed to get back and defend and his impotence at marking contests seriously detracts from what the side is trying to do.

I have no doubt he is still our best at the actual ruck contest, but with so many sides employing the 3rd man up, the real ruck contest is now limited to the centre bounce. Even there the rule changes over the years have been designed to advantage the really tall or high leapers, neither of which are attributes of Will.

[Mofra]

He's a limited aerobic performer and he always will be.

Anyone who has rucked 80% of an AFL game is certainly not a limited aerobic performer.
His issue is positioning and zoning after 10+ years of development as a stoppage ruckman. It's one hell of a change and there are question marks over his ability to change.

I'd love Roughy or Campbell to step up but realistically Minson is a fair way ahead of Campbell right now and far more durable than Roughy. I wouldn't be surprised if he takes the no 1 ruck mantle back in 2016 - anyone who takes the ruck AA spot during their career has something to work with.

[bornadog]

It's not just Minson. Boyd and Adams (and probably others) are also on programmes to reduce bulk and improve mobility.

Saw Tom Boyd at the social club function last night, surrounded by fans. He is a big big boy.

[Bulldog4life]

The next open training sessions at Victoria University Whitten Oval will be 2:30pm Tuesday 1 December and 8:30am Saturday 5 December.


For the duration of preseason, Monday and Thursday training sessions at VU Whitten Oval will be closed to the public until further notice.

Refining the game plan?

[bornadog]

Saw Tom Boyd at the social club function last night, surrounded by fans. He is a big big boy.

Note: edited photo to cut out unknown kids.

[jeemak]

Double......

[jeemak]

Anyone who has rucked 80% of an AFL game is certainly not a limited aerobic performer.
His issue is positioning and zoning after 10+ years of development as a stoppage ruckman. It's one hell of a change and there are question marks over his ability to change.

I'd love Roughy or Campbell to step up but realistically Minson is a fair way ahead of Campbell right now and far more durable than Roughy. I wouldn't be surprised if he takes the no 1 ruck mantle back in 2016 - anyone who takes the ruck AA spot during their career has something to work with.

I'm not trying to be disrespectful to Will, but there's a ceiling on his ability to cover ground and it's being exposed by the evolution of our game plan, hence my comment.

I agree that modern positioning and zoning for a ruck who has played a certain way for a ten plus year career can be difficult to adjust to.

[always right]

I'm not trying to be disrespectful to Will, but there's a ceiling on his ability to cover ground and it's being exposed by the evolution of our game plan, hence my comment.

I agree that modern positioning and zoning for a ruck who has played a certain way for a ten plus year career can be difficult to adjust to.

Is he really that different to Jacobs when it comes to his ability to cover the ground?

[Ghost Dog]

I'm not trying to be disrespectful to Will, but there's a ceiling on his ability to cover ground and it's being exposed by the evolution of our game plan, hence my comment.

I agree that modern positioning and zoning for a ruck who has played a certain way for a ten plus year career can be difficult to adjust to.

In general, but there will be opportunities for him this season, depending on who we play, and who we have in speed wise. If the pro / con ratio is right, as it was last season and we brought him back in, play him. Besides, he's a cult favorite and the old ladies love him!

[bornadog]

In general, but there will be opportunities for him this season, depending on who we play, and who we have in speed wise. If the pro / con ratio is right, as it was last season and we brought him back in, play him. Besides, he's a cult favorite and the old ladies love him!

You are right. Minson will play games where the matchup to the opposition warrants it, like the Elimination final. He is still the best ruckman we have right this minute. I am not basing this on potential, like a Cambell or Roughead. Other ruckman have to prove they are the better option, but right now Minson has the runs on the board, even though he doesn't suit the game plan.

[jeemak]

Is he really that different to Jacobs when it comes to his ability to cover the ground?

Possibly not, but do we play the same way Adelaide does?

Anything I'm saying is in the context of the way we play, so if I go back to my original point it's that Will's likely to have issues covering the ground and fitting into our structures, so if they're a weakness then he needs to ensure he works to his strengths (stoppages) when he gets his chances.

If he becomes as good a stoppage ruck as he's shown he can be then that will increase his chances of remaining relevant.

[always right]

If we've learned anything about Beveridge is that he isn't afraid to select blokes on the basis of who we are playing. It's therefore very possible that like 2015, we will see Minson, Roughy and Campbell all playing over the course of the season.

[azabob]

Refining the game plan?

I imagine so. I assume Beveridge has more layers to add to the game plan.

Exciting times ahead.