Pre-season Training Thread 2014

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: Pre-season Training Thread 2014

I've been to a couple sessions in recent weeks, including today. Few observations:

- The coaching is quite detailed/thorough, it's a totally different landscape than what we had a few years ago under Eade. Unfortunately for him, he didn't have the resources McCartney does today. I wonder if it would have changed anything? In any case, the coaches all appear to be reinforcing the same message and ensuring players do the drills correctly.

- Going back a few years ago, most of the team would do the one drill. Perhaps 1 or 2 other small break off groups, but that was about it. In these sessions I've seen this pre-season, there's regularly about 5-7 much smaller break off groups. This obviously is helped given the excess coaching staff we now have, but it's good to see and relates back to my analysis that there's a lot more detail and teaching going on. Especially with the younger players. For example today, Scarlett and Morris spent time to teach Fuller how to spoil the ball as a defender. I've never quite seen it before, but was impressed.

- Some different types of drills, including a 'corale' (sp?) exercise where McCartney was very, very detailed about how he wanted the group to go about it. From memory the group was mainly younger players (Hrovat, Macrae, Campbell, Jong and a few others). Macca was very vocal, you could see his teaching background come to the fore.

Player wise:

- JJ looks good, did well in some one-on-one spoiling work which Bubba praised repeatedly. Uses his body well and also reads the situation well. Dominated Hunter in these.

- Campbell might just be carved out of stone. Looks in ripping condition, he's so strong and I love how he really presents at the ball and extends his arms to take marks at his highest point. Impressive.

- Cordy does the exact opposite of Campbell. With ridiculous regularity he lopes through to the ball, doesn't get off the ground, and his arms are bent. Both Young, Morris and Roughead defended against him easily. Only once did Cordy actively push off against a defender (Roughead) to create separation and take the mark arms extended. The rest, he either took a few steps/failed in wrestling his opponent or let all 3 of Young/Morris/Rough push past him to punch the ball away.

- Jones is so quick and can seriously leap. Hopefully he puts it together this year. Last week, his lack of fitness was astounding, so I am not overly confident.

- Bontempelli looks classy. Moves well, excellent awareness/game sense.

- Griffen looks super fit and his disposal was a class above the rest. A lot of players 'loop' their kicks, but Griff's travel from point A to point B very quickly.

- Talia's disposal is still a concern.

- Gia is doing a lot of coaching in drills and still looks fit/leads from the front.

All the players look fit, strong and it's really noticeable that we've got some tall guys to rotate through the midfield, especially with the likes of Crameri, Macrae and Bonti.

[azabob]

Re: Pre-season Training Thread 2014

Great write up TBB. Thanks heaps.

[doggies ftw]

Re: Pre-season Training Thread 2014

...

Thanks for that mate, great write up.

Some pretty exciting stuff in there. Love the bit about Campbell and I've noticed those things about him too, is he actually taking the marks now though? He was great when he came in late in the season, he got to everything and made a contest and was playing really well but if he can just clunk a few more of them rather than knock them to ground (which is still really important for our smalls) he could be pretty damn good.

Also on Cordy, word is that he has slimmed down and is moving really well, did you notice that at all? You don't seem to confident in him, it would be great if he could prove us all wrong finally.

If its not too much to ask I'd love to hear your thoughts from preseason training so far on the likes of Roughy, Macrae, Stringer and especially Fletch Roberts.

Cheers again

[LostDoggy]

Re: Pre-season Training Thread 2014

Really good report, TBB. Thanks! Nice to have a keen and knowledgeable eye on things for us.

Great to hear that The Bont looks classy. If Macca can foster him as a hard inside player, we'll have our very own Mundy Fantastic to hear that JJ is powering, and that he's dominating Hunter - that's a really telling point cos Hunter is a clever and slippery customer, from what I've seen. Also nice to hear that Campbell is still developing - but sad to hear that Ayce is apparently not. Anything to report on Will? We haven't heard much on him since his apparent back issue. And Griff... from what I've heard, he might already be in AA form!

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: Pre-season Training Thread 2014

Love the bit about Campbell and I've noticed those things about him too, is he actually taking the marks now though?

Also on Cordy, word is that he has slimmed down and is moving really well, did you notice that at all?

If its not too much to ask I'd love to hear your thoughts from preseason training so far on the likes of Roughy, Macrae, Stringer and especially Fletch Roberts.

His hands have been fairly strong, still drops a couple but he always brings it to the front as you say. I haven't seen him pushed off the ball, out-marked or clearly beaten in a contest yet. A partnership with Crameri and Dickson could be exciting, all three are extremely good in one on one situations.

Cordy still lumbers and as I said, defenders (including Rough) moved past him in one on one marking drills regularly. Rough isn't quick either but he did it easily v Cordy. If Ayce pushed off, presented hard at the ball and extended his arms fully he'd do a lot better but he just doesn't do it. He looked out of his depth in all the drills I saw him to be honest and he still lacks penetration with his kicking. Never seems to get much purchase on the ball.

Roughy looks fantastic. His leadership is apparent, always instructing and directing from the back. He's still not quick off the mark but he's good in one on ones, his spoiling is underrated. Physically he's in impressive shape too. Big fan of Roughy.

Macrae has trained well from the times I've seen him. He is noticeably bigger and looks fit. Pleased to see him use the ball well, his ability to evade is extraordinary. His hands are underrated - times them well to players in better positions.

Stringer still looks a bit behind the others, but it's understandable. His fitness isn't great and as a result can make some errors by foot when he tires. Just an observation, but I am not sure he's the best trainer/runner going around. Something he'll need to improve, which I am sure he will. We need to be patient, has lost some puppy fat and looks stronger.

Paid a bit of attention to Roberts this time. He's still relatively lean and needs to add more size if he's to play key position, which I am not sure he'll be able to do anyway. Might be that third tall who can swing back and go forward. He did spend a fair bit of time with the forwards today so perhaps that's an indication of where he'll play in our VFL side. He's not that quick, but he's got composure and he uses the ball really well. He's one player I am really looking forward to watching in the VFL.

Hrovat is another I missed, has been impressive each time I've seen him. He's just smarter than the rest more often than not. Uses his body exceptionally well, even in contested marking situations., which surprised me. Use by hand and foot is neat too. Also good to see him show some leadership in drills, particularly to the younger guys.

Jong looks very fit and is quite quick. Displayed his courage again today going back with the flight of the ball to take a nice mark. His kicking was really poor last time I saw him, but there's definitely something to work with. Midfield tagger? Half back defender in the Morris mould? I'm not sure, and will have to look closer at his game to analyse his game sense.

Anything to report on Will? We haven't heard much on him since his apparent back issue.

Looks very fit and strong, continuing to work closely with Steven King and the mids in certain drills. Uses his strength so much better than he used to.

Griff really does look a cut above the rest in everything he does. Seems really happy too.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: Pre-season Training Thread 2014

Also, as good as Dickson is one on one in marking situations and as straight as a kick for goal that he is, he really struggles up the ground. His decision making and disposal is quite average. I know there's no such thing these days as "stay at home forwards", but he really isn't good in congested play up the ground.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: Pre-season Training Thread 2014

I'm not sure to have it here or for an Ayce thread (your call), but I don't understand why after all these years in an elite environment with great coaches, that Ayce is unwilling or unable to understand or do what needs to be done with his height and other attributes. I just don't understand it, I've just started clinical Pilates so I get moving your body counter to what you want to, and thinking of what your meant to do and not actually doing it makes you look and feel like a Gumby, but if after 5 years I can't work it out then have to accept quiet questions will turn into epic public discussions about whether we etch his name into the long line of false first round tall prophets. Watching today, was he ignoring things or over thinking or just 'lost'?

[Twodogs]

Re: Pre-season Training Thread 2014

- Griffen looks super fit and his disposal was a class above the rest. A lot of players 'loop' their kicks, but Griff's travel from point A to point B very quickly.

Did you see Griff explaining to Hrovat how to kick with a bent leg?

[ratsmac]

Re: Pre-season Training Thread 2014

Yeah thanks TBB. Good read!

Just on Liam Jones, I was at training a couple weeks ago and you couldn't help but notice Liam's lack of endurance during one of the running drills. It was a hot morning but he significantly slower than every other player. It's no secret that Liam has a small tank but it just showed me why Liam doesn't have those second and third leads like the good forwards do, and it is probably what holds him back from being that big dangerous forward that we are hoping he can become.

I am no sports scientist by any means, so I am wondering is endurance something that can be taught or developed? or is it you either have it or you don't?

[bulldogtragic]

Re: Pre-season Training Thread 2014

Yeah thanks TBB. Good read!

Just on Liam Jones, I was at training a couple weeks ago and you couldn't help but notice Liam's lack of endurance during one of the running drills. It was a hot morning but he significantly slower than every other player. It's no secret that Liam has a small tank but it just showed me why Liam doesn't have those second and third leads like the good forwards do, and it is probably what holds him back from being that big dangerous forward that we are hoping he can become.

I am no sports scientist by any means, so I am wondering is endurance something that can be taught or developed? or is it you either have it or you don't?

The sad tale of Pat Vezpremi tends to indicate that a tank might be harder to be developed than probably even I think...

[Bornadog]

Re: Pre-season Training Thread 2014

Thanks TBB, I love these updates as it builds up to the first game.

I think McCrae will be very good for us and I am looking forward to seeing him play.

[Mofra]

Re: Pre-season Training Thread 2014

Disappointing to hear about Cordy - he really seems to have to become a first ruck (which I think Campbell is better suited to) and at this stage is a depth player.

Reading through the various reports and the positives and negatives I really would have been more comfortable with 1 more ruckman available, even as a rookie.

[soupman]

Re: Pre-season Training Thread 2014

Macca just did the whole #askthecoach thing on twitter. Didn't look to say too much interesting beyond the usual:
-Hunter is a natural mid
-Bontempelli could end up playing anywhere. Big guy who can run
-Stringer will eventually be a mid who goes forward
-Dahlhaus will try and increase his minutes in the middle
-Rate Honeychurch's competitiveness and effort
-Jong does have Morris like qualities about him
-Macrae's body is growing and learning a lot. "Going to be a very very good player" (That's 2 very's!!!!!)
-Smith will be back early April all going well
-Campbell will continue to develop as a forward/ruck


Most interesting bits:
-Players pushing for a spot in the best 22 who weren't last year: Pearce and Cordy
-Boyd will play run with roles at times, mostly play in the middle, but will go forward
-Higgins will play a different role further up the ground, wing and halfback

[Bornadog]

Re: Pre-season Training Thread 2014

Macca just did the whole #askthecoach thing on twitter. Didn't look to say too much interesting beyond the usual:
-Hunter is a natural mid
-Bontempelli could end up playing anywhere. Big guy who can run
-Stringer will eventually be a mid who goes forward
-Dahlhaus will try and increase his minutes in the middle
-Rate Honeychurch's competitiveness and effort
-Jong does have Morris like qualities about him
-Macrae's body is growing and learning a lot. "Going to be a very very good player" (That's 2 very's!!!!!)
-Smith will be back early April all going well
-Campbell will continue to develop as a forward/ruck


Most interesting bits:
-Players pushing for a spot in the best 22 who weren't last year: Pearce and Cordy
-Boyd will play run with roles at times, mostly play in the middle, but will go forward
-Higgins will play a different role further up the ground, wing and halfback

Where is that Like Button

[Cyberdoggie]

Re: Pre-season Training Thread 2014

Most interesting bits:
-Players pushing for a spot in the best 22 who weren't last year: Pearce and Cordy

I would of thought they were the two least likely along with Fletcher by the end of last year.
Perhaps he is just pumping their tyres up a little because I don't see them improving that much in a pre-season over so many others.