Training 2025 Pre-Season Training - reports, pics etc

[WalshistheGOAT]

I looked at E Hollands 2024 highlights - that go for 20 + minutes - clealry one of our better users of teh ball - you want the ball to get to him as much as possible - a better fitnes base from him woudl be handy in that regard. Voss has a lot of weapons to use in this list - no need to play a boring game plan.

Agreed. I think Jagga and Walsh running up and down the middle of the ground should open things up for our outside users like Elijah. If he could average 25 touches a game we'd be scoring prolifically imo.

Dunno how the small forwards will go this year though, just hoping and praying at this stage.

 

[Soapy V]

Agreed. I think Jagga and Walsh running up and down the middle of the ground should open things up for our outside users like Elijah. If he could average 25 touches a game we'd be scoring prolifically imo.

Dunno how the small forwards will go this year though, just hoping and praying at this stage.

Trying to fit Cripps Walsh Cerra Hewett Smith Elijah Lord Docherty and get maximum benefits is going to be interesting. I also hope we give Williams Fogarty Durdin Motlop and even Kemp & Charlie some mid minutes at times to mix it up

I expect Ben Campo & Wilson to be pushing for a game at some stage

If we can get it right that is one heck of a midfield that won't let up on the opposition

 

[WalshistheGOAT]

Trying to fit Cripps Walsh Cerra Hewett Smith Elijah Lord Docherty and get maximum benefits is going to be interesting. I also hope we give Williams Fogarty Durdin Motlop and even Kemp & Charlie some mid minutes at times to mix it up

I expect Ben Campo & Wilson to be pushing for a game at some stage

If we can get it right that is one heck of a midfield that won't let up on the opposition

Don't want Motlop near the midfield. He's a stay at home small forward for me, his midfield craft in the VFL this year was absolutely putrid.

Cripps Cerra Walsh Hewett Smith the main midfield contingent. Docherty to play wing imo with Ollie behind the ball now.

And unfortunately I just don't see Lord playing a heap unless he pushes Hewett out or adds some goal kicking to his game (which I'm hoping he proves me wrong on) Think he'll play a lot as substitute early in the season as he's clearly quality.

Id hope George and Docherty aren't best 22 by the end of the year though, if they get pushed out by the kids coming on we'll be flying imo.

 

[Soapy V]

Don't want Motlop near the midfield. He's a stay at home small forward for me, his midfield craft in the VFL this year was absolutely putrid.

Cripps Cerra Walsh Hewett Smith the main midfield contingent. Docherty to play wing imo with Ollie behind the ball now.

And unfortunately I just don't see Lord playing a heap unless he pushes Hewett out or adds some goal kicking to his game (which I'm hoping he proves me wrong on) Think he'll play a lot as substitute early in the season as he's clearly quality.

Id hope George and Docherty aren't best 22 by the end of the year though, if they get pushed out by the kids coming on we'll be flying imo.

I see it differently. A fit Motlop can have impact minutes in the middle if fit

Lord is a beauty. IMO he plays

What I like now is we have options. We need them all to step up and push for a spot. That happens we are looking good

 

[WalshistheGOAT]

I see it differently. A fit Motlop can have impact minutes in the middle if fit

Lord is a beauty. IMO he plays

What I like now is we have options. We need them all to step up and push for a spot. That happens we are looking good

I agree on the options aspect. I just can't see us fitting in Hewett and Lord in the same team purely for balance reasons. Unless he can take a spot on a half forward flank like Cottrell? I think having both of them in as pure mids would negatively impact our mix.

As for Motlop, fitness will help a bit no doubt, but he genuinely couldn't get near the ball at centre bounces in the VFL. Imo that's a lack of smarts not fitness related, someone like Clarry was fat as a house last year but still finds the ball at will at stoppage, just once it left stoppage that his fitness was an issue.

 

[BlueTongue]

I agree on the options aspect. I just can't see us fitting in Hewett and Lord in the same team purely for balance reasons. Unless he can take a spot on a half forward flank like Cottrell? I think having both of them in as pure mids would negatively impact our mix.

As for Motlop, fitness will help a bit no doubt, but he genuinely couldn't get near the ball at centre bounces in the VFL. Imo that's a lack of smarts not fitness related, someone like Clarry was fat as a house last year but still finds the ball at will at stoppage, just once it left stoppage that his fitness was an issue.

Based on what I've seen in the training videos, I don't think Hewitt will be forced out anytime soon. Looks in great shape (best I've seen since he's been at the club) and is strong as an ox.

I think Lord will def come in but I'm not sure who goes out.

 

[Soapy V]

Based on what I've seen in the training videos, I don't think Hewitt will be forced out anytime soon. Looks in great shape (best I've seen since he's been at the club) and is strong as an ox.

I think Lord will def come in but I'm not sure who goes out.

I have no idea how it will pan out. Still 8-9 weeks before first game.

I’m just hoping for competition for spots (everyone for) and a number of players that can fill a role

I’m also hoping that Voss will play a Lord or Smith in the middle (if all up and running) instead of taking the easy decision

My personal opinion is we need to make some changes to our line up and the way we play

 

[macky99]

I agree on the options aspect. I just can't see us fitting in Hewett and Lord in the same team purely for balance reasons. Unless he can take a spot on a half forward flank like Cottrell? I think having both of them in as pure mids would negatively impact our mix.

As for Motlop, fitness will help a bit no doubt, but he genuinely couldn't get near the ball at centre bounces in the VFL. Imo that's a lack of smarts not fitness related, someone like Clarry was fat as a house last year but still finds the ball at will at stoppage, just once it left stoppage that his fitness was an issue.

Motlop does not have the endurance to be a midfielder, highly unlikely we see him there.
He needs to step up to become a 30 goal a year small forward that would be his goal.

Barring injury Lord is behind Cripps/Hewett & Walsh & Cerra and Smith, he is going to have to excel to push out one of those 5.

 

[Soapy V]

Motlop does not have the endurance to be a midfielder, highly unlikely we see him there.
He needs to step up to become a 30 goal a year small forward that would be his goal.

Why do you need endurance to have a couple of impact minutes a game?

 

[BlueNath]

I have no idea how it will pan out. Still 8-9 weeks before first game.

I’m just hoping for competition for spots (everyone for) and a number of players that can fill a role

I’m also hoping that Voss will play a Lord or Smith in the middle (if all up and running) instead of taking the easy decision

My personal opinion is we need to make some changes to our line up and the way we play

I would like to see this too. Especially early in the year. I actually think if Smith and Lord take a center bounce together then you MUST have Hewett as the defensive mid. Trust Smith to do his thing and let Lord burst and be the receiver. I would love to see this setup 1-2 times a quarter early in the year. If it works for us, it changes everything!

 

[HyphensBack]

I think he has that laconic style that will make it easy to criticise

I think he can be a real “impact” mid playing 6-8 minutes an qtr and high HF or Wing.

I hope he is part of our midfield mix this year that can just keep going all game and doesn’t drop away when Cripps Walsh etc have a break

Reckon someone needs to get in his head, old days coaches would rant and rave to get the talented player to get angry and motivated.

Suspect coaches no longer do that stuff, and nowadays we probably need a club psych to get in his head and focus on how to keep him more “connected”

 

[HyphensBack]

Trying to fit Cripps Walsh Cerra Hewett Smith Elijah Lord Docherty and get maximum benefits is going to be interesting. I also hope we give Williams Fogarty Durdin Motlop and even Kemp & Charlie some mid minutes at times to mix it up


I expect Ben Campo & Wilson to be pushing for a game at some stage

If we can get it right that is one heck of a midfield that won't let up on the opposition

I am sorta hoping that’s not the case

I am hoping Cripps Walsh Cerra Hewettt Smith Lord are all firing and we only need limited minutes on ball for Elijah and Docherty

The rest you mentioned I would prefer not in the midfield - I want our genuine mids dominating and our forwards being effective and not needing to be thrown somewhere else cause they aren’t

 

[katmanblue]

I am sorta hoping that’s not the case

I am hoping Cripps Walsh Cerra Hewettt Smith Lord are all firing and we only need limited minutes on ball for Elijah and Docherty

The rest you mentioned I would prefer not in the midfield - I want our genuine mids dominating and our forwards being effective and not needing to be thrown somewhere else cause they aren’t

I think you need plenty of quality rotation options come finals time.

Playing them there after minimal exposure during the season, imo, would be a mistake.

Let the rotations get used to playing there throughout the season so everyone has some connection late in the finals. You'd hate to lose someone important to injury and then the next man up has hardly played in the position.

We have the depth, we should maximise its use. Not only to build connection for the lesser lights but also to lessen the load on our most important players.

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[tragic]

I think you need plenty of quality rotation options come finals time.

Playing them there after minimal exposure during the season, imo, would be a mistake.

Let the rotations get used to playing there throughout the season so everyone has some connection late in the finals. You'd hate to lose someone important to injury and then the next man up has hardly played in the position.

We have the depth, we should maximise its use. Not only to build connection for the lesser lights but also to lessen the load on our most important players.

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In the grand final Brisbane used 4 players at CBA's (not including rucks) Neale 90 % Dunkley 87 % McCluggage 74 % and Ashcroft 44 %

 

[TD2010]

Still think he ends up replacing Newman off a flank where we'll see his kicking at its best for some reason. Such a weapon when he's involved in the game.

Why do some praise and prioritise attacking half back than a pinch hitting mid half forward goal kicker? He's about to tear the place up, get ready peeps

 

[HyphensBack]

I think you need plenty of quality rotation options come finals time.

Playing them there after minimal exposure during the season, imo, would be a mistake.

Let the rotations get used to playing there throughout the season so everyone has some connection late in the finals. You'd hate to lose someone important to injury and then the next man up has hardly played in the position.

We have the depth, we should maximise its use. Not only to build connection for the lesser lights but also to lessen the load on our most important players.

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As per others comments I am keen on limiting the small forwards (Williams/Fogarty/Motlop etc) time in the middle and developing mids only in middle

My list (see below rotations) have six true midfielders with two others getting some minutes as reserve (Docherty/Lord and Elijah). Really banking on Smith being a gun and Cerra returning to 2023 form.

Ruck Rover (defensive): Hewitt (55%) Cerra (35%) Lord/Docherty (10%)
Rover (inside out - Engine): Walsh (60%) Smith (40%)
Centre (inside - Engine): Cripps (75%) Cerra (25%)

 

[Love the Drake]

ok. Gone from a training thread to an opinion thread. No training so makes it hard to stay on topic. I’m bored. I’ll play.

We need a strong group of mids. Cripps, Walsh, Cerra, Hewett and jagga do the bulk. That’s a very strong midfield quintet l!

Lord and Elijah giving them a chop out. Have seen nothing from Motlop, Durdin, kemp or Charlie that remotely suggests they should play midfield in any capacity. I would have Williams pinch hit before any of these players as he has at least played mid before and in finals. Ben C next. That is more than enough.

Acres, Doc, Ollie, Binns and cottrell can play HFF/wing and HBF/wing. Even Lucas C could jag a game or two if needed.

Forwards and backs are sorted.

 

[Arr0w]

Our main mids, and the ones that will take the majority of CBAs would be Cripps, Walsh, Hewett, Cerra, Smith

Rotations/cameos would likely be Elijah, Doc

Lord will be an interesting prospect, not sure where he fits in and given the depth of our mids, might struggle to get a game if we are healthy in this area

Any other cameos through the middle is more about a small change up and rightful so, as most other sides don't have wide rotations either

 

[katmanblue]

In the grand final Brisbane used 4 players at CBA's (not including rucks) Neale 90 % Dunkley 87 % McCluggage 74 % and Ashcroft 44 %

It's about having the option. How would they have gone if Neal was injured in the prelim? It's about having back up plans to the backup plans.

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[Arr0w]

It's about having the option. How would they have gone if Neal was injured in the prelim? It's about having back up plans to the backup plans.

On SM-F946B using BigFooty.com mobile app

While the concept is nice, it's somewhat of a fallacy that you have a multitude of rotations, especially at centre bounces

Excluding ruckmen, Lions had 4 main mids, Neale, McCluggage, Dunkley and Ashcroft, 2 others as rotations, Raynor and Bailey

While Ashcroft was out, Berry took his rotations



For us, Cripps, Walsh, Hewett, Cerra would be the main 4, perhaps Smith and Elijah are those rotations

 

[JustOneTime]

Based on 2024 don't want elijah in our midfield. Prefer him wide making good decisions and passes.

Most times he went into the congested contest, he got upended, got tackled like he had zero strength like walsh (they look like victims saying mummy when they get pinned). Elijah also took an eternity to turn when chasing defensively.

Would need to evolve for a midfield role...a lot. Maybe the new high performance team can turn him from a loper to more of a strength/power runner over 3-15 metres. If that occurred, i'd be on board.

i'm happy with Cripps, Walsh, Cerra, Hewett, Jagga. Minor minutes to doch, and Lord if he plays.