Training Preseason 2025.

[Maybe Tomorrow]

The training session was supposed to finish at 11am. It went for another half an hour or so. Dimma made the sprint along the edge of the field during that time. It looked absolutely brutal. I guess he's working on the mental side of it to not give up when it gets hard. Or maybe to show off to the fans lol.


The training session def had a different feel to it to. I think the players know this is there year. They pushed and giving it there all. I think there's also genuine competition for spots. So many talented players. I was glad to see Ben long in the red jumpers which seemed like the main team for most of the training session. A lot of predictions for the best 22 are saying he's out of the team. Honestly, I thought he was there best small forward last year. I also want Leo Lombard to play tho. He looks like a beast. I think he's already my fav player.


Also seemed like they were well prepared to talk to the public. I think they've had someone good in to train them because they were all very well spoken when they were signing at the end of the session.

Side note... finally got Dimmas signature.

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Anyone unexpected in the red jumpers that you saw? Or NOT in the red team of note?

 

[JayDee987]

I didn't see anything else but I was a bit caught up with my 2 year old child lol.

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[KaySwizzle]

I was glad to see Ben long in the red jumpers which seemed like the main team for most of the training session. A lot of predictions for the best 22 are saying he's out of the team. Honestly, I thought he was there best small forward last year.

Ben Long should start best 22 forward. Had a great second half of the year, so glad he seems to be given first call up so far.

I also want Leo Lombard to play tho. He looks like a beast. I think he's already my fav player.


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If we need to open a space for Leo, then Holman is the one to go for me. Far less impactful than Long and has been well overdue for someone to take his spot.

 

[Jirik13]

I was glad to see Ben long in the red jumpers which seemed like the main team for most of the training session. A lot of predictions for the best 22 are saying he's out of the team. Honestly, I thought he was there best small forward last year.

Yeah, Long was easily our best small/medium forward in 2024.

I have high hope for Rogers if he can have a full pre-season.

 

[Jen2310]

 

[GC2015]

Where do I start? Haha. Remember Jen's reports? Everything, every player, haha. What was the team doing? Any match simulation? Rehab players? How is Flanders? Where was Powell training? How is Cooper? Who impressed you, who did not. Did you talk to someone? Like did you check with Red Bull - when will he re-sign?

Firstly, it was incredibly hot and encouragingly it didn't seem to affect the skills. Match simulation was definitely taking place. Full field match simulation to be specific. IIRC Powell was playing in the backline. They had Weller training on the wing with Clohesy and Fiorini.

Didn't see Cooper so unfortunately I can't give you any update on him. Himmelberg was playing forward and was lined up against Graham. Lombard would be the one that immediately jumped out to me as impressive. Leo was rotating between the midfield and the forward line. He looks very strong and fast - he was gang tackled to the ground at one point and bounced straight back up like it was nothing ready to go again. I was also impressed with Leo's ability to gather the ball in contested situations. Noah was the one that was the most influential through the middle for mine.

King and Walter (can confirm Walter looked leaner and in very good shape) were playing forward but appeared to be playing higher up the ground from what I could see and Read was sitting at full forward during match sim. Although I did see Read rucking at times as well so I guess the idea right now is to play him as a resting ruck. Witts was rucking most of the time against Moyle, as you would expect.

Didn't talk to anyone but I did see the guys were quite vocal with the fans when signing autographs and that was great to see. I was also impressed with the amount of fans that showed up on a stinking hot Thursday. Well over 200 from what I could see.

 

[Maybe Tomorrow]

Firstly, it was incredibly hot and encouragingly it didn't seem to affect the skills. Match simulation was definitely taking place. Full field match simulation to be specific. IIRC Powell was playing in the backline. They had Weller training on the wing with Clohesy and Fiorini.

Didn't see Cooper so unfortunately I can't give you any update on him. Himmelberg was playing forward and was lined up against Graham. Lombard would be the one that immediately jumped out to me as impressive. Leo was rotating between the midfield and the forward line. He looks very strong and fast - he was gang tackled to the ground at one point and bounced straight back up like it was nothing ready to go again. I was also impressed with Leo's ability to gather the ball in contested situations. Noah was the one that was the most influential through the middle for mine.

King and Walter (can confirm Walter looked leaner and in very good shape) were playing forward but appeared to be playing higher up the ground from what I could see and Read was sitting at full forward during match sim. Although I did see Read rucking at times as well so I guess the idea right now is to play him as a resting ruck. Witts was rucking most of the time against Moyle, as you would expect.

Didn't talk to anyone but I did see the guys were quite vocal with the fans when signing autographs and that was great to see. I was also impressed with the amount of fans that showed up on a stinking hot Thursday. Well over 200 from what I could see.

Was there a clear A and B team? Were Lombard and Read in the A team (if there was one)?

Cheers for the report

 

[GC2015]

Was there a clear A and B team? Were Lombard and Read in the A team (if there was one)?

Cheers for the report?

From what I saw I think it's fair to assume that there was an A team and a B team for most positions. There was certainly an A team midfield with guys like Noah, Rowell and Touk playing together. In saying that, an example of that likely not being the case would be Himmelberg and Graham probably not being considered A team players and just matched up on each other because they are both third string KPPs. From memory, Lombard was rotating between the A team forward line and the B team midfield. I believe Read was in the A team forward line with King / Walter and would occasionally rotate into the ruck where he faced Knobel (I think) when he was there.

 

[Maybe Tomorrow]

From what I saw I think it's fair to assume that there was an A team and a B team for most positions. There was certainly an A team midfield with guys like Noah, Rowell and Touk playing together. In saying that, an example of that likely not being the case would be Himmelberg and Graham probably not being considered A team players and just matched up on each other because they are both third string KPPs. From memory, Lombard was rotating between the A team forward line and the B team midfield. I believe Read was in the A team forward line with King / Walter and would occasionally rotate into the ruck where he faced Knobel (I think) when he was there.

lol I thought you meant Will Graham, completely forgot about the Crab. Was a bit worried Will was playing back pocket

Interesting about the young guys. Maybe Dimma is going to put most of them in to start the year.

 

[GC2015]

lol I thought you meant Will Graham, completely forgot about the Crab. Was a bit worried Will was playing back pocket

Interesting about the young guys. Maybe Dimma is going to put most of them in to start the year.

Haha nah. Will was playing in the midfield.

I think it was fairly obvious last year that Dimma wanted to play the young guys as much as he possibly could without going completely overboard. I'd expect to see the same thing this year with Lombard, but to be honest I think Lombard would be in the team regardless of his age after what I saw. Getting games into these kids now is going to make a huge difference in the future. You only have to look at the way Bodhi kicked on last year to know that this strategy will pay off in the long run.

 

[Maybe Tomorrow]

Haha nah. Will was playing in the midfield.

I think it was fairly obvious last year that Dimma wanted to play the young guys as much as he possibly could without going completely overboard. I'd expect to see the same thing this year with Lombard, but to be honest I think Lombard would be in the team regardless of his age after what I saw. Getting games into these kids now is going to make a huge difference in the future. You only have to look at the way Bodhi kicked on last year to know that this strategy will pay off in the long run.

Agreed. Leo would have to be close to the most AFL-ready 18 year old in recent memory.

 

[Jirik13]

Haha nah. Will was playing in the midfield.

I think it was fairly obvious last year that Dimma wanted to play the young guys as much as he possibly could without going completely overboard. I'd expect to see the same thing this year with Lombard, but to be honest I think Lombard would be in the team regardless of his age after what I saw. Getting games into these kids now is going to make a huge difference in the future. You only have to look at the way Bodhi kicked on last year to know that this strategy will pay off in the long run.

Thanks for the report.

Yes, no doubt Dimma went with young players last year (he mentioned it a couple of times) with a view of a long run pay off. They are our future. But in 2025, we need to win more and play finals. It's now or we could be in trouble and it could cost us some signatures.

Personally I doubt, Walter and especially Read can contribute significantly a full season. Still min 1-2 years to go. Uwland and Graham possibly yes. Rogers could if healthy (me being biased). Not fair on Lombard to expect too much.

4+ years players including Rioli, Noble must deliver and take us to finals. We need to take that next step. Mostly mental, IMO.

 

[KaySwizzle]

Yes, no doubt Dimma went with young players last year (he mentioned it a couple of times) with a view of a long run pay off. They are our future. But in 2025, we need to win more and play finals. It's now or we could be in trouble and it could cost us some signatures.

I agree. A forward line of King, Walter and Read isn’t what I would want as it may be too young and untried for a team desperate to climb the ladder.

I still see Mac as a defender, but he could also play ruck/forward for us I guess. Ideally Read will get to this point in a season or two, based on his “unicorn” status.

But really, we need small forwards to step up and start carrying the goal load (Rosas, Lombard, Rogers, Ainsworth etc), with just King and Walter up there as tall targets. Dimma always liked a smaller and faster forward line.

But the back-up ruck is a problem.

Powell was playing in the backline. They had Weller training on the wing with Clohesy and Fiorini.

While I like the idea of Powell moving up the ground, Weller could be great on the wing (if he can find some of his old run and dash/goal from outside 50 form). Would be nice to have two wingers who are capable enough to cover the ground and also kick some goals!

 

[Young_Guns]

Despite their age, it does sound a lot like King, Walter, Read with HH rotating in as required is what we will see this year. Regardless, we desperately need one of the 3 to rise to the next level and kick 30 to give King a hand because that’s all we’ve got on the list.

I do like the idea of Walter and especially King rotating up the ground more if Read can come on a bit. King can have a MUCH bigger impact on the game than what we have seen if he can go from 6-7 disposals at Full Forward up to 15+ with his speed and footskills and can put the ball out of reach of Read’s opponent. If Read can just halve 1-on-1 contests in the square, he is going to win a lot more than he loses at ground level.

Of course, if we figure out how to move the ball inside 50 then none of this will matter cos King and Long will get it on the chest 10 times a game.

 

[Choppers]

Does Jeffrey (192cm) figure in with the forwards now that Luko has gone...

 

[Jen2310]

Does Jeffrey (192cm) figure in with the forwards now that Luko has gone...

where? when you have king. walter. read. And the smalls. Even have Mac who can be swung forward.
Is he even training forward?
I suspect he'll eventually look for more opportunities.

 

[Jirik13]

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