Training Preseason Training Thread - 2024/25

[Keys]

And that’s me done for preseason

Probably the best conditioning I’ve seen the squad in since I’ve been attending training.

There’s a bit to look forward to this season albeit we’ll lose more than we win and there’ll be the occasional shellacking when things come completely unstuck

Stay positive, take the good with the bad as the players learn the new game plan and Mini identifies what he has to work with. Some will thrive, others will fall away but one thing I’m sure of is that the effort and desire to compete and improve will be there

Onwards and upwards, enjoy the season

 

[FatPizza]

15/3 v West Perth at Joondalup (4.00pm)
22/3 v Peel at Lathlain (12.10pm)
29/3 v Swan Districts at Lathlain (12.10pm)

Then R1 v East Fremantle on 5/4

Thanks KeysGPT.

 

[Keys]

With our R1 match now less than a week away, it’s safe to say the preseason that started 15 weeks ago in earnest on November 25 (1st - 4th players started on the 11/11) has come to an end. Allowing for the 3 week Christmas break, Andrew McQualter in his first preseason in charge has had 12 weeks to educate the playing group on his new game plan and get them ready to take the 2025 season head on.



With that in mind, having seen roughly two thirds of the 30+ sessions, I thought I’d give a rundown on my overall thoughts on how the playing group went as a collective and individually

Having only seen the team train under the guidance of Adam Simpson, it was hard to know what to expect with a new coach in charge. Like most other supporters I suspect, there were preconceptions of a summer of gut busting running from a group of bulked up Spartans interspersed with physically intense contest work



So what was the reality?

If I’m honest, the first 3 weeks leading up to Christmas were a tad underwhelming, especially in comparison to the fanciful expectations mentioned above.

With one or two exceptions, players didn’t look to have added much bulk to their frames. There was some running/sprints incorporated into the training program but nothing that pushed players to their absolute physical limits

And there was virtually no contested work when the balls came out as players were predominantly put through a seemingly endless array of ball movement drills. Sometimes in a confined space and others using the full field or one side/half of the ground. Compared to the contest heavy program implemented by Simpson the year prior it was a stark contrast

The other issue was the high number of players on modified programs away from the main group with some players often not sighted at all. By my count at the time there was up to ~15 players, or a third of the list, not training fully. Admittedly, it was only early in the preseason but even still it was a little concerning having so many players not participating for undisclosed reasons

There was some positives to be enthusiastic about though. Shannon Hurn was taking to coaching like a duck to water and was having a heavy influence on some of the skill drills. An unexpected surprise was the presence of Harry Taylor out on the oval assisting with training and spending considerable time with players, especially those in rehab - Taylor jogging the boundary with one or two players chatting to them was a common sight

It was also clear that education was a priority as McQualter imprinted the way he wanted players to move the ball under the new game plan

Things started to turn in the last week before the group broke up for Christmas. Intensity lifted as some contested match sim style work was incorporated into the last couple of sessions. The rehab group started to thin as more players transitioned into training with the main group

It was just enough to have me feeling a bit more positive on how they were progressing

The players were eased back into training somewhat on their immediate return in the new year before everything ramped up. There still wasn’t an over emphasis on pure running but ball movement drills were being done faster and covering more ground. And match play started in earnest



Over the course of January/February in the lead up to the scratchies/intraclub/preseason game training built up considerably. It was also becoming apparent that several, indeed most, of the playing group were putting on some size and the rehab group had thinned dramatically such that what had been 15 or so was now down to as little as 5 or 6

There were some setbacks most notably Elliot Yeo sustaining a double whammy knee and syndesmosis injury in a tackle gone wrong and Dom Sheed rupturing his ACL just as he’d worked his way back to full training

Other positives was the clear impact the experienced trio of Baker, Graham and Owies were having and the more than encouraging signs being shown by the 2024 draft crop. Other youngsters like Archer Reid, Dewar, Hutchinson and Brockman to name just a few were also elevating their performance

By the end, the training has been sharp and the players as a collective look bigger, faster and fitter than I think I’ve seen during my time watching training regularly

The spirit among the group is also positive and high standards are being demanded of each other

Looking back on the preseason as a whole I can see what McQualter has set out to do. Getting the players to understand the new game plan was paramount so drilling that into them early was a priority which explained the absence of contested work pre Christmas. It also, I think, was why simply running wasn’t a big part of training- they got their kilometres in during drills and there was no time to waste having players running in circles when they could be working on ball movement

Those players who came back a little underdone due to lingering issues from late season injuries or operations were gradually and methodically built up so they were ready for the rigours of a full training load

We now have close to a clean bill of health with only Sheed, Yeo, Jamieson and Chesser certain non-starters for R1 and a couple of lingering doubts on the immediate availability of Ryan and Hewett

It’s been close to as good a preseason McQualter could have hoped for in terms of preparing the players for the season ahead.

The implementation of the game plan will continue to be a work in progress and there’ll be passages/quarters/games where it doesn’t click and we’ll get burned. But the playing group looks fit and raring to go - they’re as ready as they can be

As a final observation, we’ve rarely heard from McQualter over preseason until very recently. I’m not sure why that is, or even if it was done deliberately, but what it has done is allow him to focus on what’s important in educating a young playing group without the distraction of media obligations



Individual players to come

 

[Spooky17]

Thanks Keys, I really appreciate your insights. You and others have been a godsend this pre season with so little from the Eagles media team themselves.

 

[Yeahnahmate]

Appreciate it Keys

 

[WCE777]

With our R1 match now less than a week away, it’s safe to say the preseason that started 15 weeks ago in earnest on November 25 (1st - 4th players started on the 11/11) has come to an end. Allowing for the 3 week Christmas break, Andrew McQualter in his first preseason in charge has had 12 weeks to educate the playing group on his new game plan and get them ready to take the 2025 season head on.

View attachment 2244844

With that in mind, having seen roughly two thirds of the 30+ sessions, I thought I’d give a rundown on my overall thoughts on how the playing group went as a collective and individually

Having only seen the team train under the guidance of Adam Simpson, it was hard to know what to expect with a new coach in charge. Like most other supporters I suspect, there were preconceptions of a summer of gut busting running from a group of bulked up Spartans interspersed with physically intense contest work

View attachment 2244841

So what was the reality?

If I’m honest, the first 3 weeks leading up to Christmas were a tad underwhelming, especially in comparison to the fanciful expectations mentioned above.

With one or two exceptions, players didn’t look to have added much bulk to their frames. There was some running/sprints incorporated into the training program but nothing that pushed players to their absolute physical limits

And there was virtually no contested work when the balls came out as players were predominantly put through a seemingly endless array of ball movement drills. Sometimes in a confined space and others using the full field or one side/half of the ground. Compared to the contest heavy program implemented by Simpson the year prior it was a stark contrast

The other issue was the high number of players on modified programs away from the main group with some players often not sighted at all. By my count at the time there was up to ~15 players, or a third of the list, not training fully. Admittedly, it was only early in the preseason but even still it was a little concerning having so many players not participating for undisclosed reasons

There was some positives to be enthusiastic about though. Shannon Hurn was taking to coaching like a duck to water and was having a heavy influence on some of the skill drills. An unexpected surprise was the presence of Harry Taylor out on the oval assisting with training and spending considerable time with players, especially those in rehab - Taylor jogging the boundary with one or two players chatting to them was a common sight

It was also clear that education was a priority as McQualter imprinted the way he wanted players to move the ball under the new game plan

Things started to turn in the last week before the group broke up for Christmas. Intensity lifted as some contested match sim style work was incorporated into the last couple of sessions. The rehab group started to thin as more players transitioned into training with the main group

It was just enough to have me feeling a bit more positive on how they were progressing

The players were eased back into training somewhat on their immediate return in the new year before everything ramped up. There still wasn’t an over emphasis on pure running but ball movement drills were being done faster and covering more ground. And match play started in earnest

View attachment 2244842

Over the course of January/February in the lead up to the scratchies/intraclub/preseason game training built up considerably. It was also becoming apparent that several, indeed most, of the playing group were putting on some size and the rehab group had thinned dramatically such that what had been 15 or so was now down to as little as 5 or 6

There were some setbacks most notably Elliot Yeo sustaining a double whammy knee and syndesmosis injury in a tackle gone wrong and Dom Sheed rupturing his ACL just as he’d worked his way back to full training

Other positives was the clear impact the experienced trio of Baker, Graham and Owies were having and the more than encouraging signs being shown by the 2024 draft crop. Other youngsters like Archer Reid, Dewar, Hutchinson and Brockman to name just a few were also elevating their performance

By the end, the training has been sharp and the players as a collective look bigger, faster and fitter than I think I’ve seen during my time watching training regularly

The spirit among the group is also positive and high standards are being demanded of each other

Looking back on the preseason as a whole I can see what McQualter has set out to do. Getting the players to understand the new game plan was paramount so drilling that into them early was a priority which explained the absence of contested work pre Christmas. It also, I think, was why simply running wasn’t a big part of training- they got their kilometres in during drills and there was no time to waste having players running in circles when they could be working on ball movement

Those players who came back a little underdone due to lingering issues from late season injuries or operations were gradually and methodically built up so they were ready for the rigours of a full training load

We now have close to a clean bill of health with only Sheed, Yeo, Jamieson and Chesser certain non-starters for R1 and a couple of lingering doubts on the immediate availability of Ryan and Hewett

It’s been close to as good a preseason McQualter could have hoped for in terms of preparing the players for the season ahead.

The implementation of the game plan will continue to be a work in progress and there’ll be passages/quarters/games where it doesn’t click and we’ll get burned. But the playing group looks fit and raring to go - they’re as ready as they can be

As a final observation, we’ve rarely heard from McQualter over preseason until very recently. I’m not sure why that is, or even if it was done deliberately, but what it has done is allow him to focus on what’s important in educating a young playing group without the distraction of media obligations

View attachment 2244843

Individual players to come

legend

 

[Eaglemaniac]

Nice work Keys, and definitely appreciate the effort.

 

[Easternkingdom87]

With our R1 match now less than a week away, it’s safe to say the preseason that started 15 weeks ago in earnest on November 25 (1st - 4th players started on the 11/11) has come to an end. Allowing for the 3 week Christmas break, Andrew McQualter in his first preseason in charge has had 12 weeks to educate the playing group on his new game plan and get them ready to take the 2025 season head on.

View attachment 2244844

With that in mind, having seen roughly two thirds of the 30+ sessions, I thought I’d give a rundown on my overall thoughts on how the playing group went as a collective and individually

Having only seen the team train under the guidance of Adam Simpson, it was hard to know what to expect with a new coach in charge. Like most other supporters I suspect, there were preconceptions of a summer of gut busting running from a group of bulked up Spartans interspersed with physically intense contest work

View attachment 2244841

So what was the reality?

If I’m honest, the first 3 weeks leading up to Christmas were a tad underwhelming, especially in comparison to the fanciful expectations mentioned above.

With one or two exceptions, players didn’t look to have added much bulk to their frames. There was some running/sprints incorporated into the training program but nothing that pushed players to their absolute physical limits

And there was virtually no contested work when the balls came out as players were predominantly put through a seemingly endless array of ball movement drills. Sometimes in a confined space and others using the full field or one side/half of the ground. Compared to the contest heavy program implemented by Simpson the year prior it was a stark contrast

The other issue was the high number of players on modified programs away from the main group with some players often not sighted at all. By my count at the time there was up to ~15 players, or a third of the list, not training fully. Admittedly, it was only early in the preseason but even still it was a little concerning having so many players not participating for undisclosed reasons

There was some positives to be enthusiastic about though. Shannon Hurn was taking to coaching like a duck to water and was having a heavy influence on some of the skill drills. An unexpected surprise was the presence of Harry Taylor out on the oval assisting with training and spending considerable time with players, especially those in rehab - Taylor jogging the boundary with one or two players chatting to them was a common sight

It was also clear that education was a priority as McQualter imprinted the way he wanted players to move the ball under the new game plan

Things started to turn in the last week before the group broke up for Christmas. Intensity lifted as some contested match sim style work was incorporated into the last couple of sessions. The rehab group started to thin as more players transitioned into training with the main group

It was just enough to have me feeling a bit more positive on how they were progressing

The players were eased back into training somewhat on their immediate return in the new year before everything ramped up. There still wasn’t an over emphasis on pure running but ball movement drills were being done faster and covering more ground. And match play started in earnest

View attachment 2244842

Over the course of January/February in the lead up to the scratchies/intraclub/preseason game training built up considerably. It was also becoming apparent that several, indeed most, of the playing group were putting on some size and the rehab group had thinned dramatically such that what had been 15 or so was now down to as little as 5 or 6

There were some setbacks most notably Elliot Yeo sustaining a double whammy knee and syndesmosis injury in a tackle gone wrong and Dom Sheed rupturing his ACL just as he’d worked his way back to full training

Other positives was the clear impact the experienced trio of Baker, Graham and Owies were having and the more than encouraging signs being shown by the 2024 draft crop. Other youngsters like Archer Reid, Dewar, Hutchinson and Brockman to name just a few were also elevating their performance

By the end, the training has been sharp and the players as a collective look bigger, faster and fitter than I think I’ve seen during my time watching training regularly

The spirit among the group is also positive and high standards are being demanded of each other

Looking back on the preseason as a whole I can see what McQualter has set out to do. Getting the players to understand the new game plan was paramount so drilling that into them early was a priority which explained the absence of contested work pre Christmas. It also, I think, was why simply running wasn’t a big part of training- they got their kilometres in during drills and there was no time to waste having players running in circles when they could be working on ball movement

Those players who came back a little underdone due to lingering issues from late season injuries or operations were gradually and methodically built up so they were ready for the rigours of a full training load

We now have close to a clean bill of health with only Sheed, Yeo, Jamieson and Chesser certain non-starters for R1 and a couple of lingering doubts on the immediate availability of Ryan and Hewett

It’s been close to as good a preseason McQualter could have hoped for in terms of preparing the players for the season ahead.

The implementation of the game plan will continue to be a work in progress and there’ll be passages/quarters/games where it doesn’t click and we’ll get burned. But the playing group looks fit and raring to go - they’re as ready as they can be

As a final observation, we’ve rarely heard from McQualter over preseason until very recently. I’m not sure why that is, or even if it was done deliberately, but what it has done is allow him to focus on what’s important in educating a young playing group without the distraction of media obligations

View attachment 2244843

Individual players to come

Brilliant. Thanks Keys!!


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[SloppyJoe]

The 94 one would be worth it just for the Magic Eye novelty factor

Took me a while, but I think it's 2 arms holding up the Cup?

 

[RanaNaved]

Looks like a dildo to me

 

[FatPizza]

Took me a while, but I think it's 2 arms holding up the Cup?

View attachment 2245969

 

[pixels]

Looks like a dildo to me

I see two dildos holding up the cup

 

[ROYAL EAGLE]

Such a great talker sounds a natural leader has grown so much

 

[THE A5]

Both have become solid units. Tho Houghs legs monster Ginbeys

 

[jdisc]

Thanks Keys, I really appreciate your insights.

He's not always going to get it right, but thats okay, because just like us, he cares.

Just like us, he's passionate about the game.

 

[jdisc]

Both have become solid units. Tho Houghs legs monster GinbeysView attachment 2246091

 

[Keys]

The AFL should bring in synchronised goal kicking

 

[Byron_Clanger]

The classic basic bitch outline from today's session from The West.

https://archive.md/5eek5

 

[MKMatty]

He's not always going to get it right, but thats okay, because just like us, he cares.

Just like us, he's passionate about the game.

Is he gonna exchange ideas, thoughts and even his energy?

 

[HoneyBadger35]

He's not always going to get it right, but thats okay, because just like us, he cares.

Just like us, he's passionate about the game.

Keys to scrape through in an unlosable electorate in the 2029 state election.

I’d vote for him.

 

[jdisc]

Keys to scrape through in an unlosable electorate in the 2029 state election.

I’d vote for him.

I don't think keys could take in the amount of substances as old mate

 

[Bender_]

Why is one same poster chatting with themself?

 

[jdisc]

Why is one same poster chatting with themself?

FIXED

 

[Bender_]

FIXED

Well now I look like the crazy person.

 

[jdisc]

Well now I look like the crazy person.

given some of the other posters on this board i dont think you need to worry about that

 

[jesterwester]

I think there’s 2 things that have been really noticeable this preseason.

One, we’ve not heard lots in the media from McQualter, the other that there’s not been a lot of HR9 in the media, bar when he’s gotten injured. Last year we had daily updates from the local media about his morning coffee, afternoon tea and maccas runs. But this year, nothing other than the usual noise from the eastern states media desperate for clicks.

I do keep hearing one thing that has been the best thing for the club- to get woosha back. So I do fully believe both of these are by design - to allow Andrew to get on with the job of trying to teach a brand new style and allow Harley to be a normal 19 year old footballer.

I had heard he has not held back in some “discussions” with the media.