At the customer service and complaints desk.
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kondo really has some nice shape and speed on his kicking
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I don’t think he will have an issue still getting 20 touches a game in a run-with role, high possession games is not what we need from him. I doubt he gets the 6-7 average tackles and defensive mindset he lacks without the new run-with role.
imo, the new role is his best chance of success by forcing him to focus on his weaknesses. The drop in touches also reduces the risk that comes with his disposal if he was simply running as a general high possession mid.
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My concern here is that Dunkley is a defensively minded player who closes down opponents whist getting the ball himself through hard running. Tsatas on the other hand is a naturally attacking player who doesn’t have the elite fitness or the skills to play that role. Not saying it’s impossible for him to become more defensive, but considering the defensive side of his game and his fitness are both areas he needed to work on, I just can’t see him becoming a Dunkley’s type player. In saying all that, it’s good that he acknowledges what he needs to work on, and I hope he can prove me wrong because we desperately need a Dunkley type in the side.
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It’s just like playing Shiel off the HBF. I’d be staggered if it works.
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Really looking forward to the training reports today team. Hoping we get some sort of match sim in soon.
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We just re-signed Setters and have drafted a Dunkley type in Sharp. I hope the best for Tsatas, but that won’t be at Essendon
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Setters is depth only. Sharp also has a different role. I agree its hard to fit him in but i think the club will look at him for the run with role option first before anyone this year. If the role is deemed important against certain clubs
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Still amazes me with all the research hours they put in that a top 5 can be a potential bust.
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Agree with this.
Happy for him to give it a go, there’s really not much to lose, but generally speaking successful taggers or run with players are:
- Exceptional endurance athletes
And/or
- Aggressive, combative players who have that innate carnt about them
Tsatas is making some improvements with his running, sure, but his baseline was really ordinary. It’s good that he’s gone from one of the worst midfield runners at the club to maybe somewhere towards average but he’s not an aerobic animal who will run all day with an opponent.
Regarding the second component, I don’t believe that physical, combative side of the game comes naturally to him.
His one shot at making it is as a more free wheeling ball winner from stoppage on the proviso he somehow managed to turn around his kicking dramatically.
If doing this run with stuff for a year increases his physicality and running capabilities a decent amount so that he can layer those improvements into his natural game then that would be worth something. Whether he gets another deal beyond this year though is questionable. Yes, Brad is Brad but by and large, the ball is in his court now.
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Yeah well, there’s been a few in recent years. Will Phillips, Dylan Stephens. Might still end up in the AFL system at another club, as per the case with Stephens, but as far as justifying being drafted in the top 5 they’re a complete bust.
If ever a club has acknowledged a bad draft pick, it’s us training Tsatas to be a tagger after picking him at 5.
Gives off Will Phillips vibes
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There’s been lots of good midfielders that have started their careers playing a run with role. 
That’s a weird thing to say seeing he goes onto say they are going to play two rucks. Hopefully he’s losing the plot.
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Pretty sure we regularly played Draper 80% ruck and Wright 20% ruck for a decent period unless I am mistaken.
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Because he was never fit enough to run out games? can this club of infidelity gtfo
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I suspect they’ll be aiming to have Draper average 65-70 ruck contests per game instead of the sort of 50-55 per game he was averaging at Essendon.
Granted, I suspect because Brisbane can defend, he’ll have more as there are more stoppages (without that much greater % time in ruck).
Beautiful conditions today. Couldn’t ask for a better day for a main session. I must say the Hangar looks a lot more inviting than when I was last here with the seating, bomber shop and cafe all getting good use.
Skills started out a little rusty but I was on the whole pretty pleased with the flow and intensity of the session. From what I’ve read, physicality is certainly up compared to previous sessions.
Split into three groups, I was on the outer wing where there was a full ground ball movement exercise that got a lot better as time went on. Looked to have been some tight contested work going on the hangar side.
I definitely noticed the shift from Matt Inness and the fitness staff. No walking to get a drink, no extended breaks. Even the rehab guys were working super hard towards the end of the session.
Loved the finisher that was the kicking for goal under fatigue. For far too long our skills fall off a cliff in the second half.
Groups then split up into two full ground match sim. McKay and Reid standouts working together.
Couple of notes:
Kako - looks like he’s in ripping shape. Seems to be floating on the ground and has more zip than he had last year. Reckon he’s set for a big year
Unwin - probably the most agile and tricky guy at ground level on the list with Kako. Gut feel says there’s something there. Just does some special things with his burst and evasiveness. Will start at VFL level but I reckon he may play at times this year.
Kondo - the guy can kick a ball. Beautiful technique and great build for a first year player.
Perkins & Setterfield - both running 100 metre repeats at about 70/80% with very small breaks in between. Setters in runners at this point but both look like they’re progressing. Ridley was doing slower, longer running around the boundary.
SEH - does some nice things but I’d much rather than Zak Johnson coming out of the D50. He often tries to kick around his body and may not have the decision making ability to make it in my view.
Tsatas - please to report that his kicks spun correctly.
Clarke - lock for a best 22 spot. Looks like he’s been around forever. Will be a player.
Sharp - love that we have someone who can just plug and play. Really comes into his own in the match ski drills and is generally a really nice distributor as the inside 50 kick. Knows where to go.
Reid - absolute stallion. Skills are immaculate and he’s looking really fit. Just need this guy to stay healthy.
Langford - Looks hungry, played the match sims with a manic intensity and at one stage took out McKay with a big bump to shepherd a contest. Thought it could have been a head clash but Ben looks ok.
Redman - Long sleeves an interesting choice today. Pretty vocal, heard him imploring Blakiston to demand the ball and be an option. Also had a clash with prior that sat him down for a good couple of minutes.
Solid session. Go Dons.
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