Tstas on ball and Mez/Shiel off HBF with some midfield time sounds good
1 Like
Perfect conditions today… it got a bit hotter towards the close of the session and players right at the end looked fatigued (after 3 hours). Little wind so i was keen to see where our skills were at considering previous sessions have been quite windy. Overall it was a 7/10… got much better after Qtr time of the match sim… that was more 8/10 and to a standard i would hope for
The semi match play drills the previous 2 weeks are on constant repeat. I have never seen so many set drills on opposition kick out setups. I sense it’s more for our defensive side but there is no doubt the team who is on offense is determined to get through and win their drill. Its consistently always running from the goal square and looking to create overlap handball chains with a release kick near the 50m mark. Unwin’s creativity and run I thought was really pleasing in these drills. One point he did an incredible selling candy sidestep that fooled Shiel all ends and hit a 30m bullet pass. Davey also was creating a lot of pressure that created turnovers.
After 90 mins of solid hard drills… we then go to a 4 x 15 min Qtr match sim with some help of AFL umpires. I don’t mind this as you want to see players fitness levels and how they make decisions after already working out for 90 mins.
1st Qtr was a bit scrappy and both sides could not really get into a flow. Skills were not quite there. Davey however a stand out with a few goals and Unwin also kicked a very clever goal out of nothing - i am sensing a high footy IQ with Rhys.
Maybe a few words spoken at the first break by coaches as all of a sudden the intensity went up and it got physical. Laverde gave Gerreyn a nice hip and shoulder and Davey was showing a physical side to him I haven’t seen. He was in the clinches and his body was holding strength well. He had offense and defense really well balanced all game. Should have kicked 4 goals. Kicked i think 2.2. Also did two great run down tackles as well.
I often mention young guys but i have to call out Ridley who was easily back to his old self. He noted to me afterwards he is finally feeling great. It clearly showed and it drove back his confidence. He was brilliant today.
Shiel in the first half was everywhere across back half. Setup so many drives. Unfortunately in the 3rd he was running and out of nowhere just went to ground, held his hand up, took his boot off and that was it. There was bleeding so dearly hoping its more that his foot was badly scratched by another players boot. His reaction made me very nervous as it didn’t look good. Add to that Hobbs going down with a leg on leg clash. He could not put weight on his leg so was carried off by staff. Later we noticed he had an ice pack on his shin… so that was maybe the better outcome than a knee or achilles. We will see.
Thought Bryan had a real presence in the ruck. Draper and Tsatas also connected well a few times. Tsatas was actually good again. Not as dominant as last week but still very good. No turnovers and kicked a lovely snap goal. His confidence and game is no doubt in a really good place.
Kako and Gresham tag teamed really well I thought today . Gresham was on today and he and Kako looked so dangerous as a tandem. Saying that Unwin and Davey great the other end. Nice battle within a battle. Gresham and Kako you sense is where Scott is at today for starting round 1 and it looked really good. They have already created good space for each other to work with.
The player we don’t seem to speak of these days in Setterfield easily had his best session. No doubt his body is finally coming around and you do often forget how good he is when up and about. His strength over the footy a real highlight. A fit Setters is a real positive for the depth of the midfield.
Angus Clarke had some nice run and carry with depth accurate kicks today. I really started to now see his talent and what he could be. Lual also got a bit of it however I thought Clarke was more damaging.
Was great to see Zak Johnson do the early drills(then back to rehab). Was obvious quickly that he is a smooth mover that uses the ball well. Really looking forward to him 100% to see what he can do… just have my spidey senses on with him.
The rehab group was Guelfi, McKay, Parish, Cox, Day-Wicks, Caldwell, Johnson and Duurmsa did half the match sim and then managed. Caddy was a little managed today after a knock to his back on Tuesday. Still completed at least half the match sim and is fine. Caddy kicked a few goals.
Peter Wright and possibly Menzie for me were the only real players that was frustrating. Peter dropped too many marks he simply has to take. Some on the wing with a runner going past… he then drops sitters and it stops the plays momentum. Just needs to be better switched on or Round one is no lock in. Jones was far more solid in attitude and skillset.
Good session today overall and it was a big step up on intensity as they get closer to initial practice games.
Last min edit- i should actually note Nic Martin was very good today in midfield. It feels standard as he is just good…but it should be called out. He was a link to so many plays
113 Likes
So nice to see the positives are coming from players who many have had doubts on. Tsatas, Davey, Bryan etc. Not sure if intentional or not in your reporting, but is a good sign if the young guys like Kako, Unwin and Clarke have the nuts to try displace a senior body from the team, or are at very least giving it 100% beans and making the older guys sweat on their positions. It can only be a good thing for the collective.
Thanks for the report as usual Scooter.
20 Likes
I think that’s Perkins
5 Likes
Did anyone take a strong contested mark in our forward line? Until that happens on a regular bases, instead of just scrapping goals, we’ll continue to be a middle of the road team.
Great reports, thanks guys.
Was Merrett in defence the whole time?
Absolutely as long as it’s band 1 compo.
1 Like
Thanks for the videos. Good to see a glimpse of what match sim looks like.
1 Like
Thanks Scooter and nickers!
2 Likes
Great report 
, so good to hear that Davey has possibly taken the step that he needed to, I still haven’t given up hope that Jayden will return one day and we’ll be able to see them play together.
6 Likes
That’s easy, should not be close to best 22.
I watched Brad pull him aside and spent about 5mins solid talking to him 1 on 1. Brad was pointing and explaining things to him about an inside 50 smalls contested drill the other week.
Was very peculiar as I’ve not seen him do this often or for that length of time, may be Brads guy
6 Likes
Davey runs Shiel down and gets the free
https://x.com/bomberricko/status/1880497348176146727?s=46&t=wD5NFeJD3AcUcC07zCd4ow
8 Likes
Nic Martin can’t be stopped
https://x.com/bomberricko/status/1880452043200225777?s=46&t=wD5NFeJD3AcUcC07zCd4ow
7 Likes
Spot on and these are the guys who lift our floor and we become better
Maybe seeing his brother get the chop has driven into Alwyn that he needs to get serious about his footy in 2025 if he wants to prolong his AFL career!
15 Likes
Does anyone know how a few of the lesser guys went like big Vigo, prior and Hoare
Nickers has the same footage from another angle.
1 Like
How did SEH go today?
2 Likes