Thanks a million guys
Unsure about Francis. I was really looking fwd to see him in match play, but was a no show. Hopefully just a management thing
Jackie is also just being managed at this stage
Thanks again - always fantastic to read.
Long reminds me of Fyfe tbe way he moves and plays.
Outstanding reports, cheers!
Great reports. Safe to say there is a reason why we selected Ridley as our very high 2nd round pick, happy for him to go under the radar for the moment.Serious question: How good can Walla be? Something deep down in my lid-off limbic system tells me he is a premiership player. How long into his career it will be? I guess we wait and see.
I’ve been thinking exactly the same question regarding Walla, I think he could develop into one of the absolute stars of the game. He seems to be getting there with his fitness but probably needs another pre season or 2 to get to his peak. His other 2 major weaknesses were losing his feet too often (which I haven’t seen any evidence of in the pre season) and his contested marking, which they are working on. With his low centre of gravity and strong core I think he has the capability to turn into a great mark one on one, I think his biggest problem last year was concentrating more on his opponent than the ball.
But his strengths are elite though. He has some of the softest hand in the league which is why he rarely fumbles, as well as amazing evasive skills, elite kicking off both feet and great defensive pressure.
He also has to become more vocal and demand the ball more which hopefully will come with more confidence. I saw numerous occasions last year where he was in a great position on the outside to be given the ball but wasn’t taken as an option. Once this changes he could well be one of the most damaging players in the league. I keep thinking of Rioli like influence
Last year, going to games wasn’t easy.
After the North game, found myself going, partly, just to watch Walla. A cult-hero was born.
We’ve got ourselves a beauty, there.
Walla also doesn’t seem to panic when he has the ball, even in his first couple of games, some beautiful, measured passes off half back.
Can’t wait to see him with another good pre-season or two under his belt.
Great reports. Safe to say there is a reason why we selected Ridley as our very high 2nd round pick, happy for him to go under the radar for the moment.Serious question: How good can Walla be? Something deep down in my lid-off limbic system tells me he is a premiership player. How long into his career it will be? I guess we wait and see.
I’ve been thinking exactly the same question regarding Walla, I think he could develop into one of the absolute stars of the game. He seems to be getting there with his fitness but probably needs another pre season or 2 to get to his peak. His other 2 major weaknesses were losing his feet too often (which I haven’t seen any evidence of in the pre season) and his contested marking, which they are working on. With his low centre of gravity and strong core I think he has the capability to turn into a great mark one on one, I think his biggest problem last year was concentrating more on his opponent than the ball.
But his strengths are elite though. He has some of the softest hand in the league which is why he rarely fumbles, as well as amazing evasive skills, elite kicking off both feet and great defensive pressure.
He also has to become more vocal and demand the ball more which hopefully will come with more confidence. I saw numerous occasions last year where he was in a great position on the outside to be given the ball but wasn’t taken as an option. Once this changes he could well be one of the most damaging players in the league. I keep thinking of Rioli like influence
For me his is primed to be an explosive midfielder that is borderline unstoppable. Having him about Watson, Hepp, Myers and Hocking will provide an explosive exit with precision delivery. An advantage that few teams have and one which you can build a team around.
I think the most impressive thing about Walla is his attitude and his desire to really get the best out of himself now that he has achieved his dream of getting onto an AFL list. He doesn’t strike me as someone who is going to rest on his laurels once given the security of a long term contract.
He seems to be getting great support, guidance and a little motivation when needed from his mum too which can’t hurt.
His skill is evident for all to see. If he is able, through hard work, to get his fitness to a level where he can display this skill for longer and with more repeat efforts, then look the fark out!!
Great reports. Safe to say there is a reason why we selected Ridley as our very high 2nd round pick, happy for him to go under the radar for the moment.Serious question: How good can Walla be? Something deep down in my lid-off limbic system tells me he is a premiership player. How long into his career it will be? I guess we wait and see.
I’ve been thinking exactly the same question regarding Walla, I think he could develop into one of the absolute stars of the game. He seems to be getting there with his fitness but probably needs another pre season or 2 to get to his peak. His other 2 major weaknesses were losing his feet too often (which I haven’t seen any evidence of in the pre season) and his contested marking, which they are working on. With his low centre of gravity and strong core I think he has the capability to turn into a great mark one on one, I think his biggest problem last year was concentrating more on his opponent than the ball.
But his strengths are elite though. He has some of the softest hand in the league which is why he rarely fumbles, as well as amazing evasive skills, elite kicking off both feet and great defensive pressure.
He also has to become more vocal and demand the ball more which hopefully will come with more confidence. I saw numerous occasions last year where he was in a great position on the outside to be given the ball but wasn’t taken as an option. Once this changes he could well be one of the most damaging players in the league. I keep thinking of Rioli like influence
No doubt Walla has those elite skills. But whats so great about Walla is that in 2016 he was allowed to play instinctively, and those instincts are incredible. He is a natural. Thats why I am hoping “they”, thats the development coaches, dont coach that instinct out of him, with do this, dont do that, game plan this /that yada yada yada. Chipping away at his instincts by asking him to over think everything might reduce his effectiveness significantly.
There must be room on every team for those players who create magic from instinct. Walla is one, Rioli is another. Let the other players maintain the structure and let Walla weave his way through it.
I got the distinct impression that in 2016 Walla received more handball gives from Pops Kelly than any other player. Is it because Pops has great vision and elite decision making skills, or is Pops just a generous player, a facilitator, with nothing he needs to prove as a player?.
Great reports. Safe to say there is a reason why we selected Ridley as our very high 2nd round pick, happy for him to go under the radar for the moment.Serious question: How good can Walla be? Something deep down in my lid-off limbic system tells me he is a premiership player. How long into his career it will be? I guess we wait and see.
I’ve been thinking exactly the same question regarding Walla, I think he could develop into one of the absolute stars of the game. He seems to be getting there with his fitness but probably needs another pre season or 2 to get to his peak. His other 2 major weaknesses were losing his feet too often (which I haven’t seen any evidence of in the pre season) and his contested marking, which they are working on. With his low centre of gravity and strong core I think he has the capability to turn into a great mark one on one, I think his biggest problem last year was concentrating more on his opponent than the ball.
But his strengths are elite though. He has some of the softest hand in the league which is why he rarely fumbles, as well as amazing evasive skills, elite kicking off both feet and great defensive pressure.
He also has to become more vocal and demand the ball more which hopefully will come with more confidence. I saw numerous occasions last year where he was in a great position on the outside to be given the ball but wasn’t taken as an option. Once this changes he could well be one of the most damaging players in the league. I keep thinking of Rioli like influence
No doubt Walla has those elite skills. But whats so great about Walla is that in 2016 he was allowed to play instinctively, and those instincts are incredible. He is a natural. Thats why I am hoping “they”, thats the development coaches, dont coach that instinct out of him, with do this, dont do that, game plan this /that yada yada yada. Chipping away at his instincts by asking him to over think everything might reduce his effectiveness significantly.
There must be room on every team for those players who create magic from instinct. Walla is one, Rioli is another. Let the other players maintain the structure and let Walla weave his way through it.
I got the distinct impression that in 2016 Walla received more handball gives from Pops Kelly than any other player. Is it because Pops has great vision and elite decision making skills, or is Pops just a generous player, a facilitator, with nothing he needs to prove as a player?.
Worsfold knows what to do with those sort of guys who have an x-factor that can change games. He played with Matera and coached Wirrpanda. Walla is in good hands.
Long reminds me of Fyfe tbe way he moves and plays.
I’m not seeing this at all.
Great reports. Safe to say there is a reason why we selected Ridley as our very high 2nd round pick, happy for him to go under the radar for the moment.Serious question: How good can Walla be? Something deep down in my lid-off limbic system tells me he is a premiership player. How long into his career it will be? I guess we wait and see.
I’ve been thinking exactly the same question regarding Walla, I think he could develop into one of the absolute stars of the game. He seems to be getting there with his fitness but probably needs another pre season or 2 to get to his peak. His other 2 major weaknesses were losing his feet too often (which I haven’t seen any evidence of in the pre season) and his contested marking, which they are working on. With his low centre of gravity and strong core I think he has the capability to turn into a great mark one on one, I think his biggest problem last year was concentrating more on his opponent than the ball.
But his strengths are elite though. He has some of the softest hand in the league which is why he rarely fumbles, as well as amazing evasive skills, elite kicking off both feet and great defensive pressure.
He also has to become more vocal and demand the ball more which hopefully will come with more confidence. I saw numerous occasions last year where he was in a great position on the outside to be given the ball but wasn’t taken as an option. Once this changes he could well be one of the most damaging players in the league. I keep thinking of Rioli like influence
No doubt Walla has those elite skills. But whats so great about Walla is that in 2016 he was allowed to play instinctively, and those instincts are incredible. He is a natural. Thats why I am hoping “they”, thats the development coaches, dont coach that instinct out of him, with do this, dont do that, game plan this /that yada yada yada. Chipping away at his instincts by asking him to over think everything might reduce his effectiveness significantly.
There must be room on every team for those players who create magic from instinct. Walla is one, Rioli is another. Let the other players maintain the structure and let Walla weave his way through it.
I got the distinct impression that in 2016 Walla received more handball gives from Pops Kelly than any other player. Is it because Pops has great vision and elite decision making skills, or is Pops just a generous player, a facilitator, with nothing he needs to prove as a player?.
Worsfold knows what to do with those sort of guys who have an x-factor that can change games. He played with Matera and coached Wirrpanda. Walla is in good hands.
He coached a matera too
Actually Philip matera is the same size as tippa. Matera also didn’t debut until he was 21 and established himself in the side the following year when he was 22.
Part of the decision making process for a player is whether you think the bloke your giving the ball to will be able to do what you need him to do to win the ball.
I think Walla got more of the ball directed his way as the season went on… but certainly Pops had him identified much earlier than most.
McKenna is one that got ignored a lot. I understand why as the result of giving him the ball was often highly unpredictable.
On TIPPA: well, der.
Long reminds me of Fyfe tbe way he moves and plays.
And Jackson Merrett is like a Leigh Matthews clone
Thanks so much guys, these are such a highlight for many of us (especially living interstate.)
If possible, is there anything worth reporting on any of:
- Jake Long
- Jackson Merrett
- Jayden Laverde
- Kyle Langford
- Mason Redman
Thanks again.
G’day from SA.
Nice work everyone who is keeping us updated with training news.
Any news on Dea? Is he looking like part of the team or are Gleeson and McKenna ahead of him?