Training report Friday Jan 18

Theclubsanga · January 18, 2019, 11:52pm

I think the best part is guys that are at the training ground let everyone go spare for the next couple of hours.
Whereas sources like @AnnStBomber have have excellent information to calm our farm.
Great work and glad your on Blitz

Deckham · January 18, 2019, 11:56pm

Nice one, Nackers - I agree with everything you’ve said there.

Theclubsanga · January 18, 2019, 11:57pm

Apparently @Houli_Dooley gets the same texts you do.

Theclubsanga · January 18, 2019, 11:59pm

…and you do it for the love. Thanks Nackers

barnz · January 19, 2019, 12:01am

in the past in the vfl, he was the only one making good leads but for whatever reason his teammates were not honouring them. refusing the ‘risky’ kick to him or just not trusting themselves. he’d do so many on the outlet wing to at least kick start something, most encouraging was that he kept doing it regardless of his teammates went to him or not.

nackers · January 19, 2019, 12:24am

Thanks Deckham, I’d love to hear your thoughts if you have anything else to add, I always look forward to reading your reports as well

FTWinderlich · January 19, 2019, 12:43am

nackers:

Most improvement compared to this time last year:

Francis with a bullet - Not only improvement in skills but also physique, conditioning, attitude and self belief. I was saying yesterday I wonder what the odds are of him making the AA team this year. I can’t remember when I have been more excited about a player.

Draper - has made huge strides in all aspects of his game.

Laverde - As above as had his best pre season and from all reports a much improved attitude and self belief. He looks set to really make his mark.

Zlarke - A Bit of a funny one this as I still don’t think his disposal is up to it but everything else has been great.

McGrath - Has improved enormously around the contest now breaking free rather than looking for the quick handball give.

Guelfi - Has just continued t improve all parts of his game

Smack - Another one who now seems to have real self belief and much more composure. Could be anything this year.

Love this nackers. Thankyou!

ivan · January 19, 2019, 12:50am

This guy could really blossom this year I feel. He could play anywhere but I’m curious to know where he’s spending most of his time ATM? Could you just plonk him on the wing and in the midfield rotation?

nackers · January 19, 2019, 12:57am

You would appreciate this thought, the opinion of Laverde around here reminds me of McKenna at this time last year. There were a lot of people saying he had no idea and should never get another game. I think a lot of people have a similar (but not quite as strong) opinion of Laverde, but by the end of the year I expect him to be a certain best 22

nackers · January 19, 2019, 12:58am

I think you could plonk him just about anywhere, very versatile

bombers4ever4 · January 19, 2019, 1:16am

I just love reading that SMACK could be anything

So many posts on this site over the years that I have read have got stuck into this guy and he will prove them all wrong

bloodychoir · January 19, 2019, 2:50am

To my mind he already has. If he’s got a full year of what he gave in the latter half before injury last year, LID OOOOORRRRRFFFFF

samwoods · January 19, 2019, 3:01am

There’s only so many spots in that midfield rotation. I am hopeful that we have limited injuries heading in to round 1. It will be a massive effort if he can push his way into that best 22 in the midfield rotation. However, if he doesn’t, I wonder if they’ll play him somewhere else.

dingus · January 19, 2019, 3:15am

I’m getting a sense that our midfield rotation could run to about 15-16.

Several pinch hitters obviously, but I’d love to see a roaming, brawling, scragging mass of red and black swarming between half back and half forward.

Alan_Noonan_10 · January 19, 2019, 4:27am

And you don’t think he deserved it? Odd!

People don’t hope that someone will never amount to anything…but if they’re not contributing, then why shouldn’t they be criticised?

Scorch · January 19, 2019, 4:52am

nackers:

Scorch:

Hi @nackers thanks for your report. Keen for your thoughts on whether Jok is likely to be ready for a game this year? Ridley how’s he looking? Laverde? And who are you seeing the most improvement in?oh and Francis is he still training with the mids??

I’m tending to think Jok probably won’t be ready this year. He’s got all the tools but has played or been in a high level environment very little. I think he has a lot to learn about reading the play, where and when to run and how best to impact a contest.

There was a situation yesterday where he was about 5-10 metres off a one on one where he had lots of options - he could have blocked or shepherded his opponent, supported his team mate or made position for the next possession but he really did nothing, just ran around and spectated. I think the understanding of the game is where he has to improve, it’s just a matter of how long that will take

He’s been training exclusively with the mids and I think they are probably looking at a role for him on the wing. If he does manage to put it all together it’s hard to imagine how high his ceiling could be but I think he has a fair way to go yet.

I’m a big fan of both Ridley and Laverde. Both have come back in great shape and have barely put a foot wrong.

Ridley just looks so composed with everything he does, I would just like to see him improve on his overhead marking a bit more. If he get’s that right he could be a real weapon.

I really can’t understand the Laverde haters, he just has so much talent and is almost the perfect size and shape for the modern footballer. I think some of his kicking problems are just a phase he’s going through, he was apparently an excellent kick as a junior. Watching him in forward line drills he is probably the best in the team at leading patterns, repeat efforts and marking out in front of him. I think it may have been you that mentioned in an earlier thread his importance to the team as a transitional link between the back line and forward line as we have very few medium size marking options, and I agree completely. I think he will make a big difference structurally.

Francis hasn’t been training of late with either the mids or key position players, more with the utility types.

Most improvement compared to this time last year:

Francis with a bullet - Not only improvement in skills but also physique, conditioning, attitude and self belief. I was saying yesterday I wonder what the odds are of him making the AA team this year. I can’t remember when I have been more excited about a player.

Draper - has made huge strides in all aspects of his game.

Laverde - As above as had his best pre season and from all reports a much improved attitude and self belief. He looks set to really make his mark.

Zlarke - A Bit of a funny one this as I still don’t think his disposal is up to it but everything else has been great.

McGrath - Has improved enormously around the contest now breaking free rather than looking for the quick handball give.

Guelfi - Has just continued t improve all parts of his game

Smack - Another one who now seems to have real self belief and much more composure. Could be anything this year.

Awesome Nackers thanks mate for your insights. Great to see Draper and Laverde up there as the most improved. Just on Laverde, my concern historically has been that his kicking has been a bit mechanical, and I haven’t seen the speed and athleticism that he displayed as a junior. Am I right in observing that he’s slimmed down a bit? Would love to see him on a wing/half forward. With Ridley, alongside improving overhead do you also think he needs to get a bit more combative in the contest?

willie_dick · January 19, 2019, 5:23am

Old mate Tom Browne reporting hooker hamstring

RTBC · January 19, 2019, 5:53am

Hooksy

Scorch · January 19, 2019, 5:59am

So does that mean, best pre season ever body super fresh. Nothing to see?

nackers · January 19, 2019, 9:06pm

Yes thinking of Laverde’s kicking I think mechanical is the perfect description, he has been trying too hard to be technically correct. I think with a bit more confidence and self belief this will correct itself though and revert to a more natural kicking style. I would agree he has probably trimmed down a little in the torso but also put on a bit more muscle in the upper body. He also looks much fitter to me and I expect to see a lot more of the speed and athleticism you talked about this year., he has already looked better in training.

I haven’t really thought too much about Ridley being more combative but on reflection it’s quite possibly a good observation, it’s something I’ll look at in future. He like most players has had a lot of work in marking and wrestling contests and I haven’t noticed a strength or weakness either way, with the exception that I have seen quite a few good spoils but I would like more converted to marks when he has the right positioning.