Training Report - Monday 9 January 2023

Football Discussion Dustin Fletcher Hangar
62

I’m getting used to the idea of redders as skip. Don’t recon it would happen but he looks more suited every year.

I’ve heard some really poorly thought out suggestions (laverde), obvious (zach), left feild (langers) and only if no one else wanted to do it (McGrath) but stick them all in a leadership team and I recon they’d do anything for redders.

Only fear is he’d turn into a pointing, yelling type who forgets why he was put there in the first place (christ, Nick Maxwell had it easy).

But they’ll probably change not a thing.

3 Likes
63

I think so. I was too intimidated to go and say hello.

64

In 2021 it was blatantly clear, as clear as day that he wanted to captain the club in 2022 and was doing everything he could to ensure he was made captain. We allowed Heppell to remain.

1 Like
65

Has anyone sighted Lord this pre season!?!?

Don’t think I’ve seen or read his name once in the training reports.

7 Likes
66

Thanks for your report. Sounds like you had a great chat with DK. Interesting that he’s out there….he and Scott have history so his opinion of how it’s all going under his leadership will be interesting.

2 Likes
67

Must admit some of the drills i was similar to Kingy. I could only work out very minor reasons to do them and seemed a bit pointless.

68

Obviously we aren’t in the inner sanctum but to me, with what we do have to go off, Merrett has never struck me as being the sort of character or personality that would make a great captain. I think he’s too insular and not a super engaging communicator (verbal & body language). He’s also not as unconditional with his defensive/physical efforts as you’d like from your skipper. He’s not bad in this regard, generally decent but not unconditional IMO.
Just an opinion, I know others will feel differently.
Issue is we aren’t flush with alternative options unfortunately so he may get it for that reason as much as anything else.

2 Likes
69

Yeah he was there today. Did some ok things but he would be well down the list for a debut this year.
Reckon he needs a big season season in the VFL to keep his spot.

70

I think it made a lot of sense.

The fact we missed a lot of kicks and dropped marks is the reason we are doing it.
Work rate is a another.
Defensive pressure the other.

All things we aren’t good at.

7 Likes
71

Redman and Merrett co captains is the way to go

8 Likes
72

Well done. Very insightful. In summary, from the outside subjective view, we have a long way to go. Thankfully, Essendon and Scott are cognisant of that.

His point regarding Merrett leadership is noteworthy. He’s naturally introverted, that’s his DNA. Demonstrative (verbal) leadership doesn’t come naturally. I agree Redman being the obvious choice. He exudes leadership in almost every sense. He’s vocal onfield, holds teammates accountable and has presence. He’s also very much liked. It sounds left field in a public perception sense, however he does demonstrate more of the natural leadership traits than any other player on the list. Now that he’s becoming a top 5 player for us, his claims on the captaincy must be rising.

17 Likes
73

sounds like Scott is really focused on getting us doing the basics properly

i agree - the fact we can’t says we need to

9 Likes
74

Leadership Group 2023

Captain: Heppell
Vice Captain: Merrett
Deputy Vice Captain: Red dog
Junior Deputy Vice Captain: McGrath
Secretary to the Junior Deputy Vice Captain: Hobbs
Administration Assistant to the Secretary of the Junior Deputy Vice Captain: Langford

6 Likes
75

Maybe the intensity just seemed low and looked a bit simple to manage.
Langford however had two great spoils that caused defensive disruption

1 Like
76

this is important

if you can’t command attention it becomes difficult to lead

2 Likes
77

Here is my vision of the drill.

14 Likes
78

@The_Ant @PipetoNul - thanks for your outstanding reports

12 Likes
79

Only the first session back isn’t it? And its rather warm.

Would expect it to be a bit scrappy touch wise and also fatigue hitting them quicker affecting skills.

3 Likes
80

This is a drill I have run at Colts level (Under 16/17s).

Perhaps it’s just where we are at.

1 Like
81

What stands out is the players were running hard to space to create a target. Something we don’t do well.

that’s a positive sign if it becomes a normal part of our play

11 Likes