Intra-Club Training Reports
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I do worry about the Thomas pick for a few reasons - Worst bye round, early fixture and amount of players than want CBAs. Not to mention they probably finish near the bottom again. Rounds 3-10 they play Brisbane, Swans, Dogs, Cats, Carlton, Freo, Port and Melbourne in a row. In terms of players that want CBAs - Simpkin, LDU, Greenwood, W.Phillips, Powell, JHF, plus Cunnington if he comes back later on, and Anderson was getting CBAs last year but may be phased out when he's back. I think he's too talented to not score well enough but is he a top 6-8 guys if we get a few nice DPPs in? I think Butters/Heeney have the higher ceiling in the climate of their respective midfields so for me I will probably pass. If he starts averaging 100 I'll happily pay 50-80k more post bye, just don't think his ceiling is high enough to hurt given the mouths to be fed.
Agreed; but on the flipside I'm A: Not sure on how serious the Butters/Heeney injury risks are in comparison to Tarryn, and B: One might say Tarryn is one of the best at North if not the best, whereas Butters is surrounded by a lot of quality players at Port and Heeney is also decently supported at Sydney.
I'm trying to reconcile this and have no arguments ...
- Kelly at GWS doesn't have that many CBA's but is pure class by foot once it is in his hands ...
- Neale doesn't actually do a lot of the physical stuff at many CBA's but is a class user of the ball when he gets it ...
- Walsh was the same ... see above comments ....
To me I think the number of CBA attendances can be a bit misleading ....
- Didn't Cripps start at most of them all last year for example ...
I don't know .. just adding to the convo ...
- Kelly at GWS doesn't have that many CBA's but is pure class by foot once it is in his hands ...
- Neale doesn't actually do a lot of the physical stuff at many CBA's but is a class user of the ball when he gets it ...
- Walsh was the same ... see above comments ....
To me I think the number of CBA attendances can be a bit misleading ....
- Didn't Cripps start at most of them all last year for example ...
I don't know .. just adding to the convo ...
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Just got done with the NM intra... hard game to watch because for some reason they decided to not wear jumpers for half the team and just go with the pink bibs, makes it quite difficult when it's also a low quality fixed camera that's pretty far out for a lot of the action.
Lot of players switching teams frequently, best intensity of any of the games I've watch so far by a considerable amount, actually looked pretty good.
At start of the game the Blue team was more or less their best 22 to my eye. They did switch it up after half time and even the teams considerably, including the 1st team backs going to pink to take the 1st team forwards as has been common so far in games I've watched.
Just going through the list numerical order:
Mahony - Annoyingly good given he's not fantasy relevant and a couple of guys behind him are, I think he was done by the 3rd quarter as didn't notice in the last half at all but really big 2nd quarter especially. Started in the blue team which indicates he's ahead of the others. I actually really like him as a player and think it's his spot to lose for now.
Stephenson - HF but floated in as the extra mid in the first half for the Blue team, 2nd half was more just HF and didn't seem to play an awful lot, understandable with an interrupted preseason leadup. Looked solid.
Corr - Back for the Blue team, was solid but nothing noteworthy, did steal a few kick-ins but they had no real system going.
Taylor - Was Blue team when I noticed him, if he played the first quarter I didn't notice, started to really bob up in the 2nd half to me. He does some neat things but reckon he was behind Mahony on this game and would be the more likely path for some of the kids.
JHF - Heeney comparison is really hard to not make to be honest, high points the ball including a really nice mark that most will have seen by now, backs his pace and his CB work was absurd, he must have got the clearance, cleanly, on about 60% of his chances. Just oozes class and composure. Role was what I want to see, take CBA and then push forward, a real role not a preseason role, and looks good forward and pushing up to the midfield as an extra number. I'd be shocked if he's healthy and not in my round 1 team.
Ziebell - Same as LY.
Scott - Think he was in the guts for the pink team first half, he wasn't noticeable in that role. Moved to a wing for the Blue team in 2nd half and did a bit more but I struggle to see him in their best 22.
LDU - Had the most prominent midfield role for the Blue team of anyone, basically was always in there with the other two slots rotating through, the few times he wasn't in there Greenwood was noticeably in that slot. He was really good, not outstanding, but worked hard all game and might finally be building an AFL level tank. Really rate him so would be great if that's the case.
McDonald - Started off HB, was prolific early, concussion about midway through the first and done for the day. To be fair, wasn't slowing Hall down at all while out there but could definitely see him taking some of the chips.
Simpkin - Blue early, switched to pink for Q4, possibly even Q3, to be honest he wasn't the guy I was watching for as I think he's a known commodity. Was revealing how highly the GM types talked about his off field stuff though. He was solid but did look the senior player assured of his role just getting some miles in the legs type out there.
Polec - Clear best on ground for mine, started wing for the Blue team and was absolutely prolific, kicked a couple of trademark goals, worked his butt off up and down the ground and just looked amazing. Barring injury he's put his name down in a very dark pencil that looks a lot like a pen for my teams. Just looked in ripping nick.
Young - Started on the wing opposite Polec for Blue, had minimal to no impact on the contest, that spot seems like the opening for people to take.
Greenwood - Seemed to have pretty low TOG to me, probably a 40:60 MID/FWD split when out there but playing a high HF role when forward and did push up to the contest consistently. Tackled really well but he had the feel of a bit underdone about him. Heavy strapping on the knee still. Looked good, hard to read the role but definitely wasn't in the first midfield group to me which stacks up given where the club is at. Definitely best 22 though, no doubts there and what he did was good.
Walker - At FB, was rock solid for the top team all game.
Larkey - At FF for the top team all game, had a really good first half when there was the significant mismatch on Hore and with the Blue team midfield feeding him, very little impact after half time when teams were more even and he had AFL KPD on him, did like the workrate to present though and his timing on leads remains a real strength.
CCJ - So hard to read this with the Xerri injury, he started forward for the Blue team but after Xerri went down he rucked all day, he was absolutely annihilated by Goldy all day in the ruck and around the ground, I almost felt sorry for him he was so outclassed, but it's also not his role at all to go against the elite ruckmen of the comp. Didn't really get a chance at all to show any forward craft but the first few minutes he actually was looking really solid down there. Definitely seems to be ahead of Comben for the 2nd KPF role on this game though.
Goldstein - If Polec wasn't best on ground then Goldy was. Interestingly he started on the pink team, the only absolutely best 22 guy for mine to do so and his mere presence against Xerri and then CCJ made the pink midfield at least equal if not superior to the Blues, switched to the Blue team for the 2nd quarter and they really dominated on the back of him, he probably had the most clearances on the ground and must have had mid to high teens on the HOtA as well, as mentioned it just wasn't a fair matchup and the funniest part is he seemed to almost be going easy on CCJ at times. Looked outstanding though.
McKay - Was huge in the first half when he basically didn't have a man, just zoned off, reckon he had a half dozen intercept marks in the first half. A lot quieter in the 2nd half when he had a man and higher quality I50 but looks in ripping touch. Could be a sneaky draft league play as definitely seemed to be the main intercept player.
Powell - I struggled massively to work out his position, Blue team and I think started HF and then floated around, 2nd half he went on ball and had some rotations but was a long way down the list, probably the fewest of any that got some to my eye. Played well with what he did but he wasn't prolific at all.
Curtis - He was really solid, did some really nice things on the weaker side. Pink team probably an indication but I think he's got the tools to pressure for a round 1 spot. Small forward with shaky job security would make him a worst case scenario pick personally but he is strong with his pressure work and that's always a good starting point.
Thomas - The other player in the running for best on, so prolific. Started CB for most of the game, was Blue team to start and would take CB before floating to a high half forward role, was just toying with everyone and his confidence level looked amazing. Great link-up running work with a solid half dozen 1-2 plays throughout the game, kicking was excellent, defensive work also very good. Switched to the pink side at HT for the balance and just continued on his merry way. Loved what I saw, role was perfect and possibly even better than expected and just looks in ripping nick. Big tick for a guy I already had all but locked in.
Bergman - He was really solid, especially 2nd half where he built nicely. Not going to play early as needs a couple of big preseasons but showed plenty.
Turner - Lockdown defender for the Blue team early and then pink team when that became the first team defense. No fantasy value here but will hold a spot down I reckon.
Phillips - I don't know how to read his game. Started in the pink team and alongside Goldy was probably the only guy I'd have as a best 22 guy on that team, not sure whether to read it as I'm wrong on best 22 or they wanted him there butting heads with their best mids to balance and give him maximum exposure. Either way he was probably the best mid after JHF and Thomas in the clearances, especially when he had the benefit of Goldy feeding him, tackling was excellent. Switched to the Blue team when it was balanced out (Blue remained the stronger midfield throughout) and was even better. Rate him so highly, going to be really interesting how they get him the minutes he needs in midfield. I don't think I can pick him in fantasy, it's kind of similar to Tom Green for mine, I think he's probably their best inside midfielder already but he has to displace a couple of their most senior guys to get that role so I think he's going to end up just outside the mix and play in roles he's not good at instead.
Lot of players switching teams frequently, best intensity of any of the games I've watch so far by a considerable amount, actually looked pretty good.
At start of the game the Blue team was more or less their best 22 to my eye. They did switch it up after half time and even the teams considerably, including the 1st team backs going to pink to take the 1st team forwards as has been common so far in games I've watched.
Just going through the list numerical order:
Mahony - Annoyingly good given he's not fantasy relevant and a couple of guys behind him are, I think he was done by the 3rd quarter as didn't notice in the last half at all but really big 2nd quarter especially. Started in the blue team which indicates he's ahead of the others. I actually really like him as a player and think it's his spot to lose for now.
Stephenson - HF but floated in as the extra mid in the first half for the Blue team, 2nd half was more just HF and didn't seem to play an awful lot, understandable with an interrupted preseason leadup. Looked solid.
Corr - Back for the Blue team, was solid but nothing noteworthy, did steal a few kick-ins but they had no real system going.
Taylor - Was Blue team when I noticed him, if he played the first quarter I didn't notice, started to really bob up in the 2nd half to me. He does some neat things but reckon he was behind Mahony on this game and would be the more likely path for some of the kids.
JHF - Heeney comparison is really hard to not make to be honest, high points the ball including a really nice mark that most will have seen by now, backs his pace and his CB work was absurd, he must have got the clearance, cleanly, on about 60% of his chances. Just oozes class and composure. Role was what I want to see, take CBA and then push forward, a real role not a preseason role, and looks good forward and pushing up to the midfield as an extra number. I'd be shocked if he's healthy and not in my round 1 team.
Ziebell - Same as LY.
Scott - Think he was in the guts for the pink team first half, he wasn't noticeable in that role. Moved to a wing for the Blue team in 2nd half and did a bit more but I struggle to see him in their best 22.
LDU - Had the most prominent midfield role for the Blue team of anyone, basically was always in there with the other two slots rotating through, the few times he wasn't in there Greenwood was noticeably in that slot. He was really good, not outstanding, but worked hard all game and might finally be building an AFL level tank. Really rate him so would be great if that's the case.
McDonald - Started off HB, was prolific early, concussion about midway through the first and done for the day. To be fair, wasn't slowing Hall down at all while out there but could definitely see him taking some of the chips.
Simpkin - Blue early, switched to pink for Q4, possibly even Q3, to be honest he wasn't the guy I was watching for as I think he's a known commodity. Was revealing how highly the GM types talked about his off field stuff though. He was solid but did look the senior player assured of his role just getting some miles in the legs type out there.
Polec - Clear best on ground for mine, started wing for the Blue team and was absolutely prolific, kicked a couple of trademark goals, worked his butt off up and down the ground and just looked amazing. Barring injury he's put his name down in a very dark pencil that looks a lot like a pen for my teams. Just looked in ripping nick.
Young - Started on the wing opposite Polec for Blue, had minimal to no impact on the contest, that spot seems like the opening for people to take.
Greenwood - Seemed to have pretty low TOG to me, probably a 40:60 MID/FWD split when out there but playing a high HF role when forward and did push up to the contest consistently. Tackled really well but he had the feel of a bit underdone about him. Heavy strapping on the knee still. Looked good, hard to read the role but definitely wasn't in the first midfield group to me which stacks up given where the club is at. Definitely best 22 though, no doubts there and what he did was good.
Walker - At FB, was rock solid for the top team all game.
Larkey - At FF for the top team all game, had a really good first half when there was the significant mismatch on Hore and with the Blue team midfield feeding him, very little impact after half time when teams were more even and he had AFL KPD on him, did like the workrate to present though and his timing on leads remains a real strength.
CCJ - So hard to read this with the Xerri injury, he started forward for the Blue team but after Xerri went down he rucked all day, he was absolutely annihilated by Goldy all day in the ruck and around the ground, I almost felt sorry for him he was so outclassed, but it's also not his role at all to go against the elite ruckmen of the comp. Didn't really get a chance at all to show any forward craft but the first few minutes he actually was looking really solid down there. Definitely seems to be ahead of Comben for the 2nd KPF role on this game though.
Goldstein - If Polec wasn't best on ground then Goldy was. Interestingly he started on the pink team, the only absolutely best 22 guy for mine to do so and his mere presence against Xerri and then CCJ made the pink midfield at least equal if not superior to the Blues, switched to the Blue team for the 2nd quarter and they really dominated on the back of him, he probably had the most clearances on the ground and must have had mid to high teens on the HOtA as well, as mentioned it just wasn't a fair matchup and the funniest part is he seemed to almost be going easy on CCJ at times. Looked outstanding though.
McKay - Was huge in the first half when he basically didn't have a man, just zoned off, reckon he had a half dozen intercept marks in the first half. A lot quieter in the 2nd half when he had a man and higher quality I50 but looks in ripping touch. Could be a sneaky draft league play as definitely seemed to be the main intercept player.
Powell - I struggled massively to work out his position, Blue team and I think started HF and then floated around, 2nd half he went on ball and had some rotations but was a long way down the list, probably the fewest of any that got some to my eye. Played well with what he did but he wasn't prolific at all.
Curtis - He was really solid, did some really nice things on the weaker side. Pink team probably an indication but I think he's got the tools to pressure for a round 1 spot. Small forward with shaky job security would make him a worst case scenario pick personally but he is strong with his pressure work and that's always a good starting point.
Thomas - The other player in the running for best on, so prolific. Started CB for most of the game, was Blue team to start and would take CB before floating to a high half forward role, was just toying with everyone and his confidence level looked amazing. Great link-up running work with a solid half dozen 1-2 plays throughout the game, kicking was excellent, defensive work also very good. Switched to the pink side at HT for the balance and just continued on his merry way. Loved what I saw, role was perfect and possibly even better than expected and just looks in ripping nick. Big tick for a guy I already had all but locked in.
Bergman - He was really solid, especially 2nd half where he built nicely. Not going to play early as needs a couple of big preseasons but showed plenty.
Turner - Lockdown defender for the Blue team early and then pink team when that became the first team defense. No fantasy value here but will hold a spot down I reckon.
Phillips - I don't know how to read his game. Started in the pink team and alongside Goldy was probably the only guy I'd have as a best 22 guy on that team, not sure whether to read it as I'm wrong on best 22 or they wanted him there butting heads with their best mids to balance and give him maximum exposure. Either way he was probably the best mid after JHF and Thomas in the clearances, especially when he had the benefit of Goldy feeding him, tackling was excellent. Switched to the Blue team when it was balanced out (Blue remained the stronger midfield throughout) and was even better. Rate him so highly, going to be really interesting how they get him the minutes he needs in midfield. I don't think I can pick him in fantasy, it's kind of similar to Tom Green for mine, I think he's probably their best inside midfielder already but he has to displace a couple of their most senior guys to get that role so I think he's going to end up just outside the mix and play in roles he's not good at instead.
My first 10ked write up for the season 
Comben - Started on the pink side as their only real KPF, actually did some decent things up the ground on the lead. Moved to the Blue forwards (best) in 2nd half and did a couple more nice things. Really hard to read this one as CCJ not being forward meant he got more chances I think but also meant CCJ had no chance to show if he's the forward. Watching them though I don't think they can realistically play Larkey, Comben and CCJ forward and that's before considering Xerri who is also in that mix somewhere. None of them show basically anything at ground level or defensively and none of the first 3 can ruck at a level that you justify giving up a bit on the ground for that 2nd ruck dominance, based on how Goldy handled him, CCJ would be just about the worst 2nd ruck in the league and he's ahead of Comben in that area. Comben definitely could get games but I can't see the spot right now and the JS couldn't be great.
Goater - Liked what he showed. 2nd team all day though but has some nice confidence by foot. Long term he replaces the Hall/Ziebell guys though.
Edwards - Came on to ruck in the 4th, not sure if he played at all prior to that. Has several years in a gym ahead of him but exciting leap on him and had the only couple of CB contests that Goldy didn't win in that quarter so that as good. For mine he already seems to be ahead of all but Xerri as a ruckman. Not expecting him to play though, will get monstered around the ground where he can't leap.
Lazzaro - Was in the guts all game for the 2nd unit and gave a good account of himself. Similar to Phillips I don't know whether to read his position as a good or bad sign, seemed to attempt to be accountable to Simpkin at most stoppages also that I noticed.
Hayden - Started pink defense, replaced Hall after he went off, so probably the next in line of the guys playing today for HB spots.
Xerri - Unfortunately was knocked out in the collision with McDonald in Q1 so didn't get a chance to really see anything from him, Goldy had won the first few contests but he was definitely looking to compete. Interesting he started on the Blue team, hard to believe they don't see Goldy as best 22 so to me I read more that Goldy was there to keep pink midfield competitive and to give Xerri a chance to work with the first team but you definitely could read it as Xerri being the #1, would be really hard to not pick him if he was except that Goldy would be there looming. I would think he should the leader for the 2nd ruck spot though if they go that path, again we didn't get to see him forward at all to get any idea how he looked there, his injury really annoying for trying to work out any kind of order or structural preference North might have.
Perez - Didn't play but confirmed still in recovery which pretty much rules him out I'd think as a starting pick.
Ford - Did some really nice things, pressure was top notch, same role as Mahony/Taylor played for the other side, I thought his Q1 was better than Mahony but Mahony's H1 was better overall. Kept working but did fade out of the game later on a bit. I definitely missed some of his work as they've got a few guys who look very similar and it was hard to tell who was who quite often. Definitely in the mix. Wouldn't be fantasy relevant at his price though.
Hall - As covered previously, absolutely prolific prior to the hamstring. Reports seem to be on the minor end but hard to start him on the back of that with the McDonald/Corr questions to level of impact on his scoring thrown in. He looked so good though prior to it.
Zurhaar - Looks noticeably slimmer, was playing a lot higher up the ground which I think is a good thing for the team. Still needs more consistent defensive efforts, I love when he tries to kill people but needs to do it more often, definitely could have a sneaky good season but I can't see any mid time to really round off above the mid 80s. Will be sneaky good for draft leagues though I reckon.
Comben - Started on the pink side as their only real KPF, actually did some decent things up the ground on the lead. Moved to the Blue forwards (best) in 2nd half and did a couple more nice things. Really hard to read this one as CCJ not being forward meant he got more chances I think but also meant CCJ had no chance to show if he's the forward. Watching them though I don't think they can realistically play Larkey, Comben and CCJ forward and that's before considering Xerri who is also in that mix somewhere. None of them show basically anything at ground level or defensively and none of the first 3 can ruck at a level that you justify giving up a bit on the ground for that 2nd ruck dominance, based on how Goldy handled him, CCJ would be just about the worst 2nd ruck in the league and he's ahead of Comben in that area. Comben definitely could get games but I can't see the spot right now and the JS couldn't be great.
Goater - Liked what he showed. 2nd team all day though but has some nice confidence by foot. Long term he replaces the Hall/Ziebell guys though.
Edwards - Came on to ruck in the 4th, not sure if he played at all prior to that. Has several years in a gym ahead of him but exciting leap on him and had the only couple of CB contests that Goldy didn't win in that quarter so that as good. For mine he already seems to be ahead of all but Xerri as a ruckman. Not expecting him to play though, will get monstered around the ground where he can't leap.
Lazzaro - Was in the guts all game for the 2nd unit and gave a good account of himself. Similar to Phillips I don't know whether to read his position as a good or bad sign, seemed to attempt to be accountable to Simpkin at most stoppages also that I noticed.
Hayden - Started pink defense, replaced Hall after he went off, so probably the next in line of the guys playing today for HB spots.
Xerri - Unfortunately was knocked out in the collision with McDonald in Q1 so didn't get a chance to really see anything from him, Goldy had won the first few contests but he was definitely looking to compete. Interesting he started on the Blue team, hard to believe they don't see Goldy as best 22 so to me I read more that Goldy was there to keep pink midfield competitive and to give Xerri a chance to work with the first team but you definitely could read it as Xerri being the #1, would be really hard to not pick him if he was except that Goldy would be there looming. I would think he should the leader for the 2nd ruck spot though if they go that path, again we didn't get to see him forward at all to get any idea how he looked there, his injury really annoying for trying to work out any kind of order or structural preference North might have.
Perez - Didn't play but confirmed still in recovery which pretty much rules him out I'd think as a starting pick.
Ford - Did some really nice things, pressure was top notch, same role as Mahony/Taylor played for the other side, I thought his Q1 was better than Mahony but Mahony's H1 was better overall. Kept working but did fade out of the game later on a bit. I definitely missed some of his work as they've got a few guys who look very similar and it was hard to tell who was who quite often. Definitely in the mix. Wouldn't be fantasy relevant at his price though.
Hall - As covered previously, absolutely prolific prior to the hamstring. Reports seem to be on the minor end but hard to start him on the back of that with the McDonald/Corr questions to level of impact on his scoring thrown in. He looked so good though prior to it.
Zurhaar - Looks noticeably slimmer, was playing a lot higher up the ground which I think is a good thing for the team. Still needs more consistent defensive efforts, I love when he tries to kill people but needs to do it more often, definitely could have a sneaky good season but I can't see any mid time to really round off above the mid 80s. Will be sneaky good for draft leagues though I reckon.
I agree re the bye rds position. However from R10 last year when he struck form NM won three games, lost eight and one draw. Across the losses he ave 101 with a high score of 139. He also scored 135 in one of the wins. In many of those games Cunnington, LDU, Simpkin and Phillips played. Butters is being selected on breakout potential and that is a personal choice of coaches I guess. Heeney has a high ceiling however his scoring is influenced by role (variable) and injury (often). That rules him out for me.
