Opinion 2025: PRESEASON TRAINING, MATCH SIM & GAME NOTES (Non Discussion)

KLo30

KLo30

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A thread to collect and archive preseason training, match simulation and preseason game notes & analysis.

USE THIS THREAD FOR DISCUSSION: https://supercoachscores.com/threads/2025-afl-supercoach-discussion.5357/page-83#post-1167386

Detailed personal observation, media releases and other sources are accepted. As usual, please quote the source if it's not your personal observaton.

This is a non discussion thread, please save discussion of players and roles to other dedicated threads. Non conforming posts will be deleted.

PRE SEASON GAMES AND SIMULATIONS

Indigenous All Stars game
Saturday, Feb 15
Fremantle v Indigenous All Stars, Optus Stadium, 7.30pm AEDT (4.30pm local) (broadcast on Fox/Kayo, tickets via Ticketmaster)

Unofficial match simulations
Saturday, Feb 15
Western Bulldogs v Essendon, Mission Whitten Oval, 2pm AEDT (streamed on Kayo, tickets sold out. Match format TBC)

Monday, Feb 17
West Coast v Richmond, Mineral Resources Park, 12.30pm AEDT (9.30am local) (broadcast on Fox/Kayo, free attendance. 3 x 25-min periods)
Geelong v Hawthorn, GMHBA Stadium, 2pm AEDT (streamed on Kayo, free attendance. 5 x 30-min periods)

Thursday, Feb 20
Gold Coast v Brisbane v Collingwood, People First Stadium, 6pm AEDT (5pm local) (details TBC by clubs)

Friday, Feb 21
Sydney v Greater Western Sydney, Tramway Oval, 10am AEDT (broadcast on Fox/Kayo, free attendance. Match format TBC)
Adelaide v Port Adelaide, Mount Barker, 5.30pm AEDT (5pm local) (streamed on Kayo, tickets subject to capacity. Match format TBC)

Saturday, Feb 22
Carlton v St Kilda, Ikon Park, 11am AEDT (streamed on Kayo, tickets subject to capacity. Match format TBC)
North Melbourne v Melbourne, Arden St, 11am AEDT (broadcast on Fox/Kayo, free attendance. 4 x 25-min quarters + game-specific simulations)


AAMI Community Series
Tuesday, Feb 25
Geelong v Essendon, GMHBA Stadium, 7:10pm AEDT

Wednesday, Feb 26
Richmond v Collingwood, Ikon Park, 7:10pm AEDT

Thursday, Feb 27
Hawthorn v Western Bulldogs, UTAS Stadium, 5:20pm AEDT
Brisbane v Adelaide, Brighton Homes Arena, 8:10pm AEDT (7.10pm local)

Friday, Feb 28
Greater Western Sydney v Carlton, Manuka Oval, 5:20pm AEDT
Gold Coast v Sydney, People First Stadium, 8:10pm AEDT (7.10pm local)

Saturday, Mar 1
St Kilda v Port Adelaide, RSEA Park, 3:10pm AEDT
West Coast v North Melbourne, Hands Oval (Bunbury), 6:10pm (AEDT (3.10pm local)

Sunday, Mar 2
Fremantle v Melbourne, Rushton Park (Mandurah), 6:10pm AEDT (3.10pm local)

All AAMI Community Series matches broadcast on Foxtel and Kayo.
Tickets available on February 5 at midday AEDT for club members and 3pm for general public. Members and kids go free (except for Richmond v Collingwood)
 
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KLo30

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Carlton track watch: Match sim gives away more Blues clubs as Sam Walsh pushes for a return
Sam Walsh put in the hard yards at Carlton training on Monday as he pushes hard in a bid to play next month. But it’s how the Blues lined up without him that really caught the eye.
Josh Barnes
January 27, 2025 - 12:10PM

Sam Walsh has powered through a big running session as Carlton sweated out lengthy match simulation on Monday.
As the mercury slid above 30 degrees, Walsh tested out his hamstring with a 90-minute session after a detailed warm-up as part of a rehab group that included Charlie Curnow and Jack Silvagni.
Walsh pinged his hamstring on Carlton’s return to training earlier this month and remains at least two weeks away from joining in full training but showed no signs of discomfort as he pushed through his fitness session.

Ruck Tom De Koning provided the only sour point of the match simulation when he appeared to injure an ankle when jumping for a mark, but he was not sent for scans with the club not concerned about any injury.
The Blues rotated the bibs through the match play but showed some potential signs of their set up to start 2025, with Zac Williams starting as the deepest forward in a front half that included Harry McKay, Elijah Hollands and Jesse Motlop.
That ‘Navy’ team featured Jagga Smith, who played as a high half-forward during the game.
Patrick Cripps and Adam Cerra waxed out of the centre, with Motlop thrown up into some stoppages as an X-factor.
Blake Acres played for the Navy side, wearing a fluoro cap to designate non-contact, and played the entire match after an off-season back injury.

In the Navy backline, with players on this team appearing to be majority first-choice, Jacob Weitering started alongside recruit Nick Haynes, Lachie Cowan and Adam Saad.
Uncapped tall Harry Lemmey was a threat up forward for the ‘Orange’ team while Matt Cottrell and Lachie Fogarty both found plenty of the ball.
Ollie Hollands played in defence for the orange team to start.
The Blues continue to train on with Liam McMahon, Denver Grainger-Barras, Matt Carroll and Sam Durdin and have yet to sign any played to their two vacant list spots.

PLAYERS WHO IMPRESSED
Adam Cerra – It’s been a near-faultless pre-season from Cerra after persistent soft tissue injuries last year. He had one poor turnover in defence but otherwise had the ball on a string in the midfield.
Elijah Hollands – In his second year at Carlton, Hollands looks locked in as a high half-forward and set up a shot at goal for Harry McKay before slotting one of his own. The goal came courtesy of a 50-metre penalty given away by his brother, Ollie.
Orazio Fantasia – Forgotten by some, Fantasia looks fit and had some nice touches in setting up play up forward. The Blues now have a logjam of half-forwards so Fantasia has some work to do to secure a spot this season.
 
Matt

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GWS Giants track watch: Young players steal the show as Toby Greene and Jake Stringer gel

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/...l/news-story/967b2adb5ae814ec43ad6f70114b9505

GWS had their first match simulation of 2025 on Monday, with plenty of young stars shining. Plus a glimpse of what a forward line looks like with both Jake Stringer and Toby Greene in attack.

Lachlan McKirdy

GWS Giants captain Toby Greene and new recruit Jake Stringer were among the notable goalscorers in the club’s first match simulation of the year, but several young players stole the show in their first pre-season hitout.

With multiple positions up for grabs after a slew of off-season departures, some fresh faces seriously impressed in the heat at Giants HQ on Monday morning.

Adam Kingsley and his coaching staff completely mixed the two sides with an even spread of talent across the two teams that contested two approximately 20-minute halves.

Four main Giants – Stephen Coniglio, Kieren Briggs, Toby Bedford and Finn Callaghan – weren’t involved in the match as they carefully managed their pre-season preparations.

Toby Greene was the only multiple goal-kicker in the match simulation. Picture: Phil Hillyard

The first centre bounce of the day threw up one noteworthy position change. James Leake, the first-round draft pick from 2023, was in attendance and matched up on Tom Green. After playing predominantly out of defence in the back end of the VFL season, it’s a sign of the added responsibility the teenager is set to be given.

Leake was alongside Harry Rowston, Josh Kelly and Nic Madden for one side, while Green, Xavier O’Halloran, Toby McMullin and Lachie Keeffe were on the other side.

In the forward line, Greene and Stringer were paired up together along with Jake Riccardi and Harvey Thomas. Down the other end of the field, the electric combination of Jesse Hogan, Aaron Cadman, Darcy Jones and Brent Daniels looked to create havoc.

Giants' intra-club match simulation teams

ORANGE TEAM

B: L. Aleer, H. Himmelberg, C. Idun

HB: C. Stone, L. Whitfield, J. Fonti

C: C. Angove, J. Kelly, R. Angwin

HF: J. Delana, C. Brown, B. Daniels

F: D. Jones, J. Hogan, A. Cadman

Foll: N. Madden, H. Rowston, J. Leake

Ollie Hannaford

WHITE TEAM

B: H. Montgomery, S. Taylor, J. Buckley

HB: J. Fahey, H. Oliver, J. Wehr

C: P. Gothard, X. O’Halloran, C. Ward

HF: N. Wardius, T. Greene, H. Thomas

F: J. Stringer, J. Riccardi, M. Gruzewski

Foll: L. Keeffe, T. Green, T. McMullin

Jack Ough

VETERANS LEAD THE WAY

Stringer was one of the first players to have a real impact on the match, generating some nice movement to get on the end of a pass from Riccardi to mark in the left pocket. The former Bomber snapped well to kick the first goal of the simulation, a moment that wasn’t lost on his teammates.

Stringer and Greene worked well in tandem, moving into space and creating separation for each other where possible. Riccardi was also then able to fill in those pockets and take some strong marks.

Stringer had an immediate impact, kicking the first goal of the match simulation. Picture: Phil Hillyard

While Stringer didn’t have as much of an impact for the rest of the match, Greene also got in on the act to kick two goals after taking some contested marks directly in front of goal.

Hogan also had one nice conversion down the other end, with the Coleman Medallist an imposing figure and dominating in his match-up on Jack Buckley.

SPEED AND PRESSURE

The orange tsunami was alive and well in the Giants’ first match simulation as Adam Kingsley’s smalls put on a clinic when it came to their forward pressure.

Jones yet again led the way, creating some turnovers on the back of his awareness and ability to close down space, while Thomas got on the scoreboard after earning a holding-the-ball decision in the forward 50.

However, one name who really impressed in this regard was Western Australian youngster, Cody Angove. Playing predominantly on the wing, Angove wasn’t afraid to get forward and ensured the defence had no time to easily get the ball out of their half.

The 24th pick in last year’s draft will be one to watch as the club looks to replace Isaac Cumming on the wing, and he isn’t lacking confidence either. Running through on goal in the second half, despite having a wide-open Hogan alongside him, the teenager was happy to take the shot on himself.

Cody Angove is firming as one of the best prospects for the vacant wing spot. Picture: Phil Hillyard

YOUNG GUNS

Cumming isn’t the only player that needs replacing following Harry Perryman and James Peatling’s departure. And there was a consensus pick on the sidelines of which player was the most impressive on Monday morning.

Harry Rowston was a clearance machine out of the midfield, while also displaying some fantastic ball use further up the field. His ability to find the ball cleanly out of the contest is what set him apart, adding a goal and several big tackles to his game also.

Toby McMullin was another around the midfield that looks to have taken a big step up this pre-season. Sporting a fresh buzz cut, the third-year has eyed off a midfield spot and he’ll be strongly contesting with the likes of Xavier O’Halloran

Thomas was another who looked spritely in his new No. 1 guernsey, darting around the forward line and looking to impact the play wherever possible. Stringer’s arrival may impact his playing time in 2025, but he’s not wanting to leave any stone unturned.

Phoenix Gothard received a big wrap from his coach last week and playing off the wing and along half-forward, the teenager put together a good body of work across the ground. Showcased good decision making and a strong turn of pace.

Joe Fonti was the other youngster who caught the eye, with his dash off halfback and some fantastic field kicking setting up some counterattacking opportunities for his teammates.

THREE PLAYERS WHO IMPRESSED

BRENT DANIELS

Coming off a career-best year which included a place in the 44-man All-Australian squad, Daniels looked even quicker around the stoppages and a step ahead of his teammates. His ability to be in the right place whenever the ball hits the ground is such an advantage in what is going to be an incredibly dangerous forward line.

JAMES LEAKE

There have been big wraps on James Leake for the past six months, however, the fact he was played through the midfield is a fantastic sign for his development. He combined really nicely with Rowston and Kelly, used the ball well and importantly was a nuisance for Green who didn’t get free for much of the simulation. The Tasmanian’s stocks continue to rise.

JOSAIA DELANA

The rookie listed local product is making the most of every opportunity and had the highlight moment of the match simulation. Running towards his forward 50, Delana sold some candy, took a bounce and then converted beautifully from about 35 metres out. His family happened to be in attendance for the match, and he made sure to treat them with a celebration in the pocket which we might eventually see at AFL level.
 
Matt

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Sydney track watch: All the match sim standouts as Chad and Corey Warner involved in heated exchange

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/...e/news-story/ba39fe1dc44cfac3c1e745e5c5f8a161

There was no love lost in Sydney on Friday with coach Dean Cox forced to step in when tensions boiled over during match-sim. And it wasn’t the only eye-catching moment of the heated session.

Lachlan McKirdy

January 24, 2025 - 5:42PM

Tom McCartin has led the way in a new-look Swans forward line as last year’s minor premiers played a physical four-quarter match simulation on Friday morning, which saw the Warner brothers involved in a very heated exchange.

There was no love lost as the side completed four 10-minute terms, with big bumps and heavy tackles all across Tramway Oval.

Several big names including Brodie Grundy, Logan McDonald and Hayden McLean weren’t involved in the matchplay as their loads were managed, while Taylor Adams also was not involved.

From the very first bounce, it was clear that this would be a fierce internal battle as Callum Mills, Isaac Heeney and James Rowbottom lined up for the red ‘first’ team. Opposing them were Justin McInerney, James Jordon and Angus Sheldrick. Will Green played predominantly as the ruck for the red side with no strong opponent,

At first glimpse, a couple of players have clearly started the year strong and earned first crack under Dean Cox.

One of those is former Saint Ben Paton who played off the halfback line for the first two quarters in the main side alongside Matty Roberts. They completed a defence that saw Lewis Melican as the main key defender, alongside Dane Rampe, Nick Blakey and Harry Cunningham.

Further up the field, Tom McCartin cut an imposing figure in the goalsquare, playing as the deepest lying forward and looking to crash the pack wherever possible. Joel Amartey played slightly further ahead of him, with the pair complimented by the likes of Tom Papley, Will Hayward and the impressive Caiden Cleary.

In-demand star Chad Warner started the game in the forward line but rotated in the midfield throughout the match simulation.

Swans 'main' team for first half of match simulation

B: N.Blakey, L.Melican, H.Cunningham
HB: B.Paton, D.Rampe, M.Roberts
C: E.Gulden, C.Mills, J.Lloyd
HF: Ch.Warner, W.Hayward, T.Papley
F: J.Amartey, T.McCartin, C.Cleary
Foll: W.Green, I.Heeney, J.Rowbottom

IN THE ACTION

From the first bounce, the main side’s intent was clear, as Mills, Rowbottom, and Heeney worked well in tandem in the midfield. They regularly found their way into space, either releasing Errol Gulden on the wing or looking to get the ball quickly inside 50.

McCartin was the key beneficiary early, kicking the first two goals of the simulation, including a great conversion from about 40 metres out in the left pocket.

Gulden’s footy IQ was also on display as his field kicking was a class above on the day, with the winger always looking to switch the ball across the field.

Papley chimed in for a smartly-taken goal in the first term with the small forward looking as energetic as ever. At one point early in the second term, he came to the sidelines having popped one of his fingers out while attempting to mark a ball, but was back on the field five minutes later.

Major changes were made to the sides for the last two terms, including flipping Gulden and Warner around, while Braeden Campbell was brought in on managed minutes.

BROTHERS GET PHYSICAL

The biggest flash point of the game occurred between the two Warner brothers.

As Corey Warner attempted to regather the ball on the wing, his brother, Chad, laid him out on the ground with a massive hip and shoulder. The collision was noticed by plenty on the sidelines, but most continued to watch the play.

However, Corey immediately got up to remonstrate with his older brother, forcing Dean Cox and the umpires to come in and intervene. Jumpers were pulled and they were both happy to get in each other’s face, but that’s where it ended.

While there was zero malice in either incident, it’s a good indication the mongrel the Swans require this season has well and truly arrived.

PLAYERS ON THE RISE

From the opposing side, Jack Buller was a standout looking to put his injury troubles behind him. While he didn’t have much impact on the scoreboard, he was a nuisance for Melican and Rampe, constantly bringing the ball to ground.

Sam Wicks is a player who fell out of favour at the backend of 2024, and he has been flipped around in 2025. The Academy product was predominantly playing off halfback, as they look to use his speed and tackle pressure out of defence.

Young draftee Ned Bowman was another to make the most of his chances, taking a strong mark in the forward pocket in the second term before slotting the goal from a tight angle, much to the delight of his teammates. The South Australian forward is a raw product but full of potential if he can continue producing moments of quality.

Green has also clearly cemented his place as the back-up ruckman to Brodie Grundy, and it’s not hard to see why. He took a big contested mark on the wing, but his groundwork and ability to use the ball is a key feature of the game.

PLAYERS WHO IMPRESSED

Callum Mills

Mills was incredibly strong around the centre bounces and looks to be the piece of the puzzle the Swans were missing in 2024. What stood out was how tidy he was using the ball by hand and foot. After winning the contested ball, he looked to have a bit more time than everyone else and that turned into really efficient ball use. He also linked up nicely with his other midfielders, in particular, Heeney and Rowbottom who are likely to be the main pair around the centre bounces.

Ben Paton

Paton is still building his connections with many of the Swans players but it’s easy to see why he’s impressed early in his career in the red and white. His positioning was strong on the halfback flank and he was linking up well with his teammates as the game went on. His best moment of the day came late when he made a strong run off halfback, received a handball from Heeney and converted on the run from the arc. It looks to be between him and Ollie Florent for that spot on the halfback line, with the pair switching at half-time.

Caiden Cleary

With an emphasis on defence across the field, Cleary created some strong attacking opportunities on the back of his forward pressure. He was relentless with his running and is incredibly hard to tackle. Will certainly get some more game time in 2025.

Angus Sheldrick

Sheldrick had plenty of eye-catching moments as he looked to win the contested ball at the stoppage. While he sometimes lacked the cutting edge in linking up with some of his teammates, it’s a positive sign that the WA boy was looking so comfortable at the contest. He came into his own in the final term with some impressive decision making and field kicking.

YOUNG GUN IN RACE AGAINST THE CLOCK

Logan McDonald is facing a race against the clock to be fit for the Swans’ opening round clash against Hawthorn with the key forward still battling his ankle injury from 2024.

McDonald injured his ankle during the Swans’ impressive preliminary final win against Port Adelaide before passing a fitness test to play in the grand final against Brisbane.

Unfortunately, the decision backfired with McDonald subbed out of the game at halftime and not having any impact on the game.

The medial ankle sprain eventually required surgery which he underwent in October, however, the 22-year-old’s return date is still under a cloud. With only six weeks until Sydney’s first game of the year, it would take a quick turnaround for McDonald to be ready to line-up against the Hawks at the SCG.

He was a keen observer at training on Friday morning where the Swans played a four-quarter match simulation, with no visible strapping or moon boot on his foot.

However, the club has confirmed that the recovery is taking much longer than expected.

“Logan’s progress from his ankle injury has slowed a bit, unfortunately,” Sydney’s general manager of football Leon Cameron said.

“His rehabilitation from the post-season surgery has had its challenges and has been slower than we would like.

“He will continue to build up his gym and cardio work while he strengthens his ankle.”

The Swans have already signalled some changes to their forward line in Dean Cox’s first year in charge, with Tom McCartin making the move up the ground.

While he has spent the last few years as one of their main key defenders, McCartin was initially drafted as a forward out of Geelong. He recaptured some of that form in the early pre-season hit out, kicking the first two goals of the match simulation and linking up well with Sydney’s midfielders.

McDonald kicked a career-best 37 goals for the Swans in 26 matches last season, finishing as the club’s third-highest goal-kicker.
 
KLo30

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GIANTS Track Watch: First Match Sim Takeaways
Hear who shone as the club took part in its first match sim of the pre-season.
By GIANTS Media
1 hr ago

Young guns fire, regular stars shine, and the package delivers early as the GIANTS ramped up their pre-season preparations with their first official match simulation on Monday.
Playing two 15-minute periods in the searing Sydney summer heat, Adam Kingsley’s men were split into two equally talented sides, with the likes of Toby Greene, Tom Green and Jake Stringer headlining the white team, while Jesse Hogan, Lachie Whitfield and Josh Kelly led the orange side.
Providing the first real look at a host of the GIANTS’ new draftees, as well as former Bomber Stringer, the intense hit-out also featured mouthwatering match-ups on every line, with the battle between Hogan and Jack Buckley a highlight, as well as that between All-Australian defender Sam Taylor and emerging star forward Aaron Cadman.
DARING DRAFTEE
Following the opening bounce it was new draftee Cody Angove who first caught the eye with some silky play from the wing as the 18-year-old West Australian burst past a would-be tackler and took a running bounce just seconds into the match sim in a strong first impression.
Taken with pick 24 in last year’s draft, Angove is a 182 cm utility who lined up on the wing and looked every bit comfortable at the elite level in Monday’s match sim.
THE PACKAGE DELIVERS
One of the most talked about recruits of the summer soon followed with immediate impact, with Stringer marking on the lead inside 50 ahead of a close-checking Conor Idun before calmly snapping truly with a nice goal inside the first two minutes of play.

While he was well held by Idun for most of the two periods, Stringer’s talent and strong work rate was evident as the dynamic forward continues to settle into his new colours ahead of the 2025 season.
YOUNG GUNS FIRE
Others to make strong impressions in the club’s first proper hit-out were a host of emerging youngsters, with Harvey Thomas, Harry Rowston, Joe Fonti, Toby McMullin and James Leake all either starring or having strong moments to show they’re primed to have an impact in the 2025 AFL season.
Thomas in particular was as classy as ever with ball in hand and continued to apply manic pressure on the opposition, Fonti was extremely poised off half-back as he looks to add to his five games from last season, while Rowston, McMullin and Leake were some of the best players on the ground as the young trio look to become regular pieces of the GIANTS’ midfield this season.
TOBY AND JESSE DO THEIR THING
While the kids were doing their best to put their names in contention for a spot come opening round, some of the club’s more experienced players were quick to show everyone that they’ve still got plenty left in the tank, with superstars Hogan and Greene both kicking multiple goals and handing a number of others off in strong displays from the forward pair.
Hogan in particular looked every bit the player that dominated the competition last year with a 77-goal Coleman Medal year, with the 29-year-old ominous in the air across the ground despite some brilliant defensive efforts from star defender Buckley.
DANCING DARCY
Darcy Jones was another who caught the eye with some now trademark moves as he danced his way around opponents on numerous occasions to show that he’s primed to take his game to another level after making 14 appearances last year following his starring debut in round seven.

RICCA ROARS
Another to make a strong impression throughout the match sim was Jake Riccardi, with the tall forward moving well and taking several strong marks to stake his claims for a spot up forward in the GIANTS’ best side after missing the last part of the season with a broken finger.
DAZZLING DELANA
In a tough and contested hit-out there was one final piece of brilliance at GIANTS HQ on Monday morning, with speedy draftee Josaia Delana selling candy to perfection with a brilliant sidestep 50m out before finishing with a classy running goal to the delight of excited family members in attendance.

With the first match sim of the summer out of the way, the GIANTS will continue to increase their preparations in the coming weeks ahead of their opening round blockbuster with the Magpies at ENGIE Stadium on Sunday, March 9.
Match Sim Goal Scorers:
Orange: Hogan 2, Rowston, Jones, Delana
White: Greene 2, Stringer, Thomas
 
KLo30

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Three things we saw at Friday’s match sim
Here are three things we saw from Friday’s match simulation
By fremantlefc.com.au
3 days ago

Here are three things we saw from Friday's match simulation:
1. No Problem for Moose
Despite undergoing multiple forearm surgeries at the end of the 2024 season for the fracture sustained in Round 15 against the Suns, the captain looked right at home and in command during Friday’s match simulation. The key defender appeared strong and unfazed by his previous injury, winning multiple duels, and even acting as a reliable distribution outlet from the backline.The 29-year-old’s voice resonated from the sidelines as he directed traffic and provided instructions to his team. Entering his third season as the Club’s captain, "Moose" is looking fit and firing ahead of 2025.

2. Midfield Battle
The midfield contest is shaping up as one of the most intriguing battlegrounds this pre-season. Neil Erasmus, Nathan O’Driscoll, Matthew Johnson and Will Brodie all impressed, consistently finding the ball and making an impact around stoppages. When you add big names like Andrew Brayshaw, Hayden Young, Caleb Serong, Nat Fyfe and Jaeger O’Meara into the mix, the competition for midfield rotation spots ahead of Round 1 is bound to heat up.

3. Communication from Leaders
It wasn’t just captain Alex Pearce’s voice making an impact on Friday. Emerging leaders such as Josh Treacy and Jordan Clark were frequently seen and heard communicating with teammates, troubleshooting situations, and discussing strategies for future scenarios. Luke Ryan patrolled the defensive 50, delivering instructions even when the ball was well and truly up the ground. Meanwhile 186-game veteran O’Meara worked hard between the arcs and was a clear and steady voice around stoppages on the wing.

The vocal presence of these leaders (and others) is a promising sign, offering younger players and new recruits plenty of match-like learnings as the countdown continues to Round 1.
After a challenging week in hot conditions, the players will enjoy a well-deserved four-day break early next week.
 
KLo30

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Training report: Great signs in Eagles game play
The players put their skills to the test in today’s match simulation
By westcoasteagles.com.au
3 days ago

Gotta’ love some game play
With the sun beating down on today’s session at Mineral Resources Park, hats, sunscreen and zinc were in high demand. After a standard warmup, followed by some tackling and skill execution drills, the team parted into two groups for two 20-minute halves of match simulation. As the 2025 season fast approaches, it’s exciting to see how the team is coming along, putting their hard work into action.

Whopper watch
It was a joy to see loveable larrikin Harvey ‘Whop’ Johnston participating in the match sim today. The second-year Eagle injured his elbow in November, which saw him confined to an arm brace for months. The youngster, who played six AFL games in his first year in the blue and gold, took a nice mark at the top of the square and slotted through a goal.

Hewett is heating up
After suffering foot problems for the entire 2024 season, no one is more enthusiastic about pre-season and match sim than Elijah Hewett. The dynamic midfielder was leading the way in running, drills and game play, and the young gun is amping up for a big season ahead.

Reid-ing the play
Archer Reid continues to impress this pre-season and was a standout in the game play. He positioned himself well in the forward line, used his big frame to make space on his opponent, and looked agile on the run. The 19-year-old took a strong mark on centre-wing, before sprinting to the goal square, taking another great grab, and converting the goal.

Tom looking tip-top
Young recruit Tom Gross showed plenty of fight in today’s session. The 18-year-old Oakleigh Chargers product had no trouble getting his hands on the ball, and really made the most of his opportunities. He delivered strong tackles, and kicked a lovely goal, looking effortless and natural with ball in hand.
Yeo under injury cloud
Unfortunately, midfield bull Elliot Yeo left the field during the second half of the match sim after getting pinned in a tackle. He will be sent for scans on his knee and ankle, with further details to come.
 
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