Introduction.
Unfortunately, the start time was much earlier than advertised, so I missed the early warm-ups, training drills, and the first quarter of match simulation. While I was there, I witnessed three 15-minute quarters, as well as a solid 30 minutes of run-throughs and fitness drills to end the session.
Participation.
Unlike Wednesday, where track numbers were limited, this time the majority of the new draftees were present, along with some VFL-listed players. Notable absentees included Langford, Redman, Parish, Davey, Cox, McKay, Ridley and Guelfi.
Method.
The ball moved around a lot with very few stoppages across the ground. Not as many long penetrating kicks, with short kicks preferred. There were plenty of handballs in the back half to generate run—sometimes too many. At times, the switch kick was utilised, though it wasn’t a prominent feature.
The “A” team’s forward press was very high up the ground, leaving a lot of space behind the last-line defender. Most of the time, it was Roberts playing the deepest role.
Standouts
- Draper
Easily the pick of the rucks, and in my view the “best on ground.” His leap and tap work were almost a standout, but the real highlight was his follow-up work around the ground. He “blew up” both Bryan and Goldstein on the spread, linking up around the ground and pushing forward hard to make defenders question their choice of matchup, this freed up Wright, Caddy and Jones on numerous occasions.
- Tsatas
His centre-bounce work was slick at ground level. He was quick to give off handballs and, at times, drew an opponent to himself, feeding Durham, who played more “outside” while Tsatas worked on the inside.
- Jones
Jones continued his strong form from Wednesday. He impressed in the air again today, playing as the third tall forward alongside Caddy and Wright. Of the trio, he pushed up the ground the most, consistently out marking his opponent one on one.
- Caddy
Dominant in the air, both one-on-one when there was space to work within, and two-on-two when he was able to time his run.
He spent more time closer to goal compared to the other key forwards.
- Shiel
Continues to impress with his defensive tackling and pressure. His timing in running from behind to receive and create overlap exceptional.
- Clarke
There’s plenty of dare in Clarke’s game. He looks to run with the ball or position himself as an option when he doesn’t have it. He was the primary choice for kick-ins for the “B” team, regularly running past after delivering by foot to carry the ball another 15–20 metres before going long. On one occasion, his eagerness to take the game on led to him running too far and conceding a free kick, but that didn’t deter him with his attacking mindset and continued to push forward.
- Gresham
Has a great sense of space and positioning. He could have been more involved if teammates had hit their targets when looking to him. He worked well with Kako in the forward third, the two ready to pounce when the ball was in their vicinity.
Other Notables
- Merrett
Spent most of his time at half-back, playing a kick or handball behind the play. He positioned himself in the corridor and was a key option for switching.
- Martin
Started at half-back but roamed freely once the ball was in motion. At stoppages, he positioned himself outside for the first receive by hand. His delivery to leading targets was hard to miss.
Positional Moves
• Setterfield played more “outside” than “inside,” even spending time on the wing.
• Menzie covered for Duursma on the other wing.
• Jones did not play on the wing.
• Perkins started in the midfield before moving as the deepest forward.
Last Thoughts
With just 22 days until the first organised practice match against the Western Bulldogs, it’s becoming clear that Shiel’s move to starting in the back half is both likely and exciting. Tsatas appears ready to be unleashed in the centre square to win his own ball, with Parish being eased back and Caldwell still building.
The backline seems a little light on height heading into the practice games, with Ridley, McKay, and Cox absent. This leaves Reid, Laverde, and Hayes as the primary options, alongside Redman, who may need to play taller.
That leaves just Baldwin and Hoare as both remain in contention for the last list spot, should Essendon decide to fill it.
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