ill start a thread with my observations from six training sessions I saw when I get a chance, but seeing quite a few seem interested in how the new kids are going here's a quick summary of the recruits I haven't already covered until I get a chance to post more detailed info:
Switowski had a severe hamstring injury which ended his year last season. To build strength in the hamstring he has been running and running and running laps in every session I've seen without any ball work. Makes Forrest Gump look lazy. He has put on a bit of muscle since been drafted as well.
Meeks is huge for a nineteen year old. His kicking is also surprisingly good, Low and flat with good distance. Spoke to his dad while watching. He said he is loving life in Perth and learning a lot from Sandy. Speaking of Sandy, Meeks has needed ice on his shoulder twice in sessions after just bumping into Sandy doing normal ruck work. Meeks has an impressive leap as well.
Jones is also as advertised. A massive unit he has also focussed on building strength and conditioning. Has lost a bit of weight already. His ruck work looks good and is far from a bad kick as well.
Giro is the original energiser battery. Runs all day and has electric pace, but is very slight. Looks a terrific long term prospect to develop on the rookie list while he builds size. Foot skills are pretty good already. I got told he is already one of the better endurance runners at the club too.
Bailey Banfield is huge for a midfielder. Does well in clearances and has better pace than advertised. He is very left footed though and his kicks have a bit of a left footed Barlow loop to them. Has an amazing leap. Watched him spoil Sandy in a marking drill which showed his elite testing in the jumping tests at the State Combine was no fluke. I could see him play as an accountable mid (the traditional tagging position doesn't exist anymore in my view) who can push forward and take marks close to goal with his leap.
Wilson is also impressive. Doent miss a kick and shows great pace. Is slighter than I thought though.
Matera looks a gun. He came to training two weeks earlier than he had to and already looks a lot fitter than he was on arrival according to a training watcher who doesn't miss a session. Finished mid range in the 2km race in early Jan, which is a good result for a player with queries over his fitness. Last Friday I went to training and he kicked two brilliant goals from angles 45metres out in a minute. His kicking is better than I thought. Im really excited by what he provides. Two goals a game from him seems very possible as he was performing at that level at Gold Coast in 2017 until his year was derailed by injury.
Anyway, for those interested In more info on the recruits Ive briefly covered Crowden, North, Brayshaw, Cerra and Dixon in earlier posts in this thread.
I will start a new thread covering the preseason training when I get a chance. Should be working now. For what its is worth they have been practicing playing without a player behind the ball in all of the match simulation stuff Ive seen. Perhaps that means we will be playing a six man forward line more in 2018. I hope so.
