Main Menu

Swans preseason 2012

Started by j959, November 10, 2011, 07:45:08 PM

Previous topic - Next topic

j959

ok, they're off ...


New faces to drive Swans push - from afl.com.au
[Edited - emphasis added]

THE SYDNEY Swans' younger brigade commenced pre-season training on Thursday and coach John Longmire was keen to emphasise the enormous amount of work required if the club is to push closer to the top four in 2012.

Irishman Tommy Walsh, former Richmond and West Coast forward Mitch Morton and defender Tony Armstrong from Adelaide all came on board during AFL Trade Week, with the latter taking part in a 3km time trial at Sydney's Centennial Park on Thursday.

Morton didn't run as he battles a leg infection, while Walsh stood out after playing for Ireland in the International Rules Series.

All other first-, second- and third-year players on the list ran in the time trial, with the veterans to begin their pre-seasons over the next fortnight.

Young rookie listed prospect Eugene Kruger again showed his running ability on Thursday, taking out the time trial for the second straight year.

Nathan Gordon, who has been promoted to the senior list after playing two games in 2011, finished second, ahead of the surprise packet, second year key defender Alex Johnson.

Dan Hannebery showed his natural athleticism, coming in fourth just a week after returning to the track following off-season shoulder surgery.

One player Longmire was keen to have in the group is Walsh, who is coming off a starring role for his native Ireland in its comprehensive victory in the International Rules Series against Australia.

The Swans' coaching staff is hoping the big-bodied Irishman, who spent two years on St Kilda's list without breaking into the senior side, can provide some help for centre half-forward Sam Reid.

"I watched Tommy in the Ireland series and was just sitting there hoping he didn't get injured most of the time," Longmire said.

"I thought he did really well, he competed well. He still hasn't played a game of league football yet and he has a lot of development to go, but that's the exciting thing.

"We think he's got some really good improvement in him, even though there's some good signs at the moment."

Link to full article:
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/125984/default.aspx

TheMailman

Seems like a fairly typical preseason

I am much happier with this years new recruits than last years

j959

Players return in good shape - from Swans official AFL page, dated 10 Nov 2011
[Edited and emphasis added]

Rookie Eugene Kruger has again led the pack in the first 3km time trial of the pre-season with senior players Alex Johnson, Nathan Gordon and Luke Parker also impressive performers.

Kruger broke away from Gordon and Johnson in the second lap of the 1.5km course but the pair came back at him in the last part of the race and they all crossed one second apart - Kruger followed by Gordon and then Johnson.

All three ran the cross country course in Centennial Park in under 10 minutes, with Johnson smashing his personal best over the distance by 16 seconds. Kruger and Gordon were just outside their personal bests, but have plenty of time to better themselves over the pre-season.

Johnson’s run was a fantastic performance for a player with his physique - he is 193cms - and was proof he had not rested on his laurels in the break after playing 20 senior games this year.

Coach John Longmire said it was a good effort from most of the players, with Johnson one of the standouts.

“Alex Johnson played 20 games last year as a young kid and he’s come back and run really well first up. But different players are at different stages of their rehab and pre-season campaigns. A few of them ran well and a few of them have a bit of work to do,’’ Longmire said.

Dan Hannebery, who only started his off-season running program last week after shoulder surgery in September, also ran strongly to finish fourth.

“Dan is a natural athlete who prepares himself like a real pro. He is one of those you never have to worry about,’’ Longmire said.

Hannebery was happy enough with his run but will be pushing to get back in the top three in the next 3km time trial.

The club’s Elite Performance Coach, Rob Spurrs, sets programs for all the players to do in their break with the aim that they return for the start of pre-season in strong condition.

“They generally presented themselves in a good state today,’’ Spurrs said.

Apart from Alex Johnson’s 16 second PB, midfielder Luke Parker also showed he had worked hard in the six week break when he ran a PB today.

Trent Dennis-Lane impressed too and was only a few seconds away from the PB he set much later in the pre-season last year.

Players with one to three years AFL experience returned to the Club today, and the older players will return progressively over the next two weeks.

The young players will continue their pre-season tomorrow with upper body weights, and there’s no rest on Saturday as they do another session.


Link to full article:
http://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/7106/newsid/126003/default.asp

SydneyRox

I am loving the Swans TV Efforts this year. a new video almost every day to keep up with how the boys are going!

New recruits looking very sharp!

Cant wait!!

Cicjose

I have at times considered Kruger for my DT

SydneyRox

really?i think he might struggle for a game, but you can lock and load walsh and rohan!!

Cicjose

Kruger is doing all the right things on the track whether he can break into the side is another matter

but he is the most gifted athlete at the club going by this and last preseason

j959

Quote from: SydneyRox on December 10, 2011, 02:44:36 AM
really?i think he might struggle for a game, but you can lock and load walsh and rohan!!
everyone knows about Walsh but "ssshhh!" about Rohan SydRox!   ;)

j959

ok, bit more pre-season fluff ... AFL.com.au's pre-season snap shot - don't read the whole thing, have bolded and underlined where think appropriate ...

Up skilling
from: afl.com.au - dated 29 Dec 2011

During the Christmas/New Year break, AFL.com.au looks at each club and how they're tracking for the 2011 pre-season

Introduction
The Swans had a staggered return to pre-season training, starting with the first-to-third year players on November 10.  The rest then joined in over the following fortnight, with the veterans the last to begin their campaigns. There was a key early focus on running, with a number of 3km trials held at Centennial Park. But there has been an even bigger off-season emphasis - skill work. The key area of improvement targeted by coach John Longmire for 2012, the Swans have already done more skill work than ever before at this stage of the year.

Medical room
The players are in good shape at this stage, with minimal interruptions due to injuries or off-season surgery. Dan Hannebery had surgery on his troublesome shoulder straight after the season and hasn't missed any training. The likes of Nick Malceski and Craig Bird, who have long histories with injury, are also trouble-free at this stage. Mitch Morton picked up a leg infection after some kickboxing training in Thailand, but has recovered. Draftee Alex Brown had a hip cleanout just before arriving in Sydney and is having a modified return to training.

Summer superstar
Typically, the Swans are loath to lavish too much praise on individuals. But young defender Alex Johnson is one that continues to impress the coaching staff. After 20 games in his rookie season in 2011, including two finals, the teenager is primed for 2012 following some standout performances in the Swans' time trials. Another who has caught the eye is defender Nick Smith. He has already taken his running and fitness to a new level.

Draftee watch
The Swans' young players were the first to return to training. Draft picks Tom Mitchell and Jordan Lockyer then joined them, before rookies Shane Biggs and Harry Cunningham did the same. Of that group, Mitchell would be considered the most AFL-ready. A tough midfielder who uses the ball well and boasts a terrific work ethic, Mitchell should slot in well with the Swans' other youngsters, such as Luke Parker, Gary Rohan and Alex Johnson.

Putting the feet up
The Swans commenced their Christmas/New Year break on December 21. They are then not required back at the club until January 4. During their time off, players receive individual programs they have to stick to. After the break, there will be an emphasis on combining the skill and fitness work and translating that into game-time situations in preparation for the new season.

Membership
Membership is a key issue in Sydney following the arrival of GWS. The Swans initially had a membership drive with the slogan of 'Get your blood pumping', but they have shifted focus and the main message now is under the banner of 'Sydney's Passion'. Memberships have passed 10,000, which is typical for this time of year. Chairman Richard Colless has set an ambitious target of 40,000 members over the next five years.

NAB Cup schedule
Round 1: Friday, February 24 v Geelong and St Kilda, Etihad Stadium.
Round 2: Saturday, March 3 v North Melbourne, Bruce Purser Stadium.
Round 3: Friday, March 9 v Essendon, Etihad Stadium.

What they say
"I know they don't give out spots in preliminary finals on a plate. It's really tough to play finals, let alone a preliminary final. We know we need to get better." - Swans coach John Longmire on their task ahead.

"We're happy that another team is in Sydney. We are the big brothers up here in Sydney. I've got two younger brothers and as a kid you always used to beat them at the games you play in the backyard." - Swans co-captain Adam Goodes on the entry of GWS in 2012.

"He hasn't got as long a deal as me, so I know what I’m doing for the next few years and he doesn't." - Sam Reid having a little tongue-in-cheek dig at his brother, Collingwood's Ben Reid, after the Swan signed a five-year contract extension.

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs

-------------------------------

Opinion: maybe just Morton and Hannebery on the radar, with Mitchell as a decent bargain based price rookie prospect.

Interestingly no word on Tommy Walsh or Tony Armstrong ...

j959

pre-season fluff but better than nought ...  ;)

Dan positive after surgery

from afl.com.au - dated 17 Jan 2012

YOUNG Sydney Swans midfielder Dan Hannebery felt he was just a couple of weeks away from reaching full fitness following last September's operation to repair his dislocated shoulder.

Unfortunately for Hannebery, his pre-season received another slight setback last week when he again had to go under the knife - this time to remove a loose piece of cartilage in his left knee.

Speaking to SwansTV, the 20-year old midfielder said last Friday's surgery went well and his goal is to returning to running in a few weeks, with intensive physio work in the interim.

"Everything went to plan, it was a pretty minor 'scope - just a little bit of a clean-up," Hannebery said.

"The first week I can't do a lot because the stitches are still in, so I've got to wait before I can get them out. You don't want to sweat too much and risk infection.

"It will be about two or three weeks before I can run and (after that) I won't be too far away from full training I don't think."

As with most situations, Hannebery will try and make the best of his time away from the training track by focusing on other facets of his game.

"You can focus on other areas that you probably wouldn't be able to focus on if you're doing full training," he said.

"It might be upper body weights, it might be stability, you can eat a bit less and probably lose a couple of kilos so you come back a bit lighter, or watch a lot of vision with the coaches.

"You just try and take the few positives that you can out of it."

Hannebery was amongs the leading pack in all the Swans' time trials prior to Christmas, and like the rest of the group, had also been honing his skills before his minor knee operation.

The 52-gamer is confident he can pick up where he left off when given the all-clear to resume training, with the aim of playing as soon as possible.

"I was doing a lot of skill work and decision making (before the operation) … once I get back I'll just keep doing that," Hannebery said.

"Most guys are obviously [trying] to train every session as best as possible and then try and play round one of the NAB Cup and go from there.

"This just sets you back a few weeks in your running and your sole focus is getting that right, and once you get that right it's just finding a normal training pattern and then trying to play as soon as you can."

Link to article: http://www.afl.com.au/tabid/208/default.aspx?newsid=127953

SydneyRox

There was also more news squeaked out about Armstrong and Walsh, I reckon they are trying to play them down a little and keep some pressure off. Looking forward to the first run!!