Coming into this group and this midfield, we thought we needed to a lot of work on their fitness and work rate. They’ve done that, showing a real desire to work hard on the track and in the gym. We’ve introduced some new structures and that’s made them more accountable to their positions.
We’ve got a good core of midfielders like Boaky, Broadbent, Hartlett, Brad Ebert, McCarthy, O’Shea and a few others and they’re starting to really bond as a group and work well together. You look at all the great teams over the years, they’ve always had a midfield group that’s been together for a while, and that’s exciting for us.
The great thing is that we’ve got something like 20 players in the midfield group who will be looking to force their way into eight or nine spots, and they’re all fit. That pressure and competition is a healthy thing for the group and the club.
Related: [ Brad Gotch: The Backs ]
Josh Carr takes a look at Boak, Butcher, Cassisi, Brad Ebert, Gray, O’Shea, Rodan, Salopek and Thomas.
Shaun Rehn looks at Broadbent, Cornes, Curnow, Hartlett, Lobbe, McCarthy, Moore, Redden, Renouf and Paul Stewart.
Related: [ Dream Team: Mids & Rucks ]
Do you agree with the coaches' assessments? Have your say at the bottom of the article.
Josh Carr’s profiles
Travis Boak
He’s had a big pre-season, which he hasn’t had for a fair while. He’s always had niggles in the past, but the good thing for him is that he’s got a good fitness base. I’m looking forward to his year, without putting pressure on him. I think he can take the next step to being that week-in, week-out performer, and he’ll be vital for us as he’s able to play inside and out. His leadership has been something that’s really impressed me since I’ve come back.
Danny Butcher
Danny’s been ill over pre-season with pneumonia so that’s held him back quite a bit, but he’s back into full training now and he’ll just ease his way back into it for the remainder of pre-season. He just needs to get a bit more touch with the ball and then go back to North Adelaide and work on his game and hopefully push into the league side.
Dom Cassisi
Despite a little niggle a couple of weeks ago, he’s had a really consistent pre-season. I’d expect him to have a big year after having a bit of an interrupted season in 2011 because of his knee. He’s got a young group that he can lead and the players really look up to him.
Brad Ebert
He’s impressed me with his professionalism and how hard he trains, and I think that’s rubbed off on the other players. The boys are looking forward to playing a lot of football with him and he’s another who has great leadership qualities. His power running will be a great addition to our midfield. He’s got a great mix of height and speed and he’s going to add another dimension to the midfield.
Robbie Gray
He’s been able to get through a full pre-season and strip a bit of weight back and get his running ability up. That was one of the important things for us, if he wants to be able to play in the midfield he has to be able to get his running up. The fitness staff have been fantastic, not just with Robbie but with all the players, at pushing players right to their limit, without tipping them over the edge. His work rate has been fantastic and we’re hoping that he can get to another level in 2012.
Cam O’Shea
I can’t really fault Cam with the way he goes about his training. He works very hard and pushes himself to the absolute limits. Cam played 18 games in 2011 and he’ll be looking to build on that in 2012 by again cementing his place in the team. His running is obviously very good but he’s just got to keep working on his skills. He’s obviously played a bit down back in the past, but we think he can make the transition into the midfield, hopefully onto a wing. He showed last year with his running endurance and his big body that he can be an asset in the midfield.
David Rodan
The past two pre-seasons he’s injured his knee, so he’s got through this pre-season without injury. He’s been solid and he’s really started to stand out over the past few weeks since we’ve started playing some games. His stoppage work has been great and he’s another who adds a different dimension to the group. He’s been running really well and he’s got the confidence that he can back himself in on game day with a good pre-season under his belt.
Steven Salopek
Sal has had a big pre-season - his speed is up and in all the testing he’s showed that he’s improved in a lot of areas. He’s worked closely with me on his inside game and he’ll be keen to have a good NAB Cup. For Sal, his performance over pre-season means he’s putting a lot of pressure on other players and the coaches to be selected come round one.
Matt Thomas
He’s had a knee injury over the pre-season but he hasn’t missed a beat with his fitness and he’s looking fit. He’s been back in full training for the last few weeks and his running looks like it’s up there with the best of them, but he just needs to get some touch with the footy.
Shaun Rehn’s profiles
Matthew Broadbent
He’s been one of the outstanding performers over the pre-season. He’s been fit and able to do all the training. He’s shown great signs as a strong inside midfielder as well as an outside ball carrier. Broady’s had a great attitude and he’s just a well-liked club man who can hopefully take it to another level in 2012 having played 19 games in 2011.
Kane Cornes
Kane’s had a good pre-season, he’s very fit and he’s put on some good size. He’s professional in the way he goes about things and his work-rate is unquestionable. He’s worked very hard to become a more dangerous midfielder offensively, and also his stoppage work and kicking.
Mitch Curnow
A developing ruckman who is light in the body. We’re hoping he’ll get a full year with Sturt, working on his competitive instincts as his body continues to grow. He’s got good skills for a big lad and he’s seen as a long-term development player.
Hamish Hartlett
Running wise, Hamish has had a fantastic pre-season. He’s shown great enthusiasm and leadership on the field. Has been added to the leadership group because of his fantastic work ethic on the field and professional standards. He’s only been able to join in full contact training during January but he’s quickly shown the value and versatility he’ll add to the midfield group. He’s still developing his inside game whose outside game is already at an elite level. Expect a good year from Hammer.
Matthew Lobbe
He was probably the most outstanding performer in the pre-season until his hip injury curtailed it. Matty has shown how hungry he is to be successful at this level after a taste of senior footy in 2011. He’s very strong, has great running ability and is extremely competitive. Will fight hard with Renouf and Redden for the number one ruck position. The recovery is going well and hasn’t been written off as a chance for Round 1.
John McCarthy
Another player like Hartlett who possesses speed and endurance, and at training has already added a new dynamic to this group of outside movement at stoppages. He’s got good size and his first full pre-season since he’s been in the AFL, he looks primed to have a big impact at Port Adelaide in 2012.
Andrew Moore
He’s one of the success stories for the fitness group, who have pushed him as hard as possible with him overcoming off-season groin surgery, and we really started to see what he’s capable of in January. He’s got a big body, he’s got good speed, but we’re only now starting to see what he can do physically because of injuries in the past. The coaching staff have seen his confidence grow and Moorey looks set to have a good year of footy.
Jarrad Redden
Reddo is a big young lad who is really starting to grow into a man. The midfielders love him at stoppages because of his strength and positioning. He’s a great stoppage ruckman and although he hasn’t got through every session, his aerobic capacity is improving. That is still an area that he’s got plenty of improvement in before he can become a regular AFL ruckman. He’s very good when he’s fresh and he’ll be priming himself for the NAB Cup with Renouf and Lobbe recovering from injury, so there may be an opportunity for him.
Brent Renouf
He’s shown great leadership and intencity amongst the young group, coming from a very professional club and his experience is going to be invaluable. Has basically been in rehab since he arrived but his work ethic and commitment to getting his body right has been outstanding and he’s on track for Round 1. His strong voice and influence on the group will be very important. A quality player with age on his side.
Paul Stewart
Stewie is a big bodied midfielder who’ll be working through wing and half back. Had an injury-interrupted year last year but his been exemplary in his approach to his recovery and is looking in great shape. A team-oriented player who has shown determination to turn the club’s fortunes around. He’s created a great base fitness wise for 2012.
