I think we appear lighter too, but that stats suggest otherwise;

Carl ave ht: 189.07cm ave wt: 87.73kg
Coll ave ht: 188.07cm ave wt: 88.10kg
Gee ave ht: 188.52cm ave wt: 89.18kg *they have about 6 more players then anyone else so this may include rookies meaning they are even heavier then this
St Kilda ave ht: 188.31cm ave wt: 86.44kg
WB ave ht: 188.55kg ave wt: 86.76kg
Haw ave ht: 188.26kg ave wt: 89.15kg

Thats is for the entire senior lists, I think you will find that Gee, Haw, St Kilda's best 22 would be significantly heavier then us

Hampson is still developing, and has had skinny calves (note: not thighs) since his junior days. Some people are just built like this, and it takes time to develop that lower leg such that it can support the larger frame being built upon it. Some never get it right.

As for assessing the core, are you walking around near the boys while they're shirtless? I hope you're not using the Melvey approach of looking at their jumpers. Or boys shrug plenty of tackles, which is a fair indication of core strength. On the other hand, they also go to ground a fair bit, but this is definitely up on previous years outside of the youth movement.


Judd would weigh around 90 kilos. He ran around at about 85 at West Coast. That's light for a medium/tall midfielder.

Gibbs wouldn't be too far behind him at this point, and Murphy is every bit of Cousins, to borrow an example you used.

Hadley has definitely slimmed down, but not particularly on last year. Perhaps the goal is to strip down the weight, get his groin and knee right, work his fitness levels back up, then focus on getting the weight back on? This would make logical sense. He was a bio-mechanical mess this time last year.

Bannister could stand to lose a few kilos considering that he is not a CHB like he tried to play as in the VFL the last couple of years.

Grigg is an example worth looking over. Here's some photos.

August '08


Jan '09


Feb '09


NAB Cup 2009 Rd 1


Looks bigger to me. Has no doubt slimmed down a bit since pre-season, given the focus has probably shifted from weights to running a bit. Will be a huge unit soon.


That is a fair and reasonable view to hold, but I'm not seeing the evidence. I suggest trawling through unclejohn's training photo albums and gathering some clear evidence of body mass being shed by developing players. I've had a glance through a history of Joey's frame and he has not done anything except put on body mass through his history at the club. Of late, he's put on a fair bit through the shoulders and traps.


I think we're trying to be a running team at this stage. We certainly put a lot of effort into our play which is demanding in both the running and physical pressure aspect.

Perhaps your issues lie more with a lack of big, physical players coming through at present. I think this is a fair concern, but there are certainly some types like Austin, Hampson, Kreuzer, Jacobs, Warnock and Stanton, all 21 and under who can develop into this types to take the mantle from guys like Fev & Waite.

On the midfield side of things, there are guys like Browne, Robinson, Joseph, Walker, Hill, Grigg, O'Keefe & Russell who will supplant guys like Scotland, Stevens, Carrazzo & Wiggins.

Give it a little more time before you question what's going on. I think we're focussing on getting the engines revving while we whack only a few extras on the chassis.

I will premept any comments by saying I am not an expert in fitness or weights etc.

Over this season I have seen a lot of football live and have had the oportunity to be in the rooms of several games. The glaring thing that stands out for me when I get close to the players is how skinny our side is especially our legs and core. Every player we have has effectively developed chicken legs! Even Hampson who is one tall unit looks like a twig up close. Grigg looked anemic on the weekend.

After being at the Bullants game at the weekend it confirmed it for me. Looking closely at a lot of the C'wood listed players they were so much more muscular in the legs and upper body.

Several weeks ago I was in the rooms for a Geelong game and these guys are just muscle on muscle. The difference in body size is amazing. The have tree trunks for legs and massive biceps and are so strong around the trunk.

Is there a reason? Are we trying something different? Do we believe the game should be played a different way? IMO the games against Sydney, Hawthorn & Adelaide we were physically beaten around the ball. One on one we were thrashed.

Judd will never be massive and is a running player, Gibbs and Murphy are still developing. I was surprised how light Russell was. Even Joey who I have seen since juniors is so much lighter than when he arrived. The more seasoned guys such as Hadley & Bannister have definitely trimmed down and in Hadley's case is has effected him. He is getting pushed around too much.

To me its a concern when we get to finals as these games are just a physical crash and bash.

I know we employed Justin Cordy who has an excellent reputation in the AFL and has definitely improved our conditioning but are we too light on? Are we trying to support our possession style game? What is trying to be achieved?

Was our lack of body size what nearly cost us last night?

You certainly couldn't question our committment but as we tired late in the game we dropped off a lot of tackles. Makes it hard when you haven't got the bulk to keep making an impression?