Training Fraca reported on AFL.com

[shanegrambeau]

UnSaintly behaviour: Stars exchange heated words at St Kilda training
Bradley Hill and Zak Jones go toe to toe, but Brett Ratten unfazed by the confrontation
By Mitch Cleary - Just now

Bradley Hill and Zak Jones exchange words at a St Kilda training session on Thursday, April 29. Picture: AFL Media
A VERBAL clash between St Kilda pair Zak Jones and Bradley Hill emphasised the increased level of intensity at Saints training on Thursday.

The 2020 finalists are languishing at 2-4 to start the season, with coach Brett Ratten revealing he urged his players to express themselves more in the main session ahead of Saturday's date with Hawthorn.

The out-of-form Hill, who has been cleared to play after Achilles awareness, was seen trading words with Jones during a break in play in a physical match simulation.

>>>WATCH THE FULL INCIDENT IN FOOTY FEED THIS AFTERNOON<<<

"I think it might've been Jonesy barking at Hilly first and then Hilly started… I think those conversations are important," Ratten said.

"We've got expectations on how we want to play and if we sit there and accept it, I think it won't get the result.


Bradley Hill and Zak Jones exchange words at a St Kilda training session on Thursday, April 29. Picture: AFL Media
"We can wait for quarter-time or three-quarter-time or half-time or for the runner to come out, but we've got some smart footballers out there and we've given them the license to really control what they can do in-game, not just wait for the breaks or the runner to come out.

"That was just one of the conversations they had, they have to work it out.

While St Kilda players have been criticised externally for often overlooking Hill during attacking chains, Ratten said it worked both ways.

"I think at times he's been in good spots and we haven't given him the ball and then other times he's had the ball and other players have been in good spots. There's a balancing act," Ratten said.

"With our group a little bit at the moment, everyone's trying to fix it themselves and we need them to think of others and still be in that team mode. Their agenda is the right one, they want to be the one to kickstart us, but it's not going to help us. We need to do it collectively and that's across the board."


Paddy Ryder is a certain starter to return and partner Rowan Marshall in the ruck, with Marshall telling AFL.com.au on Wednesday he couldn't wait to be back alongside his "big brother".

Ratten also confirmed Jimmy Webster would return after a groin complaint, while Jack Billings will take his place despite enjoying a lighter session as he manages a foot injury.

Midfielder Ryan Byrnes is also in the selection mix after two promising games back at VFL level after a pre-season hamstring injury that required surgery.

Jake Carlisle, who played in the 'B' side during the 18-versus-18 match simulation, left the track early with a back spasm after a history of back-related injuries.

On a brighter note, co-captain Jarryn Geary completed his first running session after ankle surgery earlier this month, while James Frawley will line-up in the VFL after a nasty pre-season hamstring tear.

[bigcarl]

A bit of passion. Good!

[Premium89]

Jeez if that’s enough for a whole article - they should come see my wife go off when I finish the milk before she’s had her morning coffee!

Funnily enough - the age article didn’t make much of it. It only made the last line of the story:
“ Hill and Zak Jones briefly barked at each other during training with Ratten saying such intensity was a positive and needed”

Storm in a training singlet sized teacup. Even in the photos their teammates aren’t paying attention.

[shanegrambeau]

Jeez if that’s enough for a whole article - they should come see my wife go off when I finish the milk before she’s had her morning coffee!

Funnily enough - the age article didn’t make much of it. It only made the last line of the story:
“ Hill and Zak Jones briefly barked at each other during training with Ratten saying such intensity was a positive and needed”

Storm in a training singlet sized teacup. Even in the photos their teammates aren’t paying attention.

Defining moment of 2021..and human history.

[The_Dud]

Not very nice of Zak to pick on someone who can't fight back.

[Joffa Burns]

Not exactly Pugger being reported for smacking David Whitney in an intra club practice match.

[asiu]

... they should come see my wife go off when I finish the milk before she’s had her morning coffee!

mine used to flip out at the sound of a spoon
helping to disolve the suger in my tea cup

testy things they are !!

(edit : i could get that spoon to sound like church bells
... not that that seemed to help any)


towball was just giving chilly
tips on hair care ‘n styling ... fair faux dinkum

wtf would a bald white dude know about hair care

good onya hilly
don’t let em bully ya

[darylcowie]

Not exactly Pugger being reported for smacking David Whitney in an intra club practice match.

David Wittey, not David Whitney!
I think you're getting your sports mixed up, although in fairness I think David Wittey did have a faur mop of hair, just like Mike Whitney, back in the 80s.
David Wittey was also an underrated stopper in a very poor team in the early 80s.
I'm not sure what happened to his career after a promising start.
Perhaps he was overlooked in favour of my namesake, who was a very versatile KPP swing man and relieving ruck, but a master of none of those trades!

[Vortex]

Good! We need more angry players. Angry shows you care. Time to see who gives a crap.

[1965 Saint]

Is it just me or is Ratten’s charecterisation of the ‘spat’ pretty naff?

[Wayne42]

Is it just me or is Ratten’s charecterisation of the ‘spat’ pretty naff?

Ratten is morphing into Benny Hill, just needs the theme tune playing when he speaks.

[Impatient Sainter]

Perhaps Jones reminded Hill he was getting 50k a game, is there any chance he starts putting in??? Zak should have wacked him, would have been the best news to come out of Moorabbin this year!

[shanegrambeau]

... they should come see my wife go off when I finish the milk before she’s had her morning coffee!

mine used to flip out at the sound of a spoon
helping to disolve the suger in my tea cup

testy things they are !!

(edit : i could get that spoon to sound like church bells
... not that that seemed to help any)


towball was just giving chilly
tips on hair care ‘n styling ... fair faux dinkum

wtf would a bald white dude know about hair care

good onya hilly
don’t let em bully ya

A fear of marriage for me.....

...one makes many big sacrifices...it’s understood...
...but all those “micro-sacrifices”...the things that grate and trigger the mind..
...they are absorbed by the regular shock absorbers...
... but the senses eventually get so brittle....
...explosion..

Storm in a coffee cup?

Caffeine doesn’t help anxiety!

[sunsaint]

watched some training footage last night on tv
it did look pretty basic field training
& while it did not focus on the skirmish
it did show footage of Hill during the kick-kick session
he just does NOT look happy

PS Rattens' explanation indicates to me he is letting the players sort out game style

[shanegrambeau]

watched some training footage last night on tv
it did look pretty basic field training
& while it did not focus on the skirmish
it did show footage of Hill during the kick-kick session
he just does NOT look happy

PS Rattens' explanation indicates to me he is letting the players sort out game style

Trip back to WA surely help in rekindling a love for the Saints.

[Devilhead]

watched some training footage last night on tv
it did look pretty basic field training
& while it did not focus on the skirmish
it did show footage of Hill during the kick-kick session
he just does NOT look happy

PS Rattens' explanation indicates to me he is letting the players sort out game style

Good - players need to be able to sort crap out on the field while the game is in progress without off field intervention - that in-game motivational spark to dig deep and work for each other

There needs to be complete on-field cohesion ..... an implicit in-situ understanding between the players on what's required from themselves and from each other.

[bigred]

Not very nice of Zak to pick on someone who can't fight back.

Ha Ha!

I'm actually pretty happy to see this. Shows they actually give a s***.

[markp]

[Ghost Like]

Good! We need more angry players. Angry shows you care. Time to see who gives a crap.

I'll agree Vortex if it is the club they care about & not their personal image.
Both could bark themselves hoarse as far as I'm concerned, both are failing the club so let's hope it was about the club & the jumper.

[st.byron]

Is it just me or is Ratten’s charecterisation of the ‘spat’ pretty naff?

Nope not just you. He’s becoming more and more homogenised.

[Vortex]

Good! We need more angry players. Angry shows you care. Time to see who gives a crap.

I'll agree Vortex if it is the club they care about & not their personal image.
Both could bark themselves hoarse as far as I'm concerned, both are failing the club so let's hope it was about the club & the jumper.

Yep totally GL, failing us teribly and so let's see how that intesity translates on game day.

[SaintPav]

Is it just me or is Ratten’s charecterisation of the ‘spat’ pretty naff?

Nope not just you. He’s becoming more and more homogenised.

I'm not saying he sounded like Jeansy, but I don't think it was that bad.

Having said that, with every loss, he's beginning to sound more and more like Richo who over at Melbourne is beginning to sound more and more like a footy genius as their wins pile up and they leave us in the dust.

Welcome to Trout’s world.

[MickThomas]

Is it just me or is Ratten’s charecterisation of the ‘spat’ pretty naff?

Nope not just you. He’s becoming more and more homogenised.

I'm not saying he sounded like Jeansy, but I don't think it was that bad.

Having said that, with every loss, he's beginning to sound more and more like Richo who over at Melbourne is beginning to sound more and more like a footy genius as their wins pile up and they leave us in the dust.

Welcome to Trout’s world.

I am unaware of Richo's role at the CheesePlatters, or what his parameters are.
But I imagine his advice is taken onboard by those higher in the food chain, and used in strategy etc, and blended in with the overall plan.
Unlike at our club where he was head coach and sadly was guilty of loving Newnes/Weller far too much, stymied development of all the youth, etc, and being far too stubborn.

[sunsaint]

There needs to be complete on-field cohesion .....

Or complete onfield chaos
if you read the article - " they are playing for themselves "

[Yorkeys]

No one likes a nag: its like tackle tackle tackle f'ing tackle. If its so important you do it. How's your calf. Just leave me along and pass the ball. If you can get it, watched you at the centre bounces re Port.