Here are three things we saw from Friday's match simulation:

1. No Problem for Moose

Despite undergoing multiple forearm surgeries at the end of the 2024 season for the fracture sustained in Round 15 against the Suns, the captain looked right at home and in command during Friday’s match simulation. The key defender appeared strong and unfazed by his previous injury, winning multiple duels, and even acting as a reliable distribution outlet from the backline.The 29-year-old’s voice resonated from the sidelines as he directed traffic and provided instructions to his team. Entering his third season as the Club’s captain, "Moose" is looking fit and firing ahead of 2025.

2. Midfield Battle

The midfield contest is shaping up as one of the most intriguing battlegrounds this pre-season. Neil Erasmus, Nathan O’Driscoll, Matthew Johnson and Will Brodie all impressed, consistently finding the ball and making an impact around stoppages. When you add big names like Andrew Brayshaw, Hayden Young, Caleb Serong, Nat Fyfe and Jaeger O’Meara into the mix, the competition for midfield rotation spots ahead of Round 1 is bound to heat up.

3. Communication from Leaders

It wasn’t just captain Alex Pearce’s voice making an impact on Friday. Emerging leaders such as Josh Treacy and Jordan Clark were frequently seen and heard communicating with teammates, troubleshooting situations, and discussing strategies for future scenarios. Luke Ryan patrolled the defensive 50, delivering instructions even when the ball was well and truly up the ground. Meanwhile 186-game veteran O’Meara worked hard between the arcs and was a clear and steady voice around stoppages on the wing.

The vocal presence of these leaders (and others) is a promising sign, offering younger players and new recruits plenty of match-like learnings as the countdown continues to Round 1.

After a challenging week in hot conditions, the players will enjoy a well-deserved four-day break early next week.