Highlights:

- Garlett, Salem and Hogan.

- The attacking play.

- The physicality in close.

Lowlights:

- I mentioned many of them in my post above but most players aren't going to magically fix the weaker parts of their game and some of them will again leave you scratching your head at what seem like simple basic mistakes. The team will win more games by bringing in new players, more experience as a unit etc.

- Poor handballs

- A few more missing that I would've liked!

So Salem dominated off halfback.......who'd of thought.

My first venture out to see the boys this pre season, and the following are my highlights of the events:

N.Jones, was dominant, classy, prolific, and everything you expect of a leader.

Salem will be a revelation off the half back line.. his silky skills and reading of the play were clearly obvious today. He made difficult passes look simple, and he was creative and impressive.

Garlett will quickly become a fan favourite.. he makes something out of nothing , and his skills are sublime. As Baghdad Bob said earlier, he'll make Malthouse look foolish, which is not a bad thing.

Newton, looked to be coasting but got a lot of the ball and regularly used it well.

Toumpas was neat and efficient, but his gait looks weird, and it's hard to tell if he'll ever be quick enough when the pressure is exerted.

Hogan had little to beat, being matched up against an undersized, top up player, but he has obviously been given the liberty to travel far and wide for his kicks, often marking the ball around the wing area. He is strong, fit and aggressive, though I noticed him pull up from a possible collision with a much smaller opponent for fear of having to attend a funeral the next day. I have no doubt he'd be happy to attend once the season is in progress though.

Gawn looks very fit and actually looks like an athlete rather than a woodcutter. I liked the way he moved around the ground and actually did more impressive stuff below his knees than above his head.

Dunn is a general and is taking his vice captaincy role very seriously.. he was very vocal and extremely instructive

Disappointments from today:

Ball movement was still not as slick as hoped for. It WAS very hot but the day was still and conducive to effective transfer of the ball.

No dominant ruckman who could regularly impose on a game.

Brayshaw appearing to sustain a jaw injury, albeit seemingly not serious.

Senior players, who will remain nameless at this early stage of the season , making the same clangers we've grown to detest.

The umpires, who continued to make game changing decisions against us.

Well looks like the usual suspects in Grimes, Mckenzie, Terlich and Spencer will continueto roll on for 2015...

cheers for the reports

I want to give Spencer and Terlich a bit of time because they've missed a lot of training. But Spencer particularly was poor today. I'm surprised he gets beaten by Jamar in the ruck so easily given he's had 3 decades on the list training against him. Have to give Jamar some credit though I guess. Terlich wasn't terrible with the ball, my bias watching him just takes away the benefit of the doubt. McKenzie really did find space well, he looks fitter and more free in his movement, but he just looks incredibly uncomfortable with the footy. He should be at the stage now where he knows and embraces him limitations and does it with confidence (like Cross) but I don't see it. Grimes running through the middle linked up beautifully then wobbles a kick straight to a red jumper, it's actually a bit sad to watch. Today wont be his last trip to Casey for the year.

Well looks like the usual suspects in Grimes, Mckenzie, Terlich and Spencer will continueto roll on for 2015...

cheers for the reports

The reality is that the chances of these players improving markedly in a few months was a lot less likely than it was likely.

Great to hear about the recruits in Newton, Frost, Garlett and Lumumba and about some of our young brigade doing well.

We are still the hardest side in the competition to gauge.

Thanks for all of the reports; I agree that Demonland reports seem to carp all over Matty Burgan's efforts

I want to give Spencer and Terlich a bit of time because they've missed a lot of training. But Spencer particularly was poor today. I'm surprised he gets beaten by Jamar in the ruck so easily given he's had 3 decades on the list training against him. Have to give Jamar some credit though I guess. Terlich wasn't terrible with the ball, my bias watching him just takes away the benefit of the doubt. McKenzie really did find space well, he looks fitter and more free in his movement, but he just looks incredibly uncomfortable with the footy. He should be at the stage now where he knows and embraces him limitations and does it with confidence (like Cross) but I don't see it. Grimes running through the middle linked up beautifully then wobbles a kick straight to a red jumper, it's actually a bit sad to watch. Today wont be his last trip to Casey for the year.

I take it in today's showing you would have Salem in the 22 ahead of Grimes on the flank?

Well looks like the usual suspects in Grimes, Mckenzie, Terlich and Spencer will continueto roll on for 2015...

cheers for the reports

Was really hoping these players had improved a lot but they seem to be making the same mistakes as previous seasons.

Really disappointed tbh.

Was really hoping these players had improved a lot but they seem to be making the same mistakes as previous seasons.

Really disappointed tbh.

We all have this idea that players can suddenly change over the course of one Summer, it rarely happens like that.

Most improvement will come from playing during the season I would imagine.

I take it in today's showing you would have Salem in the 22 ahead of Grimes on the flank?

It's not even in question. There's more than one flank and no Howe for the time being but Salem has put his name forward for the kicking back flank spot and I think every side needs at least one of those. Didn't get to see much of Salem's defending but if he used the ball like he did today in real games then as long as he wasn't hopeless defensively he'd be in the side for sure.

Whatever Sam Frost did to recover from his hammy is worth GOLD!!!

Great to see Chunk in typical style, However.......it is time for others to step up and get a fire lit under their backsides. Let's not give games to the same culprits who cannot improve their skills and decision making under pressure. We have depth now so let's use our depth.

Salem and Hogan future stars of the game!!!!

I didn't arrive until late so only saw the last half. First impression was there was more intensity than there has been for three or four years. By putting Toumpas and Salem in the backline, we have SIGNIFICANTLY improved kicking out of the backline and speed. Toumpas very much impressed, and Salem's accurate kicking is a phenomenon, particularly kicking in from the square - now that will be a change.

The Red Team had Hogan, Dawes and Gawn up forward, and out musled the opposition impressively responding to accurate kicks forward, but we do need to improve overhead marking in our talls: Dawes contested gamely but seems only to have two or three grabs or none at all; hogan, gee he is a strong mark when it is sent directly to him (is another Neitz I reckon) but he too dropped relatively easy contested marks; and Maxy Gawn, I am his biggest fan, but he is very frustrating to watch sometimes. Today his positioning was perfect, contested very strongly, but he too dropped three overhad marks he should have taken, particularly with his height, and the fact he got both hands to the ball all three times. I think Maxy will be a huge star but he does need to use his natural advantages ( his height and his speed) to greater advantage. Hopefully our great coaches will get him there.

Overall really impressive for the first hit out which was very encouraging.

Was really hoping these players had improved a lot but they seem to be making the same mistakes as previous seasons.

Really disappointed tbh.

My view is GRRM is being far to critical of what one might call "the usual suspects". Reality is all players made mistakes and if you want to find example to back up previously held views it wouldn't have been hard. Hogan dropped marks, NJones missed targets when under no pressure and Lumumba fumbled on occasions. McKenzie for example is never going to kick breathtaking passes and today was no exception. But nobody was "horrible" today other than Dawes double grabs.

First praccy match. Keep it in mind.

My view is GRRM is being far to critical of what one might call "the usual suspects". Reality is all players made mistakes and if you want to find example to back up previously held views it wouldn't have been hard. Hogan dropped marks, NJones missed targets when under no pressure and Lumumba fumbled on occasions. McKenzie for example is never going to kick breathtaking passes and today was no exception. But nobody was "horrible" today other than Dawes double grabs.

First praccy match. Keep it in mind.

Well said BB, Matt Jones Terlich, McKenzie, Bail were solid today, stand outs for me today were Salem, Cross, Garlett , Nathan Jones - pleasant surprises Billy Stretch and Frost

Agree Dawes was still double grabbing disappointingly, although he managed to hold on with the second

Gawn and Spencer were about on par today, not the day for big men, about the only one still going full steam at the end was Pedersen

Vandenberg didn't play because his shoulder needs one more week, Watts because of his groin, White his toe, Vince and Howie with hammy and Jack Fitzpatrick with back related issue (I think), Hunt same still working to full fitness

Had a chat to Petracca, he is fine, just wants to stay involved, more pleased with his tweet referencing a 'computer'/console game, and JB HiFi coughed up 20 new ones, said he might mention he wouldn't mind a Mercedes in a tweet

Howie is getting frustrated, the fitness/medical staff are holding him back, he hasn't been given a return to aim at, just has to follow day by day, understands the caution though, Bernice Vince redoing his didn't help

Obviously it's easy to be cynical, but I wonder if the injuries to Petracca and possibly Frost have seen the club wind back the intensity from a full intra club to a mix of training and match simulation.

This definitely seems to be the case, and it's a shame. I'd rather see something that effectively matches match intensity

I would be really disappointed if the club turned down the pressure because one player did a knee - Christian's injury sounds like just on of those horrible unlucky accidents that could happen regardless of how training was conducted.

They must train as they will play - full on or not at all

Well said BB, Matt Jones Terlich, McKenzie, Bail were solid today, stand outs for me today were Salem, Cross, Garlett , Nathan Jones - pleasant surprises Billy Stretch and Frost

Agree Dawes was still double grabbing disappointingly, although he managed to hold on with the second

Gawn and Spencer were about on par today, not the day for big men, about the only one still going full steam at the end was Pedersen

Vandenberg didn't play because his shoulder needs one more week, Watts because of his groin, White his toe, Vince and Howie with hammy and Jack Fitzpatrick with back related issue (I think), Hunt same still working to full fitness

Had a chat to Petracca, he is fine, just wants to stay involved, more pleased with his tweet referencing a 'computer'/console game, and JB HiFi coughed up 20 new ones, said he might mention he wouldn't mind a Mercedes in a tweet

Howie is getting frustrated, the fitness/medical staff are holding him back, he hasn't been given a return to aim at, just has to follow day by day, understands the caution though, Bernice Vince redoing his didn't help

How far away is BV away from training/playing?

Was really hoping these players had improved a lot but they seem to be making the same mistakes as previous seasons.

Really disappointed tbh.

I don't know why you're disappointed. All those players are limited footballers, and will never fix their flaws. They can't just magically decide during the off-season that they're going to become skilled players.

All those players are still on the list because they work hard and get the most out of their limited talent.

Thanks heaps for all the reports, very much appreciated.

I think they confirmed today that our depth is not what some thought it was 3-4 weeks ago.

you know that you have been supporting a team that has been crap over the years when you see a sports report and get excited because Garlett kicked 4 goals.

We all have this idea that players can suddenly change over the course of one Summer, it rarely happens like that.

Most improvement will come from playing during the season I would imagine.

I would of thought a combination of both, how many chances are we going to give some of these blokes.

Just walked past AAMI park and saw all the lights on next door, got closer only to realise the Filth were playing an intra club at Olympic park under lights. Bout 5k people around the ground. Merchandise stands, membership booths. Where are we, playing at 3pm out at bum [censored] nowhere. Geez I hope Jackson makes good on his promise to engage the demon heartland again. I was wearing my dees training top too as I was on a run, copped the usual snickers.

Forgot to mention that some of the umpiring today was comical from recognisable AFL umps.

They triggered a poor Casey kid for holding the ball when he got crunched and landed on the footy and 3 guys piled on him. I really hope it's preseason rust for them because if they want to dial up holding the ball and blabber on about making an effort to get rid of it quickly then we are in for one long and frustrating season.

Just walked past AAMI park and saw all the lights on next door, got closer only to realise the Filth were playing an intra club at Olympic park under lights. Bout 5k people around the ground. Merchandise stands, membership booths. Where are we, playing at 3pm out at bum [censored] nowhere. ...

Fair enough, but would be a bit cheeky to make an event out of half a game of footy where a large slab of the team are not even playing. I know we're all starved of the real thing, but there's a limit ...

Perhaps there'll be a more substantial hit-out in the coming week - also worth noting that Collingwood have their first NAB cup match a week before ours.

Hi all, went out to Casey today for a look and wish i could offer some new insights but my summary pretty much echoes the thoughts of others (text below). Have been a regular attendee of training for a few years now but first time putting my thoughts out there for the harsh collective of demonlanders to rip apart piece by piece.. I'm also on the committee of the MFC Young Professionals and have included an interview with Howie after the game on our Facebook page for those interested (https://www.facebook.com/mfcyoungprofessionals).

Intra-Club Report

Nice sunny day out at Casey and a good chance for new recruits and old stagers to show what they’ve learnt as a group over summer..

Garlett played very well, showing his skill around goals and up the ground, will really fill the void of that crumbing forward we’ve missed the last few years.

Lumumba looked the goods with a few of his trademark flashy runs from half back and think his disposal and decision-making is pretty solid, would like to see him off half back combining with Salem who did some really nice things today and linked up well as the go-to quarterback player when looking to pierce the ball to a target coming out of defence.

No surprises from Nath Jones, Dom Tyson or Viney - Jones got plenty of it as usual, Dom Tyson sidestepped his way beautifully through traffic and Viney went in hard and was vocal out on the ground.

Hogan found plenty of space up the ground, don’t know if he ran his opponent off his feet but don’t think he’ll be given that kind of freedom when the real stuff starts. Kicked a few goals but didn’t think he dominated as have seen him do for Casey in the past.

Frost was trialled forward and Pedersen in defence so not sure if they’re just experimenting there but I think Pedo looks more comfortable in both positions than the youngster at the moment.

Brayshaw went off after a collision with Viney and didn’t take any further part in the game but apparently he’d been sick during the week so it was just precautionary.

Petracca was on the interchange bench with strapped knee giving plenty of enthusiastic encouragement and support and getting around all players.. if he’s flat, he’s not showing it, was really good to see him so up and about, just a reflection of the kids personality I think..

Daniel Cross last on the track getting the rig out to kick the pill around with McKenzie and Viney well after everyone else had hit the sheds, just a true leader..

Intra-Club Votes

5 – Garlett

4 – N. Jones

3 – Salem

2 – Hogan

1 – Lumumba/Dunn