Braved Melbourne's lovely morning and headed down to watch training for about 90 minutes this morning and the first thing I noticed was Clarrie (Oliver) sliding along the ground like a 5-year-old on the slippery surface. He was attempting to make a try during a warm-up game of Touch Rugby. Gawny, being a Kiwi, seemed to be enjoying it most and clearly there was a sense of happiness across the group which comes from winning and also having a cooler morning to train.

Most of the fringe players and Angus, Harry, Dunny, Viv and Terlich and Oscar did not train, which was doubtless because they were busy training at Casey preparing for this weekend's VFL practice match. The younger ones - Weeds, Kingsx2, Hulet, Billy and ANB all would have been down at Casey as well I'm sure. 

The one surprise (to some of you) was that Hunt was with the main group at Gosch's - shows how they rate him and probably highlights that he has now had three practice games (starred in VFL apparently on weekend), so does not need another match. All those who played against the Saints trained at Gosch's, with the exception of Oscar - who if you recall did not play NAB 2.

Dawes did plenty of running as did Newton, Jetta and VB - the latter of whom did plenty of kicking/breaking drills with Crossy. VB looks fit to me, although I didn't see him kicking with the left foot - can't remember which ankle he aggravated though but I imagine it was his left. I just felt for poor old Crossy - has was getting hammered, pushed and shoved by VB. VB looks like he could play this weekend, but I can only assume that because he has played 1 and a half games already, they felt there was no need to rush him.

Trenners and CP5 were also with the main group - so no VFL for them this weekend as Misson has stated.

Salem marked the ball only with his left hand and sat out a few things - so clearly they are being careful, but not too careful with him.

Once they got into things, it was ruckwork for Gawn, Pedo and Frost as they jumped into bags. The rest practiced moving the ball quickly against the green shirts who generally numbered about half of what they were up against. Goodwin could clearly be heard calling out to move the ball on quickly on numerous occasions. It seems to me we have an English soccer set up - Goody is coach and Roosy is manager. It begs the question that next year's key appointment will be who is Goody's younger understudy - I'm tipping Nathan Van Berlo.

The only other thing worth commenting on is that Hoges was sporting long white socks - not quite the same as doing a Fabulous Phil with white boots, but not far off. He was typical Hoges - quite a character who is starting to remind me more of Jack Riewoldt. I didn't stay till the end so I can't comment on how many goals he slotted or whether he was doing his Kennedy stutter impersonation. 

Thanks for all that Deespicable.

26 minutes ago, Deespicable said:

The only other thing worth commenting on is that Hoges was sporting long white socks - not quite the same as doing a Fabulous Phil with white boots, but not far off. He was typical Hoges - quite a character who is starting to remind me more of Jack Riewoldt. I didn't stay till the end so I can't comment on how many goals he slotted or whether he was doing his Kennedy stutter impersonation. 

Lets hope not ! .. Jack is a [censored] of the highest order. Has a face you just wanna punch.

Thanks for the report though Dee!

1 hour ago, Die Hard Demon said:

Lets hope not ! .. Jack is a [censored] of the highest order. Has a face you just wanna punch.

Thanks for the report though Dee!

What this club has lacked over the soft soft cultured years is character and someone with a bit of a strut.

Hogan has that and im all for that.

Demons players that will likely suit up in the Casey match listed in the AFL link below.

http://m.afl.com.au/news/2016-03-17/afl-announces-permission-to-play-list-for-this-weekend

PS. Thanks for the report!?

31 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

What this club has lacked over the soft soft cultured years is character and someone with a bit of a strut.

Hogan has that and im all for that.

Thanks for the report Deespicable.

I like that Hogan knows what he can do, he has a little arrogance about it, kind of like in Top Gun

Viper: That's pretty arrogant, considering the company you're in.
Maverick: Yes, sir.
Viper: I like that in a pilot.

He needs to know he is going to have supply of the ball and kick bags of 6 regularly. He needs confidence to be able to do that and this week has shown that. He sets a pretty high bar for himself and is disappointed when he doesn't get there.

I went to training on Wednesday and I like Harmes, the coaches are trying to get rid of some of his bad habits. Team first stuff, he is one hell of an instinctive footballer, from the old school where they mark, kick and take risks.

Good to hear AVB is OK.

 

 

 

38 minutes ago, Domgus Petrogan said:

Demons players that will likely suit up in the Casey match listed in the AFL link below.

http://m.afl.com.au/news/2016-03-17/afl-announces-permission-to-play-list-for-this-weekend

Here they are just for the sake of ease

Melbourne – Angus Brayshaw, Lynden Dunn, Liam Hulett, Max King, Mitch King, Heritier Lumumba, Oscar McDonald, Viv Michie, Alex Neal-Bullen, Joel Smith, Billy Stretch, Dean Terlich, Aaron vandenBerg, Sam Weideman, Mitch White

2 hours ago, Die Hard Demon said:

Lets hope not ! .. Jack is a [censored] of the highest order. Has a face you just wanna punch.

Thanks for the report though Dee!

Can I come and watch if you are going to try the above    live local so wouldn't need much notice      Hogan is Hogan on field, he won't copy anyone   off field a really nice guy  

32 minutes ago, Rafiki said:

Here they are just for the sake of ease

Melbourne – Angus Brayshaw, Lynden Dunn, Liam Hulett, Max King, Mitch King, Heritier Lumumba, Oscar McDonald, Viv Michie, Alex Neal-Bullen, Joel Smith, Billy Stretch, Dean Terlich, Aaron vandenBerg, Sam Weideman, Mitch White

Especially happy to hear he's come up. should be fine for round 1

1 minute ago, Peter Griffen said:

Especially happy to hear he's come up. should be fine for round 1

The list was of players who have permission to play on the weekend - while I hope he comes up as well, the above just means he can play if he is right to go.  Fingers crossed that's the case but Misson stated he was 50/50 for the weekend.

Just now, Wiseblood said:

The list was of players who have permission to play on the weekend - while I hope he comes up as well, the above just means he can play if he is right to go.  Fingers crossed that's the case but Misson stated he was 50/50 for the weekend.

VDB not named in the Casey side. No idea if that is because he didn't come up or they have decided he doesn't need the run. Hope the latter

Just now, Peter Griffen said:

Especially happy to hear he's come up. should be fine for round 1

Who would have believed in October 2014 that we would have a player the likes of AVDB. What a scoop by our Recruiters. His hardness at the ball (and man) and goal kicking skills gives confidence to his team mates.  He hasn't the silky skills of Angus Brayshaw but to my mind he plays an equally important role.

4 minutes ago, longsuffering said:

Who would have believed in October 2014 that we would have a player the likes of AVDB. What a scoop by our Recruiters. His hardness at the ball (and man) and goal kicking skills gives confidence to his team mates.  He hasn't the silky skills of Angus Brayshaw but to my mind he plays an equally important role.

Honestly and this isn't a knock on Brayshaw, but i see Vanders as one of our best and most important players, he adds grunt and agression, tackles hard and sets a great example, but he's also a good marking option around the ground and very capable of going forward and kicking a few goals. 

Brayshaw i think will be the better player in time, but to me that's a mark of how good Gus is rather than anything about Vanders.

Channel 9 news says Petracca is still 4 weeks away, club being cautious with him.

 

1 hour ago, Petraccattack said:

Channel 9 news says Petracca is still 4 weeks away, club being cautious with him.

 

From the MFC website:

"He's training fully with the group and he's essentially recovered from the toe injury but he's only done two weeks of training coming off an ACL," Misson said.

"We want him to have at least four weeks of full training before we let him play."

I took that to mean 4 weeks back-dated to when he recommenced full training. Wishful thinking perhaps, but based on all reports I struggle to believe that right now he's a month away from senior football. 

I read it as four weeks of training, he has already done two, two more weeks of training, a few games at Casey, in the seniors round 4 or 5

2 hours ago, Petraccattack said:

Channel 9 news says Petracca is still 4 weeks away, club being cautious with him.

 

that'll be before any possible AFL game.  a month of training & VFL games, before being considered,  if form warrants.

1 hour ago, Heisenberg said:

From the MFC website:

"He's training fully with the group and he's essentially recovered from the toe injury but he's only done two weeks of training coming off an ACL," Misson said.

"We want him to have at least four weeks of full training before we let him play."

I took that to mean 4 weeks back-dated to when he recommenced full training. Wishful thinking perhaps, but based on all reports I struggle to believe that right now he's a month away from senior football. 

Either way its all good.  He aint far away and he will be ready when hes ready.  

It's frustrating, but Petracca's something we've got ta get right. When I think of him returning to playing, I really only think of the toe injury and forget that he's in fact coming back from an acl. 

As keen as I am to see him play, the club's right to be ultra-cautious.

(I do getter feeling that 4-5 years ago we may have fast tracked him for round one)

5 hours ago, Captain Todd said:

Thanks for the report Deespicable.

I like that Hogan knows what he can do, he has a little arrogance about it, kind of like in Top Gun

Viper: That's pretty arrogant, considering the company you're in.
Maverick: Yes, sir.
Viper: I like that in a pilot.

He needs to know he is going to have supply of the ball and kick bags of 6 regularly. He needs confidence to be able to do that and this week has shown that. He sets a pretty high bar for himself and is disappointed when he doesn't get there.

I went to training on Wednesday and I like Harmes, the coaches are trying to get rid of some of his bad habits. Team first stuff, he is one hell of an instinctive footballer, from the old school where they mark, kick and take risks.

Good to hear AVB is OK.

 

 

 

Think Harmes showed us enough last year to suggest that he could turn out to be one hell of a player.  

3 minutes ago, hemingway said:

Think Harmes showed us enough last year to suggest that he could turn out to be one hell of a player.  

Agreed- there's a real x-factor in Harmes. He's quick, aggressive, confident, and backs himself in. He's got a very high ceiling imho.

I think it's great the club are being 100% true to the rehab program they set out and not deviating from the length of it - and clearly I'm basing that on the noise from the club. We can only hope and trust that the professionalism of guys like Rob Jackson and Misson set the players up for consistent seasons and long careers.

Still, I cannot wait for Petracca to debut.

31 minutes ago, TeamPlayedFine39 said:

It's frustrating, but Petracca's something we've got ta get right. When I think of him returning to playing, I really only think of the toe injury and forget that he's in fact coming back from an acl. 

As keen as I am to see him play, the club's right to be ultra-cautious.

(I do getter feeling that 4-5 years ago we may have fast tracked him for round one)

I think I'm quietly glad he hurt his toe when he did?  seriously.  as its taken the pressure off him around making the Rnd 1 team,  & has slowed his pre-season recovery..  Delaying his season start,  & will shorten his season a bit..  All in all,  I think that delay is a good thing giving him more time to get right,  after a full 12 months out with a serious injury.

 

Just as long as the toe injury is right.

I think a lot of our younger kids will be competing against one another at the same stage for games after Rnds 4 or 5.  Stretch ANB Petracca, then Trenners as well.

thanks for the update