Jump to content


Recommended Posts

Posted

Getting excited about talent is all part of the fun I thought. Stuff tempering expectations - I go all in. I know I might end up bitterly disappointed again, but one of these days I'm bound to be right and it'll be worth it, surely?

  • Like 10

Posted

A big difference about this preseason to many prior is that when ever the noobs arrive they are well and truly just apprentices. No ones got any expectations of their mercurial ability to suddenly be "THAT" player...the one to finally lift us.

 

We are past that. Looking forward to my first session of the year whenever I get there. I expect to see a real team training in real footy ideals. Not a kindergarten for dreams !!

 

go Dees  and thakks all for the reports...superlative efforts all round ;)

Posted

The difference these days, if you want to be better, we have coaches and programs that will help you

Forgot this bit from training

Me "Macca what do you think of Jack's hair"

Macca "I don't care what colour they have their hair, as long as the head it's on is over the ball"

  • Like 11
Posted (edited)

Emma Quayle has done her rundown of every team's list and what they need to draft.  She says of the Dees that they have put themselves in a position where there are no holes or weaknesses that need to be filled, allowing them to simply take the best available player at each pick. 

Quote

The Demons have got themselves into a position where they have no pressing needs and could afford to trade (largely) out of the draft...  The club could do with bringing in another tall defender to start developing...  Melbourne see Mitch King progressing as a ruck prospect, but could look at bringing another in given how long they can take to play...  Really though, they have drafted well for a few years in a row, and have improved their list through Hibberd. They're well placed to simply call out the first names on their list when it is their turn to choose. 

Nice to not be seen as a basket-case anymore, isn't it? 

 

Edit:  I have no idea why I thought this should be included in the training thread.  I'm pretty sure I had a reason, but it's now escaped me.  Ah well. 

Edited by RalphiusMaximus
  • Like 1
Posted

Can't pick a best 22. I like that. 5 years ago I couldn't count past a best 10.

Dunno where this train ride ends, but it's nice to know it's not going to be at the bottom of the table.

And thanks all for the reports.

  • Like 1

Posted
17 hours ago, Vogon Poetry said:

I think half the fun of footy is being optimistic but again if you're a little jaded I can understand your approach even if it is a little defeatist.

I've been chatting to ProDee who pointed out some really interesting things.  He said Jayden Hunt in 2015 played 7 games for the Casey seniors and his highest stats were 11 (twice).  Smith got 11 disposals or more in 10 of his 13 games.  He also observed that Smith got 20 possessions three time last year (one was the PF) so by comparison he's well ahead of Hunt's 2015 and the PF was not an aberration but a continuation of his development.

He went on to point out that Dreamteam stats are a silly way to judge a defender.  They ignore a players ability to stop his forward and even excellent defenders like Tom McDonald only average 68 points a game.  Anyway I'm excited about him and think he will be a very good player. I suggest you get on board.

The comparison between Jayden Hunt (2014) and Joel Smith (2015) at Casey isn't really valid. Hunt was used very sparingly because he was coming off a long term back injury and was played on a HFF. Nevertheless, he did achieve the honour of being his club's equal top goalkicker. By way of contrast the other equal top goalkicker was Max King who by the end of this year was playing in the development league and has now been delisted. There you had two players who you could have been excited about 12 months ago but one took the step up and the other went the other way. 

Although dream team points might not be the best way to judge a defender, you missed the fact that Joel Smith hardly got in the published best player votes while the example you gave of Tom McDonald as a defender who only averages 68 points a game, is regularly quoted in our best players at seniors level.

The point is we shouldn't put too much pressure on a kid trying to make it in the game. He isn't even on our senior list yet.

Posted

I'm also upbeat about Smith, especially as he has obviously built up so much from last year.  Last year he didn't seem to have the bulk to compete inside and maybe that's one of the reasons his possession count was down. No-one has answered the question yet regarding Smith's tank.  How does he compare with others in endurance at training this year?

 

Posted
On 19 November 2016 at 11:58 PM, Whispering_Jack said:

I know the club has a high regard of Smith but the figures don't bear out your argument. 

Smith's preliminary final game was his best for the year statistically. He scored 79 dream team points that day and this was matched by him only once after he recovered from his groin injury and that was against Coburg when the team won by 14 goals. His next best was in the 60's in his first game back from injury against Sandringham. He was well behind the team average and wasn't getting named in the best players or polling votes from the umpires. I didn't go back to check his stats pre injury - I saw enough to say he was patchy. 

He's a good prospect and has come back in good nick but let's not get too carried away just yet.

Thanks for posting this WJ.  I have seen little of Smith, so have no idea how he is progressing, but did rely a little on this forum to keep me updated.

There seemed to be a little bit of ramping going on toward the end of the year, so much so that some posters were calling for him to be elevated to the primary list.  Needless to say, I was very sceptical about that, and while you aren't our list manager, your above post has confirmed that I should hold off a little longer before I sell the farm for the boy.

  • Like 1

Posted (edited)
4 hours ago, billy2803 said:

Thanks for posting this WJ.  I have seen little of Smith, so have no idea how he is progressing, but did rely a little on this forum to keep me updated.

There seemed to be a little bit of ramping going on toward the end of the year, so much so that some posters were calling for him to be elevated to the primary list.  Needless to say, I was very sceptical about that, and while you aren't our list manager, your above post has confirmed that I should hold off a little longer before I sell the farm for the boy.

You're not selling you're buying.  Some getting on at bargain price, you'll end paying top dollar later.

Edited by Fifty-5
  • Like 1
Posted
On 11/20/2016 at 0:54 PM, Vogon Poetry said:

I think half the fun of footy is being optimistic but again if you're a little jaded I can understand your approach even if it is a little defeatist.

I've been chatting to ProDee who pointed out some really interesting things.  He said Jayden Hunt in 2015 played 7 games for the Casey seniors and his highest stats were 11 (twice).  Smith got 11 disposals or more in 10 of his 13 games.  He also observed that Smith got 20 possessions three time last year (one was the PF) so by comparison he's well ahead of Hunt's 2015 and the PF was not an aberration but a continuation of his development.

He went on to point out that Dreamteam stats are a silly way to judge a defender.  They ignore a players ability to stop his forward and even excellent defenders like Tom McDonald only average 68 points a game.  Anyway I'm excited about him and think he will be a very good player. I suggest you get on board.

I'm visualising Whispering Jack as a mini-me version of our poster Jaded. Which is hard, because I don't know what Jaded actually looks like.

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Demonland Forums  

  • Match Previews, Reports & Articles  

    TRAINING: Friday 22nd November 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers were out in force on a scorching morning out at Gosch's Paddock for the final session before the whole squad reunites for the Preseason Training Camp. DEMONLAND'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS It’s going to be a scorcher today but I’m in the shade at Gosch’s Paddock ready to bring you some observations from the final session before the Preseason Training Camp next week.  Salem, Fritsch & Campbell are already on the track. Still no number on Campbell’s

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports 2

    UP IN LIGHTS by Whispering Jack

    Those who watched the 2024 Marsh AFL National Championships closely this year would not be particularly surprised that Melbourne selected Victoria Country pair Harvey Langford and Xavier Lindsay on the first night of the AFL National Draft. The two left-footed midfielders are as different as chalk and cheese but they had similar impacts in their Coates Talent League teams and in the National Championships in 2024. Their interstate side was edged out at the very end of the tournament for tea

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Special Features

    TRAINING: Wednesday 20th November 2024

    It’s a beautiful cool morning down at Gosch’s Paddock and I’ve arrived early to bring you my observations from today’s session. DEMONLAND'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS Reigning Keith Bluey Truscott champion Jack Viney is the first one out on the track.  Jack’s wearing the red version of the new training guernsey which is the only version available for sale at the Demon Shop. TRAINING: Viney, Clarry, Lever, TMac, Rivers, Petty, McVee, Bowey, JVR, Hore, Tom Campbell (in tr

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    TRAINING: Monday 18th November 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers ventured down to Gosch's Paddock for the final week of training for the 1st to 4th Years until they are joined by the rest of the senior squad for Preseason Training Camp in Mansfield next week. WAYNE RUSSELL'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS No Ollie, Chin, Riv today, but Rick & Spargs turned up and McDonald was there in casual attire. Seston, and Howes did a lot of boundary running, and Tom Campbell continued his work with individual trainer in non-MFC

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    2024 Player Reviews: #11 Max Gawn

    Champion ruckman and brilliant leader, Max Gawn earned his seventh All-Australian team blazer and constantly held the team up on his shoulders in what was truly a difficult season for the Demons. Date of Birth: 30 December 1991 Height: 209cm Games MFC 2024: 21 Career Total: 224 Goals MFC 2024: 11 Career Total: 109 Brownlow Medal Votes: 13 Melbourne Football Club: 2nd Best & Fairest: 405 votes

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 12

    2024 Player Reviews: #36 Kysaiah Pickett

    The Demons’ aggressive small forward who kicks goals and defends the Demons’ ball in the forward arc. When he’s on song, he’s unstoppable but he did blot his copybook with a three week suspension in the final round. Date of Birth: 2 June 2001 Height: 171cm Games MFC 2024: 21 Career Total: 106 Goals MFC 2024: 36 Career Total: 161 Brownlow Medal Votes: 3 Melbourne Football Club: 4th Best & Fairest: 369 votes

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 5

    TRAINING: Friday 15th November 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers took advantage of the beautiful sunshine to head down to Gosch's Paddock and witness the return of Clayton Oliver to club for his first session in the lead up to the 2025 season. DEMONLAND'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS Clarry in the house!! Training: JVR, McVee, Windsor, Tholstrup, Woey, Brown, Petty, Adams, Chandler, Turner, Bowey, Seston, Kentfield, Laurie, Sparrow, Viney, Rivers, Jefferson, Hore, Howes, Verrall, AMW, Clarry Tom Campbell is here

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    2024 Player Reviews: #7 Jack Viney

    The tough on baller won his second Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Trophy in a narrow battle with skipper Max Gawn and Alex Neal-Bullen and battled on manfully in the face of a number of injury niggles. Date of Birth: 13 April 1994 Height: 178cm Games MFC 2024: 23 Career Total: 219 Goals MFC 2024: 10 Career Total: 66 Brownlow Medal Votes: 8

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 3

    TRAINING: Wednesday 13th November 2024

    A couple of Demonland Trackwatchers braved the rain and headed down to Gosch's paddock to bring you their observations from the second day of Preseason training for the 1st to 4th Year players. DITCHA'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS I attended some of the training today. Richo spoke to me and said not to believe what is in the media, as we will good this year. Jefferson and Kentfield looked big and strong.  Petty was doing all the training. Adams looked like he was in rehab.  KE

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports
  • Tell a friend

    Love Demonland? Tell a friend!

×
×
  • Create New...