3 hours ago, DemonOX said:

 

 

Hannan - Nailed 5 out of 6 shots from the boundary line. Told him we need him in our f50 and nailing those shots. He looks in good nick and is keen to play. 
 

Mooloolaba surf was bloody beautiful and is one of the best beaches in aus. 

DOX. surprised to hear that Hannan was out there; did you get any indication of when he will re-join full training?

 

 

8 minutes ago, Salems Lot said:

DOX. surprised to hear that Hannan was out there; did you get any indication of when he will re-join full training?

 

 

He said he shouldnt be to far away but that could mean anything. He look in good shape though and seemed happy enough. 

15 minutes ago, DemonOX said:

He said he shouldnt be to far away but that could mean anything. He look in good shape though and seemed happy enough. 

Hannan to me still didn't seem completely free in his walking action .He spent a good deal of time practicing 15 metre kicks to Preuss who has a minor lower leg complaint .I suspect he (unlike Vanders ) may still be a little while away .I also perhaps should have mentioned that the veterans  Chunk and Jetta were as sharp as anyone and looked totally injury free. 

How was KK? Just sitting around watching?

 

2 hours ago, dieter said:

Not to argue - many report there was no Vander today. Was he there - in the flesh? I hope he was, he and Smith would make such a difference to us.

We are more rooted than I thought if we need Joel Smith back to make a difference...

9 hours ago, Lord Nev said:

Max is apparently getting around at the open training meeting the fans, albeit with a sizeable knee brace. Aside from being our best player, he's such an amazing asset for us from a fans/media perspective as well.

MFC just posted this.

I'm glad you grew the beard back, Max.

2 hours ago, DemonOX said:

He said he shouldnt be to far away but that could mean anything. He look in good shape though and seemed happy enough. 

Hannan might be doing a lot of off legs fitness work, keeping the miles down.?   Chronic knee meniscus and all.

19 minutes ago, MyFavouriteMartian said:

Hannan might be doing a lot of off legs fitness work, keeping the miles down.?   Chronic knee meniscus and all.

That makes sense cause he did look broader across the shoulders than I remember when he was playing. 

1 hour ago, Rodney (Balls) Grinter said:

@old dee- Do know why they called it XXXX ?

Because the Queenslanders didn't know how to spell beer!

Yes I have heard it once or twice over the years RG. 

Has a MFC player ever had to answer more questions from someone who evidently know nothing about the AFL?

https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/559178/-unbelievable-camp-to-set-dees-up-hibberd

Kudos to hibbo for keeping a straight face

2 hours ago, Demonland said:

 

Has a MFC player ever had to answer more questions from someone who evidently know nothing about the AFL?

Kudos to hibbo for keeping a straight face

12 hours ago, The Chazz said:

We are more rooted than I thought if we need Joel Smith back to make a difference...

Smith was looking very good before he succumbed to injury. 

18 hours ago, Demonland said:

They're probably using a back brace for an average sized human.

1 hour ago, hardtack said:

Smith was looking very good before he succumbed to injury. 

Smith was coming along very, very nicely before the injury ... in good form, good time, good effect. In combinations - and there appear to be more of these coming into the 2020 season - he will be a real asset to the team, given his style of play and decision-making.

2 minutes ago, Deemania since 56 said:

Smith was coming along very, very nicely before the injury ... in good form, good time, good effect. In combinations - and there appear to be more of these coming into the 2020 season - he will be a real asset to the team, given his style of play and decision-making.

He was also training as a forward last year before injury and this season has been training in defence. 

9 minutes ago, Demonland said:

He was also training as a forward last year before injury and this season has been training in defence. 

You have to wonder if that is because the experiment with playing Fritsch in defence is over, and whether they are viewed similarly in terms of the role that they would play in the team. 

46 minutes ago, Ouch! said:

You have to wonder if that is because the experiment with playing Fritsch in defence is over, and whether they are viewed similarly in terms of the role that they would play in the team. 

I did not think of that but I think you might be right.

1 hour ago, Demonland said:

He was also training as a forward last year before injury and this season has been training in defence. 

As a clearing backman, his leap was very useful - equally with his mobility and 'eyes-up' ball transmission. I still reckon that he is a forward and one with enormous potential - who might well interact in a forward-combo with Fritta to create all sorts of havoc with opposition defensive efforts. We need multiple ball receivers with sticky hands; that way, we can score more times. The loss of Frost in the backline will really hurt us (someone's little brother will get a game again now) if Smith is to be relocated to the backline. 

I was having to coral kids while training took place so unable to provide a full training report. However, a couple of things that stood out to me were:

• Brayshaw doing match sim and taking marks one-armed. Thought it was a bit risky but everyone else stayed off from making contact with him.
• Some very willing tackling going on during a number of drills so the boys are definitely going at it. Couple of stingers to Wieds,  Hibberd, JWagner and Pickett right in front of me as a result but all got back up and continued after taking a minute or two.
• Lever/May are great organisers and love hearing their continual voices to younger and less experienced players. Language used shocked some of the kids watching but its going to make a massive difference if we can have both playing 20+ games and get some continuity in our backline.
• Langdon/Tomlinson are really good gets as they were great during the match sim in creating options to move the ball out of defence. Tomlinson is very fit despite the setback at the start of the preseason while Langdon just keeps running as well.
• One-on-one contest comp between Trac and Hore at one stage that had the rest of the boys yelling and barracking. Was two-all from what I saw before Trac won the last contest in dubious style with a bit of a push in the back. Great feeling amongst the group as you can see they're enjoying things despite the hard work.
• Burgess has them doing footy-related fitness a lot of the time rather than just straight running. Makes a lot of sense and the boys definitely look fitter and more prepared this year.
• Didn't see the rehab group as I was on the other side of the ground but didn't see at all TMac or Vanders. Was really looking forward to seeing how Vanders went in particular. Reckon he could also play a massive role for us this year if he can stay fit.
• All the players were wonderful after training in staying out in the hot sun signing autographs and getting photos taken. OBaker was up for a chat as I'm involved in his former club up here in Brisbane while Maxxy was the last one out there despite walking with a brace and a big limp. Love his work with the kids and others supporters and he even joked with my son that the injury was just a ruse to get out of training in the heat.

Overall, a great opportunity for Qld supporters to see the boys in action and get an understanding of training and the support crew required these days. The buzzing of the drones overhead throughout certainly tells you how engineered and structured everything is; also the coaches with Goodwin sitting upstairs watching it all while relaying info/directions to the assistants on the ground. 

My two cents anyway and a big thank you to all the usual track watchers who provide their reports on a regular basis for those who can't be there.

? DOCS DEMONS' TRAINING REPORT

On 2/2/2020 at 6:01 AM, old dee said:

Some comments when you get home would not go astray Doc. 

Just home after spending night up at Coolum.

Couple extra comments from those already posted.

Jackson left training about 3/4 way trough with a slight limp. Did not look bad, Just that they have to go off with any minor issue.

Tom Mac left on Saturday as wife had baby thus why he was not there yesterday

Jetta reckons Kozzie will be a JET and fan fav when he plays first game but said he needs to keep a lid on him as he wants to go at a million miles an hour. Said both he and Jackson will be guns for us.

Had about 15 minute chat to May. He also said Kozzie and Jackson will be guns and Rivers not far behind. Had a big session last Friday with full inter match practice and backs working well together. Squad in great shape and also mentioned that Tom Mac is up and about and was a handful on Friday. 

If anybody around Sunny Coast tomorrow they will be back at the ground at 7.30am for a full training session then flying home. Today is a rest day.

3 hours ago, hardtack said:

Smith was looking very good before he succumbed to injury. 

Hardtack, et al.  I'll happily admit I was wrong about Smith, if it turns out he has proven me wrong.

But I do question the follow up comments about him.  Last preseason he was training with the forwards, and a few have said that he was progressing nicely before his injury.  Fast forward 12 months and he's basically back to full fitness, but has spent the whole preseason with the defenders?  We are crying out for solid targets up forward, yet we've moved him back where we seemingly have a few solid options already.

I've seen very little in games that excites me about Smith.  Might be harsh given he barely gets 5 minutes on the park before he gets injured.  But maybe that's one of the issues - his body doesn't give him the opportunity to display it in game time.

Clearly shows a bit on the training track, but wouldn't be the first one that can't transfer it to the main stage.

Also mentioned to May that Brown is a good get as he can cover both back and forward. Response was. "He'll be forward". Backs in good shape. If the case then he will keep Weid honest.

Brown did the match sim up forward and gave some options. He, Weid (if he can clunk some marks) and Mac with the others like Ftitter, Melk etc should at least see us improve up front.

20 minutes ago, Docs Demons said:

Also mentioned to May that Brown is a good get as he can cover both back and forward. Response was. "He'll be forward". Backs in good shape. If the case then he will keep Weid honest.

Brown did the match sim up forward and gave some options. He, Weid (if he can clunk some marks) and Mac with the others like Ftitter, Melk etc should at least see us improve up front.

It is hard to imagine us not improving in the forward line. After the exhibition put on last season.

@Docs Demons @DemonOX @Demon Spofforth @kallangurdemon

 

This is an early request to tomorrow's track watchers from you're Melbourne brother.

Players of interest will be:

• Kossie who didn't train with the group last Monday and seemed to be having shots at goal with the rehab group in media of the camp to date.  We need some information.
• Is Melk running yet?  Boxing workout last week.
• Is Oscar Baker in the main group yet.  He was hoping to be so.
• What was Dunkley doing?  Dubbed the "invisible man" by some he was truly invisible on Monday.
• Any progress reports on Hannan would be welcome.

Thanks for any input you can provide.