Not sure if this link works? But he was interviewed on SEN SA this morning. 

Mentions JVR and Taj Woewodin as young players to keep an eye out this year.

https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/NTETP1973407841?selected=NTETP3408867769

Thanks dazzle, an interesting interview which provided some insight into the current set up, structure and culture at the club.

Thanks to those who post these interviews. I'd never hear them otherwise.

26 minutes ago, Percy Beames said:

Thanks to those who post these interviews. I'd never hear them otherwise.

It wasn't posted on DL, but there was a Kate Roffey interview a week back on Breakfasts with Harf on RSN that mention JVR had his own fan club at training 😂 I guess it's all fluff at this time of the year but I did find it funny.

Who here admits to being one of the members?

Edited January 30, 20232 yr by John Demonic

Thanks dazzle love Mark Williams he brings so much to our club and his interviews provide  a glimpse of what is happening at the top. Interesting that he singled JVR, Tom Sparrow and Taj Woewodin out from the pack shows that he really rates them. Probably should have said pointed rather than singled but DS can advise me.

14 minutes ago, DeeZone said:

Thanks dazzle love Mark Williams he brings so much to our club and his interviews provide  a glimpse of what is happening at the top. Interesting that he singled JVR, Tom Sparrow and Taj Woewodin out from the pack shows that he really rates them. Probably should have said pointed rather than singled but DS can advise me.

The Taj Woewodin probably doesn't really surprise and that's even without watching him training etc.

But I was told last year by someone who had a little connection in the cooperative dealings with the club that the coaches rate Woewodin's professionalism at a real high elite level. Blew them away in a short period of time just how driven he is with his training and off field work ethic.

Again, no surprises considering his old man was one of the most professional athletes in the competition back in the early 2000's with his diet and preparation. 

27 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

The Taj Woewodin probably doesn't really surprise and that's even without watching him training etc.

But I was told last year by someone who had a little connection in the cooperative dealings with the club that the coaches rate Woewodin's professionalism at a real high elite level. Blew them away in a short period of time just how driven he is with his training and off field work ethic.

Again, no surprises considering his old man was one of the most professional athletes in the competition back in the early 2000's with his diet and preparation. 

Taj reminds me of another father son in Billy Stretch with his preparation and as you know Stretch was a great influence on Oliver and probably others. I think we're already seeing the influence Woey can have with the way JVR and McVee have come back from their break.

My biggest concern with him right now is whether the move to half back is wise. Obviously there's a bit of a log jam on the wing with Hunter coming in and Howes hopefully progressing in addition to Langdon, JJ, Gus, Harmes so it makes sense to move him from the wing.

But I thought some of his best footy including the grand final came as a high half forward. He could develop in a mid/forward role and set his sights on being a successor to ANB in that specialist role. He has a lot of good attributes as a half back - fit, quick, good tackler, solid overhead for his size but if his kicking doesn't hold up he'll struggle to make it. Maybe half back is a good stepping stone on that journey and will sharpen his kicking and contesting work up.

6 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

Taj reminds me of another father son in Billy Stretch with his preparation and as you know Stretch was a great influence on Oliver and probably others. I think we're already seeing the influence Woey can have with the way JVR and McVee have come back from their break.

My biggest concern with him right now is whether the move to half back is wise. Obviously there's a bit of a log jam on the wing with Hunter coming in and Howes hopefully progressing in addition to Langdon, JJ, Gus, Harmes so it makes sense to move him from the wing.

But I thought some of his best footy including the grand final came as a high half forward. He could develop in a mid/forward role and set his sights on being a successor to ANB in that specialist role. He has a lot of good attributes as a half back - fit, quick, good tackler, solid overhead for his size but if his kicking doesn't hold up he'll struggle to make it. Maybe half back is a good stepping stone on that journey and will sharpen his kicking and contesting work up.

Does this mean they are trialling him as a half back flanker from the training you've observed?

I too liked him at half forward. I think he'll be a similar player to James Jordon, especially with Woewodin's versatility to play as a wingman, half forward and half back.

In today's game it's always handy to have players who can swing forward, back and mid.

His kicking at VFL seems to hold up pretty well from what I saw? I presume at training it's a hit and miss?

1 hour ago, DeeSpencer said:

Taj reminds me of another father son in Billy Stretch with his preparation and as you know Stretch was a great influence on Oliver and probably others. I think we're already seeing the influence Woey can have with the way JVR and McVee have come back from their break.

Was thinking the same 'Dee'...you need these guys around the club.

I think he said JVR would get a game early in the season.

4 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Does this mean they are trialling him as a half back flanker from the training you've observed?

I too liked him at half forward. I think he'll be a similar player to James Jordon, especially with Woewodin's versatility to play as a wingman, half forward and half back.

In today's game it's always handy to have players who can swing forward, back and mid.

His kicking at VFL seems to hold up pretty well from what I saw? I presume at training it's a hit and miss?

Yes, he’s mostly been stationed at half back from what I’ve seen. He’s worked hard, had a few nice spoils but also a few turnovers 

1 hour ago, Dingo said:

I think he said JVR would get a game early in the season.

I'll be surprised if he's not in the round 1 team save for injury/illness.

Edited January 31, 20232 yr by Nascent

13 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

 

Very nice, I like!

Taj could also be developed to play in the back pocket….thanks Dazzle 36 for bringing interview with Choco to light….very much appreciated

12 hours ago, DeeSpencer said:

Taj reminds me of another father son in Billy Stretch with his preparation and as you know Stretch was a great influence on Oliver and probably others. I think we're already seeing the influence Woey can have with the way JVR and McVee have come back from their break.

My biggest concern with him right now is whether the move to half back is wise. Obviously there's a bit of a log jam on the wing with Hunter coming in and Howes hopefully progressing in addition to Langdon, JJ, Gus, Harmes so it makes sense to move him from the wing.

But I thought some of his best footy including the grand final came as a high half forward. He could develop in a mid/forward role and set his sights on being a successor to ANB in that specialist role. He has a lot of good attributes as a half back - fit, quick, good tackler, solid overhead for his size but if his kicking doesn't hold up he'll struggle to make it. Maybe half back is a good stepping stone on that journey and will sharpen his kicking and contesting work up.

I like players like Taj. Will leave no stone unturned and will get the absolute best out of himself. 

I have no doubt he’ll improve even more this year and expect him to play a couple of games in the 1s. 

Gotta love Mark "Choco" Williams.

He really is an eccentric football genius.

I hope we keep him at the Melbourne Demons for as long as possible.

1 hour ago, Supreme_Demon said:

Gotta love Mark "Choco" Williams.

He really is an eccentric football genius.

I hope we keep him at the Melbourne Demons for as long as possible.

His contract runs out at the end of the year.

6 hours ago, Supreme_Demon said:

Gotta love Mark "Choco" Williams.

He really is an eccentric football genius.

I hope we keep him at the Melbourne Demons for as long as possible.

to be honest, i will be very curious to see what happens this season and his role at the end of the year

choc is a brilliant football brain but has, at other places, worn out his welcome

he seems like a markedly different person these days; he's matured like a fine wine

On 1/31/2023 at 11:10 AM, DeeSpencer said:

Taj reminds me of another father son in Billy Stretch with his preparation and as you know Stretch was a great influence on Oliver and probably others. I think we're already seeing the influence Woey can have with the way JVR and McVee have come back from their break.

My biggest concern with him right now is whether the move to half back is wise. Obviously there's a bit of a log jam on the wing with Hunter coming in and Howes hopefully progressing in addition to Langdon, JJ, Gus, Harmes so it makes sense to move him from the wing.

But I thought some of his best footy including the grand final came as a high half forward. He could develop in a mid/forward role and set his sights on being a successor to ANB in that specialist role. He has a lot of good attributes as a half back - fit, quick, good tackler, solid overhead for his size but if his kicking doesn't hold up he'll struggle to make it. Maybe half back is a good stepping stone on that journey and will sharpen his kicking and contesting work up.

I guess one thing about Billy was that despite his ultra professional approach, he was ultimately assessed as not being 'quite' good enough as a player for AFL level, which somewhat disappointed me, because I loved the effort, occational flashes of brilliance that were on display when he played and also the romance/club lotalty of the father/son player that he was.

But I think the other main point that Spencer makes here is that perhaps players on AFL lists don't need to be stars or even play that many games at senior level to be a great contributor to team sucess.

Time will tell if Taj becomes the Jack Viney or the Billy Stretch, but either way it sounds like he's making his mark on the culture of the MFC in an intangible way that money can't buy in this era of professionalism of modern football.