Rivers on ball is interesting. I'm not sure his tank is yet at the level where it's anything like a permanent change, and I've seen him at half back all summer so there's no suggestion of that.

As a rotational move it could be good for him and the side. But unlike Collingwood who moved Pendles back to get some Daicos or Maynard rotations we don't have a clear cut on baller who would do the same. Obviously Gus could be he's already shaping as more of a defender if Salem is out. Petracca, Oliver, Viney, Sparrow, Pickett, Harmes aren't going to swap to half back.

As for Rivers he has been solid but he hasn't taken a huge leap to my eye. I thought this could be the summer where he consistently trains at a high level and stands out. I'd suggest it's probably just mixing things up so they've got another option if needed, but maybe it's to give Riv a bit of encouragement too. I'm hoping he has a big season no matter the role. 

 

I think they are going to run the legs off opponents. The forward line may play high and the back flanks may push up. [We need to get our transitioning and reactivity right.]

During general play, I can see us pushing a back (River's, Brayshaw) and a forward (ANB, Spargo, Kossie) into the middle, with our ruck's filling the kick away from play.

We will open our forward area, for getting the ball over the back, and trust the experienced backs to fill and cover. 

Pack running and hunting, overwhelm them when we don't have it and spread when we do. 

I don't think they will change that exhausting type of game plan. They will always ask, how long can the opposition go with them till MFC break it open.

There is also a chance Kossie will join Rivers, as both get more starts in the middle. Rivers is looking very strong, and makes a difficult match-up.

The stuff that will beat us is still the opponents fast balls and switching. Hopes that our wingers can close that down.

Edited February 12, 20232 yr by kev martin

3 hours ago, Hellaintabadplacetobe said:

Saty in a training thread....as rare as a Mr snuffleupagus appearance in Sesame Street!! 

Don't be a stranger! 

There was another reason, a sponsors function afterwards, entertained whilst hill running was taking place by that well known stand up comedian   Choco

On 2/11/2023 at 10:30 AM, Demonland said:

Correction. Lachie Hunter’s concussion was as a result of a collision with Max‘s boot whilst smothering a snap for goal during Wednesday‘s session. 

Much more impressive.

13 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

The Rivers to midfield move is certainly intriguing from my point of view.

He looks extremely fit from seeing him up close and he's got that perfect combination of speed and power alongside his height being 188cm which is now the norm for being a modern prototype midfielder.

I like it.

And of course Rivers is a pretty good long kick into the deep forward line. 

7 hours ago, DeeSpencer said:

Rivers on ball is interesting. I'm not sure his tank is yet at the level where it's anything like a permanent change, and I've seen him at half back all summer so there's no suggestion of that.

As a rotational move it could be good for him and the side. But unlike Collingwood who moved Pendles back to get some Daicos or Maynard rotations we don't have a clear cut on baller who would do the same. Obviously Gus could be he's already shaping as more of a defender if Salem is out. Petracca, Oliver, Viney, Sparrow, Pickett, Harmes aren't going to swap to half back.

As for Rivers he has been solid but he hasn't taken a huge leap to my eye. I thought this could be the summer where he consistently trains at a high level and stands out. I'd suggest it's probably just mixing things up so they've got another option if needed, but maybe it's to give Riv a bit of encouragement too. I'm hoping he has a big season no matter the role. 

 

The players have always had a designated 2nd position and it only makes sense that they train/play in that 2nd role to understand it and more importantly the players around them can jell with them when in that role. When TMac went back in defence briefly last year it was seamless, just the way it should be. This sort of thing is what I will find fascinating during the season when combined with the strategic sub. Some teams will just opt for the sub as backup if someone gets injured, however I could see it being used in a variety of ways. Is it the stopper role? An oppo player gets off the chain and someone needs to sit on them. Harmes on the bench comes on for the second half to fill that role? Rivers as sub comes on to quiet a rebounding defender or to allow Gus time in the middle. These things have been managed by the interchange in the past but now we have a true break glass in case of emergency option. The permutations are going to be interesting.

Another interesting revelation at the training/sponsor function was that Joel Smith is going to play forward this season. 
A pretty hard forward line to fit into.

Also , Choco said he has taken  over as goal-kicking coach.  I’m surprised  he wasn’t that before…..but it’d be great if he makes a difference to that facet of our game.

41 minutes ago, Jumping Jack Clennett said:

Another interesting revelation at the training/sponsor function was that Joel Smith is going to play forward this season. 
A pretty hard forward line to fit into.

I was watching Joel get some goal kicking assistance from Williams. The one where you kick in the alley and over a dummy. He miss hit every ball. Perhaps he was still suffering with his infection, but he appeared extremely anxious around Williams. Either he scares him or he overly wants to impress him and creates anxiety. He better get over it, if he wants a job forward. 

 

46 minutes ago, Jumping Jack Clennett said:

Choco said he has taken  over as goal-kicking coach.  

 

8 hours ago, monoccular said:

And of course Rivers is a pretty good long kick into the deep forward line. 

Don't think Riv will bother to kick to the forward pockets unless Fritta JVR or BBB lead there.

Anywhere within 50m he is entitled to a well lined up serious shot for goal. Hope Chocco gets to him at training and guides him.

About Joel Smith playing forward and missing a practice shot I presume it is the one where players turn side on and and screw the ball around on the side. Can't imagine that Smithy would be able to place the ball side on his boot. Just let  him kick it straight or teach him properly how to do it. 

Ironically  we have enough players that miss easy set shots in front from 25m out. We must improve in this area to fully convert our opportunities. 

Super Bowl is on today and starts at 10:30am.

Given that a lot of the players are big fans of the NFL I wonder if today's session, if there is one, will accommodate for that?

8 hours ago, Jumping Jack Clennett said:

Another interesting revelation at the training/sponsor function was that Joel Smith is going to play forward this season. 
A pretty hard forward line to fit into.

Also , Choco said he has taken  over as goal-kicking coach.  I’m surprised  he wasn’t that before…..but it’d be great if he makes a difference to that facet of our game.

Yes I was very happy to hear this.

I have noticed on two separate occasions at training that Choco was instructing certain players kicking for goal. Once with Ben Brown and once with Max.

I didn't put two and two together that this might be a new role for him. Proof of success will be in the pudding as this area has been a glaring weakness in our game for a long time.

The Open Sessions Training Times have been updated on the MFC Website.

Date: Wednesday 15th February
Time: 9:30am
Location: Gosch's Paddock

*Please note: There are no public undercover areas available at Gosch's Paddock so please come prepared for weather conditions. Training times and locations are subject to change at late notice.

6 hours ago, 58er said:

About Joel Smith playing forward and missing a practice shot I presume it is the one where players turn side on and and screw the ball around on the side.

It was straight kicking, 30 m out.

I was explaining more the impression Williams has on him. Usually Joel is a pretty good set shot with a smooth gait.

Edited February 12, 20232 yr by kev martin

12 hours ago, Jumping Jack Clennett said:

Another interesting revelation at the training/sponsor function was that Joel Smith is going to play forward this season. 
A pretty hard forward line to fit into.

Also , Choco said he has taken  over as goal-kicking coach.  I’m surprised  he wasn’t that before…..but it’d be great if he makes a difference to that facet of our game.

Bout F'n time.

On 2/11/2023 at 3:02 PM, kev martin said:

Good to see plenty of changes in our approach. Structurally (not too much breaking into fwd, back and mid groups, more specific instructions with goal kicking, more time in sims, greater emphasis on the computer analysis with more people hovering over more screens), types of drills (more kaos and complexity), intensity, increased amount of noise (more regularly and louder than other seasons), assisting and instructing each other (often see them one on one, talking and/or drilling), making a highly competitive environment (many activities seem to be them against us, and they are always pushing each other to go stronger/better/smarter), taking a knee and talking as a group near the end of each sessions (I imagine they discuss the purpose/intention/outcomes and air any other business), running programs at the end and not the beginning of the session. 

It will be interesting to see what this strategy and our long list can produce, especially in the last rounds and possibly finals.

Go Dees.

Hoping we don't wear them out, though they have bought into the process and our culture appears strong.

Shtarker! This is KAOS! We don't do loading here!

41 minutes ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

Shtarker! This is KAOS! We don't do loading here!

The kaos in drills seems more about creating clear decisions during the drill. They have to search for the correct link There is a method, but players in different tops and lines are running past that aren't involved in the plays of the specific person. 

Edited February 13, 20232 yr by kev martin

On 2/11/2023 at 6:57 AM, Demon Disciple said:

Oh no we must be loading

We are loading. That's the point of pre-season. Once the season proper starts, no more loading, emphasis only on management, maintenance and recovery.