17 hours ago, jnrmac said:

BOWEY PLAYED A LOT OF HIS JUNIORS IN THE FORWARD LINE AND IT WAS ONLY WHEN HE GOT TO THE DEES THEY HAD TO TEACH HIM DEFENCE,

Sorry about that couldnt be bothered re-typing....

So its possible they might use him in the forward line at some point...

I was just trying to be funny, but it could be a novel concept.

Massive thank you to all our track side reporters for all your work throughout the preseason. love reading them all each week. 
Disco Turner seems to be one that has flown under the radar a bit. I was hoping he would kick on this year and get a run of games. Any of our track watches have an insights on him?

2 hours ago, Demonland said:

Indirectly perhaps. It seems that at most sessions lately one or two random players have been missing for that session only to return to full training the next session. 

This is all just conjecture on my part based on some observations over the past few weeks. Players that have missed sessions have returned with no apparent injury concerns. They may have had a niggle or some awareness or they may just be managing their loads over a long preseason. 

Viney didn’t train last Wednesday after training Monday and returning Friday. 

May and Harmes weren’t at a session the week prior to that and returned the next one.

I assume they give certain players a session off here and there to manage them. They can’t do every player at the same time so they probably stagger it.

I wouldn’t be surprised if both Fritsch & Grundy are back training in full on Friday. 

Hopefully @picket fence can confirm or we’ll have to scour the club photos to prove this hypothesis. 

Is there a possibility that the players' collective bargaining agreement includes a clause that states players are to have a rostered day off once every so often? In that context, "managed" would mean managing the requirements of the CBA.

4 minutes ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

Is there a possibility that the players' collective bargaining agreement includes a clause that states players are to have a rostered day off once every so often? In that context, "managed" would mean managing the requirements of the CBA.

Any reason you can think of is possible from injury to covid to personal day to being managed. We always expect the worst when player x isn't on the field. Luckily in most cases they have returned the very next session.

The required rostered day off as part of the CBA is as plausible as any.

On 2/15/2023 at 9:18 AM, Whispering_Jack said:

Perhaps the club has arranged for its winning SSP candidate to make a surprise entry landing in the centre of Gosch’s Paddock for the start of training?

Much more likely to be CCP candidate.

50 minutes ago, Colm said:

Massive thank you to all our track side reporters for all your work throughout the preseason. love reading them all each week. 
Disco Turner seems to be one that has flown under the radar a bit. I was hoping he would kick on this year and get a run of games. Any of our track watches have an insights on him?

He's one of those guys that goes under the radar but when you do notice him he is doing exactly what is expected of him. He defends well, is extremely courageous (as evidenced by his injury against the Pies) and never takes a backwards step. He is a great intercept marker and spoiler. He is the next cab off the rank if one of the big three defenders gets injured.

At the moment I would have him in front of Tomlinson who I feel for as he too is in excellent nick and is an extremely hard trainer. We are certainly not lacking in the depth department up back given the acquisition of Kye Turner.

14 hours ago, willmoy said:

Loved that report, and a question re JVR. Is he holding back on actually hitting the packs too hard, so as to practise the entries into when  there is the inevitable spills and ground work?

I'm not sure if he that's the case at training as i haven't been to any. But I'd be very surprised. 

I have only seen him play live twice. But both times one of the most striking things about how he played was his attack on the ball and pack in aerial contest and then his instant, instinctive attack on any subsequent ground ball. And that second, and sometimes third and fourth efforts happens every contest. It's what most excites me about JVR and it gives me great confidence he'll be a star.

I recall one such example at Whitten Oval, pretty much right in front of me. He was miles away from the drop zone of a long ball in, and the pack that formed there, copped a block as he tried to get to the drop zone, and so had every excuse to prop and wait for any crumbs. 

But that was never on the cards - he lunged at the pack, didn't quite get there in time to mark, but did contribute to the defender not marking it and the ball hitting the ground - and then he was the first player to the ball when it did.

That sort of instinctive reaction and sheer want for the ball can't be coached. Well, i guess it can be to an extent - but if not natural there will always be a half second hesitation that means most times a more instinctive player wins the contested ball.

Not wanting to knock Weed, but i have always thought that his biggest issue - - he tries super hard, but that slight hesitation means often there is a delay before his second effort. In juniors that might not have hurt him too much - but it does in the AFL.

1 hour ago, Colm said:

Disco Turner seems to be one that has flown under the radar a bit. I was hoping he would kick on this year and get a run of games. Any of our track watches have an insights on him?

 D.Turner moves effortlessly across the backline (quite silky), doing the slide or swap as they organise the zone or match ups. Usually taking a central pivot area. Some of his leadership in structuring is not as obvious as Tomlinson, Lever, or May. Hoping he is still apprenticing and will take a more vocal role as required. 

Would like to see him put on some weight, as he still appears wiry. 

Doesn't lack courage and you will find him under the ball.

When he gets the ball, which I would like to see more of, he uses it conservatively, usually lateral towards the boundary. Always finding his target, he will be interesting if he starts being more attacking as I think he has that in him. Very rarely do I see a howler of a mistake from him. 

 

Edited February 16, 20232 yr by kev martin

11 hours ago, hardtack said:

Hey, Werner is the kind of example our Demons need… never took a backward step, to the point of literally eating his own boot.

He was hungry: and it was made of chocolate anyhow...

23 hours ago, DeeSpencer said:

Kye should get someone from the crowd to read over them first 😂

And lose 25% of his salary straight off the bat?

21 hours ago, Fat Tony said:

Great summary Slartibartfast.

I think TMac is reasonable on the deck, but I think you are a bit harsh and I wouldn't say he lacks intensity there. Fritsch plays like a seagull on the ground (swooping in and out). And Brown and Gawn are major liabilities on the deck inside 50.

I watched about 75% of the VFL games last year and JVR reminds me a bit of Neitz, albeit not as long a kick.

While Brown has reportedly done very well in the preseason, I wonder if he will be able to co-exist alongside Gawn inside 50, because if they don't mark it, we will be chasing tail the other way.

The discussions on a 'central' JVR are interesting. He has the physique, size and mobility with good groundwork and follow-ups if not taking a good, direct mark. Handballing feeds are quite competent, as well. Just wondering could he be morphed into our version of 'the Bont' at some point in time/in some games?

 

5 hours ago, Cheap Seats said:

I was just trying to be funny, but it could be a novel concept.

I did get that :)

 

5 hours ago, Monbon said:

He was hungry: and it was made of chocolate anyhow...

I bet he wished it was… it was the result of a bet he made, and lost, with Kinski during the filming of Fitzcarraldo.

23 hours ago, Kick_It_To_Pickett said:

JJ ahead of Harmes is a poor decision. Harmes seems to be out of favour with the coaches, as evidenced in the off season. James Jordon needs to develop his game and be more creative with his play. I thought his inclusion in the side last year actually hindered us. Very slow mover of the ball. Does not hurt the opposition at all. 

 

22 hours ago, Demon Disciple said:

Yep, always stops and props.

Just, perhaps, JJ’s reluctance to move the ball on / (apparent) hesitancy is his acting under instructions?

After all, as many have commented, he seems to be definitely “on the inner” with the coaches and selectors, which he wouldn’t be  if he  were doing this against instructions / game plan.  

Just out of curiosity when and where is the next training session? 

20 minutes ago, ANG13 said:

Just out of curiosity when and where is the next training session? 

They haven't posted a time yet.

You can follow on their website.

https://www.melbournefc.com.au/teams/training-times

Good chance it is at Casey tomorrow Friday 17th, less chance it is at Gosch’s. The same for Monday 20th.

They have been having runs at various parks on Saturday mornings. Yarra Park, perhaps Fawkner or somewhere with a slope. They haven't run the Tan yet.

Best chance would be Wednesday 22nd on Gosch's at 9.30.

Your guess is as good as any.

1 minute ago, kev martin said:

They haven't posted a time yet.

You can follow on their website.

https://www.melbournefc.com.au/teams/training-times

Good chance it is at Casey tomorrow Friday 17th, less chance it is at Gosch’s. The same for Monday 20th.

They have been having runs at various parks on Saturday mornings. Yarra Park, perhaps Fawkner or somewhere with a slope. They haven't run the Tan yet.

Best chance would be Wednesday 22nd on Gosch's at 9.30.

Your guess is as good as any.

Thanks Kev, I am going to be near Goschs tomorrow morning and need to fill in time and was hoping they might be training there. 

23 hours ago, Monbon said:

Per favore, please let's keep Klaus Günter Karl Nakszynsk outta this. Also Werner Herzog.  Ora Nobis, instead re the mighty Demons. Okay, Nakszynsk - a fine Danziger German name, I don't think - had molto demons, ma, in Espana, don't we all have at least mille tre, not to mention my current demon of choice, Coriole Sangiovese?

For the perplexed, I suggest you read Maimonides, for others, I suggest you may be in need to consult Latin, Italian and Mozart's Don Giovanni as primal sources. 

Today I met a couple on Normanville Beach who both had Demon Tats proudly hidden on their thighs and belly buttons. They knew nill about Kinsky, Herzog, or Don Giovanni. And, just for the record, Nakszynsk is a German as Perogi. Okay?

5 hours ago, hardtack said:

I bet he wished it was… it was the result of a bet he made, and lost, with Kinski during the filming of Fitzcarraldo.

The lesson is stay away from Kinskys.

12 hours ago, ANG13 said:

Thanks Kev, I am going to be near Goschs tomorrow morning and need to fill in time and was hoping they might be training there. 

No training at Gosch's today.

Thanks for that Kev. I will stay under the trees at Fawkner park then. 

Was just reviewing the 2022 draft class... Does anyone have any updates on Matt Jefferson? I haven't seen him in any photos or training or commentary. 

26 minutes ago, stynewillalwaysbeonthevine said:

Was just reviewing the 2022 draft class... Does anyone have any updates on Matt Jefferson? I haven't seen him in any photos or training or commentary. 

From the MFC Website on Wednesday 15/2

From the MFC Website Friday 10/2

From the MFC Website Wednesday 8/2

Many trackwatchers have given their thoughts on Jefferson over the Preseason. The common thread is that he has a lovely set of hands and is skillful by foot. He will benefit from a year learning the craft at Casey as was the case with van Rooyen. In addition he will most certainly benefit from another full preseason under his belt and another year in the gym building up his light frame. I have confidence that he and van Rooyen will form the nucleus of our forward line in the future.

Who is the dude with the zoom lens taking pics?  Presumably he's with the MFC.

8 minutes ago, Deebauched said:

Who is the dude with the zoom lens taking pics?  Presumably he's with the MFC.

I've seen a guy on the boundary with a zoom lens at most of the training sessions I've been to. I don't think he's with the Dees as there is a young lady who walks about the field with a big camera and a zoom lens and I think at times a monopod for stability.

I assume he is either with the media or a fan or photography enthusiast. If not with the club I haven't seen the photos reproduced anywhere.