Jump to content

TRAINING: Friday 17th February 2023



Recommended Posts

There were 4 x 20 minutes quarters between teams Blue and White.  It was controlled by AFL umpires.

The first two quarters comprised of the probables in Blue versus the possibles in White. 

Blue included: Gawn, Grundy, Petracca, Oliver, Viney, Brayshaw, Sparrow, May, Lever, Petty, Rivers, McVee, Langdon, Neal-Bullen, Pickett, Spargo, Brown, McDonald, Bowey, Chandler

White: Farris-White, Verrall, Schache, Hunter, Jordon, Hibberd, Dunstan, Harmes, Howes, Jefferson, Laurie, Sestan, Deakyn Smith, Tomlinson, Turner x 2, Woewodin, van Rooyen, Trent Burgoyne, plus 2-3 other Casey top-ups.

As you’d expect Blue dominated.  At half-time they’d kicked 15 goals to one.

At half-time quite a few in Blue swapped to White, including Oliver, Brayshaw, Gawn and the first choice defenders – May, Petty, Lever, Rivers, McVee and Bowey.  Harmes, Tomlinson and a few others went from White to Blue.  The ‘new’ White got away in the third quarter, while Blue almost pinched it in the last.  Final scores for the last two quarters were 41 to 40 White’s way.

Ben Brown kicked 3 goals in the first on his way to 5.  He’s moving and marking very well.

McDonald kicked 3 and was also good.

Grundy kicked 2 and handed an easy third to Pickett.  Grundy was busy and had a good game, including a nice contested mark for one of his goals.  He really gets involved around the stoppages.  He seemed a little sore in his leg in the third quarter but he stayed on and completed all 4 quarters, so I’m assuming it’s minor.

Spargo was very good and kicked 3 goals.

Chandler did well and kicked 2.

I wonder if McVee has been earmarked for Salem’s position.  He looked very comfortable in the back 6.

Both Langdon and Hunter got plenty of it.

van Rooyen had a quiet day not helped by Blue’s dominance in the first two quarters.  He led well in the second and did take one good contested mark, but also dropped an easy chest mark in the last.  He ended the day goalless after missing a very gettable 30 metre shot in the second.

Schache was quiet early but kicked 2 goals in the second half and became a target.

Viney spent some time on ball but played mainly forward in the first half.  He hit the scoreboard and actually played very well from a HFF.

Rivers played mainly defence but also started in the centre square a few times, as did Brayshaw.  So it looks like they’re going to mix it up.

In the first half the preferred centre square setup was Oliver, Petracca, and Sparrow.

Jefferson kicked the only goal for White in the first half and ended with 2.  He took one excellent contested mark i50 (goal), but also dropped a couple he should have taken.  He looks a player.

Gawn looked a little rusty but was OK.  I would have given Grundy the honours, but they both won their share of hitouts against each other in the second half.  They were on the same team in the first half.  Gawn spent time forward but was ineffective.

For me the three best players were Oliver, Petracca, and Viney, but Spargo, Langdon, Brayshaw, Bowey, Rivers, Grundy, Brown and McDonald all did well.  Petracca and Oliver can both extricate themselves from very tight positions.  Some of their midfield craft was superb.  Both fast, big and powerful.  Oliver took a nice contested mark and was completely unhindered by his thumb.  It was great to see Petracca mark forty metres out in the last, dead in front, and kick truly.  He was also very happy (“Let’s go boys !!!”).

This was the most involved I’ve seen Sestan.  He took a couple of very strong marks and got quite a lot of it.  He also kicked truly from 51 metres out.  He’s one of those players with a low centre of gravity.  Shortish legs and a long torso in the Daicos and Jesaulenko mould.

Quick ball movement was the order of the day.  There was a strong wind, so conditions were challenging, but there were also some excellent pieces of play.  Lots of turnovers too, as is the hallmark of the modern game.

I’m sure van Rooyen will get games and he’s had a great preseason, but he may just be behind Brown and McDonald for round one.

Verrall competed well in the ruck.  He’s raw but didn’t look out of place.

Howes was very busy and mainly used it well.

Even though Hunter played the first two quarters for White I’m sure he’s in the best team.

Neale-Bullen also played well early.  He was playing on a wing.

Dunstan pulled a hamstring.  Unlike Gawn, who jogged off with his, Dunstan was in pain as he gingerly limped off.

Fritsch was a no show but may have been inside.  Moniz-Wakefield and Melksham were there but didn’t participate and nor did Joel Smith.

  • Like 22
  • Thanks 21
  • Love 1
  • Clap 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites


Thanks Picket Fence and Gator - what a sterling job to brave the heat and head down into the wilderness area in outer south east Melbourne.

More importantly, great to read that we have players putting their hands up for a game with the season just five weeks away.

  • Like 5
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for the report guys, sounds like we might have to wait a little longer than round 1 to see JVR in the AFL side considering he started in the whites today and didn’t exactly bang the door down. Plenty of time for him to prove himself though in the two practice games coming up so you never know. 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Demonland changed the title to TRAINING: Friday 17th February 2023

23 minutes ago, Roger Mellie said:

Thanks Gator - excellent report again.

If you don't mind me asking, who were you before you were swallowed by a crocodile?

Someone you wouldn't like.

  • Haha 5
  • Thinking 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

53 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Looks like the hype on McVee is getting real. Some media outlets have him as a smokey round 1 debut.

One year we should invent a player on here, hype them up and see if the media run with it. 

Edit: just saw it was Harmesy with the pump up and the footage of the nice move Judd put on T Mc. Very keen to see how he goes in practice games 

Edited by DeeSpencer
  • Like 1
  • Haha 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, Gator said:

Someone you wouldn't like.

Hi ProDee,

Excellent training report.

How did Deakyn Smith go? Was Jed Adams playing in the match sim or rehab?

  • Like 1
  • Thanks 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

No mention of Pickett! I was expecting him to do significant midfield time and draw some plaudits but seems he didn’t dazzle? 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

20 minutes ago, Earl Hood said:

No mention of Pickett! I was expecting him to do significant midfield time and draw some plaudits but seems he didn’t dazzle? 

Because he just does it time and time again Earl😇🤩😎

  • Like 2
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites


1 hour ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Hi ProDee,

Excellent training report.

How did Deakyn Smith go? Was Jed Adams playing in the match sim or rehab?

Smith was quiet.  He has AFL attributes (speed and evasion), but he hardly touched it today.

Adams didn't play.

  • Like 2
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks Picket, Gator for the excellent training reports and I loved the hogans Heroes lead in also all other posters we are truly spoilt.!!!

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I recall reading at the time when Melbourne drafted Judd McVee as a rookie at the end of 2021, that the recruiters were relying in part on the initial impression he made when he was part of WA’s midfield mix two years earlier in the state's Under 16 National Championships campaign in 2019. 

It was back then that McVee’s class came to the fore. He was regarded as a clean ball handler, an efficient disposer of the football who had a cool head. His stocks fell during the Covid19 years and he barely held on to his state spot but managed to take a place across half back for WA in what were regarded as the U19 Nationals of 2021.

It’s still a way to go but hopefully, the long memory and/or faith paid in him by a Demon recruiter plus his own hard work and development will pay off in spades. 

  • Like 12
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Odds appear to be shortening on Judd McVee to break the duck and be amongst the first of the young uncapped guns to debut. Exciting times ahead! Go Dees. 

  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

10 hours ago, Die Hard Demon said:

Thanks for the great reports guys. Just one thing to note. Josh Schache’s nickname at the club is Diesel. (As in Shaquille O’Neal’s nickname) 

They call McVee ''Knuckle''.  I don't think it was preceded by another infamous word.

  • Haha 6
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Interesting to hear Harmes mention he came back underdone last year and a bit fat.  I wonder how many were actually the same and maybe a bit of an explanation on our  2nd half drop offs throughout the year 

 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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  

    SISTER ACT by Meggs

    In the twilight at Frankston Oval, for the first ever match between Melbourne and Hawthorn, the Demons were clinical winning by 59 points and remain undefeated in Season Eight.   The Melbourne team ran out to a wonderful #DeeArmy banner paying tribute to Ron Barassi, ‘a football legend, the greatest Demon’.     So true!   Meggs was super excited to see Irish recruit Aimee Mackin playing her first game.  Aimee quickly showed us that she belongs out there with composure, ga

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Match Reports

    ON SONG by Meggs

    Meggs asks is it time to heave ho the melodies and words of yesteryear and update Club theme songs with some Australian composers and singers?     What prompted this reflection was the discovery that this week’s combatants’ themes were written by the same early 20th century American composer, George M. Cohan.     Cohan’s melodies The Yankee Doodle Boy and You’re a Grand Old Flag have been used by Hawthorn since 1956 and Melbourne since 1912.   Even earlier, the clu

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Match Previews 1

    RUN UNBEATEN by Meggs

    The Demons withstood a spirited challenge from the Western Bulldogs in the 10th anniversary of the Hampson-Hardeman Cup to run away with it in the last quarter and take their unbeaten run to 12 wins on the trot, an AFLW record.   The Doggies were tenacious and their losing score of 6.5.41 was the highest score against Melbourne since their last loss against Brisbane in Round 4 on 18 September 2022.   With the sad passing of AFL football legend Ronald Dale Barassi, champion player

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Match Reports

    LEARNINGS OR BURNINGS by GOTO

    Well, the 2023 season is over for the Demons after a two point loss to the Blues in the First Semi Final. All season WE have been hearing about the “learnings” that the team needed to make after each loss, but how much have we actually learnt when they:   1. Lost four successive finals at our own home ground;   2. Fell in five of their last six losses despite having more shots at goal and in the sixth, they had an equal number of shots;   3. Lost seven games by under two

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Match Reports

    PODCAST: SF vs Carlton

    The Demonland Podcast will air LIVE on Tuesday, 19th September @ 8:30pm. Join George, Binman & I as we analyse the Demons devastating loss to the Blues in the Semi Final. You questions and comments are a huge part of our podcast so please post anything you want to ask or say below and we'll give you a shout out on the show. If you would like to leave us a voicemail please call 03 9016 3666 and don't worry no body answers so you don't have to talk to a human. Listen & Chat

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 77

    POSTGAME: SF vs Carlton

    Once again inaccuracy cost the Demons as they are bundled out in straight sets for the 2nd consecutive final series going down to the Blues by 2 points in front of 96,000 people at the MCG. Bring on 2024.

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 859

    VOTES: SF vs Carlton

    Congratulations to Christian Petracca for taking out his 2nd Demonland Player of the Year Award. With a 59 votes lead over Jack Viney he cannot be overtaken. Your votes please for today’s loss against the Blues. 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 …

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 40

    GAMEDAY: SF vs Carlton

    It's Game Day and the Demons take on the Blues in a sudden death final at the MCG. A win for the Dees will see them face Brisbane at the Lions' fortress at the Gabba and a loss will see them bundled out of the finals in straight sets for the second season in a row.

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 1176

    LOST DOGS by Meggs

    The Western Bulldogs and the Demons have history. Prior to the creation of the AFLW league, the AFL ran four years of exhibition matches featuring our two teams between 2013 and 2016. The winner holds the Hampson-Hardeman Cup, in honour of two women who were founders of the national women’s football competition. After 13 games the Demons hold nine wins, four losses record and currently hold the Cup after trouncing the Dogs last year by 64 points. The exhibition games were a precursor t

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Match Previews 3
  • Tell a friend

    Love Demonland? Tell a friend!
×
×
  • Create New...