2024 Preseason Training Thread

[deespicable me 1,427]

1 minute ago, deespicable me said:

I think Howes is mainly in the mix for 3rd defender with Tomlinson and Turner. I think he has a lot of scope and athleticism to be given that role but I would think it depends on the attack.

Two big strong forwards I would think the 3rd defender behind May and Lever would be Tomlinson. For example I think we would have to play Tomo against Carlton where he is suited to holding McKay.

Howes is still light, so he can't be expected to win one on ones against seasoned forwards, but he has so much upside in class to both Turner and Tomlinson that he should be blooded this year with at least 10 games, and as long as the coaching staff take care of him he can offer our defence a really promising option.

Sorry forgot to add TMac to that group of 3rd defenders.

[Roger Mellie 3,492]

On 22/01/2024 at 16:52, Macca said:

How about everyone else?

For the first few weeks of the season, I'm a fan as I'm looking for a footy fix wherever I can get it. When the fix is sated, I start to drop off, particularly when it's the same old teams front and centre on Thursday/Friday nights. This may be odd, but I like to see all teams during the year and get bored to sods watching Collinwood and Carlton etc all the time. I really enjoy a good game, no matter who's playing and like to see young up-and-coming players from any team, or any player that takes his game to the next level etc. I would seriously prefer to see a good contest between North and Gold Coast (or any team) than watch a Friday night flop between Carlton and Essendon.

Let me qualify this by saying, this is aside from watching the Dees play, which of course is the No.1 priority.

[Roost it far 6,043]

Yes to Thursday 

[Macca 16,173]

13 minutes ago, Roger Mellie said:

For the first few weeks of the season, I'm a fan as I'm looking for a footy fix wherever I can get it. When the fix is sated, I start to drop off, particularly when it's the same old teams front and centre on Thursday/Friday nights. This may be odd, but I like to see all teams during the year and get bored to sods watching Collinwood and Carlton etc all the time. I really enjoy a good game, no matter who's playing and like to see young up-and-coming players from any team, or any player that takes his game to the next level etc. I would seriously prefer to see a good contest between North and Gold Coast (or any team) than watch a Friday night flop between Carlton and Essendon.

Let me qualify this by saying, this is aside from watching the Dees play, which of course is the No.1 priority.

We play 4 Thursday evening games and 1 Wednesday evening game within the first 15 rounds (2 away games @ Sydney and @Adelaide)

If it was possible to start the games at 6.30pm the timeslot might fit better.  As previously stated, I'm neither here or there on Thursday night games but we'll no doubt get used to it

Most of the oldies here were brought up on 6 Saturday* arvo games where the only deviation were the 'split rounds!!'  And if you played footy you could only go to a few games per year

The timeslot that hasn't been exploited is Sunday evening.  What's the bet that's next?  

 

*Standing in the outer you'd often here a question along the lines of ... "Who's E & F?"

Great days all the same

Edited January 23 by Macca

[Grr-owl 1,075]

On 22/01/2024 at 16:52, Macca said:

How about everyone else?

Not big on it cause the kids can't go. I'm one of those old fashioned roll out of bed on a Saturday and wonder what are we going to do today, how 'bout the footy? type of blokes. Can live with the staggered start times over multiple days, but 7:55PM starts mean a late night, so on a Thursday we're out. Keep footy a family thing, I reckon...  

[Grr-owl 1,075]

18 hours ago, whatwhat say what said:

t20 has grown cricket's $$ value exponentially

the biggest stars in the game are still the three format players who excel at test level, not the franchise mercenaries 

They've tried to turn cricket into a sensationalist game. The same is happening to golf and tennis too.... They're not. Lipstick on a pig.

Once found myself at a rugby tournament in a sports facility in Dubai. Looked up and there was the ICC, another dusty steel and glass box exponentially decaying in the brutal climate.

Sad. 

[Ollie fan 2,132]

Reading the last few posts takes me back to the days of Saturday afternoon in the outer  - I know they are gone for ever but they were great days. And who of those who lived through it can forget the excitement of the last H and A game in 1987? - watching the game but with transistor radio in one ear to see whether we could get there.....

 

 

[Lexinator 759]

On 23/01/2024 at 09:11, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

I accept that Thursday night football is here to stay, even though I don't like it. I know the AFL claims that it's "a hit", but I wonder about what its definition of "a hit" actually is? The analogy is T20 cricket. Cricket Australia claims that T20 is a hit but is also concerned about the future of test cricket. Has the "hit" which is T20 cricket irretrievably damaged test cricket? Similarly could too many days per week of AFL ultimately damage the long-term health of AFL football?

I'm going back a long time now, but in the 1980s, the then VFL commissioned David Crawford (a well-known consultant) to review all aspects of the competition. This was when most teams were technically insolvent. Out of that review came the professional competition we know today including the independent commission and national expansion, amongst other things. Crawford was adamant in that report that the VFL had to resist US-style professional sport with its private ownership and high-priced tickets. He wanted the VFL to remain the popular and supported at the grass roots level rather than being a product only available to those who could afford high prices. I fear that the administration of the AFL over the last 10 years has lost that understanding and now wants to mimic everything that happens in US sport which will eventually be the code's undoing.

Thanks for that, good to get an understanding of some history that predates the present AFL landscape.

I agree it's been following US sports for many years now, as does most things in society. I feel like perhaps the introduction of free agency is the most evident example. It's ever changing evolution mimics a lot of US sports free agency rules. Take NBA for example, a player can be on multiple teams in one season. Grundy was a close example, 3 teams, in 3 years. And I know the ideas of further changes with mid season draft, small in season contracts has been brought up recently.

T20 is an interesting topic. A few DL members have discussed this in the Cricket section, might be worth a read. 

[Lexinator 759]

22 hours ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

The reason I see T20 cricket as an analogy is because its growth (in my opinion) has damaged cricket's value. Not because of the format nor because it's meaningless but because it's on TV on so many days. Thursday night AFL means more football on primetime FTA TV which goes against the economic theory of value found in scarcity.

The BBL reduced the games this season. Less was more and I think it reflected well with mostly good attendances all season, not sure what TV viewing figures compare though. They played too many games last season and the crowds were poor compared to when it had less games because they thought more was better. Think AFL and T20 have different dynamics and level of interest so don't think it will be as detrimental to AFL.

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,397]

2 hours ago, Lexinator said:

The BBL reduced the games this season. Less was more and I think it reflected well with mostly good attendances all season, not sure what TV viewing figures compare though. They played too many games last season and the crowds were poor compared to when it had less games because they thought more was better. Think AFL and T20 have different dynamics and level of interest so don't think it will be as detrimental to AFL.

We also have to recognise that the TV rights holder has significant influence on the AFL as a product. As I've said before, there's an inherent conflict between the AFL Commission and the broadcasters. The AFL Commission should be making decisions for the long-term good of the game while the broadcasters can only look as far ahead as the end of the current broadcast rights deal. What's best for one is not necessarily always going to be good for the other.

[Roger Mellie 3,492]

2 hours ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

We also have to recognise that the TV rights holder has significant influence on the AFL as a product. As I've said before, there's an inherent conflict between the AFL Commission and the broadcasters. The AFL Commission should be making decisions for the long-term good of the game while the broadcasters can only look as far ahead as the end of the current broadcast rights deal. What's best for one is not necessarily always going to be good for the other.

Further, in today's Age, the AFL will start to fine players/clubs up to $10K  who repeatedly refuse media requests. The prime examples given were Dusty, Clarry, Charlie Curnow and JDG. Apart from being astounded that the AFLPA would go along with this, there's a very good reason players shun the media - they are either hounded by the media, are terrible in front of a camera, or both.

[Ollie fan 2,132]

13 minutes ago, Roger Mellie said:

Further, in today's Age, the AFL will start to fine players/clubs up to $10K  who repeatedly refuse media requests. The prime examples given were Dusty, Clarry, Charlie Curnow and JDG. Apart from being astounded that the AFLPA would go along with this, there's a very good reason players shun the media - they are either hounded by the media, are terrible in front of a camera, or both.

Is this serious? I am astounded! Look at the people named: Dusty would be questioned ad nauseam about his father, and JDG and Clarry would be hounded about off-field issues - who could blame them for avoiding the media!!!! And the AFL wants to fine them for wanting to keep private things private??!!!!

They should consult a good sports lawyer - this is not acceptable.

[WalkingCivilWar 31,443]

Here’s one for you @picket fence and anyone else who gets down to Casey…

There’s an unofficial practice match pencilled in for Sunday, February 18 vs Richmond at Casey. This will be the first of multiple “family day” type functions. Doesn’t look like there will be one big family day this year.

The practice match will be confirmed (incl. start time) closer to to the day.

❤️💙

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,397]

15 hours ago, Roger Mellie said:

Further, in today's Age, the AFL will start to fine players/clubs up to $10K  who repeatedly refuse media requests. The prime examples given were Dusty, Clarry, Charlie Curnow and JDG. Apart from being astounded that the AFLPA would go along with this, there's a very good reason players shun the media - they are either hounded by the media, are terrible in front of a camera, or both.

It's a continuation of the AFL's continued fascination with everything American. US sports, including the players, generally have a better relationship with the media overall with the media getting much better access for interviews. But it doesn't always work. For example, Marshawn Lynch's Superbowl interview from a few years ago where he answered every question with "I'm here so I won't get fined". (It's a masterclass for Dusty and all the others who don't want to be forced to participate.).

[Damo 2,988]

Yes to any Thursday night games.

Yes to Bowey moving forward. I think it could be a missing link.

[Bystander 863]

15 hours ago, Roger Mellie said:

Further, in today's Age, the AFL will start to fine players/clubs up to $10K  who repeatedly refuse media requests. The prime examples given were Dusty, Clarry, Charlie Curnow and JDG. Apart from being astounded that the AFLPA would go along with this, there's a very good reason players shun the media - they are either hounded by the media, are terrible in front of a camera, or both.

Post match player interviews are inevitably boring. However our AFL players come across as JFK and Martin Luther King compared to the tennis players.

Malthouse was a disgrace in his surly post match interviews...plumber turned pseudo nuclear physicist/philosopher

I feel sympathy for players that would prefer not to do them.

[WalkingCivilWar 31,443]

https://www.tiktok.com/@melbournedemons/video/7325627204652584194?_r=1&_t=8jAm4BdROcs&social_sharing=0

😂😂😂

[BDA 20,048]

I like watching Thursday night footy on the TV. Don't like attending though. gotta work the following morning.

 

[CBDees 3,162]

Have they named a team for today’s practice match at Ikon Park?

I suppose it is expecting too much to have any media?

[WalkingCivilWar 31,443]

25 minutes ago, CBDees said:

Have they named a team for today’s practice match at Ikon Park?

I suppose it is expecting too much to have any media?

That match is scheduled for February 28. 

Edited January 27 by WalkingCivilWar

[WalkingCivilWar 31,443]

4 hours ago, BDA said:

I like watching Thursday night footy on the TV. Don't like attending though. gotta work the following morning.

 

How good is watching us win on a Thursday night?! Whether live or on TV, it’s so enjoyable to watch the others battle each other for the remainder of the weekend. 🤌

[Skuit 9,169]

Can't believe how many on here are privileging one well-rested day of their young children's primary school education over attending a Thursday night footy match here and there. What I learnt at primary school over seven years of Fridays: squat, or maybe some maths formulas which I don't use as an adult other than calculating team percentages. What I learnt following the Demons as a child: true life-long lessons on resilience and that the world sucks but if you suck it up maybe you will have something worthwhile to shout at. Go Dees!

[WalkingCivilWar 31,443]

I’m on my way to Gosch’s, as are a few other DL-ers, no doubt. It’s not raining so the wussier among us will turn up 😁

I’ll leave training reports up to the others since I’ll be otherwise engaged…

For my illustrious leader and me, today is ‘Wrangle The Dads Day.’ She knits little footy jumpers and puts them on teddy bears for new dads and dads-to-be and we have four to give out today, including this little one…

🥹❤️💙

Edit: she also does the same for mums and mums-to-be. 

Edited January 30 by WalkingCivilWar

[WalkingCivilWar 31,443]

A text exchange with my triumvirate of Gosch’s girls…

I’ve taught them well 😂

[Redleg 37,577]

50 minutes ago, WalkingCivilWar said:

A text exchange with my triumvirate of Gosch’s girls…

I’ve taught them well 😂

No doubting your commitment, to the Dees.