PRESEASON TRAINING: Wednesday 7th February 2024

[Demonland 71,129]

JVR, Kolt and Trac remain on the field doing goal kicking practice. 

[Sydee 4,378]

Just now, Demonland said:

JVR, Kolt and Trac remain on the field doing goal kicking practice. 

Hope Kolt taking notes on goal kicking from JVR not Trac 

[Diamond_Jim 12,510]

19 minutes ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

I'm very pleased. I had thought "decimated" meant reducing something by 90% to leave one-tenth. Having checked I'm pleased with the better definition of it meaning only one in ten rather than nine in ten.

(On the other hand, the historical, literal interpretation is that decimate meant "to kill one-tenth of a group as military punishment in the Roman army." But let's just ignore that detail.)

I did know that but another fun fact..

The Roman Century which was the fundamental unit of the Roman empire's army generally had only about 60 men.

Perhaps that's reflective of our forward line and of course the Romans generally won because they fought as a team and were experts at outflanking the opposition

Edited February 7 by Diamond_Jim

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,672]

3 minutes ago, Diamond_Jim said:

I did know that but another fun fact..

The Roman Century which was the fundamental unit of the Roman empire's army generally had only about 60 men.

Perhaps that's reflective of our forward line and of course the Romans generally won because they fought as a team and were experts at outflanking the opposition

Bad list management. Presumably salary cap problems.

[FTB 176]

Thanks for the updates today.

How did the boy wonder, Windsor, go today following his sublime performance in match sim last week?

[Tarax Club 3,850]

3 minutes ago, gs77 said:

Bilbo Baggins has magically re-appeared?

[Diamond_Jim 12,510]

1 minute ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

Bad list management. Presumably salary cap problems.

Funnily enough the elite  Praetorian Guard generally had 100 men per century. It was a cushy job and they were always well rewarded by "wise" emperors. Just ask Nero.

[12345_54321 958]

23 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

I can’t believe he cost us a 2nd rounder and Adelaide used his defection to turn the heat on Petty, but his talent has been evident when he’s been training, which has been most of the time.

He’s not the first MFC recruit to struggle in their first preseason with us. Happened with a much bigger name last year 

Happens with most of our new recruits. As far back as Steven May.

 

and he’ll happily tell you about it😂

[Tarax Club 3,850]

50 minutes ago, Pennant St Dee said:

@Demonland I understand we’re behind in the West, however title of the thread says Wednesday February 8th 2024. My watch, computer and phone all saying Wednesday February 7th 

Andy must be overly eager to celebrate Lunar New Year in this most auspicious Year of the Dragon Demon.

Edited February 7 by Tarax Club

[poita 3,889]

Obviously a tough gig being opposed to Max, but are there any indications that KFW has made any progress over the off season? We haven't had a great record developing young ruckmen since Max came of age, and Kyah is coming from a long way back.

[Demonland 71,129]

 

[picket fence 17,002]

3 hours ago, Demonland said:

TMac just in a training singlet joining the rehabbers. He was doing warmup drills with the main group. Is wearing runners not boots. Hoping it’s a similar situation to Petty not training last week as part of a scheduled de-loading week. 

He is leaning against the fence so doesn’t appear to be doing rehab. 

Just to confirm,does it look like his runners have concrete insoles as well?

[picket fence 17,002]

Can anyone who watched today, support my view that Shache could and should play in the opening round?

[SthSea22 609]

Geez i really hope McAdam is one of those blokes who we can't get 100% fit

 

[Pates 9,655]

2 minutes ago, picket fence said:

Can anyone who watched today, support my view that Shache could and should play in the opening round?

Maybe he'll be the sub and not used again.

[Jeremy 981]

9 minutes ago, picket fence said:

Can anyone who watched today, support my view that Shache could and should play in the opening round?

Might have to ! 

[Demonland 71,129]

51 minutes ago, FTB said:

Thanks for the updates today.

How did the boy wonder, Windsor, go today following his sublime performance in match sim last week?

He has wonderful evasion skills but does occasionally get caught trying to do too much but we he does weave in and out of play he looks silky and has excellent foot skills. With Hunter likely not to be available at the start of the season he has certainly put his hand up but until I see him under match conditions with an opposition it is hard to see exactly where he is at.

[Demonland 71,129]

11 minutes ago, picket fence said:

Just to confirm,does it look like his runners have concrete insoles as well?

Do I look like I work at Foot Locker. 😜

[daisycutter 29,600]

1 hour ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

I'm very pleased. I had thought "decimated" meant reducing something by 90% to leave one-tenth. Having checked I'm pleased with the better definition of it meaning only one in ten rather than nine in ten.

(On the other hand, the historical, literal interpretation is that decimate meant "to kill one-tenth of a group as military punishment in the Roman army." But let's just ignore that detail.)

it was more than just kill 1 in 10 for a group

the military unit to be decimated (due to rebellion, performance etc) was spit up into groups of 10. within the group of 10 they drew straws to determine who would be killed. then the other 9 in the group had to kill their comrade who drew the short straw..

tough love, huh

today, in common usage, decimate tends to used for more like 10% surviving rather than being killed

[Slartibartfast 17,096]

It was a beautiful day at Gosch's until the players arrived and it seemed most of our tall forwards sat out training and did little or nothing in the rehab group.  Someone's got the voodoo doll out for our talls as Turner, Tmac and Verrell were all additions to this group since I last saw them and Petty did about 10 minutes and then absolutely nothing. Salem started with light drills and then just did running (mainly with Clarrie) and AMW, who had just worked his way out of rehab was back there. McAdam was also a new addition. At least Steven May did the whole session unhindered.  But the number in rehab is not good at this time of year.

The session itself was as low key as I've seen this year.  There were few high intensity drills before ball movement drills (match sim is a very glorified description) and these drills were at about 75% intensity I reckon.  Of course it's all part of the plan I guess and with matches against Richmond and Carlton not too far away perhaps it's to freshen up, who knows.

Some players to catch the eye:

Adams:  there was some high marking practice and Adams was the stand out with several strong marks against the likes of Verrell, Schache and Tomlinson.  He's got very good hands and he's come on in leaps and bounds from last year.  You'd think the third tall at the moment would be between Tommo and Hore but Adams is putting his name forward.

KBrown:  I couldn't be more impressed with what I've seen from this kid over the preseason.  He's involved, he's clean and his skills are sound but the most impressive thing is he looks comfortable at the pace and finds the ball really easily.  He's a string bean above the waist but his lateral movement is really good and he's learning what he can do and what he can't.

Viney: tried to do too much on occasions and got caught a couple of times but looks set for a really good season.

Chandler:  involved a lot and kicked really well for goal slotting a few from very tight angles. I think he's stepped up from last year and hope he can maintain his form for longer this year.

Sparrow:  did the whole session in a rare bit of good news.

Kossie:  did some really magical Kossie things when the ball was on the ground, what a shame about the suspension.

Seston:  is improving.  He's getting more involved and looks like his running has improved and he's got great kicking skills.  He was last on the track with JvR practicing his goal kicking and was doing it very well from a variety of angles and distances.  He's also getting more involved in general play but today even I could have got a kick (perhaps!)

KfW: in match sims he's against Max and just gets a lesson and he seems to have trouble judging the ball in the air to compete but perhaps Max is just too good.  But he's improved a lot since last year and he won't die wondering if he could have done more to make it.

All players had their moments.  The regular senior boys just went about their business and blokes like Howes, Laurie, Woey, Windsor and The Kolt all showed their skills but really this session just seemed to be a loosener and I'm not reading too much into it.  A prime indicator is it's the first session where Trac didn't seem head and shoulders above the rest.

I'll be interested to read others opinion as perhaps I'm being too harsh, but that's the way I saw it.

[Demonland 71,129]

11 minutes ago, picket fence said:

Can anyone who watched today, support my view that Shache could and should play in the opening round?

I don't think we will have much of a choice to be honest. JVR needs support. We can't have teams double teaming him with only Fritsch and a bevy of small forwards.

Schache is good on a lead and if he gets out the back of an opponent but if he is one on one with a strong defender he gets ragdolled.

[Slartibartfast 17,096]

13 minutes ago, picket fence said:

Can anyone who watched today, support my view that Shache could and should play in the opening round?

Not me Picket, I saw him last year do the same thing.  He's got great skills but that's about where it stops for me.  Having said that he may get a go because Petty, Brown, Fullerton, Melksham and now McAdam will all perhaps not be available for the first round. When the real stuff starts he really struggles and I've seen nothing to suggest that's changed.

[Demonland 71,129]

OLIVER BUILD CONTINUES AS RECRUIT MIXES WITH STAR MIDS 

Clayton Oliver continued to train away from Melbourne’s main group on Wednesday as the Demons superstar ramps back up to full fitness.

Oliver initially took part in centre bounces drills with Max Gawn prior to main training kicking off before the triple All-Australian did some light individual ball drills with assistant coach Andrew McQualter.

With chief executive Gary Pert, footy boss Alan Richardson and list manager Tim Lamb all watching on at Gosch’s Paddock, Oliver then joined some other Demons in the rehab group including recruit Tom Fullarton and Christian Salem for other light ball work and run-throughs.

Fellow recruit Shane McAdam, Lachie Hunter and Ben Brown were also restricted to light duties away from the main group, while Tom McDonald didn’t appear to be training at all.

Oliver and Salem later ran around the boundary together in runners before Oliver did laps by himself, with the 26-year old active for the entire session. 

There was a clear focus on running, building his fitness and general ball touch as Oliver, who appeared to be in good physical condition and generally moved well, gets back up to speed.

But some four weeks out from the AFL’s Opening Round, there’s still no update on when Oliver will be reintegrated with the rest of his teammates in full training.

Elsewhere, new Demon Jack Billings took part in centre bounce drills with the rest of Melbourne’s midfield, led by Christian Petracca and Jack Viney. Alex Neal-Bullen and Tom Sparrow were also training with the on-ballers.

Josh Schache and rookie-listed Kyah Farris-White were the only other Melbourne players doing ruck drills alongside Max Gawn with the midfield.

[sue 9,096]

7 minutes ago, Slartibartfast said:

Not me Picket, I saw him last year do the same thing.  He's got great skills but that's about where it stops for me.  Having said that he may get a go because Petty, Brown, Fullerton, Melksham and now McAdam will all perhaps not be available for the first round. When the real stuff starts he really struggles and I've seen nothing to suggest that's changed.

Be interesting then to see how he goes in the practice match vs Carlton

[Demonland 71,129]

10 minutes ago, Demonland said:

OLIVER BUILD CONTINUES AS RECRUIT MIXES WITH STAR MIDS 

Clayton Oliver continued to train away from Melbourne’s main group on Wednesday as the Demons superstar ramps back up to full fitness.

Oliver initially took part in centre bounces drills with Max Gawn prior to main training kicking off before the triple All-Australian did some light individual ball drills with assistant coach Andrew McQualter.

With chief executive Gary Pert, footy boss Alan Richardson and list manager Tim Lamb all watching on at Gosch’s Paddock, Oliver then joined some other Demons in the rehab group including recruit Tom Fullarton and Christian Salem for other light ball work and run-throughs.

Fellow recruit Shane McAdam, Lachie Hunter and Ben Brown were also restricted to light duties away from the main group, while Tom McDonald didn’t appear to be training at all.

Oliver and Salem later ran around the boundary together in runners before Oliver did laps by himself, with the 26-year old active for the entire session. 

There was a clear focus on running, building his fitness and general ball touch as Oliver, who appeared to be in good physical condition and generally moved well, gets back up to speed.

But some four weeks out from the AFL’s Opening Round, there’s still no update on when Oliver will be reintegrated with the rest of his teammates in full training.

Elsewhere, new Demon Jack Billings took part in centre bounce drills with the rest of Melbourne’s midfield, led by Christian Petracca and Jack Viney. Alex Neal-Bullen and Tom Sparrow were also training with the on-ballers.

Josh Schache and rookie-listed Kyah Farris-White were the only other Melbourne players doing ruck drills alongside Max Gawn with the midfield.

Great reporting here from Fox Footy not noticing or mentioning Petty leaving the track. You think that would be a bigger story.