PRESEASON TRAINING: Monday 2nd December 2024

[adonski 12,256]

 

[manny100 1,573]

https://www.zerohanger.com/afl-draft-pair-of-2025-prospects-join-demons-for-pre-season-157257/

Nor sure whether this was posted.

[monoccular 17,443]

1 hour ago, fr_ap said:

Why would Windsor be heading back? Goal kicking wings with height, pace and defensive workrate are very rare. 

It's his 2nd year...let the kid grow into something before we break him please 

fr_ap - exactly what I was thinking.  We have a young gun on a wing, touted by some as Tulip#2, so why not continue his development there?

34 minutes ago, binman said:

I noted in an thread that i hoped goody would ecourage spargo to play with a bit more freedom and creativity.

Ditto sparrow.

He's always been a role player. I'd like to see how he'd go in a less defensive role.

I think poor Spargo would be happy to be playing at all - sadly he does look like he could be someone who injury has set him back too far, with others streaming past.😢

[demon3165 2,733]

2 hours ago, Ghostwriter said:

Spaz (and pretty much every OG player) looks lean and perfectly toned, muscly but not bulky, sorta ‘streamlined’ and in general, agility has improved. It’s incredible how markedly different some of them look compared to this past season.

Even players like Vines and Melks who have been in amazing shape all along are looking in the best shape of their careers. Honestly, it’s astounding how incredibly fit and toned they are. Even Bowser’s rocking an impressive six-pack.

According to one of the Club physiotherapists it’s due to the conditioning program and a focus on increasing stamina. And it’s clearly paying off because when they run to the boundary for drinks between drills there’s no apparent signs of excessive fatigue; no one struggling to suck in air, no one grimacing, no bloated red faces and no vomiting, which would be forgiven and even expected such was the intensity and length of the session coupled with the relentless heat (the sun went behind a tiny cloud only once giving a whole 60 seconds of relief 😅).

Shane Mc is also in amazing shape. He’s been training “full on” since preseason started, not with the main group (as we know) but just as strenuous. He’s in a really good place mentally as well. Definitely the most confident and upbeat since he joined us. Methinks our psychologists are killing it. 

That's good to hear seems like a big change will come with their game plan, the one thing I will be interested is when they switch the ball how quick they do it and if if they kick the ball low and hard instead of pie floaters.

[DistrACTION Jackson 8,798]

1 hour ago, 12345_54321 said:

Upon further investigation despite being in our NGA for many years, I believe we don’t have access due to the rule changes. 
 

yep, just our luck. Any way they can screw us, they will 🤦🏻‍♂️

What specific change is that? And why was Kako ok but not this guy?

[adonski 12,256]

I'd be surprised if we saw much if any of Windsor at half back, remember Clarry trained there a couple years back. I think it's mainly familiarising yourself with a different role for injury coverage.

You don't take a goalkicking mid away from the midfield

[demon3165 2,733]

2 minutes ago, adonski said:

I'd be surprised if we saw much if any of Windsor at half back, remember Clarry trained there a couple years back. I think it's mainly familiarising yourself with a different role for injury coverage.

You don't take a goalkicking mid away from the midfield

Now if only Oliver could become that....

[adonski 12,256]

Just now, demon3165 said:

Now if only Oliver could become that....

Are you knocking the Clayton Oliver

[Tolstoys Nudge 1,685]

4 hours ago, gs77 said:

Here's TMac's group from this morning's time trial - leading over Petty, Melksham, Woey and Laurie.

Petty & co.

Petty, Melk, Woey & Laurie

TMac building a significant lead

Sharp was a machine today - miles ahead of his group

Chandler, McVee, Sparrow & possibly Windsor in a chasing group

Said he’d break records - love this kid we need to sue his unique speed and endurance combo and if we do he’ll be a real weapon! 

[waynewussell 5,865]

I'm joining some dots here, and I may be way off the mark. I'm not worried by that because no harm will be done sharing this. I've got the impression that big Max has taken a step back from the captaincy role he has filled so admirably. He needed to get away from it all. He was definitely worn out by the turmoil swirling around MFC in 2024, he said as much. I felt he was happy to take a back seat during the community camp, and I get the same feeling watching recent sessions at Gosch's paddock. Happy to be wrong on this... but we may see a transition in leadership in 2025. Shoot me down!

[demon3165 2,733]

8 minutes ago, adonski said:

Are you knocking the Clayton Oliver

Oliver is coming into his 10th season and has only kicked 54 goals that's just facts, Trac is coming into his 10th season and has kicked 184 goals, Oliver doesn't hurt sides forward of the ball that's what I'm saying.

[Deestar9 1,638]

1 hour ago, 12345_54321 said:

Agree with this. Pre season Sparrow always flatters to deceive. Not sure he’s a walk up start anymore and the fact he was *finally* omitted last season shows that. 

He suffered a “syndesmosis injury against the GC Suns and didn’t play again. Pretty sure that doesn’t come under “finally” omitted..

[Deestar9 1,638]

43 minutes ago, monoccular said:

fr_ap - exactly what I was thinking.  We have a young gun on a wing, touted by some as Tulip#2, so why not continue his development there?

I think poor Spargo would be happy to be playing at all - sadly he does look like he could be someone who injury has set him back too far, with others streaming past.😢

In his radio interview he felt his injury had finally taken a turn for the better and was pretty confident he would be right for Rnd 1 …they are being very conservative with him ..,

[kev martin 9,993]

3 hours ago, Roger Mellie said:

I'd be keen to hear how the Jones/Radford coaching is going

Nathan is very hands on. Always has a ball, though yet to understand the nuances of his midfield coaching. First thoughts are they are going to be direct, quick, flick the ball round, look for breaking the lines, and finish with precision and/or to advantage kicks

Radford is listed as an Opposition Strategy and Education coach, and am not sure yet of the input. He hangs out with the mids is the best I can offer at this stage.

Goody seems to be with the mids when he is not observing, or instructing as to how he wants the entire structure set up.

Bassett, the backline coach is quite animated and heavily involved with his group. Today, Whitford  (I think) VFL coach was down with the backs as well, when they separated into their lines. Working on the spread, and release boundary side. 

Interesting that the coaches are all working together, joining the mids with either the backs or forwards so the connections are enhanced. 

The place was full today, difficult to observe and get a gist as to what the patterns and coach inputs.

Chaplin (forward drills) and Goody (positioning) have changed the system up the most.

Edited 2 hours ago by kev martin

[DeeSpencer 25,767]

7 minutes ago, Deestar9 said:

He suffered a “syndesmosis injury against the GC Suns and didn’t play again. Pretty sure that doesn’t come under “finally” omitted..

He was omitted in round 20. Played at Casey. Came back for 2 games and played a bit better before the injury.

He was our only fit midfielder for large chunks of last year and is an excellent defensive runner. If our big midfield guns are right and our kids come on he'll be in trouble if he doesn't improve. But I also think they won't try to make him a predominantly midfield player like they did last year. He'll be a role player who has to be in at least ok form to keep his spot but as long as he doesn't that he'll be fine.

[12345_54321 1,211]

13 minutes ago, Deestar9 said:

He suffered a “syndesmosis injury against the GC Suns and didn’t play again. Pretty sure that doesn’t come under “finally” omitted..

He literally got omitted after the 50 point loss to Fremantle at Optus. He played VFL the next week when we lost to the Giants by 2 points. He was bought back against the Dogs. He got injured against the Suns and didn’t play in the last game against the Pies. Get your facts right at least. 

[monoccular 17,443]

58 minutes ago, demon3165 said:

Oliver is coming into his 10th season and has only kicked 54 goals that's just facts, Trac is coming into his 10th season and has kicked 184 goals, Oliver doesn't hurt sides forward of the ball that's what I'm saying.

Clayton has played far less time as a forward than has Tracc, so expect fewer goals. Or are you maybe suggesting cause v effect?

38 minutes ago, Deestar9 said:

In his radio interview he (Spargo) felt his injury had finally taken a turn for the better and was pretty confident he would be right for Rnd 1 …they are being very conservative with him ..,

Spargo may feel he could be fit for round 1, but given the others vying for his spot (whatever that may actually be) he may have to wait. 

[rpfc 28,546]

1 hour ago, waynewussell said:

I'm joining some dots here, and I may be way off the mark. I'm not worried by that because no harm will be done sharing this. I've got the impression that big Max has taken a step back from the captaincy role he has filled so admirably. He needed to get away from it all. He was definitely worn out by the turmoil swirling around MFC in 2024, he said as much. I felt he was happy to take a back seat during the community camp, and I get the same feeling watching recent sessions at Gosch's paddock. Happy to be wrong on this... but we may see a transition in leadership in 2025. Shoot me down!

Weren’t you one of the people that shot me down a few months ago for suggesting he do that? 

You may have even vomited on my post indicating as such..

[daisycutter 29,627]

14 hours ago, Demonland said:

 

I will not be providing live commentary and assessment on Trac’s micro facial expressions. 

can you also check his chubbiness please?

[rjay 25,002]

1 hour ago, demon3165 said:

Oliver is coming into his 10th season and has only kicked 54 goals that's just facts, Trac is coming into his 10th season and has kicked 184 goals, Oliver doesn't hurt sides forward of the ball that's what I'm saying.

Different roles, both great players.

2 AFL Coaches awards says he hurts sides, obviously not with his goal kicking.

 

[Ghostwriter 232]

1 hour ago, waynewussell said:

I'm joining some dots here, and I may be way off the mark. I'm not worried by that because no harm will be done sharing this. I've got the impression that big Max has taken a step back from the captaincy role he has filled so admirably. He needed to get away from it all. He was definitely worn out by the turmoil swirling around MFC in 2024, he said as much. I felt he was happy to take a back seat during the community camp, and I get the same feeling watching recent sessions at Gosch's paddock. Happy to be wrong on this... but we may see a transition in leadership in 2025. Shoot me down!

This is what I think as well. Today Max wasn’t as big a presence as he usually is. If someone watched the session not knowing the team at all and was asked who they thought was captain I reckon they’d name Ricky Lever or Vines or even Kolt before Max. There’s a discernible shift, for want of a better word. 

You were there today, right? Idk if you saw when Chin held court. Goody told everyone to “gather around Chin” which they did and Chin explained the drill that was to follow (video below).

They did this at another session but on that occasion it was Spaz who took the floor.

I’m not implying they were ‘auditioning’ or anything, but it’s not something they usually do.

https://streamable.com/xzarn4

[CHF 2,748]

I fully understand that it is still very very early in the pre-season but I cannot help but compare it the the same time last year. The injuries were already stacking up and there were a multitude of negative stories re Oliver. I hope we continue the run through the pre-season in the way that we have started it. 

All very positive.

 big thank-you to all of the training reporters and photographers.