TRAINING: Wednesday 5th December 2024

[Demonland 72,541]

A couple of intrepid Demonland Trackwatchers headed down to Gosch's Paddock for the midweek Preseason Training Session to bring you the following observations.

Demonland's own Whispering Jack was not in attendance but he kicked off proceedings with the following summary of all the Preseason Training action to date.

We’re already a month into the MFC preseason (if you started counting when the younger players in the group began the campaign along with some of the more keen older heads) and in less than a few hours’ time, most of the list will be hitting the track for another grueling session at Gosch’s Paddock.

If you haven’t been following our training threads, today’s Herald Sun article Demons ponder big man reshuffle to fix forward funk by Jay Clark has a crack at bringing you up to speed with the goings on at the club. In the hard paper edition the article is on page 63 and it’s entitled “Dees go for Petty change”. 

Clark writes that “Melbourne could make footy’s first big positional switch of the summer and return Harrison Petty to a key defensive role next season”.  This is not an official call for Petty who struggled to have an impact up forward last year - Clark says he will be trialled in both forward and defensive roles over summer. He adds that this opens up some scope for “marking targets Daniel Turner, 2022 first round pick Matthew Jefferson and VFL recruit Aidan Johnson to partner ace goal kickers Jacob van Rooyen and Bayley Fritsch”.

Clark also points out that it’s a crucial year for the club in fighting off possible poaching efforts for Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver after they explored moves to leave during the trade period but he confirms the gun midfielders “have put those issues behind them”. 

Accompanying the article which also mentioned the team-building exercises at last week’s camp in Victoria’s high country are the following pointers to highlight some of the preseason moves at the club:-

“Harry Sharp on the wing

With running dynamo Alex Neal-Bullen heading to Adelaide, the Dees recruited Brisbane grand final emergency Harry Sharp to add run to an ageing midfield. The 21-year-old showed his aerobic prowess on Monday when he decimated his new teammates in a 2km time trial and he is likely to be given first dibs on the opposite wing to Ed Langdon.

Caleb Windsor to defence

With Sharp and potentially No.11 pick Xavier Lindsay joining the Dees’ wing stocks, second-year Windsor is likely to move to a running half-back role used to great effect by Fremantle’s Jordan Clark. The club is aware that with Steven May and Tom McDonald both on the wrong side of 30 and Jake Lever often copping knee niggles, having pace around them is essential.

Midfield reboot

It’s not just the arrival of No.6 pick Harvey Langford that has the Dees excited. Both Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver set tongues wagging at Gosch’s Paddock on Monday. After a horror 2024, Oliver seems to be keen to re-establish himself as one of the league’s best tacklers, while Petracca looked fully engaged instructing the first-year players.”

Well … that’s your history lesson about the preseason so far.

Of course, most of the above has already been covered in our own preseason training threads.

Now it’s over to our track watchers to fill us in on today’s action … 

WAYNE WUSSELL'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS

Gawn and Melksham first out, closely followed by Tholstrup.

I’ve counted 42 out there at the moment.

Haven’t seen Roy "Boy" George this morning.

Fritsch is not kicking in the short pass to lead activity. Salem is running with him and he hands it off.

Campbell has a slow, loopy pass.

REHAB GROUP: Lever, McAdam, Spargo & Lindsay

A little late on this, but haven’t seen K White.

McAdam now having shots at goal by himself.

Verrall = lackadaisical.

Ollie trailing in on the sprint to drinks.

Fritta now running the boundary at good pace.

Lindsay now running the boundary.

Clarrie has left the training field.

I watched the group on the Punt Road boundary where Clarrie was involved. It was a run and handball, with little goal posts at each end. It was non-stop with attacking team v defending team. Seemed like even numbers. It was played in a 50-metre section of the wing, quite congested, but the non-stop run by ball carriers was impressive. Clarrie showed trademark burst and lightning handball on occasions. He brushed some opponents aside, but the very next play he ran into Kossie, who trapped him in vice-like arms and bought him to ground, hard! Immediately after this, Clarrie took himself to the side line and sucked in the big ones on all fours. Soon after this he slowly walked the perimeter... I think this must have been just before he threw in the towel. I add that he was pushing himself to the limit everytime he had the ball in all the activities I watched.

The speed of Sharp was very evident in this same activity. He bounced off tacklers and spun around on-coming defenders to speed away and deliver to teammates. He then ran on at blistering pace to start a new chain from the backline... think, "beep beep"!

Langford's poise by hand and foot was on show in end-to-end exercises on that same wing!

NO. 41'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS

I saw Clarrie earlier having a few puffs of an asthma puffer, plus what I assumed to be a couple of hits with a nasal spray. I suspect that probably has a lot do do with his early departure.

DITCHA'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS

I attended some of the training. Very impressed with how fit everyone looks. During one exercise Luker Kentfield failed to take his time when kicking for goal, and missed. Choco told him to take his time, and kick the goal. Clayton Oliver left training early with physio, but seemed OK. 

FRITTA AND TURNER'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS

Once again a very pleasant day watching the training with a full squad in attendance.  It took me ages to find Jed Adams until the boys started yelling Jed Jed Jed (dead give away) and i realised he was in a No number Jumper.

No Kalani White but Toby Sinnema was there.

Lever, Spargo, McAdam, Lindsay and Fritter in rehab ie not taking part in all the drills.  They did a separate drill and then on the bikes and running the boundary. Don't know whats wrong with Fritta but it aint running.

Lever dragged the bike to the boundary line and yelled encouragement, and you better be encouraged ok!!!!

AMW did a great block on the Kolt and a fantastic tackle on Viney.

Maysie gives instructions to the backs with a flick of a hand and guess what, seems to position well and find space.

Langford has a first and 2nd effort and seems to instinctively know where the ball is in a contest.  He also looks like Turner but with curls.

AJ ready to go and is strong at it.

Kynan shows plenty of run and dash.

Hore wacked his knee cap on the ground, a minor cut, and had some strapping as a precaution.

Tracca had the cap with a 'sun shade' on the back.  (Reminds me of the cartoons I watched years ago).  Moving well.

Sharpie looked er sharp and got lots of vocal support from his team mates.

Campbell looks like he is enjoying it.

Max and Clarrie were gassed at time.  Clarrie did not participate in the match sim at the end.  I think Kynan pulled out early.

Not many track watchers as last time but the number grew to 60+.

KEV MARTIN'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS

Coaches are working hard. Plenty of instructions, and a variety of new drills that are making them use different skills.

Bounces and run, more focus on having opponents, handballs with the players getting in the way of opposition, and opponents (Jones) getting in the way of runners.

They are happy and training with skill and high standards

McAdams with boots on and kicking goals. Spargo getting closer. Langford likes a goal and can kick them on the run and from a long way out. Fritta doing some training drills and extra running. Salem has already dropped a few kilos. Melky in an orange bib during sims (the only one), and connecting through the middle and then hitting up with some beautiful kicks. Tackling in handball game was ferocious, I worried about them at times. Bowey was in with the backs when in their lines but matched up against Windsor on the wing in the sims. The other wing side had Billings and Langdon.

Tracc playing with some flair, his field kicking has also improved.

Oliver was trying to dance around opponents but got caught a few times.

When Clarry was boundary running with Campbell, he was belching . Perhaps he had an upset stomach.

Wasn't the temperature in the low 20's. I was in the shade most of the time, and comfortable.

McAdams is still on light duties.

Gawn is getting more involved with the leadership role, He is in cruise mode.

Oliver is trying hard.

Viney is excelling and isbest by a far distance, also, atending every session so far.

Billings is looking very good. Running hard, getting plenty of ball and with good disposals. Back to the club in great shape.

Harry Sharp has looked good from day 1. Glides around the field, comfortable with ball in hand, he is not disturbing the pecking order as he is keeping a humble and happy disposition.

Howes started preseason with the occasional fumble and misskick. I feel a few may have jumped above him. Today he had a good run at it. Hoping he is finding some confidence from it. His body is looking taller and stronger.

[layzie 33,908]

Wonder if Sharp could realistically be in the mix come round 1? Would there be any reason why someone like Billings would be clearly ahead of him?