Jump to content

Featured Replies

 
31 minutes ago, adonski said:

In desperate need of  a Jefferson synopsis 

After reading three pages of posts the only sliver of information I gleaned was that he still has no neck 

Pity he’s not training the house down 

34 minutes ago, adonski said:

In desperate need of  a Jefferson synopsis 

I'll be able to give u a SIIIRNOPSIS and a half because Im odds on to attend at Gosshville probably Wednesday and if not Friday!!😋

 
1 minute ago, picket fence said:

I'll be able to give u a SIIIRNOPSIS and a half because Im odds on to attend at Gosshville probably Wednesday and if not Friday!!😋

A 1000 word report required PF, and just on Jeffo's neck

6 hours ago, DeeSpencer said:

most of the key backs are rolling through a forward line

might be an attempt to teach them how the ball should be delivered to those playing forward in a regular fwd line - what doesn't work (lesson) and what might work (reinforcement) ...


47 minutes ago, adonski said:

In desperate need of  a Jefferson synopsis 

Going well! Has put on bulk around the hips. Looks taller than last season. Getting involved in the sims. Listening to and executing the instructions. This morning he was working hard, getting off the blindside of defenders, and in constant movement. Didn't get many passes to him, continued to offer options. His handball and field kicking have also improved, has great hands. Has a reliable set shot. The tackling effort is still lacking, or it maybe that he cannot read defensiveness well. Starts a step behind and doesn't straight line with gusto, though can zone defend reasonably well. During drills he is as clean as anyone. Looking happy. Must be a chance to get a start this year.

4 hours ago, kev martin said:

A few observations -

Basset, and Jones (Goody observing) had a sim/structural drill going, tackling included, going in at about 60% commitment. It seemed to be about getting the ball out from a stoppage in the backline with kick, when the ball gets locked in by congestion. The other side of the field had Chaplin and, I think Whitford, doing something similar, with the emphasis being locking the ball in. Basset was very vocal, he emphasised that the corridor was sacrosanct, 'give them the boundary'.

Langford struggled with the shorts kicks, and decision-making a couple of times. His long kicks were more successful. Campbell moved and handled the ball fairly well for a big man. Good fun watching Viney and Tracc compete against each other.

They had some stoppages for the mids, taken by Jones. Two mids on one opposition, crumbing off the rucks, Gawn, Verrall and Campbell. One mid would block, as the other gets a free run to collect the tap. I am yet to see the tall forwards do any ruck work.

The forwards all practised set kicking from about 45 metres out, taken by Choco.

The backs, with Bassett, practised the basic releases.

The full sims were done with plenty of skill, fast ball movement, and a sparse forward line.

They had an extensive, intensive session, building well.

Do they practice much with a completely crowded forward line, and how is it working out if they do?

7 hours ago, DeeSpencer said:

most of the key backs are rolling through a forward line

might be an attempt to teach them how the ball should be delivered to those playing forward in a regular fwd line - what doesn't work (lesson) and what might work (reinforcement) ...

 
9 minutes ago, kev martin said:

Going well! Has put on bulk around the hips. Looks taller than last season. Getting involved in the sims. Listening to and executing the instructions. This morning he was working hard, getting off the blindside of defenders, and in constant movement. Didn't get many passes to him, continued to offer options. His handball and field kicking have also improved, has great hands. Has a reliable set shot. The tackling effort is still lacking, or it maybe that he cannot read defensiveness well. Starts a step behind and doesn't straight line with gusto, though can zone defend reasonably well. During drills he is as clean as anyone. Looking happy. Must be a chance to get a start this year.

I concur that he’s looking a lot stronger through the legs. I reckon another year and he will also be very solid through his upper body, which will continue to give him confidence to take on the big boys.

Barring injury he will definitely debut this year and I’m guessing will play 5-10 AFL games. He could tear the VFL apart as well, which would be great for confidence.

22 minutes ago, demon3165 said:

Do they practice much with a completely crowded forward line, and how is it working out if they do?

They have been simming and drilling in very congested areas. A marked change from early last season.

When they structure up with a crowded forward line, the instructions I have heard have been, 'look and kick it to where the leading forwrd wants it'. A few of the sims when crowded had them putting the ball infront of JVR who wanted it above the pack for a strong specky attempt, hit the pack, and have a front and centre ready.

Big change is that the crumbers are being drilled, working together, and making sure that someone is there at the crumb (hard running). Chandler reads it well. Kossie's snaps are a beautiful thing to see, so very consistent. 

They haven't given up on the kind of bomb it in theory.

Edited by kev martin


2 hours ago, Ghostwriter said:

He was bleary-eyed but I thought that was because Monday mornings can be rough. He trained well for someone running on “bugger-all” sleep. 

Haha poor bloke.

Thank you!

14 minutes ago, kev martin said:

They have been simming and drilling in very congested areas. A marked change from early last season.

When they structure up with a crowded forward line, the instructions I have heard have been, 'look and kick it to where the leading forwrd wants it'. A few of the sims when crowded had them putting the ball infront of JVR who wanted it above the pack for a strong specky attempt, hit the pack, and have a front and centre ready.

Big change is that the crumbers are being drilled, working together, and making sure that someone is there at the crumb (hard running). Chandler reads it well. Kossie's snaps are a beautiful thing to see, so very consistent. 

They haven't given up on the kind of bomb it in theory.

Thanks, there will quite a few times in a game where bombing it in is the only option  but as long as the small forwards are front and centre or back of the pack and centre that's pleasing.

1 hour ago, adonski said:

In desperate need of  a Jefferson synopsis 

I was there this morning and don't have a heap to add except that Jeffo looks bigger and stronger than last year. He is a curious body shape, almost hunched making me wonder how tall he would be with a few Alexander technique classes. 

The most important thing I wanted to make was that he marks out in front of himself with fully extended arms which I love. 

The last hunched type forward I remember was peter hudson.   With his broad hunched shoulders, bum pushed back, not many defenders could stop him marking.  Hope he is somewhere near as good.

7 hours ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

I doubt it. He's been dead for 12 years.

Thought he’s been a bit quiet 🤔
…still no excuse. 

Edited by DiscoStu17


I expect that a lot of people who post on here are already aware, but there is a guy named Ben Carson who posts a lot of training photos (and is possibly an Admin) on the Facebook page, Melbourne Football Club Forum.

At first I was thinking that maybe he’s the club’s official photographer, but I’m pretty sure (could be wrong though), his shots differ from those I’ve seen on the club’s website and to my eye are much better; they really are fantastic shots and more plentiful than the club’s offerings.

8 hours ago, hardtack said:

I expect that a lot of people who post on here are already aware, but there is a guy named Ben Carson who posts a lot of training photos (and is possibly an Admin) on the Facebook page, Melbourne Football Club Forum.

At first I was thinking that maybe he’s the club’s official photographer, but I’m pretty sure (could be wrong though), his shots differ from those I’ve seen on the club’s website and to my eye are much better; they really are fantastic shots and more plentiful than the club’s offerings.

I'm pretty sure he takes them from Getty Images.

10 hours ago, stinga said:

The last hunched type forward I remember was peter hudson.   With his broad hunched shoulders, bum pushed back, not many defenders could stop him marking.  Hope he is somewhere near as good.

I reckon current fringe player Chris Burgess (Adel/GCS) has a very similar build.

10 hours ago, stinga said:

The last hunched type forward I remember was peter hudson.   With his broad hunched shoulders, bum pushed back, not many defenders could stop him marking.  Hope he is somewhere near as good.

Good comparative observation, air-space, immediate ground protection keeping defenders 'outside that zone' as preparation for a mark. Also a characteristic, at times, of several forward players from the Hawks dominant decade - perhaps a John Kennedy influence?


1 hour ago, Deemania since 56 said:

Good comparative observation, air-space, immediate ground protection keeping defenders 'outside that zone' as preparation for a mark. Also a characteristic, at times, of several forward players from the Hawks dominant decade - perhaps a John Kennedy influence?

Jason Dunstall was also a leading forward type player.

How is Melky going?? though I note that someone said her pulled out of the drills at some point.  Do we see him getting much game time this year?

12 hours ago, stinga said:

The last hunched type forward I remember was peter hudson.   With his broad hunched shoulders, bum pushed back, not many defenders could stop him marking.  Hope he is somewhere near as good.

Josh Kennedy of West Coast wouldn't have looked out of place in Notre Dame.

 
13 hours ago, stinga said:

The last hunched type forward I remember was peter hudson.   With his broad hunched shoulders, bum pushed back, not many defenders could stop him marking.  Hope he is somewhere near as good.

Gary Ablett Snr was also hunched. He went alright.

Off topic question. Is Kossy still eligible to win the Brownlow this year? (Ie rubbed out last year but suspension carried over to this coming season).My initial thought is yes, but not sure.


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...

Featured Content

  • FEATURE: 1925

    A hundred years ago today, on 2 May 1925, Melbourne kicked off the new season with a 47 point victory over St Kilda to take top place on the VFL ladder after the opening round of the new season.  Top place was a relatively unknown position for the team then known as the “Fuchsias.” They had finished last in 1923 and rose by only one place in the following year although the final home and away round heralded a promise of things to come when they surprised the eventual premiers Essendon. That victory set the stage for more improvement and it came rapidly. In this series, I will tell the story of how the 1925 season unfolded for the Melbourne Football Club and how it made the VFL finals for the first time in a decade on the way to the ultimate triumph a year later.

      • Love
      • Thanks
      • Like
    • 0 replies
    Demonland
  • PREVIEW: West Coast

    Saturday’s election night game in Perth between the West Coast Eagles and Melbourne represents 18th vs 15th which makes it a tough decision as to which party to favour. The Eagles have yet to break the ice under their new coach in Andrew McQualter who is the second understudy in a row to confront Demon Coach Simon Goodwin who was also winless until a fortnight ago. On that basis, many punters might be considering to go with the donkey vote but I’ve been assigned with the task of helping readers to come to a considered opinion on this matter of vital importance across the nation. It was almost a year ago that I wrote a preview here of the Demons’ away game against the Eagles (under the name William from Waalitj because it was Indigenous Round).  I issued a warning that it was a danger game, based on my local knowledge that the home team were no longer easybeats and that they possessed a wunderkind generational player in Harley Reid who was capable of producing stellar performances playing among men a decade and more older than he.  At the time, the Eagles already had two wins off the back of a couple of the young man’s masterclasses and they had recently given the Bombers a scare straight after their Anzac Day blockbuster draw against the then reigning premiers.

      • Thanks
      • Like
    • 1 reply
    Demonland
  • NON-MFC: Round 08

    Round 08 of the 2025 AFL Season kicks off on Thursday with a must-win game for the Bombers to stay in touch with the top eight, while the struggling Roos seek a morale-boosting upset. Friday sees the Saints desperate for a win as well if they are to stay in finals contention and their opponents the Dockers will be eager to crack in to the Top 8 with a win on the road. Saturday kicks off with a pivotal clash for both sides asthe Bulldogs look to solidify their top-eight spot, while Port seeks to shake their pretender tag. Then the Crows will be looking to steady their topsy turvy season against a resurgent Blues looking to make it 4 wins on the trot. On Election Night a Blockbuster will see the ladder-leading Pies take on the Cats, who are keen to bounce back after a narrow loss. On Sunday the Sydney Derby promises fireworks as the Giants aim to cement their top-eight status, while the Swans fight to keep their season alive. The Hawks, celebrating their centenary, will be looking to easily account for the Tigers who are desperate to halt their slide. The Round concludes on Sunday Night with a top end of the table QClash with significant ladder implications; both Queensland teams are in scintillating form. Who are you tipping this week and what are the best results for the Demons?

    • 67 replies
    Demonland
  • PREGAME: West Coast

    The Demons hit the road in Round 8, heading to Perth to face the West Coast Eagles at Optus Stadium. With momentum building, the Dees will be aiming for a third straight victory to keep their season revival on course. Who comes in and who goes out?

      • Thanks
    • 542 replies
    Demonland
  • REPORT: Richmond

    The fans who turned up to the MCG for Melbourne’s Anzac Day Eve clash against Richmond would have been disappointed if they turned up to see a great spectacle. As much as this was a night for the 71,635 in attendance to commemorate heroes of the nation’s past wars, it was also a time for the Melbourne Football Club to consolidate upon its first win after a horrific start to the 2025 season. On this basis, despite the fact that it was an uninspiring and dour struggle for most of its 100 minutes, the night will be one for the fans to remember. They certainly got value out of the pre match activity honouring those who fought for their country. The MCG and the lights of the city as backdrop was made for nights such as these and, in my view, we received a more inspirational ceremony of Anzac culture than others both here and elsewhere around the country. 

      • Love
      • Thanks
      • Like
    • 0 replies
    Demonland
  • CASEY: Richmond

    The match up of teams competing in our great Aussie game at its second highest level is a rarity for a work day Thursday morning but the blustery conditions that met the players at a windswept Casey Fields was something far more commonplace.They turned the opening stanza between the Casey Demons and a somewhat depleted Richmond VFL into a mess of fumbling unforced errors, spilt marks and wasted opportunities for both sides but they did set up a significant win for the home team which is exactly what transpired on this Anzac Day round opener. Casey opened up strong against the breeze with the first goal to Aidan Johnson, the Tigers quickly responded and the game degenerated into a defensive slog and the teams were level when the first siren sounded.

      • Clap
      • Thanks
      • Like
    • 0 replies
    Demonland