According to Jack Viney, the foundation for Melbourne’s coming resurgence began at the pre-season camp at Bright, which focused heavily on the players’ connection, perspective and communication.

Dees star reveals ‘robust discussions’ after turmoil of 2024

“Melbourne veteran hard nut Jack Viney says the club’s ­decision to prioritise player connection and team bonding has allowed it to overcome last year’s problems.

“The Demons’ culture was heavily questioned as midfield superstars Clayton Oliver and Christian Petracca weighed up their futures at the club last season.

“But best-and-fairest winner Viney, who ran a personal best 2km time trial over summer, said the Demons had changed their approach with the help of mindset master Ben Crowe”.

This is what separates the men clubs from the boy clubs. I've got full faith that they are addressing things and I'm sure Ben Crowe is already making a difference. 

Let’s hope the boys used Selley’s…………..

 

3 minutes ago, Demon Disciple said:

Let’s hope the boys used Selley’s…………..

 

Tarzan’s Grip!

1 hour ago, Whispering_Jack said:

According to Jack Viney, the foundation for Melbourne’s coming resurgence began at the pre-season camp at Bright, which focused heavily on the players’ connection, perspective and communication.

Dees star reveals ‘robust discussions’ after turmoil of 2024

“Melbourne veteran hard nut Jack Viney says the club’s ­decision to prioritise player connection and team bonding has allowed it to overcome last year’s problems.

“The Demons’ culture was heavily questioned as midfield superstars Clayton Oliver and Christian Petracca weighed up their futures at the club last season.

“But best-and-fairest winner Viney, who ran a personal best 2km time trial over summer, said the Demons had changed their approach with the help of mindset master Ben Crowe”.

To jump the paywall:  https://www.removepaywall.com/search?url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/jack-viney-opens-up-on-turbulent-2024-how-dees-get-back-to-the-top-in-2025/news-story/d8efb21b0b10aaea79d2883c9b146232#google_vignette

Is Ben Crowe still going to be involved with the club throughout the season or was he just for the camp?

Melbourne skipper Max Gawn has declared his club won’t “start in the negative” this year, claiming a mindset change and critical pre-season camp had set the foundation for the team flip its fortunes.

After three consecutive top-four finishes – including the 2021 flag – the Demons were one of the shock 2024 sliders, finishing in 14th spot on the ladder – albeit with an 11-12 record and percentage of 98.5.

It came amid serious questions over the club’s culture and trade speculation surrounding superstar duo Clayton Oliver and Christian Petracca, who ultimately opted to remain at the club.

But the Demons this summer have placed an emphasis on player connection, with leadership coach Ben Crowe brought in to help facilitate the mindset approach.

“The fact we had someone external and we went away to Bright, which made it more unique being in a different place. We got some really good people who got up and told some good home truths and some good stories … the stuff off the field is really exciting,” Gawn told The Age.

“To be able to start (the year) on an even playing field and even potentially with a positive, given what we have delved into in this space would put us ahead of some groups in this space, then our footy can do the talking.

“We don’t have to start in the negative and clean up what is happening off the field while trying to play competitive footy against sides better than us both (on and off the field).”

Fellow Demons leader Jack Viney told the Herald Sun coach Simon Goodwin declared completing a 2km time trial at the start of the Bright camp “probably wasn’t what we needed as a group”, instead bringing in Crowe to help the playing group focus on perspective and communication.

“Typically, you come back day one of pre-season and you can be straight into time trials and that sort of stuff, but I think it is why ‘Goody’ is such a good coach,” Viney told the Herald Sun.

“I think over the course of history, if you looked, all of the successful teams – you see the connection and the bond created.

Melbourne players Jack Viney, Christian Salem and Max Gawn promote the club's new jumper sponsor with Grill’d. Picture: Melbourne FC.Source: Supplied

“It is almost the number one thing. Without that there is not much point in doing too much else.”

Viney said there were “robust” but healthy discussions held among Demons players at the camp that had given the group “optimism about what we are able to achieve”.

“I’m really thankful we had these conversations which, at the time, can be challenging but I think when you come out the other end of it, you come away optimistic and really excited about the future of the footy club,” he said.

Gawn suggested Goodwin, who comes out of contract at the end of 2026, had returned to training with a noticeable “edge”.

“He’s (Goodwin been open to feedback. He has given us some feedback. He’s got married and since his wedding – he must have had some time to think in Bali – he has come back with a bit of an edge,” Gawn said. “He has got his competitive voice back, and he’s back into training and he’s yelling. It’s good.”

It’s feeling very 2021 around here. Just got to manage the injuries, bank the wins early and come home hard and strong. 💪 

49 minutes ago, Roost it far said:

It’s feeling very 2021 around here. Just got to manage the injuries, bank the wins early and come home hard and strong. 💪 

And keep a lid on it!

A few club staff at the open training session last week were talking to me about how connected the group is this preseason.

I also overheard one of the fitness guys telling the trainers to keep the positive talk going but also make sure the players retrieved the footy’s themselves. ‘Keep them up and about but make sure they are constantly moving’. Building resilience in a positive space. 

 

More along the same lines -

'We lost everything': Dees skipper Max Gawn declares 2024 in the past after review

 

It's amazing how similar all three articles are.

That's the future of text based media - aggregated news siphoned from other sites and AI generated  articles.

After hearing Andrew Russell on SEN this morning, I couldn’t be more pumped — he spoke about how the correlation between players doing >80% and <60% and having those number in favour was to club finishing high on ladder and “being in a position to contend” & that it’s basically a direct correlation “IRRESPECTIVE of talent” — Given talent we have, to escape Jan with a largely fit list (touch wood) and the re-bonding Jack speaks of combined with all the other factors I’ve referred to in terms of playing list, I’m telling you right now - as it stands - we are PRIMED to attack this year!!!

1 hour ago, binman said:

It's amazing how similar all three articles are.

That's the future of text based media - aggregated news siphoned from other sites and AI generated  articles.

I love the Goody lauding of Viney — knowing what his group needed etc I think speaks volumes.

21 hours ago, Whispering_Jack said:

And keep a lid on it!

Yeah I much prefer reading these sort of articles after we’ve won a flag, not before round 1! 

2 minutes ago, The Jackson FIX said:

Yeah I much prefer reading these sort of articles after we’ve won a flag, not before round 1! 

We dont get to read much then....hope springs eternal

2 minutes ago, Fritta and Turner said:

We dont get to read much then....hope springs eternal

My hope lies in the mystery of what we don’t hear

2 hours ago, Tolstoys Nudge said:

After hearing Andrew Russell on SEN this morning, I couldn’t be more pumped — he spoke about how the correlation between players doing >80% and <60% and having those number in favour was to club finishing high on ladder and “being in a position to contend” & that it’s basically a direct correlation “IRRESPECTIVE of talent” — Given talent we have, to escape Jan with a largely fit list (touch wood) and the re-bonding Jack speaks of combined with all the other factors I’ve referred to in terms of playing list, I’m telling you right now - as it stands - we are PRIMED to attack this year!!!

Heard the same interview, keep fingers crossed we get to round one in good shape! Then we will be looking good!

Improving connection, perspective and communication is good , but it won't give us the forward line we need to win it this year.  The same problem remains.

I don't read replies or reactions 

 

Edited January 30Jan 30 by greenwaves

On 29/01/2025 at 11:24, Roost it far said:

It’s feeling very 2021 around here. Just got to manage the injuries, bank the wins early and come home hard and strong. 💪 

I know its meaningless but in today's Age an  online  survey has the Dees as the equal 2nd best improver of the upcoming season

It's great to feel excited about footy again!

At least until round 1!

I hope our new Bond is James and not Alan.

4 minutes ago, Demonstone said:

I hope our new Bond is James and not Alan.

Maybe with Alan's bookkeeper we could find a way around the salary cap though...

23 hours ago, The Jackson FIX said:

Yeah I much prefer reading these sort of articles after we’ve won a flag, not before round 1! 

No we need them now for reaffirmation after 2024. Players are not silly they know we have to improve in many ways despite 14th being a shock. 

We can’t go back to early 2022 so now is the time for club bonding and resetting tasks that will unify us all. 

I will be very surprised if we don’t make the 8 and possibly Top4 if we can escape injuries and suspensions. Good opportunities for McAdam Mentha Sharp and Lindsay and Langford to make a claim for Round1.

A bonded and united team with a talent base plus youngsters has unlimited potential for 2025 and beyond. 2024 was the wake up call for all and an outlier with this group missing the Finals.

I’ll be very surprised and disappointed should we not feature in September and not make a good fist of it. 

20 hours ago, greenwaves said:

Improving connection, perspective and communication is good , but it won't give us the forward line we need to win it this year.  The same problem remains.

I don't read replies or reactions 

 

Why?