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PRESEASON TRAINING: Wednesday 29th January 2025

Demon Jack
Demon Jack
in Melbourne Demons

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Salem takes a courageous intercept mark going back with the flight. His kick falls short of AJ inside 50 who recovers beautifully before turning around nailing a short pass to Clarry.

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    Jed Adams ignored Lever calling for an easy short kick inside and opted to go the long kick down the line that got intercepted, copped a bit of a spray from lever for it

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    How are the teams sorted out for this match sim? Is there a clear A v B team (probables v possibles)?

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    Langford out bodies Kozzy and takes a strong mark in the centre.

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    Jeffo out bodies TMac nicely but just can't get them to stick (probably would've received a free kick anyway because of a chopping of the arms).

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      On 29/01/2025 at 00:28, ClaNiKo said:

    Jed Adams ignored Lever calling for an easy short kick inside and opted to go the long kick down the line that got intercepted, copped a bit of a spray from lever for it

    Tbf I'd rather Lever not be calling for short kicks in the backline... he's a bit of a turnover merchant.

    Would much prefer a Bowey, McVee, Salem, Windsor be the one calling for short passes.

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    Roy George (I think) nails a sizzling pass inside 50 to Kozzy.

    A nice bit of run and carry from Sestan (who's looked good today) leads to Langdon marking inside 50.

    Edited by Demon Jack

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      On 29/01/2025 at 00:09, Demon Jack said:

    Windsor doesn't run, he glides. Love watching him move around the ground. He'll be an asset no matter where we decide to play him this year.

     

    Is he still being used primarily off the wing? 

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      On 29/01/2025 at 00:28, Back pocket said:

    How are the teams sorted out for this match sim? Is there a clear A v B team (probables v possibles)?

    Midfield seemed pretty mixed. I think it was A backline vs A forward line at one end and B backline vs B forwards at other end. A end was jvr jeffo and turner lining up against may and tmac. This split would have lever in the b team though so tough to tell.

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      On 29/01/2025 at 00:37, BLWNBA said:

    Is he still being used primarily off the wing? 

    Has looked mainly midfield today.

    Edited by Demon Jack

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    Jeffo finds himself with the ball on the midfield and takes a bit too long to get rid of it. Absolutely dumped in a tackle by Clarry.

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    TMac training with the forwards at the moment.

    As is Kynan Brown

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    I attended some of the training session this morning. I as very impressed with some of Bill Laurie's efforts. Jvr was marking everything including a great mark over Tmac. Trac is looking in good condition, and ready to go. Clayton Oliver looks very fit, and is in everything. Jack Billings looks very fit, and very keen to have a big season. 

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    Looks like that's a wrap!

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      On 29/01/2025 at 00:39, Demon Jack said:

    Has looked mainly midfield today.

    Interesting, I'm (potentially incorrectly) assuming that Sharp has then taken the wing position that was previously held by Windsor then?

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      On 29/01/2025 at 00:28, Back pocket said:

    How are the teams sorted out for this match sim? Is there a clear A v B team (probables v possibles)?

    I think the teams were selected early in preseason with the aim being players evenly spread.

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    Rehab on the paddock as I approach. Sparrow and Chandler in the yellow no contact cap, Tracc, and Verral, plenty of ball handling and running. 

    Viney doing his own program. McVee and Fullarton running laps. Tholstrup in his own program. Spargo still on his own program, looking leaner than early on in preseason. 

    No Kentfield again.

    They main group of about 40 players, gathered, looked at the board and half of them turned their jersey's inside out, creating light and coloured groups.

    In the warm up kicks, Williams took Langford aside and put pressure on him to get his left foot working with precision. 

    Good to see Lever, Lindsay and Woey in full training.

    A bit of wind around, they handled it well. The warm-up drills were done with plenty of skill and voices. 

    The score board was up and running. They started a competitive kicking, then handball game in small areas. The rehabbers, Sparrow, Chandler, and Tracc, stepped into the kicking (no contact) game and separated from the handball one as it was contact.

    The sims began 4 Quarters of about 7, 8 minutes each. Lights well ahead, then got over run by colours, who evened it up with the wind advantage and continued to against the wind. The backline of Tmac, and Windsor piercing the centre corridor got them dominating.

    McAdam has found his mojo, running offensively and defensively (I think he is trusting his body), He is very quick, involved, and skilful. 

    Lindsay playing wing against Woewodin, was heavily involved. He has a good tank, in the with the backs, then to the forward area. Closer down quickly, wants to get the ball, wants to stop the opposition. Works well as an outside runner.

    Langdon played in the centre, alongside Clarry and Langford (could be an ANB substitute), got plenty of forward possessions. 

    Laurie in the centre mids, moving well, getting plenty and using good skills.

    JVR, getting some good looks at it in Central positions Fritta playing wide and high. Finding it difficult to get them kicking it to him.

    Melksham looking good with leadership qualities.

    Petty got some mongrel going, even with own players.

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    All in attendance today except Luker Kentfield - hasn't been seen for a while?

    Roy George, Mitch Hardie and (I think) Jai Culley "train-on" players.

    McVee, Trac, Spargo, Tholstrup, Sparrow, Fullarton, Chandler in rehab. Verrall seemed to be in and out of it. Viney threw his strapping away and joined the main group early.

    Petty continued to train down back, Disco up forward - interestingly they seem to be trying Sestan down back (and he looked OK).

    As per other comments, Clayton, Rivers and Windsor looking great through the mid-field in match sim.

    McAdam (very lively again), Johnson and JVR normally deepest with Fritter playing a lot more upfield - maybe just to get more work into him. Max back to full training and Campbell was making him work. Campbell looking like he will be a capable (if not like-for-like) replacement should he be needed. Still no sign of JVR or Johnson doing any secondary ruck-work (who will it be?).

    Lever back into the main group and he and May doing their usual thing - TMac also down back - does he fit in with Petty also back? 

    Other random observations - Howes continues to look good, Adams seems to have discovered a bit of spark. Salem used a lot in the yellow vest (overlap) player in the match sim.

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      On 28/01/2025 at 23:19, Greg Schneider said:

    What’s Tholstrup’s issue ? Been in rehab for a couple weeks now unfortunately 

    That’s the question on everyone’s lips. I asked Tim Lamb and he gave nothing away. He just said “Kolt’s on the bike, he’ll be right.” 

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    A few more thoughts on today's training...

    Teams very competitive in competitive skills training. Lots of encouragement from players on the boundary line waiting to rotate. Many physical exchanges throughout. Tackling was fierce. disposal skills were mostly very good.

    I didn't see AMW or Kentfield

    Hore has developed a defender's 'mean-streak'. He put Melksham and one other very close to the fence with aggro nudges across the boundary line.

    Ricky Mentha is finding a lot of ball and delivering at pace in match sims.

    May has lost none of his physical aggression but still is a little wayward with some passes.

    If Billings is competing with Sharp for a spot on the wing, I have Billings ahead on training form.

    I asked Kilani if he was coming, he responded with, "How you going"... maybe he didn't hear me clearly, it was very windy!

    Fritsch continues to play further up the field and he seems up for the challenge. Cool in traffic, constantly on the move.

    Spargo was running the boundary at a hot pace and seemingly unhindered.

    Max took part in match sims and competitive drills. Showed his strengths!

    Langdon is in superb touch.

    Langford is looking like a round 1 starter these days.

    Maintaining the pre-season excellence -> Rivers, Oliver, Salem, Windsor & McDonald

    Woewodin is developing. He puts body into every contest (courageously), tackles well and has stamina. Only a shade behind Sparrow in a similar position... might be the 'Nibbler' type.

    If I was picking a round one team based on today's session (and on who looks 100% available) it would be this,

    B: McVie, May, McDonald

    HB: Salem, Lever, Windsor

    C: Billings, Viney, Langdon

    HF: Fritsch, Turner, Petracca 

    F: McAdam, Van Rooyen, Chandler

    R: Gawn, Oliver, Rivers

    Int: Petty, Laurie, Melksham, Langford, Howes

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