PRESEASON TRAINING: Friday 14th February 2025

[Dee Boys 934]

Thanks for the great reports guys 👏 

[WERRIDEE 5,638]

So sad to see McAdam injured again. I wonder how far away is Melksham? Could be a chance.

 

Round 1 team

B: Lever, May, Bowey

HB: Salem, Petty, Windsor

C: Sharp, Rivers, Langdon

HF: Petracca, Turner, Langford

F: Fritsch, van Rooyen, Chandler

IC: Howes, Sparrow, Lindsay, Billings

SUB: Melksham

Edited February 14 by WERRIDEE

[seventyfour 1,248]

1 hour ago, adonski said:

 

2:42... Langford marks on 50, kicks it from the edge of the centre square and goals. Didn't even look like he was really giving it his all too.

[DeeSpencer 26,675]

37 minutes ago, FTB said:

So unfortunate for McAdam but this opens the door for Jefferson now I reckon. Fairly sure that he was in the ‘A’ team for match sim either earlier this week or last week when McAdam was sitting out so sounds as though he is next in line.

Round 1 team

B: Howes, May, Petty

HB: Salem, Lever, Windsor

C: Billings, Oliver, Sharp

HF: Fritsch, Turner, Petracca

F: Jefferson, JVR, Chandler

R: Gawn, Viney, Rivers

I: Bowey, Langdon, Sparrow, Langford, Lindsay

Suspended: Pickett

Injured: Tholstrup, McVee, McAdam

Langford as sub and Sharp forward is about the only way that team makes sense. Can’t have Chandler as the only one chasing amongst 3 talls and 2 non chasing mediums. 

McAdam, Kolt, Spargo all missing during Kossie’s suspension is a nightmare result.

[DeeZone 10,590]

8 minutes ago, seventyfour said:

2:42... Langford marks on 50, kicks it from the edge of the centre square and goals. Didn't even look like he was really giving it his all too.

Yes I noticed that seventy four, effortless.👍

[dazzledavey36 56,334]

Culley found a stack of the footy at stoppages as well as around the ground and even kicked a centre-clearance goal on the run from outside 50.

Culley has been training at Melbourne but is unable to sign with the Demons through SSP unless a player is put on the long-term injury list.

[dazzledavey36 56,334]

 

[Gator 18,053]

In the second half they changed some of the players from Blue to White and vice versa.

I think it’s more interesting as to who started in Blue and who started in White.

Blue (probables): Gawn, Oliver, Rivers, Langdon, Lindsay, Langford, Sharp, Howes, Bowey, Salem, Billings, Petty, Lever, Sparrow, Fritsch, Chandler, Turner, van Rooyen, McAdam, McDonald

White: (possibles): Campbell, Laurie, Culley, Brown, Adams, Jefferson, Sestan, Hore, Fullarton, Johnson, Woewodin, Moniz-Wakefield, Verrall, Adams, plus Casey top ups.

No Mentha and George, or those who you already know about.  It seems Petracca, Viney and Windsor will be back next week.  So, while we do have injuries, I suspect we won’t be far off our best team soon.

Jefferson: He started as a forward for White and was quiet.  To get him involved they moved him into defence in the second quarter.  He looked very comfortable behind the footy and got quite a lot of it.  In the second half he swapped teams and played forward again, but was again quiet, although he took a nice contested mark in the last.

Gawn: Campbell is a handful in the ruck contests.  He competes hard against Max and manages to neutralize many of the hitouts, but Max worked his way nicely into the game.  He took 6 or 7 marks and dropped a couple he’ll take in a few weeks.  He got plenty of it.  He won’t be falling away this year.

Oliver: He’s moving really well and looks back to his best for mine, despite Goody saying supporters will need patience.  He used it well, was clever, and wasn’t rushed like he seemed last year.  In the votes.

Langdon: He was in most centre bounces.  He just gets a lot of it when he’s on ball and uses his quick feet to get out of trouble.  Kicked a goal and missed a few other chances.  Like all of the mids he made a couple of blues but he was in my best.

Salem: Played in defence.  He’s back to his best and moving like it’s 2021.

Bowey: He too played in defence and racked it up.  The odd mistake and sometimes I’d like him to move it on a bit quicker, but he looks a lock for the best 22 to me.

Langford: He just looks comfortable at the level already and around the contest.  His height will be a real asset around the ground and he makes good decisions.  His one Achilles heel is he sometimes overruns ground-balls, but he looks a star in the making.  Kicked a nice long goal.

Lindsay: I thought he was good.  He got it about as much as you’d expect playing a true wing role.  Nice poise and competes/tackles well for a first year player.  Some people think he’s skinny, but I look at the legs and his core looks great for an 18 year old.  His upper body will obviously develop.

Sharp: Not as noticeable today, but still did some nice things, including a smart front and square crumbing goal.

Rivers: Played midfield all game and was good.  In my best along with Oliver, Langdon, Fritsch, Salem, Bowey and Gawn.

Fritsch: Involved, looked quicker than usual and seems set for a better year.

Lever, etc: It was a pretty easy day for the defenders and they did what they had to.  Not much to say.

Chandler: Did some nice things and seems over his shoulder injury.

Turner: Pretty quiet, but he did take a couple of good marks.

Van Rooyen: Was the best key forward on the ground and we know he competes well.  He still seems to drop an easy mark or chest mark every time I watch him, but he also clunked a couple and I reckon he’s ready to stamp himself on the competition.

McAdam: He was playing deep forward and was having a good game before getting injured.

A few for White.

Moniz-Wakefield: I thought he was really good.  Competed really hard, much to Salem’s annoyance at one stage.  He played in defence and wouldn’t be out of place in the best 22.

Brown: The boy was good. He played mainly on a wing and was one of the better players for White.  His Dad was watching on.

Sestan: I really like him down back.  He was very involved and we know he usually kicks it well.  There isn’t a spot for him, but I think he’d equip himself well.

Johnson: Good early with a goal and a nice mark, but largely unsighted from then on.

Fullarton: He’s such a great build.  He did a couple of nice things, but on a whole was reasonably quiet.  But I may have missed some stuff.

Verrall: He did pretty well against the odds.  He took a very good mark in the last and got involved.  His kicking is problematic.

Woewodin: Played wing and was one of White’s best.  Used his pace through the centre in the last when he was switched to Blue.  He and Lindsay were matched on a wing for a while.  I’d say they’re going head to head for a spot in the 22.

Hore: He was good.  He looks a class above VFL level, but will have to bide his time.

Culley: OK, he did a couple of sloppy kicks interspersed with quality left foot kicks, including a great goal on the run from 45.  He was often head to head with Oliver, including the mandatory niggle.  I have to say I really like this bloke.  I haven’t seen enough to know what his pace is like, but in so many other facets he looks a fantastic prospect in the midfield.  We probably have a greater need for a small forward, like George, who I also like, but gee, Culley is too good not to be on an AFL list.

[Older demon 2,815]

Not quite a training report but the article in the Age re Picket and Trac features a very famous Demon Army stalwart. It looks like Trac is signing the back of her T-shirt. Shhh no names 

[FTB 302]

29 minutes ago, WERRIDEE said:

So sad to see McAdam injured again. I wonder how far away is Melksham? Could be a chance.

 

Round 1 team

B: Lever, May, Bowey

HB: Salem, Petty, Windsor

C: Sharp, Rivers, Langdon

HF: Petracca, Turner, Langford

F: Fritsch, van Rooyen, Chandler

IC: Howes, Sparrow, Lindsay, Laurie

SUB: Melksham

Melksham highly unlikely to be match-fit by round 1.

Laurie over Billings? Wouldn’t have thought so judging by what we’ve seen this pre-season.

[BC_1718_DC 1,776]

22 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

Langford as sub and Sharp forward is about the only way that team makes sense. Can’t have Chandler as the only one chasing amongst 3 talls and 2 non chasing mediums. 

McAdam, Kolt, Spargo all missing during Kossie’s suspension is a nightmare result.

Langford sub? Lol!

[WERRIDEE 5,638]

4 minutes ago, FTB said:

Melksham highly unlikely to be match-fit by round 1.

Laurie over Billings? Wouldn’t have thought so judging by what we’ve seen this pre-season.

It was an oversite I've changed it. Laurie or Jefferson as the sub then?

[GS_1905 352]

2 hours ago, Earl Hood said:

McAdam suspected Achilles injury according to Ch7 report. Shute! 

That’s terrible. The guys body just isn’t built to sustain the forces required to play AFL footy. It’s a brutal sport. 

[DistrACTION Jackson 10,728]

43 minutes ago, Cranky Franky said:

So calling me a To$$er is ok under Demonland guidelines ??? Where are the moderators when you need them.

You are totally in la la land about McAdam.

I am simply stating the facts.

At 29 years of age the best indicator of what Shane will do this year is what he did in the last 2 years - 7 games & 3 games.

He is a bust.

Happy to get a ban if they want.

Mcadam did an Achilles! Could happen to anyone, just ask Marshall from Port.

He’s been training hard and trying to get fit for round 1. His season is now over because of a mishap, which has nothing to do with his efforts of being an afl player. 
 

Maybe he is a bust when it comes to trading pick 28, but there’s a countless number of busts from pick 1 onwards. 
 

how about support your team.

[dees189227 12,512]

Did they do a family day?

What has happened to the good old family days? Did covid kill them off.

I mean I remember going to the ones at junction oval, Luna Park & outside the G.  You'd queue for hours for photos & signatures. 

I noticed Richmond had one today. Also it's a Friday. Who can make that.

Hawthorn had one last weekend & invited former players.

[mauriesy 7,444]

27 minutes ago, Gator said:

In the second half they changed some of the players from Blue to White and vice versa.

I think it’s more interesting as to who started in Blue and who started in White.

Blue (probables): Gawn, Oliver, Rivers, Langdon, Lindsay, Langford, Sharp, Howes, Bowey, Salem, Billings, Petty, Lever, Sparrow, Fritsch, Chandler, Turner, van Rooyen, McAdam, McDonald

You list Sparrow in the Blue, but didn't say anything about him. The MFC website lists him as a "standout".

[Roost it far 10,136]

If he’s done his Achilles his season is over. There’s our LTI. I thought George was next in line but some are saying Culley. Personally I can’t see how a WCE reject jumps ahead but time will tell. 

[adonski 13,267]

1 minute ago, Roost it far said:

If he’s done his Achilles his season is over. There’s our LTI. I thought George was next in line but some are saying Culley. Personally I can’t see how a WCE reject jumps ahead but time will tell. 

Important to remember WCE had Nic Martin train with them and said thanks but no thanks

[Whispering_Jack 31,368]

Match simulation Report | Sparrow stands out

[DeeSpencer 26,675]

17 minutes ago, BC_1718_DC said:

Langford sub? Lol!

Looking good so far but you can’t beat GWS with a giant forward line letting their half backs run wild.

There’s going to be a big time crunch for midfield spots and someone’s going to miss out.

[Harvey Wallbanger 1,395]

2 hours ago, Mickey said:

From that, looks like Jeffo and Disco swapped between the teams.

Fritta looks gooooood

Wholesale changes between teams only took place in the fourth quarter. Up until then the interchanging was minimal - in my view because the coaches were trying to build cohesion amongst the "probables". Jeffo was white/gray for the first three quarters.

[Oxdee 537]

1 hour ago, dazzledavey36 said:

It's very concerning with the injuries that are starting to mount up.

Which injuries? 

[DeeSpencer 26,675]

7 minutes ago, adonski said:

Important to remember WCE had Nic Martin train with them and said thanks but no thanks

That’s a much different scenario than delisting a player they had on the list for 2.5 years. I like Culley, wouldn’t mind adding him at all but big bodied mid isn’t the short term pressing need it was last year. 

So many injuries to the one part of the ground is making small forward hard to ignore it McAdam is done for the year.

[DeeZone 10,590]

33 minutes ago, mauriesy said:

You list Sparrow in the Blue, but didn't say anything about him. The MFC website lists him as a "standout".

Spaz kicked a couple of nice goals in the simulation.👍

[Harvey Wallbanger 1,395]

1 hour ago, FTB said:

So unfortunate for McAdam but this opens the door for Jefferson now I reckon. Fairly sure that he was in the ‘A’ team for match sim either earlier this week or last week when McAdam was sitting out so sounds as though he is next in line.

Round 1 team

B: Howes, May, Petty

HB: Salem, Lever, Windsor

C: Billings, Oliver, Sharp

HF: Fritsch, Turner, Petracca

F: Jefferson, JVR, Chandler

R: Gawn, Viney, Rivers

I: Bowey, Langdon, Sparrow, Langford, Lindsay

Suspended: Pickett

Injured: Tholstrup, McVee, McAdam

Based on what was signalled today I agree with this team, except for Jefferson. With McAdam's injury, I think either Woewodin or Laurie comes in for Jefferson, and takes the sub vest. Sparrow would start forward, as he did today. From Round 4 Pickett provides his sparkle.

I am convinced that Lindsay will make the Round 1 team, notwithstanding his later start - he looks very good. The Langdon experiment is worth a crack, with so many wing options. Fingers crossed that Windsor is not far away.

This team however means JVR does the second ruck (gulp). Also a quick note, I thought TMac was better than Petty today, and will be stiff not to play Round 1. 

AMW,  Brown, Sestan, Johnson and Woewodin are the depth.