Firstly… 🥶🥶🥶

All the players are out on the park and they’ve hit the ground running. Full-on, intense training, and not a soccer ball in sight 😝

They all look INCREDIBLE Super fit and full of infectious energy.

They’re in groups of various sizes doing drills. There’s this one drill I’ve never seen before but it’s a ripper. Two players handballing to each other low and fast and only a few feet apart and when the ball is partway between them a trainer clips the ball with a piece of hard plastic thereby sharply changing the direction of the ball. Then they do it with two balls in motion. Blink at your peril 😁

Jeez Ghosty, hats off to you in this weather. It's cold enough sitting in front of the fire!

Are the girls wearing jumpers with numbers? It would be hard to working out who's who otherwise. Hope they gave you some appreciation for your dedication.

Were you lonely? Bet you were the only one there!

28 minutes ago, Slartibartfast said:

Jeez Ghosty, hats off to you in this weather. It's cold enough sitting in front of the fire!

Are the girls wearing jumpers with numbers? It would be hard to working out who's who otherwise. Hope they gave you some appreciation for your dedication.

Were you lonely? Bet you were the only one there!

I love this weather, Slartz!

Most of the girls were wearing their numbers so it was only a matter of working out who’s who among the new girls.

The girls are always super appreciative, no matter the weather. I was the only spectator until my DA buddy/boss lady/knitting supremo came to pass on a gift for me to give to Jibba tomorrow from the DA, the traditional player’s firstborn’s gift of a teddy bear with dad’s/mum’s number on its jumper.

An AFLW training report! Rare and appreciated.

I used to try to go once a preseason but that kind of fell by the wayside during Covid and once they shifted to more daytime training. Is it usually Gosch's on a Wednesday morning and Monday at Casey, @Ghostwriter ?

I can see the lineup evolving after last year. Every active player on our list (plus a few top-ups) got a game last season, apart from Rigoni whose injuries coincided with the wider plague. So we know exactly what we've got, plus some newbies who could make an impact.

And based on training photos, good to see that Paxy is apparently unhampered by that injury we all basically retired her over!

AFLW Training schedule

https://www.melbournefc.com.au/teams/training-times

📆 Wednesday, June 25

⏰ 10:15am - 12:15pm

📍 Gosch's Paddock

🏃‍♂️ Session type: Training

📆 Friday, June 27

⏰ 10:30am - 12:30pm

📍 Gosch's Paddock

🏃‍♂️ Session type: Training

📆 Wednesday, July 2

⏰ 10:15am - 12:15pm

📍 Gosch's Paddock

🏃‍♂️ Session type: Training

6 hours ago, Ghostwriter said:

Firstly… 🥶🥶🥶

All the players are out on the park and they’ve hit the ground running. Full-on, intense training, and not a soccer ball in sight 😝

They all look INCREDIBLE Super fit and full of infectious energy.

They’re in groups of various sizes doing drills. There’s this one drill I’ve never seen before but it’s a ripper. Two players handballing to each other low and fast and only a few feet apart and when the ball is partway between them a trainer clips the ball with a piece of hard plastic thereby sharply changing the direction of the ball. Then they do it with two balls in motion. Blink at your pe

Edited June 25Jun 25 by old dee

1 hour ago, Dees_In_October said:

An AFLW training report! Rare and appreciated.

I used to try to go once a preseason but that kind of fell by the wayside during Covid and once they shifted to more daytime training. Is it usually Gosch's on a Wednesday morning and Monday at Casey, @Ghostwriter ?

I can see the lineup evolving after last year. Every active player on our list (plus a few top-ups) got a game last season, apart from Rigoni whose injuries coincided with the wider plague. So we know exactly what we've got, plus some newbies who could make an impact.

And based on training photos, good to see that Paxy is apparently unhampered by that injury we all basically retired her over!

A couple of injuries:

Ryleigh has a 5cm tear in her hamstring, sustained last week. She’s expecting to be right in time for the second *praccy match.

Gabby has a small tear in her soleus muscle (calf). She should be right for the beginning of the season proper.

Denby was wearing a moon boot. I don’t know the nature of her injury.

Saraid came off towards the end and looked to be in considerable discomfort. She was nursing her left hand and they took her back to AAMI for treatment.

*1st practice match: vs Hawks at Casey Fields on Saturday the 26th of July at 12:30pm

2nd practice match: vs Adelaide at Unley Oval (SA) on Sunday the 3rd of August at 11:30am

After Saturday's men's game, I soothed my soul by watching Casey's first VFLW win of the season!

Essendon 2.6.18

Casey 10.13.73 (Ah yes, a classic Demons goals-to-points ratio)

This was aided, it must be said, by an influx of AFLW-listed talent replacing... mostly the previous influx of AFLW talent.

IN: A. Bannan, Z. Burn, G. Campbell, M. Fitzsimon, G. Gall, T. Harris, S. Heath, D. Madigan, M. Mahony, E. McNamara, A. Pisano, K. Phillips, G. Proy, E. Zanker
OUT: M. Chaplin, G. Colvin, T. Gillard, S. Lampard, M. O'Hehir, L. Pearce, J. Rigoni, S. Taylor (managed), B. Lyne (shoulder), L. Jatczak (unavailable), A. Kirkwood, Z. Mitchell, A. Robinson, A. Vrsecky (omitted)

In the commentary, it was mentioned that Casey's ladder position (bottom of the ladder for the first time since the league's alignment) probably doesn't quite reflect the team's season, as there have been some close losses. It was also apparent that clubs have varying approaches to when/if/how much they play their AFLW players, so it's a bit all over the place. Certainly there have been fewer of the developing AFLW players for Casey throughout the season compared to previously and a higher level of player getting a run now. The commentators were a little in awe of some of our stars out there, which was nice.

Onto the game. I'll focus on the AFLW-listed players, though I did like the game of Phillips in the backline.

The standout across the board though was McNamara who absolutely tore it up with 40 disposals - yes, that's right 40 disposals in 20 minute flat quarters (so that would be what? A casual 60 in a men's AFL length game? Amazing).

Zanker played on the ball in the first half or so and was energised and proactive, then went forward and kicked a couple. Gall took some great marks, but I was more impressed by some really good decisions with the ball into forward 50. Harris looked fit and ready up forward, and there were a few almost pack-crashing moments that she would hopefully follow through with in season proper. Three goals to Bannan, while Fitzsimon worked hard as usual with 21 disposals and 9 tackles.

New draftee Mahony (14 disposals, 5 clearances) won some hard footy and was good in traffic, plus kicked a really nice goal on the run. I won't make any big claims, but at the very least she's exactly the type of player we lacked depth in last season.

I'll admit I struggled to lock on to which one Dethridge actually was - absolutely on me for failing to look up numbers and relying on the commentary. I suspect the commentators didn't know either, though, as I never heard her name called despite the stats showing she had the footy plenty (15 disposals). So I can't comment there!

No obvious injuries, except perhaps a bit of the old leather poisoning for Eliza!

4 hours ago, Dees_In_October said:

After Saturday's men's game, I soothed my soul by watching Casey's first VFLW win of the season!

Essendon 2.6.18

Casey 10.13.73 (Ah yes, a classic Demons goals-to-points ratio)

This was aided, it must be said, by an influx of AFLW-listed talent replacing... mostly the previous influx of AFLW talent.

IN: A. Bannan, Z. Burn, G. Campbell, M. Fitzsimon, G. Gall, T. Harris, S. Heath, D. Madigan, M. Mahony, E. McNamara, A. Pisano, K. Phillips, G. Proy, E. Zanker
OUT: M. Chaplin, G. Colvin, T. Gillard, S. Lampard, M. O'Hehir, L. Pearce, J. Rigoni, S. Taylor (managed), B. Lyne (shoulder), L. Jatczak (unavailable), A. Kirkwood, Z. Mitchell, A. Robinson, A. Vrsecky (omitted)

In the commentary, it was mentioned that Casey's ladder position (bottom of the ladder for the first time since the league's alignment) probably doesn't quite reflect the team's season, as there have been some close losses. It was also apparent that clubs have varying approaches to when/if/how much they play their AFLW players, so it's a bit all over the place. Certainly there have been fewer of the developing AFLW players for Casey throughout the season compared to previously and a higher level of player getting a run now. The commentators were a little in awe of some of our stars out there, which was nice.

Onto the game. I'll focus on the AFLW-listed players, though I did like the game of Phillips in the backline.

The standout across the board though was McNamara who absolutely tore it up with 40 disposals - yes, that's right 40 disposals in 20 minute flat quarters (so that would be what? A casual 60 in a men's AFL length game? Amazing).

Zanker played on the ball in the first half or so and was energised and proactive, then went forward and kicked a couple. Gall took some great marks, but I was more impressed by some really good decisions with the ball into forward 50. Harris looked fit and ready up forward, and there were a few almost pack-crashing moments that she would hopefully follow through with in season proper. Three goals to Bannan, while Fitzsimon worked hard as usual with 21 disposals and 9 tackles.

New draftee Mahony (14 disposals, 5 clearances) won some hard footy and was good in traffic, plus kicked a really nice goal on the run. I won't make any big claims, but at the very least she's exactly the type of player we lacked depth in last season.

I'll admit I struggled to lock on to which one Dethridge actually was - absolutely on me for failing to look up numbers and relying on the commentary. I suspect the commentators didn't know either, though, as I never heard her name called despite the stats showing she had the footy plenty (15 disposals). So I can't comment there!

No obvious injuries, except perhaps a bit of the old leather poisoning for Eliza!

Thanks @Dees_In_October for posting on the game. A great win indeed !

Btw Meggs was there. The commentators were right; it really was an awesome display by our players. Much more entertaining to watch than training too.

One of the Casey players (Meggs won’t say who) said after the game ‘what about those AFLW players’ and was clearly inspired playing alongside them.

Last week it was the AFLW Demon defenders and mids whereas this week it was the AFLW Demon forwards but with different mids.

Lize, Fitzy and Edo looked a class above. The ball movement would have pleased Mick Stinear.

Gally clunking 7 marks (4 contested) and Tay with 8 marks, also impressive.

Fitzy’s passing in traffic was typically classy; she needs to play midfield; no more forward pocket.

Heater went off and was on crutches after the game; hope it’s nothing too serious.

Last week Meggs commented on how 2024 Draft Pick 3 Molly O’Hehir impressed with her skills and pace and likewise Jemma Rigoni, who is our Torrie Lewis.

This week we saw Pick 21 Maggie Mahony display her speed, toughness and excellent kicking skills. Her goal was reminiscent of Boomer Harvey who regularly evaded defenders and always finished off his work. Another potential young candidate for Round 1.

The other 2024 draft alumni Pick 63 Amelia Dethridge has now played 4 VFLW games and gained valuable experience. This hockey cross-coder with elite fitness, is developing rapidly. Too early to predict a run-with midfield role on Ellie Blackburn in round one? 😉

Lastly, it was great to see most of the non-playing players at the grounds loudly encouraging their teammates at Windy Hill and Casey Fields. Go Demons!

On 01/07/2025 at 21:05, Meggs said:

Last week Meggs commented on how 2024 Draft Pick 3 Molly O’Hehir impressed with her skills and pace and likewise Jemma Rigoni, who is our Torrie Lewis.

The other 2024 draft alumni Pick 63 Amelia Dethridge has now played 4 VFLW games and gained valuable experience. This hockey cross-coder with elite fitness, is developing rapidly. Too early to predict a run-with midfield role on Ellie Blackburn in round one? 😉

Thanks for your thoughts on Dethridge. I feel like we've had a pretty high success rate with cross-coders making quick progress, so nothing would surprise me!

I'm looking forward to some more debuts this season (hopefully not forced by injury). It'd be special to see Jemma get a go, after some bad luck with timing last season - and for sentimental reasons for Dees fans, of course.