A number of Demonland Trackwatchers descended upon Gosch's Paddock on a glorious Summer morning in Melbourne to bring you their observations from Preseason Training.

DEMONLAND'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVSTIONS

Viney limped over from the Bubble Dome sans training guernsey.

Present

Steven May, Jacob van Rooyen, Christian Salem, Harvey Langford, Xavier Lindsay, Caleb Windsor, Jack Viney (in rehab),  Jake Lever, Jack Steele, Daniel Turner, Max Gawn, Koltyn Tholstrup, Jai Culley, Changkuoth Jiath, Ed Langdon, Bailey Laurie, Jake Melksham, Xavier Taylor, Thomas Matthews, Matt Jefferson, Blake Howes, Shane McAdam, Trent Rivers, Tom McDonald, Jed Adams , Max Heath, Brody Mihocek, Tom Campbell, Harry Sharp, Bayley Fritsch, Tom Sparrow, Latrelle Sumner-Pickett, Kalani White, Harry Petty, Kysaiah Pickett, Kade Chandler, Oscar Berry, Ricky Mentha Jnr, Riley Onley, Aidan Johnson, Jack Henderson (in rehab), Luker Kentfield and Andy Moniz-Wakefield

Absent

Jake Bowey

Players going through various warm up exercises. 

Henderson and Viney handballing to each other. Viney not moving very well.

McAdam started with the group doing warmups but has come to the shed to take off the boots and put the runners on. 

Melksham also appears to be amongst the rehabbers as is Matthews. 

Rehab:

Viney, Matthews, Melksham, McAdam & Henderson

Melksham jogging laps. 

McAdam & Matthews doing exercises with a trainer. 

Viney & Henderson on the bikes. 

Main group still doing warm up run throughs. 

Daniel Turner has come from the ground towards the trainers pointing to his hammy. Currently on his back getting his leg stretched. 

The footys are finally out.

Players start on the half back and kick to a player in the middle and original player runs past for the handball and kicks to a player on the half forward flank. Rinse, repeat.

Turner jogging laps.

Bowey has arrived on crutches and in a moon boot. 😳

McAdam jogging laps with Reece Conca.

Moniz-Wakefield has joined the rehabbers as expected after doing all the warm ups with the main group. Doing short sharp sprints changing direction and moving laterally. Shouldn’t be too far away.

Drill:

Ball starts in the back pocket and rolled out to a player for a ground ball get. Player immediately looks for a cross and the ball is run up the field with a series of quick handballs and longer kicks to players leading toward the player with the ball. Ending with a shot for goal on the run. Very fast ball movement. Players running in waves. 5 or 6 players in white bibs for some pressure.

A lot of Pickett to Pickett action. Love to see it. 

Split into two groups. Red and white bibs for Match SIM

MIDS

RED Max, Culley, Windsor, Sparrow Rivers

WHITE Campbell, Pickett, Langford, Tholstrup, Steele

Not participating in Match SIM: White, L Pickett, Onley (and any of the rehabbers mentioned)

Lindsay now running laps. Not sure why.

Max has come from the field and doing some short 50m runs.

Walking wounded today. 😳

White Bibs: May, JVR, Salem, Langford, Steele, Max (came of Injured), Tholstrup, Taylor, Jefferson, Howes, Adams, Heath, Sharp, K Pickett, Johnson, Mentha

Red: TMac, Petty, Jiath, Windsor, Sparrow, Lever, Mihocek, Fritsch, Laurie, Culley, Berry, Kentfield, Rivers, Chandler

When Max came off. Campbell took white bibs off and became a red and Heath took over the White Bibs rucking duties. Pecking order?

Onley, L Pickett & White have joined the Match SIM

Turner & Max jogging laps together.

Lindsay on the bikes.

I’ll elaborate on individual players from the Match SIM later but overall the SIM was very fast paced and tackling was fierce. Skills were hit and miss (some was superb) but the pressure was high and it was 16 on 16 utilizing the whole ground.

Match SIM finished. They’ve split into two groups for two separate drills. One drill starts on the wing and involves two players kicking a ball each to two assistants and getting the ball back and kicking to a leading forward either Mihocek, JVR, Jefferson, Fritsch or White.

I can’t work out what is happening with the other drill. Mostly defenders but Windsor and Pickett involved too. Mix of red and pink bibs but it doesn’t appear as if the bibs mean anything as red kicking to pink. It will remain a mystery. 🤣

In summary. Rehab started with Viney, Matthews, Melksham, AMW, McAdam & Henderson.

During training Max, Lindsay, & Turner all came from the field and took no further part in training. Max ran some short runs along the boundary, Turner ran a number of laps and Lindsay ran some laps and got then got on the bikes. None of them look too hampered and at this stage I would say it is precautionary. Watch this space.

Bowey in civvies with crutches and moon boot on left foot.

The Russian Mark Jamar is here taking Campbell and Heath for a session on the rucking bag. 

May and Petty doing timed 150m runs around the boundary. 

Drill:

9 vs 5 Fast ball movement and gut running drill. Ball starts on half back with ground ball get. Fast ball movement down the field. Lots of playing on. Once the ball get to the forward line. The assistants kick the ball quickly to each other up the field and getting the ball back to the deep in the back line as the participating players have to gut run to defense to do it all again. After the second forward entry the 14 participating players swap out with the other group. Rinse and Repeat. Players gassed at the end.

Some short observations on individual players. With so many players out there I have not been as laser focused on some of them. I have also been paying more attention to a number of the newer recruits. There are also players who, for various reasons, do not stand out and tend to blend in. This might be because they are wearing a hat, do not have a number on their guernsey, or are wearing a bib that obscures their number. I wanted to mention this as well as the fact that some players are simply doing what is expected of them, so I may not have written about them in previous observations.

May: This was May's first week back at Gosch's following the end of season break and the Training Camp. Fellow trackwatchers noted that he does not seem to be in the same peak condition as some of the other returning players. On Monday I noted that he seemed gassed after the gut running drill, although he was not the only one. He and Petty did not compete in that particular drill today and were doing timed 150 metre fast runs along the boundary instead. During Match SIM he was playing a key defender role. His disposal in these drills, under little pressure, was great. The make up of our key defender positions will be interesting to watch given that it was reported in the off season that May was shopped around or asked to explore his options. It is certainly a case of watch this space.

JVR: Has trimmed down a lot in the offseason. His short haircut no doubt amplifies this. He looks super fit and is attacking the ball on leads with ferocity while tackling just as hard. He needs a big year and I am hoping that with the arrival of Mihocek he can finally be given some support. With a five man bench it will be interesting to see what we do in terms of using a second ruckman. As has been noted, having JVR take on the back up ruck duties has not helped his forward game because he has to run up and down the field for five to eight minutes each quarter. I'm hoping for a break out year.

Salem: Often gets overlooked in training reports because he is always dependable, doing what is expected and showing those silky skills. It is great to see him get an uninterrupted full preseason, at least so far, under his belt.

Langford: Will be a star. Always so composed and always seems to have time and space, never looking rushed. Rarely misses a target and places most passes with perfect weight. Given our midfield changes, expect him to be in the centre square for the first bounce in Round 1.

Lindsay: Classy user of the footy. He was in the rehab group on the bike for most of today's session, but I have been very impressed with what I have seen from him so far this offseason.

Windsor: He seems to be the go-to player to start any play, whether off half back or through the midfield. I have been extremely impressed with his class and his effort at every session. One of the best on ground at every session.

Viney: Hopefully has a quick recovery from whatever foot related ailment is troubling him. Has a noticeable limp. He only returned to the training track this week but has spent most of the time on the bike and encouraging the team from the sidelines.

Lever: Fantastic to see Rick past the injuries he sustained throughout last season and now getting a full preseason under his belt. He is one of the first players on the field and one of the last to leave. He has been at training from Day 1, even though he was not required back until the training camp last week. He is one of the most vocal and supportive players on the field, as you would expect from the professional leader that he is.

Steele: Even though he is one of the new players I have been keen to watch, Jack often blends into the group and I have not been able to follow him as closely as I would like. It might be because he is always wearing a hat and does not have a number on his guernsey. Every time I do notice him he is doing exactly what I would expect from a player of his calibre. He tackles hard, is always running and chasing the ball, and shows clean skills. He will fill Viney's role well if Viney is absent early on.

Turner: Only returned to Gosch's this week so I have only one session to judge him. He is currently training with the Defenders and has the cleanest hand and reads the ball so well in the air. Rarely gets outmarked. Came off the field early with a hamstring niggle. Hopefully it is not too serious and it was just a precaution. Ran laps for most of the session once he came off the ground.

Max: Max doing Max things. Looks in great shape. Came off the ground early in the Match SIM and was doing some short runs along the boundary. No idea if he felt a niggle somewhere and came off as a precaution.

Tholstrup: Will be an interesting watch this season. Had a disappointing 2024. Needs a fresh start. Seems to be giving 100% effort. Playing as a midfielder. Make or break this year.

Culley: One of the standouts for me. Playing as a mid. He is so strong in the air. Can take a grab and has very nice skills. Expect him to play a mix of mid, wing and drift forward. A lot to like. I think we got a bargain here.

CJ: He is the player I am most excited to see play next year. A lot of run and carry and dash off half back. An excitement machine. I was worried about his disposal based on anecdotal evidence from spoiled, salty Hawks but so far I have not seen any of the concerns that were relayed to me. The pressure of match day will be the big test but so far I am excited by what I have seen.

Langdon: Doing Langdon stuff. Always running.

Laurie: Bill is a fascinating case. He excels at VFL level and looks impressive on the training track, yet he has had very few chances to show what he can do at senior level. This preseason he is being used as a forward, but for mine there are several small forwards who appear to be ahead of him, including Thomas Matthews, who is still in rehab. It feels like a last roll of the dice for him, and he needs to make the most of any opportunity he gets.

Bowey: Always a smooth operator with the ball in hand. Seeing him on crutches and in a moon boot at training today was a real blow. Hopefully it is nothing too serious and he is back tearing up the track after Christmas. He is very important to the team and I am keen to see how he is used under King and the new game plan.

Melksham: A consummate professional on the training track. He and TMac set the gold standard for preseason training standards. It will be interesting to see where he fits in the new-look Dees forward line, but he will give absolutely everything. He was jogging laps today on a limited program for some reason, and hopefully it is only load management and not some other niggle.

Taylor: Tough nut that reads the ball really well in the air. Has been a bit hit and miss with his disposal at times but I just love that from Day 1 at training he had the balls to not play it safe and to take the game on. As a consequence he bit more off than he could chew and was either caught or put under pressure. I have a feeling he will work his way into Rivers role in defence allowing Trent to play more midfield time.

Matthews: Recovering from a PCL and has been in rehab. I like the highlights I have seen and the fact that he is described as leader. Can't wait to see him in action.

Jefferson: Another interesting case. He will surely need to prove himself at Casey if he wants to break into the senior side. I would love to see a bit more mongrel from him both at training and on game day. He has clean hands and is an accurate kick for goal.Likely the last roll of the dice for him too this season. Luker Kentfield is breathing down his neck.

Howes: Blake is another player I barely notice on the training track, but whenever I do, his disposal is always clean. I am keen to see where King views his best position.

McAdam: Disappointing to see such a talented player still in rehab and likely to miss another preseason block. Achilles injuries are cruel and take a long time to mend. He is another who will need to make the most of his opportunity once his body is right.

Rivers: Given the changes to our midfield over the offseason Rivers must grab this opportunity to make the position his own.

McDonald: Like Lever, TMac is one of the first on and last off the track. A consummate professional. He deserves a place in the best 23, but there are so many tall defenders competing for only a few spots. The Key Defender position might be one of the most interesting positions to watch this season.

Adams: Another player I do not notice much of on the training track. Clean hands and neat disposal I think the true test for Jed will be on the field. Will no doubt start at Casey but must take the opportunity with both hands if given a crack at some point in the year like Petty did in 2021.

Heath: A big body and very athletic for his size. Has an excellent pair of hands and clean disposal for a guy his size. Has a nice accurate shot on goal. Not sure what his tank is like and hopefully he can learn a thing or two from Max. I hope that he gets an opportunity at some point this season particularly given the 5 man bench.

Mihocek: I was very happy to trade in Brody. He is just what the Doctor ordered for our forward line. Will provide a nice foil for JVR and will work very well with Fritta. Leads at the ball well. Excellent hands. Very accurate kick on goal.

Campbell: Break glass in case of Emergency.

Sharp: Haven't seen much of him on the track. Runs all day. Does some nice things. Can find the goals. Will be in and out of the team. Good role player.

Fritsch: Fritta looks like a new man this season. I can't quite put my finger on it. Was impressed that he was back almost from Day 1 even when he wasn't required. At the early sessions when most positions weren't back yet and we lacked defenders he was training further up the ground. Now with almost a full squad he is back to the forward line out bodying bigger opponents, taking grabs and kicking snags. Fellow trackwatchers were gobsmacked at the amount of times he was unselfish and dished off the ball when he could have had a shot. He even handballed. Perhaps the message has been received.

Sparrow: Nothing much new to report regarding Spaz. Gets a lot of the footy. Playing in the middle. Wouldn't mind him pushing forward a little bit.

Latrelle Pickett: Love everything I have seen from Trelly. Classy user of the ball, can sell candy, has pace and can work his way up and down the ground. It is a thing of beauty to watch the two Picketts combine. It will set the G on fire.

White: Tall, skinny and athletic. Has a nice pair of hand and a nice leap. I haven't seen much of him but he will take time to develop. A year in the gym will do him the world of good as will learning at the feet of one of the greatest rucks in history as well as the two other big body rucks. I expect that he will cut his teeth in the forward line at Casey.

Petty: Much to the relief of a lot of Demonlanders Petty is back training with the Defenders. He reads the ball so well in the air and has a very clean pair of hands. Having an uninterrupted preseason will be a blessing for him too.

Kozzy: Absolutely sublime. Lock him in as a full time midfielder. He is electric on the training track. You could sell tickets just to watch him practice. Not much more to say about him. Star.

Chandler: Have seen Kade's leadership qualities blossom this preseason. Expect him to play the high half forward role this season.

Berry: Obviously a project player. First Category B player that I think we've selected that looks like a natural rather than someone that needs to learn. Needs to build a fitness base for the elite level. Will be a better for the preseason and a season under his belt. Looks like he has decent skills.

Mentha: Has skill and some nice tricks, but not the same spark the two Picketts have. I had hoped he might work his way into the senior side at some point in 2026, but the drafting of Latrelle has probably made that task a little tougher.

Onley: Big fan of Onley. Tall for a midfielder at 195cm. He is the same height as Lever and has the body for senior footy. Will no doubt start at Casey but I have a feeling he will play senior footy in 2026. Just another gut feeling.

Johnson: Still a back up forward and ruck that can pinch hit in the seniors if required. Will most likely play footy at Casey.

Henderson: Has been in rehab most of the preseason. I see him as a very good VFL player. Can also pinch hit in the seniors as a role player but I see him playing most of his footy at Casey.

Kentfield: Very impressed with this kid. Saw a little bit of him in the back end of Casey season and he impressed with his marking and goal kicking ability. Has no preseason due to illness last year and has come back to the club this preseason looking fit and trimmed down but still a good size. Could be the surprise packet up forward for us some time in 2026. He may even be ahead of Jefferson. Like Jeffo the ball is in his court to earn that spot and keep it.

Moniz-Wakefield: He is itching to get out of rehab and join the full squad. If he can stay fit I think he will resume his role in the backline. I'm predicting a big year for AMW.

KEV'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS

It was a mouthguards in day. The weather, mild temperature and a consistent wind blowing down the Paddock.

Initial drills had a group doing kick to kick, another of laissez-faire goal kicking, and one I didn’t really take notice of. Interestingly they didn’t rotate, my guess is they put them into groups that work on particular crafts.

The structured sims continue to emphasize fast ball movement, with offence outnumbering defense. Though they are starting them in areas of greater pressure. Once the ball gets out they go fast, often looking for centre or well inside the boundary, then asking for angled kicks into a forward player.

They went to a full field game. Two ten minute halves. Non bibs dominated. The bibs were pressured, couldn't find space and made some fundamental errors. The non bibs appeared to have an extra (though they didn't), especially in the forward area where a loose player made that last kick easier.

Culley doing plenty, aerial work with numerous follow-up efforts. TMac everywhere, including many intercepts. The forwards for the bibs barely got a look in, and when it came down their way there was a scramble. Koltyn set up well, he hit the central kick numerous times. Jefferson (high up the field), looking strong, beat Petty with some playing in front and taking contested marks. Mentha looking for the ball on the outside. Latrelle, getting used to the speed, had to rush his disposals. Taylor switched off a couple of times, though is a ball magnet, has a swagger and very good hands (so clean). Laurie is playing smart footy, heavily involved, linking well and getting to the next contest. Still lacking speed. AJ is working the hardest out there, two way running, gets the ball and goes again. They attempted to bring the bibs into the game by starting at the 50 arc, but it didn't work, non-bibs dominating. Rivers loved what they were doing, the defensive and ball movement into the forwards.

After the game they went to structured sims, where offence out numbered the defense again.

They started the ball in an area where the defenders had a chance to close it down. So when the mids get the ball they have to break the line by spreading or with smart handballs. Once it is out they run hard and then hit an open area. The pressure is on them to be clean as sloppy slows the whole process down.

They then moved into their line groups. Rivers taking the backs. Chaplin with the forwards. A mid or two in both lines, who bring the ball in or take it out. Taylor with the backs.

Finished with goal kicking.

Interspersed through the session was group, small group and individual sprints or laps.

They also had them sprint to the water bottles after a few of the drills/sims finished.

They are a happy lot. Great to see Gawn and May talking and enjoying each other's company in between exercises. There is plenty of equality out there.

REDLEG23'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS

Beautiful conditions both playing & creeping. Got there 10:30, stayed for about 50.

• Kozz & Lindsay sneak away for a one-knee wizz . Kozz more impressive, hurdles over fence.

• Disco running laps - left knee lightly strapped, moving fine. Rest of the lap runners: Shane McAdam, AMW - good pace & pushing. Melk, Lindsay joins in later for some laps with Disco. Moving at a good clip.

• Roo looking super lean & fit. Like the new trim👍

• CJ always looking to move the game forward from the back half. Good energy. Good bounce.

• Heathe’s a specimen. Dont ask me about his footy, haven’t seen him play yet🤷‍♂️

Match Sim:

• Jeffo’s a smooth mover across the ground. Couple nice run & bouncers streaming into F50 from HHF. Settle PF setttllleee ✋ 

• Kozz doing Kozz

• Culley with the beautiful baulk & goal from 40 👏

• Kolt caught holding the pill. Have noticed this a few times with him. Seems to always be when he tries to step or run around a player. Don’t know if his lateral movement is any good? Turn over. Goal the other way.

• Reds now dominating. 49-14, 2nd term

• Max not in match sim. Joins disco for some laps. Looks fine.

• Gee Tmac looks fantastic. Kicking low darts to target all sesh 👏 

• Jai Culley flies high with a beauty contested mark on the D50 arc. Love his aerial game. Someone other than Max for the relieving mark down the flank will be great 👍 

• GAME: red 73 - white 21

17 hours ago, Demonland said:

Taylor: Tough nut that reads the ball really well in the air. Has been a bit hit and miss with his disposal at times but I just love that from Day 1 at training he had the balls to not play it safe and to take the game on. As a consequence he bit more off than he could chew and was either caught or put under pressure. I have a feeling he will work his way into Rivers role in defence allowing Trent to play more midfield time.

Love this. Thanks for the update on Xav mate. Reckon he will be a beauty for us. Can't wait to see him work his way into the role and play round 1. Super talent imo. Stoked we got him.