7 hours ago, hardtack said:

Sh!ts & Giggles

Don't they now have portaloos?!

10 minutes ago, Go Ds said:

Don't they now have portaloos?!

10 hours ago, Demonland said:

McAdam running laps with Reece Conca

I told Reece this morning that I no longer want his job. I told him running 10kms in 120 minutes on gameday was a stretch as it was, but this running around the boundary caper is a dealbreaker. I told him I didn’t sign up for that. He said “Neither did I” and we both laughed. My laugh was real. His wasn’t because he was about to start running with Shane. 😝

2 hours ago, adonski said:

https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/1941480/afl-training-report-friday-standouts

MELBOURNE’S AFL pre-season is ramping up with players putting their best foot forward this side of Christmas.

While they're not full matches just yet, the group have started completing 20-minute match-like drills, with Melbourne Media trackside to scope out the notable moments.

Anyone watching on would be able to quickly note that Kysaiah Pickett isn’t looking to slow down, despite having already had a career-best campaign in 2025. His quick feet and electric energy were back on Gosch’s and dare we say, with a slight edge to them, making the Demon even more of danger. 

A moment of excitement was a chain down the ground between K.Pickett and young draftee Xavier Taylor, the duo’s speed helping them link up through the centre and deliver the ball inside 50.

Changkuoth Jiath started strong during the half-ground match-sim, his intercepting and explosive speed out of defence a standout.

Through the middle and up forward, Jai Culley was as strong as ever, clunking marks and winning contests – two skills he became known for in the back-half of last season.  

One match-up that was particularly entertaining to watch was between Aidan Johnson and Jake Lever, who went head-to-head in the opening half. Johnson proved stronger in plenty of the one-on-ones.

Brody Mihocek seemed crucial up forward, not just from his own impact, slotting a number of goals, but from his vocals, clearly using his experience to help lead the young teammates around him.

Bursts of talent came from draftee Latrelle Pickett, one standout moment saw him speed down the ground, successfully taking on a number of players and coming out on top.

Second-year Demon Xavier Lindsay had moments of gold. There’s exciting potential with Lindsay for 2026, who was able to put together an impressive 2025 despite having not had a full pre-season in the lead up to games. With a full pre-season under his belt, there’s no telling where he can take his game next year.

19 hours ago, Ghostwriter said:

I didn’t know this had occurred. I’ll have to read Demonland when I get home

Hunt out Ghosty's contributions - they're great. ..... Oh, wait.

I had a busy day yesterday and so I’m late with this post. The match sims are the things that get track watchers excited and we had our first real hit out yesterday. Others have covered them very well and it’s interesting to get different perspectives. There is no doubt there is a different intensity this year. Last year at this time it was ball movement with minimal contact progressing to dancing with your sister stuff as the PS went on. This year there is pretty serious stuff going on, hence concussions and I’d think more injury and soreness.

I’m surprised Leb hasn’t been mentioned because to me he was the clear standout in the sims. Played midfield, won the ball at clearance, was used as an outlet player and got heaps of the ball. Kossie was the other one who got it a lot and while some of his delivery was very good some needs to be tidied up. Jai Culley continued to impress and Moose was good although Gawny wasn’t there but I thought he had the better of Tom Campbell.

Kolt, Trelley and XT also showed their stuff as did Sharpie who seems to have progressed significantly from last year. Blake Howes also did some really good stuff particularly in the half field drills.

Just for the record I haven’t given up hope on Jeffo, to me he is still an interesting watch.

On 12/12/2025 at 10:18, Demonland said:

Plays are just started randomly from a position with the goal to score at your end

Very quick ball movement

I like it. I like it alot!

Actually wounder if the assertion of us not having enough good kicks in the side is actually more a result of us not training enough fast ball movement, so

a) when we do try it in games where not as drilled at it / as adapted to it and

b) it's probably a lot harder to actually kick your way through a slow play. Everyone is more or less covered and it almost takes a miracle kicks to find a team mate.

Edited Friday at 23:471 day by Rodney (Balls) Grinter

20 hours ago, Fritta and Turner said:

And just between you and me, I think we are going to handball more next season. (Just kick the thing I can hear us yelling now).

I don't think alot of handball is nessacerilly a bad thing. Just depends how it's executed and if they are damaging attacking handballs, as compared to endless defensive ones that put others badly under pressure of turning it over.

Watched alot of Brisbane this year and one thing I think they did very well was linking up chains of handballs through the centre of the ground and CHF. They also carry the ball a long time before releasing it, really inviting and then taking on the tackler - it's almost rugby league like in it's appearance to me. The result is that it gives them a great avenue to goal through a player bursting through CHF who can take a shot on the run or hit up a good target in the corridor inside 50, rather than a crappy play around the flanks and a shot from the boundary.

6 minutes ago, Slartibartfast said:

I had a busy day yesterday and so I’m late with this post. The match sims are the things that get track watchers excited and we had our first real hit out yesterday. Others have covered them very well and it’s interesting to get different perspectives. There is no doubt there is a different intensity this year. Last year at this time it was ball movement with minimal contact progressing to dancing with your sister stuff as the PS went on. This year there is pretty serious stuff going on, hence concussions and I’d think more injury and soreness.

I’m surprised Leb hasn’t been mentioned because to me he was the clear standout in the sims. Played midfield, won the ball at clearance, was used as an outlet player and got heaps of the ball. Kossie was the other one who got it a lot and while some of his delivery was very good some needs to be tidied up. Jai Culley continued to impress and Moose was good although Gawny wasn’t there but I thought he had the better of Tom Campbell.

Kolt, Trelley and XT also showed their stuff as did Sharpie who seems to have progressed significantly from last year. Blake Howes also did some really good stuff particularly in the half field drills.

Just for the record I haven’t given up hope on Jeffo, to me he is still an interesting watch.

Thanks Startibartfast great to get your take on Friday’s session, love that Windsor is stepping up in the midfield also Kolt Trelley, XT and Harry Sharp. Sharpie has won every race and endurance event to date, maybe King has a plan to harness those crucial skills in’26 and beyond.

7 minutes ago, Rodney (Balls) Grinter said:

I don't think alot of handball is nessacerilly a bad thing. Just depends how it's executed and if they are damaging attacking handballs, as compared to endless defensive ones that put others badly under pressure of turning it over.

Watched alot of Brisbane this year and one thing I think they did very well was linking up chains of handballs through the centre of the ground and CHF. They also carry the ball a long time before releasing it, really inviting and then taking on the tackler - it's almost rugby league like in it's appearance to me. The result is that it gives them a great avenue to goal through a player bursting through CHF who can take a shot on the run or hit up a good target in the corridor inside 50, rather than a crappy play around the flanks and a shot from the boundary.

Yes, not necessarily. Overall I think long kicking is more important. But context is always important - get the ball out to someone in space, or maybe so quickly that the next player then finds someone in space. BTW this was probably the moment i thought Melbourne were a genuine flag chance in 2021. What a chain of handballs!

16 minutes ago, Rodney (Balls) Grinter said:

I don't think alot of handball is nessacerilly a bad thing. Just depends how it's executed and if they are damaging attacking handballs, as compared to endless defensive ones that put others badly under pressure of turning it over.

Watched alot of Brisbane this year and one thing I think they did very well was linking up chains of handballs through the centre of the ground and CHF. They also carry the ball a long time before releasing it, really inviting and then taking on the tackler - it's almost rugby league like in it's appearance to me. The result is that it gives them a great avenue to goal through a player bursting through CHF who can take a shot on the run or hit up a good target in the corridor inside 50, rather than a crappy play around the flanks and a shot from the boundary.

Edited yesterday at 00:191 day by Go Ds

22 hours ago, Ghostwriter said:

Further on the subject of Vines seemingly having a weight lifted from his shoulders, despite being injured, he definitely is different now. And he’s not the only one. I see a similar thing with Melky, Max and Tmac. They seem to be less burdened, if you will. I spoke with one of the medics and he said it’s probably because of all the changes and that Kingy has a reassuring way about him. This makes sense.

I was introduced to our new “psych” as he calls himself. His name is David. He’s about 6ft5 and very softly spoken and gentle-natured. I felt like I’d had a professional session with him, minus the $600 fee 😁

David only started two days ago which means we’ve been psych-less since Stephen Rendall left months ago. Maybe we haven’t had a desperate need for one, therefore not in a hurry to fill the position 🤷‍♀️

Hmm anyone is mind Gw? I have a couple.

It’s quite interesting that our untrained, yet very keen and loved, track watchers are noticing the step up in training intensity.

Maybe there is an immediate path up the ladder, purely due to better preparation?

It will be exciting to watch the way we roll out in Round 1

32 minutes ago, old dee said:

Hmm anyone is mind Gw? I have a couple.

I wouldnt be surprised if a big rift derails some clubs' seasons. Out on the field it has to us versus them, not us vs them AND them. If that was our team last year then there may be a lot of improvement next year.

3 hours ago, Slartibartfast said:

I had a busy day yesterday and so I’m late with this post. The match sims are the things that get track watchers excited and we had our first real hit out yesterday. Others have covered them very well and it’s interesting to get different perspectives. There is no doubt there is a different intensity this year. Last year at this time it was ball movement with minimal contact progressing to dancing with your sister stuff as the PS went on. This year there is pretty serious stuff going on, hence concussions and I’d think more injury and soreness.

I’m surprised Leb hasn’t been mentioned because to me he was the clear standout in the sims. Played midfield, won the ball at clearance, was used as an outlet player and got heaps of the ball. Kossie was the other one who got it a lot and while some of his delivery was very good some needs to be tidied up. Jai Culley continued to impress and Moose was good although Gawny wasn’t there but I thought he had the better of Tom Campbell.

Kolt, Trelley and XT also showed their stuff as did Sharpie who seems to have progressed significantly from last year. Blake Howes also did some really good stuff particularly in the half field drills.

Just for the record I haven’t given up hope on Jeffo, to me he is still an interesting watch.

3 hours ago, Slartibartfast said:

I had a busy day yesterday and so I’m late with this post. The match sims are the things that get track watchers excited and we had our first real hit out yesterday. Others have covered them very well and it’s interesting to get different perspectives. There is no doubt there is a different intensity this year. Last year at this time it was ball movement with minimal contact progressing to dancing with your sister stuff as the PS went on. This year there is pretty serious stuff going on, hence concussions and I’d think more injury and soreness.

I’m surprised Leb hasn’t been mentioned because to me he was the clear standout in the sims. Played midfield, won the ball at clearance, was used as an outlet player and got heaps of the ball. Kossie was the other one who got it a lot and while some of his delivery was very good some needs to be tidied up. Jai Culley continued to impress and Moose was good although Gawny wasn’t there but I thought he had the better of Tom Campbell.

Kolt, Trelley and XT also showed their stuff as did Sharpie who seems to have progressed significantly from last year. Blake Howes also did some really good stuff particularly in the half field drills.

Just for the record I haven’t given up hope on Jeffo, to me he is still an interesting watch.

Sorry who is Leb

As you can tell I font often post

1 minute ago, FlowerPower said:

Sorry who is Leb

As you can tell I font often post

CaLeb Windsor

2 hours ago, Go Ds said:

Yes, not necessarily. Overall I think long kicking is more important. But context is always important - get the ball out to someone in space, or maybe so quickly that the next player then finds someone in space. BTW this was probably the moment i thought Melbourne were a genuine flag chance in 2021. What a chain of handballs!

Remember that game well. We look spent at half time or something then refused to lie down, put the foot down and powered home.

Personally I felt we were a genuine contender in 2021 when we were at 6W 0L and just looked like we had that killer mindset of not loosing games we should win. For most of the season, while we rarely dominated, was so important that we always kept teams either under control with a defendable lead or within reach of a comeback, kept our cool, kept grinding away and then our opportunities when they presented.

The mid to late season surge against the likes of Brisbane was so important that we didn't just throw away all our early season good work.

Edited yesterday at 03:041 day by Rodney (Balls) Grinter

1 hour ago, adonski said:

CaLeb Windsor

Thank you

On 13/12/2025 at 13:05, Go Ds said:

I wouldnt be surprised if a big rift derails some clubs' seasons. Out on the field it has to us versus them, not us vs them AND them. If that was our team last year then there may be a lot of improvement next year.

He's hopping!