18 minutes ago, waynewussell said:

Got there at 10:00, stayed for 90 mins. Thank you to Demonland, Dee Spencer, thirty-one and all contributors for covering the finer details.

My observations:

I was looking forward to covering the amazing progress of Steven May in his return to full back ... and alas, that didn't happen, and by some suggestions, it might not happen for some time. So, I concentrated on the progress of other backmen present. Petty spent quite a bit of time running. He looked pretty good. When joining in with the main group he was solid without being a standout.

Oscar Berry was very effective in reading the play and spoiling the leading forward. He is definitely showing the benefits of a solid block of training. He is a little taller than I thought, has a strong build with a low centre of gravity. He shows confidence in his kicking skills.

Ditto for AMW. The other players delight in his ability to defend the in-coming passes to a forward on the lead. He is in my starting 23!

Xavier Taylor is a great competitor, is quick to recover and elusive with ball in hand ... he’s progressing well!

Christian Salem spent all of his time in rehab while I was there, but doesn't look to have any serious issues.

Jed Adams participated in all the drills. Steady without being a standout.

Tom McDonald and Daniel Turner were the best of the key backs. I now have both of them in my starting 23.

Jake Lever is looking much fitter than last season. He does not seem to be troubled by ankle or foot pain. He still looks in a little discomfort when required to bend down for the ground-ball gather.

Moving on to the rest ...

Bayley Fritsch is near unbeatable in the lea /get out the back routine. He is set for a very good 2026.

Max Heath was outstanding in the air, particularly down back as others have noted. He is a big kick and is the best competition for Max in the ruck due to Campbell's injury.

Which brings me to Max ... still a magician in getting either hand to the ball first and directing the play from the ruck contests.

Kozzie is superb in everything he does!

Jai Culley, Ed Langford, Caleb Windsor & Trent Rivers are consistently among the best on the training track.

With some important names still in part or full-time rehab, Koltyn Tholstrup looms as a handy replacement. He has completed almost all of pre-season and he is showing that he has good pace, strength over the ball and improved disposal.

Brodie Mihochek and Jack Steele are doing all the positive things we recruited them for... great additions!

My final word goes to Matt Jefferson. He was the best of the key forwards today and is showing signs of becoming a much more reliable mark on a fast lead.

Ditto for

What’s going on with May?

21 minutes ago, Greg Schneider said:

Yep we’re in trouble I reckon

Maybe not 😉

An idea for many... disregard 25

26 will be different.... better...

Emphasis on DIFFERENT

14 minutes ago, beelzebub said:

Maybe not 😉

An idea for many... disregard 25

26 will be different.... better...

Emphasis on DIFFERENT

I’m specifically talking about lockdown defenders

41 minutes ago, waynewussell said:

Got there at 10:00, stayed for 90 mins. Thank you to Demonland, Dee Spencer, thirty-one and all contributors for covering the finer details.

My observations:

I was looking forward to covering the amazing progress of Steven May in his return to full back ... and alas, that didn't happen, and by some suggestions, it might not happen for some time. So, I concentrated on the progress of other backmen present. Petty spent quite a bit of time running. He looked pretty good. When joining in with the main group he was solid without being a standout.

Oscar Berry was very effective in reading the play and spoiling the leading forward. He is definitely showing the benefits of a solid block of training. He is a little taller than I thought, has a strong build with a low centre of gravity. He shows confidence in his kicking skills.

Ditto for AMW. The other players delight in his ability to defend the in-coming passes to a forward on the lead. He is in my starting 23!

Xavier Taylor is a great competitor, is quick to recover and elusive with ball in hand ... he’s progressing well!

Christian Salem spent all of his time in rehab while I was there, but doesn't look to have any serious issues.

Jed Adams participated in all the drills. Steady without being a standout.

Tom McDonald and Daniel Turner were the best of the key backs. I now have both of them in my starting 23.

Jake Lever is looking much fitter than last season. He does not seem to be troubled by ankle or foot pain. He still looks in a little discomfort when required to bend down for the ground-ball gather.

Moving on to the rest ...

Bayley Fritsch is near unbeatable in the lea /get out the back routine. He is set for a very good 2026.

Max Heath was outstanding in the air, particularly down back as others have noted. He is a big kick and is the best competition for Max in the ruck due to Campbell's injury.

Which brings me to Max ... still a magician in getting either hand to the ball first and directing the play from the ruck contests.

Kozzie is superb in everything he does!

Jai Culley, Ed Langford, Caleb Windsor & Trent Rivers are consistently among the best on the training track.

With some important names still in part or full-time rehab, Koltyn Tholstrup looms as a handy replacement. He has completed almost all of pre-season and he is showing that he has good pace, strength over the ball and improved disposal.

Brodie Mihochek and Jack Steele are doing all the positive things we recruited them for... great additions!

My final word goes to Matt Jefferson. He was the best of the key forwards today and is showing signs of becoming a much more reliable mark on a fast lead.

QUADRUPLE BUMP, especially the last paragraph! The plan is so cunning you could brush your teeth with it!

Thanks for this incisive report, just one question how did Chandler look??

36 minutes ago, GawnOfTheDead said:

What’s going on with May?

Check the Herald Sun.

McAdam present? Not mentioned as part of the rehab group.

Was wondering if our leadership group has been announced?

Hoping it’s not half the damn team

1 minute ago, M_9 said:

McAdam present? Not mentioned as part of the rehab group.

My bad; not present.

23 minutes ago, Greg Schneider said:

I’m specifically talking about lockdown defenders

Last year we lacked small forwards to support Kozzie and Chandler, we seem to have covered that with LSP and Tommy Mathews. In defence we need AMW, CJ, Salo and possibly Xavier Taylor who was touted as a tough defender who can play tall or short to all step into the breach. Could Ricky Mentha or Bill Laurie go back? One thing for sure we will find out how good and adaptable our coaching group are when we play Hawks and Lions.😁👍

I'm not sure but I think I saw McAdam walking back to the G when I arrived at training around 10am. He was not wearing a flame head training top. He was talking to a trainer then walked off on his own.

Poor dude's a Ferrari, he's always in the garage being fixed.

23 minutes ago, M_9 said:

McAdam present? Not mentioned as part of the rehab group.

Career just about over I would imagine!

1 minute ago, picket fence said:

Career just about over I would imagine!

Didn’t really ever begin, he’s always been injured. I think he’s in the 40’s for games played

1 hour ago, Lord Travis said:

Was an issue already before Bowey got injured, now it’s our biggest weakness. Quick ball movement means small forwards are in vogue with key forwards now mostly low impact. Having no one with the ability to play lockdown on them is a glaring weakness ready to be exploited.

I was hoping they’d shuffle magnets to try and unearth some new small lockdown defenders, but appears we’re still lacking. I reckon Chandler should shift to that role. He’s not good enough to be a midfielder or high impact small forward - it might be his niche long term.

He was seemingly absent today but it will likely be Howes or a chance to blood X Taylor in to a role. If we get beat by small forwards so be it. We've got a lot more to worry about than that.

AMW looks good, they just aren't rushing him. I think he's done as much training this year as any other!

CJ is a concern, just how much they have to leave him in the rehab group. I think the price we paid for him shows we knew it was a possibility but they're treating him like he's a big injury risk.

Chandler's always going to be too small to be a long term back pocket. If we're really desperate I'd use Kolt.

47 minutes ago, picket fence said:

QUADRUPLE BUMP, especially the last paragraph! The plan is so cunning you could brush your teeth with it!

Thanks for this incisive report, just one question how did Chandler look??

I tend to take Chandler for granted. He is very consistent… puts in, reliable contributor with flashes of brilliance. He is developing his leadership skills. Similar in output and application to Sparrow. A successful team needs the glue!

26 minutes ago, picket fence said:

Career just about over I would imagine!

I’d love to know what medicals they did with him, he’s played so few games in total in his career.

They would have known just how bad his body was, and if they did, it still makes me ponder why he got a three year deal.

1 hour ago, waynewussell said:

Got there at 10:00, stayed for 90 mins. Thank you to Demonland, Dee Spencer, thirty-one and all contributors for covering the finer details.

My observations:

I was looking forward to covering the amazing progress of Steven May in his return to full back... Alas, that didn't happen, and by some suggestions, May not happen for some time. So, I concentrated on the progress of other backmen present. Petty spent quite a bit of time running. He looked pretty good. When joining in with the main group he was solid without being a standout.

Berry was very effective in reading the play and spoiling the leading forward. He is definitely showing the benefits of a solid block of training. he is a little taller than I thought, has a strong build with a low centre of gravity. He shows confidence in his kicking skills.

Ditto for AMW. The other players delight in his ability to defend the in-coming passes to a forward on the lead. He is in my starting 23!

Taylor is a great competitor, is quick to recover and elusive with ball in hand... progressing well!

Salem spent all of his time in rehab while I was there, but doesn't look to have any serious issues.

Jed Adams participated in all the drills. Steady without being a standout.

McDonald and Turner were the best of the key backs. I now have both of them in my starting 23.

Lever is looking much fitter than last season. He does not seem to be troubled by ankle or foot pain. He still looks in a little discomfort when required to bend down for the ground-ball gather.

Moving on to the rest...

Fritsch is near unbeatable in the lead / get out the back routine. He is set for a very good 2026.

Heath was outstanding in the air, particularly down back as others have noted. He is a big kick and is the best competition for Max in the ruck due to Campbell's injury.

Which brings me to Max... still a magician in getting either hand to the ball first and directing the play from the ruck contests.

Kossie is superb in everything he does!

Culley, Langford, Windsor & Rivers are consistently among the best on the training track.

With some important names still in part or full-time rehab, Tholstrup looms as a handy replacement. He has completed almost all of pre-season and he is showing that he has good pace, strength over the ball and improved disposal.

Mihochek and Steele are doing all the positive things we recruited them for... great additions!

My final word goes to Jefferson. He was the best of the key forwards today and is showing signs of becoming a much more reliable mark on a fast lead.

wayne your reports are my immediate go to, for authoritative updates during the pre-season. Today's... highlights some of the less illuminated foot soldiers on the list. Amongst the better known personalities. Pleasingly accentuating the positives and delivering neat pen portraits of skills, abilities, etc plus some of the buzz going on at Gosch's Paddock. Nothing beats 'being there', in the spirit of Captain Blood "He's a good ordinary footballer". Trust we have a few of them this season.

1 hour ago, Billy said:

Was wondering if our leadership group has been announced?

Hoping it’s not half the damn team

Would love to know also! I thought typically leadership group sits down in team photos on the chairs. I saw Maxy and Viney either side of Kingy. I also saw, Sparrow, Steele, TMac, Langdon, Lever and Melk sit on chairs too. Again not sure if leadership group all sit down but that’s who I saw on the mfc website in team photo day and don’t think our leadership group would be half the team like the WB 😆😂

34 minutes ago, GawnOfTheDead said:

I’d love to know what medicals they did with him, he’s played so few games in total in his career.

They would have known just how bad his body was, and if they did, it still makes me ponder why he got a three year deal.

I wonder this too. And to part way with a 2nd rounder on top of a 3 year deal is a total head scratcher. That has to be on par with Norths pick swap with Richmond last year as one of the dumbest trades in AFL history.

51 minutes ago, GawnOfTheDead said:

I’d love to know what medicals they did with him, he’s played so few games in total in his career.

They would have known just how bad his body was, and if they did, it still makes me ponder why he got a three year deal.

They were expecting to do this to his career and body...
Instead we got a list spot take up, wasted a 2nd round pick and a whole lotta money on our medico department expenditure.

There's been enough threads bashing McAdam from pillar to post. Can we stop this one turning into one of them?

8 minutes ago, Bleasey as that said:

There's been enough threads bashing McAdam from pillar to post. Can we stop this one turning into one of them?

Hardly bashing him on this thread. Looks like it is going to be 1 goal from 3 seasons. Failed trade, simple as that

No, it was a dumb trade before we got him and its a horrendous trade with what's transpired.

22 minutes ago, Gorgoroth said:

They were expecting to do this to his career and body...
Instead we got a list spot take up, wasted a 2nd round pick and a whole lotta money on our medico department expenditure.