Canberra: Training (6/2/08) and Practice Match (8/2/08)

[Little Goffy 13,010]

The Canberra Times says Friday 8 Feb., Ainslie Oval, 9:00am to 11:00am. See ya there!

Awesome, thank you, and I will see you there.

This time I may even bring an extra person or two!

[Brocky 4]

No idea... usually the private schools have restrictions on their students in relation to having to play for the school, but the important point to note is that he's a listed Melbourne player so he won't be playing any footy without the club's permission. I gather from the way Dean Bailey was talking yesterday, the club is really taking a big picture long term approach with Addam. I don't think it will hurt his overall development at all to be playing both PEGS and Sandy.

The AGS footy season is only about 10 weeks I think, plus possible rep games. He could play for Sandy, miss the 10 weeks for school footy, then back at Sandy again.

[grazman 6,743]

Awesome, thank you, and I will see you there.

This time I may even bring an extra person or two!

It'd be worth turning up earlier. Training on Wednesday was listed for the same time, but when i got there at 8.45 they'd already started.

[MeLbOuRnE 0]

Has any one got any news on the game???

[timmy 29]

Just got back from the 'Practice' Match.

I'm no good at reports but happy to answer any questions you may have.

Here are a few points of interest however;

-Adem Yze went off with an eye injury after 1 minute - Did not Return

-Juice took a screamer over Brad Miller

-There was nothing 'soft' about the game. Hard hitting an tackling. No sympathy shown between teams

-Issac Weetra was BOG by a mile (looks the goods)

-Bate and Davey were taken off early each Quarter (although they didn't want to and played at 100%)

-Neitz, McClean, Johnson (chris), Dunn, Wheatley, Whelan, Bartram, Grimes, and Rivers all did not play

-Jmac,Bruce and Maric were not there

-Bailey was on the field and on occasion stopped play to set up specific scenarios he wanted played (e.g. kick in or ball ups 50 out etc)

- One side wore the season proper guernsey, while the other team started with light blue tops but switched to the new, silver alternate strip at half time.

[mo64 5,280]

-Issac Weetra was BOG by a mile (looks the goods)

What position did Weetra play? If Newton took a screamer on Miller, who was the forward?

[timmy 29]

Weetra played Half Forward Flank-Midfield and Newton was playing forward.

[mo64 5,280]

Weetra played Half Forward Flank-Midfield and Newton was playing forward.

Thanks timmy. Just a few more questions:

What's the extent of McLean's injury?

How did Rivers look?

Who did most of the rucking?

[Bring-Back-Powell 13,636]

Weetra played Half Forward Flank-Midfield and Newton was playing forward.

Who kicked the goals. Who else impressed apart from Weetra.

Thanks!

[Freak 100]

how did sylvia go?..cale morton do anything?

[timmy 29]

Sorry mo64 I should have added Rivers to that sit out list!

McLean was icing his knee, he didn't have anything else on it, so I am guessing it wasn't major. But unfortunately I wasn't able to get confirmation.

The rucking was handled by Meeson and Jamar vs White and PJ, however PJ and White both spent time as key forwards.

Jamar and Meeson may well have too, however the 'Traditional Guernsey team belted the 'Alt Strip' team so the ball didn't make it down to their forward line much.

[timmy 29]

Who kicked the goals. Who else impressed apart from Weetra.

Thanks!

Goals were spread a fair bit. so can't remember exactly but from what I can remember Weetra x2, White, Dutchy x 2?, PJ, Newton, Davey,Moloney.

There were more but can't remember sorry.

[timmy 29]

how did sylvia go?..cale morton do anything?

Sylvia went fine, laid a couple of nice tackles. Didn't really figure too prominently though

Morton is very skinny and got crunched a couple of times. His kicking was a little lacking in general play. I think the extra pressure (and there was a lot) undid him a little. However as the game wore on he got better.

[Gouga 528]

Any notes on Buckley, Frawley or Garland?

[timmy 29]

Buckley played quite well, did some nice things but nothing too memorable

Frawley Played on Robbo and (although the ball didn't go down there too much) probably got beaten.

I didn't notice Garland too much. He was playing in the forward line with Weetra and Dutchy etc and may have kicked a goal...but again nothing too special

I would expect all 3 to play the cats though and definitely Weetra

[MeLbOuRnE 0]

how did jonesy go? did Newton kick any goals? And did the new silver jumpers look good??

And how did Aussie Wonaeamirri go?

Thanks

[timmy 29]

how did jonesy go? did Newton kick any goals? And did the new silver jumpers look good??

And how did Aussie Wonaeamirri go?

Thanks

Jonsey had Valenti on him in the first half and although Jonesy was Jonesy and went hard, Valenti was very impressive and he, Jones and Moloney were probably the 3 best pure midfielders.

'Ossie' did Ok. He and Weetra were hunting in the forward line (like having 2 extra flashes). He laid some great tackles and got a bit of the ball...even kicked a goal!

His foot skills and decision making are first rate.

I think Newton may have kicked one. He definitely missed at least 1 'getable' one but was marking strongly.

I actually didn't mind the new jumper...Depends if you like silver because there is alot of it.

But the numbers stand out well and it accomplishes the goal of being different easily.

[DemonTux 95]

why am i getting that sinking feeling that shane and ozzy might be better value being on the senior list not the rookie one?

Granted i am a big Shane V fan from going to Sandy games last year and he would be "ready made" so maybe i'm just biased.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

.......because in early February every footballer looks soooo good.

Its hard from scratch matches and training for outside observers to really identify who is going to step up to AFL pressure.

Nevertheless it is good that every player is putting his best efforts. Thats a positive. And also players previously under an injury cloud being able to participate in the pre season process.

[Bring-Back-Powell 13,636]

why am i getting that sinking feeling that shane and ozzy might be better value being on the senior list not the rookie one?

Granted i am a big Shane V fan from going to Sandy games last year and he would be "ready made" so maybe i'm just biased.

I think I said the same thing about Andre Gianfagna (rookie listed player) after a NAB Cup game in Darwin 2 years ago. It's early days so no need to panic yet.

And if and when we cop a decent injury, they'll be elevated. Knowing our rotton luck it will be sooner rather than later.

On a side note, it's great to see Moloney fit and firing again. Apparently he had an operation after round 19 last year, they're managing him well and is training at full capacity. Article on mfc.com.au. (still haven't learnt how to post a link)

[timmy 29]

Yeah let me just say Ladies and Gents that the game was quite scrappy but everyone was giving it there all.

There is no doubt that Ossie and Valenti could play senior footy easily and I think you will see this against the Cats.

However, bearing in mind our long term injuries from last year and possibly this year, it may be a blessing that they are on the Rookie list ready to step up and fill in.

Plus Grimes hasn't had the chance to play yet and Cheney and McNamara didn't look bad.

[paddo 0]

Who was the best performed of the four ruckmen? I know White and PJ spent time forward, but which of the four performed best in the ruck? Did Jamar show anything?

[timmy 29]

Personally I would go with Meeson, but that is probably cause I was watching him most out of the 4.

From what I remember PJ spent more time up forward. Meeson and Jamar were on the same team. I didn't notice Jamar too much other than getting slammed by Issac Weetra and at the ball ups..so nothing standout

[Freddy Fuschia 666]

FWIW Footygoss reports as follows:-

Veteran Adem Yze left the field with an eye injury in the Demons’ practice match on Friday, while former Claremont junior Cale Morton and ex-Port Adelaide Magpies player Isaac Weetra were among the better players in the contest.

Midfielder James McDonald did not play in the match having duties at his brother’s wedding, while Cameron Bruce remained sidelined with a knee injury.

[Spin-it-to-Goodwin-it 579]

Melbournefc article - All the details from the coach....

Young Dee's stake their claim - Today's practice match