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Back home after. Casey. I went to the game to immunise myself against being disappointed for the season ahead. The game did not let me down and I now know what to expect for the season. Unfortunately I expect more of the same as last year as even against a stand alone team the AFL listed players missed marks and handballs. Below is my report for what it is worth: Q1. The Scorpions were the better team by hand and foot but could not put the difference on the scoreboard ( sounds familiar doesn't it). All the MFC plays played well that quarter with Brayshaw the standout. Q2. Pretty even contest. I thought Vince and JKH shone through. Vandenberg was tenacious and showed something. Q3. Williamstown clearly got on top and if not for inaccurate kicking would have been significantly in front. Brayshaw again the standout Demon. Q4. All Williamstown after the first 5 mins, Enough said. Williamstown deserved the victory and I would be really disappointed if I was Casey. The coach held them on the ground after the game and I suspect told them that performance was not good enough. With respect to the players: Brayshaw. Very happy with his game. Was not expecting too much before the game and he showed fierceness and is ready. Towards the end of the game he tired and made traditional Melbourne mistakes such as missing handball targets. He reminded me of Nathan Jones when he first came to the club and without putting too much pressure on the kid, we know what we get from Jones. King. Too skinny and raw. I think he needs time in the Development comp. kicked a nice goal in the last quarter but does nothing around the ground. Michie: serviceable but not brilliant. Goes in hard but lacks speed. Was vocal which was good to hear and disposals were not bad. Just drops out of the game too much for me. Kent: offensively good but defensively rubbish. Made silly mistakes and I would keep him at Casey for at least another week. Is competing with JKH for a spot I think and on today's performance JKH is ahead. JKH: quite good today. His attack on football was good and on the man. Like others he drifts in and out of game too much. Vince: disinterested in 1st quarters but lifted. Worked hard and put run in the legs. Did not have a huge influence on the game but provided he pulls up ok, is likely to play next week. He tried to lift the team in the last quarter but as I said did not exert influence on the ball. Riley: goes in hard. Disposal lets him down. Of all the listed players he seemed to be off the ground the most or perhaps I just missed him. Vandenberg: does not shirk any contest and liked his performance today without getting too excited. I think he demonstrates a toughness not many at Melbourne have and I hope he is upgraded soon. Upon reflection he won't play next week as I think Brayshaw deserves the spot ahead of him. If Howe is the sub no Vandenberg. If no Howe he will be the sub Fitzpatrick: perhaps I am blinded by my like of him but he showed something in defence. When he moved to forward line the defence struggled. He just needs to hold important marks. His defensive punches were good. I am scared he will be run off too often though so that is a big question for me. Needs half a season in Casey in a defensive position if that is the plan for him. I hope I did not miss anyone. Enjoyed my trip to Casey and hearing coaches and having a kick on the oval. My son was annoyed I spent much of my time on the phone rather than talking to him so I will leave the reports and scores to. KC in future. Cheers. Ps. Special mention to Tim Smith at Casey. I like how he plays and showed more than some of the MFC players.

Casey seemed flat-footed in the last quarter and reactionary, while Williamstown started to take the game on. In the first 3/4's I thought Casey looked the slightly superior team, but the Seagull's delivered the ball into their forward 50 far better and had more scoring shots even when behind. Kent got a lot of the footy, but made a couple of blues. He dropped a sitter under no pressure, which directly lead to a goal to the opposition less than 60 seconds before half-time. But overall played well, including the wing for the entire third quarter. JKH was good. Played wing for most of the match and kicked a couple, including a nice banana on the run close to goal. Riley is unfashionable, but has a crack and was OK. He's easy to miss. I thought Vince showed enough in his first hit out. He was probably better than I expected, although he faded in and out. Was good in bursts with some classy kicking. Fitzpatrick competed hard, but his timing and marking was off. He was serviceable. Van Demon is huge for a midfielder. He played as a high half-forward and got a fair bit of it. He looks a little heavy and will be much better after another preseason. I'd love to see him get games this year, as his size is such a weapon, but he's a work in progress. Mitchie was arguably the best Demon today. Busy all afternoon and completed a great chase and pull down tackle in the third. King is a long way off. Very good kick for such a tall. I've already read some of the commentary on Brayshaw, but it's a bit over the top. I thought he had a solid game without dominating. I'd put it down as a typical Brayshaw game. His second goal was a ripper in congestion with a tonne of heat on him and I also liked when he had a stint in the forward pocket in the third. He competed really hard in the air twice and one of those split packs led to a JKH goal. He also spent a bit of time down back late in the third and looked comfortable. He's just a pro that does everything well, although he does miss the odd handball target under pressure. In one passage of play when he was forward he ran with the flight of the ball and crashed hard into the oncoming marking player. Both went down and got up gingerly. He was fine and has plenty of courage. He's a very good overhead mark for a midfielder. I thought Mitchie, Kent, Brayshaw and JKH were the best of the top up players.

Some more from last Friday => http://six6six.smugmug.com/Training-Friday-27-take-2/n-Gbhn2G/i-4zfzZBF/A Last pre season session for me for the year. I'll be back next pre season but for now go Dees. Full Gallery, Enjoy ==> http://six6six.smugmug.com/Training-2732015/n-WhKXRf/i-zFBXcb6/A Salem's Run ==> http://six6six.smugmug.com/Salems-run/n-ZrNKWc/i-vbMf8LL/A

With the AFL having its rest week ahead of the start of the 2015 season, all eyes this weekend will be on tomorrow's World Cup Cricket final between Australia and New Zealand today's VFL practice match between Williamstown and Casey Scorpions at Casey Fields. The Seagulls are a stand alone team which had a good season last year despite ending their association with the Bulldogs while the Scorpions are rebuilding their side after a horror 2014 that saw them slip out of the finals for the first time since they began their alignment with the Demons. There will be some Melbourne players in this game with special permission to play (usually given if they have had interrupted pre seasons). Among the AFL senior listed players expected to play are Angus Brayshaw, Jack Fitzpatrick, Jay Kennedy-Harris, Dean Kent, Viv Michie, Aidan Riley and Bernie Vince. The Senior game starts at 1:00pm with the Development League match at 10:00am. I have an appointment at the other end of town but hope to make it down before quarter time and will report on the game from then. Team sheets Seniors 1. Evan Panozza 3. Patrick Rosier 6. James Munro 10. Mitchell Gent 11. Jack Hutchins 13. Lucas Walmsley 16. Thomas Muir 17. Edward Morris 20. Timothy Smith 22. Bryce Rutherford 28. Paul Pattison 29. Luke Thwaites 31. Dale Gawley 32. Kody Wilson 41. Jake Gains 46. Angus Brayshaw 53. Max King 55. Aidan Riley 57. Jay Kennedy-Harris 63. Viv Michie 67. Aaron vandenBerg 73. Bernie Vince 75. Jack Fitzpatrick Development League 2. Will Collis 4. Sam Waters 9. Jack Griffiths 12. Will Petropoulos 14. Daniel Welsh 15. Sean Corrigan 18. Brenton Hillard 19. Matthew Rennie 24. Keegan Mason 25. Liam Beacom 26. Ricky Plummer 29. Luke Thwaites 30. Bayley Fritsch 31. Dale Gawley 33. Nick Battle 34. Tom Wilson 36. Chris Johnson 37. Jackson McDonald 38. Declan Kielty 39. Luke Hannon 40. Tom Wyatt 43. Dale Johnson 45. Brandon Droessler 51. Jack Presnell

That goal from Gus was fantastic! Second and 3rd effort, put his head over it. I like!

Cheers for the updates MNY, if you still have time there is nothing wrong with putting up your thoughts alongside KC. It's much appreciated.

Brayshaw with a good goal. Going in hard, grabbing the ball and snapping

The game is just plodding along as are much of the players. Vince is just getting run in his legs and looks far from the player he was last year. However it is his 1st game this year. Riley, Kent and Michie did nothing to warrant selection. JKH and Vandenberg look likely but need to be more consistent within the game itself. Brayshaw is the standout and is demanding a call up against the Gold Coast. One more quarter to prove themselves. No wind to speak of. Scores Casey 6.7.43 Williamstown 5.11.41

#trustinGus

Cheers Kc! And MNY you need to go to more Casey games this year. Doing a tremendous effort!

Goodwin and McCartney watching on the far side of the ground, heard mccartney yelling instructions over the fence to brayshaw in the 2nd qtr, was good to see

My thoughts: Bernie had a great first half and did what he wanted but he ran out of legs. Also had a hard tag in the 2nd half. Short of a gallop and I'd be surprised if he played round 1. Kent did enough. Didn't have a lot of the footy but looked dangerous when he did and had 4-5 shots on goal. JKH had a better second half but would be behind Kent in my eyes. vandenBerg did some nice things but came in and out of the play. Looks underdone and would be surprised to see him line up next week. Michie was solid if not spectacular. Good at the contest but needs to find more easier ball. Riley impacts the play when involved through physicality and ferocious tackling. He just doesn't find enough. Fitzy was solid down back but his overhead marking continues to let him down, Several times he contested balls in the air and let it get over the back for Williamstown crumbers. Angus had 26 possessions and 2 goals. Class. His ability to spread from a contest at speed surprised me. He used it well apart from a few errant handballs. Gus was fairly vocal at the breaks too, a real leader in the making. Max King good below his knees for a big guy but a million miles off.

I've heard enough. IN: Brayshaw #letgusplay

Vince out there but no Howe. Kent there as is JKH and Vandenberg

Casey by 1 point at 3/4 time 43 - 42 Goals Brayshaw Kennedy-Harris 2 Gawley Smith

Brayshaw scores a goal and seals his position for Round 1

#GusforPM

Quarter time. Average game but you can tell the AFL listed players. Brayshaw clearly the best in Q1. Vince, Kent and Vanders busy. Michie and Riley tough at it but spent about half the quarter on the bench. Scores Scorpions 2.4.16 Williamstown 1.3.9

Bradshaw misses from a set shot but has been everywhere and is making a strong case for next week. All melbourne listed players have been serviceable. Kent, Vanders and Brayshaw the standouts in my humble opinion

Thanks maybe next year. No such thing as an expert, just write up what you see. A stack of Demonlanders will be very grateful. Thanks in advance!

Noble sentiments, but I disagree. The following is a predicted Paul Roos 'best team' for the early rounds of 2015. It’s not necessarily MY best team, but roughly what I expect. Although it’s also going to mirror 90% of what the average supporter would want. There’s the odd player, such as Grimes and Garland, who are no longer universal fan favourites, but they’ll get the nod in the early going. I’ve also included Howe in the forwards for team balance. Mahoney hinted on radio this week he'll spend time there notwithstanding where he’s trained and played of late. Ages as at April 1 MELBOURNE: FULL BACKS: Jetta (25) Dunn (27) Garland (26) HALF BACKS: Grimes (25) T. McDonald (22) Salem (19) MIDFIELDERS: Lamumba (28) N. Jones (27) Vince (29) FOLLOWERS: Jamar (31) Tyson (21) Viney (20) HALF FORWARDS: Howe (24) Hogan (20) Kent (21) FULL FORWARDS: Garlett (25) Dawes (26) Watts (24) INTERCHANGE: Frost (21) Newton (22) Vandenberg (23) SUB: Cross (32) EMERGENCY: Gawn (23) JKH (20) M. Jones (27) 22 And Under There's a good spread of youth and maturity with 8 x 22 and under, and 11 x 25 and older. There's only one teenager and just two aged 20. Nineteen of the team are aged 21 or over. Rather than "burdening our kids", this team will have a far better age spread and maturity than plenty of sides running around this year. Moreover, it's about time the club and players stopped making excuses and realised the time is here and now. They're well and truly equipped to achieve their fair share of successes. They need to aspire, not ferment further reasons why they won't succeed. I’d wholeheartedly agree with your sentiments if our team reflected your assertions, but the facts are they don’t. The side is experienced enough to start delivering on its talent. There’s no reason they can’t win at least 8 games in 2015. Eight wins is arbitrary, so some supporters will disagree, nonetheless, the point remains, the team is far more experienced than many believe. Roos and company have spent considerable time and effort balancing out the list; and in just 18 months they've done an admirable job. They've put parameters in place that gives them every opportunity to reach modest goals. 2015 will be the year the club starts turning things around; and with Petracca, Braysgaw, Stretch, Neal-Bullen and Oscar McDonald waiting in the wings it's the best we've looked in a long time.

Yep, it has been my suspicion for a long time the decision has been engineered for a soft landing from the beginning. The suggestion the AFL tribunal is even remotely independant is laughable. The AFL have demonstrated contempt for meaniingful drug control and for WADA/ASADA. This will continue to happen. A lot more spanners and sand left to jam up the wheels of justice.

Nah mate, not a troll, just someone who has finally grown sick of the way you try to denigrate any discussion on this forum that may be critical of club or player. And, unlike others, I won't attack you personally, as I have all ready told you that I respect the work you do for the club (I bought raffle tickets from you on Family Day, you silly bugger). And the post quoted above is good, because it is not pure arse kissing, but actually considers the issue at hand with some sense of objectivity.

I just started writing up a preview and then decided, stuff it. Let's just wait. And hope. Like always. It's winnable. That's all I will say.

No shows Petracca and Trengove, everybody else out there at some stage. ANB did some of the session in the bright orange 'don't tackle' vest, looked happy to be out there, about another week or two, hoping to get a run with Casey for Rd 1, was moving freely, really appreciative of the care the fitness and medical staff have shown in his rehab. Casey praccy game may be worth going to watch with Vince, Kent, Brayshaw, JKH, Riley, McKenzie, Fitzpatrick, Vandenberg and King all playing. Looks like Spencer, Stretch, Pedersen, Terlich, White and Hunt won't be playing. Howie won't play either but he did the full session, and covered 11km, pulled up really well, hoping to be "super sub" next week, his words. Most of the drills today stoppage work or ball movement, did drills in four quarters, like a game, last drill involved about 30 players crammed into the 50 and one team trying to get it out. One highlight of a full length drill was Spencer getting a handball in close in the 50, selling some candy and hammering it into the goal, got a cheer. Some of it got quite willing, Chunk Jones ended up with a pair of crotchless skins. Will be putting some pics on Twitter. Again any questions feel free.

My take. was watching on far side most the game, listening to McCartney coach from the hill Michie - was best Melbourne listed player today, you have to watch him specifically to notice him, think that's his problem, no fuss Brayshaw - can see the hype, some of his play was a notch above, still a lot of silly mistakes, still needs a couple more at Casey, nearly killed himself in one contest Riley - first game, in and under, his disposal has improved Kent - couldn't get involved, explosive offensively when he did, poor defensively King - a work in progress, showed glimpses Vandenberg - what you see is what you get a big bodied forward/midfielder who has potential JKH - some really good stuff, some ordinary when he tried too much Fitzpatrick - was doing really well down back, not sure why he was moved forward Vince - knocked the rust off, tried not to get hurt, got better as the game went on

I agree, every time he came off, his face was red,he was sucking the water bottle big time. That to me showed he giving it everything he had. If we got exicted about Hoges, get excited about this kid. I just hope they dont rush him, a dozen or so games with casey will do him good to adjust to the tempo and building his stamia.

Brayshaw certainly looks a class above VFL level, super clean with the footy and looked calm and composed with ball in hand and good around stoppages won't be long until he's in the melbourne team, may need to build his tank up a bit but that's pretty common for a 1st year player I would have thought

For a proven player like Vince, I can accept your comment. The rest of our AFL listed players should have been busting a gut to win a place in the senior side. After the past 8 years, I don't buy this "practise match in March" bullsh#t.

Highlight of day so far was Brayshaw's goal and seeing a future father son prospect (Dunn's son)

JKH grabs the ball off the pack and kicks with the outside of his boot - goal.

Brayshaw for M Jones, Toumpas or Bail please.

Goal to JKH after good roving by Brayshaw and kick to the forward line

JKH snaps after some good work by Brayshaw in a pack.

"Blue chip" midfield? I think some of the Gold Coast Bigfooty members have been in touch with their old mate Karmichael.

i agree with all you have said ProDee. Our list is still evolving yes, but there is enough experience in the side for us to have a crack at any side. All teams carry a few newbies. It's how the system works. What we need are some of our list to decide that THEY are going stand tall within the AFL Comp and actually control games rather than just chase. It's all between the ears now. Losing to Essendon proved that. In the first 20 minutes we played with them. We didn't go in for a kill. This is what Roos & the coaches must address over the next 2 years.

I'm getting the impression that whilst this is being put across as "balanced", there's an element of shining the spotlight on Stephen Dank as the main villain and deflecting from the responsibility of the EFC, Hird and the other assorted characters in the story ... and of course, those poor, downtrodden players who have suffered so much through this ordeal, those bronzed footsoldiers who might even be deprived next month of appearing in the 100th anniversary ANZAC Day game. So sad.

People really should end up in jail as a result of this.

It appears from this thread some people have learnt nothing from the past. They continue to over burden our team with their own personal expectations. Roos is here to put the building blocks in place. The loss of Frawley and Clark is a short term hit. Long-term I'm very positive about the "kids". However, they need to be given time to develop at their own pace. We have a quality leadership team - and the nucleus of a group of kids with talent that will develop given time. Those kids being Tyson, Brayshaw, Pettraca, Neal-Bullen, Hogan, JKH, Salem, Newton etc . Once this group has played 60-80 games + each - then we are ready to place some expectations on them. You only have to look at successful teams of the last decade - average games per player is up around the 100 games mark - we are miles away from that. You can marginally reduce the seasons you have to wait thanks to free agency but you must become a desired financial location. Quality trading also helps but that has been our greatest weakness in the last 8-10 years. However, Roos is a master trader and the early signs are good. Burden our kids with your own expectations at your own peril.

The Boyd move changed the whole landscape, followed by GriffenUnfortunately I think we are going the way of European soccer where the managers are driving the change Howe immediately knocked back an 11th hour trade to GWS last year Not sure if they come knocking again with a ridiculous offer, might be too good to refuse, of course he needs a good year as well Depends on what he sees as the future with MFC Interesting the blurb said his manager was 'testing the market' From what I have seen and heard from him, he is very happy at MFC, but then again one of his best mates still is Chip Frawley From now on I won't believe anything about players contracts anymore until the end of the trade/draft period next November (a new troll I see, may read if I need a laugh)

Seriously ?

Guilty! Guilty! Cmon say it . . . say it!!

It's funny, I've seen multiple posters talk about this, some even posting the except from the WADA code that states it. But I hear nothing about it from the media. I'm comforted by the WADA chief saying that the code is fine for team sports. Implies to me that they will use the clause you're talking about.

Thanks for the training reports Saty. Thought I'd get in before the shilt storm.

Yeah, you're right. I've overstepped the line. I sincerely apologize. Have a good one.

Gross negligenceFailure to keep a safe workplace Failure to keep records Failure to properly inform employees (players) of what they wete really taking and risks failure to properly inform parents failure to adhere to Wada code failure to.. Just.. epic failure really

Fairly comprehensive and, for once, balanced article on what went on at Essendon from the HUN. Nothing new, of course, but still shocking when you read through it all in one place - though even this doesn't touch on Alavi, Charter etc. etc. Essendon drugs saga: How Stephen Dank ran the controversial supplement program

Shouldn't be training, in fact shouldn't even be at the club if that was the case. Might be MFCSS but I'm now predicting we have about 5 missing and 5 under the weather in round 1. You have gastro you stay home people.

Treading water, exactly The last 10 games of last year we scored 0 out of a possible 40 points after some fighting wins early thus negating any improvement 8-9 wins is bare minimum still under 50% The club collectively must AIM higher