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I popped by for about half an hour. I was standing pint road side of the oval so only really had a good view of the rehabbers. Rehab consisted of Jones, Tmac, Lever and Hannan. Jones looks like he’s not far off from going the main group. Doing a lot of ground work, running, running shot on goal etc. only thing he wasn’t doing was contact work. Tmac, not sure what’s up with him. He’s pulled out of AFLX. Fritsch his replacement. Wasn’t in the main group and was doing some marking drills with Stafford as I got there. Then game over to the rehab side of the oval and wasn’t doing a great deal of anything. He and Hannan left the track early. Hannan was going some goal kicking practice. Nice guy. Had a quick chat to him and asked him how far he is away from the main group. Said he had a minor knee op to clear out some floating bone that was irritating him from his previous op. Said he’s really happy now and will start running next week, do a good 6 week block of running and training and aim for a round 2 or 3 return. Lever was doing a lot of marking and kicking drills with Jones and Crossy, then did some laps of the oval fartlek style. Was building up some solid pace. If the club wasn’t taking the extra causious approach with him, he could’ve looked at possible return in the early rounds. He’s building nicely. Melksham was in the main group. I apologize I didn’t get to see much of the drills but at one stage down my end there was one drill where the were a chain of handballs where it was start at about 20m from goal, a chain of handballs going back towards the 50m arc and the final player coming through at full speed running towards the goal and having shots on goal. The chain of and handballs were fast and slick and the shots on goal were very accurate. Who whole drill was very clean. No dropped balls, players weren’t breaking stride and no shanked kicks. I must say big Pruessy kicking for goal was impressive. Harmsey and Trac had a tendency to hook the odd kick but overall it was pretty good. Hope this is ok. I’m just going from memory as I didn’t write down any notes. if you have any questions please feel free to ask.

You mean.... this one!?!?!?!?!?!

Dang. I didn’t even see May. Not to say he wasn’t there. I didn’t notice many of the defenders as they were at the other end. Didn’t see Sparrow. It i saw Jordan and he looks lively. Laser left foot and quick. Bedford might be a surprise this year. That kid has a go. I saw he nailed big Maxy in a tackle a few sessions back and that was no fluke. Looks as though he loves the contest. I tell ya who looks fit. And that is Vanders. The guy just looks in ripping shape and ready to go. Expect him to go into beastmode this season.

He is having an AFLXectomy.

It was the normal Wednesday craft session Lots of ball movement, marking and tackling drills It is probably Tommy Mac and his toe again Nice drill at the end with marking using the bag, Mick Stinnear voluteered to be under the bag, think Gawny went out of his way to flatten him one time, much to everyone's amusement Dec Keilty was the standout in this drill, had Goodwin and another coach belting them with smaller bags as they launched onto big one, Keilty did not drop one whereas the others did

Way too much being made of stills.

I have actually talked to him about it, he knew Stewart was closing, said the roar from the crowd was like a wave crashing into him Was in two minds after second bounce, but decided just to concentrate on kicking the goal Knew about his knee issues a couple of weeks ago, but asked me to keep it to myself until after second op, disappointed but hopes the issue is now behind him

I like to think that TMac is messing with the AFL. Having pulled out of AFLX he's now pretending to have an injury to justify his absence. (At least, that's what I'd like to believe.)

Mostly split in to 3 diffferent groups and doing light craft work. I tried to watch a bit of Corey Wagner but nothing stood out. Sparrow’s size and acceleration stand out, no idea what it means in game terms yet but he’s an athlete. In a drill where Rawlings kicked a high ball then Chaplin whacked defenders with pads it was clear Hore picks up the flight and marks well overhead. I like Chandlers energy. Salem was in with the mids when they did a little bit of center clearance work near the end. Hunt has a few random barrels that made it to half way from the goal square.

It was up to the individual player whether or not they nominate for the AFLX ‘draft’ so there’s no need to exaggerate the injury list to playing. I spoke to Goodwin about the competition, he just said it’s a bit of fun and he was happy if certain players wanted to nominate to play. At the moment he’s must concentrating on the season proper, and as I’ve said all along, he’ll pick his best 22 based on who’s had the best pre-season.

More chance of them having wifi in jail than having it in their homes.

You can't make this stuff up.

Photos from training here: If you're on Facebook give Eleanor a LIKE.

Yes, and I am also lucky enough to be one of his sponsors, I 'own' the left foot??? On the wing spot debate, Baker is back in full training, looks a yard faster, asked him and yes his burst speed has increased, put it down to Crossy and rehab regime

He can watch his EF sealer against the Cats on eternal loop while he is waiting. I can still hear and feel the roar of the crowd. One of my favourite moments of my year. Can only imagine what it feels like to be the player in that moment

Another good decision by Goody and a reflection of his values, relationship with the players and his work ethic. He is looking better and better as time goes on. Its one thing to be proud of your club but its always a good sign when you are proud of your coach.

Mass AFLXodus?

https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2019-02-20/practice-match-info Live stream Thanks to Zurich, the match will be streamed live across the Melbourne website and app, with pre-match coverage beginnning at 9.45am AEDT. If you can't watch live, the full match will be available via the website and app post-game.

I'm still filthy (as should he) he was overlooked in the prelim, meanwhile Tyson jogged around and picked up a massive 3 kicks and 1 tackle for the game. Hopefully he can take his game to another level year this year as he has class written all over him.

I got there at about 10:15 and stayed for 50 minutes or so. Tommy Mc walking off with a staff member. Lever was finishing up, Jones doing ball work, Hannan boxing. Didn’t see Viney or KK. Nor Walker or Neitscke. None of the 5 Indigenous players were there, assume they’re still on their camp. As far as I could tell everyone else was in full training.

I gave the club a call a short time ago and was told it’s a 10am start.

We pay the MCC/MFC full membership for our five (grown up and with mortgages) children as well as for me and the old fashioned Guest ticket for my wife. I start taking Valium in August One thing you do get with the full MFC is a nominated child to be a member and with 13 grandchildren only one of whom is unfaithful (poo and wee) there’s no shortage of candidates to take up the membership. In a couple of years my 50 year membership of the MCC comes up and the annual premium becomes $50 a year which means I might be able to give up work

We had a cleaner, a big French guy, he would come in and eat all the cream biscuits in the tea room. One day I left one cream biscuit on the table, cream removed and filled with wasabi. He swallowed it whole and soon turned green, he never stole another biscuit. Edit- In the 60's the Herbert Adams pies served at the footy were like molten lava inside and if it dripped between your fingers it would burn like hell.

I'm totally ready to get excited over a young kid getting a few touches and writing others off based on a meaningless scratch match. That's what February is for, isn't it?

I am assuming you know that because you asked him?

He was running on the one spot at the end of the Hawthorn game, his tank was empty after a great first season The rest of the team followed suit in the prelim He has spent the off season working on his tank, has been the consistent standout during pre season

Yep there is about 8% of AFL players at that summit representing about 28% of all AFL talent. Plus Goodwin. Im sure it’s not his purpose for being there but if one of these players are out of contract at the end of the year and searching for greener pastures it won’t hurt if they are already have some history with the MFC coach.

Yeah he was there. From the couple of passages of play I saw of him he looked as clean and composed as ever.

Sounds like you could be do well be to be a rehabber. What with pints for breakfast and all.

I reckon I have looked at Ajax at least a dozen times looking for half decent odds and the cupboard has been bare every time. They were 1.02 to win on the weekend. Not even Winx is ever that short Wadda!

KK was there but I didn’t see Viney or the indigenous players there either. For those concerned about Tmac, I wouldn’t be too concerned. He was jumping up for marks in the marking drill. Body language was still positive. Could be a deload week for him. Itll be interesting to see who plays in the practice game on Friday.

Please go to training more oftern @Megatron How were Steven May and the newbies? Sparrow, Jordan etc

I actually have a scarf of the Dutch giant here at home after attending 1 game at their home ground. You could fit 4 of their grounds inside the MCG! They beat PSV Eindhoven 4-0 that day, and there was much celebrating including random huggers screaming at me in Dutch. Thats the thing about margins, they give you half a chance with some decent odds.

Hun today, Sam Edmund article "Melbourne and Collingwood will play on Friday morning at olympic Park, with the Demons offering a live stream of the game"

I don’t agree with George. The centre setup probably plays out 20-40 times a game. All of the tactics mentioned to limit centre clearances were already tried in 2018 plus putting an extra or two in defence plus extras on the square. I don’t have last years stats but from a year or two ago there were scores from 23% of centre bounces. With 6-6-6 this will definitely increase this year. I wouldn’t be surprised if this went up to 30% or 35%. Compare this to scoring chains from kick ins. We were the number 1 team at scoring chains from kickins last year at around 13%. The average was single figures. We probably only had to defend an average of maybe 12 or 13 behinds last year. Even doubling the best teams scoring chain efficiency is less than a goal per game.

Harmes will be a gun. And he bleeds Red and Blue like few others. Living our dreams, playing for the club he supported as a kid. Knows the heartache we've all been through. Fast becoming one of my favourites.

I hate the filth.

No need to get Cranky Franky. Happy to bow to greater knowledge but I was only interested in getting some comments. I was referring to his 2016 season when he played half a dozen or more senior games. He lacked polish but seemed to be a goer. At that time the club must have thought that he was half decent. And he has been retained on the list. By the way I simply said that I liked what I saw, nothing about being great.

I would also add his brother Josh. Contrary to many on this site, I liked what I saw with Josh. Thought he showed promise but lost his way last season. A little rough around the edges but had a manic attack on the ball and opponent.

I respectfully disagree. From day one he showed he had the guts and determination, and also showed flashes of what he could become.had However, he lacked the consistency and polish. He was rough around the edges. Last seasons efforts showed to me that he has what it takes and the class to be something special. He developed consistency and confidence to take the game on, taking himself from a fringe player at best to a team player with the individual skills to influence games.

Many aspects of human sexuality are very puzzling. Take celibacy. This can be a choice in life or a condition imposed by environmental factors. While attending a Marriage Encounter Weekend, Tom and Mary listen to the instructor declare, "It is essential that husbands and wives know the things that are important to each other." He addresses the men: “Can you each name and describe your wife’s favourite flower?” Tom leans over, touches Mary’s arm gently and whispers, “Self-raising, isn’t it?” Thus begins Tom’s life of celibacy.

Yes. But you swap each year. Same as nfl

Two things 1. I said to him the other day 'you played well the other day in the praccy match at Casey on Saturday' Nev 'I have to if I want to keep my place in the team, even at training' How times have changed 2. His comments re fitness and rehab, what I have been saying

Hmmm. I like this whiner less and less each day. I'm in the camp of 'leave the effin game alone', but his words are just stupid. I really hope he was taken out of context. [censored] teams will get smashed - um yeah. That is what happens to [censored] teams. Always has, always will. But it will make it easier to make a comeback - um yeah. Not even sure what to say after point A. Just go away. Get sacked. [censored] off. You are that annoying kid at school that was always dobbing the rest of us in for having a smoke or copping a feel behind the shelter sheds.

Plough Wallace was onto this a couple of weeks back on SEN. Gave the AFL a right spray. His solution was for the AFL to admit their mistake and have cross over semis - ie the team that finishes top on each conference plays the team that finished second in the other. Seems logical, easy to do, fair and would require no logistical changes. As he pointed out the conference B teams would still get their chance to make the GF - and would do if good enough. But in all likelihood neither would win, leaving the A sides to play off. Either way the GF has the two top sides. Simples.

As I have mentioned before, I prefer and consider my football attendances as superior to those of cricket, at the 'G. I let my MCC Membership go - completely - as the bar, dining room and stand were filled with Richmond, Collingwood, Carlton supporters and an assortment of other hangers-on in the past, with familiar faces and predictable behaviours recognised during the cricket attendances akin to a pleasant Sunday afternoon at Victoria Park or Punt Road Oval in the mud. Sacrosanct territory, hallowed ground and associative connections were meaningless, and the sense of 'belonging' rapidly waned amid cries of '...Go, Tigers ... Carna Woods ... Shove it up 'em, Blues...' Hundreds of dollars are saved each year in Membership fees these days and have done so for well over a decade, now. I now support my Club with MFC Membership, in the Southern Stand. The nexus between the MFC and the MCC has vanished and possibly, lost forever. a

Sorry H but we must be watching different Wagners...