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Yeah they don't want the midfield setup broadcasted. I'm OK with that as I want them to win games with their innovation. Moonshadow, that is hilarious! Saty, didn't see you this morning. I was there early and left when it rained. I'm made of paper. Saw a bit of most of them. Lever running laps, Hannan walked a lap, not much more. Jones looks good. Preuss looked a bit tired from the run on Sunday. Jetta looked sharp. AVB is going to hurt a few this year. I wish Stretch had the size of Maynard, he is super fit, his accuracy was good today and he looks the part of a winger. Good luck chasing him all game. Tom Sparrow is the one to look for. He'll play this year. Just like the Man From Snowy River, the horse is 3 parts thoroughbred and a little undersized. He is young and will bulk up. He did a low jump, great scoop and handball off his feet to the running player. Followed it up by a beautiful long kick into the 50 for a mark. Good decision making as there were options and he hit his target unopposed. McCartney said hello over the fence and said something about the weather, very friendly. There were only 15 non MFC on the sidelines. OMac was running sprints with AVB there for a while. The new No1 May, had a lovely receive and kick into the F50. He'll get there, just needs a little longer for the preseason. Trac was switched on today, he was good. Fast, clean and accurate. Jones took a mark in F50 and Clarry came over and started pushing him around. Jones then slotted it. Saying both are comfortable at this level. Watch for Joel MacDonald in the F50 this year, with his size and speed, he is going to be tough to tag. He'll get the third tall defender and will roast them.

Hi. While our relationship is distant, Mike is a cousin of mine. And I can confirm our extended family are and have been Demon supporters forever. Mike has fallen in line with the family tradition- passionate Melbourne. I have fond fond memories of going as a teenager (in the 1980s),with my aunt, Mike's mum (and three of her mates), to many suburban grounds to follow the Dees. The soups these older ladies brought in their thermoses were always comforting, often in the face of defeat. Until that amazing run in 1987 ...

About as likely as seeing him in the ASX200...

Stoked Keilty is getting another run at it. Much stronger team this week, at a home ground should see us have a good hit out. Even the boys playing in the VFL will be good to watch.

Imagine being the head of the AFL and your legacy after leaving the job is AFLX and Sideline Symbols.

I’ve often wondered how one team beats the other, well there ya go.

I wandered by at around 10:40 and stayed for maybe an hour until they were wrapping up. Looked mostly a craft session as Saty would say, lots of smaller group drills focusing on particular skills. Gathering the ball, quick hands up, hit up a kick, get a handball, kick inside 50 was one drill and there were plenty similar. Lever was doing some jogging. Apart from Hannan, Garlett, Neitschke, Tim Smith (not expecting good news there) everyone else was on deck. KK was in a t shirt but was involved in some of the drills. I had a good look at one of the craft drills and to be honest I wasn't all that impressed with the overall skill level. Jones missed a few easy handballs in a row, other players dished it off on the deck or too high, the kicks were sloppy. Petty and Chandler were 2 who impressed me with reliable skills. Interestingly it seemed a guy like Austin Bradtke was fresh and hitting his targets where some of those who played on the weekend looked fatigued. They split in to forwards/backs/mids and I wandered over to observe some clearance stuff and was bluntly told by Ben Matthews to move at least 30m away which seemed particularly odd given I was wearing headphones and couldn't hear whatever wise secrets he was imparting. Anyway, maybe our clearance structures will evolve to something more than Gawn hits it to Oliver/Gus/Viney/Harmes/Petracca who make something good happen. The general plan seemed to be to get the ball to someone running forward ideally in to the corridor. Most of the guys who played on Sunday (I think maybe all apart from Harmes) started to filter out to the sidelines or do some goal kicking whilst the others did some match simulation at the end. Melksham and May both impressed me. Viney involved, got cleaned up by Preuss at one stage and enjoyed a wrestle.

Couldn't disagree more. I've been going to the footy for over 40 years and have never once thought the game went too long. And I've never once had someone say it to me either. Even watching other teams on tv it's never occured to me that I want shorter games.

It might not be a matter of them wearing their socks down. It might be that the sock are only that particular size. That is they don't go all the way up to just below the knees anymore. They seem to go to only just above the ankle.

the "game" and the "product" are totally different things you don't fiddle the game to fix the product, nor vice-versa the product is things like seating, facilities, catering, media deals etc and these need constant improvement/innovation the game is ......obvious ..... and only needs change when players and coaches start to exploit the rules to the detriment of the game overall. change should be minimal and within the spirit of the game not the profit of the media barons nor the bonus incentives of afl execs

Maybe, but your use of the words "innovating the product" assumes that it is necessary to change the product to keep consumers (supporters) interested. That the product needs to be changed. First, I am one of those folk who think footy is a game not a product and those that follow the footy are supporters or fans not consumers. I don't hear many people say that they are looking forward to watching the product on the weekend. Second, I get concerned about the use of marketing terms and the introduction of innovations that are intended to grow the market, and to ensure more opportunity for advertising and the growth of revenue streams. Will more people follow the footy or attend games due to product innovations? We have a game that has existed more or less in its present form for 160 years. The game has a history, culture and continuity that is unique. The continuity and uniqueness of our great game is one of the reasons why it remains popular. Why it is in the blood for many of us, why people refer to footy as a religion in Melbourne. The history and traditions of the game are important to maintain its continuity and on-going popularity. Third, there is no sign that the existing game is waning in popularity. I am not sure that you have to innovate to keep young people interested. One of the things you notice at the footy is the large number of kids and young people (and women). It is a dubious assumption to think that you have to make changes to the game to maintain the interest of the young. I don't get the feeling that young people at the footy are impatient or bored because the game is too long. Change is required when there is a demonstrated need for it. If evidence show that footy is losing its popularity and that fans are calling out for change then fair enough. Some of the rule changes this season have been sensible and will improve the spectacle. No problem with that. We need to be cautious about innovations or changes that dilute the appeal of the game as we know it. .

Given that the MFC added the Collingwood scratch match to the two JLT games I’m assuming most Clubs would see two warm up games as a minimum I’m pretty sure I’ve read we try to get close to two games of match practice into our preferred 22 before running out Rnd 1. Then with trying other players (Sparrow, Keilty, Hore, Pruess etc) that brings you up to three games. Without practice games to ease into the season who is to say injuries wouldn’t be worse in the first few rounds?

Not the sharpest tool in the shed, eh Ethan?! You're not supposed to PLAY with them. You stick 'em in your gob!

Toby Nankervis kicked 3 goals?

Best Bet: Flemington Race 8 No 3 Ace High (Plc) $3.70 Lets hope Ace can do it for Tye Angland, his former rider

Season is too long as it is. Have the preseason, play 18 rounds and finals and that would be about right.

Maybe scrap the off season too? ? 34 rounds, no byes, three finals rounds = 37: then “best of 15” Grand Finals would fill out the year. Could be 5 day, 5 twilight, and 5 night GFs ?

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT by Paddy Gosch The Demons have named a star studded line up in it’s final practice match before the season proper. They take on the emerging Brisbane Lions out at Casey which is the second of three matches at the ground on Saturday. Many of the Dees best 22 have been recalled including Vice Captains Max Gawn and Neville Jetta whilst Captains Nathan Jones and Jack Viney will play restricted minutes in the VFL curtain raiser. Former Gold Coast co-captain Steven May will play his first official game for Melbourne after recovering from a hamstring injury and will help shore up the Demons defence. Others who make their returns to the line up are Michael Hibberd, Aaron vandenBerg and Jordan Lewis whilst Jake Melksham will also be on restricted minutes in the reserves. Small forward Jeff Garlett has been ruled out of the clash with the Lions after suffering a shoulder injury in a clash with Alex Rance last Sunday. Surgery was not required but Jeff will still miss between 4 to 6 weeks whilst he recovers. Other players still sidelined with injuries are Kade Kolodjashnij (adductor), Mitch Hannan (knee), Jake Lever (knee) and Aaron Nietschke (knee). Demonland track watchers observed that Tim Smith was not present at training on Wednesday fuelling speculation that the calf injury that he appeared to sustain at training the prior week which forced him to miss JLT 01 will keep him out of JLT 02 as well. AFL reporter Ben Guthrie confirmed this on Twitter further stating that Smith will miss at least 3 weeks further adding that it’s “bad luck for a player who was pushing for a berth in round one.” Guthrie also revealed that Braydon Preuss was set for a stint in the VFL as “part of his development”. Preuss was underwhelming in his first up solo rucking game for the Demons after a strong start the week earlier as partner to Max Gawn against the Magpies. With Preuss set to miss it gives Declan Keilty another chance after he impressed many onlookers with his leap and tap work. The Dees main midfielders Angus Brayshaw, Clayton Oliver & James Harmes have another week to continue to grow the synergy they’ve been building. They racked up an astonishing 90 possessions between them. When you add Salem and Petracca to the mix with 27 and 22 possessions respectively and ample supply from a returning Max Gawn it’s not hard to see why this midfield is fast becoming the envy of many teams. Bayley Fritsch continued where he left off after an impressive first year in 2018. He amassed 26 touches on the wing where his forward 50 delivery shined. Harrison Petty showed a lot to like with some of his intercept marking in defence. Petty's only game in 2018 was a disappointing match against St. Kilda after which he was relegated back to the twos for the remainder of the year. He demonstrated that he can fill a position in defence for the Dees and is good depth for the team and an exciting prospect given that Jake Lever will not return until midway through the season. With Steven May making his debut in the line up this week it will be interesting to see who of Marty Hore, Petty & Sam Frost makes the cut as they have all been named on an extended bench which is likely to be whittled down by Saturday. Brisbane were impressive in JLT 01 albeit against an undermanned Hawthorn. The Lions were busy in the offseason and 3 of their new recruits in Lachie Neale, Jarryd Lyons and Lincoln McCarthy all starred in their 42 point win. Former number one draft pick Cam Rayner was lively in the forward half booting 3 goals and ruckman Archie Smith had a strong outing. On the injury front Charlie Cameron left the field during the 3rd quarter of last week’s match but Brisbane claimed that it was just a cramp. Marcus Adams (Knee), Tom Fullarton (Hamstring), Darcy Gardiner (Knee), Nick Robertson (Hamstring), Connor McFayden (Foot) and Jack Payne (Tibia) are all unavailable. Stefan Martin played for the Lions NEAFL team last week after returning from a series of niggling injuries and has been recalled to the senior team to face his former club. The Demons go into this game with a strong line up and coach Simon Goodwin has stated that he will play 23 players in order to simulate the regular season game day. Which 3 on the extended bench won't make the cut? Melbourne v Brisbane at Casey Fields, 4.10pm AEDT MELBOURNE B: S.May 1 M.Hibberd 14 J.Hunt 29 HB: J.Lewis 6 O.McDonald 28 N.Jetta 39 C : C.Salem 3 J.Harmes 4 B.Stretch 15 HF: A.Brayshaw 10 S.Weideman 26 B.Fritsch 31 F: C.Petracca 5 T.McDonald - C 25 J.Kennedy Harris 24 Foll: M.Gawn 11 A.Neal-Bullen 30 C.Oliver 13 I/C: C.Spargo 9 S.Frost 17 A.vandenBerg 22 M.Hore 34 H.Petty 35 C.Wagner 40 J.Smith 44 D.Keilty 45 In: S.May, M.Hibberd, J.Lewis, N.Jetta, M.Gawn, A.vandenBerg Out: J.Garlett (injured), J.Jordon, J.Wagner, B.Preuss, C.Maynard, T.Sparrow Emerg: C.Maynard 20 B.Preuss 21 T.Sparrow 32 J.Wagner 42 Notable absentees: Jack Viney, Nathan Jones, Jake Lever, Jake Melksham BRISBANE B: L.Hodge 2 J.Walker 14 D.Rich 10 HB: Z.Bailey 33 H.Andrews - C 31 A.Witherden 29 C: M.Robinson 5 L.Neale 9 H.McCluggage 6 HF: C.Rayner 16 E.Hipwood 30 L.McCarthy 11 F: C.Cameron 23 D.McStay 25 O.McInerney 46 Foll: A.Smith 44 J.Berry 7 J.Lyons 17 I/C: B.Keays 1 A.Christensen 3 R.Bastinac 4 S.Martin 12 T.Berry 13 L.Taylor 28 R.Lester 35 R.Mathieson 36 In: B.Keays, A.Christensen, S.Martin, T.Berry Out: D.Zorko (injured), E.Smith, C.Ballenden, B.Starcevich Emerg: E.Smith 8 M.Hinge 22 B.Starcevich 37 C.Ballenden 38 Notable absentees: Marcus Adams JLT Community Series Match Details Melbourne v Brisbane Saturday, March 9, 4.10pm AEDT Casey Fields Key timings 12.00pm: Gates open 12.30pm: Curtain Raiser - Casey v Brisbane Lions Reserves (Practice Match) 4.10pm: JLT Community Series - Melbourne v Brisbane Lions 7.30pm: Melbourne U15s Academy Match Ticketing General admission Tickets can be purchased via Ticketmaster. TICKET TYPE GENERAL ADMISSION Adult $20.00 Concession $15.00 Junior $5.00 Family (2 adults, up to 4 juniors under 15) $40.00 Adult Member Upgrade $5.00 Concession Member Upgrade $5.00 Junior Member Upgrade $3.00 All prices are subject to additional ticket agent fees. Members Melbourne Members with Premiership Season entry entitlements will have free general admission access by scanning in at the ground (subject to availability, upgrade fees may be applicable). However, entry is not guaranteed and it is recommended that Members register for a general admission ticket in order to guarantee entry. Membership upgrades and registrations are subject to availability on a first come, first serve basis and subject to an additional fee. Transaction fees may also apply. To register, visit Ticketmaster. Getting to Casey Fields Car Casey Fields is located approximately 50km from Melbourne CBD in Cranbourne East. Plenty of parking is available around Casey Fields. with parking signs and attendants to assist you to find a spot. If you're driving, it is recommended that you arrive as early as possible to secure a park and avoid long queues entering the ground. And if you're not in a rush to get home, stick around and catch our Academy U15s take the field from 7.30pm. Public Transport Catch a a train to Cranbourne Station, which is located 5km from Casey Fields. From the station, catch the 897 bus to Casey Fields. Plan your trip to Casey Fields using the PTV Journey Planner. Around the ground Daisy Demon Our mascot Daisy Demon will be doing the rounds pre-game, available for high-fives and photo opportunities! Food and beverage Multiple food trucks will be set up around Casey Fields, with jaffles, Mexican food and plenty of other options up for grabs! The canteen will also be open at the main stand, serviving food and drinks. Broadcast TV The match will be televised live nationally on Fox Footy from 4.00pm AEDT on Saturday. View the full broadcast guide here. Radio TBC Online coverage Mobile app Live scores, stats and match highlights are available at the tap of a finger in the club's mobile app. Download it for iOS or Android. Social media Match hashtag: #JLTSeries Follow the club on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for live match coverage and a behind-the-scenes insight into match day.

He only wears one when he's playing against women? Clarrie...that's sexist!

Got to be able to show off those calf tatts.

For the first time in Brisbane's history, the Men's Team, Women's team and NEAFL team will all travel to Melbourne to play over one weekend. https://www.lions.com.au/news/2019-03-06/the-roarport

Who knows how much it will help the MFC and, while it isn’t mentioned in the article below, the new MCC president is a passionate Melbourne supporter and comes from a family of passionate Melbourne supporters. If there was ever a time to quietly cement the MFC/MCC relationship now would opportune. Mike is the perfect replacement for the current president, Steve Smith, of the MCC who played over 200 games for us https://mcc.org.au/whats-on/latest-news/2019/march/new-mcc-president-elected (Probably not worth it’s own thread but I couldn’t find anywhere else to put this)

Probably right. Would also like to see the VFL season start bought into line with the AFL start. The first VFL game for Casey is after the AFL team have played three rounds

This opens the door up for Declan Keilty to get another game to show his wares. Last week they needed to use him as plan B in the ruck. With Max back this week and temperatures a lot milder perhaps he can be played in the forward position he has been training in during the summer and then be used as the relieving ruckman when Max needs a rest.

Couldn't agree more. Those seats have been paid for (many times over). That no-one happens to be sitting in them is irrelevant.

I'm glad to get your report. My mate Pete (a Crows supporter) taught Tom a few years back (in SA) and asked me yesterday how he was going. Pete reckons he spotted Sparrow as AFL material very early on. Said the Crows were bound to grab him had we not,

Yes, they had the good sense to squash the idea, so I give them some credit. The AFL stopped it before it became an embarrassment. Overall it seems like a stuff up. It seems like a decision made and announced on the run, without sufficient time on research, discussion and thought.

I hold no ill will for Jack. Unless he kicks the winning goal.

I'm happy to see no preseason games as long as they don't reduce the length of games.

It makes sense that the AFL added in AFLX then say that the pre-season is too long. Hocking will destroy this game.

I've always liked the idea of AFL clubs being banned from playing against each other before Round 1 as I believe it would enhance the level of anticipation. Clubs would be free to have as many intra-clubs or practice matches against non-AFL teams.

High-flying forward Mitch Hannan will also be monitored closely after dual surgery on his knee. "Mitch obviously had the surgery before camp (in January) and he won't start running outside until next week," Misson said. "He's probably eight to 12 weeks away, depending on how he goes. We're not really sure how his knee is going to cope with the loading but hopefully it's in that time frame." https://m.afl.com.au/news/2019-03-05/no-surgery-but-shoulder-sidelines-demon-for-a-month

Should've been Joel Smith. Reading too much on The Age

Can get an LED soccer substitute board for about $100. Or the old fashion manual ones for about $15. Maybe next time the AFL can pay us 90,000 and we'll get what's needed, split most of the spare cash and put the rest on for a demonland bar function.

Clarry, as previously reported has or suffers from a little bit of asthma, must love the hot dry windy weather, ie Shepparton last week, having a mouthguard in probaly doesn't help the breathing Teeth are overrated and easily replaced these days

Fugazi

Possibly cannabis. The stuff we see today, of which a large amount is grown locally by Vietnamese syndicates, is extremely potent and ridiculously sticky. They’re also known to lace it with meth or other dangerous chemicals to make it more addictive. Needless to say, legally grown and prescribed (or sold OTC) cannabis would be much ‘cleaner’ and safer.

It was strange and I was tempted to stand my ground. There was a camera guy and a journalist all of 50m away the other way so fair to say they weren't implementing some kind of secret weapon play. At the end of the day the coaches and players are there to work and improve and I'm not so I moved but I must say I prefer the way Brendan McCartney engages in the occasional banter over the fence. I did make Robert Harvey run around me up the tan hill though, I'm not prepared to move for the enemy.

He'd be easier to understand if he wore one.

It's about time we starting beating up on Sydney.

Which bits have fallen off ??

Is there an age limit, for 'Auskick' ?

And so many times since they've beaten us in scrappy wet games at the G holding us to 5-6 goals, frustrating! About time to get a couple back

I was there. The room was buzzing. If i recall correctly players were there too. We all premiership cups twinkling in our eyes. Talk about counting you chickens......

Mahoney said in a recent interview (I think during the practice game against Collingwood?) words to the effect that we still have room in our cap to get another good player onto our list at the end of this season. Great if we have another target whos ear we have been whispering into for a while..

Being a copper I can only talk from experience, and meth is by far more of a strain. Two coppers can restrain a drunk, it can take at least six to restrain a slim built meth head. When I was a first responder, most Friday and Saturday nights were spent at the ER dealing with meth heads.

Legalise it and more and more people will take it. If you’ve ever dealt with someone on meth, you’d understand that legalising it won’t work. It can take up to six coppers to restrain even a slim built person on meth. If you think Police and Hospital resources are stretched now, times that by 100 if meth were legalised. Police and Paramedics are the ones dealing with meth heads day in day out, they’re some of the most dangerous people to deal with. Legalising meth will only increase the amount of these people within our society.

Must have looked prime opposition scout material

What they need is to install a proper scoreboard like this next to or above the bench for each side. That way you can put up 4 numbers to rotate as well as any in game signals you might need. Instead they've got clunky and horrible handheld signs that are less effective than the ones they use for soccer substitutions.