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With umbrella in hand I went to training, getting there early in the expectation that we'd start a little earlier to avoid the weather. We didn't. Only Saty beat me and we chatted until, as usual, Vanders arrived first and did some stretches before the rest wondered accross from AAMI. Spargo, Baker, Tomlinson and Petty headed to rehab and as we countered down the rest the other absentees were OMac, KK, Hannan, Neita, May and Melksham. Smith was with the main group initially which I thought was odd given he's missed a bit but as it turned out he was over to rehab after some initial drills where he did some running before heading off half way through the session. Joney was out of rehab and in the main group for all but the match sims and Tomlinson looked like he just wanted to get out there. In rehab they all look to be doing the same sort of exercises/running except Petty was not doing the intense agility work of the others. They are clearly managing something and I suspect it's a groin issue of some sort. Oscar Baker was doing more intense running this week and really looking at Spargo and Tomlinson you'd wonder why they are not in full training. After a while Bennell strolled past and did his normal routine which doesn't appear to have changed in a month or so that I've seen so nothing much to report there. May appeared and did mainly walks around the boundary with a light bandage behind his knee where the cyst was obviously removed. I had a brief chat to him and he said he was fine and running a bit ahead of schedule. He is a really approachable and nice guy. There were a series of different drills for the different groups with a lot of focus on delivery of the ball inside 50. The drills are organised very well and it's all very efficient. The players were on the track for a good 2 hours today and there is no rest or down time. Different players obviously know exactly what drills they'll be involved in and it's all seemless. The match sims started with the usual suspects doing well. At one stage Weid ran back with the flight of the ball and missed a mark he should have taken. But 30 seconds later he took a great contested grab and from then on didn't miss a beat. Sparrow was busy and just looks like a footballer with a great build and Harmes again had leather poisoning. Vanders tackling was a highlight in the sims and the drills, he's quick over the first 5 metres and catches many unaware. Jones, Brayshaw and the first year players sat out the match sim. After that there were a few ball movement drills where Rivers was impressive, Kossies delivery to leading forwards was a highlight and Vanders was in everything. And to finish; Dunkley and Jordon were with the mids, Hunt, Bedford were with the forwards and Harmes continues to train with the backs. Bradke was also with the forwards and not the rucks and Jackson was with the rucks. If anyone still has concerns with Jackson's kicking - don't. He can kick both left and right foot and is capable. His closing speed continues to impress but he is a bit unsure with his ball handling at times but that will come. Any questions, let me know.

Training Photos from today. Enjoy ==> https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-XTvr4C?mobile=true

OD I've always been a fan because I've seen attributes. I've also seen one fantastic game on the big stage and a few servicable games. I also think that I can see reasons for his slow progress with injury and interupted preseasons coupled with the "big men take time". I've also heard from those close to the club that his agression and courage is not in question and his attitude if first class. He's training well but as I keep saying I don't really know what that means. James Strauss and Sam Blease were great trainers and Sam won a couple of rising stars. We'll just wait and see. Sam's done nothing wrong at training but he hasn't done anything that would allay your fears that he's no good.

Here you go ==> https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-XTvr4C?mobile=true

Good to see AVB in the thick of it and looking fit, also Joel Smith looking good early with the main group drills then was sent to the rehab group to do sprints when the match sims started. Joel looks super fit to me. One guy who caught my eye was Tom Sparrow he looks like a footballer now, Built up his body, is moving beautifully and has clean hands, disposal needs some work of course. He played a few games last year but then got injured. Any thoughts from others where he might fit in?

I swear this is the best summary of Weid I've read. Ask the evidence I've seen points to "it should click at some point", and reports from inside the club suggest attitude and application are correct. That doesn't mean he will make it, but I haven't seen anyone articulate why they think he won't make it with evidence apart from "doesn't do enough". My fingers are firmly crossed.

He didn’t do his calf. He felt a tight spot. Not ideal, but they pulled him up before he could do any further damage. As suggested, he seemed in pretty good spirits when he walked a few laps with May, ball in hand. I think it would’ve been ambitious to expect Bennell to make it through to playing without any setbacks. Let’s hope he’s up and running sooner rather than later.

With that mo, Lever will not be the General, but the Senior Constable of our back 6 ?‍♂️

If Bennell is playing a game for Casey by June he will have done very well indeed. Chronic calf issues and virtually no footy in 4 years. don't expect much from Bennell this year, hopefully he can get his body right and prove he can play a few games in a row

I’m at training today. I put myself right on top of the rehab group and heard Harley Bennell tell one of the fitness staff he had a tight spot in his calf. HB said he had felt it before on previous occasions. He got a rub on it, and is no longer training. The fitness guy asked him how he was feeling. “Pretty flat”, was the reply. Let’s hope it’s just awareness.

I can’t believe we bought the ‘neck-related’ concussion story. I mean seriously, how does that even make sense? Regardless, I hope he recovers.

We have an open list spot that we may as well fill. Unless it is a serious set back or is looking unlikely to respond favorably to training, I suspect he'll get a 1 year contract so we can see him through the full rehab. We don't expect him to play until half way through the year, so why would we pull the pin in Feb after a minor set back or simply soreness?

Sparrow reminds me of a young Harmes. Physically capable and willing at the content. Skills and decision making need work. Id like to see him get 25+ a week at Casey for a stretch just so it’s 25 times he has to use the ball and improve. If he does play in the short term I’d like to see him used like Harmes has been as a tagger. Could end up half forward or half back due to his good aerial game but he’s going to need to improve his ball use for that to happen.

I’m surprised aged care facilities allow internet access to online forums such as this to be honest.

I’ll never forget the glory of our AFL X premiership

FMD, what a ridiculous thread I've heard of off season but this is just down right dumb What's next? Who needs their teeth whitened?

I was pretty impressed generally speaking. I had to keep asking my son who was who, when it came to newer players (I’m hopeless), but the skills were looking for the most part, sharp... having said that, there are still a few wayward kicks under no pressure, but that’s to be expected. I was particularly impressed with Fritsch’s and VDB’s kicking. It looks like we’re getting some genuine pace in guys like Pickett and Bedford and it seems to have spurred Jetta on... he seems to have grown an extra leg. We’re going again on Wednesday, so this time I’ll try to pay more attention; instead of talking too much at my son and with Saty.

My son is editing his shots as I type... will try to upload a few of his images shortly.

Thanks, and I agree this is valid to some extent, but it is also circular and a poor analogy because TV shows don't "develop" live on air: Young, developing player has not yet played well therefore he won't develop into a player who can play well. So you can claim this and be right both ways. If he doesn't develop: see told you!, but if he does: well he hadn't shown anything then so the development was a surprise. What about his poor performances make you think he won't make it? Or do you think he has already reached close to max potential so is not developing? I'd say he had two "young development" years in 16 and 17, showed a bit and broke out towards the end of 18 (only 10 games for the season) then struggled with consistency due to both a bit of increased pressure and injury (hip and concussion) before a calf injury followed by a broken jaw finished his season by round 16. Yeah, this year has a bit of pressure on it, especially if uninjured. But I'm not sure he's had a clean run at it too day he has chronicly under performed.

@hardtack will probably have some, I will, once I finish work I'm surprised @Baghdad Bob report was so detailed, didn't take his eyes of Tommy Mc the whole session ????

As he was arriving and heading around to rehab, I said hi and asked how he’s coming along... his reply was a smile and “fine”. Also saw him (from a distance, but positive it was him) doing dribble kicks for goal from the AAMI Centre pocket, later on.

That's very disappointing for all concerned if he's done his calf again. It's obviously way too much to expect the MFC to be involved in a fairy tale comeback story.

I think he is tracking nicely. His stats put him right up there and are getting better each year, he creates things out of nothing, scares the crap out of defenders... He is a very good player that has (possibly his own fault) been over hyped to be the next Jesus

At least in “Hell” we have the home ground advantage. May we should play there more often, particularly since we sat back (as the MCC Football Club) and watched Richmond, Collingwood etc highjack the MCG as ‘their home ground’! ?

I’ve got to agree. Seems premature. This would be a great video if we had just won the premiership.

Our AFLW Leadership Group is set. ? Daisy Pearce will captain the Demons for the 2020 season, supported by vice-captain Karen Paxman. ?: https://mfcde.es/2RwCj3b

I thought Joe Daniher was training with us when I saw that photo

Over/under set at 53.5 for the SB ... that might be unders for these 2 free scoring teams. You'd reckon the winning team could easily rack up the numbers ... Ravens aside, the 49ers & KC are the 2 best teams. Both teams are great to watch as well. And credit to Andy Reid (again) ... he just knows how to get his team's into contention. Time management can sometimes be an issue though ? Packers need to turn a good list into a great list ... LaFleur did very well in his first year but he'll need to reshape the team. There is still too much onus on Rodgers as we have weaknesses at RB (depth) WR (depth) and the run defence & pass defence isn't great either. The O-Line is reasonable but we're a ways off from an overall perspective. All in all we did well to make the last 4 ... which is something that 28 other teams didn't achieve. Good luck to the 49ers & KC fans that reside here on this thread. Just getting to the SB is some sort of achievement.

Past performance is the evidence. I hope I'm wrong, but if 'Weideman' was a TV program, it would have been cancelled because of poor ratings. I accept that footballers, like TV shows, sometimes need more time to prove their worth. And like some TV shows, after poor starts they eventually fire. I hope Weideman is like one of those.

I'm really hoping the drafting of Jackson has made Weid really hungry to cement his spot in the side. I think only 2 maybe 3 of T Mac, Weid, Petty and Jackson play in the forward line, and if he wants to be in that 2 or 3 really needs to earn it. It might be the kick in the [censored] he needs. Having said all of that, from all reports, Jackson's speed and agility may not mean he is the typical "ground ball liability" that most talls are.

I think it means people who object to apostrophes being used when they're not needed, particularly when used to pluralise words such as tattoo and mantra.

Phew! Thought we took the foot off for a while in the 2nd half, Rogers started finding his rhythm, luckily that superb first half from Mosert gave us enough scoreboard space. Bring on the chiefs!

I'm also looking forward to Jack Viney renewing acquaintances with Sydney Stack on ANZAC Eve.

Terrible news! Must’ve happened just after Pav posted the following

And the worst decision Bailey ever made (which still haunts us) was to overlook Dylan Grimes in the pre season draft & pick Joel McDonald instead.

Really we live in hell and make the occasional foray up to the surface to get crushed and put back to hell. Not a massive fan of thief’s pump up videos. Maybe if we were hitting September, but otherwise... a lot of room for egg.

Petracca to have a great year playing midfield forward - where he absolutely dominates a couple of games - 25+ touches & 5+ goals

In a breakout year Oscar McDonald voted best backman of the year earning a spot in the All Australian Team 2020

The roasting 'we' dished up You mean the constant parping from a couple of the less informed on here Repeated by a small group of the more easily led on here As if

Weideman to become a serious player

Would also love to see Viney back at full fitness and Clary take it up a few more notches to become the most dominant midfielder in what transforms into the most dominant midfield in the competition.

I like it and dont agree with the negativity around this stuff, i understand it, but a video shouldn't cause such angst. The club is a business, it has to engage and excite, i for one love teh prospect of where we could go this year, it was hell last year, not much worse than that. Now will it be heaven or will linger in purgatory or be anchored in hell remains to be seen. But if we are not thinking positive as a club then we are failing our members. The club must promote, its up to the p[layers to deliver.

Maybe that's what they're saying? "To hell and back.... to hell again."

I like your thinking, bennell knows where the goals are, less running playing by playing fp you would think would be easier on the calves and coming in with not alot of match fitness the fp role for him makes alot of sense

I’d play Fritsch there and try and isolate him as much as possible. He would be a tough match up with his one on one footy iq. Only works though if we are not bombing to the top of the square.

win the first 2 games to set our season up.

Sustained success and a base. MFC are perennial losers, long term change with a sustained run at finals is desperately needed.

And for Trac to then commit to the Dees for life.

AA for Tracc

For me Lever needs to be the intercept third tall. He's much better when he's freed up to use his judgment and athleticism. May and one of Oscar McDonald or Petty need to hold down FB with May at CHB. As Petty is training with the forwards Oscar will be given first crack in the main defensive role. Duel hip surgery ruined his 2019, but he has a chance to make amends. If he's not competitive enough then Petty should move back. Petty's going to be a very good player, whether it's in defence or attack. I suspect Jackson and Pickett will be staples in the side sooner rather than later.