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I believe technically we can still get Oscar back as a pre-season supplementary... (Ducks for cover)

We need to consider that the return to standard quarters will see more likelihood of players rotating into the midfield than we saw in 2020. I would also be very surprised if we saw Brayshaw early in the season. Add to this Yze’s influence and our need to correct the stoppages bleeding we saw at times last year there will be new names. There is in my view 2 spots up for grabs rotating through the midfield as well as an open wing spot for round 1. I suspect the 2 mid spots will be between Harmes, Melksham, JJ, Sparrow with ANB a curveball addition. I suggest the most likely second winger at this stage is a TMac and Jackson combo.

The human body doesn't just go from slow as a wet weak at 16 years of age to being the fastest players in the competition at 20 years of old. When Davey started his career, a lot of commentators would question him whether he he did athletics training as a kid and Davey would always put it down to chasing goannas in Darwin, and being naturally fast. Davey has always been naturally fast from day dot. He was a stick when he started and his speed as an 18/19 year old playing at Port Melbourne in the VFL is what really brought recruiters attention. This whole notion of being very slow by Skills32 at that age is wrong.

It will be interesting to see where this lands, general points. Captaincy has additional requirements and attributes on top of what is needed to be in the leadership group. Anyone that leads people of 18-35 bracket in any environment these days will understand that now more than ever leadership requires different ways to get the best out of different folk. The leadership group is best serviced by a varied dynamic to “show the way” on field and track but to debate and connect with all types off ground and ensure diverse thought and action. It is preferable to have designated leaders across the ground but should not be manufactured. Example Brown can lead and direct the forward line on match day without being in the leadership group. Being a good player and years of service or maturity does not make some one eligible to be part of it. Nor is suited or wanted by all., I dont feel Gawn failed as a captain last year I feel he learnt what is required in his first year on the job which could not have been more difficult. Structure for me should be Captain Gawn, VC May, DVC Trac. Thought struggle to see them not include Viney.

For the 45 odd minutes of match practice I saw, T Mac played the first half of the session on the wing, ie - he’d start on the wing at a centre bounce and then roam up and down the field chasing a kick. B Brown and Weid were obviously our 2 key fwds. But in the second half of the session T Mac would start as the third key fwd at a centre bounce behind Weid and Brown. However T Mac was given a licence to roam down the field while the other two big boys were more stationed inside 50. Jackson did not play the match practice and was instead running laps. On Weid, he’s going to get some great protection from BBB as he’s clearly not going to get the number 1 key defender. It really is his time to have a consistent 20-22 game season and start to really hit the scoreboard and continually take some big grabs against lesser defenders.

Wondering if we’re going to get any training reports from this track watcher?

I see Picketts role to create opportunities through pressure acts and ground balls. He is not going to be a high volume possession getter nor are many in this type of role. It is also not unusual to look back at players in this role being a touch off in their first year seizing opportunities, which he was. The key for me is how many times he was at the right spot as well as how many times he was at the right spot in multiple points of a possession chain. It is worth looking at for his first year his average pressure acts and ground ball gets against others in similar roles. Note I have excluded Cameron and Papley who I would suggest play more as leading forwards not pressure forwards. He is no guaranteed elite but for a first year he was above average in both and certainly has good numbers to become an elite in that role at minimum as he builds his endurance and strength.. Pickett; Pressure Acts 14.9, Ground Ball Gets 4.1, shots at goal total 26 D Rioli; 14.5, 2.9 , 23 Tippa; 14.3, 3.4, 32 Butters; 13.1, 5.1, 18 Butler; 16.3, 2.6, 45

Went down to Casey Fields for an hour this morning. A beautiful sunny and non windy morning (a rarity for Casey) for the lads to train in. Was a bit of a treat to watch some footy given the 17 games spent watching in the lounge room last year. I took my viewing position behind the fence in the pleb section and saw everyone's favorite mercurial small forward of the mid 1990's -early 2000's watching his son and the boys intently. I picked a great day for it as it was essentially an intra club game, for the 60 minutes I was there. They had the blue team with numbers on versus the white team with no numbers, and given the blue team won 9.5 to 3.1 you could probably imagine the blue boys had the much stronger line up! (More game simulation may have continued after I left at 11???) The standard looked OK but given I haven't been to a training session since a week before the infamous 2013 season started, I have nothing to compare. Notes for the blue team: Petracca - looked a million bucks rotating through midfield and forward and kind of looks a class above everyone else - not sure if that's a positive or a negative? His chizzling kicks and overhead marking is a thing of beauty. Hunt - played as a half back flanker circa 2016/2017. Looked ok. T Mac - Played wing in the first half of the session. Then as the third key/floating fwd in the second half. Looks fit, no issues. B Brown - Kicked 2 difficult set shots that essentially nobody at the club can drill. Very excited to have him at the club. Will probably kick a lot of goals via free kicks. Harmes - Played exclusively in the centre square and did not play well. Seems a distance away from 2018 and isn't excelling at any position at the moment (ie -since 2019) Tomlinson - Looks settled down back as a key defender, continuing on from his late season recovery after the wing failure. May was in rehab but I think Tomlinson will be there regardless come round 1. Jordon - Not sure if he'll make it but he was heavily involved today through the middle of the ground and featured in many transitions towards the forward 50. Moves well and I reckon he'll play games this year. Lockhart - Starting back pocket while Jetta was in the white side. Fritsch - Becoming one of my favs. 2 or 3 goals and adds some class to our forward line. Kicked a nice set shot today. Gawn - Nailed a nice set shot today. Spargo - I'll have to wash my mouth out with soap but Charles looked good at half forward, involved in a fair bit of play. The new draftees played for the white side. REHAB Boys: May, Brayshaw, Vanders, Pickett and Smith. I suspect May, Pickett and Smith are injured as this pre-season is too short for players to miss back to back sessions for no good reason. Jackson ran laps. Didn't see Hibberd or Melksham. Not sure if Viney was absent or playing for the white side. Hopefully there were other posters at Casey today who can add to the above, and provide a more ""footy technical" training report.

With Hore going down for the year, and still question marks over Smith and Petty due to their bodies breaking down from time to time, I question the depth of our backs. With a few list spots available i would be looking at these delisted player options to add some further depth to our stocks down back. Sam Skinner 196cm tall defender. Hugh Goddard 198cm tall defender. Harrison Macreadie 196cm who plays as a 3rd rebounding defender. Matthew Sharenberg 190cm 3rd tall intercept defender. Ed Vickers Willis 187cm 3rd tall defender. Sam During 196cm tall defender. Logan Austin 197cm tall intercept defender Some of these names could easily cover as depth. Sharenberg and Logan Austin are the two who I'd personally look at.

viney has lead from the front on the field, has shown loyalty despite approaches from other clubs, speaks with pride in the club in public, supports and backs his elder and younger teammates, and is always trying to get the best out of himself may was made co-captain of his side and walked out with a year to go on his contract, rocked up to his new club looking like he'd eaten a spare tyre, and as a 29 year old took a year to 'realise' what was required of him, after which he lead brilliantly on the field in 2020 i'd go viney for a leadership role every day of the week over may

If you disagree with a poster Nev, how about trying discussion and logic, instead of silly pictures. Unless you’re linguistically challenged of course

With 2 spots available on the list he’s all but guaranteed a year or two. We have nothing to lose

From the training reports we've got 13 in the defensive group. Hore is out injured; Petty, Hibberd and Smith are in rehab. That means we need to find a starting 7 from these 9: May, Lever, Tomlinson, Salem, Rivers, Hunt, Lockhart, Bowey and Jetta. A re-inforcement could be handy It is possible that TMac and M.Brown could fill in.

Mate freo aren't taking him..

He wouldn't have been as good in another team. He played in a flag in his first season and ended up playing in a dominant Hawks era for his whole career. He was a fantastic player, came along at the perfect time and was the cream on the cake of a great side. Overall I would say he was overrated though. Aaron Davey in that Hawks team would have been as good or better than Rioli.

Mate, you don't like Goodwin. We get it. You don't need to mention it in every thread.

In the last 4 years we have had co-caps, then C/VC with significant leadership group changes each year both in the size of the group and the members. A bit all over the shop. It was like the coaches couldn't make up their minds. Last year we didn't have a formal leadership group to back up Gawn and Viney altho at some stage Melksham and Lever were said to be the leaders of their area but no formal announcement from the club. This may be controversial and sacrilegious but imv May is a better choice for VC than Viney. Nonetheless, for the sake of consistency I would go with the 3 (maybe 4) person leadership model with Gawn (C), Viney (VC), and May. No one else stands out on both performance and leadership attributes. All other players need to focus on their own games to become the best they can be and don't need formal leadership duties to distract them. This is the year for consistency: Consistent leadership, consistent game plan, consistent selections. Time to bed down our team and our style.

Aaron Davey slow as a wet week? Do you actually know this for a fact? The Davey I saw in his debut season was imo one of the fastest players in the competition with his ability to just run down any opposition with his sublime closing speed.

At the same age, I was comparable to Cyril, too. I was the same age.

Good summary, i was also there watching from outside leaning up against what resembled prison bars. Petracca gave his all in the intraclub and was knackered when he came off. Jordan featured a few times. Brown at FF looked good. Hibberd in rehab saw him a couple of times. Bowey came off very early before match sim with hopefully only a little niggle. Did not seem bothered by it but went into the rooms for a while. Jackson had an easy day not taking part in the match sim or drills. Had his top off on the way in and has added a good few kilos of muscle. Looks like he is serious about his footy - in serious good shape for his age. TMac has trimmed down but still looks pretty big as he is big framed. Concentrated on ball movement. Looked sharp. Choco took an early drill concentrating on well placed short kicking. Another drill concentrated on moving the ball wide from inside to outside. Rosnan for the white jumpered team kept presenting time after time which was good but other options were taken in the main. His turn will come. Is tall, quick and took a good mark. Overall impressed by what i saw.

Its hard to see everything. I'm guessing some of the issues happened after you left. Thanks, a good article. It confirms much of your report. I've taken the liberty of summarising it for those that just want a snap shot: "MELBOURNE defender Marty Hore is headed for scans after injuring his knee in a crunching tackle at Demons training on Friday morning. Reigning best and fairest Christian Petracca also looked in discomfort early in the two-and-a-half-hour session after copping a heavy knock to his left shoulder. While he was taken from the field for assessment, the midfield gun returned moments later with the shoulder strapped and finished the hit-out unencumbered". Sounds like the tackling is quite fierce! Hoping we don't have to much 'friendly fire' injures in the pre-season! "Forward recruit Ben Brown impressed during one hour of match simulation, booting three goals with his typical long run-up and dead-eye approach on goal. The 28-year-old later jarred his finger but was able to join teammates for running efforts that closed out the morning. Brown combined in the forward 50 with Sam Weideman, while a lively Bayley Fritsch alternated between attack and the wing with a leaner Tom McDonald. Steven May sat out the match play due to a minor ankle injury but will return next week and was among a group of six who were put through lighter drills on the secondary oval. He was joined by Clayton Oliver, who was managed for loads, Joel Smith, Kysaiah Pickett, Angus Brayshaw and Aaron vandenBerg, who is easing back after being forced to quarantine following a stint in NSW over his break. Second-year tall Luke Jackson was reduced to running laps after reporting recent Achilles awareness and will be back in full training next week alongside draftee Jake Bowey, who nursed a corked calf. Veteran Michael Hibberd was restricted to watching on and assisting coaches, still recovering from an ankle injury, while Harrison Petty (groin) missed". Sounds like the minor injuries are building up. And on the really positive side: In defence, Jake Lever excelled alongside Adam Tomlinson and Jay Lockhart who played a lockdown role in the stronger 'A' side. Jayden Hunt played off half-back in the same line-up and will settle in defence this season after several years playing as a half-forward. Captain Max Gawn showed no signs of the knee injury that hampered parts of his 2020, covering the ground with ease for the entire session. Jack Viney impressed in the midfield and landed a heavy blow on Weideman that left the forward rattled, while first-round pick Bailey Laurie was clean in congestion. Kobe Farmer, the son of Demons great Jeff, booted one goal and showed promising signs as he vies for one of two vacant rookie spots ahead of the season. If Cleary gives us that write-up for each session we won't have to trek to Casey.

gawny regularly stands up late in games and takes huge "come with me if you want to win" marks and is regularly seen working his [censored] off to get deep in defence and play a role for the team and work hard to cover the ground lay tackles etc. + he is relatable and personable and obviously gets along and is approachable to all the squad. also time and time again we have seen him look stern and confront the group before gathering with the coach when we're playing [censored]. and realistically thats all traits of good leadership and captain material imo

Steven May looks the goods to be in the leadership group. Why shouldn't he be, after all he was the captain at Gold Coast in 2017 and 2018 before moving to the Dees. He had a sensational year down back in 2020 only being bettered by Petracca and that was no mean feat. He is certainly IMV a leader who leads by example. Gawn C Viney VC May DVC. and in the not to distant future l would imagine Petracca and Oliver to be included in the leadership group.

Not solely directed at you tiers as many here share similar thoughts but I think this is pretty unfair on max. Does anyone here really have a good sense of who are the best leaders at the club? People were crying out for Max to be added to be captain prior to last season and now we think he isn't the best leadership material because we didn't finish where we wanted to. It's not the be all and end all but to me it makes a difference that he's a captain that doesn't talk in cliches - love/d them all as players but Viney, Jones, Green etc never inspired me because confidence/words weren't their forte. Which you don't need to have to be a good player but I think it is important as a captain. And it's not as if Gawn doesn't back it up on the field. While he didn't necessarily stand up when we needed him most last season, we now know he was carrying some big injuries - if anything shouldn't have been playing at all. Gawn understands what it is like to struggle - with injury, in the VFL, being on the fringe of the list etc and also through hardwork has become a star of the comp. It is well documented the homework he has done on ruck craft, opposition analysis, diet and fitness to become elite - and has been at this elite level (aside from injury interruptions) since Roos final year. I'm not against Trac and May being part of the leadership team in some form - but is it really just because they were our best / most consistent players last year? If Trac can't keep it going / isn't suited to longer quarters - does he go out next season?They're big bodies and players that impact games. But I don't think so any more than Gawn - he has saved us with critical marks in defence in addition to his ruck craft consistently for years. I take your point about other captains, but in Trac and May you seem to be going for the best players in the last year aren't you? It's interesting how prior to the tiges winning premierships, Cotchin regularly got criticised as a player (his possessions don't count) and captain (isn't one of the boys / doesn't live and breathe footy etc etc) In my view, Gawn is best suited to be our captain but if we think leadership and captaincy changes is where we are going to make up the lost ground in catching up with the 8 / top 4, then i think we're on a hiding to nothing!

He was training. But I didn’t notice too much of him.

I hate Richmond and Cotchin with a passion, I used to be really critical of Cotchin’s game. He’s come a long way in the last four to five years and is a very capable player.

Good luck @Macca! I’m cheering Rodgers and the boys on!

Let’s face it most of us think he has the potential to be a star. We’ve had our share of misses trying to find small forwards and he appears the best of the lot. I’m also a Spargo fan and believe he will be best 22 this year

Info on ticketing here: https://womens.afl/tickets/faq Basically, a reduced crowd will be allowed at all games but you must buy tickets in advance, including for free as a member for some clubs (I haven't heard anything as a MFC member so no idea what's going on there). Tickets are on sale round by round each Monday, home members at 9AM and general admission at 10AM. Never thought I'd get to the point where I kind of miss Casey Fields ?

Watson has nominated the Jets then Dolphins as his desired destinations...

If he is we might see the makings of one of the comps most potent forward lines!

There is no way that I can see that Brayshaw will have the kilometres in the legs compared to other players. I will be very surprised if he is there in the first month let alone round 1. Hibberd likely but I either way I feel Hunt will skip in front of him for a half back flank.

I’m sure there are very good reasons for having leadership groups but the whole concept leaves me cold. Leadership isn’t conferred or bestowed. It’s demonstrated. Steven May didn’t have a title last year but in word and deed he was head and shoulders above every other player on our list. It’s been said elsewhere and I wholeheartedly agree but Trent Rivers showed more leadership than most of the list. Run, carry, defensive efforts and clutch goals. He was outstanding and is a born leader. I love Gawny. He leads by example on the field, taking important marks defensively, taking responsibility and copping plenty of treatment from the opposition but he’s too much of a joker off field. Nothing wrong with that but it doesn’t translate into gravitas or respect when demanding greater levels of effort from the team. They can hand out the titles any which way but I think Steven May is the de facto captain of the club.

Max captain May vice captain Clarry dvc I would not have Viney anywhere in the leadership group as I dont think he is suited to leadership Lever, Ben Brown and chunky Jones round of my group

If we have low injuries surely we only take someone short term if Deakyn or Kobe actually show significant development. Otherwise are we not best to sit and wait and see how players who missed drafting perform in feeders comps and load on two mid year rather than wait until next years draft.

Maybe best I include a midfield :) Lever May Lockhart Rivers ATom Salem Langdon Oliver TMac Petracca Weid Spargo Pickett Brown Fritsch Gawn Melksham Viney Hunt Jackson ANB Jordon Laurie Smith Sparrow

These figures are as good as anyone. No guarantees of course, but surely there is a reason to be optimistic rather than pessimistic. Especially now we have Chocco to do a bit of one on one training and motivation. Glass half full at least for this year Go Dees. not many days now to watch them run around.

Possibly missed the match simulation under coaching instructions - we have a relatively small injury list so far this pre-season that would typically grow much larger if Vanders was permitted to play in any competitive way!

Thanks for the reports! Any sightings of Kade Chandler? He was tracking well 12 months ago before injury derailed his season.

The teams were picked with one team full of the guys who have been training well and those who would most likely have been picked in a game if we had it today against a team of the rest. My source from within the club was talking up the Weed to me as well, really rating how he has trained and become stronger and is looking really impressive, for what it’s worth.

He is about to start his 2nd year. The Wiz didn’t have a clue when he started in ‘95. I saw him playing practice matches at Waverley

Imo we have at least 18 players that could be in the leadership group and that is almost half of the list. l might have overlooked someone however they are all leaders. Should be inspired when you wear our great jumper.

May needs to be included in some senior leadership capacity. And I expect he will be.

I think we need a leader in each part of the ground. Finding one in the forward line isn't easy unless it's Ben Brown.

Personally I thought it was a mistake to go only Captain and Vice-captain, when both got injured we ended up with Melksham as our captain (and I gotta say I have no idea how/why he was in that position given his awful form and honestly I have never thought he screamed leadership). I think there needs to be a group with roles. Captain - Gawn VC - Viney Dep. VC - May Leadership group - Trac, Jetta The odd one that people might look at is Jetta given he will be fighting for his spot. Ironically that is one of the reasons to have him in there, a bridge between the first team and Casey where he can potentially push the values that we want across the board. Trac might not be in there but I think he should because not only does he do great things as a player, I also think he genuinely loves playing footy and players feed off that energy. Quite happy for him not to be in there though as well. Melks should focus on his form, he did not do things expected of a leader last year at all.

Gawn - C - needs to make huge strides but we have to stick with him May - VC - the best on field leader Viney - VC - effort is never questioned, hopefully has more levels to develop Leadership group: At least one of Oliver/Petracca/Salem - the time is now for them to be given authority, they should all have been given leadership targets over summer to reach in order to be trusted in the group. Langdon - solid role player and citizen Lever - take him on trust that his footy will stack up

Geez that's concerning if true. I'd have hoped he's in rehab with a slight niggle, not because he can't keep up with the others. He's a well paid professional athlete FCS! And the COVID breach with his mate Charles was less than professional. His lack of fitness might explain some of his poor shots on goal last year. He really did miss some sitters that other small forwards eat up for breakfast. With respect to the Rioli comparison, I can see where he's coming from. Kozzie can def do some things that 99% of the league can't with his awareness and cleverness. But he obviously needs to start nailing the shots on goal that Cyril would kick in his sleep.

Ah, pre-season. At the same age, Cyril had been one of the best afield in a premiership team. Not to take anything away from Kozzie, but geez that's an unhelpful comparison. I never get the 'Cyril was overrated' crowd. If he's overrated, so is every other small forward to ever play the game. Sure it was infuriating listening to BT et al wet their pants with excitement every time he went near it, but he was genuinely one of my favourite all time non-demons to watch, and saved his absolute best for finals. Mark of a true champion.

The expectation might be high however he has exquisite talent and a year under his belt will do him good. Lewis is well respected has the knowledge to compare Kossie. I hope Lewis is right because we might be in for an exciting year.