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Beg to differ ... If I was giving Brownlow votes on the game the 3 votes would go to Deespicable for a fantastic four quarter effort in the conditions.

Is there anything finer than hearing the Grand Old Flag being sung with passion on a Saturday afternoon? I think not!? P. S. Hope to hear it often this year. Can never tire of it. Truly is the best song.

You would have to be a puffin muffin to drive all the way down to Casey (about 45minutes down the freeway from the city and on to Clyde Rd) on a day like today. And yes it certainly wasn't like Gosch's Paddock when I arrived - no coffee shop nearby, no Saty, no guys video recording behind the goals, no bike riders cycling through the park. In fact, aside from coaches, fitness guys, players and physios, it is fair to say no-one attended at all - except of course for a silly old fool like me standing behind a fence in a rainjacket at the Wilson's Prom end like a Mexican in Tijuana trying to cross the border. The roads around Casey have been improved since my last visits there about five years ago for an intraclub practice match that featured a demoted Lynden Dunn playing on Jesse Hogan. It was incredibly windy that day and if you ever watch Casey games on TV or club footage, you will know that wind and Casey Fields go hand-in-hand like Scotland and rain. This morning, however, the constant rain seemed to scare the wind away. We are in the middle of summer and the first thing I saw as players did a circular kicking drill was Trac in a long jumper taking a one-hander and as my gaze followed him, he kept hitting his targets with ease. He wasn't alone in the long sleaves - Gawny, Kossie, Rivers, Salem had them and plenty of others as the morning progressed and the rain got heavier asked for a jumper switch. A quick look at the rehab group saw Bowey, Smith and Mitch Brown doing various leg drills and soon after Angus came wondering around walking laps - most likely a layday for him on his road to recovery from all those onions he ate at Gawny's. Melky was also a late starter for the scratch match, but a trainer told me he was fine. Hibbo wasn't sighted at all. As I'm sure we all do, the first thing I wanted to do was have a look at Ben Brown and yes he's big, but his prominent mop top was lessened because of the rain. His first touch wasn't a good one - he spilled a mark like you or I would and it's fair to say it wasn't his morning - the rain rarely is friendly to the talls and when the scratch match started he was pitted against Steven May. In fact there wasn't much joy for any of our bigs because Lever is mega-disciplined at training and had Weid or Fritter covered while Tomlinson is also aware that he has to perform to stay in ahead of Petty and therefore was staying close to his man. Just before we get to the match, let me make a quick observation. There is one coach who has a loud voice. He's 62 years old and he was out there in shorts while others were rugged up. "Pick easy targets, not long and wide - that sort of thing just doesn't happen" he bellowed to make his point crystal clear. It could have been Tom Hafey reincarnated, such was his vehement passion for the game. You all know who it was. Mark Williams will annoy the [censored] out of Goody and Ooze and our other coaches all year with his comments, but he will inspire the players with his gung-ho spirit and love for the game. I was almost about to jump the fence for him. But let's get to the bit you all want to read - the match practice. Such was the constant rain that it ended up being two 30-minute halves before training was called off early. In terms of matchups our No.1 defenders were pitted against our No.1 attackers while our No.1 mids were up against our Casey-headed mids, so it gave me a clear insight as to Goody's current thinking. A lot can change between now and Rd 1 though. Prior to game starting Olly was sent off with the rehab group to work on the oval across the road - obviously they didn't want to risk him yet, although he did all the other drills - just not the game. Viney also seemed to disappear as well - sorry I am not even sure if he started in match practice game - I somehow missed his departure. The first half was a bit like watching the last quarter of the 1987 preliminary final again - everybody was missing the big sticks. One nice passage of play saw Harmes (who was fairly prominent in the middle) kick long to Trac, but sure enough he missed from about 40m. I think it was 0.5 to 0.3 with the A grade defenders with the B grade forwards and mids ahead. Sparrow, Bedford and Kobe Farmer were among those to miss, while Rivers almost nailed a long bomb early for the A grade mids and forwards team, but eventually the drought broke early in the second half when Neiter (Aaron Neitschke) had a bit too much time and sent a long bomb home from the 50m. Moments later a clearance from Swallow ended with Kobe who got on his left and snapped a clever goal. Both Neiter and Kobe were mobbed. There weren't too many goals though - Spargo snagged one from a good crumb by ANB and T.Mac set up ANB for another, but really the game was a mass of fumbles, tackles and outnumbered forwards at both ends. Jonesy got injured at one point and went off for a check before returning, while Brown was crunched by May a couple of times on the lead. Rivers getting caught by Jackson was another highlight - although I'm sure Trent wouldn't say so. If I was giving Brownlow votes on the game I probably would have 3 Gawn (even though Jacko was also prominent on him), 2 Spargo (yes, he did surprise me and was clever and looked a tad quicker than normal and 1 to either Harmes or Swallow - the two most prominent mids IMO. Honourable mentions also to both May and Petty who were dominant full-backs for their two teams. As to the most interesting duels aside from May on Brown, it was probably the wings. Langdon was up against Rozman and T.Mac (playing for the As) was up against Baker. All four got plenty of it and T.Mac was probably the most influential of the four and gave his team a longer marking outlet. Rosman, sporting the No.19 top, was clearly the most interesting to watch and most of his kicks got a chorus of cheers from the coaches area - I think it was Goody, but given I was 150m away in the dugout, it might have been our man Chocco letting rip with praise. Rosman is an undoubted talent and is a thumping left-foot kick - whether he is another Brent Grgic just bombing it onto his boot is yet to be determined, but at least he will have good coaching. Such was Rosman's game that I reckon, given Goody's previous annual ritual of promoting players way before they are ready at the expense of his senior men, that we might even see him in Rd 1. Bailey Laurie was also quite prominent and clever in his role as a high half-forward for the B team. Based on the side that was picked today, here's your Rd 1 combo (not my team, how the A Teams lined up today). Excluded because they weren't out there at game time are Olly, Angus and Melky. Spargo played more as an onballer today and was lively - hence my votes for him above. Probably my biggest surprise was that Rivers wasn't playing with the A grade defenders side. B: Lockhart May Lever HB: Hunt Tomlinson Salem Centres: T.Mac Trac Langdon HF: ANB Weid Fritsch F: Spargo B.Brown Pickett Ru: Gawn Harmes J.Jordan As the rain strengthened the players split into gps of about 8 and finished with some one-on-one tackling drills and there was one voice bellowing encouragement to his gp - yep that 62yo guy from Port Adelaide. Could be our best recruit of all this year. With my shoes soaked I wondered off through the puddles back to my car. As I threw off my wet gear I noticed the COVID testing centre, which is located 100m from our ground. I then let out a huge sneeze. I think it was from the rain and chill - but maybe I'm coming down with COVID-19 or maybe I was taking away some excitement from our new covert operations No.19 - Goody picking Rosman for Rd 1.

Football, cricket and journalism - Percy Beames was part of the Melbourne landscape for several decades - Percy Beames: a man for all seasons

When we looked down and out in the last part of the third and in first half of last it was Lauren Pearce who kept us in it. What a superb ruckwomen she is. The young Mcnamara looks like a real find.

Foot and minor procedure don't really go hand in hand (foot in foot). The procedure may be minor but the outcome rarely is. Let's hope for the 2 weeks but I don't like the sound of that given he's had previous foot issues.

You wouldn’t understand.

Lauren Pearce dominant. we missed her badly last year.

Awesome win for the girls.

Ahhh good old MFCSS

Krstel Petrevski has come from one of the more remote parts of the country to play AFLW for the Demons. Indigenous AFLW players pave the way

I believe that JJ and Sparrow are two of the six players that are going to improve our top 22 - 25 players this year, they appear to have the belief and pre-requisite skills to improve the team.

I'd have the bucket and face washer handy if were you.

He's not The Messiah..... he's just a very big, fast, boy

For the first couple of seasons, the AFLW frustrated me, but that's all changed. I now respect and enjoy it for what it is, and look forward to it as an exciting prelude to the AFL season. A close game involving the Dees has me on the edge of the lounge, and after a win, I sing the song almost as loud as I do for the men.

You really are a killjoy at times OD Think he meant the real enjoyment of the song is the winning!!! I'll take Grand Old Glad any day and don't rate the other songs at all Hate to hear them.

Look at all the usual sad sacks having a cry.

Loving watching our jumper run around. Love the half time lead. Go Dees!

The doomsday mob are at it.

Taking my 5 year old girl along to her first alfw game today. Secretly hoping her watching the demon girls strut their stuff makes her want to start playing... Great to have footy back!

Especially with the foot history that Viney has had to contend with. Whatever it is, I just hope he controls his gungho-ness (or coaches control it for him) and plays when really ready. We have plenty of inside mids to enable him to take all the time needed.

Excellent point made here. Until we see a bank of form whilst playing against grown men, let's not unfairly heap too much expectation on him.

Plenty of sensible comments here regarding tempering expectations but there’s no doubt this kid has attributes and qualities to get excited about. Every training report I’ve seen mentions how he stood out, caught the attention. Maybe that’s just because he’s a big unit and hard to miss but perhaps its because he is genuinely talented and already having an impact. Its quite possibly he’ll fail to fire and fade away like plenty of draftees before him but I’m quite bullish about his prospects. I’m looking forward to see him play and hopefully the reality will match the hype.

Am up here on the Gold Coast and what a wonderful surprise - the Demons are playing their first game of the season virtually on the doorstep. Despite the attraction of the beach on what’s looming as a better day weatherwise than Melbourne yesterday, I will be on hand to watch the game and if she who must be obeyed permits, put together a match report afterwards. I could be a bit rusty because the last game I attended before this was a men’s practice match at Arden Street back in February 2020.

I would like to add my thanks for that great and detailed report Deespicable we love the effort and info you have provided and wow what a day to stand in the trenches watching the troops and write your report, a month of rain in one day, well done indeed.!!!

So, I am not particularly wealthy but have lived in Italy for the past 5 years and maintained my reserved seat membership since moving. To me, it serves two purposes: 1/- a donation to the club 2/- a chance of getting to a finals' game when we make the Finals. In 2018, as soon as we qualified, I booked a ticket back to Melbourne and went to the Geelong and Hawthorn games. It was worth the wait. Let's hope I can do the same this year and we get a bit further.

The one that was more committed.

Max Gawn was pick 34 on the back of 2 knee reconstructions and no TAC cup footy.....

One thing I left out of my training report because I'd already said a bit about rosman, is that he covers the ground. You know how some players get involved in something, stop and think I need to go there but are then too late. Rosman just goes. It's a breaking the lines thing. I think it's instinctive. Langdon does it for us.

The skills are so much better accross the board as young women who have played multiple seasons at junior level come into the league. Bannon, for example, is a completely natural footballer. Exhibit A was tge free she won herself near the end of tbst quarter by not taking possession of the ball and getting tackled without it. They must be loving playing in perfect conditions. It feels like 75% of our games have been in windy or wet conditions. Sometimes both.

Can just see this being a bigger issue. Soon enough we will hear he won’t do a pre season match. Then he will miss the first month of the season. Then it’ll be mid year. I sincerely hope I’m wrong, but we have seen this movie before

I hope “ minor procedure” isn’t the new 4 to 6 !

More boring than sensible. The Rosman train is full steam ahead and the seeds of a cult hero have been firmly planted. Nothing can stop the inevitable.

Quite right. He has two NAB Cup games under his belt as an underager in 2019.He's barely out of football kindergarten and some people think he's dux of the senior school.

Footy is back. Go dees.

Nothing would be nicer than having Rozman running into instant success. Nobody would like this more than me. However, in the way fate decrees and dictates, please let us take and accept his journey as a one step at a time episode. Let's not burden him with our expectations, let's just allow whatever will be to be. He could be great, let's not Moz him.

Thanks Deespicable for your great observation it is good to know how we are traveling preseason and your detailed report is as good if not better than most sports football journalists and l am being sincere. Well done.

Great to see Goldrick in the side after just leaving quarantine.

Which is totally irrelevant unless you think that just because he had a poor (Covid affected) buildup to the draft like Max then he is going to be a champ like Max. That would make zero sense at all, and your posting history proves you are no dill. The kid has done nothing other than run well in a time trial, and many are talking like he is the second coming. It is really becoming embarrassing. I say we just remove the high expectation, which only gets him slagged off when he doesnt tear up games from round 1. Let him develop and hope he turns out a best 22.

What a magic review of training today, could go down as one of the all time great training reviews completed under extremely inclement weather conditions. #perfection ?

Only a hardcore demon would brave today’s weather. 10 out of 10 for commitment to the cause. Can’t wait to see Rosman play. By the sounds of it Round 1 is more than a possibility.

If ANB gets a gig in Round 1, I will spew Edi: Thanks @Deespicable

Have thought the same 'delusions'... The draft is a bit of a raffle but more so this draft because of the lack of exposed form. Of course the missing year may have been the year he jumped up the rankings and would have gone top 10. Bontempelli was ranked outside the top 10 as was Oliver and they both came home with a big run. ...maybe we got the steal of the draft. Some clubs will because of the circumstances. Here's hoping we're that club.

Bennett’s AFL career may have disintegrated but did ok in American Football. Won many awards. Never forget Billy’s final Q at Windy Hill about 1990