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CAPTAINS LOG STARTDATE 422022 We have found ourselves stuck in timewarp and are seeing visions of something not yet identified. Captain Kirk. "Spock it seems we are trapped in a time warp from which we may never return"! Spock . "A time warp from which we may never return? Why Captain, I can't believe my ears"! Captain Kirk " Neither can we Spock", Neither can we"! Uhura "Captain I’m getting a voice message from somewhere called Casey Fields. From someone or something called Picket Fence"! Captain Kirk "Picket Fence sounds like a Romulan! Put it on speaker!” Training notes almost a three three and a half hour training session, a few casualties crackle crackle BANG CRACKLE STATIC Uhura "I'm losing him … “ Captain Kirk “A three and a half hour training session? Bones what do you make of it"? Bones McCoy" Sounds brutal some sort of games are played requiring levels of conditioning which go far beyond human endurance. Must be super fit!" Spock “Captain I’ve run a scan and it seems this Picket Fence is a native of planet Earth and attends training conducted by Melbourne Football Club, as a sort of Scribe" Kirk "Fascinating. Keep communique channels open Uhura Spock, Bones, Lets Beam down and find out more, Scotty get ready to beam us down.” Scotty "Aye aye Captain but I'm not sure the Dilithium Crystals can take too much more'"! Mr. Sulu " Captain there is a strange figure crew cut with a beard starting to materialize holding something in his hand" WTF IS IT? STAND BY Uhura "Captain, I’ve downloaded this Picket Fence summary, I'll put it through computer and relay, NOW” Arrived at training at 9.15 for what turned out to be a marathon training session lasting over 3 hours probably closer to 3 and a half and was it a brutal and punishing session. No beg pardons about training loads and INTENSITY. In fact I can't ever recall a longer or tougher session There were several notable injuries throughout which I will get to. A brisk wind was blowing down the ground towards the south end and although fine this contributed marginally to some skill errors by foot. REHAB Mitch Brown who ran a lot and hit the bike INJURIES Spargy went down after a hit to the head and was escorted of not to be seen again. Mild concussion a possibility. T Mac went down and limped of the ground with what could be an ankle injury. Both these occured in Simulated Match Practice. Then just near the end of training Trac was being attended to by a trainer/Doctor by what could have been a lower leg possibly ankle injury. He too walked gingerly of the ground but was not escorted by training staff. Hopefully all are minor. SKILLS , DRILLS AND MANOUVERS Drill 1 Possesion kick and weave In formation Drill 2 Full match simulations RED VS BLUE 4 QUARTERS of about 20 mins each Drill 3 a Tackling practice 3 b One on one grappling push of and then kick to leading player 3 reps by each pitted one on one player 3 c short kick handball and corridor football type style drill in small space 3 d Running running and more running. MATCH SIMULATIONS AND PLAYER WATCH CLARRY CYBORG Just cannot be stopped hence name Cyborg not being disrepectful, he is just like an indestructible man, again he just takes on the tackler and is impossible to stop, runs all day tank just got bigger and disposals are elite KADE CHANDLER Will clearly press for a place this year his skills and pace are major weapons and he knows where the goals are JACOB VAN ROOYEN Blink and he's gone, he is very elusive and not dissimilar to Bailey Fritta. He also took a magnificent contested mark from 20 out and duly converted. MAJAK DAW was respectable in the ruck vs Max and his work around the ground and in stoppages was very good. Also took a strong contested mark about 30 out and converted. JAKE BOWEY Has found another gear and continues to use the ball well and in my view is already better than Caleb Daniel which say plenty! FRASER ROSMAN Was pitted against Ed Langdon and got plenty of quality ball. is noticeably fitter this year. MICHAEL HIBBERD as hard as a cat’s head. Just does not know when to quit was prominent in match sims TOBY BEDFORD Was eye catching with some of his moves dazzling with pace and flamboyance - might be a wild card this year. DEAKIN SMITH Very steady in back half, never flustered and has telescopic arms. DAN TURNER ditto! STEVEN MAY and JAKE LEVER are rarely beaten and know each other’s games so well, it appears a telepathy exists among them BBB Watch out if he stays fit we might have a 70-80 goal Key Forward. Clunked marks, Kicked goals and roams far and wide. BLAKE HOWES, JUDD MC VIE, BAILEY LAURIE, All flashed into the play with deft hands and very precise disposal. MAX, JACK V, CHRISTIAN S all were their usual excellent selves. LUKE DUNSTAN The more I see of him the more I think he plays very similarly to Stephen Powell. Gets in good positions and his disposal is very good. SAM WEIDEMAN Took one great contested grab in the square and converted and did several useful things JAMES JORDAN AND TOM SPARROW Both had there fair share of the ball and used intelligently and tellingly. ADAM TOMLINSON Making some big strides one or two errors but a very solid game I thought. FINAL THOUGHTS As iterated this was as hard a session that I have seen and it proves one thing to me … that the defence of the Premiership is foremost in the minds of the players and coaches who clearly want mo more. There are just no passengers in this team and the healthy competition being created builds a strong unified culture of excellence. No beg pardons, No shortcuts, just hard relentless footy played at breakneck intensity. Welcome back we are hear to ROCK AND ROLL P.F Meanwhile back on the Enterprise Mr Sulu. ''That figure is materialising, I've seen his face before its ITS MAX GAWN and what's he holding""?? Captain Kirk " It looks like a cup a trophy of some sort and whats that number on it Spock. "2022!!! FASCINATING"!! Captain Kirk "WE MUST LEARN MORE"!

Terrible News, i sent a letter to Laurie many years ago, he was my dads favourite player along with Bob Johnson. He sent me back a letter with these signed cards included, i have never forgotten it. A kind and generous man, it's a shame he hasn't been inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame, he should be .

I know it’s not always appropriate to make comparisons between eras but if you think Ron Barassi (6 premierships) as Christian Petracca and Laurie Mithen (5 premierships) as Clayton Oliver then you might understand the importance of Laurie Mithen to the golden era we experienced during his career with the club. The other coincidence is the influence of players coming from Ormond to Melbourne and getting the # 11 guernsey. That’s 6 flags that I’m aware of to date. Laurie Mithen was one of our truly greatest ever players.

I haven't been a huge wrap for our depth heading in to this year. Almost all of our top picks from recent years are were in the Premiership team and we only bought in Dunstan. Apart from Bailey Laurie and the first year kids we haven't got many top picks in reserve. Then I remembered I wasn't a huge wrap for Sparrow or JJ, and Petty had missed an entire year and had barely played. Seeing and reading the intensity with which the boys is training is starting to make me think we might have a few surprise packet players ready to come in and impress if needed.

Jesus reading that has me salivating for round 1 and the defense of the premiership!! Bring it on Great work @picket fence

From all accounts Laurie was a bit Clarryesque. Played in the centre and generated a lot of play. He was tough and was a target for the opposition. Not overly fast but read the play well. An instinctive player good on both sides of his body but had his fair share of injuries as his career continued. I was unaware of his post Melbourne days at Port Melbourne and in WA. At 87 he had a good innings. I hope he got to watch the Granny and celebrate the win. One of the greats. Like others of that era , he was loyal, self-effacing and modest.

Fantastic to hear that it was a ‘fair dinkum’ match sim. A few knocks and bruises which, on the face of it, seem little more than than you would expect on game day. Seems that competition for spots is intense, and will keep everyone honest. Obviously everyone wants to be part of our next Flag! Thanks Fence, for another captivating summary.

All will be fine @picket fence and earth people. Petracca, Spargo and TMac are all in the sick bay under the watchful eye of Dr. Leonard McCoy. Based on his medical skills, they should be back on the track tomorrow!

This is the current standard political apology coming from governments. If you say "I apologise if you are offended" with the implication that no reasonable person would be offended, you can appear to be apologising and can't be proved to be not apoogising. I'd reject any apology with this qualification was insincere.

I think the cling-ons were the supporters watching. 😁

Some of the intense MFC training action from Earth at Casey Fields this morning.

The first 9 rounds can be found here: MFC 2022 Fixture for the first 9 Rounds

So much discussion about Hunt, Smith, Weid, Tomlinson, Dunstan et al and whom they would/could replace. It's unrealistic to think that the Club could have another dream run with injuries and, of course, covid in 2022, so these players will get their chances this season.

A nice article about retired Casey skipper Jack Hutchins 100 and out: Why a century of VFL games was enough for Casey star

Training pics show Blue 8.10 to Red 3.7. Make them train another 3.5 hours as punishment for inaccuracy. Round 1 will be here before we know it, it’s getting real now.

Talking of round 1, afl/state govt hoping for full house. Imagine 70-80,000 at the mcg. Can’t wait.

Most entertaining training report I have read. At the MFC there are obviously no passengers or klingons...

Thanks PF. youve taken training reports to another dimension. were you viewings from an elevated position? What security measures were in place. i do love the fact that there is training with intensity, that seems to me the realisation of requirements of premiers.

Is the AFL Integrity Unit an oxymoron?

I love watching it when Bont kicks that goal. His celebration isn’t a “I just kicked a good goal.” It’s so overdone it’s a “I just won the premiership for us.” Never get too excited until the siren goes. The funniest thing was Trelor kicked the next goal and his lack of celebration afterwards. Bont must have felt so stupid after the game, what his that premature celebration captured all over the screen.

He morphed into someone else. 😉

Distant relative. Laurie was Lily's grandfather's cousin.

You make an excellent point about Jackson, his post hit out work and his scope for his improvement. I hadn't really considered that in likelihood he is going to get better! I watched the Port game the other night and one of goals came from a center clearance, where Jackson was in the ruck. The ruck contest was halved but Jackson managed to tap the ball forward with an open palm to Trac, who was on the move, took a few steps and launched in deep inside 50. So clever from Jackson. I love the way Jackson and Gawn coordinate ruck duties - it look really organic and fluid. And it means Gawn can be really flexible in terms of dropping back into defence or pushing forward. As you suggest Jackson will only improve his ruck craft and will get fitter and stronger. A scary thought. And to your question about changes to clearances, this improvement may well bring some changes. For one, Jackson will be better and with his leap might win more center clearances. Two, as he gets stronger he will become even more a weapon at around the ground stoppages. So he is likely to be more effective and win more clearances around the ground. And he might take more of them. And lastly he may end up doing more minutes in the ruck which might mean for instance gawn takes more throw in up forward. As for Gus, no i can't see them moving him from the wing. Watching the games again has really reinforced how important he was to our system and structure last year. Goody loves consistency and i think he will refrain frorm too many changes. The other thing is we a have a surfeit of contested ball winners, so he is not really needed on that front. Makes it pretty hard for Rosman and Baker to get into the team. You're right about Thommo. I can't see him taking Petty's role. So where does he play? I wondered the same thing about Hunt. Watching the games again i was reminded that he was really unlucky to get injured as Bowey made it impossible to drop him and its hard to see how they both play. I really liked what he brought tot he side last year and i'd love to see him back in the team. And Jordon is in the same boat. He was fantastic for us last year. But he he has to force his way back into the side all over again.

And rightly so. It is their Grand Final, after all.

I'm old enough to have seen Laurie play and to be taught history by him at Melbourne High. A good bloke, popular teacher and sadly missed.

Hello everyone! I hope it’s alright by the mods that I use a thread to promote my new Melbourne Football Club Podcast. In the spirit of the many ‘TV re-watch podcasts’, my friends and I have started re-watching all the 2021 Melbourne matches and reviewing them in the context of the season as a whole. We’ve just released Episode 1: Melbourne v Fremantle at the MCG, where we reminisce about the lead-up to 2021, the match itself, review the votes and debate our favorite Demons to wear the Number 1 guernsey. Listeners are welcome to watch the whole match, highlights or simply rely on their memory of each of our games this year. Hopefully a little bit informative… Hopefully a little bit funny… Please follow us on Instagram @ deewatch_podcast Thanks!

I just received this sad news about Laurie Mithen (one of my original Demon heroes from the 50s - # 11) from the Past Players and Officials Condolences to the family. It is with much sadness that we announce the death of past player Laurie Mithen, at the age of 87. Laurie came to the Melbourne Football Club from Ormond, making his senior debut in the first round of 1954. Wearing No. 11, as he would for each of his 153 games (with the notable exception of the 1958 Grand Final), this game against Collingwood saw the youngster receive rough treatment, which bred resilience and toughness in him throughout his stellar career. Entertaining and clever, Mithen could play on either side of his body, and was valued for his kicking and marking ability. In his second season – 1955 – he not only played in the first of five premierships, but was also the inaugural recipient of the Ron Barassi Senior Memorial Trophy for outstanding service. In 1956, Mithen was a member of the all-powerful Melbourne outfit that would later be inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame. The ‘Olympic Premiers’ thrashed Collingwood, and Mithen’s contribution was hailed by the club, with the annual report for the season stating that: ‘In Laurie Mithen Melbourne possess a player of outstanding skill and cleverness. In the semi final this year Laurie played the type of amazing game that he alone in our side can play.’ Injuries curtailed the typically consistent Mithen in 1957, but he returned to cement a dominant spot in the centre, along with a third premiership, this time against Essendon. It was Mithen who set the tone for the Grand Final when he took the ball out of the centre. Then it was on to Barassi, who kicked the first goal for the game within seconds of its start. Barassi and Mithen formed a dominant combination within a powerful team, and unfortunately this was part of the downfall of 1958. Up against Collingwood in the Grand Final, the two Demons were among those particularly targeted for distraction and roughing up. The ultimate result was a three goal Grand Final loss, and dismay for all those in red and blue. There was a silver lining for Mithen, however, as he was named Best and Fairest in 1958; an achievement that was followed up by another premiership, and a second Best and Fairest in 1959. Having also represented Victoria, Mithen was celebrated for his achievements, with the plaudits including that comments that: ‘Our “Best and Fairest” winner for 1959 for the second year in succession was Laurie Mithen. Laurie…has developed into one of the outstanding footballers in the Victorian League. His clever and brilliant football now possesses a directness and vigour that only comes from experience.’ That experience helped to take Mithen to a fifth Melbourne premiership in 1960. In 1962, he went on to serve as the club’s vice-captain, before hanging up his boots to become playing coach of VFA side Port Melbourne, helping to deliver the 1964 premiership for the ‘Borough’. In 1966, schoolteacher Mithen headed west, teaching in Perth for four years, as well as playing for WA side Claremont for two seasons. He then spent time as a school principal in Canada, before later returning to the Gold Coast. Throughout his lifetime, Melbourne continued to recognise Mithen for his contribution and status within the club. Named as an emergency in the club’s Team of the Century, announced in 2000, Mithen was inducted into the MFC Hall of Fame in 2003, and was named as a ‘150 Hero’ in 2008. In 2013, he was made a Life Member, as humble and delighted as ever in accepting honours for achievements that are an eternal part of the club’s heritage. We will always value and remember Laurie Mithen as a special part of the Melbourne Football Club, and offer our most heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.

Absolute champ,I was only a young boy back then but players like him made me want to eat a footy.Was rapt when Greg Wells got his number and played in the middle ,just like LM

And also those of us in the country who will be unable to do the day trip. ovenighting can be difficult and expensive.

I remember one day when MFC was losing Norm Smith moved Laurie Mithen to FF and he kick 6 goals for us to win the match, he was a great player in an era of great players.

This would be much more fun if you were both Geminis.

While there might be no capacity limits at the MCG, crowd numbers might be affected by any other Covid controls that might be in place. For example, measures such as mask-wearing, having to check in with the QR code, having to show a vaccination certificate, etc are all nothing more than annoyances. However, I know many people who have found things like that enough to keep them from going out. Plus, if Omicron is still around, I suspect there will also be a group who don't want to take the risk of being in a crowded place. Finally, many people who previously would have attended will have become used to watching games on TV and may never return to watch matches live.

Whole heartedly agree, most interesting discussion, going over it all makes me think I understand football. Never did when I played, Thanks to all of the posts, and great name Its Time for Back to Back !

Rest in peace great man. 5 flags in 150 odd games, definition of decorated career and he was a vital part of that success.

Apparently Goody coaches from the bench to measure momentum and is good at it. He goes to Yze and the rest of the coaches box for tactical changes depending on how he reads it. Eg. If the opposition get a run on but he thinks it was a few lucky bounces he doesn't count that as momentum. But if the opposition get on top of us and he doesn't think it was a bit of luck he wants changes. It wouldn't surprise me if we went with a more high risk reward structure after kicking a goal to build momentum.

Did anyone else get taught to swim by his wife Wendy Mithen? (I think my ageing memory is serving me well...)

The Old Man mentioned Mithen in reverent tones as being an equal to Barassi at the MFC in terms of skill and class. He must have been quite a player.

First of all, thanks again. As I've posted before this is my favourite Board on Demonland and the insights from you and others are fantastic. Funnily enough I have also been watching every game in order. I'm half way through the Suns game. The only game I couldn't bring myself to watch again was the QB loss. I have three takeaways. First is how much the backline structure stood out right from round 1 and how it saved us in a few of the early games. Secondly how disfunctional the forward line was for most of the season and how much that improved right at the end of the season when we got continuity once BBB was settled in the lineup. Thirdly how much the clearance work improved especially late in the season. Interesting what you're saying about different clearances for different purposes. One thing I feel very confident about is that no other team is going to have a ruckman like Jackson with the same post hitout impact. Gawny says he's working on it I suspect we are going to see more work with them creating corridors for the midfielders to clear the ball out. Jackson's work in Bang Bang Bang mostly was no more than doing that other than the beautiful clearance for Clarry. Out of interest do you see anyone possibly taking Gus's wing some of the time to free him up to perhaps do some clearance rotations. It's going to be interesting to see what happens with Tommo now Petty is doing so well in his position in defence.

Taught at Melbourne High in the early 60s at a time when league footballers had to work for a living. It was a thrill to be a Melbourne supporter at the school at the time although he never taught me. In those days it was not uncommon to see champion league footballers at their day jobs eg. John James (Brownlow medallist 1961) taught at my central school; Bobby Skilton (Brownlow medallist) was a plumber fixing a roof opposite my school; Neil Roberts (Brownlow medallist) was a sport teacher at my primary school; Ron Barassi was an office furniture salesman for Sears Morton in the city; Bill Young (St Kilda goalsneek) ran a sports store in the Village Belle in St Kilda.

Membership $ is what counts most - all clubs have quirks that can inflate numbers. The Saints were handing out free memberships to all kids who joined a certain junior league and sold a heap of $1 membership one year, I think the Pies and Tigers have a large pet membership number. The key is the membership $ return, which from memory - I can't find but haven't looked very hard! - we had a much higher $ return from every member than most other clubs. So 40,000 members for us is significantly better than 40,000 for other clubs.

I rewatched all the finals and the preceding games since our last defeat and it is obvious to me the inclusion of Bowey and Ben Brown were the last pieces of the puzzle required that made us a premiership side. Bowey’s clean disposal and clever decision making over Hunts spectacular but often error ridden play made our defence “no weakness” and Browns contesting and ever present danger freed up our forwards and midfield to score heavily which we couldn’t do previously.