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Note, there is one more session on Friday at GP before the players break for X-mas. Firstly, there are a handful of players who now have been on limited duties for the past two weeks and it's fair to say that round 1 is starting to look unlikely for them, unless they emerge fit and fired up from the X-mas break and nail a heap of sessions. The five are: Hibberd, BB Brown, Angus, Joel Smith and Deakin Smith. On top of that two of our newbies - Will Ferrell and Jed Adams - have been on extra, light duities - it's possible they won't return after X-mas simply because they would have been bored out of their brains just doing endless run throughs and watching everyone else get stuck into it. Three other players copped knocks today but all seemed fine after them - May (ribs), Gawn (knee) and Sparrow (head knock from Spargo tackle). All kept going at match sim. Kozzie wasn't there today either, but he was the pick of the bunch the week before, so hopefully nothing untoward about his absence today. As to the highlights of the match sim (note I left about 11.15am, so those that stayed till the end can update anything extra as required). T-Mac: I can say that he is looking as good as new and I am not sure why some here said he may have long-term injury worries. Sure he is no longer capable of winning our 200m rep sessions and yes he's a tad porky around the hips from his all-meat diet, but the big fella is just a clever lead-up, lead-back player with strong hands and we all know he's a deadeye d*ck and has a huge tank. If he returns from the break with a passion for the sprints then he's a monte to line up forward with Fritter and JVR and his best mate Melky will miss out. It's as simple as that. JVR: Ok, I am sold. He is ready and only an injury will stop him playing rd 1 now. In fact it's a shame we have to wait until round 15 for his battle with De Koning. While his nice hanger over Lever today was the highlight, he was so much more than one grab. He dished, he tackled and he wore my pre-Robbie idol Greg Parke's No.26. I reckon he said I don't want Jonesy's No.2, I want 26 for Parkey because maybe his grandfather knows him or used to be a copper or something. Either way he is starting to take on that junior Schwarter look and along with T-Mac and Gawny, he is the frontrunner to play as our talls rd 1, subject to injury of course. A quick note here that Schache has also been looking mega impressive as well at training playing as a mobile forward swinging onto his left, but I suspect he will have to wait until injury to get his chance. And with so many TFs on the park, I can see why the club ain't moving Petty there just yet. CP5: Ok, I am not sold. Yes I know his 2020 was a breakout extravaganza and I know his 2021 was brilliance personified with his ability to lift in big games making him Martinesque. But right now he's like Danger or Fyfe - a turnover machine that looks like he's going to break the game open but lets you down big time by foot. Yes I know he was injured late last season, but everything you don't want to see was on display today and last week when I attended. He just coughs the ball up time and time again as he looks to split the game open through the middle. Yes it was windy so he was not alone in miskicks (even Bowey had a howler or two). I remember Goody eventually had to pull Clayton aside three years ago and explain to him that he had to take more responsibility for going forward than just giving it off by hand, but I reckon when Goody comes back from hols he will need to pull Trac aside and just tell him to back off the media, back off the nice guy stuff and just get down and dirty. Or find a new psych. Ultimately our year will be determined by whether Trac gets back to being one of the best five mids in the game. Hunter: As withT-Mac, he made sure the club knows his quality. He lined up on Ed 'Sheerin' Langdon and he was clever, composed and ducked on to his left with the ease of Karl Amon. He will play round 1 barring injury or returning from his break in the bad books and he will play the left wing which means us MCC members will get to see Langdon close up for the first time. Lever: After an injury-riddled '22, he's running strongly again and looking like the All-Aussie of 2021 again - although JVR postered him on one occasion. As with Trac and Salem, he's one of three stars who if they get back to their form of '21, then finals are looking likely. Grundy and Gawn: The quick take off from down back after goals (or likely goals) in match sim meant there was little centre bounce work done, but both these guys still look superb. Gawn's marking is just so clean, while Grundy is mega quick with a dish off. They bring so much to the table and are very different. The kids: Sorry but so far all our youngsters other than JVR are still a fair way off. I did like the work and run of Judd McVee though - he's really improving and looks likely to get a go at some stage this year. It's interesting that a decade ago, a new recruit just had to fart to get noticed, but now they have to train the house down over and over to even look like getting a game in the ones. And unlike in Jones's early years, there are so many well-ensconced senior players that it's hard to see changes anyway.

Gawn will go back to his predominant 2018 role and play a kick behind the play, I expect increased forward pressure and forcing opposition to kick long down the line or to take the game on with handball or risky kicks into the corridor. I expect Grundy to play forward of centre

Well said Jaded. If you go back to Gary Pert’s podcast interview on DL back in March ‘21 he clearly states that, because it’s a Government led process, “we are not in a position to be able to give a running commentary on the progress of our home base, as much as it frustrates me to not be able to do so”. He also states that “ it will be our home base for the next 40-100 years; we will get there and it will be worth the wait”.

HA! Playing football against Jack Viney was too rough so I took up UFC.

Terrific report and in particular the comments on JVR. If he can mark like Greg Parke and play like Schwarter then we have an out and out champion.

A state of the art training facility and homebase is paramount for an elite level sporting club wanting continued growth and success. The fact that we still don't have one and we're the oldest sporting club in the world is nothing short of an embarrassment imo. Flag or no flag in '21, if supporters believe that we haven't been impacted and at a disadvantage over the decades compared to other clubs, then you're completely delusional. Even if that impact or disadvantage isn't much annually, it will add up as opposition clubs continue to widen the gap with upgrades to the facilities they already own. Top facilities attract players, employees, sponsors etc. How anyone thinks it's not an issue in this day and age is simply hilarious.

Im all set for the Gosh's Express Train tommorrow, Memory drive on full alert and ready to see other Demonlanders also. Just look out for a strange looking guy and that'll be me!! ............ Hang on wait, there could be a few of us fitting that description!

Havent heard<? the Hash party got a gig in Spring st. I'm in celebration mode!!!

A fit and firing T Mac and Lever will have a huge difference to our team. Marking was a major issues in 2022. Ball retention and rebound and transitioning fwd

Looks like something from My Little Pony with the mane blowing back like that.

The problem with that quote from Pert, is that it is a similar sentiment that was communicated by past administrations that have used it as cover for SFA progress and doesn't hold anyone to account. Daisy said it herself that the current situation made recruiting and training less than ideal ... l believe her

Can you please do one or all of the following: Give the doll pictured below to Clary at a training session Post the picture to his insta account Use the picture as your avatar (perhaps photo shopping Clarry's face on)

This obsession needs to stop. Yes we want to have an all in one purpose built facility, but anyone who has been to Casey knows that it is a good solid facility which is getting a massive facelift thanks to a local government keen to grow and develop the area. Our players are hardly turning up to a rat infested Junction Oval and sharing a single dumbbell between them. Likewise AAMI Park has his advantages as we get to share some IP with other sporting codes. There is nothing terrible about our facilities set up at the moment. We won a flag with these facilities, so it's certainly not hindered our success. The reality is that players live far and wide. For some Casey is convenient (certainly it's quicker to get to from the Peninsula than getting into the city), for others it is not. Such is life. Very few people live 10 minutes away from their job.

We have another entrant. Jack Viney ran rings around Aussie UFC star Jake Matthews so badly in a junior grand final, he decided to give up on footy and focus on fighting. A wise move.

Gus will be right for round 1. Always has a limited preseason just for his body to settle, young man living in an old man’s body😂. As for Verrall and Adams, they’ve both been recovering from injuries that derailed their seasons and notably why they weren’t taken earlier in the draft. Verrall with a groins issue and Adams with a bad shoulder. They should be into the thick of things late Jan/early Feb.

Option 3 done. Other options still in play!

I think it could be Kye Turner. Nice leap on him if it is...

you want a picture of female toilets? 🥴

Jefferson, Jefferson,Jefferson Forward.!!!!

The vote getting Brownlow look...

Loving the new Oliver look.

I was wondering about those words ('deadeye d*ck') appearing in the TMac section, and it leads me to ask: Just what is a 'deadeye duck'? Is it something out of the NZ All Blacks' Thesaurus that crept into our game? Perhaps it is a tackling procedure? ...I know what happens when they try to '...fix the tap with a new wusher...' - and that turns out all wrong, as well.

Love the report DEESPICABLE. While I don't agree with a couple of your major statements re Round1 what it says is that we are handling ( as 12345 etc said) Jed (Adams) and Will (Verrall)'very carefully to ensure when they fully recover from their injuries from this season then they both will train as good as possible towards the season opening. Lets Hope Howes and Laurie both get an injury free run pre season. Encouraging reports on Schache Brodee and Lachie H plus JVR who with good pre seasons are virtually 4 fresh recruits and with fully fit and sharp Jakie Salo Gawny Tmac and Rivers maybe last half fade outs will be consigned to 2022 history.

The best part of the cricket season is reading the Demonland MFC training reports. Thanks to all who provide reports and hope for next season.

I remember watching JT's comments before the rookie draft. Said we were looking at 1-2 players, and it would depend on who was available. Clearly, we had some interest in Sestan, but if he was off the table we wouldn't have picked up another rookie. Might need to cool our jets a bit. Guy looks like he could be a great get, but lets see him play a couple of games at Casey first. If he wasn't on anyone's radar, there might be some growth needed. While everyone is understandably focusing on his Mansfield performances, it looks like he was regularly amongst the best and a regular goalkicker for Xavier last year they won the APS - https://www.oldxavs.com.au/post/xavier-wins-aps. That's a good sign and probably more indicative given that it He's in a bit of a similar positon to Jayden Hunt - late pick, school footy. If he's a contributing best 22/fringe player like Jayden I would be very happy.

I don't think so. By all reports he is on light duties and would not have been participating in match sim or drills with marking contests such as this.

AFL Training Sessions Date: Friday 16 December Time: 9.30am Location: Gosch's Paddock *Please note: Training times and locations are subject to change at late notice.

golly good show number 48!

Jonti incredibly unlucky not to get drafted. Would be keen to see him get a run at Casey.

Jack Schuback was an absolute champion for Sale in the Gippy League. Way back in the 1950s. He was the first version of Leigh Matthews, but tougher, sought by nearly every team in the VFL as it was known, then. Amongst many older residents of Sale, the man is still held in reverence and prompts several moments of respectful silence.

Not correct. The Board have the majority the of their 4 year Plan succeed including the three Flags, sustained success in all three grades plus membership and corporate records and IMO a very high nearly 30% Junior Membership of the total building for the future. As well as substantial improvement to Casey Fields amenities plus the surface of the oval. Goschs also improved so substantial Govt assistance has been obtained. If Casey was in the 15km circle from MCG it would probably be the Training Ground for good with Admin etc being added and a venue for the AFLW and VFL with a capacity of say 8/10,000 bring formulated. We have never been so well off financially in 164 years and hav come from a basket case a decade ago. Facilities haven't hampered us snd success on the ground is far more important than the MCG location to be chosen ASAP. Before you query the timing of the Plan the record speaks for itself and Roffey is the chosen Board Supremo expected to deliver. Give me a decade of sustained success including multiple Flags in AFL and AFLW snd the Training facility will take care of itself I believe.

We are getting the Mustang at the price of a Fiesta.

I remember as a young buck around 12 years of age, I was out on my uncle's farm in Western Victoria near Hamilton. We were going spotlighting, and he'd invited his lead shearer to come out with us in the ute. Well, we got a bagful! Your comment on '...shooting a rabbit...' triggered one of life's great mysteries for me: There, in the distance, was a small little rabbit on its own ... about 200m away ... and the shearer lined him up in his sights on his .22 ... and just before firing at such a large target, uttered to us all ... 'I am not going to kill this poor little thing (200 metres away) ... I'm just going to stop him having babies!' That statement took me about six years to understand, such was my general ignorance at that age. Rather funny.

Easy mistake to make with a Jack and Jake involved in the story but should not have got past the editing process of a news outlet.

What are you smoking now Picket?

Jon Anderson in todays Hun listed Clarry as no 38 out of 50 TOP AUSTRALIAN SPORTSMEN Currently! And while Im at it , with the new hair do looks more like this guy out of Hawkwinds Seminal Record "Space Bandits" WOW!!

So for our Kiwi compatriots it's Tom Duck and Megan?

Or, maybe, he doesn't have a mirror!

Be happy with a Maverick or Ranger TC.!!!

Time will tell but are we getting a Ford Fiesta or a Gen3 Mustang GT?

Thanks Deespicable for your great report a lot to like about the team and loving that Grundy, Schache and Hunter are fitting in so well, really hoping that JJ, Howes, Laurie and Taj get a good run at it next year. !!!

I opened up and saw a training report, and then this thread raising its head. Instantly thought 'Oh god no, who's he broken?!?'🤣🤣🤣

Great report I'm sold on van Rooyen for round 1 after that report. Best 22 B: Lever, May, Rivers HB: Salem, Petty, Bowey C: Hunter, Petracca, Langdon HF: Neal-Bullen, van Rooyen, Pickett F: Gawn, McDonald, Fritsch FOLL: Grundy, Oliver, Brayshaw IC: Viney, Harmes, Sparrow, Spargo SUB: Melksham

One day soon we'll have a virtual training facility in the metaverse and I will send my avatar down the highway to Geelong on cold Thursday nights in July.

Not necessarily the announcement but the completion of the project after the negotiations are completed. There are several options and it will take some time to work out which is the most viable and affordable. Money has to come from several areas and it will involve Govt., AFL and our own money. Whilst the majority of Landers think the players hate travelling to Casey, that couldn't be further from the truth, it may have been, but isn't anymore, the current group are very happy with the facilities and they are soon to be improved.

That’s simply not good enough. This board, Roffey in particular, said they were going to sort this mess out (give me 6.5 years and I’d sort it out too). If the masses are gonna have to wait another 5 years for any worthwhile plans, and not even be drip fed tidbits for the foreseeable future, then it’s time to step aside. This is nothing short of failing the only mandate Roffey & Co came in to power on.

On the other hand Jonti Schuback from Maffra has attributes that will come in handy at Casey and he comes from just down the highway.