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I journeyed out to Casey today and was fortunate enough to watch two quarters of match simulation. Here is a brief rundown of random occurrences/thoughts. First of all, there was no Jake Lever (ankle) or Joel Smith involved. AMW is still in rehab and was running strongly. It was Blue (Probables) v Red (Possibles) JvR was in blue. Ben Brown, T-Mac, Hibbo and Tom Sparrow were in red. Gus Brayshaw started at half back for blue and stayed there all game. Josh Schache rucked for the red team against Max/Brodie. Adam Tomlinson played in the Lever role. First goals were to Blue team through Fritta and JvR. Rooey followed his goal up with another strong mark but missed a very gettable goal. He contested strongly all game. The half forwards all pressed up the ground high, leaving lots of open space behind them. It was obvious that we have been told to move quickly from defence. They went short a lot and also moved the ball on by hand to defenders streaming through from behind. There was a definite urgency in the way they moved they footy. Max took a mark on the lead, but missed a gettable goal. Lachie Hunter was in everything. Kozzie and Clarry were dominant. Salo was very industrious off half back and looked like the Salem of 2021. Promisingly – Brodie Grundy finished the quarter off with 2 goals, one from a strong grab and the other from a handball over the top. At the break – Blue were 4-5 to Red 0-1. Chandler took the game on and evaded many tackles. However, I think his lack of a right foot might hurt him at senior level as he did run himself into trouble a few times. Ben Brown took a strong pack mark, but missed a very kickable goal. Kye Turner got a fist in a few times and looked strong in the air. Taj Woey got a little bit of the footy. Koz did a run-down tackle in the square, but only managed to hit the post. Melky was in the blue and missed two consecutive snaps on goal. I would say that he is very much in their round 1 plans. Sparrow snagged a goal from a push in the back from Clarrie. Fritta got a goal out the back – evidence of the open forward line apparent there. Ben Brown got one on the lead and goaled. Hunter hit Fritta on the chest. Fritta in turn kicked it out on the full from deep in the pocket. Viney was in everything. Nibbler, who was in red, was also busy. In the second half, Grundy took three marks leading up at the footy. He was a highlight for me. He competed strongly, and if he couldn’t mark it he made sure he brought it to ground. When Max was in the ruck, Grundy started forward. When Grundy was in the ruck, Max started forward. The ruck at the time would then drop behind the play. Kye Turner, playing on JvR, showed some real dash. He was good. took no part in the match sim. Hunter missed a very gettable goal after marking a Spargo chip. He was very vocal on field. He was my other highlight. I think Blue won the second period by a couple of points. YOKOZUNA'S TRAINING REPORT GATOR’S TRAINING REPORT

I can't imagine he'd ever walk again, let alone play football.

The Casey Demons have a trio of Dandenong Stingrays players down at training in the hope of securing a contract and joining the VFL premiers in 2023:- • Melbourne Next Generation Academy and Vic Country player Finn Emile-Brennan (18, 181cm) averaged 22.1 disposals, 4.7 marks and 7.1 rebounds in 15 matches for the Stingrays and also played down back for Vic Country in the Under 18 National Championships; • Ned Moodie (18, 188cm) had 15.5 touches, 4.7 marks and 3.7 rebounds in 11 NAB League matches games; • Ziggy Toledo-Glassman (18, 192cm) picked up 10.8 possessions and kicked 14 goals in eight appearances. Was in the Vic Country squad. • We can also expect to see a number of 2022 AFL Demon draftees on display at Casey Fields during the coming season. In other news - • 2022 Premiership coach Mark Corrigan has taken up the coaching job at Geelong VFL and has been replaced by his senior assistant Taylor Whitford. • Some retired and delisted MFC players will be suiting up elsewhere. Leading goalkicker Mitch Brown will be with Southern league club Mordialloc while Fraser Rosman has signed with Port Melbourne for 2023 and Jake Spencer who was called out of State league retirement for a surprise appearance for the Demons just before the finals will continue on locally this year, switching to Northern team Montmorency. • Premiership defender Matt Buntine will remain on the list but expects to spend more time coaching at Casey Fields and playing VAFA for Caulfield Grammarians. • Casey listed mainstays Mitch White and Jimmy Munro who were captain and vice-captain in their 2022 Grand Final triumphs will be back to defend their premiership flags. Tom Freeman is also expected to re-sign despite playing just three matches last year.

And just like that, found my MFCSS again!

I saw Gawn run off. He ran at a good pace without showing discomfort. I'd be shocked if it's a bad hamstring considering how he left the field. I'm guessing a minor twinge or a regulation 21 day recovery.

Grundy must just come in handy after all (to all those doubters)

Just came in to make sure everyone is panicking. ✅ Carry on!

Why we ever re-signed a very injury prone Joel Smith to a new 2 year deal I'll never know.

and there goes the premiership window

Nothing helps them, they only see the negative

Fingers crossed it’s not the hammy he torn badly a couple of years back... Yeah it’s seems only Jan 20th not biggie but missing a minimum of 3-4 weeks at this time of year is a [censored] time. Playing catch up for the first part of the season.

I'm sensing some kind of pattern here....

For gods sake where is the Priest.

Longer bows drawn here than the Battle of Hastings. Why does there need to be men's players present to give it legitimacy? Goodwin is not her coach, and Max is not her captain or a teammate. And they were busy training. Daisy was right to have the announcement at the time of her and her management's choosing. That timing would have been more to do with the news cycle than the availability of the men's team. The AFLW is a stand alone, not a sideshow for the men's comp. That's why they don't play curtain raisers!! I usually like your options and insight, but you are really revealing your inner dinosaur here.

Thanks dw! No, Trent came off as the match sim was starting.

No, don't encourage this. Why put me outside the fence. Already the price of finals tickets are leaving holes in my budget. A training ticket, why? Elitist and their envy of each other. Why do you want this kind of world and the associated gaps amongst us? I am for equalising us, not dividing. I guess you like operating behind closed doors, so you feel closer to the inner circle, oh "you are the special one's". Help the growth of the middle class, don't use them to fund a lifestyle of those holding the assets. Footy clubs are about community and not a company. If we need funding then get it from the asset hoaders, tax evaders, the traders and financier's, companies both public and private. Stop living on the back of the workers. Make footy and all forms of entertainment more accessible, not less. If not accessible, then the public funding of our sports and arts program becomes welfare for those who have plenty already.

Anyone with some inside info about Lever’s ankle? How severe is it? Also is Joel Smith ever not rehabbing something? I swear he is never not injured. Poor guy.

could this be the end of his career? 🥵

If it’s a bad hammie, like real bad… having Grundy and Schache might help a few with MFCSS.

Sestan was on and off a lot, like most of the young boys and didn't really impact. Dunstan won a bit of the footy for the reds and was okay. He got mowed down a couple of times, once by Hunter and found it a bit quick. He just didn't hurt the blue team with the footy and seems to kick around corners a lot.

Nickname must be: “HTB” - (Holy Toledo Batman)

I actually hope we practice for oppositions sagging back with multiple spare players in the backline. That is where the challenge is for us. We will beat sides on contested possession but can we prevail against the ropadope/slingshot game plan.

Given the issues that affected Max’s fitness in the latter half of 2022, any problem with his hamstrings needs to be managed properly. I’m sure our coaching, medical and fitness people will be right on top of this and they’ll do what’s necessary in his interests.

HAPPY 24th BIRTHDAY, BLAITHIN! That’s my flag she’s proudly holding. Well, it’s her flag now. Apparently she thinks she slept wrapped in it on the Premiership night but she’s not sure. Methinks Guinness might’ve been aflow that night. 😁

He can regain any lost conditioning by lining up in the goal square for a month or so... Cue sound of fullbacks' knees knocking (each other, not Max's back). @Gator, thanks for that. Though I do recall Stephen May came off pretty comfortably with what proved to be somewhat spectacular! (though somewhat short of the leg injury a first glance at your avatar suggested to me!)

I'm not sure why Daisy joining Geelong is in any way a sign of problems at Melbourne. Most ex-players who choose coaching start at a different club to the one from which they've just retired. I would consider that to be best practice as it automatically doubles the exposure of the individual to methods and IP. Would it have been good for Goodwin and Gawn to be present? Possibly, but that could also have been seen as a distraction by some, WOKE-ness by others and some could see it as an insult to the credibility of the women's competition. On balance, I'm glad that Goodwin and Gawn didn't attend because the end result was that Daisy gained the maximum media coverage that she deserved for her farewell.

Not ideal but he will have time to recover by Rd 1. Hopefully not a bad hammy

No update on Lever, or J Smith, or anyone else missing training but an immediate press release for Gawn? For an injury (if conventional) that will be healed well before round 1. I’m worried that it’s a big hammy.

I watched Max chase someone (I can't remember who) flat out for about 40 meters on the grandstand wing. The coaches applauded his effort. It was in the second half and was a huge effort. I wonder if that's what caused the tightness?

Thanks for that TK, great report and indeed a perfect day for training I would have thought.

Yes, cameras are attached to the new poles that hold up a net at each end of the paddock, and on a couple of light towers. The drone has not been used much this preseason but it is brought out occasionally. There were 4/5 assistant hovering around the computer screens under the awnings on Wednesday. The same ones that collect the gps tracking mechanisms attached to the players.

Doesn’t seem like any of our Trackwatchers were out at Casey today for the match sim. Here are some photos from the club’s socials.

Thank the Lord that the footy draws closer.

Mate, to think that Gawn and Goodwin need to be there is to diminish the roles their counterparts play in the club. Pearce and Stinear are handling it because that’s what would happen if the roles were reversed. You are tacitly saying that only the men’s team can prove the women’s teams worth by their presence and that mindset has to die a quick death. Kate Hore doesn’t need anyone standing astride her for her to be a great player and leader of our club into the future. I think you need to alter your perspective.

Otherwise a journo goes with it first and makes it sound a lot worse.

Thanks TK great report great insights and thanks all posters. TK did you see the Max Gawn injury?

20 days into the new year…………….sounds about right 😩

I’d say yes but it depends on your definition of significantly. He’s done an impressive amount of work but the photos probably over do it given how lean he is. McVee isn’t too far behind. And AMW has a new set of shoulders and arms too.

Yes. Didn't see a drone on Wed, probably not up because of rain. But have seen vision from it in the past I noticed that as well, Dazzle. Given he's not overly quick, I wonder if this is wise. I'm no sports physio, though. ANB also looking super fit with zero fat on him, like a greyhound

I like the idea but I think you need to make it free to start with and make it an attraction and then bait and switch and start charging. Not sure how you do it at an open venue like Gosch’s.

A magnificent day weather wise for training... A few snakes basking on the warm tracks perhaps On a separate note one wonders how long it will be until some bright spark at the AFL (we can make money out of anything) comes up with a plan for charging fees to attend training. Going to "spring training" in baseball is big business.

There's more to Pell's history though than that one court case. You'd be aware of that though I'm sure.

I was looking for an appropriate reply to this and somehow I now am aware that there is such a thing as a 'sexy Alien xenomorph' halloween costume.

Interesting that in his interview Tmac pointed out his senior player highlight so far is Melksham, saying he is very fit and firing to go. Would like to see Melky have a good year