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I've been to 3 or 4 sessions this year and two things are clearly evident to me: 1. The players and the coaches are really holding each other to account. Before, during and after drills there is always lots of animated discussion, finger pointing and head nodding. They obviously have very clear objectives of what they want to achieve in drills/match sim and they are not scared to have difficult conversations when needed. 2. There's a real urgency in everything that they do. Whether it's the intensity in a drill, the delivery of an instruction or the willingness to fix mistakes, everything seems to happen at a million miles an hour. I'm much more confident that the mindset of the whole club is in a better place than it was at any time during 2022.

I noticed that too when I went to training on the 9th of Jan. we lacked that last year after having it in 2021. Which I do get it, they did just win the premiership and it happens. This year we have a couple of players with points to prove/last crack at it Grundy - point to prove/at the back end of his career. Schache- last chance at it. If this doesn’t work out for him he’s career is done. Melks- Last chance Tomlinson - Last chance with us Chandler-most likely last chance with us I know last year we had a few players in the same position but I don’t think the other players were really motivated but I think they’re hungry again. Lever looks like a man on a mission and he gets really annoyed when he stuffs up and you can see it in his face he wants to make up for a mistake and that’s just at training. May is an competitive beast and hates losing Maxy looks to have found a new twinkle in his eye with Grundy’s inclusion. Tomlinson trained like a man that will not accept being in the 2’s anymore. JVR looked like a young man who knows it’s his time to shine. To me at training it was like they had last year off and they’ve missed it so much and never want to be away from footy again.. if that makes sense.

Righto, I’ve committed to making the journey to Casey tomorrow. 🤞🤞 they let me in.

Love Trac, but Lever by quite some way.

Prediction: Preseason intensity will be the 2023 version of the loading thread.

FWIW King has been on the Demons bandwagon for 18+ months. Mid season 2021 he compared the Demons to the emergence of the Cats in 2007. We won 1 flag. Let's hope we can win at least 3/5.

Lots of targets missed in the modern day circle work pre match sims. But it was pretty frenetic and there were some great passes too. Match sims: Standouts were Petracca, Viney, Pickett, Hunter, and Salem is moving like Salem of 2021. Spargo was very involved also, while Grundy got better the longer it went. He isn't a great contested mark, but he'll pluck them occasionally and he fights tooth and nail once it hits the deck. Don't write off Hibberd. He's moving well and contested strongly. Schache took one good mark. He played as the red team's alternating ruckman, along with Farris-White. Does he compete like a big man? The talent is there. Oliver looked good. He's physically looking imposing. Brayshaw played in defence. It was a ''high'' back role. After match sim the fwds, backs and mids all did extras within their own groups and Brayshaw stayed with the defenders. Of the younger brigade Woewodin was great early, Kye Turner really impressed me, Rivers is looking strong and intense, JvR kicked a couple and took one excellent mark. He turns 20 one month into the season, so he's not some skinny 18 year old who'll take a long time to contribute. He'll be good in 2023. There's something about McVee also. He's a really nice kick and has footy IQ. Disco Turner took a nice grab but had to be helped off later after a marking collision. I'm not sure if he came back on, but I don't think there was much in it. Bowey was busy. It's going to be a tough team to crack. They finished off doing 100 metre sprints, then 80 and I think 70. They were still going when I left. Some were doing it tougher than others but Sestan was doing better than I expected. Unfortunately, I barely sighted him during match sims. He found it hard to get involved. But those sessions happen, especially with a young player. And he may have got more ball than I realise. When they've got caps on, like he did, you miss things. He lined up at HF. Chandler was OK. He tries to do a bit much at times, but is clever. I can't get excited by him, but I appreciate why others expect him to get games this year. All in all it was a good session with a few of the young guys impressing. I wouldn't take much notice that a few senior guys were in red. They have to balance it out from a competitive point of view. There was plenty of good play and plenty of turnovers, but that's what happens when you play yourself and both sides know what each other is trying to do. Adams, Verrell and Burgoyne did a lot of boundary running. Jake Lever was in good spirits. He was repeatedly walking up and down the outside steel steps in front of the pavillion before heading over to a stationary bike. Once or twice he was vocal in his encouragement to those training. No doubt he'd prefer to be out there, but he was walking freely and seemed in good spirits. Gawn ran off at good speed and I didn't even suspect an injury at the time. He didn't return. We've all seen players hobble off by two trainers after bad hamstrings, so I expect it's not severe. Let's hope at worst it's a regulation hamstring with a 21 day recovery.

And so it should be, with the list in better shape than 2021. Possibly the best Melbourne team we will see in our lifetime. Hawks 3 in a row, Cats 3 in 5 years, Tigers 3 out of 4. We need more premierships to truly be considered a champion team.

Today's Age has an article on the teams needing new skippers and discusses the likely options for the 11 teams in lay. I reflected on this given the Dees aren't in the article with the great Max Gawn in charge. But then thought if he wasn't then there are some real standouts who can take on the role, most/all of whom are the equal of better than those being nominetd at other clubs needing new captains. Another indication to me of this new strength of the club to be blessed with this list. Interestingly The Age calls time on Dayne Zorko which will be a real test for Fagan IMO.

The whirlwind that was 2021 🙇‍♂️🙇‍♂️🙇‍♂️ meant that we finished the season as late as possible and in order to ‘catch up’ on pre-season fitness for 2022, most of the players kept up their training over the off-season. Throw in the premiership celebrations going well into December, there was very little down time for the group mentally. Then to show the comp respect as reigning premier, we started 10-0. This is the first genuine time that the boys have given themselves the necessary mental refresh that they need before another serious shot at a flag. It’s the mental exhaustion that trips up most teams gunning for a flag, as the long season allows fears and doubts to creep in. 2021 we were just so maniacally determined to break through, it’s like we had tunnel vision. varying factors of course will come in to play, but I give us a better chance this year mentally compared to last.

This is the reason why I reckon Viney has really improved on-field, he doesn’t have to burden himself with the captaincy. It can be a poisoned chalice to some, others the magic elixir.

Jake Lever is the obvious choice. The only issue for me is injury. Seems to get a lot of niggles that mean he is not always in full training.

I think the other question is when do we make the transition for Max to hand over the baton. It was a bit of a sour episode for Nathan Jones at the time, but I think in retrospect, most would agree that Max assuming full sole captains duties at the time he did was almost perfect. Whenever we do make the call, I'd be more in favour of going all in and naming a sole captain and vice captain. This joint captains business is a bit of a cop out in my view and it's really suggesting that you don't have full confidence in either, which could be quite undermining to their authority in the role.

Murphy's law of Demonland: Anything and everything that can be panicked about will be panicked about.

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.

I agree. He played CHF for a few games with the giants. I don't think he set the world on fire, but he's a bit small for a true CHF. He's struggled with agility and lateral movement since coming back from his knee. But is looking in great shape and seems to have trimmed down. If he can get a bit more agile, high half forward is perfect for hom. He's big enough to almost be a key position player, and not bad one on one so he'd be a tricky match up. Good field kick too, which can't hurt. A high half forward role is probably his best chance of getting a regular game in the ones. We are pretty well set for key defenders. If he were to focus on that role he'd probably be competing with melksham and Schache.

Yep. I'm not sure captaincy would suit Trac (could be wrong of course). We have plenty of options so i'd rather rather not burden him.

Jake Lever: - good player ✅ - media performer ✅ - on field leadership ✅ - age profile ✅ - would represent the club well to media and corporates ✅ Petracca ticks all these boxes as well but Lever just seems like he was born to be a captain. I wouldn’t think May would be considered due to his age and incidents.

I’d be happy with just another one if I get to see it at the G

WTF is "panels in front"??? (Am I getting too old? By the way it sure beats the alternative)

The thought of winning another Premiership within the next two seasons is juicy.

Facepalm incoming…!!!

Well I’m totally sure you struggle with having a sense of humour.

Every year we do this. The training house is always destroyed. Good thing we don’t have a dedicated home base yet…

I also went to training. They worked really hard, was a long session, and the intensity was up. So the worry about missing skills is nothing. Nobody is prefect and when working so hard with very little rest, errors will happen. In the match sim I was happy to see more efforts to switch the ball (we didn’t do much of that last year) and also trying to spot up a short 45 kick to open the ground up or get out of congestion. Stand out players for mine: Trac, Viney in the middle were too good and strong - Oliver ran well so has recovered from his illness. Grundy was really good - very positive signs. Melksham was great, missed a couple of shots but was almost BOG for mine. Fritsch also dominant and so classy. Was impressed with JvR jumping at the ball and his run ing - seemed very quick and much fitter. Kozzie also dominated with and without the ball. From the backs Salem was very classy and used then all well and I really liked the look of number 47 - I think he was Kye Turner. Other notable/impressive players: Really impressed with Woey today - first time I had seen him get so much of the ball. The reds had less possessions so they did struggle to get a lot of it - Woey, Sparrow and Jibbers were there best. Like Hunter too - used the ball well and finds/creates space. He and Langdon will be a great wing duo. I also liked the attack om the ball of some of the younger guys like Deakyn Smith/Judd McVee/Chandler Overall I was happy with what I saw - all having a red hot crack under pressure and fatigue - senior players doing well - young guys looking better and some new ball movement. GATOR’S TRAINING REPORT

Oh yeah, like this a LOT Dazzle!!

Yeah, nah. Most stuff on this forum is pure speculation. Let's all hope Max keeps playing at peak performance until he's 38, but let's face it, he's 31 now, so how much longer should we leave it until we start thinking who might succeed him? I don't think anyone here is suggesting that Max be replaced as captain this season, but I don't think it too far fetched to be asking the question about what would be our succession plan leadership wise for 2024 - 2026.

Lever is the stand-out. Viney an option as well. Reckon he has matured over the last few years and would be a good captain. Certainly leads by example. I'd leave Trac to focus on his footy (and in particular his goal kicking)

Well Red ...... it obviously depends which side of the fence it's on.

Zorko’s behaviour in several games last year was “uncaptainly”. Uncaptainish? It’s late… you know what I mean.

The most intriguing thing about that article is the phrase "panels in front". What on earth does that mean? The opposite of "panels in behind"? (which sounds painful!) 😆

Just happy we managed to get to 9 wins in 2020 and Goody kept his job for 2021

My loose thinking and evaluation of potential candidates is as follows: 1. Jack Viney - think he's really matured in his leadership style over the past few years and clearly has the respect of the playing group, but by the time he might get another crack at the top job, he's going to be close to 30 yo, so not really a pick for the future. Also proved himself to be a quality VC, so perhaps the best value he'd bring is as strong support for a new captain. Still part of me loves seeing Jack lead the team in his own right, even if it's just pinch hitting here and there when the captain is unavailable. So much lead from the front and carry the team on his shoulders like his old man as captain (as an asides, it irks me that Todd is now at North, but it's probably the right outcome and I understand it all the same); 2. Tom McDonald - has strong leadership qualities, but to old; 3. Steve May - has leadership written all over him and recon he'd make a great captain. I think he's had the rough edges knocked off him and learnt from those incidents (think we need to remember that Max hasn't always exactly been Mr. Perfect off the field), but overall, I feel similar to Viney and T Mac, age is the enemy of any formal leadership aspirations of Maysie. 4. Jake Lever - always being touted for his leadership abilities. Not something that's super obvious from the outer, but I do get where this comes from. 5. Pertracca, Brayshaw - outside of Lever, I think these guys are the next obvious options and I think it's actually a bit of a toss-up between them and Lever in some ways. Feel that Brayshaw would take the captains role in his stride, but based purely on my outsiders observations of his personality, I think it has more potential for Pertracca to mess with his head in terms of balancing his personal game / putting additional pressure on himself to perform as captain, similar to a younger Viney. 6. The developing leaders in waiting: Sparrow, Petty, Rivers, Jordon?, Bowey? Overall though agree with @Demon17 that the spread of leaders we have all over the feild places us so well. When Jordan Lewis first arrived at the club, back around 2017, a poignant observation was that the mature Hawthorn teams had coaches leaders all over the ground that could take charge mid quarter and the right make in-game decisions and directions out on the feild, but that the MFC lacked this at the time. I feel that we've now arrived at the point where Hawthorn were once at. In addition to the aformentioned who would be candidates for the top job, I feel there are also others like Salem, Hibbo, BBB, ANB, Harmes, Fritta that step up and lead at the right time, spreading the leadership around the ground.

lever is a clear on-field leader and is brilliant in the media too has 'next captain' written all over him

They’re having punch ups at Essendon. That’s intense. Culture going to a new level there. 😂

Jake Lever for me.

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.

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

All this talk of overloaded and underloaded has me whelmed.

Spargo is statistically the most effective kick inside 50 in a team that notoriously struggles with kicks inside 50. Would be great for him to do it more, but it's completely incorrect to say he adds nothing to our scoring power.

Jags 10 - Chiefs 38 Giants 27 - Eagles 32 Bills 27 - Bengals 30 Cow Pattie’s 21 - That red team 28

I had a pimple once and it took years to heal..

Huge game this weekend @layzie. Cowboys had a nice tune up against the hapless buccaneers. They’ll be dangerous opponents. 49’ers definite favourites but I think there will be just 1 score in it. Hopefully we're not relying on Brett Maher to kick the winning field goal. Worst case of yips I've ever seen from a kicker last week. Bills v Bengals should be a ripper as well. Eagles and Chiefs to win comfortably.

what did you say that wasn’t accurate? i haven’t got all day but i’ll help you out a little, you said AFLW players are lauded as amazing athletes which rarely happens in comparison to the mens. then you said they are lauded as legends and every article us the same which is so incorrect it’s not even worth expanding on. Then you say you haven’t seen her play! wow. what are you even doing on this thread? and the few articles pumping up womens footy, why do you think that is? maybe coz women have only been able to play footy for a decade whereas men have had it for over a century. and they still cop heaps of [censored] about it for no reason from insecure men

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.

100% agree. Her special comments in the 2021 finals series were very informative (picking up on May’s hamstring issues as one example that comes to mind). When it comes to providing comments during actual games on tactics or analytics, in my opinion, at the moment she would be one of the best if not the best. I would like to think that I am not at all influenced by the fact that she is associated with Melbourne or a female. She is just very good! As an aside, I used to ‘love to hate’ Mathew Richardson as a player but actually was quite impressed with how went as a commentator after he retired from playing.

Daisy is just incredible, insightful, considered, empathetic, a terrific leader and modest. Hearing her talk to Gerard Whateley who is also very considered, was always a delight, I’d almost go Daisy for PM! 😃 Hopefully she comes back to the Demons before too long!