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Rehab: TMac (only because he played a full 3/4 match length yesterday), Lever, Brown, Spargo, Melksham, AMW, Woey, Smith, Hibberd, Nibbler, Howes All rehab doing work such as weights, rowing machine, medicine ball etc Missing: Kozzy (on leave for funeral), Lachie Hunter (Concussion - ran into Hibbo during match sim and broke nose - mandatory 12 days off) Rest of the Group Running up hills in Yarra Park as they do every Saturday (venue changes).

I also believe Clarry’s thumb is fine and it was his finger that gave him issues recently. Totally separate to the thumb surgery. He participated fully in the intense match SIM on Friday sans the fluoro yellow hat of shame.

Could be a bit disconcerting. The training's intensity has been high, they have been going at each other, not recklessly but with some fervour, that have left a few with niggles. They want them tough and ready for battle. Good to see plenty of changes in our approach. Structurally (not too much breaking into fwd, back and mid groups, more specific instructions with goal kicking, more time in sims, greater emphasis on the computer analysis with more people hovering over more screens), types of drills (more kaos and complexity), intensity, increased amount of noise (more regularly and louder than other seasons), assisting and instructing each other (often see them one on one, talking and/or drilling), making a highly competitive environment (many activities seem to be them against us, and they are always pushing each other to go stronger/better/smarter), taking a knee and talking as a group near the end of each sessions (I imagine they discuss the purpose/intention/outcomes and air any other business), running programs at the end and not the beginning of the session. It will be interesting to see what this strategy and our long list can produce, especially in the last rounds and possibly finals. Go Dees. Hoping we don't wear them out, though they have bought into the process and our culture appears strong.

Correction. Lachie Hunter’s concussion was as a result of a collision with Max‘s boot whilst smothering a snap for goal during Wednesday‘s session.

They are leaving no stone unturned to get back to where they know they have to be to get another crack at a Granny.!!!!

I just want the season to start already!

Good, has Elliot Yeo vibes

Word is Rivers played a bit in the midfield.

TRAINING REPORT FRIDAY 10/2/2023 Disclaimer.. The published content refers to the latest incantation of the Addams family franchise WEDNESDAY available on Netflix ( A cracker of a show) It contains fictional characters who may or may not be living ( Nor Dead or Undead) They're creepy and they're kooky, Mysterious and spooky, They're altogether ooky, The Addams Family. Their house is a museum When people come to see 'em They really are a scream The Addams Family. [snap twice] (Neat) [snap twice] (Sweet) [snap twice] (Petite) So get a witch's shawl on A broomstick you can crawl on We're gonna pay a call on The Addams Family. … Good afternoon Demonlanders welcome to another installment of Demonland’s training reports! Beautiful Day in sunny Downtown Casey Fields home to rattle snakes, Black Mamba's, Daleks, Yeti's, a Million biting Crawling insects, and the worst of the lot - Ex Mothers in Law!!! First a very strange sign seen to day about a hidden warning which I have not seen here ever! Any way on with the report (All of a Sudden, A Hand wraps around my face, it is Clamy, Cold and Wet complete with a rancid smell) I'm in a Panic till I hear THING LEAVE PICKET FENCE ALONE , YOU KNOW HE HATES SURPRISES. P.F ( Expleteive Deleted) Wednesday?? Thing what the Hell?? W (Hello God father P.F it is tragic to see you again, you look pretty good considering! P.F Wednesday Addams (Old family greeting ensues which is the reverse Indian Death Lock ( Also being performed currently by The Indian Cricket Team on the hapless Aussies) What are you doing here Girl you look as Ghastly, Morbid and Rigoured than ever!! W Thanks for the Complement Fence! P.F Thing how are you you look more gruesome than ever as well! Thing ( Makes O.K Sign) W Well Father and Mother (Gomez and Morticia Got a email from Grandma Frump that a 6th Cousin was drafted bu the Demons Football team his name is Jed Adams number 26 and they asked me to go and check it out! P.F Well Wednesday you have come to the right place they train right here and I'm about to do a training report why dont you come and watch?? W No thanks Fence Thing and I would rather look for some Black Widow spiders, Snakes and other creatures for Grandma to stew. How long will you be here? P.F About 2 Hours ! W 2 Hours well ok but we start filming for the second netflix series in an hour and so I have to get my makeup on! P.F Looks like you already have got it on, Pale Flesh, Sunken Eyes, Evil Black mascara and Lipstick! W Again P.F Your complements almost make me blush, if I had any blood in my veins. P.F OK Wednesday, Thing go enjoy yourselves, see you soon! Now where was I??? Oh yes Training report Arrived at 10.00 Just in time to see start of 4 Quarter Match Simulations. INJURIES REHAB AND NO SHOWS No show Didnt see Lachy Hunter at all out there also Didn't see Melky and Salem or Kozzy … REHAB GROUP Andy Moniz Wakefield, Joel Smith ( Although he doesn't look far off) and Will Verall (Jake Lever, and Hibbo and Clarry ALL JOINED IN MATCH SIM but Jake and Hibbo were on Bikes after about 3 Quarters PLAYER WATCH AND HIGHLIGHTS 1 BEN BROWN He is in career best form at the moment and he marked strongly in contests and on the lead. Must have kicked 5 or so goals for the blues and was opposed to either HARRISON PETTY and on occasions STEVEN MAY. look set for a bumper season and has all but cemented a place in the 1st Round. 2 CLAYTON OLIVER Showed NO signs of his thumb injury, was creative, brilliant and at his destructive best opening up play exhilarating runs and brillant ball use .Just Sublime 3 JACOB VAN ROOYEN Nearly I say Nearly has arrived. Playing in the White team looks like he belongs and was very strong in the air and a dead eye kick for goal, Played very well and I cannot see how he misses out. Having said that TOM MC DONALD was a perfect foil for BEN BROWN and he too looked menacing and dangerous with his up and down the ground gut running. 4 DEAKYN SMITH, was brilliant off half back, he had a few opponents but the way he glides over the turf, reads the ball incredibly well and provides great run and carry. I beleive he would be looking very good for an early season call up. 5 TRAC was Tracc and he and JACK VINEY were indefatigable and as robust as a Jar of Bovril with one teaspoon of hot water added. Just cannot be stopped. 6 JAMES HARMES and ANB were as Busy as a one legged man in a Bum Kicking competition. They add more than icing on the cake they are the cake and very rich ones indeed and part of a potent revolving mid and half forward mix. 7 MAX GAWN VS BRODIE GRUNDY This was facinating to say the least Both played a Ruck Roving around the ground role when they weren't rucking with a Licence to roam far and wide ( Well thats how it looked to me) Max probably shaded Brodie in the ruck and around the ground , BUT Grundy did some nice things that brought many into the play. These guys will be weapons! If they play the same role as today Clubs will almost have to sacrifice a running tall Cyberman type to keep up with them as both have amazing fitness! 8 JAKE BOWEY Just mops up time and time again. Disposal never falters and seems a lock for round 1 9 ED LANGDON just Runs and Runs and sets up play with ability to be in the right position perrenially 10 MOOSE MUNRO yep thats right, the Moose played in the white team and picked up numerous good possesions and kicked a great goal, Think he was just making up numbers but gee would not be the worst idea if a spot opened up HIGHLIGHTS REEL 1 Ben Brown marked 60 out, looked to have a shot, but ran around the man on the mark and bullet passed it to Ed Langdon for a Goal 2 James Harmes 1, 2,3, 4 bounces around wing /pocket no options hemmed in and drilled a goal from the acutest of angles 30 out 3 Matt Jefferson Quiet for the day but late in game took a strong contested mark 50 out on an angle and Kicked Truly OTHER OBSERVATIONS If Burgoyne is no 33 Didnt notice him a lot in Match Sim.Bailey Laurie some Cameos, Luke Dunstan Ditto, Kade Chandler same. Thats about it ah here is Wednesday and Thing with what looks like plenty of slitheras and assorted other nasties to keep Grandma Happy. W One other thing Fence, Uncle Fester wants to know if you want more of that Home Brewed Scotch that tastes to me like Embalming Fluid.? P.F Yeah tell him to put me down for another Dozen. W Yes the same stuff is like paint varnish. P.F Yes Wednesday my young Ghoul, but remember behind every great varnish is a wonderful FINISH!!!! particularly if applied liberally to a FENCE! Cheers P.F

Jonty Ralphsmith who covers local suburban football reports that there were a few other Casey Demons players who took part in Melbourne’s match simulation on Friday including Ziggy Toledo-Glasman, the key forward from the Dandenong Stingrays who at one stage last year was considered a draft Smokey. ZTG was playing in defence and at one stage was matched up on Josh Schache. He will this year likely split his time between Casey and Dandy Stingrays as an overager.

Joking aside, I don't think it is loading. I believe it is a change to their approach. The effects will be a ruthless side, who won't be just going through their paces in matches. I think we will get 4 quarters of effort and their best footy, each game. No more softness and giving the other a chance. They are working on their attitudes and mentality. Loading is about the total physical parameters. Which are also occurring. They will be match ready and will build their season. All just my opinion, based on observations and interpretations.

Don’t think I’ll ever forget a player that was involved in the first premiership I’ve seen, even if they pizz off to another club.

There is no way of knowing what May's $ will be. Generally the club has been very fair in its player remuneration and that May has not dragged out the negotiations suggests both parties are happy. I guess that is all that counts. With Kozzie, from news reports his reasons for leaving are about where he wants to live. There hasn't been much on the $ side of it. I would be surprised if the club were to under value him $ wise. Having said that he seems set for a stellar year which would make his value go up. I'm confident the club will find the money if that becomes the deal breaker. All that aside, Kozzie seems a really decent guy and would not forget the support and trust the club has put in him when facing challenges. That may not be enough to keep him but it would be in his thinking.

That’s my understanding. I assume he is one of a number of 2nd string players, for want of a better word that can rotate through the midfield.

I believe most of them played in the match SIM and therefore those that have recently been in some type of rehab were effectively given this session off. It’s not panic stations.

A few kgs? From his face? I had no idea his face was that fat.

Good to hear! And being from Doveton he should have the necessary amount of mongrel too!

When one on one, his defensive skills are more get the ball first. When he is "on", he is a player that can attract the ball too himself and outmanoeuvres his opponent. I've seen him burn both Sparg's and Chandler. He is a more of a Jetta type player, who would take the fast dangerous, crumbing forward, though match him for pace and guile, more than body him away from the contest. He is competitive and fast. Bowey is probably picked before him. Create consistency in his game at Casey, improve the tackling skills, keep building strength, and if he take his chance when a position pops ups, you never know. He is not too far away. Could see D.Smith match up ok on Bolton types (Richmond small) or the motorbike one from Briissy.

I think you’ll find that he has 2 AA blazers. that entrecôte [censored] was was a storm in a tea cup.

Training reports from Pickett and others about Deakyn Smith have me excited, but I’m the first to admit that I know very little about him. From reports he seems to be a smooth moving defender with good skills, who reads the play well, but that’s about it. How good are his defensive skills one-on-one (?), who on our list might he challenge for a senior berth (?), who on our list or others does he remind our track watchers of (?), could he play a Nev Jetta or Hibbo role (?). I’m really intrigued. Thanks for any insights.

Seems you’re not the only one who thinks so, NC. I sent pics I had taken with some of our players this morning to my sons. This exchange between two of them… 🤣

Are you sure you didn't sleep in the park WCW ?

I thinks it’s the just the 2 that have been announced. From what I’ve heard the St Kilda one might be 6 periods and the Richmond game will be closer to normal match conditions.

Hate to be the bearer of bad news but losing a player like Kozzy, at this stage of his career, will never work out in our favour. He's more irreplacable than Jackson. Anyway, you should know this already given your user name!

Nah, would rather keep Kozzie every day of the week. Plus who gives us that draft hand? Not Port.

Great re signing !!!!!! After the one ( so far) training session I've attended this year , I named May as my stand out contributor for the session. He looked to me like a man with a lot of footy left in him!

And he should have won goal of the year in 2021 for his phenomenal goal against st Kilda. Absolute ripper

B!00dy good thing if true. 2021 we were ferocious with very little drop off within games and week to week. Last year there were many a time where we were up by 20-30ish points and we’d simply turn off. Need that killer instinct back, pronto.

Well I think I am outvoted, so everyone please indulge in gratuitous flattery, you wonderful, beautiful people.

yep, and a xavier and yannos

If @Wodjathefirst gets taken away by the MCG officials or the police for making too much noise in the Tridents seating area, I trust you rest of you will chant "Welease Wodja!".

Buddy says " That's it!. I'm retiring at end of year. No way am I playing on Steven May for a further two years. Luckily I only have one more game to play on him" Wonderful news. 3 more years of wonderful backline leadership form May and Lever for our premiership standard defence.

Good series of questions that apply to nearly all of our potential team given the depth of player options for selectors at the current moment. Amongst the newbies, still untried, I can see reflections of past greats and reliable winners; ain't it great to in this position? Amongst our improving players recruited in the past couple of years, more than a handful of them are starting to set precedents of readiness and that is what is going to be so exciting about the '23 season, for me. It really is intriguing across the board, making hopeful questions of up-coming success and sustained competitive strengths more realistic than ever.

Great news that the club thinks he has another 3 years in him. So dominant in the finals last year. Best FB I have ever seen in the red and blue.

I wish people would stop saying Casey facilities are as good as others in the AFL. https://edgearchitectural.com.au/projects/casey-fields-melbourne-football-club-aflw-upgrade/ The last upgrade was to provide an indoor facility was for the AFLW and VFLW sides. The mens side have purloined it, but it wasn't built for them. It is about half the size of Essendons indoor faciliity. The ground has a great surface, but where is the weights room, the physio facilities, the recovery pools? As for the admin, I would suggest you take time to visit the club in the MCG one day. You might be able to locate them buried near the top of the southern stand, but it isn't one office. They are spread along various cubby holes througout the G, that most office workers would cringe at. I would also suggest those who think what we have is sufficient, to go and actually look at what others have. We haven't progressed much beyond the days of the Junction oval. Instead of comparing what the Bulldogs have got, compare what WCE, Geelong, Sydney, Hawthorn, Collingwood have got. They not only win premierships, but appear in finals year after year after year, because their players and staff and admin have the best environment to thrive.

Having a mini meltdown right now. No one I know is up this early on a Saturday so please humour me DL. I’m outside the ‘G sitting on a bench passing time coz early for a player sponsor function where I’ll get to chat with Langers and Fritta (the real Langers and Fritta, not my chooks) and this enormous excited dog came bounding towards me with a sopping wet tennis ball in his mouth and long story short now I’m covered in dog-slobber and muddy water!!! I’ve used the entire contents of my water bottle trying to remove the mud and now I look like I’ve wet myself. 😭😭😭

Pondering my possible response: ignore the post: too late now! post what I'm thinking : you should be so lucky!!! take back my comment about feeling sorry for you...definitely!

' #15 maestro ' sums up Stan to perfection. I'd always thought that it was highly unlikely to see another exponent of that quality - perhaps there is a chance of that recurring once again. Let it be.......

The Sydney Swans are showing off their brand new Home Base in this Tik-Tok video. Here is the link: https://vt.tiktok.com/ZS8P9eSFT/ I think it's only fair and reasonable to ask the Melbourne Football Club Board as to the progress of our own Home Base as promised in the Strategic Plan 2020-2023.

Thanks for the reports fellas. Appreciated.👏

Some sort of year from Kozz. It's why you love footy. Thank you

Stan would LURVE hearing this!!!🤩

Can only go by his face but looks like he’s dropped a few kg’s.

On a very small sample so far but the way Deakyn moves is reminiscent TMM of Stan Alves in his pomp. Particularly his ability to weave in traffic with baulks and dummies. In a Casey game last season he attempted this outrageous blind turn on a sixpence absolute twinkle toes. Something that is very rarely seen today in football. If he can master just half the evasive skills of the #15 maestro he will be on his way.

Great news for the club. He’s an elite key defender at the height of his powers. His game against Buddy in the first final was possibly the best I’ve ever seen from a key defender. He embarrassed a legend of the sport and made him look like an absolute second rate spud. Was incredible. May will be key to another flag if we win another one during our window.

Over 30 metres May would still be faster than 90% of the list. He should easily have 2025 covered if the mind is willing. At the end of 2025 he'll be 7 months younger than Tom Hawkins is now.

I am happy to admit I didn’t see the ability he has from the videos pre his drafting. JT has done it again.

The new changerooms at Casey Fields, which received $5 million in funding from the State Government, feature personalised lockers, aquatic recovery pool, team address room, warm up space and a massage area. A new canteen has also been installed so supporters can have a more enjoyable experience as they watch the Demons play. Opening later this year will be a new state of the art gymnasium and indoor training facility at Casey Fields to complement the new changerooms. They upgraded the change rooms with recovery pools before the big upgrade which also contains a purpose built gym. The indoor area is plenty big enough for craft work and warm ups. Training should be outdoors unless there’s lightning or freak weather events. Casey has everything you need for training, as does AAMI really, it’s just cramped and shared. Of course we should try to get the entire club together in one purpose built venue. Although many jobs working in admin for an AFL clubs are perfectly suited to partial if not nearly full work from home jobs. A bunch of spare rooms in the southern stand isn’t ideal. But the idea that afl clubs will need huge office spaces isn’t true and some clubs are probably now stuck with a bunch of desks they won’t use. You’d probably cut half the office space if you’re building now compared with 2019.