Leaderboard

They're looking great. Drills fast and clean, all are boisterous and going. TMac, L.Bailey and D.Turner in the squad. Fritta is doing his own program away from the others. Chandler has light strapping above his left knee. He is moving unrestricted. They've had a few gather rounds, group talking, etcetera. The ball movement when going from backline to forwards was beautiful. Finished with goal kicking and talls doing some marking and the small backs having a discussion with Chaplin. Sparg's and Petty doing some run throughs over on the soccer pitch. Petty went over and had a chat with the squad and Chandler training. The squad spent about 50 minutes out there.

This is my favourite moment from the grand final celebrations. Hibbo had lost his brother in 2020, and I lost mine that year too. In that moment I felt like he was celebrating for everyone who didn’t make it. He just took the cup and was off! Makes me laugh, and brings a tear to my eye, every time I see it.

https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/1317507/neal-bullen-signs-three-year-deal

I hope he stays with us for all the reasons already mentioned. Also because the cheer squad wouldn’t be the same without Shazza, his mum. She’s a legend. Nonstop energy. It’s funny, she screams out “Nibba” or “Nibs” but when he messes up she changes to “Alex” as in, “Oh Alex, what was THAT?!"

He'll be a Melbourne premiership player forever.

Has re-signed for 3 more.

For those with a spare arvo before tomorrow night’s game, Kynan is playing VAFA B grade footy at Como Park at 2.00 for the Ogs (who his old man coaches) v Fitzroy. Will report back post game.

The spontaneity was the thing I loved about this. You knew you were looking at a man who was charged with emotion, it was almost palpable. THBT, you and I have talked about having lost a brother way too soon, and I too felt that connection at that moment. 💕 As for being funny: how bloody fast did he run?! I reckon he ran faster than most players do during a match, AND while carrying the none too light Premiership Cup! 😁 Related: I absolutely LOVE these threads that randomly pop up where we can laud a particular player, not because he’s playing a milestone game, for example, but simply because we love him.

4 years ago I never wanted the ball in his hands. I thought him a shanker and a momentum killer and would have been glad to trade or delist. Glad I don't make list decisions because he trained hard, developed well and is an integral piece of the Dees Goodwin-footy. He runs both ways, has a team first attitude, has improved his skills each year and is now more than reliable. Not perfect, and not an A grader but an experienced, steady, composed, team man whose defensive work is epic, and he knows how to kick a goal when the chance comes his way. Also, it was when he kicked his goal in the last quarter of the 2021 GF, that I turned to my daughter and said "I think we've got it".

Special CHB training?

Huge out. He’s been one of the best mids in the league that past 12 months or so. We should have more of an advantage around the contest.

We certainly got a lot more than we expected with Michael Hibberd he has endeared himself with Dee supporters, unassuming even humble but what a great Premiership player he has turned out to be, still can’t get over how good and how tough Hibbo is, would love to see him play his 200th game this year.

Good luck Josh Schache, try and enjoy your first game in the Red & Blue at the G. Stay in the moment work hard, beat your man, kick a couple and open up the forward line for Fritta, JVR and Kozzie and hopefully stay in the team.!!!!!

The term for this week's prepping (according to Brenton Sanderson) is 'Active Rest' apparently. So hyberbaric chamber for those with corkies / bruised up pretty bad, ice baths, physio, massages, down the coast for a dip for some etc. The idea is to stay moving or rehabing without much emphasis on big sessions on the training track. While you obviously have to put a session into the mix (a la this morning) that session is very targeted towards selective players and most likely tightly controlled / governed by the HP team in conjunction with the player/s of course. Probably light on with the contact drills as well. The above is what i picked up from Sanderson ...obviously every club/team/HP team does things slightly differently.

Yes the forward line hasn’t been settled and is a work in progress, BUT it has been effective. Second most points scored at an average of 105 points per game. So my suggestion is don’t panic and enjoy the journey as we continue to discover our best forward mix while still putting points on the board.

I think Schache will go alright if the training track is any indication. He was leading well to the forward deliveries. Those that didn't quite make it to him he was able to mop up. A kick to below his knee, marked it. The one that went to wide, he got one hand to it and paddled, then from the boundary, rolled it through. The easy ones, with some angled leads, no problem marking and finishing. He'll be an interesting inclusion. Looks fit, strong and appears to want to impact. How will he go, when he has opponents?

I would like Kossie to get back to his attacking and defensive best. Today at training it was Goody who was giving him plenty of talk and emotions. At one stage he gathered him in with an arm across his shoulders and held him there for a good minute, whispering sweet plenties.

That photo must be doctored. It appears to show Charlie Spargo smiling.

Absolutely no need to apologise. I think I speak for all of us when I say we love your work.

Strangely enough, he played his 'best' football for Essendon, but he has played his 'most valuable' football for us. Could easily have retired at the end of any of the last four seasons and nobody would have thought it was too early. He's smart, persistent and role-focused. Those things don't decline with age.

I really dislike teams booing Horne Francis, it makes no sense

IN Buntine Duursma Laurie, Melksham J Smith White OUT Edwards Grey Neocleous Simpson Shepherd Valentine

Was an all-Australian at the dees.

Not sure if anything I do as a poster influences game day. Perhaps you mean the club. So much happens behind closed doors, and I suspect there is not much difference between clubs. Though, those subtle differences have an impact. My main impact is to boost entertainment value in the build up, offer some degree of speculation, and of course give some perspective for those who don't/can't attend trainings. Best way we can help optimise our chances on game day, is large crowds and the associated noise. Go Dees.

Oliver not wearing his Superman gear but in disguise?

Well, if he can find good parking near Hardware Lane he will at least have proven he's developed a bit of mongrel competitiveness! Personally, I'm setting my Schache expectations at; kicking a goal, getting a bundle of long-lead marks to help us link up as we move the ball, and having a really good view as Van Rooyen feasts on the 1-on-1 contests created by the faster ball movement and extra space created by Schache's unselfish team-oriented play.

He came to us under a cloud and with much supporter reluctance. We all make mistakes... ( as opposed to those that conspired ... ) He certainly embraced the new opportunity. He has earnt his Trident. I wish him well. Hope he still has a very good season. A stalwart down back. Well done

He was in the same draft as Oliver. In fact both teammates and close friends at the Murray Bushrangers. I've always been a bit bias on Schache just from dealing with him back then. Some people forget that during his draft year he was rated the best key forward in his draft year by a fair mile ahead of the likes of Charlie Curnow, Harry McKay and Eric Hipwood. So the talent is definitely there. Being at Brisbane at a time where they were one of the worst teams going around didn't help his development. Then having to go to the doggies where he's had no continuity due to form, injuries and Bevo being an odd unit hasn't helped either. If it was me I'd give Schache 5 games in a row at AFL level to see how whether he's up to it and just advise him that they have zero expectations, but also just wanting him to compete hard each game.

Won't happen. 1. Clubs at the bottom don't give up No 1 pick....it enables them to showcase themselves and their sponsors. You don't get the coverage for pick 3, 4. 5 etc. 2. We are facing our own cliff in a short period of time. Gawn (32), May (31), TMac (31 ), Viney (29), BBB (31), Hibberd (33), Salem (28), Grundy (29). This will in all likelihood be our only chance to select multiple top end talents at the draft, until these players retire. One player alone at pick 1 does not produce Premiership success, you need multiple top end players close in age, as we have already proven.

I’ve been waiting for this combination to try out with JVR, Schache and Fritsch. I think it’s the perfect balance and very mobile , let’s hope it bears fruit.

Ooh, a game! I hope he kicks ... a hundred goals! (Thinks: checkmate!)

Not a lot of love for Josh’s debut for the red & the blue. A return of 3 & 4 goals in his only outings for Casey has me optimistic on a strong showing against the Kangas. Good luck Josh - 3rd time lucky

We might have booked Scully but the rest of the comp didn't. It's bloody stupid unless you're north supporters.

Well done Alex Neal -Bullen and MFC great result for our mighty club.!!!

No mucking around for this bloke's services, and i too think he has a coach's future..

i've seen worse-on-paper mfc sides than that over the years

Think that's my fav moment from the post flag celebrations... This nb also... A true professional in every sense of the word from the time he arrived. Even at Casey on occasions his intent, hunt and attack at oppo & the pill is full on. What a great example for those around him down there. Coaches must enjoy having him on board. Very understated fella. No fuss. Gotta love Hibbo.

Thanks Kev and all posters I really love the way we go about it to optimise our chances.!!!

Fritsch was working fairly hard with the trainer. Mainly doing ball work and movement in a 10 X 10 meter area. There was no obvious gait related problem.

GWS a shoe-in to beat the Swans now that Toby Bedford is playing. Best wishes for his first game for them.

I don't think he is being punished, he is being allowed time to manage a back injury and when he's ready he'll back in the 22. I also agree he is probably our best option when fully fit but we know what it looks like when we have an unfit BB in the forward line, it ain't pretty.

Given our relative lack of list spots I can see us trading up for a top 5 pick plus a top 10 pick but it may take several pick swaps with different clubs to get them.

Good luck to the lad. Weids is playing like a man at the bombers so I have hope Shaq will reinvent himself too. Who would have thought we'd line up without Ben Brown or Tmac in the F50 without injuries being an issue. I'm stoked that the FD are taking a look at the whole squad and aren't scarred to mix things up.

Thanks mate, I bugged out and am currently ‘live’ in Abidjan, Cote de Ivorie, working remotely on Sudan. I notice you reside in Fitzroy, my spiritual home, used to love walking to the G when I lived there with one of the Mario’s from the cafe, who is also a Demon tragic, then a beer at the Napier after the match.

Harley Reid is available to line up for Carlton in his first VFL match this weekend due to his Coates League team having a bye. Let’s see how he performs for the Blues. Also, Zane Duursma could be in the Casey Demons lineup to play Box Hill Hawks at Wonthaggi on Sunday.

I hope he kicks 5 goals.

Just a quick good luck to Toby Bedford, will debut for the Giants this week.