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24 in the squad today. Fritsch doing his own program. He has put on a fair bit of upper-body muscle. The Sparrow and Rivers have turned up. Sparrow has very little fat, his skin folds must be near zero. Riv's has also filled out, looking strong. Unsure about Jed Adams, pulled out of the squad to do some work with the trainer, could be calf/Achilles awareness. Windsor, Tholstrup and Bowey, were pulled from the contact craft sessions. All participated in everything else. Bassett was much more vocal this time. Jones was animated and giving plenty of directions, it was Chaplin who was doing most of the work as Goody again sat back and observed. Troy was really active in making sure the forwards lead and make space. He was also instructive in the outside 50 area, making sure they get the right patterns and delivery. Petty (unhindered, body is in good shape) in the backline, as was TMac (focused on outside run). Forwards included Kentfield, JVR, Jefferson, Verrall and Sestan in the sims. AMW, has impressed me, gained plenty of confidence, side stepping them all, and tackling/pressurising well. JVR a bit rusty. Jefferson was marking well in the wet, unlike a couple of the others. Brown looks like he is only in second gear untill he gets the ball. Sestan is difficult to tackle. In the drill, a little hip swivel and a tight body turn, they fall off him, including Viney who had surprise all over his face, like grasping for the wet soap. Got a feeling they will rotate McVee through the mids.

The reason we have only won one flag in the last 60 years is soft supporters like you.

Got down to Gosch's for an hour before the rain set in. Kev has offered some excellent observations so only a few things I can add. I'm usually very positive in general about all things MFC, so excuse me if I note a few negatives on the way through. I was looking for improvement. On that scale, I was impressed with Jefferson's movement, pace and marking up forward. Roo looked good, but regularly ran to a spot on the spread (which was a focus of forward patterns) that was ignored by the incoming ball carrier. Verrall looked good in the ball movement exercises from the backline, agile and clean by hand and foot. Key backs were McDonald (who looked fit and sharp), Howes (who gathered cleanly and created change of direction), Hore (injury free and fit), Judd (Rolls Royce, who was also used further up ground), AMW (I have him in my starting 23 in 2025) & Verrall (on occasions). Woewodin looks fit and balanced with ball movement. Things that disappointed (because they were evident during 2024 season) Tholstrup occasionally gets into trouble with a fumble that allows defender to close him down and tackle. Brown sometimes holds on to it for too long, kicks under pressure and misses targets. Bowey seems in two minds with the ball, slows down flow and misses target enough to put the receiver under unnecessary pressure. Set shots, when taken, were still 50/50 proposition. Things that excited... Windsor continued on his merry way Rivers looked composed and strong (at one point he ran down Viney and tackled him to the ground in a face plant. No 7 was surprised but not impressed!). Sparrow is trim and looks to have added a little speed to his movement.

I attended some of the training today. Richo spoke to me and said not to believe what is in the media, as we will good this year. Jefferson and Kentfield looked big and strong. Petty was doing all the training. Adams looked like he was in rehab.

From my exclusive Ghostwriter: Despite the weather there were a few regular trackies there today. Training sessions have been cancelled due to the rain, so it was awesome that they not only went ahead today but didn’t modify the session. Again, it was a serious affair, no holding back. Gotta admit I didn’t see a lot of the session (folks insisted on goddamn earbashing me the entire time 🤥😁). What I can tell you is that pretty much every player now has runner’s legs, especially their calves. I took pics of such, Kat; hopefully you have enough pic allowance to post them. Another sign that an emphasis has been put on running is that they all seem much faster and have more stamina, unlike last year’s first couple of preseason sessions where there was much sucking in of air following running. Kolt was wearing #12 but I doubt it’s permanent since he chose #39 for a reason. Again no SM23 in attendance. JA26 ran laps the entire time. Seemed to be moving perfectly fine though. Fritta hit the track earlier than everyone else, as did Tmac and Vines. Pup Brown can run! And run and run and run. Blink and you miss him. Same players today as were there on Monday with the addition of Riv and Spaz. Luker is definitely bigger now as has already been mentioned, but up close… geez Louise! He’s muscle upon muscle and he’s grown in height. He’s still settling into life in Melbourne, is happy living at Geoff Porz’s along with Kolt. I told him he clearly does gym every day. He said, “I have to.” I said, “But you like it, right?” He said, “Yeah.” I said, “Be honest.” He said, “Yeah nah.” 😅 ‘Til next time, Kat 👋 xxx

From today's forward structure in some sims. Looks like they are going with a 4 man set-up. 3 marking players high up, well spaced. One leads back, one leads forward and the other towards the boundary. When the ball transitioned in, Chaplin would call "go", he wanted the energy and acceleration to his system. The fourth (Sestan) was just outside the fifty and central to the game as he became the first receiver from the mids, and became the kicker. Though they only had two defenders in there, AMW and Petty, they stuffed up a few times. Mostly they were supportive. Early on in the stuff ups, a few got serious (Turner and JVR, "basic kicks" needed) and pushed Sestan (who responded well) to get it right. There was also a flood of players (small flankers) into the area after the first entry, often into the straight out and 30 infront, which worked once the ball became a ground ball get. Tough conditions as these sims happened in the rain and wind. I hope Chaplin has an abundance of plays in his "scrap book", as the players seem to be responding to him, with clear understanding of purpose and intention. Execution on the other hand, may take time. I reckon repeat, repeat and repeat again.

Sparrow and Rivers trained today. Seston and Windsor stood out. Kentfield is a really big unit. Adam’s doing lots of running and not looking in any discomfort.

I reckon Collingwood should go with a giant C.

Have you seen another cover letter SthSea?

Verrall may surprise. He is mobile and seems well balanced at ground level. He dishes off well by hand and takes good options.

The mail is that JT is a big fan of Hotton and that a knee reco in his draft year wouldn't necessarily be a deterrent. This being said, I was told we'd draft El Hawli in the mid season.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11-13/magpies-found-with-banned-chemicals-in-system/104588336 surely the media should be all over this

Wayne, this training report is great. It's okay to have a balance of positive and negative because at the end of the day you're calling it as you see it which is all we ask for. There needs to be more of this. @kev martin and @DeeSpencer when he gets down, do this really well. The ones that are annoying the most are the million dollar reports where there's been no mistakes made and everything is all rosy and sunshine. Thanks for the report 👍

‘Wouldn’t bother turning up mate, this team is going nowhere’

Got to training today (from Tamworth) and got soaked. Was fascinating to see what they get up to. Sparrow, Viney, TMAC, and Chandler doing fast laps towards the end. Rivers and Petts doing slower laps towards the end. Met the ‘Ghostwriter’ 😊

Let's just say I've bookmarked the Drip Line chart for the MCG. https://mcg.org.au/_/media/files/mcg/general/undercover-seating.pdf

It was a matter of timing his run. I noted that he wasn't using his voice loudly enough to draw attention. He was definitely being coached on all of this after each forward thrust. The spread by Roo, Turner and Co was excellent. We have to feed Kossie and Fritta into this new dynamic... Exciting times ahead!

Adam's rib

I’m not reading much into “positions” yet as there aren’t enough for a proper sim where players can play their usual positions. It’s still a wait and see for me. Im usually not into “he’s noticeably bigger this year” as I’m not convinced you can notice that much development over 8 weeks but Verrell looks very fit and strong. Kentfield is a beast, what a bonus if he succeeds. Seston is another where his body looks more defined. I find it hard to see where he fits in but he’s got some real AFL traits. Very strong in the clinches and a great kick. His ball handling is solid. One to watch I reckon. He looks very focused this year and comfortable in the group.

Huge thanks to Kev, Ditcha, waynew…….., Katrina & Ghost writer, Hawk and all other posters, greatly appreciated so much going on at training it’s a veritable smorgasbord loving the detailed reports and snippets of info. The boys have really come back ready to roll.👍👍👍

Kentfield has a very good set shot for goal, though his marking was on and off today, especially when the rain came. Though he wasn’t alone. The one who stood out marking in the wet was Disco

yr mail has been suspect this year

Good to hear Sparrow looks in good shape. A real crossroads year for Captain Jack I reckon. After our flag, whilst i never pegged him as an out and our star, I thought he would go up a couple of levels and be a key member of the team. The roles he has been asked to play probably haven't helped, but he has really plateaued in the last couple of seasons I reckon. Hopefully he can still go up a couple of levels. If he can't he mind find himself out of the team.

Petty in the backline is what I've been waiting to hear - huge result

Monday’s plus Riv and Sparrow. That’s all.

He's 20! Just under 200cms. Well-built now! No slug on the running track! He definitely has time to improve with a little senior exposure.

Feeling a little low about not attending as well. Hope the gin house was worth it.

So sad we won't get to hear the obscure nicknames.

It’s refreshing to see some real change in method! Hopefully it continues Thanks Kev and fellow track watchers

Im loving these reports from all the watchers

McAdam has nothing to do with ANB, let’s wait and see what happens before we torch the club.🔥🔥

How utterly un-melbourne like, given our recent record with 2nd round picks. Hibberd, Melksham, Langdon anyone?

One thing I noticed at today's training that I hadn't noticed to the same degree previously... Players immediately ran off-line when they took a mark and wanted to play on. In continuous play, the receiver's first steps were to either side rather than straight ahead. I understand that players who are evasive do this instinctively, but today it seemed uniform practice to get the approaching opponent off balance.

I'd take Charlie Spargo that touches the ball 25+ times a game at pick 9

11 wins and we are basically North Melbourne.

What a contrast to Monday's weather. No rain for the first hour (though was wet), then it came tumbling down and got cold. Hardens then up and makes them concentrate on execution of skills.

Yes, great to watch games at home. Not great for crowds especially during winter. We seem to get Home games vs i/state teams at night guaranteeing small crowds. This is not good for revenue nor the 'optics' and narrative of Dees get small crowds/don't go to games. It is worth noting that the 'Big' Vic clubs generally get their Home games vs i/state teams in a mid afternoon time slot. Their Home night spots are usually for other big Vic teams. Both great for their revenues. I would like to see a fairer sharing of time slots vs i/state Home games.

Aaahhh another supporter who watches the game for mistakes, obviously spoiling their multi. If you listen to Max and I had a chat with him about it, because we have been successful, the pressure was on to repeat and players were not taking a proper break to refresh, physically we were there but mentally I think we were cooked, the impact of both the Brayshaw retirement and serious injury to Trac didn't help, hence the recommendation from the review, footy is supposed to be fun.

Watching Reid’s highlights I dispute the call that he is slow. He’s not lightning but I dont see his outside running being of concern offensively or defensively.

Best case scenario Langford and Tauru

I don't mind it myself but, as the saying goes, beauty is in the eye of the beerholder.

No way Kalani White can be happy about that logo….

Not a fan of FOS, so of it purely came down to Jagga, Draper or Langford then it's a win for us either way. Unfortunately there is no way Lalor lasts to our pick.

Cals form guide has just been released. Cal Twomey's Phantom Form Guide: Top draft prospects' November ranking - https://www.afl.com.au/news/1255008

Pick 5 would be happy with Smith or Langford . Looks like the most likely to get to our pick . At pick 9 I’m all in for Bo Allan , we missed Gus’s versatility this year and think Bo could play that role. On any given day he could play HB - in the middle or on a wing . He is big and fast , breaks lines and has good leadership potential.

Agree. Her insights were coming from a different direction to most of the track watchers , it felt a fair bit more personal, like to see them again , anyone who didn't like them didn't have to read them,

I definitely don’t think speed is the be all. Windsor, McVee, Rivers, Langdon, Chandler, Kozzy and Sharp all have decent wheels to varying degrees, so I think we will have enough foot speed in the side. I still hope we get Travaglia with pick 9 though, but all for Langford at 5

Despite being very underdone and down on confidence especially early in the year Petty was 11th in the league for contested marks. Im not against the idea of a key forward because Petty probably goes back long term but the big thing we need is to stop relying on contested marks on the wing for ball movement. Long kicks to packs down the line means you’ve failed in your ball movement. We have to study the way Brisbane spread their forwards out, move the ball in different ways and kick to isolate forward on the lead or one on one.

Everything that could possibly have gone wrong this season did go wrong. And still we only finished two games out of the 8. Finals should be the bare minimum objective next season.