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Ghostwriter report - Hey Katness, Some tidbits… Tom Campbell finally has his kit. Doesn’t know his jumper number yet. Incidentally, he’s 6ft7 (204cm)!!! Selwyn takes perverse pleasure in making the boys run… A LOT (his words not mine, and said with a smile and a wink as in joking but at the same time totally not joking). Tmac didn’t train on Monday because he was sick as a dog. He became unwell on Friday and was put on antibiotics. He was much improved by Monday but they advised against training because he’d lost a significant amount of weight. He weighed himself before and after today’s session as ordered by Peter, the head physio, who needs to insure he’s re-gained what he lost. Tmac’s baby girl is due around Xmas time but he’s sure she’ll come earlier than that because she’s “tracking well ahead of time.” Such a footy player way to put it. 😁 Goody said Jeffo to definitely debut early in the season. Sesto still a while off since he’s not quite ready yet, but is close. Sesto’s hammy nothing to worry about, they’re just being super cautious. Roo likes being described as having a bit of mongrel but he doesn’t think he has and hopes to develop it. Despite being listed as 195cm on the MFC website, Jeffo is actually 197cm. All-time favourite songs: Jeffo- Thunderstruck, AC/DC Bill Laurie- Californication, RHCP Marty Hore- You Were Right, Rufus Roo- (needs more time to think but for now) Black Betty Pup Brown- any and everything Drake Will V- Back In Black, AC/DC Future training (at this stage)… This Friday Gosch’s 10am-midday Next week Mansfield The following week beginning Monday 2nd December Gosch’s on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays with the final session on Weds 18th December. Post-Xmas training begins on either the 7th or the 14th of January (yet to be announced). Note: no training at Casey Fields for now because the surface is being worked on. That is all 👍🏽

Clarry is miles ahead of post-Christmas, opening of 2024 season. Fitter, Lighter looking (more muscle) and happier by comparison. He has the opportunity to reach his own peak fitness (2021) before round 1. Is on track!

Played footy with a bloke currently a trainer with gippy power. And I quote "Going to be a star! Great player, better person."

Some individual observations. Due to some of the drills being on the other side of the ground I didn't get to eyeball everyone for the whole session. JVR - Great set of hands. Gets into good position for one on one marking drills and uses his body well. Uses the ball well in general play. A bit more vocal every preseason. Judd McVee - just oozes class with ball in hand. Trains like he plays. Very professional. Kid is a gem. Windsor - Classy, evasive, fast Viney - First one on the track, last one to leave. Hard nut. Tackles hard. Hard to tackle. Leads by example. Doesn't need to be there yet. Wouldn't be anywhere else. Lever - obviously getting over a niggle. Not far off returning to full training once the full squad is back. Otherwise looks in good nick. Spargo - heard that they are being cautious with his return but doesn't look like it will be before Christmas but that is just a guess. Didn't do anything other than stationary warmup stuff with the footy. Not running at the moment. Oliver - Physically in much better condition than in the preseason last season. Has trimmed down. Looks to be in good spirits and doesn't appear to be in discomfort with ball in hand or with tackling which seemed to be a problem during the season this year. Looks to be back to some of his best work in gathering and dishing off the footy. Good signs. Laurie - like every preseason I barely notice him so there is nothing much I can report on at this stage. Bowey - the best user of the ball in the team at the moment. After a disappointing season with injury and form I am very bullish about Jake for season 2025. Jefferson - does appear to have filled out a little bit. Has a good pair of hands and uses the ball well. Can find the big sticks. Will be interesting to see what he can do this year. Could be anything. Howes - also seems to have filled out a little bit. Is currently in the rehab group with a little niggle but doesn't seem far off from returning to the main group. In previous sessions this preseason before rehab he was one of the standouts. Should return to the seniors this year. Rivers - Great to see him out on the track from day one with the 1st to 4th years. Future leader of the club. TMac - Also good to see TMac out with the rookies. First preseason I can remember that he is out on the park in boots. Still has more to give the club in what could be his last season. Looks fit and is moving well. Adams - Like others I often confuse him with Petty. The resemblance is uncanny. Not sure how close he is to a debut but spots in a defence are scarce and he is good depth to have. Hore - will not die wondering whether he gave it his all. Looks in good nick. Petty - has been training with the defenders but as I mused the other day I am not sure whether it is due to lack of senior defenders at this early stage of the preseason. We will get a better picture in the new year. Looks in good nick and is not rehabing. Was in a moon boot at this stage last season I think so it will be great for him to get a full preseason under his belt. Tholstrup - Very vocal, hard as nails. Looks like he is loving being out there. Good user of the footy. Looks like he will be wearing #12 this season. Woey & Brown - Like Laurie I didn't really notice either of them. Like what I see from both of them but I'm not overly bullish on either of them as more than depth. Happy to be very wrong. Turner - one of the standouts of this preseason for mine. Excellent pair of hands. Has definitely filled out. Attacks the ball with ferocity and uses it well. Looking forward to him taking his game to the next level. Kentfield - A big unit. Needs to work on his fitness but this is his first full preseason at the level. Will be a fixture at Casey so hopefully he hones his craft there. Is a long way off at the moment. AMW - Another stand out. Attacks the ball and the man fiercely. Tackles hard and rarely looses a one on one when the ball hits the deck. Should be a more permanent fixture in the ones this season.

Xavier Lindsay Captain of Gippsland Power won the B&F for Coates League couple that with Harvey Langford VC and Lark Medalist, we are indeed getting a couple of young elite players with leadership potential.

Call it co-incidence if you like but today happens to be Alan Johnson's 68th birthday. Alan was the first player drafted in the very first annual national draft held by the then Victorian Football League in 1981. Recruited from Perth WA and renowned for his courage, he made his debut in the opening round of 1982 as a wingman and excelled in both that position and later in a back pocket. Johnson won the Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Medal as the club's best and fairest player in his second season and again in 1989 when he was named in the VFL Team of the Year. He played in the Demons' 1988 VFL Grand Final and retired at the end of 1990 after 135 games (95 goals). He was made an MFC Hall of Famer in 2013. His son Chris, also played for the club from 2004-8. Happy Birthday Alan Johnson! Back in 1981, each of the 12 VFL clubs had two selections at the draft. Melbourne's other selection was Port Adelaide SANFL full back Danny Hughes, another 'Bluey' winner (1985) who was All-Australian in 1988 and who also played in the Grand Final that year. Two great servants of the club recruited in the first ever national draft - here's hoping that by the end of the night, we will have seen the advent of two players who with careers of at least the same quality as our two inaugural draftees.

Great day for it. The drills were done at a high skill level. The boisterous vocals continued, as was the running to the sheds side when the drills/sims finished. The drills seemed to emphasise handball, tackling and fighting through the tackle, working in crowded areas, and releasing the receiver into space. The sims had a very compressed field, forcing them into short kicking and defending those short kicks. Looks like we are going to use a high press at times. Goody was giving regular instructions about how he wants them to defend those short hit ups. A bit of zoning the centre and quick close down, if the ball is delivered to the boundary side. AMW is training well ground balls tackling positioning. Bowey is starring. Rivers is building. Verrall is making a few mistakes when rushed, though never two in a row as he continues to learn. Hore must be a chance for the big dance. Chaplin, was instructing JVR with his leading patterns and body work to create separation. Troy was happy with what he was creating. Jefferson was getting some explosive leads happening. McVee is hitting his straps, lovely mover and delivery. Turner is impressive, he has a bit of X-factor happening. Laurie is having a mass of involvement. Getting to many contests. Windsor was a touch low key. Kentfield has the occasional fumble, though showing some agility at the ground ball. Woey is a bit inconsistent with the disposals, he is looking strong and big. Tholstrup working on getting separation and moving off the defenders blind side. Brown looking a bit bigger, moving well and getting plenty of involvement. Oliver is going about second gear, having to work with plenty of pressure and minimal space, that's what Viney puts onto him when they match up (got away from him a few times). Had a chat to Richardson about tonight's draft. He reckons they usually know what the other clubs are probably going do. Tonight they are relying on hope, as they are unsure who will go where, but are very happy to be getting the two high picks.

Could not be more thrilled with the outcome, we've just picked up 2 absolute stars, consistent players, classy left foot kicks and both great character and leadership. Well done MFC

A pleasant day at training, for me that is, not the players who were working hard and with some aggro i might add. Some of the tackles lasted somewhat long. Viney first out having shots on goal. I reckon heaven for Viney would be footy all year round. Campbell has his team strip and was running the boundary. Also did that strengthening exercise where the trainers lies on top of you and you have to get up. Then they swap over. Looks happy to be here and has the look of someone who wouldnt be out of place in Game of Thrones wielding an axe. Lever doing that weird stretching exercise again. The last time I tried anything like that I was actually tripping over. Spent most of his time running. Howes and Sestan, who both had niggles last time, moved freely running the boundary. TMc was in the drills and running very well for November, with some pace. Turner looking really strong in the contest. Spargo still doing rehab. Loved AMW in the contest. Petty and Hore very good at reading the flight of the ball. Marty always looks taller than I expect. Clarrie moving very well and no sign of a sore hand. Breaks the tackles with those magnicient hips. Roo doesnt like to get beaten. Ghost Writer in excellent form.

Goal kicking practice looks like it is being setup but I need to leave. Demonland out.

It’s a beautiful cool morning down at Gosch’s Paddock and I’ve arrived early to bring you my observations from today’s session. Let me know if you want me to look out for any players in particular.

Thank you to all the track waters that get down. Us country folks are certainly appreciative of the efforts you all out in.

How's Clarry? Is he looking fit? Looking happy? Great to see Clarry back, fit and firing! Tell Clarry we all love him and hope he remains a Demon forever! 👹❤️💙

Is he the key?

That is a huge relief Harvey getting through to our Pick 5 is absolutely magnificent it must have been all the talk on Demonland but I was so invested in Langford it would have been a bit disappointing had we missed him. Also think that Xavier Lindsay complements Harvey as well as he is held in high regard by a couple of track watchers whose opinions I really rate. Great result for the club and will sleep well tonight.👍✅😁

Welcome Xavier. From some of the comments, you may be the first ever whipping boy yet to play a game. Prove em wrong

Turner looks really good. Very good in the contested marking drill and prominant in the handball drill which were both in front of me. Jefferson was pitted against Petts in the contested marking drill and was beaten in the first three and looked despondent. He then took a ripper in the fourth. He's looking much more involved and comfortable at the level this year compared to last year. Didn't notice Laurie much, sorry.

That's not the role I see him playing. One, very much unlike nibbla, he doesn't appear to have the natural, elite athleticism the role demands. Two, thst role doesn't suit his skill set - inside ball winner, elite kick (at least I hope he is - was as a junior), knows where the goals are and a real x factor. I see him as a mini tracc. A 60 forward 40 inside mid with kpis that include goals, goal assists, score involvements, contested possessions - and energy and buzz.

The day of the draft is here and we will try to keep track of the selections here tonight (bear with us because this could get tricky with player nominations) ROUND ONE 1 Richmond Sam Lalor (GWV Rebels) 2 North Melbourne Finn O'Sullivan (Oakleigh Chargers) 3 Carlton Jagga Smith (Oakleigh Chargers) 4 Adelaide Sid Draper (South Adelaide SA) 5 Brisbane Lions Levi Ashcroft (Sandringham Dragons) 6 Melbourne Harvey Langford (Dandenong Stingrays) Midfielder, 191cm, 15/3/2006 A strong, big-bodied midfielder, Langford was a joint winner of the Larke Medal at the under-18 national championships this year. He's a contested ball-winning beast who has a penetrating left foot and can take marks and kick goals in attack. 7 Richmond Josh Smillie (Eastern Ranges) 8 St Kilda Toby Travaglia (Bendigo Pioneers) 9 Gold Coast Suns Leo Lombard (GC Academy) 10 St Kilda Alix Tarou (Gippsland Power) 11 Melbourne Xavier Lindsay (Gippsland Power) 183cm, 3/8/2006 Best afield in the biggest game of the year and won the Morrish Medal. Could this elite kick prove to be a steal? 12 Richmond Taj Hotton (Sandringham Dragons) 13 Essendon Isaac Kako (Calder Cannons) 14 Richmond Jonty Faull (GWV Rebels) 15 Port Adelaide Joe Berry (Murray Bushrangers) 16 West Coast Eagles Bo Allan (Peel Thunder WA) 17 Fremantle Murphy Reid (Sandringham Dragons) 18 GWS Giants Oliver Hannaford (WV Rebels) 19 GWS Giants Harrison Oliver (Sandringham Dragons) 20 Western Bulldogs Cooper Hynes (Dandenong Stingrays) 21 Richmond Luke Trainor (Sandringham Dragons) 22 Sydney Swans Jesse Dattoli (Northern Knights) 23 Richmond Harry Armstrong (Sandringham Dragons) 24 GWS Giants Cody Angove (Claremont/Scarborough WA) 25 Brisbane Lions Sam Marshall (Sandringham Dragons/Brisbane Lions Academy) 26 Sydney Swans Ned Bowman (Norwood SA) 27 North Melbourne Matt Whitlock (Murray Bushrangers) Live trades: Brisbane Lions receive: Pick 35 and 48 Western Bulldogs receive Pick 27 GWS Giants receive: Pick 34 Brisbane Lions receive: Pick 37, 56 and 73 Essendon receive: Pick 35, 37 and 58 Brisbane Lions receive: Pick 40, 46, 53 and 54 St Kilda receive: Pick 28 and 58 Essendon receive: Pick 32 and 47 Port Adelaide receive: Pick 15 West Coast Eagles receive: Picks 16 and 45 North Melbourne receive: Pick 27, 2025 second-round selection (Richmond) Richmond receive: 2025 future first-round selection

Gonna give myself a bump here

Welcome Xavier. Smooth mover with polish. Love that we have taken two lefties.

You know Trent Rivers is making a name for himself when a draftee (Travaglia) is likened to him.

AMW = Another Matty Whelan.

Richmond beating us to Allan would make it more likely that Tauru slides to our second pick, especially if the tigers trade for one of the saints picks. Langford and Tauru would be a realistic dream scenario in my eyes.

5 theories: 1. These things are cyclical, two of the highest rated kids for the next drafts are either indigenous or exploring indigenous heritage. 2. Private schools stopped recruiting indigenous kids in such big numbers due to covid or other factors. Scotch, MGS, Xavier, St Pats Ballarat all had numerous recruits, not sure they do now to the same extent. 3. The NGAs have backfired and disrupted existing pipelines in SA and WA especially where the bulk of indigenous talent has come from. Sanfl and wafl clubs all had their zones and people in the communities even if it was informal links. Rather than a rush to get guys in to the big smoke at a young age they’d come when they were ready. 4. the rise of academies and other elite talent factories at private schools, private coaching clinics, private S+C coaching has widened the void between junior talent and junior performance. Sam Lalor can just roll out of cricket and go number 1 but generally these kids are all trending towards Scully bots. More natural talent is left behind. 5. The city based, hyper professional, hyper scrutinised lifestyle of an afl player just doesn’t mesh with more and more people regardless of race including some (not all, not everyone) Indigenous players. Doesn’t mean there won’t be indigenous players who love it and are desperate for any chance but just like a Jaidyn Stephenson it’s not for everyone.

They just stopped the drill and players were gassed and bending over. Chaplin calls out for them to get up and then says “What do you thinks happening now that fatigue has set in?” “NO TALK”. “You need to communicate”. “Let’s Go Again”.

Windsor is back this session fully participating in all the drills so far.

Thank god we picked a beautiful kick with many other great attributes Left footers just gave that sweet style Fantastic combo with Langford. Very glad we didn’t get another big unit. we need variation This bloke could play HB wing mid HF

He encourages forwards to lead ... with confidence. I hope Fritta, JVR and Chandler are taking his highlight reels seriously - Lindsay is just what we need.

spirit of norm smith 16,351 On 17/05/2024 at 21:01, spirit of norm smithsaid: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Last weeks Coates League player of the week was Gippsland Power captain Xavier Lindsay. Had 32 disposals in the midfield, with high efficiency, using his left foot deadly disposal. He had the good mix of skill, smarts and athletic ability. Lock him in as a future star.

Harvey Langford Welcome to Melbourne 🙌🙌

AMW just sound like a reincarnation of Matty Whelan.

I don't care if we take Lindsay or not, but I will point out that Footy Stuff's videos are not ''highlight'' videos. He's made it quite clear on another forum that he shows the good stuff and the bad, so one can get a better perspective of the player.

I attended most of the training. Very impressed with how the group is training, and working very hard. Good to see that the group is running to have a drink between sessions.

Back to the keeping’s off handball drill with a different set of players. No one can catch Windsor. Verrall tackling ferociously. AMW just crunch Viney in a tackle. Almost took him down.

Kolt is flying, with the occasional ball handling fumble. His running and link work at top speed is terrific. I don’t see him as a nibbler clone. Nibs could wear an opponent like a glove, and run each way all day. Kolt is a more penetrating kick, a regular goal scorer, better contested mark, and probably a touch quicker. Which makes it all the more impressive that ANB reached such a highly respected level across the competition.

When he wins his first Brownlow I hope he acknowledges the MFC for giving him his first opportunity.

You bloody rippa!

Fair to say it’s been narrowed down to the following. This is assuming that all of Lalor, FOS and Jagga have been picked which is sounding close to locked in; Pick 5: Langford or Tauru Pick 9: Tauru or either Allan/Lindsay Very likely we end up with two of the above four players with the bolded player our preference at each pick if still available.

Sestan, despite being in rehab, looks super fit and trimmed down and toned up.

Since these are new guernseys I would say it’s pretty much confirmed that Kolt will wear #12 this year.

One curious onlooker has arrived.

I think he hit more targets in one game that most of ours do in a season.

Screwed operator? 😀 Is that a cryptic clue? Allen? Phillips? Is there a Driver?

I honestly can't imagine a scenario where a club that took a Curtain last year passes on a Draper this year.