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Trac is BACK!!

Ok, I've read enough:

How lucky are we at Demonland to have this sort of train ing coverage. Thanks to all contributors from my hot office in Preston

Went down a bit later and most of it has been covered. -Two main drills that I saw were 1) stoppage at various parts of the ground where someone would collect the ground ball and then the focus seemed to be on spreading and moving the ball out of the area and eventually to the forwards. 2) kick from half back on the Punt Rd side of the ground where the kicker would try find a teammate to hit up. It was very difficult as the defensive side was playing a hard one-on-one style meaning it was difficult to find a free player. Also, the play seemed confined to the Punt Rd side, so the option of switching the play to the fat side was not there. It was essentially trying to pick a way through on the skinny side of the ground. Lots of turnovers but I don't think any team finds this an easy thing to do. -Rivers was with the mids in the stoppage drills, as was Bowey. While Bowey does tend to go to the back of stoppages as a half back maybe this was an indication of spending some time further up the ground? -Great to see Trac and Clarry in the stoppage drills. Trac just looks in sensational physical condition and his burst and lateral movement looked like it hadn't missed a beat. Clarry to me seems in better shape than last year but he does look a bit thicker through the upper legs than the others. Not sure if that's just his shape but he does look bigger through there than what he did 3-4 seasons ago. The key for him is whether he can get that burst out of congestion back that he was missing this year. That's what elevates his game to the next level. -Lindsay is not built like Langford but he is definitely not a bag of bones as some draftees are. He has some upper body size and at about 6"0 has decent height for a mid. Certainly a stronger build than say Windsor had at the start of his first pre-season last year. As for Windsor, he is such a beautiful mover. In the stoppage drill, when he got the ball he just burst away and they struggled to keep up with him. -Langford has that prototype big-body midfielder frame. He still has some filling out to do but the frame is there to really develop into a powerful unit. -The amount of running they do under the sun in 30 degrees is really quite incredible.

I went. Some random thoughts: - is there a more beautiful sporting precinct in the world? - Not sure why the players looked so hor and bothered, it wasn't that hot, in the shade - tracc was doing fast laps, stopped right in front of me, on his haunches gasping. Looks in incredible shape. He's a beast. - on tracc, if I was goody I'd tell him not to EVER kick under 40 metres. He is so much better kicking long, weights the ball beautifully with his long kicks. - Langford is bloody huge. As waynewussell noted he and kolt both tackled tracc at one point, was very willing - clarry looks in much better shape than he was this time last, and even at season's end. But is still a ways off his very best condition - which is OK, preseason has just started - clarry's effort was first class, pushed himself very hard right to the end - clarry's class stands out like a flashing light. At one point he scooped the ball of the deck one handed and in the same motion hanballed into space so his targeted receiver did not have to break stride. Thing of beauty. - tmac was in unbelievablely good shape. Best I've ever seen him. Trainer of the session IMHO. His effort and intensity was off the charts. In one drill he missed a target and screamed an obscenity in anger. - great to have chunk back at the club. Vocal. Encouraging. Good energy. And as an added bonus his tree trunk legs make clarry's look positively svelte - at the end group of about 12 players, almost all forwards, did a goal kicking drill. Four things worth noting. - One, no petts. It would appear he us defence bound. - Two, group included bowey. He came over near me to take somd snaps from the boundary and I asked him if we might seem him up forward. He said, no but we might see him on the wing and he hopes to snag some goals - Three, roo barely missed a goal. Beautiful, neat kicking action that looks exactly the same every time, from whatever distance - Four, Turner kicks the ball unbelievably hard. Also dead straight. He looks very focused and driven. I have a feeling he will really impose himself next season

The 2 new boys Harvey Langford and Xavier Lindsay are here. As is Harry Sharp.

The heat is on and the players didn't take a back step. Goody ran them hard, especially after a sim completion from the back to forward area. They had to sprint back up the field. Tholstrup felt it. JVR was pushing high, though became the last man forward in the non action area. Looked a bit bored, am worried about his training and application. Previous preseasons, he was the aggressive one, only seen him attack it once. Hope it just a bit of being lackadaisical during the early parts of preseason, and he starts getting into it. Some ball movements during the sims were very quick. There was room for a few of them to have multiple bounces down the wing, Windsor and Rivers took my attention. A couple of pressure moments caused them to rush and miss the target. Forgot who the defenders were. Chaplin continues to make his mark on the forwards. We definitely have a “front and centre” more prominent. They are also doing more short passes within the 50 to a dynamic group of leads. Harry Sharp looks a player to me. Well-rounded in his skills. Finding separation and has confidence in his disposals, he was linking out of the halfback area. Johnson looks and moves like Petty. Unsure how Jed Adams is going. Trying to keep it simple, but just not executing well at times? Clarry was being extremely playful out there. Last year he kept his head down, low profile. Now he is back to being stress-free and engaged. Tracc was nervous as he entered the field. Had a longish chat to Goody, then got down to work. Disposals have improved. Fritsch was in boots for the first time. Joined in a couple of sims, outpointed a tall defender with ease and skill. I reckon he is building for a big year. Salem also in boots and in a few sims. He has trimmed down since his first pre-run, and is pushing himself hard in the boundary runs. Lindsay has a mentor in Spargo. Appears to know the routines, and appears well coached through his developing years. Langford, first impression is that of an enforcer. N.Jones had a bib on in the sims. Hasn't lost much, closing speed and surprised a couple of them, then doing beautiful clearing kicks to hit the mark. Leading by example and being humble about it. Put him on the rookie list😄.

WE'VE MADE IT!! Quiz in the Age this morning wants to know if demonland is a fan forum, tattoo parlour, seedy nightclub etc

A few bonuses from attending my first Melbourne training session of the preseason:- • I had heard in the media that most of the players drafted over the previous two nights would not be attending their club training sessions this week but would be joining in next week to give them a break before the start of the hard work of the preseason but it was gratifying to see all three MFC draftees in attendance. We’re not pussies! The two young guns look impressive. Harvey Langford looks a big unit, strong and very much at home with the group having worked with them a year ago as an Academy train on player. I sense that like Clarrie back when he started, Langford is a chance to make his debut in Round 1. Xavier Lindsay is closing in on his recovery from a PCL incurred on the eve of the Coates Talent League finals and ran sprints on the boundary with Charlie Spargo - both ran well and look to be well advanced in their respective recoveries. Aidan Johnson was a surprise attendee given that he was only drafted 12 hours earlier. It seems that not long ago, he was your typical country big man, carrying a bit of weight (and throwing it around) who trimmed down a bit at Werribee on the way to a VFL flag. He wasn’t drafted to continue the journey at Casey but is seriously on a trajectory to continue his physical build up to do what the two young draftees are planning - to be playing AFL football regularly at the elite level. • Christian Petracca was present on the training track with his club for the first time since the Kings Birthday debacle. It took no time at all to show the small group of Demon faithful and his teammates that he has lost none of his class and ability. He’s almost back in town. • And if he’s closing in on town, then Clarry’s in the CBD for the first time in almost two years, give or take a bit of work needed on his blisters. He’s certainly looking determined to make up for lost time and backing that up with a fitter and trimmer body shape than he had at this time 12 months ago • The first weeks of preseason are reserved for the players in years 1 to 4 with Caleb Windsor, Jacob van Rooyen, Daniel Turner and Tracc’s understudy Koltyn Tholstrup with the rockstar looks, standing out. • Despite all the bonuses of the day, I made the big mistake of forgetting the Aerogard and the combination of flies and heat made it difficult to concentrate on each individual training drill. I therefore defer to our regular track watchers who are more onto the ins and outs of today’s preseason training session than I. However, what I can say is that after a tough twelve months for the Demons, I can see plenty of blue sky coming up in the season ahead.

Kane Cornes, this is why you sign your gun players up long term, because when players are contracted, they get over whatever is bothering them, work through it and come back looking as good as Trac did today.

It’s official, we are training the absolute house down

A bit more history about AJ. He made the step up to the very strong Ovens and Murray League competition as a 20 year and in his first season and kicked 53 goals as a FF/CHF. That same year he won a premiership with Lavington. Before that, he played for Brock Burrum saints (breed them tough there) in the Hume Football League (where I played with and against him) and even as a teenager he dominated senior footy constantly kicking bags of goals each week. Whatever league he's gone too, hes stepped up and performed really well. I will say that this will be an incredible jump from his own perspective between VFL and AFL. The fitness work will come as a huge shock to him and it will take him some time to adjust, purely because he's raw in terms of elite pathway and it usually is with country bush footballers. I do wonder whether we could have just left him to the rookie list but maybe we wind that other clubs were going to snap him up? He's an incredibly hard worker though, and will certainly leave no stone unturned. He's overcome some hurdles with his injuries and to get to this position is credit to his credit. Great teammate mind you..type of guy that enjoys a scrag and always willing to stick up for teammates. Off for the field, he's just a typical country lad who enjoys a good time, but again, will adjust to being an elite professional footballer.

oh right There is a chance I may be overly sensitive on this topic! but [censored] him anyway

One more from GW: Another DL regular and I had a long chat with Trac. He was honest and spoke with passion. We would periodically say "We don't wanna hold you up", etc, but he pretty much vented the whole time and we just listened. Not gonna elaborate but he's a changed person. Even he says he is.

The other drill is a one on one hand balling keeping’s off drill with tackling. Langford just laid a ferocious tackle on Kolt to the cheers of all the players. We’ve got another good one here.

Early scoop from The Ghostwriter: Hey Katnip, Some early info… It’s bloody hot already. It’s only 9am and Vines is running laps, he has to leave training early for a family function. The new boys will be here this morning but not participating in training per se. According to Goody we will “high likely”be picking up Ricky Mentha tonight As you know, Kat, despite being described as “… an athletic brute who imposes himself on the contest” Aidan’s nickname is Peaches. The new boys will be going to the Mansfield camp. JT is looking pretty damn happy with himself… And so he should. More to come.

Focussed and committed.

I hope you haven't misconstrued the situation. These guys are aiming to play at the highest level. Someone even mentioned that Johnson is at the club to be a filler at Casey. Make no mistake, the selectors were doing their job last night. They might have picked him at 68 but their intention was to get him to a standard where he has a regular role at Melbourne.

Had a great chat to Tracc, only bit I am willing to share, now he is in a really good place mentally, at the end said he was off to the gym and weights...look out Rd 1

And lastly:

Tom Morris reporting that Oliver's off field troubles are continuing #BlisterWatch

This has to be the most positive thread we’ve had on Demonland in months. Great read and thank you to everyone who made the effort to attend and report. Kept me busy while I spent the last 24 hours in hospital with my better half.

Langford is already asserting himself in the close-in handball/tackle group. Just got tackled by Trac, also showed a nice side-step. Then he and Tholstrup got hold of a rampaging Trac and refused to give an inch

Aidan Johnson is training

To be honest, no I didn't, but that's purely because footy around that time wasn't really an ambition for him. He was honestly just happy country lad who played footy for the social aspect of it all and being around his mates was more important to him then footy. He was fairly talented all the way through the ranks. I think there was opportunities there with the Murray Bushrangers, but again, that wasn't exactly in his sights. It was only until he decided to test himself at Ovens and Murray level where I think it steadily grew from there. When he had the year where he kicked over 50 goals as a 20year then I think that may have sparked the interest. It wasn't until he started to attract attention from VFL clubs where guys like Shaun Mannagh and Dom Brew really did encourage him to then give it a go. Even though he had the year in the VFL, I still put him down to being fairly raw because of the lack of exposure coming through the ranks. I think adjusting to AFL life will certainly take its time with him but he's got an incredible work rate and maturity that will hold him in good stead. You get kids who are straight out of school and probably lack the life skills to adjust, and then you get guys like AJ who have toiled away for years, working on the tools each day and doing the hard yards.

Got there late at about 11 and could only handle the heat for about 40 minutes. Rehabbers have mostly been covered I think but XL (no strapping, walking fine) and Spargs were just chilling with Choco by the time I was there. Salem looking more comfortable than last year to my eye. Sestan and Howes ran together and there body shapes are coming together too! Not seen: Gawn, May, Viney (by me), Lever, McAdam, Billings, Langdon, Chandler, Sparrow, Pickett, McVee Langford is a big boy, but no extra weight on him, he has huge feet (not sure what that means - big shoes!). Johnson clearly isn’t built like a full time pro just yet but he seems to have fit legs and athletic look to him, I reckon a good preseason and he’ll look the part. No strapping on the knee and completing gentle run throughs with Harvey with ease. Probably only about 16 in full training so doubt drills were all that insightful but first one I saw was the mids simulating a contest on the half forward flank then going inside 50 to a 3 on 3. Initially with a spare defender then without. Focus on getting to the corridor and kicking out to the fat side. Mids: Verrall, Tracc, Oliver, Rivers, Laurie, Bowie, Woey, Windsor. 5 on 3 so not a lot of pressure Tracc bursting from congestion. Clarry had a couple of trademark zips through. Windsor getting handballs inside 60 = a shot inside 40 in no time. Forwards: JVR, Disco, Jeffo, Kentfield A big focus on spade and separation. Kentfield took a nice mark on the lead and hit up Jeffo. He’s a large unit. Jeffo’s stronger, still need to iron out that spine. He came up on leads and forced contests a couple of times, he has a closing speed on leads and swooped on a crumb and dished handballs in a flash of an eye. Not fully willing to say it’s magician time just yet but it could be close. Backs: Petty, T Mc, fake Petty, Hore, AMW as the key backs out there Tommy had a good spoil and forced the ball over the line and was met with Clarry saying ‘gets better every year’ Next drill was 8 on 8 condensed in to a 60 x 30 rectangle on the wing just trying to get short kicks through the zone. If this is our game plan with these current players we might be in trouble! Turnover central! But it was 30+ degrees and over 90 minutes in. Bassett preaching the need to be up on opponents, clear with handovers and to take away the 45 on the mark. Not sure he knows about the stand rule tho so that will be interesting. Windsor about the only one to find space but a couple of sneaky Jeffo leads. Overall takeaway was I hope the rehab group trims down before Christmas but seemingly a good core out there. Interested to see what Chappy can do with these young key forwards.

I think after the non competitive stuff Schache dished up against Sydney at round 1 this year, I think the coaching department knew straight away our forward stocks were completely [censored] hence why they have now gone out and recruited a brute key forward that can at least stay engage and hit a pack or six.

Trac is looking superb. Fit and strong. Just did a little shimmy and sold some candy and delivered a pinpoint pass.

Trac just nailed a 50 metre pass to Roo… wild cheers from the group!

Langford has a pinpoint pass.

Haven't folks noticed the average age of our tall fwds is about 21! Even with Petty and Turner it isn't much older. They get pushed around a bit. Having Johnson will support the team in so many ways. Get behind folks; he is now a Demon!

Langford looks a pretty serious customer!

Goody ain't turning up to personally present him with a jumper.... if he's gunna be a Casey player. That was a very decent gesture 👏 👍 Respect

While Trac could probably have handled the PR a bit better by not being silent for ages, heaps of positive change has happened since. So maybe we should be looking at it through that lens. I'll still get around the bull, what a player!

Here are a couple of pics of Jefferson from training today. Slotted some nice goals, and got really encouraging advice from Turner at one point - absolutely fantastic to see from Disco. Here's a snap of Daniel Larusso as well for good measure...

Trac absolutely tearing it up on the track.

Trac to Clarrie for a goal… a sight to see!

I would have to say that this was the most exciting training session I have attended at Gosch’s. Following so soon after the 2024 Draft, with Clayton and Tracca joining the new boys. With Jonesy back out there where he belongs… Johnson, the new Dark Horse! Fritta and Salem joining in on many of the main activities, and a number of other blokes back from holiday. A hot day in Demon hell!

He did seem to flub quite a few kicks, including a shot at goal that went wide, to his very audible frustration later in the session. But gee-wiz he looks sensational when he's running with the ball, and he had a hell of a lot of it today in the full-field ball movement work.

Jefferson wrestles Johnson to the ground in a tackle, no mean feat

The senior coach doesn’t camp outside someone’s house if they are destined for a role befitting a 32 year old journeyman. The FD saw a glaring hole with mature age forwards with aggressiveness and natural forward ability (who can also pinch hit in the ruck) and wanted him enough to have the press release teed up (the initial release had him at pick ‘X’ and to have the coach do a nice little thing for social media.

A mature aged (turns 25 in March) 193cm muscled up assassin. Play him on Maynard on KB!

And some more:

McDonald just out-marked Roo and is in peak pre-Christmas condition

Your lack of respect for this mature age VFL player belies your over confidence with players that haven’t even performed as well as Johnson at VFL level (aside from JVR). I think Johnson will play early, I think he will take the heat off JVR to back up ruck all the time and I think he will be effective.

I don’t mind a pick like this. I have to believe that JT knows his business. Mature age, country boy and a bit rough around the edges that has finally been given a crack at the big time. I am sure he will give it everything and not die wondering. He plays for my team and good luck to him.

It’s going to be a scorcher today but I’m in the shade at Gosch’s Paddock ready to bring you some observations from the final session before the Preseason Training Camp next week.