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I tend to agree and we’re all entitled to our opinion and there’s a bias in how we each view things, leading to assumptions and people maybe seeing what they want to see I would consider CP was somewhat a little anxious (despite having a clear the air address with the group) about how he’d be received on return. He”s spoken about his concerns with the club previously about letting standards drop and why wouldn’t he just come back head down and be as professional as you can in setting/maintaining standards. It”s not his role to sell the club, I’ve seen this man in games this year almost try and carry the team across the line on his own in a refusal to lose. The man went back out on the ground on KB for the team when he clearly wasn’t right. I’ll never question his commitment to be the best player he can be and if he sets a bar on standards for others to follow I like that. If he performs on the ground for us whilst building his own brand off field to set up his future I’m okay with that. I just want to get back to being a side who you know will bring effort, accountability, team first and a buy in that we can see they are playing to a plan each week

I've watched him in the flesh at the under 15's stats national carnival when he represented QLD. He's an athlete for sure but was pretty raw at the same time as most tall players that age. You could see those athletic traits indeed but at the time watching his performance, he didn't do much that got me overly excited, but that level isn't about who's going to be the next AFL star. So much water to go under the bridge. The thing with Sam Darcy is that it was his last year of top age that really put him at the top end of draft calculations. Had a number of big games early on the 2021 season with Oakleigh Chargers and School Footy that really got recruiters talking. Just remember with Sam Darcy, he missed out on under 16 selection for Vic Metro where as Kalani White was an All Australian defender at that level. So just goes to show why you can't exactly determine a young players full talent at minor junior level.

We could call it: Preseason training- how are they Traccing?

Always leave room for people to grow and change… Tracc in the shadow of a potentially career ending injury (esp after Gus) is not the same as Tracc Round 1 2025. Go Demons!

Here's the video, I think the part that got me the most excited is in the first couple of mins when he's on Richmonds VFL team, bounces off 2 blokes inside 50 and finds the teammate instead of blazing away. Physically he's big enough to play.

I went along to every game at the G last year and in all but one or two games I spotted Clayton throwing up on the field. He quite literally tried his guts out last season when his body wasn't ready for it. I think last year might go down in some sort of folklore in terms of a player managing to play 21 AFL games as a full time midfielder after having such a well documented, problematic off season with very little preseason training/conditioning. He's looking in prime condition already this off season. I think he'll have a monster 2025 and return to a top 10 mid of the comp.

And that is the exact approach he took last season. Obviously he wasn't AFL elite fit. But unlike some of his teamates, not once did he stop giving his all or 100% effort. Sure, knock the bloke for not being in shape (though of course there are mitigating factors), but i couldn't believe some of the criticism he copped last season on this forum. Bloke left not a drop on the field. You can't ask for anything more. My respect grew for clarry last season.

Do you have any observations or comments to share about the track reports from the 2 or 3 posters who were able to get to sessions in Mansfield or the various MFC vids and photos? Because, if not, I'm sounding the hypocrisy alarm given this post knocking others seems to be your only contribution to the thread.

Thanks for the respectful response, Rab. In terms of legacy as a Demon, Petracca is our NSM in a long long awaited premiership. He scored a perfect score (40/40) of coaches votes for that game. That legacy is good enough for me. Without him we would not have won that flag. Regardless of what happens going forward that legacy will never be tarnished in my eyes. Many players change clubs for various reasons and sometimes it is for more success. It doesn't diminish their legacy at the previous club nor their love for that club or those teammates. I love it when someone is a one-club player like Viney and Gawn I also love B. Brown, Langdon, May and Lever for leaving their first club to help us win a flag. Btw, I've long been curious why you use BP5 not CP5?

Darcy has also improved as a footballer since he was drafted which shows the benefit to be gained from being in an elite system for learning. In terms of Kalani White, he’s not going backwards either. He has a big season in front of him and if gets to an AFL club, whether MFC, GCS or anyone else, that’s where we’ll see improvement.

I reckon Max Gawn as playing CEO.

Oliver shape shifted the club. Rd 1: After 2 minutes it was obvious he was our best centre bounce clearance player in the club After 5 minutes: He was the teams best tackle breaker in the club At 1/4 time he was the clubs best midfielder At half time he was our best first performed draftee in memory At the end of the game he was the best on ground for us After Rd 6 he was the clubs best player After 50 games he was hea dand shoulders above any 50 game MFC player in memory Then he won 4 x BF, multiple AA and a Premiership superstar to boot with a spine tingling 3rd quarter goal with a point to all of us in lockdown. This guy is a freaking living legend. And some people talk about him as though is dispensable. Not in my books. Stoke whatever fire is needed to float his boat.

The reactions on this site if Peter Bell got the gig would be something to behold.

How about that camp huh?

Hi DeeZone. No, I'm just looking at the facts. He wanted out but we're holding him to his contract. He's a winner and he wants success. If he can't get it with us he'll try and get it somewhere else. That's fine, but I don't have to like or admire him for it. I don't know why anyone else is bothered about what I think about him to be honest. It's just an opinion like everyone else's on here.

Guys like Max and Vines have hitched their footballing fortunes to those of the Melbourne Football Club. They are one and the same. Christian Petracca's fortunes are hitched to Christian Petracca, who happens to have a 7 year contract with the Melbourne Football Club. Same same but different.

Looks like a Bontempelli type to me. Big bodied Mid/forward with footy smarts who covers the ground exceptionally well. Great hands and goal kicking ability and powerful in middle of the ground as well.

I've been involved with various facets of junior and senior sports administration for more than 40 years and I've come across a fair share of "ugly parents" as well as many supportive parents without whose encouragement and the sacrifices made by them in term of money and time, many great sporting careers would never have happened. Unless you know the people involved and their full story, it's unwise to jump in and comment on any specific case. I think Jeff's a proud parent and wish him and Kalani good luck - it's going to be an exciting time ahead for them. For my part, I look forward to the sight of a red and blue #34 jumping all over certain Collingwood players on a Kings Birthday in the future.

If you’re still trotting out a complete lack of depth as a reason, then you’ve drunk the media koolaid. Or at least institutionalised to it. It’s not the mythology of ‘one soldier in, one soldier out’. When your best players are out injured or playing somewhat crocked and you expect another player to merely fill that talent void, then you’ve got unrealistic expectations. If I could be stuffed, I’d either find or develop an injury ladder vs real ladder position for the last 15 years and low and behold there is a significant causation/correlation.

Jeff is a great guy layzie and you couldn't meet a nicer young man than Kalani. He's proud of his boys, which he should be. I don't think it's fair to judge him or his intentions if you don't know the man.

Quite. (To camera) And that’s all the show we have for you today. I hope that helps. You can spend the extra 59 minutes in your life GOING OUTSIDE FOR ONCE. See you in March.

From the Herald Sun’s online article on the AFL draft: The draftees who could line up in Round 1 2025, best SuperCoach rookie picks

What do posters see as Riak's strengths, apart from being Mac's brother?

I have no idea what you’re talking about, Lucifer’s Hero. You must be thinking of someone else, someone slightly deranged perhaps. 😜

Biggest thing is across the board buy in on team first It was evident in 2021 needs to get back to that fine balance between me/we - do your job for the team

Looking at the gallery for today. There are some very fit looking lads in there. It loos like the entire squad has come back in sensational shape. I think the reports of our demise are somewhat premature.

Shame shame but different

👀

Boooooo

I'm confused by this response @rpfc? If you want me to break it down further then I will, only because that what you were elaborating too. When i say its a big year for our whole playing list, i say that to include the regular depth players at Casey. I'm not someone that sees those guys as simply filling in the numbers. Now days depth is just as important then ever before. For our team to take the next step further into finals, we need everyone playing at their optimum level week in week out. Now i know this is difficult on the more younger players so you alter your expectationonnthose guys. But pressure for spots could not be more crucial for 2025 then we've seen over the last couple of years. We saw the complete lack of depth when we were hit with injuries this year and guys like Fullarton, McAdam, Laurie simply failed to step up when we needed them too. When Gawn went down with injury the fact we had to use a makeshift ruckman in Petty/JVR ahead of both Verrall and Fullarton just shows that if you're not in form at VFL level that it has a huge ripple effect on our senior team. Clearly they have identified this as a need and went got Tommy Campbell. Guys going into their last year of their contracts such as Billings, Spargo, Fullarton, Woewodin, McDonald, Melksham, Hore, Sestan, Verrall are fighting for their careers and I would hope this gives them the extra motivation to really push themselves. If they're putting pressure on our senior AFL players through their own form at VFL level then that's a healthy place to be in. In terms of our main AFL regulars. Majority of those guys simply need to stand up and perform next year if we are aiming to get back into finals. Guys like Salem, Oliver Sparrow, Lever, Bowey, Petty all simply had a poor year through combination of injury and inconsistency of form. Realistically majority of the names listed haven't performed at their best since the 2021 season so I think the microscope is going to come hard on them if they dish another poor year. We need another spike of incline for guys like JVR, Windsor, Rivers, Pickett, McVee, Tholstrup, Turner and I'll even add Matt Jefferson because we saw a huge improvement this year in his Casey performance compared to year one, so he's definitely on the track track. These guys could play a crucial role in taking that next step. I could easily see JVR kicking over 40 goals next year. Another year where's he's gain valuable experience and more maturity in his body. He wants to be the top dog and he's certainly got all the attributes to be. Then it's guys like Gawn, Petracca, May and Viney. We just need them to be doing their thing once again. They've carried and performed on such a consistent level for a number of years now that you just become accustomed to the level of expectations. If all four can stay fit and healthy throughout the year then it will go a long way to determine if we can play finals.

I must remember to attach a smiling emoji when I'm being flippant (mainly for those who can't see an obviously flippant post) There won't be any retribution against Collingwood as we've already had 2 chances to do anything like that. So, that sort of thing is not going to happen (in my view) He'll play round 1 if the MC see him as being part of a forward line structure straight away. We do need some vigour up forward and we need our key forwards playing in front and occupying or leading to the hot spot (for structure) And with Petty training with the backs, a spot up forward could open up (unless we just go with JVR & an inexperienced Turner only as the KF's) So Johnson just has to prove himself at training and get in front of Jefferson & Fullarton in the pecking order (to get his chance) The best way to pay Collingwood back is to beat them on the scoreboard

Guess it will depend on her motivation. She seems pretty happy in our environment, but maybe there are other incentives. Must sign Campbell and Gall long term. They are the future IMO.

Ouch! Ouch! I take solace from the fact that 'Luci' is enclosed in a ❤️

One of my favourite songs from one of my all time favourite bands immediately came to mind:

There is a Family Day to be held at Gosch’s before Xmas. The event staff have yet to advise of a time/date.

Love that comment, Rab. Without opinions there would be no DL! Keep posting!

All good Luci. I'd like this to be a safe space for anyone to post what they think on here. It stands for Brand Petracca 5. Just my little infantile dig.

Not sure what you mean by 'fortunes'. If its $ the club has made them all wealthy. If it is desire for success (premiership) can't question any of them. If it is giving all they have on the field can't question any of them. If its contract years they all have/have had lengthy contracts which expire within a year or two of each other. There seems to be an implied criticism of Petracca that he is in some way lesser than Viney and Gawn. Maybe spell it out. At the end of the day its a job for all of them.

1. Kate Hore 2. Tyla Hanks 3. Eliza McNamarra 4. Maeve Chaplin 5. Sinead Goldrick With special mention of Blaithin Mackin (if only she didn't get injured)

Fritsch. But let’s get the ball in there quicker and let him beat his opponent in one v one.

'Oh, Langford - outstanding work from the young man!'

Any chance we could have a thread called Preseason Training not another Tracc thread like this one !

Thanks 58er, at 16 years I am still a long way off!

I'm really looking forward to seeing how Trent develops. As a mid he's your run and gun type and doesn't bring much nonsense. Lots to like about his future.

He was their executive general manager of football from 2019 to this year. Moved back to Melbourne end of 23’ for family reasons. In the running for the Pies job as head of footy but wants to be a CEO ultimately.

How many games have you seen Riak play?

If a further change of non de plume is forthcoming, may I humbly suggest the classic C & W tune ... "Ghostwriter's In Disguise" (Yippie-yi-o! Yippie-yi-yay!)

It’s a bit early to say that about AMW I’d reckon. I think he’s shown enough that he has the next 2 seasons to make it.

Campbell will be a star...

Aidan Johnson taking on the number #42 jumper. I wish him well and hope he gets unleashed against Brayden "the thug" Maynard. Will be the clash of the ages!