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I went down today in what were pretty ordinary conditions - hot and windy. When I got there, they were doing repeat simulations of a stoppage on the wing and then moving the ball inside 50. There seemed to be an emphasis on handballing out of the stoppage, usually there were 3 or 4 handballs to chain out until a player received it in space and could then carry the ball forward. I thought the handballing was sharp and accurate but it is training against your mates in December. I thought Clarry got some great reads off hands in the stoppages and did step through the stoppage to come out the front rather than just give it off as soon as he got it. Langford also had two lovely reads, getting the first possession on the move from the stoppage. On the second occasion, he won it and stepped his way through the traffic to clear out the front. After that, they did some tackling on the far side of the ground. This was followed by more simulations, this time moving the ball from half back on a slow play. The emphasis here appeared to be on kicking a way through when the oppositon's defensive structure was set. There was barely any handballing in this drill, with almost all of the movement short kicks. There seemed to be a desire to kick on 45s and particularly a 45 into the corridor if an option opened up. Eyes seemed to look for the corridor, but if no option presented, it was then moved out wide. There were no long bombs or kicks over the mark. Not suggesting this is a game plan thing - more likely it was just a drill to practice short kicking in tight areas. Then finally, before I left, they split into 3 groups. The small backs did more 45 degree kicking, with Brown and Windsor in this group. The mids did ground ball work and the forwards had goal kicking practice. From what I saw, Spargo ran along the boundary at a good speed. Lindsay and Fullarton also did boundary runs. Not sure what happened with Disco but he also did boundary runs and didn't appear inhibited. Lever looked further behind in his rehab. Petty was with the backs during the sims, along with TMac and May. Also not sure what happened with Melk but Chandler dinked a kick into space and Melksham was running on to it (with the flight of the ball). He made a long sustained sprint to get there and then pulled up and grimaced a bit after it. I didn't see him grab anything but it was the sort of action where you can twinge a leg muscle. As others have said, thought Kozzie looked great running through the middle. On one play him and Trac fought for the ball on the ground. It was closer to Kozzie and he grabbed it, bounced up to his feet and sidestepped another player almost in one fluid movement and then cleared it. Tough session in that kind of heat - these guys really are impressive athletes.

Was mentioned a couple of weeks ago on here that Fritta appeared to have an issue with his foot/leg. Great news is the problem was identified and promptly dealt with: no surgery required. He’s now issue-free 🥳 and very keen to have a BIG 2025.

Went along today with my lad - I didn't keep detailed notes of all the training, but from what I saw: - Practice drills getting the ball from forward half stoppage and delivery into 50 - Close up 2v3 inside work/tackling - Stoppage drills - Part match sim, with the ball being started from a ball up in various parts of the ground - Short, full ground sim - Running exercises Some general observations: - JVR looking very commanding now. - Harvey Langford looks VERY likely - doesn't look out of place at all. Laid a couple of great tackles on Viney, which Viney loved. - Kossie looks very sharp - he just finds space and time and his kicking is elite. - I like the look of Tom Campbell - certainly a strong unit, who loves the contest. I'd imagine Max is quite happy having a legit ruck to contend with. - I thought some of the disposal was still not great, despite it being a practice, although the wind was very strong across Gosch's - Great to see Chunk out there. It was also interesting to hear Troy Chaplin coaching the forwards, very commanding presence. - Not sure who the coach was in the middle of the main sim, but seemed to be running the entire session. Barking out orders and instructions, had everything under control! - Good to see Spargs back in the fold - participated in the first few drills and then running for the rest of the session along with Xavier Lindsay. Poor Tom Fullarton running lap after lap. - I think Chandler will be the new ANB

Spargz is training with the main group 🥳

Obviously not an ideal day for training with the heat and strong wind but..... The boys were out early at 9.30. The shed was packed with iced ddrinks. The full squad participated in the drills for about the first 45 minutes with the exception of McAdam (absent feeling a bit crook) and Woey (on the bike and then watched on). George in nos 23. All the drills this year emphasied fast ball movement, winningb the contest in the middle and then passing to the fwd. Considering the conditions this drill went well. It was great to see Spargs (not Charles ok) participating. After about 45 minutes Spargo, Lever , Sestan, Lindsay (Xave), Turner and Fullarton pulled out. Sestan had something checked out then joined back in, Spargo, Lever and Lindsay on a modified program, Turner had a foot issue and not sure about Fullarton. AJ looked like he had face planted in a bucket of sunscreen Viney asked them to keep the noise up and Spargs replied with 'fffff yeah. Tracca no legionaires hat Roo tackles well. I would give me left leg to be able to kick like Fritta. Had a quick word with TMc who said his brother Oscar was doing well. Left about 11.15 with drills still going and Langford, Mentha and AJ running the boundary. The boys look fit and the vibe is good, About 20-30 track watchers in attendance.

Clayton Oliver was looking great in the sims. Moving well to space, getting his hands on the ball easily in the congested areas, and linking to others. Had a word to Choco about him. Still says he has some improvements to go. I think he was saying his fitness isn't primed yet. Jed Adams had a central lock down role on various forwards, in the sims. He got his fist to plenty of balls and was first to it for the ground ball. Working very well. May was lurking in the left or right pocket to intercept plenty of balls. Backline looking strong. A gusty wind helps them as the hit up players missed a few times. They also had the occasional difficulty getting the ball out. Jefferson's hands weren't as good today, but stepping up for some good clunks was JvR. Bayley Fritsch is looking eager, he has determination about him, Tmac is still looking good, reading the play well and outpointing the forwards. Judd McVee and Caleb Windsor, looking very classy, with plenty of participation, both are ball magnets. Jack Viney's not taking prisoners, hitting all and sundry, hard. Moving well, and creating links through his leads and gut running. Jake Lever had the lime green cap on when participating in drills, (the no tackling piece). He is running the boundary with enthusiasm and really striding out. Leadership in spades when on the field. Charlie Spargo in with the forwards, playing that high up and delivery into the 50 role. I didn't see Woey out there today. Will Verrall was rucking, along with Max Gawn and Tom Campbell in sims and structures. We have three elusive indigenous players out there. Ricky Mentha is gaining confidence, skills, especially his kicking, has improved (rarely missing), moves beautifully to and in spaces. George moves very similar to him, though Kossie is starring. They all have a smile going and are clearly loving being at it together. Mentha has regularly got visitors down here. Socially, he appears good for Kossie. The Kolt is really maturing. Rarely missing his disposals anymore and making the right decisions. Previous drills had all of them doing some bouncing of the ball. Today (last training as well), they didn't practice that skill. The tackling drill and defensive style in sims had plenty of intensity. I get worried when they go hard at each other. Talking about hard, they didn't go easy with the exertion required because of the heat. Coaches and trainers pushed them. At the end of one sim they could barely get up a run, that they have been doing to the sheds. I think I saw Melky tweek a hammy. Probably an early Christmas break for him. All the previous rehabber's had time with the main group.

Harvey Langford will be a very good player in 2025. He plays the entire year as a 19 year old. Just as a comparison, Bontempelli played his entire first year as an 18 year old. With some of the positional changes, such as Windsor and Pickett, it's hard not to be excited for the season ahead. Thanks for the observations.

He has signed with Casey as we’d thought which is why he can now train with us. He knows the club is hoping to keep him out of ‘the limelight’ lest another club swoops. Re the ‘brother boys’ Roy is similar to AMW in that he’s outgoing and seems comfortable around people. Koz is an introvert, says he always has been and probs always will be, and Ricky is similar. I mentioned it before in this thread that Matty Whelan took these boys (Shane included) on a camping/fishing trip on Saturday. Matty said the mix of personalities is a great thing because they learn from one another. This is one of the reasons we hope to keep Roy. Besides that, Roy says he doesn’t want to be anywhere else.

Yep poor from Shane. Should be out there doing laps with poo running down his legs leaving a trail behind him. Dont worry about the gps tracker, just follow the flow of brown to see how fast he’s going. Then make sure he touches as many water bottles as possible on his way back to Gosch’s. Thats commitment.

Spargs did a bit of match sim today - got a round of applause from the handful of track watchers. Great to see.

Roy George is here

He has a stomach bug, the same stomach bug that saw Vines come off early in a session last week and as Goody said, you know it must be bad if Vines willingly went off. It’s also the same stomach bug that had Fritta feeling like death last Friday. So, why would anyone expect him to train today?

Disco came off and sat on the ground with left sock and shoe off. Two trainers were looking closely at his ankle. Now he’s jogging around the boundary. He said it’s fine and it’s nothing to be concerned about and the medics told him it’s not serious. NOTE: EVERYTHING A PLAYER TELLS A SUPPORTER NEEDS TO BE TAKEN WITH A GRAIN OF SALT.

Doesn’t mean he’s blowing off training altogether. As has been mentioned many times on here, training methods have changed. There’s much individual training being done. edit: Shane is ill with the stomach bug that’s affected a few of the boys this past week.

Wheels told me he took Ricky camping and fishing on Saturday. Ricky had never done either before. There were other boys on the little overnight camping thing. As Wheels put it… the “brother boys” went and they had a great time.

I think he is good player, learning quickly and has had very good trainers in his developmental period prior to AFL. He plays in those tight areas, will burst into space, break the lines, and throws his weight around in defensive plays. He is going to be hard to match up to, he appears taller and slimmer than Tracc. Occasionally misses his kicks, but has plenty of time to get that right. The ones I see him miss have been when tight on the boundary with few options but to go short along the boundary line. Does not lack confidence when playing and keeps a humble personification most of the time. His development is going to be interesting. I'd also include Rivers in the conversation with Tracc and Langford, as possible game changers.

Why on earth would Shane be expected to train when he's unwell? Ridiculous. Let the man rest up, get better and not spread it further into the club.

Great news Spargo is one of, if not the best decision makers when transitioning the ball into F50 - I’d love it if he could kick further but he’s very underrated by a lot of posters imo

You must be thinking of WCW. I’ve always adored him 🤭 Yeah nah, I used to dislike him for personal reasons (that I’ve never fully explained on here). I was lambasted by some uninformed peeps on here when I expressed this. Mind you, these selfsame peeps bagged me for blindly defending every player, and for tearing into anyone who said a negative thing about a player, which I admit to doing and which I no longer do. Tracc’s changed SO much. We had a lengthy talk after training one day (we really and truly did, posters who implied I made it up) and I immediately saw that he was clearly making an effort to change. I’m guessing he’ll be the same with others who felt the same way as me, although at this stage they can only take my word for it.

Got a feeling they are giving Koltyn plenty of half-forward time. Kossie is a mid now, I think.

Legit info as told by Chocco, Peter (head physio), Nathan Basset, Ricky M, Roy George (who wore Shane’s jumper today) and Koz. Shane physically could not train in any capacity nor could he even attend the team meeting beforehand such is the severity of this particular stomach bug. He’s not the only player who’s succumbed to it to the point of missing a session. If they were telling me BS they must’ve got together before training to get their story straight and quite frankly I can’t imagine they’d bother. 😂

Happy for a 8.00-10.30 or so session😎 By the way Ghostwriter, Clarry will look like your avatar with the amount of sunscreen he will require!

Ben McKay…

A big thanks to Demonland, Ghost Writer, 3183 Dee, Scoop Junior, Fritta and Turner and Kev Martin for their great training reports and all posters, special comments and features, greatly appreciated another big session by the players and coaches today in harshish conditions.

Work commitments haven't allowed me to get down to Goschs for a look yet but the more I read about Harvey Langford the more I wonder if we're looking at the next Trac and the thought of seeing in the same side has me salivating.

Was actually bearable. The sun went behind cloud cover and stayed there and there was a pleasant and at times strong breeze. The players weren’t fazed at all by the heat. It was a long session but they came off in the same condition as they always do. Again, Zooper Doopers fix everything. Even before the session started they weren’t bothered by the prospect of oppressive heat. Especially Charles SpargiPants who said weather is weather, it’s all the same. Bloke’s so laid back he’s a heartbeat away from a coma. Almost as laid back as Ed, and that’s saying something 😅

I think GW said he is absent because of a stomach bug several others have had recently - if true and I have no reason to suspect otherwise that’s a legitimate reason to be absent

Only in Melbz… forecast top of 42 yet still need to pack a brolly 😅

If he was wearing his goggles I struggle to imagine him being dumber than he looked Anything is possible I guess

Thanks GW and love your last line. I have a feeling about this kid, that I know others might not share, but we will see as the season unfolds. I also don't think it can be overestimated, the benefit that can come from a few indigenous boys being at the same club and carving out their footy careers, together with their brothers.

Big wrap for Clarrie here - Track watch: Star Demon back to his best as electric forward continues midfield trial

I just did a run and a gym session and I'm much older, fatter and less fit than those guys, I think they will be fine!

From the Oakleigh Chargers - another midfielder. A real ball magnet. “A competitive onballer who thrives on the inside with a high running capacity and elite defensive pressure, while being able to go forward and impact the scoreboard.”

He did indeed test fans’ patience but for anyone who already wasn’t a fan it was more than a test of patience, it was off with his head! 😜 My track-watching DA buddy and I warmly greeted him on his first day back this preseason. We admit we weren’t sincere but we did it for what you said above “he’s so important to us achieving anything next season” and if that meant showing him we’re on his side, so be it. A small matter, but it was important to us. Turns out he was super nervous about returning since he didn’t know how he would be received by his teammates. He also wanted to show supporters that regardless of all that’s happened he’s determined to give his absolute all next season and is more driven than he’s ever been. I was naturally a little sceptical but since that day we had the long talk, he’s remained awesome and if any of his teammates had an issue with him (which I believe was the case at those first couple of sessions) I reckon they no longer do because it’s like old times when everyone’s on the same page.

Tracc encourages Harvey a lot and it’s really heartening to see. I told Tracc as much. Tracc said “He’s actually an amazing talent, isn’t he?” I said he sure is. Tracc said, “which is great because I’m getting old.” My buddy said, “Awww you’ve still got another five years in you, Tracc.” He laughed then said, “Nah, we’re (the club) thinking about the future.”

Family day at Gosch’s Paddock

If i was to compare the pair at the same age and stage id have to say Harvey is more mature than i reckon Tracc might have been in his first year. Tracc stuck me as a big energetic kid, like an Alaksan malamute puppy, whereas Langford is more a Doberman pinscher pup.

I was interviewed at training by Nick Butler for Chan 10 news. I may be on the sports report tonight 🫣

I didn’t see him but apparently a topless Mason Cox walked past Gosch’s very slowly and even stopped to watch our boys train. My buddy who saw him said she got the impression he was trying to stay unnoticed which makes me think he’s even dumber than he looks, could you get a more conspicuous filth player?! 😂

Terrific news. We may be on track for a full group - no rehab - when preseason resumes in January? I expect Spargo will start the year in the VFL but he is an important depth player and has proven that he can contribute in finals and big regular season games.

The boys are coming out now.

No you're not.

This Weds at Gosch’s at 10am is the final one for the year. It’s not listed on the website which usually means it’s technically not an open session. Of Course anyone can turn up to a public ground but the players aren’t expected to indulge fans with selfies and autographs. Some of them still do it though.

No one is allowed to burn the house down then?

You'll find one located on the grounds outside this building.

Maybe, but they snagged 2&3 flags respectively with them in their team

So what I can take from these three pages: - Spargs was training with the main group, did some match sim - Melksham might have done a hammy - McAdam was crook. - It was hot, but not unbearable.

An oxymoron?