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I congratulated Goody on his recent tying of the knot. Told him his gorgeous bride Kris looked stunning, the scenery was beautiful and his shirt was hands down the ugliest wedding apparel I’ve ever seen. He was shocked to hear my thoughts on his shirt. He said he loves it, it’s his favourite piece of clothing. I said I’ll pray for you. He said folks were asking him if he had a 10-pin bowling game to attend after the match. He thought that was funny. I said I’ll pray reeeaaallll hard for you. 🙃

I thought Lindsay was very impressive. Quick, clean, lovely kick, positioned himself well, was very involved. For someone that hasn’t done much full training for a while he was very good. Howes played well. Used his body well in marking contests and was strong one on one. Keeps his feet well in contests. He’s a slow burn but he can definitely play.

They were going hard at each other. The sims were in two 15 minute blocks. The second block finished a few minutes early, they gathered and had another 7 minutes at it. I think they were asked to compete, as they would play against an opposition. There was plenty of niggle, between some of them. At the end of the contest they supported each other with a of bump and slap. Some heavy collision occurred, biggest and worrisome was Clarry and May both aerial and front on, into each other. A minute on the deck and up. Heard some calls of, get up. May with a back niggle, Clarry back in. McAdam in a hit, and had a delayed reaction, as he went to ground. Talked with the trainer, did some stretches and got back into it. Tmac appeared to limp after a clash of legs in a tackle. Vines and Laurie also in hard hits. Rehab had, Woey in the light green cap (my guess would be concussion protocols), Fullarton running extensive laps, Tracc and Turner working together early on, Lever and Max. No Jefferson. There were two run-on players. Spargo still in runners and not with the main group. Good to see Melky in full training, did extra laps, the same with Salem. Fritsch in full training now, appears happy. Four wings during the sims had Billings and Langdon matched, and the other side had Sparrow and Sharp. Petty played forward. Adams had to look after the backline as the tall for a few plays and did really well. Johnson is looking good. Lindsay is in full training. He is something of a ball magnet, had plenty of involvement, moves well to space and has a lovely pass. He attempted a few long kicks which didn't come off, fell short. Langford was not as prominent today. McVee looking good, as is AMW, and so are Bowey and Rivers. Kossie had plenty of the ball, though got caught a few times. I think they have given him the licence to do whatever he wants. Mentha did the same thing though shrugged the tackle and delivered a long pass with precision, afterwards he was encouraged to handball when initially tackled. They separated into backs (looking low in numbers) and the forwards with the mids. Chaplin continues to enforce the structures he wants. Many of the forwards are talking and encouraging each other about positioning and what the intention is. Even when a play goes well but not to what Chaplin wants he voices his expectations. JVR was making good leads into small spaces. The smalls working hard to create mismatches and blocks. McAdam playing high forward and being used to deliver. Missed a few hit ups, got intercepted, or made the wrong decision. He is not having any trouble getting the ball.

Huge thanks to WayneWussell, Ghostwriter, Ditcha, Harvey Wallbanger, Startibartfast, Inandunder and Kev Martin and all posters that was a most enjoyable training report and special comments today.😁😁😁

Further thoughts on today's match sim. Petty is aggressive in contests, even against teammates. AMW spoilt his marking attempts a few times, but when the opportunity arrived, Petty slammed AMW into the turf. He was an effective and physical forward today. A smother while standing on the mark resulted in much applause and verbal support from teammates. Rivers was a standout in all activities. He takes the game on at pace and is strong enough to push opponents away. Ollie did what Ollie does best... accumulates... distributes... runs all day. Langdon is also doing what he has done for years! Tholstrup gives 100% but there is still room for improvement in ball handling and delivery. He puts himself in the right places and demands the ball. Tom McDonald continues to train at the highest levels. Injury free and reminding everyone that he is a topliner in defence. Don't need to look any further than Marty Hore to cover for Rick. AJ continues to do impressive things in match sim. It won't be for want of trying if he misses out on early selection. Fritsch, also looking to have put injury concerns behind him, is having more involvement further from goal . Tom Sparrow is another who gives 100%. I feel he is sometimes underrated here. Roy was here and he kept close to Kossie. Didn't stand out in match sim. I didn't notice Kentfield or Spargs, and there were up to three others who took part in match sim that I didn't recognize.

Kozzie hasn’t seen that revolting imaginary back page but he laughed when I told him about it and said it’s bs and to pay no attention to it. He and Ardu and Bellanie ain’t goin’ nowhere!

Huge black clouds rolling in right now. Thank goodness I forgot my umbrella 🙄 They’ll still train while it’s raining but I’ve seen a couple of lightning strikes. Postscript- the rains are here Marge.

Clarry looks to have trimmed down over the break and looks AFL fit! Thought the break could have went either way, but looks committed to elite footy.

Re Lindsay yes - but then finished with moderate run-throughs. Not unusual for the first year's, controlling the loads and considering he had that PCL pre-Christmas. In match sims he seemed to line up on the wing and in the mids' contested stuff was positioned "outside". Building nicely, but Langford probably ahead of him as he has been able to do the full program so far. Let's hope they have years together in the engine room.

I attended some of the training session this morning. Match sim was full on with May, Clarry, and McAdam going down to the ground after heavy collisions. All got up, and were OK. Choco arranged for young girls with Max Gawn face masks to have Max sign the face masks. Choco was speaking to everyone that attended training.

Got to sign off now… parking meter calling

There is no doubt that Kozzie would like to play his footy in WA and that Freo are aware of this. A trade request was close this year so I’d said it’s likely next year. Kozzie is super close with Roy George. They’re essentially related so it will be interesting to see if his presence at the club helps.

Sharp will be a lock on the wing for the first game. His endurance and workrate are exactly what we need on the other wing if Windsor is going to half back. On another note, went to watch Essendon train yesterday and out sessions had way more running, match sim and full contact within. We train much harder than them but it may have been a 1/2 loading session in their defence.

Disco about a week away from joining main group

if they are smart they’ll delay training by an hour Gawn a cert to attract the lightning.

This is impossible - he was traded to Port Adelaide two years ago!

Luker was there (training with the main group) but his hair has grown and so has he. I almost didn’t recognise him. Charles was there. He said his achilles is almost 100% Toby Sinnema is likely one of the boys you didn’t recognise. Today was the first time he’s met many of the players. He said he’s stoked about how much they welcomed him.

Training really well. Super fit.

Yes

Campbell has legs like tree trunks and is very fit. Handled the ball well and was good by foot in the wet weather. Standby for round 1 debut!

We had some good conversations with him but he’s told us that he’s happy in Perth and will be re-signing with Freo.

Oh goody, a full season of koz watch. I'll tap out now I think.

Jefferson not in training due to a heavy head knock at training on Monday at Casey. In the concussion protocols.

Jai Culley. Former West Coast player. Number 1 pick in the mid season draft a few years back. Signed with Casey.

Sharp has some great burst speed and agility too. It's a handy combo with his endurance running.

Just had a word to Choco about the train on player who out pointed Sestan. He said he was on the NGA list and was our first choice if we have one. I was so stoked to be talking to the great man, I forgot the name of the player!

I too think he'll end up in the West, but he'll do so on our terms. 2027 gives Melbourne the right sort of leverage to demand good compensation. If that's not possible at the end of 2025 then he stays and it can be revisited at the end of 2026. It's pretty simple.

Perhaps we could trade him for Jackson? He seems pretty good

It will sell papers in the west. They cant land him and the dodger from the swans. Would take 3 first rounders. Also, he has NO interest in going home, with his partner and her family from Melb (as i understand it)…. So.. F off click baiters

Oh, he did? I didn’t notice… twice.

One of my mates played golf with Xavier Lindsay over the break. Said he was a ripping kid, said we should be happy to have him, but hopes his football is better than his golf!!

Trac looked great

Not sure if it’s been mentioned already but Taj was wearing the no-contact hat because of some “minor concussion issues”

You can still win games and be happy at the same time and leave all at the same time. Just ask Alex Neale Bullen. He clearly he wants to be around more extended family and me personally have no issues with at all even though he is my favourite player on the list and someone that gets me more excited since Jurrah, Farmer and Davey.

Yes

Bowey is safe one would think

Can the Hun run a story tomorrow with Serong, Brayshaw, and Pumpernickel (I know two Freo players) in Dees gear?

“No doubt” ????? As a famous ranga fish n chip shop owner once said ploise explain Roy is Kozzie’s biological uncle. They’re super close as you say. But in terms of teammates it’s Ricky Mentha who will figure largely in Kozzie’s decision to stay with us, IMHO.

Thanks for the updates @waynewussell Much appreciated! Edit - and our friendly ghost, obviously

Fullarton in rehab coz he has a slight hammy, sustained on Monday.

Yes

Yes, that’s it. Impressive

Now in full ground, even numbers sim. AJ just took a big mark at the top of goal square!

Guru Bob is in attendance.

Vines coming off with blood running down the side of his face. Looks like he’s been hit on the brow. All patched up and back out there

Spot on. Kozzie and his partner Ardu are fully settled in Melb. End of story 👍🏽

With life getting busier and busier these days it’s easier to pass on going to the footy every week. One of the reasons I like to go these days is my kids. They love Koz. As do I. But I am realistic. I’ve heard from multiple great sources that it’s unlikely he’ll be a one-club player. I am hoping to be wrong on that front.

It may be click bait but not sure we should dismiss this. A poster who is usually well informed (can't remember who) mentioned in a training thread that Goodwin was annoyed last year at a recruiter closely watching a particular player. That club got the player's trade request on a 7yr, multi million $ deal. I guessed his reference was to Kozzie. The club and his manager shut it down pretty quickly. But, I feel it is only a matter of time. If he helps win another flag he's done his job and I'd wish him well - but I wouldn't like it.

We’ll beat a half strength GWS at the G and roll Geelong, Freo match the kicker, 6-0 for mine or 5-1 if Geelong or Freo get us. At that point the media will be talking about Langford as the rightful pick 1, Johnson being a master stroke and Oliver as equal Brownlow favourite with Petracca. Side articles will include Gawn and Mays durability, Windsor’s total lack of second year blues and Lindsay’s 32 possession 3 goal debut in Round 3 as the best played by a first year player. Even Salem will get an article about his lack of thyroid issues, his beautiful kicking and living with his partner and 2 dogs. Demonland will contain more superlatives than Rojets Theasaurus. It’ll be party time from there onwards.