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There was a fair amount of debate in our area as to whether the game warranted a full blown match report because it was felt that it was really an elevated version of a training session with match simulation but against a team in opposition colours. Although notionally the stronger side, North seemed to be using the occasion for the purpose of working on aspects of their game plan, one of the features of which seemed to be based on taking the longest possible route out of defence and good luck with that — I’m sure it’s not going to be a major feature when the the real thing starts but it explains in part why the Kangaroos were restricted to eight scoring shots. They were lucky that their kicking for goal was fairly good — it was the only part of the game where they were far superior to Melbourne. That’s the background to a game that never reached great heights in terms of quality apart from the performance of Jake Melksham before he departed the game at half time. Angus Brayshaw lifted his game almost to those heights when he went to the middle in the second half after a lacklustre first 40 minutes. He was immediately manhandled by the North on ball division which was a clear mistake — you ruffle his feathers at your own peril. In this case, Gus was stirred into demonstrating, albeit briefly, to all those standing in the shadows of the now non-existent gasometer, the ingredients of a third placed Brownlow finish. Let’s hope that it’s back because it was sorely missed in the Demon midfield in 2019. The area around Arden Street has certainly changed since the 60s and 70s but, despite the million dollar amenity at the southern end of the ground, it still feels like the home of one of the AFL’s poorer clubs. With a decent crowd in place, they didn’t look keen on making dollars from the sale of food to the hungry fans on hand — one of my takeaways from the game therefore is there were no takeaways; not even a single sausage roll! And on the subject of sausage rolls, the last few premiership teams have set the pace in terms of dangerous little men up forward to kick goals and while scoring was at a premium, this seemed to be a focus in yesterday’s game with Kozzie, Toby Bedford, Charlie Spargo and Oskar Baker all featuring around goal with livewire performances. I liked Tom Sparrow’s efforts, particularly in the first half before he was shoved aside in the middle by the Brayshaw cameo. Jay Lockhart is coming on and looks like being understudy to our All Star Nev down back. Mitch Brown was good too although his kicking for goal let him down. A word of commendation to the Casey boys who filled in — a good few of them including the veteran Jimmy Munro and the underrated Mitch Lewis (who always seems to be out with injury) showed they weren’t out of place at this standard which is probably half way between AFL and VFL. The team had no trouble finishing off the game which is again a contrast to 2019 but one of my highlights was Trent Rivers. His form showed why the club’s recruiters were so delighted that he was available at pick #32 in last year’s National Draft. The All Australian Under 18 has pace and, despite one blooper, disposes of the ball efficiently and gets his hands on it often. So they were my takeaways apart from the reasonably good news on the injury front which I mentioned elsewhere. Melbourne 2.4 3.8 6.12 7.13 (55) North Melbourne 2.2 3.2 3.2 5.3 (33) Goals Melbourne Bedford 2 Baker Fritsch Melksham Pickett Spargo Best Melbourne Melksham Brayshaw Spargo Rivers Lockhart Sparrow Bedford Fritsch Lewis (Casey VFL) Munro (Casey VFL)

You should of corrected them, I would of

These are the players who were on the list I have been provided:- (48) Jaxon Briggs — talented small forward with loads of pace. In his fourth season at Casey he played 9 games for the club but showed plenty of improvement in 2019. (35) Andrew Courtney — an 18 year old athletic 201cm ruckman/forward out of the Sandringham Dragons via St Bedes who, like many big men of his size, needs to work on his skill set in senior ranks. At last year’s Draft Combine he produced a 94cm running vertical jump, an 81cm standing vertical jump and clocked a three-second flat 20m sprint. (44) Corey Ellison — 19 year old, 189cm, 85kg defender from Dandenong Stingrays. (35) Mitch Lewis — plagued by injuries in his time at Casey but has shown plenty of class in between knee and ankle injuries and concussions. The classy flanker who can play at both ends was restricted to 8 games last season. He has elite running ability (runs 2km in six minutes) and was considered an outside chance for selection in last year’s mid season draft. (17) Tom McCaffrey — the 25 year old midfielder enters his third season with Casey after playing with the Wondonga Raiders in the Ovens & Murray Football League. He played 3 games with Casey in 2019. (16) James “Jimmy” Munro — an inspirational, hard tackling veteran, Munro has been a source of constant drive for Casey since transferring from Sandringham. Averaged 21.3 disposals and almost nine tackles from his 18 games last season. (27) Ryan Sparkes — 18 year old, 185cm, 82kg winger from Gippsland Power also played for Vic Country last year. He works hard, is super competitive, runs all day and takes the game on. (30) Anthony Vella — the left footer transferred from Port Melbourne last year but was injured and restricted to only five games in 2019.

I went to Arden Street today. It’s not the best viewing ground with no elevation to speak of, and they inexplicably didn’t sell any food or beverages despite a healthy crowd in on a Friday afternoon. Oh well, North’s $$$ they lost out on. Overall it was a nice outing and we were clearly the better side. Not often do I pay attention to the quality of opposition in a pre season game, but North were noticeably awful. We went really hard at the ball and had some really good overlap happening, particularly in the first three quarters. Goal kicking was abysmal but let’s get that out of the way in a game that doesn’t matter. Rivers, twice in the space of 5 minutes in the third quarter, executed risky kicks down the corridor from the back 50 that both paid off and both resulted in Melbourne scores. I really liked the boldness and skill of that. He’s a dark horse to play early in the season. Hibberd better watch out if he brings his 2019 form. Mitch Brown, 0.5 I think, but he is the next Pederson for sure. Really like what he brings. For those who might be wondering - KOSI didn’t play at all in the last quarter. He was very impressive in the preceding three.

Saw Harley Bennell at the ground. Biggest takeaway, he looks happy. massive smile on his face

The Casey Demons will have a practice match on Saturday 14th March 2020 at 11.30am at Casey Fields against Port Melbourne. That game takes place in the weekend before the start of the season when there are no AFL games played and will give the opportunity to players who have had injury-interrupted pre seasons and are racing against time to get match fit for round 1.

This is what I'd like to see from Jayden again. Straight lines? what a load of BS.

I watched it live mate and he definitely wasn’t “unsighted”. I thought his pressure was pretty good and he was one of the main antagonists with breaking down the Roos short game with his speed most of the day. he clearly could’ve been better but tbh he wasn’t too bad imo.

Arden St, facing the green bit? Jordon and Sparrow are both being coached to be inside mids, with Jordon able to play half back and Sparrow able to go forward I kept swapping ends, the forward pressure was excellent and agressive all day led by Pickett, Bedford and Spargo Oscar was stopped by the police on the way home, they said can you identify yourself, he looked in the rear vision mirror and said 'Yes, that's me'

Him and me both.

I thought he did really well last year in the forward line, but as others have said, that wasn't from design, rather necessity. And with players that we've brought in and those that were injured, I can't see him holding a spot down there. The video posted above really does show what we loved from him, that run of 30-40m instead of a kick and breaking the lines. I hope he can become a semi-main stay and improve his form, because I can see another team picking him up and getting from him the Hunt that we want.

His set shot is strangly better than his field kicking. But I think as a forward he plays too much like a key forward for his size. He seemed to do most his good work on the lead last year. He's competing with Fritch/Melksham as a player who can be a lead up/mid sized forward option. But both of those players are a class above him and you could probably say Vanders could play that role too. This is all assuming pettracca plays majority midfield minutes and we dont play all 3 of Tmac, Weid and Brown... Unfortunatly he's skill set as a forward is not really what we need, just too many players infront of him. We need a player who is more dynamic at groundlevel. thats why we a frothing at the mouth to see Pickett out there even if he's not quite ready. One thing we could always rely on is Jayden giving his all whenever he's on the park so if he does get another chance I hope he takes it. His attitude and effort in the red and blue will never be questioned.

Aside from what occurs in terms of the playing side in practice matches, we’re always concerned that there are no injuries and it appears we’ve come out unscathed in that regard. This is where the list was at over this weekend ~ Oskar Baker — played v N Melbourne Toby Bedford — played v N Melbourne Harley Bennell — injured Austin Bradtke — played v N Melbourne Angus Brayshaw — played v N Melbourne Mitch Brown — played v N Melbourne Kade Chandler — injured Kyle Dunkley — injured Bayley Fritsch — played v N Melbourne Max Gawn — injured Mitch Hannan — injured James Harmes — rested Michael Hibberd — rested Marty Hore — played v N Melbourne Jayden Hunt — played v N Melbourne Luke Jackson — rested Neville Jetta — played in All Star game Nathan Jones — injured/rested James Jordan — played v N Melbourne Kade Kolodjiashnij — injured Ed Langdon — rested Jake Lever — rested Jay Lockhart — played v N Melbourne Oscar McDonald — played v N Melbourne Tom McDonald — rested Steven May — injured Jake Melksham — played v N Melbourne Alex Neal-Bullen — rested Aaron Nietschke — injured Clayton Oliver — rested Christian Petracca — rested Harrison Petty — injured Kysaiah Pickett — played v N Melbourne Braydon Preuss — injured Trent Rivers — played v N Melbourne Christian Salem — rested Joel Smith — injured Charlie Spargo — played v N Melbourne Tom Sparrow — played v N Melbourne Adam Tomlinson — played v N Melbourne Aaron vandenBerg — rested Jack Viney — rested Corey Wagner — played v N Melbourne Josh Wagner — played v N Melbourne Sam Weideman — rested We saw a return of two “best 22” players in Angus Brayshaw and Bayley Fritsch who missed MS01 leaving only Max Gawn and Steven May from that category still out. With Max due to make a possible return in MS02, that leaves May as our only major injury concern - a far cry from the situation in 2019. I’ve heard conflicting reports on May’s recovery but suggest that he will be one to watch over the coming few weeks. Other players that we should be watching on the score of injuries are Dunkley, Petty and Smith. How far away from playing are they?

Dont write him off yet. he had a bad game, he only needs to turn on a few moves and everyone will love him again. He has too many very good assets to let him slide away for lack of disposal at times.

2nd quarter: 3rd quarter: 4th quarter:

From AFL.com At one stage, after a late Tarrant spoil on Bayley Fritsch – another standout in his first pre-season hitout – Pickett physically remonstrated with the North Melbourne backman. Love it!

Great spirit out there today. North wanted to intimidate and were left in the dust Tarrant and Daw both tried to intimidate Fritsch and hurt him but he just worked back into it and was courageous and skilful.....a really great clubman

Well that turned out to be a pleasant afternoon. Found a spot on the gasometer wing next to the Bradke clan. Whereas Maxy has recently shed 10kg Austin has gone the other way and put on 10 kegs. Now in the low 90’s. He loves being at the club and supported us growing up. Just like his dad. Five clubs were into him apparently but only had eyes for the red and blue.

Two years ago Jayden Hunt was one of our bright young stars. With pace to burn, it was considered he would be a future wing or half back. His electric run and bounce was exciting and his torpedo goal v Crows showed his talent. He struggled last year with injury and form and seemed to be a forward pocket option in a “pieced together” forward setup. what’s his outlook for 2020 and beyond? I previously thought he was going places however from today’s practice match report, he is on the outskirts of getting a game now. Hope he gets his mojo back

Amazing day, picked a few winners inc Alligator, King of Leo, River Night (plc), Colin Sylvias Mother, Fifty Stars, but somehow multied them into some losers and stuffed it up! Oh well, thats racing. One day ill get a good one.

Bugger, not going to be as nice a pay out then ?

No one is slagging him off on here or getting personal regarding Hunt. Some of the discussion on here has been honest and constructive. Annoys me when people just come on here and see it as "bagging players" out when reality is, it's an open and honest discussion about Hunt moving forward for 2020. Its a football forum right? I honestly think if he is to win his spot back he needs to go back to being that dashing half back flanker. While he has good moments up forward, a fit and healthy forward six means he gets squeezed out. Especially with Hibberd getting towards the end, there is a spot up for grabs there for whoever wants it.

Got a tip for tomorrow Wangaratta - Cashed up, paying $17 reckon it will at least place. truly no idea how it will go but thought I’d pass it along

The kid in that video is an AFL player with great pace. Obviously he is either down on fitness or confidence. Once he regains one or both he will be back. You don't just lose your talent overnight.

His best football is played off half-back, but he hasn't been back of center for three years. A bit like Fritsch playing in defence, the coaches have looked at his skillset and have been playing him out of position to fill a need. Would like to see him breaking lines of half back again.

Vince was worth his salt for we didn't have much going for us . Bernie gave us spark. When he crossed the white line he was playing for his team mates and the club and gave his all. He left an impression.

It's part of my MFCSS retraining program.

Beat the Weasles in the first round of the season and the memberships will go through the roof.

My view is that this is a great problem to have. If one player starts to dominate and gets a hard tag, another should stand up in their place. Having multiple options that could go into the midfield and dominate was one of the best trates of the tripple premiership Brisbane side - you might be able to shut one of them down, but not all of them. Asides from those mentioned, Jones and Harmes can also impact in the guts when required. Would also be good if we could rest Clarry in the forward line at times, where I think he has already shown he can play. Melksham is too valuable to us across half forward to throw onto the ball unless we are really struggling in that area.

boundary? I'm at home sitting at the computer on a swivel chair, dd!

Replay (such as it is) seems to be up on Youtube:

As reported by North fans on their own forum, they had their best back six in and conceded 20 scoring shots to a third string Melbourne side. I agree that not much can be read into these games, however, their defence doesn't get any better than what they had out there.

I was impressed with him too George. For mine I thought Spargo isn't getting the love he should, he was very good today and smart. I have commented on Bedford in my track reports and it was great to see him put it into play today, he too was very good. I thought Baker, who hasn't had much of a preseason, showed some good toe today and Lockhart is AFL standard. Sparrow and Jordan worked hard, Rivers was very impressive and Fritsch and Gus worked into the game well. Brown spoilt his game with some terrible set shot kicking and the Wagners were solid. But the takeout for me the last two games is how well we've run out games, it really has been impressive. Last year we looked slow and tired all season but today we bounced. Great to see. With Gawn, May, Hannan and hopefully Smith not far away we look in pretty good shape.

Yes, considering we only played 6 AFL listed players, some for a half only, and our real team played the following day. The fact they didn't blow us away when they fielded 19 AFL listed players was embarrassing for them.

North - in for a year if pain. The fact they couldnt beat a side with 8 VFL players is worrying. As i mentioned during the game, bottom 4 side. Reminds of Melbourne of 2012 when Neeld came on board. Brayshaw- played the 2nd half and played really well after started a bit rusty. Play next week and get him cherry ripe for round 1. Baker- Good in patches I thought. Showed some real run and carry and used the ball well. Will play senior footy this year. Bradke- actually thought he battled well even though he was rag-doll. Something to work with there. His timing around the center was off times. The other kid who wore number 35 had a much better keep on him and was jumping all over Xerri.. Courtney?? Melksham- Was BOG in the first half. Bedford- liked his game, his run down tackle on Daw and his goal was a highlight. Should have easily kicked 3. Works very hard. Hunt- Will be lucky to play 10 games this year. Confidence looks shot and he'll either be traded or delisted. Pickett- Lock him in for round 1. Should have easily kicked 3. Brown- Lock him in for round 1. Should have easily kicked 4. Rivers- Besides his blunder he was the highlight for me. Has a huge booming kick and hit his targets well. Now I know why we didn't take Hayden Young because this kid will be just as good.

Simple Maths Winning increases Memberships

Actually that's causality.

No lateral movement either, rarely is able to evade opponents.

My memory - which isn't remotely reliable - was that it was from a big tackle v the Crows, maybe on Jacobs during that famous win in 2017. And demonstrates some of his worth off hb not currently being credited.

Got reno's happening at home and no fox tonight and next few days so tried to get updates on AFL site. That would have to be the worst website I have come across. Hard to get the scores unless your a Telstra client let alone watch it on the comp. At least I saw the game against North via web.. Listening through internet on radio now. AFL are clueless on supporters needs.

Can't touch Dangerfield in any jumper.

Thank you North Melbourne Football Club.

It is easy to bag players whilst sitting on the boundary.

He was eating takeaway?

reminds of a smaller version of Frost. Sure has great pace, but more often than not either runs himself into trouble or butchers it by foot.

How do you feel about nimrods who say "I'm bias"? It really bugs me! You can have bias and you can be biased, but you can't BE bias.

It’s Mitch Brown before Luke Jackson. The kid needs to develop, clearances aren’t a concern... getting goals are.

Absolutely. Learned quite a bit about some of our kids today. Bedford was very good. Has some skills. Sparrow will be a senior player sooner rather than later. Jordon went in hard. Didnt see heaps of him but liked what i did see. Oscar Baker did enough to suggest he has a future. Rivers.... what a leg he has. VERY excited about this lad. Second half from Brayshaw was excellent after a slow start. Bradke wasnt the baby giraffe i expected to see. Brown will get lots of games this season. A win always makes me happy, and probably a bit hyperbolic, but today was a very good day considering how many VFL players we used V's Norf. They never looked a chance of beating us despite having every right to think they should. I would light a cigarette right now if i smoked..

If Rhys Shaw thinks he can win games playing that plan , he will be fast going the same way as his predecessor!

He also provided good cover and a good example to follow that allowed the development of our current batch of mids like Viney, Brayshaw, Harmes, Oliver etc not to be thrown totally to the wolves too early and importantly, he helped to build a winning culture. Loved some of those games he played on Dangerfield where he got under his skin and took him out of the game. Just a pitty that his body didn't hold out a bit longer such that he could have played a role in our 2018 finals campaign.