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I would love to say, that training was the best I've seen EVER!!! I would love to say that Angus Young from ACDC TRAINED THE HOUSE DOWN and could be added to our list! I would love to say that the weather was perfect BUT ALAS NONE OF IT WOULD BE TRUE Point number 1 the only players training were the core defence unit. More on that in a minute? Point number 2 Sorry for misleading you, but if Jayden Hunt resplendent with long hair under a school type hat ain't a dead ringer for Angus Young of ACDC Then he's darn close enough to be his twin? Piont 3 Typical Casey weather Sleet, Wind, Rain, Sunshine tending to Mercury like temperatures all within an hour and a half!? Training report. Arrived at ground to see quite a few but not packed car park at Casey at 9.40 Whether for COVID or other reasons the only players training were the defensive unit. This consisted of Lever, May, Smith, Nev, Petty, Rivers, HUNT, and BOWEY. Hibbo was also a no show. Tomlinson's only involvement was taking pot shots from 25 meters into a wheelie bin. For what reasons I couldn't say, he didn't look injured but saw him in conversation with Alan Richardson. The session was lead by Chocko Williams. I highlighted both Jayden Hunt and Jake Bowey as I'm interested in the likely impact both would have as defenders? I thought Hunt looked good to very good last year in attack and I would have thought Bowey's skill set would see him potentially taking a forward like role. The drills were interesting in that it is my feeling that this was not a high intensity session and could almost be as laid back as AFL Training gets. Drill A Involved the options of running the ball out in spread and finding a target through creation of space. The added element though seemed to be the new "Stand the Mark" rule which will really test all players given that the moment a mark or free kick is paid you cannot move at all. Its as if your boots are superglued to the turf and any minor movement will see players getting pinged left right and centre. I think it is a shocking rule and I can see games being won and lost with it. The players mentioned trained ok but as iterated it was not a high intensity drill. Drill B Involved players with backs to other player 30-40 mts away throwing or bouncing the ball and depending on its landing players turned quickly right or left footed to spear a pass to either leading or stationary target. Again a few excellent passes and a few MEH! Drill C Players taking ball and having pot shots on goal That's about it except for one slightly strange thing. At one stage Clarry ventured out from rooms with ???? Staffer maybe. walking around the boundary line looking at his phone, Music pod whatever stopping once or twice then heading back into rooms. I could speculate many other players may have been indoors doing a weights session but who knows?? Mitch Brown also appeared early and seemed to be doing some rehab work with Staffer for about 15-20 mins. I sincerely hope things step up from here and further, someone can find out if the Richmond or other practice match is on when, as even if a "'closed session" its easy to see through the fence! P.S If Jayden Hunt can play guitar half as good as Angus Young, then his career at end of footy days seems assured! Cheers PF ? ADDITIONAL TRAINING REPORT FROM DWORSHIP HERE

Picket wasn't the only Demonlander there this morning. Mrs DW , myself and a friend and avid Demons watcher (who doesn't post on here), also attended. I will get the most important news out of the way first. Our friend arrived just after 9am and Maxy was walking the boundary with Langdon . Max spoke to him saying we were there on the wrong day that there was no combined training today. They would be doing only short stints and it was a skills and weights session and that we should have come tomorrow. That being the case I think that indicates there will be some kind of practice match later in the week. Picket has covered most of what we saw brilliantly, I have only a couple of small additions. Rehab: Doing high knee lifts; Vanders. Trying get balls in wheelie bins; Hibbo, Hore (only by handball) & Tomlinson. PF mentioned Clayton walking the boundary with someone, I can confirm it was JJ. He has put on some serious muscle and the photo gallery from today doesn't do him justice. He looks like a larger Jack Viney. Having mentioned the "photo gallery" my mate and I don't believe a word of the "early start" blurb. We believe the Mids and Forwards groups came out after we left around 1130. We don't know why it was written up the way it was. The defensive group described by Picket also included Lockhart and Deakyn Smith. Regarding Deakyn, my friend has been impressed with what he has seen of him previously in match sim, so it appears there is now some serious competition for Lords role; Nev, Smith, Bowey and Lockhart. Finally a question for PF, you said "the new Stand the Mark rule which will really test all players given that the moment a mark or free kick is paid you cannot move at all". This isn't correct, the Umpire must command STAND and indicate this to a player and then they cannot move. My question is, did you hear anyone shouting this? I couldn't but I was at the other end of the ground during these drills. PS. Keep up the great work Picket it's been great reporting.

Understandable then if he didn't train. My wife assures me childbirth is pretty draining

He's working on a complex law suit against Arnott's

Explains a lot Dazz, clearly trying to get training away from peepin eyes early!! Don't worry I'll take my swag, portable BBQ, some Jackies and camp out for the night. Only one thing stops me

Seems like this lot need a trip to Portsea with Percy Cerruty

Leon Davis' story is in many ways even more uncomfortable reading. I'm surprised we haven't heard more about it. So his team mates filled out his player profile for him did they? That sounds familiar. When Leon's parents called a meeting with the club about it, Leon, the victim of the racism, was ostracized by the playing group for daring to speak up. No wonder young Indigenous players felt they couldn't say anything or complain about their treatment. There was no support at all, only the possibility of more harm directed towards them. Shameful.

Pic #14...I refuse to believe Fraser Rosman is not yet 19 years old. That upper body definition!

Melksham is definitely not one of our best players.

Great - looking forward to seeing how Ben Brown, Weird, and Pickett work together in our forward line. Dees ?

Congrats to Max Gawn for also being awarded Life membership A great clubman and current captain . 2 X B& F, 2018 AFLCA champion player and 4 X AA's Well deserved and more greatness to come. Well done Max.

Congrats to Tom McDonald for being awarded life membership of our great club and a loyal clubman. 170 games mostly solid football and hoping that you are injury free and ready to produce some of your best football in 2021 and beyond. Well done Tommy.

Well girls and boys it is on tonight. I can hardly wait for all the big announcements. New home is resolved and first dirt will be turned in 1st April. All future elections will actually be democratic. Expecting to make a big profit on winning the flag this year. Hell I can dream can’t I?

This might explain it a bit more. https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/866239/training-gallery-february-22

Suddenly I feel like Goodwin's position is safe. Just to clarify the suggestion: As our ruck, we're going to play a 195cm key position defender and occasional forward who has only had four games in his career with more than 20 hitouts, has only played more than 10 games in a season once, and (while giving full credit to his recovery effort) has serious injury history in parts of the body that are particularly vulnerable when playing in ruck. So that a multiple-All-Australian ruckman with super fitness and field positioning awareness for around-the-ground marking that is frequently crucial to the play can be moved to full forward to make the most possible use of his iffy set shots.

If it is ok to go to the dogs ground yesterday to watch the girls / tennis match why is not ok to go a ground to watch a practice match?

I have a phobia of adults over the age of 30 who wear team merchandise (a scarf is ok).

Is there anything more MFC than making you go to an expensive car dealership to collect your scarf? :p

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/feb/20/former-collingwood-player-leon-davis-we-dont-want-our-kids-to-have-to-go-through-the-[censored] I imagine ours and other clubs pasts are similar and man it’s hurtful to read these kinds of stories. I really hope with the guidance of Wrecker and Jetta there are better support networks for indigenous players and staff and our players are better educated.

Gawn is more valuable back as the intercept tall. He also commands the ball from the kick in. I wouldn't have him ruck forward of centre. Daw could add some flexibility in a role with max and dogga.

I'm pretty certain that Saty (I assume that's who you are referring to), doesn't drive a car, but apart from that, given the amount of flack he cops from others on this site, I can't say I'd blame him if he had retired his keyboard... I noticed in another topic on this board today, that he even comes under fire from certain posters for his non-footy related tweets. People really should give it a rest!

Cheers for the reports guys! Am starting to get excited as the season edges closer! Keen to see Rosman play. Sounds like he has some real X factor. Obviously he will take time but looks an athlete! Bring on the season!!

I've already lost the will to live.

My first impression was that he's been dragged through a hedge backwards.

Don't call him shirley!

They drafted him with the idea of him being our Caleb Daniel.

My Humble Apologies. I'll check my white privilege. Yep-still non-existent.

I am of the firm belief the film months python references everything. Case in point:

fixed it for ya

The club have received the 2021 New Balance range and are in the process of preparing it for online sale. The new stock is in store though.

Q: Why is Melksham valued? A: 8th highest goal assists at MFC since 1965 Top 20 marks inside 50 for MFC since 1965 4th highest goal kicker on current list This from 71 games in R&B to date.

Pic #15 - Melksham at training. Hammy injury seemingly mild if that is the case...

He'll fill out to be a potential big bodied key forward.

I'm starting to get a bad feeling about this season. We've had Viney, Brayshaw and Oliver all missing large chunks of the pre season. Then unfortunate injuries to Weid and Brown and then poor Kozzie losing his Mum. I'm usually pretty optimistic, but have a feeling it will be another season outside the 8.

Thanks Picket you have first rate determination to see them in practise.

Have it on good authority it will be Friday at Casey. Closed session.

Maybe we can limit the intrigue. It's no secret when the games are being played since the AFL is posting the dates. Since we're the last mentioned we are probably playing on Sunday the 28th, venue to be disclosed: Western Bulldogs v Hawthorn – Whitten Oval, Wednesday, February 24; Carlton v Essendon – Ikon Park, Thursday, February 25; North Melbourne v St Kilda – Arden Street Oval, Thursday, February 25; Geelong v Collingwood – GMHBA Stadium, Friday, February 26; Port Adelaide v Adelaide – Alberton Oval, TBC; Gold Coast v Brisbane – Metricon Stadium, TBC; Fremantle v West Coast – TBC; Greater Western Sydney v Sydney – TBC; Melbourne v Richmond – TBC.

“Hilarity” doesn’t quite work here. Leon nails it in his article.

Born in the same month as RDB, and were great protagonists. I remember journo Michael Horan writing that as an 11yo the Weid took him to a game when he was captain. Parked the FJ in Johnston St, went into the Yarra Hotel and they both had a steak counter lunch; and 2 pots for the Weid. Then carry the Gladstone bag over to the changing rooms, preliminary to leading the Pies to another stirring home game win. Different days!

Nup...if you want to know why it took Max so long to develop it wasn't only his attitude and injuries. It was the attitude of a dumb coach and footy department that persisted with Spencer in the ruck at Casey whilst trying to make the far better prospect, Max...into a key forward. I remember watching him in the ruck for Casey one day when Spencer was out injured and couldn't for the life of me figure why he wasn't the number one choice ...he blitzed, would we leave him there? no they put him back forward again. It took some serious changes at the club before this changed. Max flourished in the number one ruck role when he got the chance and that's where he plays.

You seem like a nice fella l am sure you mean good somehow it is not a good idea EG 64. We need our captain at the centre bounce and around the ground' IN PARTICULAR !

A three day practice game should sort out the fitness levels anyway.

and Melksham we currently have a second string forward line.

I think that is pretty good for now, hoping a few of the newies can surprise and slot in as well. I am a fan of Brown on a forward flank but see you have Petty who I like too.

Jake is having a shocking run, I hope it is not a long term problem for him. But I think that we have him covered short term.

I really don't think Max is utilised that well honestly. He taps like 90% over his left shoulder and instantly whoever gets it is under the pump. How about drifting forward instead of back occasionally? Our backline is great, we are constantly outnumbered going forward and this is in part due to Max always dropping behind the play. When he takes the mark in the backline he rarely hands off the ball by hand and tends to give it straight back quite often with a garbage kick. We may look better with Daw or Jackson in the ruck and learn to utilise Max more around the ground. Prefer forward to back as mistakes are not as costly. He gets a heap of Hit outs which gives him All Australian positions by default. Do we actually gain midfield ascendancy because of his dominance?? Not sure we do for how dominant he could/should be!

"who's up? who's up?" maybe the 6 foot 9 dudes facing each other, razor! the 'nominate who rucks' rule has to be the most superfluous of them all - if two blokes from the same team go up, it's a free...it ain't complicated

This a moment i absolutely never sick of watching.

This is the worst rule change of the lot. Will be a spectacular mess. Will decide some games.