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Disclaimer: Saw on the socials they were down at Gosch’s Paddock so headed down for a quick look. Little to no presence of other track watchers and no current live thread, so as a first time contributor, giving what the people need! It won’t be as expansive and comprehensive as what we’re used to… but it’s something. Conditions: Hot and windy (no explanation needed). Training Format: Tailored match sim; line grouping skills; running.. and lots of it. Observations: Tailored Match Sim: Offense orientated simulation. Focus on transitioning the from defensive wing to forward 50. A team forwards appeared to play on the A backs, with Midfielders having cross representation of personnel. General observations – We still bias to target kicking into the pockets. Attempted to lower the eyes on several occasions to get into the corridor, but the defensive group were strong at intercepting and pushing the rebound. Goal kicking was accurate in windy conditions. Oliver – completed his 2km Time Trial pre-session and was fully integrated with the main group for match-sims (so yes, first session back with the group). Was on a modified running session program separate to the others. Had plenty of the ball in match sims. Was great to see close to the start of the season. Schache - appeared to be the A forwards, along with Fritsch and Van Rooyen. Assume he’s in the starting line up whilst Petty is out. Was a key target on the long kicks into the F50. Pickett – so active and such a livewire in the FWD line. Was the most dominant and damaging player. Billings – genuinely looks to add class synergy in D50 and F50 connection. VanRooyen – not quite as big as May (direct opponent), but is the closest thing we have to a big bustling forward. His development this year will be so important. Tomlinson – looked very settled in the A defense team. Played a lock down defensive role on Schache. Viney and Trac looked very silky in the midfield, as did Sparrow. Other observations on the mids were challenging… I’m bamboozled by the detail you guys can provide on the mids at training. They all look the same to the untrained eye. Line grouping skills: Only observation was that Windsor and Langdon were with the defenders. Perhaps Windsor is the emerging winger for Prac Games if Hunter remains out? Running: Various running drills, split into running groups that have been well documented on previous threads. To my surprise, Kolt was in the second group, albeit on a modified program - clearly has some speed and tank to build on in coming pre-seasons. Started to feel nauseated watching the efforts in the conditions so decided to call it a day there. Anticipated and frequently asked questions: Petty was not partaking in training – stuck to the side with a ball in hand. Salem was on the track and fully training in at least the match sims and line grouping skills. Hunter & Fullarton were on a modified running programs sticking to the boundary line. Fullarton was doing some larger kms so looks to be recovering well. Don’t have a comprehensive list of non-trainers, so would only be guessing - which I want to avoid! That is all I have. Enjoy!

If anyone has earned a walk up start its Clarry.

Have it on good authority that Tom is tracking along really well and a chance of featuring in our practice match against Carlton on Wednesday February 28.

Love reading the positives posts about Billings, have high hopes for him this season. Think he'll enjoy being part of this set up too. Low key addition who could play a key role.

Being in full training 3.5 weeks out from our first match surely puts Oliver in the mix for Sydney…

Sparrow did mention he's brought some offensive changes from the Tigers over. Would love if we could pressure like they did. It was elite for 4 years

Good to see Fullarton in footy boots chasing a footy.

Clarry fully integrated back with the main group for match sims

Superstars dont fall far from trees Imagine him deep forward with a licence to go where he wants... Matchup Mayhem🤪

If Clarry has clocked up the required amount of kms during his time off pre season and is ticked off by the coaching and medical staff and is ready to go. I see no valid reason as to why they would hold him back.

McAdam in a photo on the club website from training today. I might be clutching at straws, but he's in his footy boots as opposed to his runners. This indicates that he must have been doing some lateral movement/football type training as opposed to just interval running. I'm not sure he would be doing this if he had a pretty serious groin issue??

Jefferson looked to be in the B Fwd team. Schache looked consistent with observations across the pre-season. I thought he was a good presence in the Fwd line and is the logical KPF in line behind Petty. Re. Oliver, I'd hope they make him earn an Opening Round spot rather than being a walk-up, but in terms of match-fitness I'm sure players have taken the field in worse conditions throughout the year so I'm sure he'll be ready with 4 weeks to go.

Fully agree. Stan Alves was Captain, Rep player, B&F. Absolute champion & I never saw him take a backward step. Why would someone denigrate one of our champions ?

From the video footage I have seen, forward handballs seem to be a big part of our game for this year?

Salem and Oliver full training does that mean that I should have them in the senior squad next week?

Oliver takes big step – but Dees have other problems Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL News. Followed categories will be added to My News. Oliver, who had largely kept to the Demons rehab group since his return to training on February 1, took his work up a level amid hot conditions, joining in match simulation in the back half of the session. He played in the midfield through match sim, starting in a bib on the ‘B’ team but swapped to the ‘A’ side halfway through. The Demons haven’t ruled Oliver out of playing in the club’s season opener on March 7 in Sydney, but there were expectations he could take some time to be passed fully fit to play in a match. His chances of playing in opening round could be swayed by how much time he spends on the field on Sunday, when Melbourne hosts Richmond for seven periods of match simulation at Casey Fields. Defender Christian Salem starred in match simulation, finding the ball at will off half-back and hitting up teammates, after he was recently on limited training due to a hamstring tweak. Lachie Hunter (calf) puffed through a running session in long sleeves as the mercury slid past 30 degrees, while Tom McDonald (calf) was also running solo. Forward Ben Brown (knee) took in some light jumping and kicking as Shane McAdam left the track early. Recruit McAdam has been eased through pre-season and often pulled out of match play. Harry Petty watched training and didn’t partake in any running while on the track amid his slow build from a foot complaint. ATTACKING WOES Melbourne started match play with a centre-bounce drill, working on how it would deliver the ball and set up in the forward-50 after bounces. After coming unstuck in the finals series through fruitless long bombs into attack, the Dees set up with three deep forwards and attempted to find some space in a crowded 50, with only young forward Matthew Jefferson taking a mark. How Melbourne find a way to kick more easy goals has been one of the biggest questions this AFL pre-season. During three-quarter ground match sim, the ‘A’ team started with a forward line of Bayley Fritsch, Jacob van Rooyen and Christian Petracca deep, with Kysaiah Pickett, draftee Koltyn Tholstrup and Kade Chandler playing high. Again, there was little connection with the deep forwards and despite a standout display from Pickett, Melbourne looked scrappy trying to find its way forward. Petracca in particular struggled with his kicking, before a hospital handball stopped a certain goal. Tholstrup was one who managed to find teammates well, standing up strong in a tackle to hand off one goal to Pickett, as he continues to put his name in the mix for an opening round debut. Fellow top draftee Caleb Windsor started on the wing for the ‘A’ side, with Melbourne delighted by his start at the club. Forward Bailey Laurie also had plenty of midfield minutes with the ‘A’ team. Adam Tomlinson played in the ‘A’ defence when they fielded a full six backmen, while Josh Schache chipped in as a tall forward option.

More common than we could imagine in those days - particularly at Viccy Park. Yes, my melee incident was minor but it hurt, it offended, it surprised, it disgusted several Demon supporters (I got a can of beer to make me feel better from one nice bloke in red 'n blue) but at the end of the day, it felt dirty, diseased, bacterially tainted after a short tussle with the smelly Filth offender and set a lifelong tone about that club and its supporters - still held today.

I'm really not. What you're conveniently forgetting is there's 4 or 5 other clubs who have had better preseasons than us, have a not dissimilar level of talent and aren't carrying the baggage or the injuries that we are. Plus they're not relying on their 32 year old ruckman to literally carry them to the top 4. If you think I'm being over the top in relation to Gawn's importance take a look at the QF against Collingwood. He played out of his skin and we couldn't win. I've been very bullish the last 4-5 years but we're on a knife's edge atm. Personally I'm ok with that but I also recognise it. I will say having read the training reports I believe the club is taking a different approach to the year ahead. For the last few years we've been training with a higher level of intensity than this year. I think we've recognised the difficulties in playing our brand for a full season. I've got a hunch, all going well getting players on the park we might just come home like a steam train. I'm expecting a hearts in your mouth kind of ride, or a complete trainwreck.

This is the last of the Preseason retrospectives. I hope you have all enjoyed them. I have had a lot of fun putting them together. The 2024 season is just around the corner. Get behind the boys. Go Dees. 2020 - After the disappointment of 2019, 2020 arrives with little expectation. In the first mid-season draft during 2019 Melbourne had brought in Kyle Dunkley due to Aaron Nietschke's long term injury. Free Agency sees Adam Tomlinson join as an Unrestricted Free Agent. Again, Melbourne gets busy in the trade period. Sam Frost, picks 42, 61 and 2020 fourth rounder are traded the Hawks for pick 50 and the Hawks 2020 second rounder. Ed Langdon picks 26 and the Dockers 2020 fourth rounder are traded for picks 22, 79 and the 2020 second round pick. Pick 8 is traded from North for picks 26, 50 and Melbourne's 2020 first rounder. Pick 8 is on traded to Freo for picks 10,28 and a 2020 4th round pick tied to Carlton. Jordan Lewis, Tim Smith and Guy Walker retire. Billy Stretch, Jay Kennedy Harris, Declan Keilty and Jeff Garlett are delisted. The National draft sees Luke Jackson (3), Kysaiah Pickett (12) and Trent Rivers (32) added to the list. No one is added as a Category B rooky. Mitch Brown and Harley Bennell are taken in the pre-season supplemental selection period. Adam Tomlinson, Ed Langdon, Kysaiah Pickett and Trent Rivers are added to the list of men still standing along with Jack, T.Mac, the skipper, Salem, Christian Petracca, Angus Brayshaw, Alex Neal-Bullen, Clayton Oliver, Jake Melksham, Joel Smith Jake Lever Charlie Spargo, Bailey Fritsch, Harrison Petty, Stephen May, Tom Sparrow, Kade Chandler and Marty Hore. During the preseason nobody knew what was about to unfold. Round one begins under a cloud. The season commenced on the 19th of March and was suspended four days later due to the Corona Virus pandemic. It resumed on the 11th of June and ran until the 24th of October. A shortened season was played, comprising a 17-game home-and-away season followed by a final series featuring the top eight clubs. Melbourne eventually finished 9th missing the 8 by 2 points and 1.7%. The season saw the MFC start on its journey to a long anticipate 13th premiership the following season. The only premiership player not already on the list, Jake Bowey selected in the 2020 draft at pick 21. Enjoy. 2020 - Contagion 4K ==> https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-Pkb5Fn/i-63dbkgp/A 2020 - Contagion Mbl ==> https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-Pkb5Fn/i-SMcDjmv/A -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2019 - Armaggeddon 4K ==> https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-2WM2jz/i-kHTk7VG/A 2019 - Armaggeddon Mbl ==> https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-2WM2jz/i-M7sVn78/A -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2018 - The Force Awakens 4K ==> https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-2dW9dw/i-P9snV5M/A 2018 - The Force Awakens Mbl ==> https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-2dW9dw/i-4WcbKNz/A -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2017 - Independance Day 4K ==> https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-ZFSdQC/i-jSKLzqj/A 2017 - Independance Day Mbl ==> https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-ZFSdQC/i-SJT93rr/A -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2016 - Starman mbl ==>https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-Pm7mRh/i-LdCJFFV/A 2016 - Starman 4K ==>https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-MhQnCP/i-nzqkvQm/A -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2015 - Foundation ==> https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-MhQnCP/i-VLMSNqD/A -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2014 – New Hope ==> https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-MhQnCP/i-Wkj43BD/A -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2013 – Annus Horribilis ==> https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-MhQnCP/i-bWkHdxp/A

I choose to read this as ‘Dees back 6 as frugal as ever’

That's excellent because the initial reports were 6 to 8 weeks which at the time brought him to returning rounds 2 to 4 not factoring any match conditioning.

Yes, that would resonate based on what I saw. Free flowing and quick movement between the arcs with short kicks, overlapping handballs and quick decision making to move Fwd.

That's......nice.

Good job Friendly F ! Thanks!

That was one of our great wins of recent memory given Sydney had a home final at stake and we had 4th place locked up and therefore had nothing to play for. Not to mention the venue was jam packed with Sydney supporters celebrating Buddy's farewell. I left the ground thinking we were in the premiership hunt as much as Collingwood and Brisbane.

TBF he was very young at the Lions. At the dogs he was thrown around a lot so never got settled, which seems to be a Bevo trait. Not saying he will be a gun for us, just think if he can settle into one position maybe he can improve.

I just watched the Dee v Swans game we were 17 down in the third when Fritta went off with a foot issue then Jake Melksham did his knee and hobbled off. No Petty no Melks, no TMac no BBB and JVR helping Max in the ruck. Fritta came back on and kicked three superb goals, we ground them down and kicked the last 5 goals of the game and run out 22 point winners. It wasn’t pretty but gutsy tough never give in footy, commentators were willing Swans to win and claim a home final in front of a packed home crowd. But we said NO.!!!

8-0 Easy.

Clayton Oliver was integrated back into the main training group today for the first time in 2024 after completing a 2km time trial. FriendlyFellow, a new Demonland Trackwatcher hit Gosch's Paddock on a hot and windy morning to bring you his observations of the session. Disclaimer: Saw on the socials they were down at Gosch’s Paddock so headed down for a quick look. Little to no presence of other track watchers and no current live thread, so as a first time contributor, giving what the people need! It won’t be as expansive and comprehensive as what we’re used to… but it’s something. Conditions: Hot and windy (no explanation needed). Training Format: Tailored match sim; line grouping skills; running.. and lots of it. Observations: Tailored Match Sim: Offense orientated simulation. Focus on transitioning the from defensive wing to forward 50. A team forwards appeared to play on the A backs, with Midfielders having cross representation of personnel. General observations – We still bias to target kicking into the pockets. Attempted to lower the eyes on several occasions to get into the corridor, but the defensive group were strong at intercepting and pushing the rebound. Goal kicking was accurate in windy conditions. Clayton Oliver – completed his 2km Time Trial pre-session and was fully integrated with the main group for match-sims (so yes, first session back with the group). Previously was on a modified running session program separate to the others. Had plenty of the ball in match sims. Was great to see close to the start of the season. Josh Schache - appeared to be the A forwards, along with Bayley Fritsch and Jacob van Rooyen. Assume he’s in the starting line up whilst Harry Petty is out. Was a key target on the long kicks into the F50. Kozzy Pickett – so active and such a livewire in the FWD line. Was the most dominant and damaging player. Jack Billings – genuinely looks to add class synergy in D50 and F50 connection. Jacob van Rooyen – not quite as big as May (direct opponent), but is the closest thing we have to a big bustling forward. His development this year will be so important. Adam Tomlinson – looked very settled in the A defense team. Played a lock down defensive role on Josh Schache. Jack Viney and Trac looked very silky in the midfield, as did Tom Sparrow. Other observations on the mids were challenging… I’m bamboozled by the detail you guys can provide on the mids at training. They all look the same to the untrained eye. Line grouping skills: Only observation was that Caleb Windsor and Ed Langdon were with the defenders. Perhaps Caleb Windsor is the emerging winger for Prac Games if Lachie Hunter remains out? Running: Various running drills, split into running groups that have been well documented on previous threads. To my surprise, Kolt was in the second group, albeit on a modified program - clearly has some speed and tank to build on in coming pre-seasons. Started to feel nauseated watching the efforts in the conditions so decided to call it a day there. Anticipated and frequently asked questions: Harry Petty was not partaking in training – stuck to the side with a ball in hand. Christian Salem was on the track and fully training in at least the match sims and line grouping skills. Lachie Hunter & Tom Fullarton were on a modified running programs sticking to the boundary line. Fullarton was doing some larger kms so looks to be recovering well. Don’t have a comprehensive list of non-trainers, so would only be guessing - which I want to avoid! That is all I have. Enjoy! CHECK OUT THE LIVE PRESEASON TRAINING THREAD FROM TODAY WITH FURTHER COMMENTARY

Andrew McQualter has bought some Richmond tricks over👀

I think they'll be conservative with Oliver and not rush him. I can see him returning in the seniors from round 2 (Hawks game) to round 4 if all goes well. However if they were to rush him back for Sydney, it would allow Trac to spend more time up forward and we need all we can get down there with Kozzie and co missing. I'd also want to see Sparrow increase his 'time on ground' from 65% - 75% to 80-90% to supplement Clarry's lower minutes in the initial few games. (I'm expecting a big year from Sparrow as he enters his 6th season)

2023 was an opportunity blown. I used to say it was a choke but that was obviously triggering for some. Expected scores are absolutely no comfort at all, but it does show we are not the basket case some in the media (and many around here) think we are. Like in the lead up to every season, we need to improve to stay in the contest, but we also shouldn't be throwing the baby out with the bath water. We were a damn good team last season, possibly the best in it, but we blew it.

Vs Carlton, If Tracc’s (legit) goal had’ve been paid a goal we wouldn’t be discussing this right now.

Always risky improving another contender but also need to judge how we go with list management and salary spending (Given we've cleared space moving him on etc).

I bet they're happy. We have helped Sydney become a far more improved side in exchange for a couple of mediocre draft picks (unless Sydney flop this year and the second round pick becomes interesting). I get that we had no leg to stand on in terms of bargaining power, but at the same time, we were under absolutely no obligation to trade him.

I've got pool cues for hands right now

Great report, I’ve seen the wings with the backs a bit, I think they’re trying to establish that run and carry connection similar to Hunt and Langdon in ‘21/22. Encouraging the wings to get the ball on the run rather than peel wide for the short kick

Perhaps. That would make sense actually because yesterday I was at Casa De Frittata (they have a pool 😁) and Mr and Mrs F. were sure the camp was still on. Sorry to have caused any confusion.

Didn't spot him. Assume I would have spotted the new hair style if he was out there?

Thanks FF that was a nice surprise particularly in such hot and blustery conditions, great effort.

Was always likely with Hardwick joining. JUH is the target for mine

oh the days where we had the under 19's, reserves and seniors, supporters throwing streamers and cut up paper and cheer squads with floggers, kicking the football on the ground after the game, getting on the red rattler to go home with the doors open and smoking on the train, hitch hiking to get home.......

You are kidding, aren't you? Go and barrack for Carlton; your type of "support" would suit them.

without any knowledge and only information gleaned from these pages, for the sydney game i want to see us go small and quick B: McVee - May - Tomlinson HB: Rivers - Lever - Salem C: Langdon - Sparrow - Windsor HF: Neal-Bullen - Petracca - Billings F: Fritsch - van Rooyen - Chandler Foll: Gawn - Brayshaw - Viney I/c: Spargo - Bowey - Schache - Woewodin Sub: Laurie Emerg: Howes - Hore - Turner unavailable: hunter - oliver - melksham - mcdonald - smith - petty - pickett - brown

Honestly, if we lose, I see it to one of the Adelaide teams, Brisbane and Geelong we play at the G. People are overreacting with the whole FWD line bs. We’ve still got some healthy goal scorers to win us games. September is a longgg way away.

Schache just needs to get a sustained run at it. To date, it's been a game here and half a game there. Invest in the Schache and he won't look back!

I just watched the clip and heard this from Kane: “there’s no real star-power in that line-up”. - We’ve had 2x top 10 finishers from in the Brownlow Medal in each of the last 3 years - we’ve had an AFLCA player of the year in the last 3 years - we’ve had a Norm Smith Medallist in the last 3 years - we’ve had a player kick 6 in a grand final in the last 3 years *none of the above includes Max Gawn, Kossie Pickett or Steven May. Old mate shares some truths sometimes but you really have to sift through a lot of sewerage to find them.

We lost all of our 4 most important games in the past 2 years, with the lead in 3 of those games (and very close in the 4th). You’d be hard-pressed to find anything more frustrating than that.

Of course it’s frustrating kicking 7.20, dominating the inside 50s and losing. But, we are incredibly hard to beat the last three years and I hope it continues for a few more years. I’m enjoying this team and frustration is just part of the ride.