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Lovely morning for a run, overcast, no wind, cool temperature. It's a captain's run of 23 players strutting their stuff. It looks like Kossie will be able to play. Interestingly they are giving some first yearers, new and young ones a go at it, Verall, K.brown, Laurie, Windsor, Howes, Chandler, Billings, Schache. They appear switched on in the drills. Goody has implemented a few different scenarios in the no contact sims. Once he called a “power play”. Pushes a backmen forward of the stoppage, gets the wingers to be wide ('will only work if you are very wide') and they take the ball straight down the middle from a backline stoppage. Another drill had them receiving the ball on the inside corridor and hitting into the forward area. I can see us playing with a more open forward area this season, or at least at times and using a bit more strategy during the game, as we change the styles up. Keep them guessing Dee's. Forgot to mention that Brayshaw was also a no show, as well as no, Spargo, Petty and Turner Great to see all the rehab do some sprinting drills and were included in the team drills with the seconds (except McAdam's and Jefferson). Woey wearing the yellow concussion protocol hat. Oliver made his way to most of the Casey players. Those Casey appeared a bit star stuck and Clarry introduced himself, shook hands and encouraged them. Nothing highfalutin about him. The Casey players did the drills well, looks like most of the younger ones. I'm impressed with Tyler Williams, Ryan Valentine, Charlie Muley

Jefferson just told me they are adjusting his loads that’s why he’s not training will play in the reserves

McAdam told me he should be right round 2 the calf niggle is not as bad as he first thought

McDonald just told me he’s right for the Carlton game

It’s only just a guess but the players training in the main group will play tomorrow meaning meaning we will see K Brown and Verrall

Revive his afl career? Redemption? Far out the media can ride a horse called [censored]

My prediction is, year of the Sparrow. Hit some great passes, looks fit, appears slim downed, and I reckon, will run through brick walls. Hoping Rivers will also continue his trajectory. When they entered the field, the backline came out together, no Trent. Reckon, Howes will play his postion (linking back flank) tomorrow and Rivers will be pushed into the mids. Windsor has learnt so much in his short time with us. Interesting to see how he goes, I reckon he will be a class above. I really want to see K.Brown. Reminds me of R.Flower body shaoe, very elusive (cannot be tackled), has great vision, uses/changes the angles and has skills. Hope Verrall has got what it takes. Big game for him. Another no show today was Melky

Thanks for turning up and reporting @WERRIDEE and @Jontee and @kev martin. Much appreciated.

CLAYTON IS BACK! Clarrie will play in the 2s tomorrow. From the Captain's Run: Senior squad for tomorrow: May, Roo, McVee, Trac, Windsor, Viney, Lever, Gawn, Billings, Langdon, Laurie, Bowey, Schache, Thommo, Howes, Rivers, Verrall, Nibbler, Fritta, Spaz, Kozzie, Chin. Gus and Spargo nowhere to be seen. Didn't sight Hunter, Petty, Melks, Disco Turner. Shane McAdam did very slow runthroughs on the boundary line. The rest, including Clayton, Salo, Marty Hore trained with the Casey boys when the seniors finished up. T-MAC, Browny, Andy Moniz-Wakefield, Fullaton, Taj Woewodin all did stuff away and with the main group. I spoke to these boys and they all hope to play in the next week or two.

Looks a a dress rehearsal Captain's run. 23 out doing drills. Included is, Verall, K. brown, Laurie, Windsor, Howes, Tomlinson, Chandler, Billings, Schache, Rehab include BBB, Fullaton, TMac, AMW, Woey. No Oliver, Salem, Spargo, Brayshaw, McAdams, Jefferson, Adams, Hore, Petty, Tholstrup, Turner or Farris-White. The seconds have now turned up.

From @Tough Kent and others ( @WERRIDEE, @kev martin ) observations in the Training Thread today this is the closest we can expect to an announcement of teams. Senior squad: May, JVR, McVee, Petracca, Windsor, Viney, Lever, Gawn, Billings, Langdon, Laurie, Bowey, Schache, Tomlinson, Howes, Rivers, Verrall, ANB, Fritta, Sparrow, Kozzie, Chandler, K Brown. Possible 2nds: Clarry, Salem, Hore, Tholstrup, Adams, Sestan, KFW, Jefferson. Missing due to Injury/Managing: Brayshaw (?), Spargo (Achilles?), Petty (Toe), Hunter (Calf), Melksham (Knee), B Brown (Knee), TMac (Calf), Fullarton (Hamstring), Turner (?), AMW (?), McAdam (Calf), Woewodin (Concussion), Smith (Suspension?)

Tholstrup will be raring to go. Has a point to prove. Would love to see him and Sestan kick plenty.

When the seniors were done and all the Casey boys were out there with Salo, Clarrie, etc. for one drill the coach yelled out "If you're not in the 18 tomorrow, put on a yellow bib." Clarrie, Salo, Marty Hore, Jed Adams, etc. didn't put on bibs.

Only reason people are positing that he plays in the seconds is based on who he trained with this morning.

I’m glad Oliver is named, I don’t see this as him being rushed.

Huge opportunity for Howes, Laurie, Windsor and Billings. They are the 4 who we need to see do well and push genuine claims for round 1. Be nice to see Tommo and Schache looking somewhat competent too. Aside from that it's experimentation time, keep pace on the ball, don't be afraid to make mistakes and play with good spirit more so concerns for results.

If the team above is correct we probably don't have enough defenders to push Riv in to the midfield in more than spurts unless they get really funky with Billings or K Brown. So I'd expect Riv to be mostly back, but with Salo and Gus hopefully not far off they'll have that option especially if Howes measures up. Brown over Tholstrup might be wanting a mid/winger to cover some minutes so the forward line gets some continuity - or as much as they can. I think it's the same for Verrell. Do 30% game time in the ruck so we don't overdo Max and that allows Schache to stay forward for more time and hopefully get some chemistry with JVR. Not that Verall isn't impressive, I just have my doubts that he's seriously in line to play any time soon.

Tholstrup occasionally misses his kicks and he can fumble. If enthusiasm, team player, leadership, run your heart out means anything he would be in. Perhaps they want to iron out his weaknesses. Just give him some time to add some perfection.

As per the other posts and based on this morning I reckon the starting 23 for tomorrow are as follows: B Bowey May Tomlinson HB McVee Lever Rivers C Windsor Viney Langdon HF Trac Fritsch ANB F Chandler JVR Kozzie FF Gawn Sparrow Laurie IC K Brown, Verrall, Billings, Schache, Howes. Rehab: B Brown, TMac, Woey, McAdam, Fullarton, Salem, AMW. Other AFL listed who will play tomorrow: Oliver, KFW, Jefferson, Adams, Hore, Tholstrup, Sestan. Absent today: J Smith, Hunter, Turner, Brayshaw, Petty, Spargo and Melksham

Thanks WERRIDEE, Kev, NC, Jontee , Demonland and all posters. Agree with Damo great that our injury woes are on the improve also glad they didn’t overdo the training today as looking forward to seeing the boys in full match simulation tomorrow morning.😁😁🔥

Petty has the potential to seriously improve our forward line this year and next, putting us in contention to win finals. Nothing Adelaide were offering was going to come close. Lets discuss the virtues of holding or trading Petty last year until 2024 and 2025 play out, as he has the potential to be a 40+ goal scoring, aggressive and defensive tall who can play both ends, for next two years. plus he’s a sweet likable man whom it feels his teammates adore… Go Demons.

Ball movement has been impressive very fast

According to the Tigers the following players are unlikely to be playing tomorrow: Dustin Martin, Tom Lynch, Dion Prestia, Toby Nankervis

Very encouraging, injury wise!

Moniz B Brown and Fullerton should be available for opening round the only concern is McAdam who seems a fairway away from returning to the team

I'm assuming Jack Viney came in at 11?

B Brown in the drills as well as Fullerton mustn’t be too far away

Disappointed that Tholstrup isn't likely to get a starting gig in the Scratch Match. I've been very impressed with what I've seen of him and thought he deserves a try out in the preseason.

Woewodin out with concussion will be back against Carlton

I was confident then. And confident for 2024. Get the goalkicking right and hit a target inside forward 50. We can win it. 2024 is our year.

Will be 923 years old by then... ...and they reckon Geelong have an ageing list.

I have no problem with the concept of Opening Round. They just should called it Round 1.

Can’t wait for the footy. Just no injuries please. This preseason has been challenging. We don’t need more angst with just over 2 weeks to go.

It would be nice if the MFC could release a similar squad list for the supporters or even update us on our injuries. Why do other clubs do this so much better than us?

Toiyges have announced: Missing from Richmond’s team is Dion Prestia (hamstring), Dustin Martin (managed), Tim Taranto (managed), Liam Baker (family reason), Toby Nankervis (managed), Tom Lynch (building match fitness), Jacob Bauer (hamstring) and Liam Fawcett (back). Veteran Dylan Grimes, who has returned to the main training group after a calf complaints, has also been managed. So we haven't got a forward line, they haven't got a backline, and their midfield is Hopper, Ross and Bolton....should be a ripper match!

Jefferson will play in the 2's just load management.

This is worrying for Hunter as he obviously reinjured or flared up the calf after returning to full training. Having said that it is giving Windsor a good crack at Opening Round.

Phil Scully is probably choking on his pie wondering how Tom missed out on making this list

McAdam does look lean. Woey AMW and Fullarton jogging and now doing a drill hitting up BBB. TMc to the sheds.

Even McDonald is now in the drills

Respect your opinion, but sorry, I just don’t agree with it. You say we were mugs to not take Adelaide’s offer. To me that immediately casts doubt on the sensibilities of our Trading Team - and based on past years of performance, that would be totally out of character. Besides, I don’t remember what they were offering us in return! That also assumes that Petty, although somewhat injury prone now, won’t ever come good. Take the example of Joel Smith. He had 5 or 6(?) years where his body, and circumstance, let him down. But he finally got his body right and he was worth the wait (before he shot himself in the foot). Petty is a far better footballer than Smith IMV, and as such, the Club are more likely to work with him till he gets his body right, just as they did with Smith. He’s a keeper for mine - unless he wants to head back to SA at some stage.

Safe to assume that these players either won't play the Scratch Match or some will play in the later periods.

Just kick to kick atm

Bowser Rivers McVee Howes arriving now

Why is everybody so sad lol it’s a nerve issue in the toe, it’s not that serious. He’ll play at the latest round 2. Heard it here first from medical team JJR.

Tomlinson May and Lever join them

When did he play forward vs Sydney and Richmond? If he did it was a very short spell and could hardly be judged as any time Was nowhere near a spell of more than 10mons if I am guessing. And when during those games. Really correctly he played a half vs Hawks And just under half vs Roos at Blundstone ( wouldn’t risk too many players there again ) Luckily we don’t play there this season. And he got his 6 goals vs Tigers at the G while I was flying home from Heathrow. To clarify he also has played 10 mins vs Lions up forward in our Semi in 2022 we lost by 7 pts. In a brainwave Goody sent Harry forward far too late in the last 10 mins. (Spoiler alert WCW) If he had the flair and dare to risk it he would’ve been successful IMO that last quarter as Harry took 2 big marks fo1.1 in that time Many Dees fans remember that snd that’s why there was pressure on Goody to try Harry in 2022 as a forward to solve our problems. Previously Harry was moved during games or may have started as a young player in 2019 before he really hit his big break in 2021 when Tommo also had his ACL injury at the ill fated Blundstone Arena. Fair dinkum I would rather we play at the Cattery than that dodgy surface that they play cricket on also. And while I am talking Goody ( WCW) please don’t assume I hate our Coach. Simon is a good coach but who is most importantly loved by our players ( and naturally many of our fans) especially as he will like our 23 players always be regarded as one of the heroes and as the Hun topped its lift out GF review “immortals”. His place in our history is at the moment as our third best ever coach I believe. Neale Daniher was universally very highly regarded and respected but didn’t get the flag in 2000 unfortunately. However Goody has time and could easily get another flag or two perhaps if he coaches till say 2028. Now it’s been said by many Dees and other scribes and footy and sports “experts “ that Simon is stubborn and is not a great match day Coach. In other words he is perhaps too slow and inflexible to make changes to the team during games to assist in changing the balance or trend where necessary. I agree with both those assessments over Goody’s 7 years as our Senior Coach. One other cross that has been mentioned is that we have often started slowly in games two of which no doubt hurt us in performance in VIP games bring Round 23 vs Pies at the G when they jumped us and we missed the Top8 by 0.5% or something and of course last QF the first 10 mins including the monster Maynard’s thuggery also we looked and were lethargic when we needed to be up and running. You may say Simon can’t kick the ball for us but it’s happened too many times in his coaching I believe to add to his match day performance assessment. Some will disagree with some of this but a 7 mark as a coach is still very good in the AFL. I believe if he can get us another flag he is an8 and say two more a 9 or 9.5 depending upon circumstances etc. But to say I dislike Simon is completely out of range and not true, we are all judges here at D/L and that’s what makes this forum so successful and loved and mostly respected by its participants. Yes it seems sometimes harsh but we all are very emotional and passionate supporters. We invest ( not as much time and passion as you do and thank you for all you do. I respect that unconditionally) but reserve the right to disagree strongly where appropriate or good naturedly on other occasions. You call a spade a spade ( or even a shovel occasionally) so it’s open [censored] for tat on occasions. And I won’t be changing my methods. If Simon can get us challenging in 2024 or any future years ( he has done a very good job in 2022/2023 getting Top4 but it’s so tough as Trac mentioned in his podcast little things are going to matter and result in differing opinions. We all reserve our rights to post or comment but I don’t think there is a fan in D/L that hates any player or coach or MFC official. You may differ as you seem to have to liaise or meet a lot of differing types that are near the action. Some brilliant and others not so I guess like work. Go Dees. Have a great day Sunday .

Back when I had nerve damage, I use to get the nerves burned and frozen off. They’d grow back eventually but worked for a while. Just burn the nerves man, burn the nerves.

I asked Chat GPT to write a match preview for our Scratch Match against the Tigers. Hilarity ensued. Match Preview: Melbourne Demons vs. Richmond Tigers Practice Match Date: Sunday, February 18th, 2024 Location: TBD Introduction: As the AFL preseason gains momentum, the Melbourne Demons are gearing up to face the Richmond Tigers in what promises to be an electrifying practice match. Both teams are utilizing this opportunity to fine-tune their strategies, assess player form, and build cohesion ahead of the upcoming season. Melbourne Demons: The Melbourne Demons enter this practice match with high hopes after an impressive showing last season, where they made it to the finals series. Led by their seasoned coach and bolstered by a talented roster, including key players such as Max Gawn, Christian Petracca, and Clayton Oliver, the Demons aim to set the tone for the season ahead. With a mix of experience and youthful exuberance, Melbourne will look to assert their dominance early and lay down a marker against a formidable opponent. Richmond Tigers: On the other side of the field, the Richmond Tigers are no strangers to success, having secured multiple premierships in recent years. Despite facing some challenges last season, including injuries to key personnel, the Tigers remain a force to be reckoned with. Led by their astute coach and with stars like Dustin Martin, Jack Riewoldt, and Tom Lynch in their ranks, Richmond will be eager to demonstrate their championship pedigree even in a preseason encounter. Expect them to bring intensity and resilience as they test their combinations and tactics ahead of the grueling AFL campaign. Key Matchups: Max Gawn vs. Toby Nankervis: The battle in the ruck will be pivotal, with Gawn's height and athleticism matched against Nankervis' physicality and work rate. Christian Petracca vs. Dustin Martin: A clash of two dynamic midfielders known for their explosiveness and ability to influence games single-handedly. Melbourne's Forward Line vs. Richmond's Defense: Can Melbourne's forward line, spearheaded by Jack Viney and Ben Brown, break through Richmond's stout defensive unit? Expectations: This practice match offers both teams an invaluable opportunity to assess their preseason preparations and experiment with different strategies. While the result is secondary to the performance and progress made, both the Melbourne Demons and the Richmond Tigers will be eager to showcase their strengths and identify areas for improvement. Fans can anticipate an enthralling contest filled with skill, intensity, and perhaps a glimpse of what's to come in the AFL season ahead. Conclusion: As the Melbourne Demons square off against the Richmond Tigers in this preseason clash, football enthusiasts can look forward to a captivating display of Australian Rules football. With pride and momentum on the line, both teams will leave no stone unturned in their pursuit of victory. Whether you're a passionate supporter or a neutral observer, this match promises to deliver excitement and anticipation as the AFL season draws nearer.

Okay, you're a pessimist.