Demonland

Game has been brought forward 1 hour to 10am due to the high temperatures forecast.

Demonlander The Analyser was the sole Trackwatcher out at Casey Fields today to bring you the following observations from this mornings preseason training session. Training was at Casey today. It consisted of a match simulation for one half and then a free choice activity time. Activities included kicking for goal, aerial , contest work etc. I noticed the following players not in match simulation Jack Viney running laps and looks fine for round one . I think Kolt looks like he’s improving but many weeks still away. It was good to see Caleb Windsor. He ran laps. Difficult to see how close or if he will make round one. In the probable team I noticed the following players – Steven May, JvR, Christian Salem, Trac, Jake Lever, Disco Turner, Max Gawn, Clayton Oliver, Ed Langdon, Jake Bowey, Harvey Langford, Blake Howes, Trent Rivers, Bayley Fritsch, Tom Sparrow, Harry Petty and Kade Chandler. Then there seems to be a contest for the three wing spots out of these four players – Jack Billings, Harry Sharp, Xavier Lindsay and Woey. They constantly changed teams and I think one may be unlucky unless there’s another injury and the unlucky one will be the sub. The defenders( as you can see from above ) seem set and with the seventh defender they are possibly waiting to see if Windsor will make it or not. Also the seventh forward is difficult to know at the moment and whether they decide to go tall or short. In the match simulation both Jeffo and AJ played in the possible team only. I did notice Gawn at times was playing up forward so whether they decide to go for two ruckman I’m not sure. Bailey Laurie also did okay for the possibles and perhaps could be sub or unfortunately may just miss. So overall it was a lighter Wednesday training than normal with just 1/2 a match simulation and the free choice activities and I guess they’re gearing up for the game on Saturday. It was nice to see Trac in full training even though he wore the hat as did a few others. I was impressed by the speed of Langdon and Oliver also got heaps of the ball. Tom Campbell certainly keeping Gawny on his toes, which is great.

Demonland Trackwatchers were on hand at Monday morning's preseason training at Gosch's Paddock to bring you their brief observations of the session. HARVEY WALLBANGER'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS Gentle flush session at Gosch's this morning. Absent: May, Pickett (All Stars) McVee, McAdam. Rehabbing: Great to see Kentfield back (much slimmer), walking with Tholstrup, TMac (suspect just a management thing), Viney (still being cautious with that rib cartilage?), Melksham (in and out of drills with lots of straight-line running), Fritsch also in and out of drills, but that is not unusual for him. Windsor definitely has a limp, and you can see the photos. Train-ons: Culley and Yze. Culley looks good - as he has all pre-season. Great to see Trac and Spargo back into full training, will be interesting to see if Charles has a run on Saturday? AMW copped a corky (from Gawny) but was running it out and in good spirits. KEV MARTIN'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS Beautiful morning at The Paddock. Windless with a few less spectators than usual. There was a group of young, probably academy players in MFC gear on the sidelines as well. Goody throwing the positions around, at one stage he spent 5 minutes on the board organising them. Spargo had some time on the wing as did Chandler. Langdon had some time off halfback and pushed really high. Fritsch continues to play a high forward role. Brown and Lindsay matched up against each other, either as half's or on the wing. They broke even, as Brown finds space with arcs and separation, and Lindsay makes straight line breaks with quick steps, and finishes very well. Sestan still off the backline and playing well, also showing structural leadership as he instruct others to position. Most of the sim sets started from a throw in from the back point post. We cleared well and found lots of space up forward. The backline couldn't get to the contest numerous times. Trac has brought lots of poise to the midfield. Clayton was in good form, shrugging tackles with hip movement, and beating the scramble and congested packs. Lever is doing well, as they play plenty of switches from one boundary to the other, a few times they went central. H. Langford missed a few hit ups and made a couple of poor decisions, though getting plenty of the ball. Billings is playing strong and wants the ball off the wing. Laurie is doing everything right as a mid. Woey has a bit of pain through his shoulder, but continues to do most drills and sims. They are happy and boisterous.

Was he carried off or did he leave the field on his own volition? Too soon?

Why a search for a sidekick could make or break the Demons Shane McAdam’s cruel Achilles tendon rupture – the latest setback in a career riddled with injuries – has added further mystery to the make-up of Melbourne’s maligned forward line. The former Crow arrived at the Demons via a trade two years ago in the hope he could add a new element in attack, but played only three games last season and faces another extended absence following likely surgery after hurting himself in match simulation on Friday. Melbourne’s big hope is Jacob van Rooyen, a 21-year-old key forward who ex-Demon Russell Robertson likened to a “young David Schwarz” for their physical likeness but also fearless attack on the Sherrin. “I feel like I’ve put in a really strong block over the pre-season. It hasn’t been interrupted at all, and hopefully, it stays that way,” van Rooyen said. “I’m really looking forward to [this season], and working with the group we have, and building off last year. I’m only 21, so I’ve still got a lot to learn [with] my forward craft.” Van Rooyen kicked 58 goals across the past two seasons and shapes as a future star, but the Demons are yet to find a reliable second tall target to partner him. That is one of the reasons Melbourne were the fifth-lowest scoring team in the AFL last year, mustering a paltry 77.6 points per game as they tumbled to 14th on the ladder and missed finals for the first time since 2020. Coach Simon Goodwin’s experiment with Harry Petty as a forward failed, and he will return to defence this year, while Matt Jefferson – the No.15 pick in the 2022 draft – is yet to play a senior game. For all their draft success in different areas of the ground, particularly in the midfield, Melbourne have struggled to unearth a key forward besides van Rooyen, with Sam Weideman also a bust as a top-10 pick a decade ago. They opted not to select one with any of their four first-round picks in the past two drafts, including passing on the likes of Jonty Faull, Harry Armstrong, Jack Whitlock and Thomas Sims last year. Melbourne instead took a punt on late-bloomer Aidan Johnson, a “very, very aggressive” 193-centimetre forward out of VFL club Werribee and Lavington, with the 68th selection. The club’s national recruiting manager Jason Taylor said at the time that he had tracked 24-year-old Johnson for several seasons. “We think he could potentially have an instant impact for us,” Taylor said. “We’re excited by what he could become.” The Demons’ two key forwards in their drought-breaking 2021 grand final triumph were the since-retired Ben Brown – secured in a trade with North Melbourne – and Tom McDonald, who started his career as a defender and is back there now. However, their attempt to transform Brodie Grundy into a forward-ruck in his one season at the club backfired spectacularly; he was not even selected in their finals campaign that year. Bayley Fritsch, a 188-centimetre lead-up forward, has kicked 38 or more goals in each of the past four seasons and is the most reliable option Melbourne have, while Kysaiah Pickett is one of the game’s best and most prolific small forwards. Kade Chandler, another small forward, is also a regular goalkicker. But the Demons lost Alex Neal-Bullen, their best game runner and pressure player, to Adelaide last year after he requested a trade home on compassionate grounds. They recruited fringe Lion Harry Sharp to fill the void. The latest tall forward being used alongside van Rooyen in attack is Daniel Turner, another ex-defender who was the last pick in the 2021 mid-season draft. Turner kicked 17 goals in 15 games last year, including three hauls of at least three. Melbourne rewarded him with a two-year extension in July. Former Brisbane player Tom Fullarton, a forward-ruck, is also on the Demons’ list, and van Rooyen said having so many options was “a good problem”. “There are still a lot of guys fighting for those spots,” van Rooyen said. “And they are all looking really strong coming into the year.”

A couple of Demonland Trackwatchers made their way out to Casey Field's for the Melbourne Football Club's Family Series day to bring you their observations on the Match Simulation. HARVEY WALLBANGER'S MATCH SIMULATION OBSERVATIONS Absent: May, Pickett (All Stars), McVee, Windor, Kentfield, Mentha Present but not playing: Petracca, Viney, Spargo, Tholstrup, Melksham Starting Blue 18 (+ just 2 interchange): B: Petty, TMac, Lever, Howes, Bowey Salem M: Gawn, Oliver, Langdon, Rivers Wings: Lindsay, Billings F: Sparrow, Fritsch, JVR, Chandler, Turner, Langford Inter: Sharp and McAdam (just these two rotating into the Blue team for the first half. Seems a signal that these twenty are in the mix re Round 1 considering the number absent and injured. McAdam's injury looks serious (2nd stanza) - either knee or ankle, no weight at all as he went straight into the rooms. Both Laurie and AMW were treated for minor knocks but re-entered the game. For three of the stanzas all of the following stayed in white/gray, so I would expect to start with Casey this year: Adams, Hore, Laurie, Verrall, Brown, Johnson, AMW, Sestan, Fullarton, Campbell, Jefferson Woewodin rotated with Lindsay between teams. Wholesale changes between teams only took place in the fourth quarter. Up until then the interchanging was minimal - in my view because the coaches were trying to build cohesion amongst the "probables". Jeffo was white/gray for the first three quarters. GATOR'S MATCH SIMULATION OBSERVATIONS In the second half they changed some of the players from Blue to White and vice versa. I think it’s more interesting as to who started in Blue and who started in White. Blue (probables): Gawn, Oliver, Rivers, Langdon, Lindsay, Langford, Sharp, Howes, Bowey, Salem, Billings, Petty, Lever, Sparrow, Fritsch, Chandler, Turner, van Rooyen, McAdam, McDonald White: (possibles): Campbell, Laurie, Culley, Brown, Adams, Jefferson, Sestan, Hore, Fullarton, Johnson, Woewodin, Moniz-Wakefield, Verrall, Adams, plus Casey top ups. No Mentha and George, or those who you already know about. It seems Petracca, Viney and Windsor will be back next week. So, while we do have injuries, I suspect we won’t be far off our best team soon. Jefferson: He started as a forward for White and was quiet. To get him involved they moved him into defence in the second quarter. He looked very comfortable behind the footy and got quite a lot of it. In the second half he swapped teams and played forward again, but was again quiet, although he took a nice contested mark in the last. Gawn: Campbell is a handful in the ruck contests. He competes hard against Max and manages to neutralize many of the hitouts, but Max worked his way nicely into the game. He took 6 or 7 marks and dropped a couple he’ll take in a few weeks. He got plenty of it. He won’t be falling away this year. Oliver: He’s moving really well and looks back to his best for mine, despite Goody saying supporters will need patience. He used it well, was clever, and wasn’t rushed like he seemed last year. In the votes. Langdon: He was in most centre bounces. He just gets a lot of it when he’s on ball and uses his quick feet to get out of trouble. Kicked a goal and missed a few other chances. Like all of the mids he made a couple of blues but he was in my best. Salem: Played in defence. He’s back to his best and moving like it’s 2021. Bowey: He too played in defence and racked it up. The odd mistake and sometimes I’d like him to move it on a bit quicker, but he looks a lock for the best 22 to me. Langford: He just looks comfortable at the level already and around the contest. His height will be a real asset around the ground and he makes good decisions. His one Achilles heel is he sometimes overruns ground-balls, but he looks a star in the making. Kicked a nice long goal. Lindsay: I thought he was good. He got it about as much as you’d expect playing a true wing role. Nice poise and competes/tackles well for a first year player. Some people think he’s skinny, but I look at the legs and his core looks great for an 18 year old. His upper body will obviously develop. Sharp: Not as noticeable today, but still did some nice things, including a smart front and square crumbing goal. Rivers: Played midfield all game and was good. In my best along with Oliver, Langdon, Fritsch, Salem, Bowey and Gawn. Fritsch: Involved, looked quicker than usual and seems set for a better year. Lever, etc: It was a pretty easy day for the defenders and they did what they had to. Not much to say. Chandler: Did some nice things and seems over his shoulder injury. Turner: Pretty quiet, but he did take a couple of good marks. Van Rooyen: Was the best key forward on the ground and we know he competes well. He still seems to drop an easy mark or chest mark every time I watch him, but he also clunked a couple and I reckon he’s ready to stamp himself on the competition. McAdam: He was playing deep forward and was having a good game before getting injured. A few for White. Moniz-Wakefield: I thought he was really good. Competed really hard, much to Salem’s annoyance at one stage. He played in defence and wouldn’t be out of place in the best 22. Brown: The boy was good. He played mainly on a wing and was one of the better players for White. His Dad was watching on. Sestan: I really like him down back. He was very involved and we know he usually kicks it well. There isn’t a spot for him, but I think he’d equip himself well. Johnson: Good early with a goal and a nice mark, but largely unsighted from then on. Fullarton: He’s such a great build. He did a couple of nice things, but on a whole was reasonably quiet. But I may have missed some stuff. Verrall: He did pretty well against the odds. He took a very good mark in the last and got involved. His kicking is problematic. Woewodin: Played wing and was one of White’s best. Used his pace through the centre in the last when he was switched to Blue. He and Lindsay were matched on a wing for a while. I’d say they’re going head to head for a spot in the 22. Hore: He was good. He looks a class above VFL level, but will have to bide his time. Culley: OK, he did a couple of sloppy kicks interspersed with quality left foot kicks, including a great goal on the run from 45. He was often head to head with Oliver, including the mandatory niggle. I have to say I really like this bloke. I haven’t seen enough to know what his pace is like, but in so many other facets he looks a fantastic prospect in the midfield. We probably have a greater need for a small forward, like George, who I also like, but gee, Culley is too good not to be on an AFL list.

Fierce tackling

Kozzy might be the first player to get suspended while he’s suspended.

‘Have to do my time’: Pickett breaks silence on trade reports Melbourne forward Kysaiah Pickett has broken his silence about reports he’s pursuing a trade to Fremantle, conceding that he is suffering from homesickness. Pickett has been at the forefront of headlines over a potential move to the Dockers, fanning the flames after liking a social media post about a possible move. The Herald Sun revealed that Pickett has been texting his mates who play for Fremantle telling them he will be in Dockers colours next year. The 23-year-old is contracted to the Demons until the end of 2027 and has previously explored his trade options. Asked about the conversations he’d been having with Dockers players, Pickett said that it was normal for him to text friends around the league. “I’ve got friends,” he said. “I’m allowed to talk to them I guess. “I’m contracted at Melbourne. I’m having fun there and I love it at the club.” Pressed on whether he’d like to move to Perth to play for Fremantle, Pickett added: “I’m still contracted at Melbourne.” Asked whether his text messages specifically outlined a desire to play for Fremantle, Pickett said: “I just text like general friends. I’m pretty close with some of them.” Pickett did concede that he was suffering from homesickness and he expressed this to Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin at the end of last season. “Being away in Melbourne, there’s always a bit of homesickness but I’m still contracted and I still have to do my time there,” he said. “We always have open and honest conversations. To be able to express myself and express my homesickness as a part of that relationship means we’re pretty close.” Melbourne says it has no plans to entertain trade talks about superstar Pickett amid the most impressive pre-season of his career. “He is going as well as anyone at the footy club and it has just shown everyone how engaged he is,” Goodwin told the Herald Sun. “He is as engaged as I have ever seen. “So, we love having him at the footy club. He loves the people here and that is really clear, and we want him to play for Melbourne for life.” Speaking at the Clontarf Foundation ahead of the Indigenous All Stars clash against Fremantle on Saturday, Pickett said it was an honour to represent his people. “It’s one of the bigger games I look up to, coming and playing in front of my family,” he said. “Being able to showcase myself … I represent all of my family. “I think that’s the best thing about these camps, giving back to the community and trying to inspire the next generation.” Pickett’s cousin Isaiah Dudley is also currently a train-on at Fremantle. Also an electric small forward, Pickett said that Dudley was enjoying his time at the club as he attempts to make his AFL dream a reality. “I have been speaking to him a bit,” he said. “He’s having fun. “He missed his opportunity a few years ago and credit to him he’s been working his butt off. If he gets a shot to try and prove himself, he deserves a spot at the top level. He’s made for it.” FULL TRANSCRIPT: Kozzie Pickett breaks his silence Reporter: You’ve been linked to a move back to WA. There are reports around that you want to come to Freo and you’ve already been texting some boys. What do you make of those reports and do you want to head back to Perth? KP: “I’ve got friends. I’m allowed to talk to them I guess. I’m contracted at Melbourne. I’m having fun there and I love it at the club." Reporter: So there’s no truth to the fact that you want to come to Perth? KP: “I’m still contracted at Melbourne." Reporter: There was a rumour around that you were maybe trying to come back at the end of last year’s trade period and that you were a bit homesick. Was that true as well? KP: “Being away in Melbourne, there’s always a bit of homesickness but I’m still contracted and I have to do my time there." Reporter: Can you take us inside that conversation you had with Simon Goodwin and speaking a bit about that homesickness? KP: “We always have open and honest conversations. To be able to express myself and express my homesickness as a part of that relationships means we’re pretty close." Reporter: So those text messages to your friends, have you expressed a desire to specifically come and play for Fremantle? KP: “I just text like general friends. I’m pretty close with some of them." Reporter: There’s been a few social media posts about a potential move to Fremantle that accounts linked to your name have liked and been associated with. Do they belong to you? AFL spokesperson: “I think he’s already answered that one.”

MELBOURNE Indigenous All-Stars squad members: Kysaiah Pickett, Steven May Match simulation details: Play North Melbourne on Saturday February 22 at 11am (AEDT), Arden Street Oval (4x25-minute quarters with time on for goals only, plus 2x3-minute scenario play at the end of the second and fourth quarters). In doubt/won't play: Christian Petracca (ribs), Judd McVee (hamstring), Jack Viney (ribs), Jake Melksham (hamstring), Koltyn Tholstrup (bone stress), Luker Kentfield (illness), Charlie Spargo (Achilles), Tom Fullarton (hamstring) What to look out for: The draftees. Where Harvey Langford and Xavier Lindsay line up will be of intrigue to Melbourne supporters. Langford, especially, looks ready-made, with senior teammates speaking glowingly of his size and intensity at training. Lindsay has also impressed, albeit a knee injury has slightly interrupted his first AFL pre-season. Keep an eye, too, on mature-age recruit Aidan Johnson, who has turned heads this summer., The new-look forward line is worth monitoring, too. Jacob van Rooyen and Daniel Turner prepare to join forces as key targets in attack, while maligned swingman Harry Petty is set to shift back into defence. Expect to see the likes of Shane McAdam and off-season recruit Harry Sharp throw their hats in the ring to assume Kysaiah Pickett’s place in Simon Goodwin’s side while the electric hybrid serves a three-game suspension. NORTH MELBOURNE Indigenous All-Stars squad members: Jy Simpkin Match simulation details: Play Melbourne on Saturday February 22 at 11am (AEDT), Arden Street Oval (4x25-minute quarters with time on for goals only, plus 2x3-minute scenario play at the end of the second and fourth quarters). In doubt/won't play: George Wardlaw (hamstring), Brayden George (knee), Callum Coleman-Jones (Achilles) What to look out for: Who gets midfield minutes. Despite young gun George Wardlaw’s latest hamstring setback, North Melbourne is stacked for young midfield talent this season. The on-ball brigade will be spearheaded by star Luke Davies-Uniacke — who’ll be one of the big rolling trade and free agency storylines of the year — alongside Harry Sheezel, Jy Simpkin and Tom Powell. Then there’s the likes of Colby McKercher, Finn O’Sullivan and Will Phillips, who’ll all be fighting for more midfield time, while veteran recruit Luke Parker could be another option. North’s centre bounce attendees against Melbourne, as well as the number of players they rotate through the middle, will be an interesting follow.

6-8 weeks

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15 Indigenous All Stars v Fremantle at Optus Stadium, 4.30pm AWST INDIGENOUS ALL STARS Callum Ah Chee (Noongar, Palyku and Nyikina, Yawuru), Karl Amon (Noonuccal), Shai Bolton (Minang and Wilman), Jase Burgoyne (Kokatha, Larrakia, Warai), Charlie Cameron (Waanyi and Lardil), Jeremy Finlayson (Yorta Yorta), Jade Gresham (Yorta Yorta), Joel Hamling (Yorta Yorta), Bobby Hill (Whadjuk, Ballardong, Noongar), Brad Hill (Wilmen, Noongar), Jason Horne-Francis (Wardaman), Lawson Humphries (Nyul Nyul, Oomiday, Worrora), Jarman Impey (Yorta Yorta), Joel Jeffrey (Kukatj, Wulwulam), Ash Johnson (Jaru, Kija), Tim Kelly (Noongar, Wongi, Yamatji), Coen Livingstone (Balardong, Noongar), Ben Long (Anmatjerre), Steven May (Larrakia), Jesse Motlop (Larrakia), Kysaiah Pickett (Yamatji, Noongar), Izak Rankine (Kokatha and Ngarrindjeri), Willie Rioli (Tiwi), Maurice Rioli (Tiwi), Liam Ryan (Yamatji), Jy Simpkin (Yorta Yorta), Tyson Stengle (Wirangu), Michael Walters (Whadjuk, Wilmen and Ngarrindjeri), Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (Kokatha, Narangga), Zac Williams (Wiradjuri) FREMANTLE 1. Sam Sturt, 2. Jaeger O'Meara, 3. Caleb Serong, 5. Heath Chapman, 6. Jordan Clark, 8. Andrew Brayshaw, 9. Luke Jackson, 11. James Aish, 12. Hugh Davies, 13. Luke Ryan, 14. Jeremy Sharp, 16. Murphy Reid, 17. Will Brodie, 18. Liam Reidy, 20. Patrick Voss, 23. Karl Worner, 24. Jye Amiss, 28. Neil Erasmus, 29. Cooper Simpson, 30. Nathan O'Driscoll, 31. Brandon Walker, 32. Michael Frederick, 34. Corey Wagner, 35. Josh Treacy, 36. Brennan Cox, 37. Joshua Draper, 39. Sam Switkowski, 41. Bailey Banfield, 42. Aiden Riddle, 44. Matthew Johnson Notable absentees: Sean Darcy, Nat Fyfe, Michael Walters*, Shai Bolton*, Quinton Narkle, Oscar McDonald, Alex Pearce, Hayden Young, Jaren Carr *playing in Indigenous All Stars side

Everyone should be wearing sunscreen every day.

Not sure if this has been brought up on here before but what is the reason for TMac wearing the white lycra (?) top? From the image above it seems to be a "crop top" for want of a better word and only covers the arms and chest. Sun protection or something else?