Demonland

Date of Birth: 13 April 1994 Height: 179cm Weight: 93kg Games MFC 2023: 24 Career Total: 196 Goals MFC 2023: 8 Career Total: 56 Brownlow Medal Votes: 24 Melbourne Football Club: Sid Anderson Memorial Trophy Runner-Up Club Champion 527 Votes Everybody’s most feared opponent, the hard nosed midfielder had a fantastic season. He was called upon for more minutes in the middle after Clayton Oliver’s injury and stood up to the challenge putting enormous pressure on opposing midfields.

Date of Birth: 5 March 1996 Height: 194cm Weight: 94kg Games MFC 2023: 24 Career Total: 160 Goals MFC 2023: 0 Career Total: 4 Melbourne Football Club: Ron Barassi Snr Memorial Trophy Third Place Club Champion 456 Votes Together with Steven May formed a formidable key position defensive wall. His uncanny ability to read the play and intercept opposition forward moves was, as always, exceptional.

Date of Birth: 9 January 1996 Height: 188cm Weight: 90kg Games MFC 2023: 24 Career Total: 167 Goals MFC 2023: 2 Career Total: 49 Brownlow Medal Votes: 4 Melbourne Football Club: Ivor Warne-Smith Memorial Trophy Fourth Place Club Champion 456 Votes Had one of his best seasons at the club moving between half back and the midfield. Was often targeted by opponents who were fully aware of his importance to the club and Brayden Maynard’s apparently legal hit on him in the qualifying final was possibly a factor in costing the club a grand final berth. Looking forward to seeing Gus back in the line up in 2024.

Date of Birth: 10 January 1992 Height: 193cm Weight: 101kg Games MFC 2023: 23 Career Total: 216 Goals MFC 2023: 0 Career Total: 23 Brownlow Medal Votes: 3 Melbourne Football Club: Dick Taylor Memorial Trophy Memorial Trophy Fifth Place Club Champion 451 votes A menace to every top line key forward in the competition, May’s marking, interception and spoils are the dream of every football coach.

A clumsy slip from big man Jed Adams sent a small wobble through the Melbourne camp. Uncapped defender Adams slipped in the soaking rain and faceplanted while in the midst of a kicking drill, with trainers called upon to check his eyesight. The 196cm West Australian called out in pain and was off the track for 15 minutes before returning to run laps with the hint of a shiner on his right eye. The Demons confirmed there was no fear of concussion after the slip.

KEV MARTIN'S TRAINING OBSERVATIONS It's a wet morning, ball is like soap to a few. Rehab had Matt Jefferson and Lachie Hunter working with a trainer, ball work and fitness drills. Kyah Farris-White mainly running laps. Jake Melksham and BBB in the sheds with the pedal and rower. Jack Billings, AMW, Shane McAdam, Harry Petty did all the drill work with the team but didn't participate in the sims. Angus Brayshaw worked with the backline and was wearing the lime cap (no contact) during sims. That line also included, Judd McVee, Steven May, Jake Lever, Adam Tomlinson, Jake Bowey, Jed Adams, Marty Hore. Interestingly, not Trent Rivers, Christian Salem, or Blake Howes. They worked very well as a group, good ball handling and disposal for a wet day. A run on indigenous player wearing number 49 was with us, as was Noah Yze. I thought Christian Salem was training well, fit and skills remain silky. After their warm-ups and drills, they had a competitive game of handball. They showed great intensity, tackled and hit each other with some gusto. Impressed with Fritta’s tackling, a couple of times he did two consecutive and other times wrapped up the ball carrier. The area was small, so shimmy and acceleration was needed to do well. Some have that ability to break into space where it is not obvious (McVee, Kossie), or the vision to see the outside player (Tracc, Bowey). I also noticed Goody getting angry, (first time I had noticed this behavior at a session), after the end of the handball game. Another watcher mentioned that Williams did the same. Perhaps the coaches aren't going to be so chummy this season. The playing group appeared slightly stunned by the outburst and went quiet. ('this way covered, that way covered, should XXX take the first open option.'). The sims were unspectacular given the weather, plenty of safe kicking and jostling for that front position. A few soft injuries to Jake Bowey and Steven May in collisions. Blake Howes and Will Verrall are both looking good while Tracc is leading by example, getting better and better. Daniel Turner is also looking good. A bit of a backline shuffle and he may have a chance, though Marty Hore is also doing everything well. Koltyn Tholstrup, because our list is stacked, may have to earn his way in, though he has the passion and the ability. Caleb Windsor still needs a bit more development. I don't think he is up to the speed of an AFL game yet. Has the ball skills required. I reckon he needs more strategically understanding of the game. Bailey Laurie continues to develop, looks like a big improver, though may have to get a break so as to claim a spot. Got a feeling if given a chance he will perform. Taj Woewodin - I am uncertain about, looks a little slow out there. Has great composure when he has the ball and is looking alot bigger. I reckon Trent Rivers will be a mid. Plenty coming through into the backline. Christian Salem could just be training without much pressure on him. Getting back into the game, with some freedom. Therefore, not in fully with the backs. As for Blake Howes, could be looking at the wing. He has a light kinda of stringy frame/body and is probably not ready as an in and under player. Angus Brayshaw was training with the backline today. No Clayton Oliver. They were kicking goals well in the wet during drills. Plenty of fumbles all through the session. I think today's session was very much about being 'hard'. Had to leave early, so I haven’t got a comprehensive report for sims. We are looking good, healthy, fit and dare I say, ready, so early in the season. Go Dees. SLARTIBARTFAST'S TRAINING OBSERVATIONS I ventured down a bit before 9.30am and missed the start of training. They were doing the usual drills and some short kicking. As reported Lachie Hunter and Matt Jefferson were doing repeat run throughs which seemed to go on for a good hour. KFW was doing his own running but the good news was Harry Petty did most drills other than the match sims. Fritta was in full training. Shane McAdam was held out of match sims and there was no sign of Benny Brown. Joel Smith, Clarrie and Melk were no shows. I'm also not sure if I saw Tommy Sparrow, I thought I did early but didn't notice him during the session so I'm hoping another trackwatcher can clarify. The match sims are of major interest to me and as you know it was just dreadful conditions. It rained heavily for most of the session but did ease off towards the end. I didn't notice any major changes in game plan from last year other than there is no long kicking to the forward line but this is as much to improve entry inside 50 than a permanent gp chance. It was the same last year. There were a few players that I really noticed. Judd McVee handled the ball beautifully in the conditions and found time to hit up teammates regularly. He won contested ball, stood up in tackles are was one of the highlights for me. I think he'll take another step forward this year. Didn't play midfield at all so I think we'll see him off halfback. I was impressed with Will Verrall in the pre Christmas training and he did nothing to change that view today. He's very good below his knees and his contest work was good. He marked well in awful conditions and his kicking is fine. He could end up a good KP player the way his is going and not just limited to ruck where he is perhaps a bit small. I'm not sure where he fits in but there's a fair bit there to look forward to and I wouldn't be surprised if he gets a go at some stage during the season. JvR was another standout. He looks to me to have put on some real size and really imposes himself around the ball. He marked well and was his usual competitive self when the ball hit the ground and on my viewing so far he has developed well from last year. He has a real presence about himself now and is imposing in a way he wasn't so much last year. I was also impressed with Tom Fullerton. He played mainly down the other end to where I was but seemed to be involved in a lot of play. He might surprise this year. But best on ground would have to go to Trac who is just so strong and clean. Found the ball with ease, did some freaky things and frankly just looked a class above, which he probably is. Kynan Brown was involved a bit but got caught on a number of occasions trying to do too much. Rick Lever was in everything and Steve May didn't let his opponent get a touch. The small forwards are going to be an interesting watch. Spargs, Kossie and Chin were all involved today, Nibbler did his thing, Jack Billings and Shane McAdam are contenders and the Kolt just looks like a footballer. The other to impress today was Blake Howes. He's tall, well over 190cm I'd think and he's got a lot of good attributes and looks the most likely to do a "Juddy" this year although where these kids play and who's spot they take I don't know. All in all it was a good hitout today but it wasn't done at AFL pace except for patches of the match sims. I'm looking forward to next week and seeing them in better conditions. WALKING CIVIL WAR'S TRAINING OBSERVATIONS Harry Petty: wouldn’t even know he’s carrying an injury 🥳 Kolt: fast mofo. Runs like the wind. Disco: bulked up quite some. Training hard, giving it everything. I just spoke to KFW. I commented on his height (freaking tall) and I told him arm/upper body days in the gym have paid off. He said “yeah, I’m hoping to hit 100kgs.” HE MENTIONED HIS WEIGHT!!!! Don’t tell the AFL 🤫 Jack Billings is wearing #48, like I’m not already having trouble telling players apart. Chocco doing tackling practice with Harry Petty and the noobs. Yelling at them… a lot. Lachie Hunter walking up and down the boundary line. Not limping or anything but looks a little dejected. Meanwhile, Shane McAdam is running laps by himself. KFW also training separately, running along the boundary line… I asked Shane McAdam if they’re treating him well. He said, “yeah, they’re treating me very well, they’re really looking after me. It’s a great club, this.” Stick that where it fits, Cornes. The older players are amazing when it comes to interacting with the young blokes. They yell encouragement to them, not just whenever they do something really well, if they don’t do so well they let them know it’s not the end of the world. Soooo cool to hear “yours, Ooze!” Jack Billings and Marty Hore were running together along the boundary line for quite a while. I just heard Selwyn say to them, “you’ve both done your high-speeds, yeah? Now it’s onto aerobics.” Re: Whether Shane McAdam is carrying an injury - He said no injury or niggles. He said it’s purely to get his fitness level up. I told him he has come along in leaps and bounds since his first training session with us in early December. He was pleased to hear that. We had a good chat. He loves our Club and “everything about it.” Then HP35 came over and they told me how Shane McAdam will be under Harry Petty. Shane said Harry has his back 100% and he won’t let Harry down. What struck me most is their rapport. They clearly get on so well together. There’s a mutual respect for one another. It was awesome to see. WAYNE WUSSELL'S TRAINING OBSERVATIONS I dropped in just in time to witness the 'seriously' injured Lachie Hunter (post amputation) zigging, zagging, passing, running, and smiling his way through some rehab with Matt Jefferson and a trainer before tackling some 150 metre boundary runs... no major problem there, HS! Everything WCW said about the weather was understated! I was inappropriately attired (I need a Mum!) and only lasted 45 minutes before trudging back to the car and speeding home to a change of clothes and the Test Cricket. While I was there I was impressed with the application and energy of the whole squad (minus 13) in appalling conditions. The ball handling was excellent, considering, and the ball movement was speedy. I was once again impressed with the development of Will Verrall in the use of body in the 1 on 1 aerial contests. Having said this, Steven May and Jake Lever were a class above. Tom Fullarton displayed excellent ball handling in the wet and good pace when bursting free. Harry Petty looked good in these physical contests, I would say he is on... WICKET!!! ... excuse me, where was I? ... Harry Petty is on track for the season opening in my opinion. Bayley Fritsch also looked to be back to full involvement in the ball movement activity. Interesting to see Angus Brayshaw train without headgear. He also looks cherry ripe! Christian Salem looks sharp and fit. I didn't recognise number 49, and I can't recall seeing BBB.

Max on Clayton from 3:27

Melbourne veteran Lachie Hunter will attempt to overcome a calf complaint in time to resume pre-season training this week. The gun wingman suffered a minor calf injury over the summer break and will attempt to gain clearance to train before Wednesday’s session.

Gosch's Paddock Wednesday January 17 9:30am - 11:30am Wednesday January 24 9:30am - 11:30am Wednesday January 31 9:30am - 11:30am Casey Fields Friday January 19 9:30am - 11:30am Monday January 22 9:30am - 11:30am Friday January 26 9:30am - 11:30am Monday January 29 9:30am - 11:30am I’ll try to get to the last 2 training sessions at Gosch’s in January.

Date of Birth: 9 January 1996 Height: 182cm Weight: 80kg Games MFC 2023: 25 Career Total: 153 Goals MFC 2023: 19 Career Total: 107 Melbourne Football Club: 6th Best & Fairest - 450 votes With his seemingly endless reserves of energy and a tireless work rate, Neal-Bullen’s ability to apply constant pressure up forward makes him a valuable member of the team.