Demonland

They have a McDonalds there? Or is that the personal section for TMac's family.

And Hunter.

Fox Footy have posted their Opening Round Teams for 2024. MELBOURNE B: Adam Tomlinson, Steven May, Trent Rivers HB: Judd McVee, Jake Lever, Christian Salem C: Lachie Hunter, Clayton Oliver, Ed Langdon HF: Alex Neal-Bullen, Bayley Fritsch, Charlie Spargo F: Shane McAdam, Harrison Petty, Jacob van Rooyen FOLL: Max Gawn, Christian Petracca, Jack Viney I/C: Angus Brayshaw, Jake Bowey, Tom Sparrow, Jack Billings, Kade Chandler (sub) It hasn’t been the cleanest pre-season for the Demons on the injury front, particularly up forward – where they can probably least afford it. Recruit Tom Fullarton (hamstring) and Ben Brown (knee) will miss the opening rounds, while Shane McAdam, Harrison Petty (foot) and Tom McDonald (calf) have also had disrupted summers and Jake Melksham is still recovering from his ACL tear. Lachie Hunter (calf) is also in doubt and Christian Salem was on light duties last week. Kysaiah Pickett, who’s had a ripping pre-season, is suspended for Round 1, while Joel Smith is also absent after his provisional suspension for a positive cocaine test after a game last season. Plus, no Fullarton and Brodie Grundy’s exit means the Dees have limited ruck cover behind Max Gawn to start the season. The biggest question isn’t a physical health issue, but a mental health one, with Clayton Oliver thankfully returning to training over the past fortnight after a tough 2023. While the superstar midfielder is tracking in the right direction, his situation remains a precarious one. Draftees in Caleb Windsor and Koltyn Tholstrup have impressed in their first pre-seasons to put their hands up for an early-season debut, while the returning Marty Hore and former Saint Jack Billings will also put their hand up. The likes of Tom Sparrow, Bailey Laurie and Trent Rivers could be in line for more midfield opportunities, with track watchers spotting Rivers’ move from defence.

He was in the rehab group on a modified running program after Christmas before briefly returning to the main group before returning to the rehab group for the last 2 or 3 weeks. No word on a return date from any official channels.

Todd Marshall off the shopping list.

Let’s keep the thread on topic folks. No derailments. Footy is nigh. Don’t forget to buy a snag from @WalkingCivilWar at the Demon Army BBQ to support the cheersquad. Mention Demonland to get 0% off.

I hope we see McAdam in one of the 2 practice games in the lead up to Opening Round. Hopefully over the niggle from last week. If not in the Tigers game then fingers crossed for the Blues game.

The only thing we know about McAdam from the training report thread is the following:

I would assume they will show the lot. Certainly would on Kayo as there is no other programming for it to switch to.

The Demons will take to the field in their first hit out for 2024 against another team when they take on the Tigers at Casey Fields in a Scratch Match consisting of 7 "quarters". Melbourne vs Richmond Date: Sunday 18th Feb Location: Casey Fields Gate open: 9.30am Match commences: 10am Watch: Foxtel & Kayo Inclusions: Seven-quarter match simulation Signing opportunities Kids' activities Partner giveaways What are your expectations? What do you want to see from the Demons? Who are you excited to see play?

Only on Foxtel and Kayo. https://www.afl.com.au/news/1074361/locked-in-details-confirmed-for-match-sims-practice-games

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.

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.

Good to see Fullarton in footy boots chasing a footy.

MFC TRAINING PHOTO GALLERY

CHECK OUT THE LIVE PRESEASON TRAINING THREAD FROM TODAY WITH FURTHER COMMENTARY

Was McAdam training with the main group or in rehab?

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

Ben King off the shopping list