Demonland

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.

Can anyone fill in the blanks (?) to the injuries above? Brayshaw, Tuner, AMW

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

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?)

The last training session I was at on 7/2/24 I reported that late in the session he went into the sheds towards the end of the session. He didn't join the main group after that.

On the eve of the Dees first practice match for the 2024 season a couple of Demonland Trackwatchers bring you their observations from today’s Captain’s Run at Gosch’s Paddock. KEV MARTIN’S CAPTAIN’S RUN OBSERVATIONS Looks a a dress rehearsal Captain's run. 23 out doing drills. Included is Will Verall, Kynan Brown, Bailey Laurie, Caleb Windsor, Blake Howes, Adam Tomlinson, Kade Chandler, Jack Billings and Josh Schache. Rehab include BBB, Tom Fullarton, TMac, AMW, Woey. Not included in this group are Clayton Oliver, Christian Salem, Charlie Spargo, Angus Brayshaw, Shane McAdam, Matt Jefferson, Jed Adams, Marty Hore, Harry Petty, Koltyn Tholstrup, Daniel Turner and Kyah Farris-White. … The second team players have now turned up. No shows. Daniel Turner, Charlie Spargo and Harry Petty. Shane McAdam is doing his own program. Clayton Oliver is also with the second group, as are a few Casey players. The seconds are in red or blue guernseys. The captain's runners are wearing red. In red in the seconds are, Oliver, Farris-White, Jefferson, Salem, Sestan, Hore, Tholstrup and Adams. Seems Casey are in the blue. 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 and 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 Angus Brayshaw was also a no show. Great to see all the rehab do some sprinting drills and were included in the team drills with the seconds (except McAdam 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 My prediction is, year of the Tom Sparrow. Hit some great passes, looks fit, appears slim downed, and I reckon, will run through brick walls. Hoping Jared Rivers will also continue his trajectory. Caleb 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 Robbie Flower body shape, 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. WERRIDEE’S CAPTAIN’S RUN OBSERVATIONS Bowser, Trent Rivers, Judd McVee and Blake Howes arriving now. Adam Tomlinson, Steven May and Jake Lever join them. Just kick to kick atm. Tom McDonald has arrived. Frittata and Roo have arrived. Tom Sparrow and Bailey Laurie join in Ed Langdon, Trac K. Brown, Josh Schache, Kossie, Kade Chandler, Jack Viney, Max Gawn, Nibbler, Jack Billings, Caleb Windsor, Taj Woewodin and Will Verrall arrive. Tom McDonald just told me that he’s right for the Carlton game. The group are doing agility drills. McDonald and Woewodin kicking away from the drills. Ben Brown, Tom Fullerton and Andy Moniz-Wakefield arrive Woewodin is out with concussion will be back against Carlton Now kicking and handball drills McDonald Woewodin Fullarton jogging laps 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 Ball movement has been impressive very fast Some Casey players arrive with Kyah Farris-White, Jed Adams, Christian Salem, Ollie Sestan, Matt Jefferson, Marty Hore, Clarry and Koltyn Tholstrup. B. Brown Fullerton and AMW are playing keeping’s off. Forwards and mids kicking for goal while the backs do marking and kicking drills The seconds are training now. McAdam jogging laps. The seniors are done. Woewodin doing drills. Todays been non contact so it’s understandable why he’s doing the drills AMW in the drills as well B. Brown also the drills as is Fullarton - mustn’t be too far away. Even Tom McDonald is now in the drills The only ones that are not participating are McAdam and Jefferson who is having shots at goal. Jefferson just told me they are adjusting his loads that’s why he’s not training but will play in the reserves AMW, B. Brown and Fullarton should be available for opening round the only concern is McAdam who seems a fair way away from returning to the team McAdam told me he should be right round 2 the calf niggle is not as bad as he first thought The reserves are done and dusted TOUGH KENT'S CAPTAIN'S RUN OBSERVATIONS CLAYTON IS BACK!!! Clarrie will play in the seconds 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. TMac, Browny, Andy Moniz-Wakefield, Fullarton, 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. CHECKOUT THE PRESEASON LIVE TRAINING THREAD FOR ADDITIONAL OBSERVATIONS AND CONVERSATION

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.

Wonder if Clarry might get a gig late in the Scratch Match tomorrow.

Seems Verrell will have backup ruck duties ahead of KFW.

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

10. Jeff White (2000-2008) 1 x best and fairest (2004) 1 x All-Australian (2004) 192 games, 20.8 hitouts per game 9. Adem Yze (2000-2008) 1 x best and fairest (2001) 1 x All-Australian (2002) 177 games, 196 goals, 1.1 goals per game, 20.4 disposals per game, 71 Brownlow votes, 0.4 votes per game 8. Bayley Fritsch (2018-present) 4 x leading goalkicker (2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023) 1 x premiership player (2021) 126 games, 211 goals, 1.7 goals per game 7. James McDonald (2000-2010) 2 x best and fairest (2006 and 2007) 1 x All-Australian (2006) 210 games, 19.2 disposals per game, 4.45 tackles per game 6. Russell Robertson (2000-2009) 1 x best and fairest (2003) 4 x leading goalkicker (2001, 2005, 2007 and 2009) 196 games, 397 goals, 2.02 goals per game 5. Nathan Jones (2006-2021) 3 x best and fairest (2012, 2013 and 2014) 302 games, 22.4 disposals per game, 81 Brownlow votes, 0.3 votes per game 4. David Neitz (2000-2008) 1 x Coleman Medal (2002) 1 x best and fairest (2002) 4 x leading goalkicker (2002, 2003, 2004 and 2006) 1 x All-Australian (2002) 169 games, 414 goals, 2.4 goals per game 3. Max Gawn (2010-present) 2 x best and fairest (2018 and 2019) 6 x All-Australian (2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022) 1 x premiership player (2021) 203 games, 33 hitouts per game, 108 Brownlow votes, 0.5 votes per game 2. Clayton Oliver (2016-present) 4 x best and fairest (2017, 2019, 2021 and 2022) 3 x All-Australian (2018, 2021 and 2022) 1 x premiership player (2021) 162 games, 29.2 disposals per game, 116 Brownlow votes, 0.7 votes per game 1. Christian Petracca (2015-present) 1 x Norm Smith Medal (2021) 2 x best and fairest (2020 and 2023) 1 x leading goalkicker (2019) 4 x All-Australian (2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023) 1 x premiership player (2021) 176 games, 23.3 disposals per game, 170 goals, 0.97 goals per game, 98 Brownlow votes, 0.55 votes per game

There are 20 days until Opening Round.

PRO TIP: They’ll sell more Tigers cupcakes if they are microwaved

No entry fee or proof of membership required?

Chat GPT really should just say "Sorry we can't provide one for you because we weren't there instead we will just make one up and not mention a single player." Training Report: Melbourne Demons at Casey Fields Date: Thursday, 15th February 2024 Location: Casey Fields, Melbourne Attendees: Players: Full Melbourne Demons squad Coaching Staff: Head Coach, Assistant Coaches, Fitness Trainers Support Staff: Physiotherapists, Nutritionists Overview: The Melbourne Demons training session at Casey Fields on Thursday, February 15th, 2024, was a dynamic and intensive session aimed at fine-tuning player skills, fostering teamwork, and enhancing physical fitness in preparation for the upcoming season. Training Session Highlights: Warm-up and Injury Prevention: The session commenced with a thorough warm-up routine led by the fitness trainers. Players engaged in dynamic stretches, mobility drills, and light cardiovascular exercises to prepare their bodies for the demands of the session and reduce the risk of injuries. Skill Development Drills: Various skill-specific drills were conducted to sharpen players' abilities in kicking, handballing, marking, and tackling. Emphasis was placed on precision, decision-making under pressure, and execution at game pace. Coaches provided individualized feedback to players to address areas for improvement. Team Tactics and Strategy: Tactical aspects of the game were extensively covered during the session. Players participated in structured gameplay simulations focusing on offensive and defensive strategies, set plays, and positional awareness. The coaching staff encouraged communication and cohesion among players to enhance teamwork on the field. Physical Conditioning: A significant portion of the session was dedicated to physical conditioning drills aimed at building endurance, speed, and strength. Players underwent high-intensity interval training (HIIT), sprint drills, agility exercises, and strength training circuits tailored to football-specific movements. Match Simulation: The training session concluded with a simulated match scenario where players applied the skills, tactics, and fitness components practiced earlier in a competitive setting. This allowed coaches to assess player performance under match-like conditions and make necessary adjustments. Key Observations and Feedback: Players demonstrated a high level of commitment and intensity throughout the session, showcasing their determination to excel in the upcoming season. Individual players showed notable improvements in specific skill areas, reflecting their dedication to continuous development. Positive teamwork and camaraderie were evident among the squad, with players supporting and encouraging each other on and off the field. Coaching staff provided constructive feedback to players, highlighting areas of strength and areas requiring further refinement. Conclusion: The Melbourne Demons training session at Casey Fields on February 15th, 2024, was a productive and promising session, laying a solid foundation for the team's preparations ahead of the season. The dedication, hard work, and unity displayed by the players and coaching staff bode well for the team's prospects as they strive for success in the upcoming campaign. According to Chat GPT we're TRAINING THE HOUSE DOWN.

Future Demons star Jack Billings in da house.

Would you like Chat GPT to provide one for you?

Our Key Position Forward depth is huge.

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.

The page on the MFC website about the Scratch Match doesn't specify. https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/1484717/demons-launch-family-series