Demonland

Veteran Demonland Trackwatchers Kev Martin, Slartibartfast & Demon Wheels were on hand at Gosch's Paddock to kick off the official first training session for the 1st to 4th year players with a few elder statesmen in attendance as well. KEV MARTIN'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS Beautiful morning. Joy all round, they look like they want to be there. 21 in the squad. Looks like the leadership group is TMac, Viney Chandler and Petty. They look like they have slimmed down, especially the top half. Perhaps less upper-body work in the gym. Viney's thigh are huge. Nathan Jones brought the exuberance to many in his interactions. Chaplin was stamping his method into the forward work. Three across the line, the flankers staying wide, though with some synchronising as they turn and run. The delivery, then getting a flanker to be front and centre, as the other stays wide. Appears he wants them to turn quickly and make angles or direct/sharp runs at the ball carrier. Bassett working quietly, working on getting the outside run happening at the stoppages. Gus (the training assistant), led the Remembrance (lest we forget) ceremony for the minutes silence. Teared up as the RAAF jets overflew us on there way to the shrine, good timing. The squad was doing the basics well. In a few of the drills barely a ball hit the ground. I was impressed with the camaraderie, vocal noise and connection, we have a good lot of youngsters. Jed Adams looks like a leader, learnt some lessons from the Lever in the shape of being vocal. TMac was in boots, that's the first time in ages I have not seen him start the pre-season in runners. Foot problems are well behind him. The only one who looked little rusty was, Windsor. Jefferson is my tip as a big improver. Often led the running group he was in. Sestan has slimmed down and looking good. Turner and Howes are getting bigger, and as was pointed out by another tracky, so is Verrall. None of the new players, Campbell or Sharp were there. There were 6 technicians lining around the computer screens. Seemed like many of the Administrators and powers that be, turned up (No Green). When they did some contact drills, both Tholstrup and Bowey disengaged from the group. The main effort in tackling drills, was as Choco called out, 'drive them low and keep going at the arms'. Salem and Fritsch were running laps. Fritta was looking fantastic as he out did Salo, who was straining at times. Goody was watching them very carefully, I had the impression he liked what he saw, as did I. The kicking drills ran by Choco were quite extensively and the first after the warm-up. 15 meters apart and in pairs they kick right and left foot. Then variations occur. Spin (360°) to the left, kick, spin again to the right, kick, place the ball on the ground, pick up and kick, place the ball behind, spin and kick. Repeat at 30 meters. At one stage they included two balls, but only one kicking over the top as the other ball is handballed flat. The next kicking drill was more complicated. They had six starting positions. Three on two lines. The middle group in bibs, attempted to intercept the passes, by those in the outside lines. The outside lines would pass to the other line, down the line, or diagonal. I think they had a system going so it wasn't haphazard. It created a variety of kicks. Choco empathises that he wants the ball to spin well, and for sharp, direct actions. I think he will create even more drills with a variety of difficulty and skills. SLARTIBARTFAST'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS The session went for around 90 minutes and as far as I could see all 1 to 4 year players were there with Woey in 12 and Jed Adams in 19. It was pretty much a non contact session with the normal handball drills, lots of running and a little bit of field ball movement stuff. Good to see none of these boys in any sort of rehab group. Of the oldies Tmac, Viney, Chin, Marty Hore, Petts and Bowser did the full session with the young blokes and Salo and Fritta did a lot of lap running and a bit of kicking away from the group. It's really not possible to take much out of the session but Duke, Kolt and Disco sort of stood out but others would have picked others. Kentfield was there and he is one big unit. I was a bit disappointed Trac and Clarrie weren't there as it would have made a bit of a statement but it probably means nothing. DEMON WHEELS' PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS Managed to make it down to training as well, beautiful day for it. Not a huge amount to report but here are a few of my observations: No players appeared to be in rehab, although Bowey did appear to spend a bit of time away from the main group during the bigger drills (if I recall correctly). Jefferson certainly looks a bit stronger, nothing too dramatic but just looks to have filled out a bit across the shoulders and arms. Reckon he'd measure about 2 inches taller if he wasn't so hunched. The running drills were in groups with the first and fastest featuring only Chandler, McVee and Windsor. The tall players were all in the last 2 groups and while they were only doing 200m sprints no one really looked too off the pace which was pleasing. Kentfield, Verrall, Adams, Jefferson etc all keeping up. Was great to see Jonesy back out there, this time in the sky blue coaches t-shirt. He was high-fiving and getting around all the players like he was still one of them. Great to see the older heads of TMac and Viney out there leading the way. Fox News was down with their cameras so might have been wanting to catch a glimpse of Trac or Clarry if they had turned up. Personally I hoped to see McAdam as I'm keen to see a fit version of him pre-Xmas but hopefully he'll appear in the next few sessions. McVee, Windsor and Turner probably the players that caught my eye the most. TED LASSO'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS I managed to stop in for a little look, but i am not great at training reports so i will do my best. Everyone looked in really good shape from a fitness perspective, the players look lean, are running really well and i think it's really encouraging for the young guys to look this fit and ready to go before pre-season even starts. Jacob Van Rooyen looked noticeably stronger to me, i'd be shocked if he doesn't take a really big step this year, I agree with other posters thoughts on Jefferson and Windsor, both stood out, Jefferson looks like he's done an enormous amount of work. One thing that really stood out for me was the impact of Nathan Jones, the entire group looked like they got a real lift from him being there, and you could see right away he is going to settle in really well to coaching life. It looks as though a lot of players have been given homework around their running, which probably reflects the change in game plan Goody looks like the absolute weight of the world has been lifted off his shoulders, it seems the break and release of some pressure has done him an enormous amount of good. I know it's very early but the entire vibe of the club felt much more lighthearted, fun and energetic than i can remember it being since maybe 2021.

Welcome back Kev. Love your work as always. Thanks to Slarti as well.

I assume we will play Adelaide or Port the week before or after.

The years are rolling by but May continued to be rock solid in a key defensive position despite some injury concerns. He showed great resilience in coming back from a nasty rib injury and is expected to continue in that role for another couple of seasons. Date of Birth: 10 January 1992 Height: 193cm Games MFC 2024: 19 Career Total: 235 Goals MFC 2024: 1 Career Total: 24 Melbourne Football Club: 9th Best & Fairest: 316 votes

It was another strong season from McVee who spent most of his time mainly at half back but he also looked at home on a few occasions when he was moved into the midfield. There could be more of that in 2025. Date of Birth: 7 August 2003 Height: 185cm Games MFC 2024: 23 Career Total: 48 Goals MFC 2024: 1 Career Total: 1 Brownlow Medal Votes: 1 Melbourne Football Club: 7th Best & Fairest: 347 votes

Once again the club’s top goal scorer but he had a few uncharacteristic flat spots during the season and the club will be looking for much better from him in 2025. Date of Birth: 6 December 1996 Height: 188cm Games MFC 2024: 23 Career Total: 149 Goals MFC 2024: 41 Career Total: 252 Brownlow Medal Votes: 4

After sustaining a torn ACL in the final match of the 2023 season Jake added a bit to the attack late in the 2024 season upon his return. He has re-signed on to the Demons for 1 more season in 2025. Date of Birth: 12 August 1991 Height: 186cm Games MFC 2024: 8 Career Total: 229 Goals MFC 2024: 8 Career Total: 188

The luckless Salem suffered a hamstring injury against the Lions early in the season and, after missing a number of games, he was never at his best. He was also inconvenienced by minor niggles later in the season. This was a blow for the club that sorely needed him to fill gaps in the midfield at times as well as to do his best work in defence. Date of Birth: 15 July 1995 Height: 184cm Games MFC 2024: 17 Career Total: 176 Goals MFC 2024: 1 Career Total: 26 Brownlow Medal Votes: 1

The first round draft pick at #13 from twelve months ago the strongly built medium forward has had an impressive introduction to AFL football and is expected to spend more midfield moments as his career progresses. Date of Birth: 25 July 2005 Height: 186cm Games MFC 2024: 10 Career Total: 10 Goals MFC 2024: 5 Career Total: 5 Games CDFC 2024: 7 Goals CDFC 2024: 4

The move of “Disco” to a key forward post looks like bearing fruit. Turner has good hands, moves well and appears to be learning the forward craft well. Will be an interesting watch in 2025. Date of Birth: January 28, 2002 Height: 195cm Games MFC 2024: 15 Career Total: 18 Goals MFC 2024: 17 Career Total: 17 Games CDFC 2024: 1 Goals CDFC 2024: 1

The following players have been delisted by their clubs and been promised they would be relisted as rookies if not drafted in the national draft - ADELAIDE Chris Burgess, Harry Schoenberg BRISBANE Darcy Craven, Darragh Joyce COLLINGWOOD Ash Johnson, Oleg Markov FREMANTLE Max Knobel GWS GIANTS Josh Fahey, Lachie Keeffe, Jacob Wehr HAWTHORN Jack Gunston NORTH MELBOURNE Toby Pink RICHMOND Mate Colina ST KILDA Brad Crouch SYDNEY SWANS Aaron Francis, Joel Hamling

The Demon’s key defender and backline leader had his share of injuries and niggles throughout the season which prevented him from performing at his peak. Date of Birth: 5 March 1996 Height: 195cm Games MFC 2024: 18 Career Total: 178 Goals MFC 2024: 1 Career Total: 5

Lack of preparation after a problematic preseason prevented Oliver from reaching the high standards set before last year’s hamstring woes. He carried injury right through the back half of the season and was controversially involved in a potential move during the trade period that was ultimately shut down by the club. Date of Birth: 22 July 1997 Height: 189cm Games MFC 2024: 21 Career Total: 183 Goals MFC 2024: 3 Career Total: 54 Brownlow Medal Votes: 5

The conclusion to Narrm’s home and away season was the inevitable let down by the bloody Blues who meekly capitulated to the Bombers. The 2024 season fixture handicapped the Demons chances from the get-go with Port Adelaide, Brisbane and Essendon advantaged with enough gimme games to ensure a tough road to the finals, especially after a slew of early season injuries to star players cost wins and percentage. As we strode confidently through the gates of Princes Park knowing an easy killing of Pies awaited, in our hearts and minds, we were resigned ourselves to the likelihood of finishing ninth. Indigenous Round kicked off with a traditional dance and a Welcome to Country by Wurundjeri man Colin Hunter Jnr prior to the first bounce. Following the tragic news of the death of 11-year-old Auburn South Primary schoolboy Jack Davey, the Melbourne players wore black armbands in remembrance of the young Demons supporter. Both the warm sunny Saturday afternoon and the Demons demolition of the hapless Magpies helped boost our collective Narrm spirit as our wonderful girls really turned it on. Oh, and how we could have used Kate Hore in FNQ last week! Kate consistently demonstrates she is a superstar of the competition and such a wonderful leader of our footy club. She’s an entertainer too, kicking three classy goals to be AFLW All-time leading goal scorer with 81 goals. Eliza McNamara starred again breaking through 30 disposals for the third time this year. Some are calling for her All-Australian recognition, Meggs agrees. The Pies did get to within 7 points early in the second quarter but from there on, it was one-way traffic. For the Pies, experienced pair Brit Bonnici and Ruby Schleicher persistently plugged away. Stalwart fullback Stacey Livingstone playing her last game was sent forward in the final quarter and scored a point to a few cheers. Rhi Watt stunned TV audiences announcing her retirement during a boundary line interview. She was carried off post-match in style with lots of smiles and a few tears. Our ninth-place finish should not diminish what has been achieved in 2024. We are really proud of how the playing group rebounded from the low point to finish in positive win/loss territory. Mick Stinear has an elite nucleus of experienced players from which to build on. You could tell at Ikon Park that the Demon fans really love this team and that the playing group is already steeled for a red-hot crack in 2025. For the Dees It was a day to execute the game plan, and it worked splendidly at times. At ground level, Hanksy and Kate’s passing are elite. It's wonderful to witness. Apart from the regular stars, we have seen solid improvement this year in a number of players. Chaplin has proven to be a stellar defender, Fitzy has had her best season by far, talls Gall and Campbell have grown in confidence and fan favourite Banno has really turned it on in the second half of the season. Lots to like. Coaches and next week Mick Stinear was proud of his team’s effort. He was particularly pleased with the improved connection and reward for effort. He said the group would be watching the Essendon v Carlton game together later evening. Spoiler alert: Carlton’s two best midfielders were late withdrawals and Essendon won by 6 goals. Mick felt the early season loss of core mids Loz Pearce and Liv Purcell hurt our chances. He praised the impact of Rhi Watt both on and off the field and she will be missed by everyone at the Club. Sam Wright said it was a tough season with so many injuries and the lack of continuity. He is optimistic that improvement will come from game system education and an improved ability to retain the ball in the forward half. That’s all folks! Go Dees! NARRM 3.3.21 7.3.45 10.6.66 11.8.74 COLLINGWOOD 1.2.8 2.2.14 3.2.20 4.3.27 GOALS NARRM Hore 3 Bannan 2 Campbell Fitzsimon Gall Hanks Pisano Zanker COLLINGWOOD Bonnici 2 Barnett Butler BEST NARRM Hore McNamara Hanks Purcell Zanker Fitzsimon COLLINGWOOD Bonnici Schleicher White Brazzale Cronin Cann INJURIES NARRM Nil COLLINGWOOD Nil REPORTS NARRM Nil COLLINGWOOD Nil CROWD 1,854 at Ikon Park POSTSCRIPT Meggs will return after the finals with a 2024 Season Review. He tips North to win the flag.

The 2025 draft selections (no order as yet) ROUND ONE Adelaide Brisbane Hawthorn (received from Carlton in 2024) Gold Coast Suns (received from Collingwood in 2024) Essendon Fremantle Geelong Gold Coast Suns GWS Giants West Coast Eagles (received from Hawthorn in 2024) Essendon (received from Melbourne in 2024) North Melbourne Gold Coast Suns (received from Port Adelaide in 2024) Richmond St Kilda Sydney Swans West Coast Eagles Western Bulldogs ROUND TWO GWS Giants (received from Adelaide in 2024) Carlton (received from Brisbane in 2024) Hawthorn (received from Carlton in 2024) Collingwood Essendon Fremantle Geelong Gold Coast Suns GWS Giants West Coast Eagles (received from Hawthorn in 2024) Melbourne North Melbourne Port Adelaide Richmond St Kilda Sydney Swans West Coast Eagles Western Bulldogs ROUND THREE Adelaide Melbourne (received from Brisbane in 2024) Carlton Collingwood Brisbane (received from Melbourne in 2024, received from Essendon in 2024) Fremantle Geelong Gold Coast Suns Adelaide (received from GWS Giants in 2024) West Coast Eagles (received from Hawthorn in 2024) Adelaide (received from Melbourne in 2024) North Melbourne Port Adelaide Fremantle (received from Richmond in 2024) St Kilda Sydney Swans West Coast Eagles Western Bulldogs ROUND FOUR Adelaide Brisbane Carlton Collingwood Essendon Fremantle Geelong Gold Coast Suns Adelaide (received from GWS Giants in 2024) Hawthorn Melbourne North Melbourne Port Adelaide Richmond St Kilda Sydney Swans Hawthorn (received from West coast in 2024) Western Bulldogs

Good question - they play Freo and I would think Kozzie will be selected. Pity the game won’t count towards his suspension.

Melbourne’s most important player who dominated the first half of the season until his untimely injury in the Kings Birthday clash put an end to his season. At the time, he was on his way to many personal honours and the club in strong finals contention. When the season did end for Melbourne and Petracca was slowly recovering, he was engulfed in controversy about a possible move of clubs amid claims about his treatment by the club in the immediate aftermath of his injury. Date of Birth: 4 January 1996 Height: 187cm Games MFC 2024: 13 Career Total: 189 Goals MFC 2024: 14 Career Total: 184 Brownlow Medal Votes: 16