Lil_red_fire_engine

You are assuming they are fit enough to play? I would say this would be more to do with soreness or injury.

Let it be said that I was not at the intra, and have not seen any preseason this year. However it has always been said that intra's are always scrappy because both sides understand what the other sides strategy is intimately and are playing with the same plan. You are also playing with an entire squad that means you are creating more a VFL quality contest. Watch any of the NAB cup games so far and all sides have had more touched balls, shanks and errors than you would likely see all year. Why because they are not polished yet, do not have game fitness and are like playing 30% of players who would not make their best 22. Without being able to see with my own eyes I will take the words of those who can compare previous pre-seasons in context than those that are just equating a scrappy affair with a lack of improvement.

Here is where your argument falls down.

It's a practice match with some good promotion for indigenous football and nothing more. The cost to televise would not be worth it. I am surprised it was even streamed.

It's hard to turn it over if you don't get your hands in the ball in the first place. The only number that matters is % of turnovers against disposals.

Why? our midfield is unproven and needs some skilled mature bodies. He looked best last year as a mid resting forward rather than a forward with occasional midfield stints.

Aside from two below par performances Cols second half of the season was strong. I think as long as he does not have any preseason hiccups he will have his most consistently imposing year yet.

I tend to agree with this. There are alot of non-football obsessed MFC supporters. You only here they support the club once the wins start flowing or on Queens Birthday for their annual trip to the G.

Thanks for the training reports guys. Great read

I am surprised how many people think Garland is a lock. His form from last year when back wont get him a spot. Most line ups shown seem to have ignored the need for some run and carry from the back half. Expect one of Strauss/Terlich/Toumpas to play that role. Jetta Frawley Dunn Strauss TMac Watts

I dont think the words "Viney" and "easing in" really work together.

There is always someone when this is on who gets named who I was unaware was indigenous. Koby Stevens is this years winner.

Best response of 2013. Close the book now.

So do about 30 others at this time. There is good competition for spots based on training reports.

Jetta, Frawley, Dunn Terlich, Tmac, Watts Sylvia, Grimes, Trengove Howe, Clark, Pederson Byrnes, Dawes, Blease Jamar, Jones, Viney Rodan, Toumpas, Nicholson Davey Garland, Spencer, Taggert

I am not sold on McKenzie either. Aside from his ability as a tagger which is great against some but limited against certain player types and his tackling I dont see much else. He is poor by foot, cant spread and offers nothing at all offensively. There are not many pure taggers these days and unless he can bring other strings to his bow he will be pushed out by better players who have a balance of offensive and defensive capabilities.

Saturday 1pm is the ABC TV game, KC may be right they may adjust monthly as they go.

Do I read that as one televised game for the year? What a joke.

Barry sounds like the type of player that will be better at AFL level with more space and better general skills and quality than VFL level.

I think the bolded bit is where you have hit the nail on the head. We have definitely improved the list balance in age and experience but most importantly true mids (of varying size, style and speed), smalls and key position. The inbetween size (permanent half forwards) have either been culled i.e: Bate, Petterd or provided a proper role i.e: Dunn. With so much change it is hard to know how much we will improve but you can start to see the mix is getting right.

I disagree with this how many quality tall key defenders are there in the league compared with quality key forwards?

Jack the best defensive unit cannot be measured just by points against as this is strongly influenced by upfield pressure. I believe the best measure is scores against inside 50s. I would actually take our back 6 over the Swans with an equivalent midfield.

I thinking focussing on his speed and kicking probably explains where his aerobic capacity is at.

MFC smacked Sydney by 70+ at the MCG 2 seasons prior to them winning the GF there. What changed that allowed Sydney to win on a ground that has been their hoodoo in recent years?

An honest footballer and ripping bloke. My thoughts to the friends and family of Troy and all others who lost loved ones on that day. Go you big red fire engine. Deepest sympathies Jason