Lil_red_fire_engine

Melksham won the ball well but ran himself into trouble on a numerous occasions which turned the ball over. When he took a quick first option he looked good. Not surprised Goodwin talked his boy up though and it would take a lot I suspect for him not to play round 1.

Jack does not have great disposal by foot at the best of times so first kind of hit out of the year I am not surprised he looked rusty. I would argue Jacks weekly form over the past two years has been highly consistent, in fact I would argue more consistently high than Nathan's. Jacks only dip really was the weeks after return from his broken hand. His Bluey this year and nearly winning it after a missing a large portion of games in 2015 I would suggest support this.

B: Jetta Frost Hibberd HB: Hunt T-Mac Vince C: Lewis Tyson Brayshaw HF: Petracca Hogan Kent F: Garlett Watts Pederson Ru: Gawn Jones Viney Int: Oliver Salem Stretch Vanders Emerg from: JKH OMac Weid

Agree Harmes, Melksham were not very good. Petracca did not get a lot but as always what he did was eye catching. Viney was in everything (would not be surprised if he led the possessions) but his impact was negligible and his execution was poor. How you can attribute his performance in a match sim to being emotionally spent and an potentially early validation as to being given the captaincy too early is a significant stretch.

Similar today. Eye catching moments but no consistently in it.

I have been to enough of these preseason match simulations to know that it is impossible to read too much into them. The good. No injuries to report. Stoppage work clean. Hunt. Clarry. Brayshaw will go to next level. JKH looked clean and will pressure Jeffy and Kent for a forward spot. The not as good. Lots of sideways kicks when clear options forward. Too much slow play from off the mark. General kicking poor with Harmes, AVB, Bugg and Viney the worst offenders.

I would only not agree if he was not ready......Does anyone have any doubt he is ready? I don't. I just see this as a different style transition plan.

Interesting the the two sides that played in the GF last year did not play 3 x 195cm defenders. A recent comment from Gawn on a video on MFC website where he mentioned the competition between Frost and OMac for a spot in the team took my ear. I suspect we will play with T-Mac and one of Frost/O-Mac only most weeks.

The wind is no worse than the impact it used have on a game when watching MFC Players playing for Sandy at TBO. At least it has a decent size car park unlike Sandy had at TBO. I would suggest the surface quality is usually one of the best for a VFL ground. The key issue is decent viewing points which due to lack of elevated seating and what appears to be a wide ground make it difficult for spectating.

We were fortunate we could retain Crossy in a development capacity. In saying that assuming he was not wanting $ and was understanding he may have had to play VFL to allow games into Oliver, Brayshaw and co it was a poor move. My view is he would have played most of the season ahead of Bugg, Michie, Newton, Grimes, M Jones who on most weeks one maybe two were in the 22.

If Gawn was in the leadership group last year and had an AA year and from my view appears to be driving harder this year its a no brainer. Watts should just continue to focus on playing good footy. Vince should focus on regaining form and removing the brain fades that cost him the odd report. Lewis in is a given on what he brings and what has already been observed and mentioned over preseason. Jones, Viney and T-Mac re-select themselves.

Thanks for your response. I went to learn more about our team and more so the players. I saw a decent game with no understanding of who our players are. Similar to you I walked away knowing one player Pearce (did not know Hickey) and no clue on any of the others. I am surprised you did not find the lack of numbers as frustrating as I, particularly when you like to be personable with players.

Saty, Pearce aside can you tell me who your favourite players were and who played well?

I went with my Carlton supporting brother in law and his 11 year old footy obsessed daughter. By the end of the game she knew who her favourites were by name and number. She raced out and already has their autographs on the back of her Blues jumper and knows whose number she wants on the back (Darcy Vescio).

A great insight there Dee Gee. In my view we looked slow and appeared to have chosen a side based on a combative inside game rather than the outside running that appears to be needed in a 16 v 16 on larger grounds. It is interesting that you think we have chosen a young list to develop as I was concerned that our two marquees being passed 25 may already be passed their best whilst others appear to have chosen younger up and comers. Will be curious to see how we go and feel more promise based on your comments.

C7 have one game per week (except round 1 where they have 2) with all other games on Foxtel.

Excerpt below from Herald Sun write up on the game. Who should fans look out for? Carlton marquee Bri Davey was a standout. She started off half back, but quite simply, could play anywhere. She’s bullocking and hard at it, but also smart and a good kick with a great mark. Vescio has the X-factor. Early she bobbed up with a trademark acrobatic mark and finished with two goals. Melbourne captain Daisy Pearce is pure class while defender Karen Paxman’s run and decision making is impressive. “I think the way in which (Bri) is able to influence her teammates as well as perform herself, is a really important quality,” Keeping said.

I was there for the game. We were in it until 3 quarter time due to a controlling half back line and Carlton's forward's not holding position. For the first three quarters we appeared to take control of play mid way through each quarter and have the better endurance (which based on the last may not have been the case). Unfortunately aside from the above even at that point in the game Carlton looked better structured as well as much faster and stronger. The last quarter was really just Carlton working out a long kick over our half backline their speed could get us out the back every time. We lacked any decent offensive plan and just seemed to be happy to kick the ball sideways between 45-60m out until we turned it over. I feel we have a chosen a list based on who is good in suburban woman's footy not what will work and develop in an elite 16 on 16 competition. Daisy aside, it is hard to comment on actual players as we had no numbers on our jumpers (a real missed opportunity).Our best appeared to be our CHB (possibly Hickey) and a midfielder with a blonde pony tail. Pearce wins it in tight, is hard and has good hands and vision but lacks any speed and turned it over by foot a lot. I would say based on today we have a decent backline and inside midfield but lack much outside class and any forward power. Will be interesting to see how we go as the season progresses.

Of the three times I have seen training this offseason it is clear that his acceleration and general movement have improved. I have also observed he is continuing to work on his take off which may be a physical or mental thing. Even taking these items into account he still shows having the least speed of any mid during drills but again who knows what this mean until you see the whole package put together during games.

Tim.

I was there for the full 3 hours as well. I found today's session more taxing than the one a week ago and a higher intensity. Then add the warmer day and what appeared a higher expectation from the assistant coaches and it was definitely on another level. Fast movement of the ball, get back quick, take first option and hard spread both ways were the clear focus. Standouts for me today were Hunt, Melksham and Wagner, who all worked at consistently high intensity and won and executed with the ball clinically. Tim Smith also stood out with some strong forward play and clinical goal kicking in the full ground drill. Just to add to the earlier comment on Trac, he really struggles to stay switched on during the full session particularly when he doesn't have the ball. Additionally he continues to try and do more than he needs to and was critiqued numerous times for not taking the simple option. Reading Macca's player updates on the MFC site it is going to be an interesting balancing act getting his team play versus flair right this year. Also overheard twice that the intra club practice match will be Friday Feb 10 at Olympic Park Oval (no time mentioned but suspect similar to training).

He will be one of the first picked in my starting 18, I just see this as he is not as much a lock as all have assumed. I actually think whilst he does not win a lot of ball he is usually clean and somewhat aggressive with this ball movement. Whilst he actually bodies up well on larger opponents I wonder how much relates to his lack of height and speed in a zone style defence.

Everyone seems to be assuming Jetta is a shoe in for a small back spot. I found the wording of Macca's update on him interesting... It’s been a really good summer from Neville. He trained incredibly hard during the off-season break and has given himself every opportunity. He’s now part of a really competitive group of mid-sized defenders/wingers, so he’s up for the challenge of winning his spot and keeping his spot. He’s always been a gentleman and he’s still a gentleman, and he’s highly-respected in our footy club

I have been spending my break re-watching our games from last season. Wagner's form in the first half of the year was excellent before season and injury took their toll. There will be some serious competition for small-medium size backline spots especially if we choose to play all three talls.

Looking forward to seeing how the forgotten man goes. Hopefully injury free and he gets a good run at it.