Tough Kent

Nibbla just the 12 possessions and 11 tackles so far.

Jeffy has had 13 possessions, 3 goals and given off 2-3 goals.

Thoughts on the game last night: - our team defence was good after 1/4 time. We didn’t leak goals out the back and we defended the ground much better - Marty Hore was fantastic. Intercept marker who reads the play well. If he can use it well he can stay in the team - Gawn was immense and did as he pleased. Preuss was a presence up forward, but looks to be in trouble with his shoulder. - there’s a bit of life in the old boy yet. Jones willed himself to contests and showed he still has a role to play. - we applied pressure inside 50 for the first time all year. It was great to see Sydney unable to clear their defensive 50 for large parts of the game. Spargo was important here. Unlike most he lowers his eyes. - Salem had another good one. - we showed more composure coming out of backline last night, but still hacked it out at times. Does Lewis come straight back in next week? - credit to Frosty. Knew his role, played his role. For mine, he plays ahead of Oscar when May and Lever return. Just keep things simple for him. - I thought Trac looked dangerous. Loved his battle with Rampe. - I’d hate to have Jayden Hunt on my tail if the ball hit the ground in my back line. He adds a different dimension up there. - Florent, Zac Jones and Heeney were very good on the wings for Sydney. What I wouldn’t give for some class, outside run. Billy Stretch deserved his opportunity but was lead to the ball far too often at center bounces. - I thought for the first time all year we were daring with the ball and took some risks by trying to move the ball through the corridor. - I’m not sure our opposition were much good, so I’m not getting carried away with the win. - Cameron Ling, of all people, made a really good observation last night. He said, “Melbourne have rediscovered how hard you have to work to be a really good team”. Better late than never. Bring on the Saints.

Preuss did little at training this morning. A few laps and some shots at goal. He had a very heavily strapped calf.

I really hope this unsubstantiated rumour is wrong but there is talk that vanders has a hot spot in his foot and that he could miss eight plus weeks.

Cory Machaya has done his ACL. That’s a blow for Casey.

That was the couple of players I spoke to said. Found it hard starting inside forward 50, charging at the centre bounce, only for the ball to go sailing over their head anyway. The players enjoyed starting at the back of the square as a means of getting themselves into the game. Will take some adjustment.

Just came from the Sponsor’s Function. - We will go in with one ruckman against Port. - The players are not massive fans of the 6-6-6. - Joel Smith and AvB were not there as they were getting scans. No JKH or Harmes either. - One player said that the current group of young players that came into the club were the most exciting group in a long time. In particular, he said Austin Bradkte could be anything. - Jake Lever back in full training. He said he’s honestly got no idea when he’ll be back, so people should stop asking him! - There will be match simulation next Saturday. Players, in particular the defenders, were not happy with the lack of pressure on the Lion’s midfield yesterday. Delivery inside 50 will continue to be a focus. - Losing two players early really hurt us yesterday. Especially against a team with extra players. One player felt like he just went into survival mode after half time. We played 23. Keilty was supposed to come on later than he did.

Maybe we shouldn't underestimate how tough it was backing up 6 days after playing in 40 degree heat???

https://www.businessinsider.com.au/wiesn-koks-oktoberfest-drug-2015-9 Innocent in a court of law. Morally bankrupt.

Charlie definitely trained WJ. Got a photo with the kids afterwards.

I Spoke to one of the players after training. Today was a light prelude to Monday, just easing the boys back in to it. There was no formal time trial this morning. Nathan Jones was experiencing back related hamstring tightness. He was not sure how hard he could push himself as he had never had a hamstring issue before. Light run throughs and some boxing for him, but he could feel it every time he extended himself. Not ideal for Chunk.

He is a contested bull. I love his break away speed from a contest. He is good overhead for his size too. The knock on him was his disposal. He certainly has an awkward looking ball drop. I’m rather bullish about this kid. He’s my Smokey for Round 1.

Maybe they broke up before us? The AFLPA agreement states that the players have to have a 3 week hiatus over the Xmas period

The boys go back on Saturday 12th Jan. I imagine it will involve testing and such things. As Ding suggested, the 14th would be the one to get to if you could hang around an extra day or two.

Agreed. He had the ability to apply great pressure in the forward line and win the footy inside our 50. If he kicked more goals than he missed he might’ve played more regularly. His conversion was poor.

He made an appearance at the draft table. I assume he was just there as an observer of JT and his team.

I got down to training today. I noticed Jake Lever keep flexing his knee. He obviously had some awareness in it, although it didn't stop him from doing a solid amount of running. Joel Smith surprised me in the repeat 200 m efforts. We all knew he is a good athlete but he was putting quite a bit of distance between himself and Nibbla in the sprints. The rest of the pack was a fair way back after that. As others have noted, Tommy Sparrow looked a fair way ahead of the other draftees in terms of having an AFL ready body. He and Marty Hore would be the ones I'd be keeping an eye on for potential 2019 debuts. Jeffy Garlett, Matty Whelan and Nev Jetta all spent quite a bit of time chatting to a group of people down in the pocket. I would guess that it must've been Toby Bedford's extended family.

I'd like to see him used as a defensive forward. He closes space very quickly. And when he wins it within 80 of the sticks he doesn't have to think too hard about things. Goalwards young Jayden!

Spoke to aCollingwood supporting mate. He said Hore was a likely rookie target for the Pies and that he would likely have been drafted to them had they lost Langdon to Sydney. He also said there would be disappointed Pie’s supporters over this one tonight and that we got ourselves a good third tall defender.

Does anyone know anything about this kid we've been linked to: Hayden McLean Height: 196cm Weight: 93kg DOB: 20/1/1999 Club: Sandringham Along with Jok, McLean is the other player training with St Kilda in the lead up to the Draft. At 196cm, McLean plays predominantly as a tall forward but he can go into the ruck and pinch-hit when needed. Still only 19, McLean uses his body effectively in marking contests and he has a strong set of hands. Melbourne is another club that is reportedly interested in him after they delisted Mitch King and Lachlan Filipovic. http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-11-11/who-is-the-next-tim-kelly-the-best-matureage-prospects

Jay Lockhart has more tricks than Dion Johnstone. Jay can do the mercurial at VFL level and has a classy left foot. He will be on an AFL list after the drafts.

Are people really disturbed that we are playing round 1 at home on a Saturday afternoon?? Perhaps they would prefer Hawthorn's twilight game in SA, North's Sunday evening game over in the West or the Saint's 1.10 pm game against Gold Coast on a Sunday lunch time? There's no pleasing some people.

I'm not sure what you mean by this???

Look at what Tony Sheahan just Tweeted: New Deal Tabled; @melbournefc Jesse Hogan traded to the @GoldCoastSUNS in exchange for the Suns’ Steven May & Kade Kolodjashnij. @freodockers cuteness towards this trade may cost them dearly!