DistrACTION Jackson

I’m obviously not saying Judd is on a similar level to Daicos…. I was comparing players going from half back to the midfield

This may sound naive but that could be a positive. It would give another important stakeholder who you would expect will want to make use of an elite sporting precinct… obviously the land availability for the administrative area is the key issue. For what it’s worth Peter Lawrence said today there’s a group of MFC members with approx $15m ready to donate towards the project, make of that what you will.

I concur that he’s looking a lot stronger through the legs. I reckon another year and he will also be very solid through his upper body, which will continue to give him confidence to take on the big boys. Barring injury he will definitely debut this year and I’m guessing will play 5-10 AFL games. He could tear the VFL apart as well, which would be great for confidence.

Please summarise 🙏🏼

Nick Daicos was similar when they moved him into the midfield he wasn’t as damaging initially. Think they ended up moving him back to HB

Thanks. I did see Nick Butler there I think.

I noted that Kolt finished early. Did anyone mention anything about this?

I managed to get down to my first training session in a while today and really enjoyed it. I also got to meet Peter Lawrence, as I'm sure others did given he was having a chat to everyone watching. Seemed like a good guy and very passionate about the footy club, whether I agree with everything that has gone on is another thing but I did want to mention that. Here are some very basic notes I took while watching. Given I'm not a regular I don't really have anything to benchmark to and also don't understand a lot of the drills so it is fairly basic! When I first got there they were completing a drill in a diamond shape using the whole ground and running in twos. They were all running incredibly hard and really pushing each other, plus Choco really getting vocal. Seem to be Incorporating match day type running as opposed to just running laps to build fitness. Milkshake running laps and looks to be in some discomfort. Ended up on the bike so must have some type of niggle. Hand balling drill focused on shutting down ball movement once the whistle goes. Lots of celebration when it gets shutdown Watching Trac’s power from 10m away is incredible. He burst through three potential tacklers and gave a big cheer once through. Windsor grabbed at his calf after one of the drills…. Made me panic but seems ok and finished the rest of training. Lindsay just keeps running and running. Looks a highly likely type and can’t wait until he’s in full training mode. Kynan Brown also moved into running about halfway through and he just motored along at a decent click for ages. Langford is an absolute beast of a boy, but didn't get to see too much of him unfortunately. Bailey Laurie’s kicking is elite. Hoping he can have a breakout year… Petty playing as a forward in the match sim to start. Adams runs hard to get a handball from May and then hits his 30m kick. I am holding out hope he will eventually take over form May as a key defender. May get a game this year if desperately needed, but I think 2026 will be when he really starts to ramp up. Kozzy turns it over and Chappy was not happy. Chappy also giving some pretty stern words to Ricky Mentha. Chappy is very vocal and looked to be getting a bit [censored] off at times. Assuming the new game plan he is trying to implement is taking some time as would be expected. Scrappy kick from Langford and petty picks it off his bootlaces and snaps a goal. It’s pretty willing in the match sim. Some genuine slaps of the body happening out there. Skills have been so-so, would’ve liked a bit better but the defensive intensity is really good. Again, hard for me to tell given I don't get down very often. Kalani White showed great courage in getting across to make a spoil. Can imagine it would be intimidating for a 17 year old! He also slotted a few nice goals and looks really athletic. Don’t think Bowey missed a kick the whole session. Think he is ready for a big year. Good thing it’s a pretty full list out there. Really just Lever, Spargo, Lindsay, McAdam and Melk not in full training. Kolt finished training early… hopefully nothing too serious but he was walking back to AAMI park with a trainer as I was leaving. Trac was smiling a lot and very vocal ...

Agreed. Absolutely no need for this. If you disagree with what someone is saying just ignore it 🤯

Agreed, No it does not. Being a good coach is more about your ability to build connections and clearly articulate your message. Fages never even played AFL and is now a premiership coach.

Assume this is round 1 rather than best 22 with Kozzy missing?

It’s a good place for trades or if you want to work in mining, but limited other than that.

I’m guessing sticking with it if things don’t work from time to time and not reverting back to the defensive, slow ball movement game

Bombers fans will be flat when pick 18 becomes pick 22 after academy bids

They can trade their 2027 1st rounder next year I think. In any case, I highly doubt they will be able to satisfy us in a trade

St Kilda and Essendon are the pre season specialists. Every commentator talks about how they are ready to explode…. Very rarely happens

Agreed. I don't want May taking kick outs anymore as well, he has had quite a few howlers. Bowey, McVee, Salem & Rivers should be taking all kickouts

McDonald will be stiff to miss!

It did get him into the game more, but I feel it’s time he just focused on being the best full forward he can be. I also love the idea of a mature, physical back up ruck who can really throw his weight around. Johnson also seems very athletic, so I don’t think his lack of height will be a huge issue in the ruck.

So you think Johnson could be there round 1?! My view on how the forward line needs to be structured is: 2 x key forwards who don't ruck other than a small amount in the F50 (Turner & JVR) 1x forward/ruck (Johnson or Fullarton) 1 x medium/tall (Fritsch or Jeffo) 3 x quicker smalls (pick between Pickett, Chandler, Tholstrup, Sharp, Spargo, K Brown)

Keen to get your thoughts on the following: - Harry Sharp - do you think there's a best 22 spot available based on what you see at training? - Jed Adams - do you think he could come in a do a job if needed in 2025? - Tholstrup - is he another that will lock in a best 22 spot this year based on training? - Back up ruck - who at this stage do you think will be the second in game ruck? Please don't say JVR....

I think all of our half back ‘runners’ should be working on this. Bowey, McVee, Windsor, Salem should always be ready to do this.

Max needs to do this much more. So often he takes a great grab and then goes back and holds up play, only to do a loopy kick and turn it over. I love Maxy, but field kicking other than long down the line is not his go!

Does Jed Adams look like he is improving?

I’d go one further to let him know they all had very disparaging remarks in their scouting profiles… West Coast have been quoted as saying ‘he couldn’t hit the side of a barn’