waynewussell

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You've been dining out on this theme for far too long, Cranky. I suppose you have to justify your moniker in some way. The fact that another high-profile AFL team snapped him up in no time should be enough to inform you that Goody's learnings are valued far beyond the doors of the MFC.

White was developing nicely in pre-season before his illness. He is mobile and has forward craft. He was also showing signs of putting on muscle... not like Arnie, but the gym work was starting to show. I'm convinced that, at this rate of improvement, he will prove to be a handy addition in the years to come.

I've had a look at players we've lost since our 2021 premiership and attempted to pair them with players we've gained. I'm not suggesting the pairs are like-for-like replacements, just allocating the quality available. I'm attempting to get a feel for what we might expect as a Win/Loss estimate in 2026. I've not considered Bowey, Viney or May as I regard that trio as unavailable. Their eventual inclusion will be a bonus! Bowey - Jiath Brayshaw - Lindsay Brown - Mihocek Harmes - Windsor Hibberd - Taylor Jackson - Heath Jordon - Tholstrup May - Turner Neal-Bullen - Chandler Oliver - Langford Petracca - Culley Spargo - L. Pickett Viney - Steele

Common sense, I suppose! We are not all gates swinging in the breeze, fence! I'm clearly talking about maintaining our use of Gosch's as a better option than Waverley whilst a "Caulfield" is delivered. What point are you trying to make?

Played the game with the right spirit and attitude. Gave his all. Gutsy and determined, but fair as they come. Good luck with the next stage, Harmesy!

rjay, this is similar to the point I was making... except I prefer Gosch's in the interim.

I'm shocked by the number of posters who mistook my support for Gosch's Paddock as an example of clinging on to the forlorn hope of having a homebase near the MCG! My comments about Gosch's Paddock were in relation to a proposed move to Waverley, which I abhor. I clearly stated that my preference is to remain at Gosch's "until a perfect replacement is identified, funded and built!". I hope that turns out to be Caulfield. Remember those old High School exercises called Comprehension? Well, ....

For you I will clarify... I'm talking about using Gosch's rather than Waverley in the interim!!!!!!!!!

How ignorant are some who miss a perfectly obvious point and then rage about some other point that was not present in the initial observation. Sort it out for yourself!

I think the current arrangement at Gosch's is painfully underestimated by most here. A training ground in the heart of this city's sports precinct which is just a short walk from modern gym facilities is respectable, to say the least! Access to training for supporters is sensational! I hope to never set foot on the Waverley complex for the rest of my living days! I want us to continue the Gosch's arrangement until a perfect replacement is identified, funded and built! Vive la Paddock!

I think the doom and gloom over our injury list is way out of proportion. Barring further injuries occurring to key players, I think the only players missing from my best 26, come round 1, would be Viney, Bowey, Culley and May

By my most recent count, we will have 32 of the list ready for round 1. Current rehabers on that list will be Jiath Salem Mihocek Sharp Petty Johnson Kentfield … also possibly Melksham Laurie White

A week before Jack became 'motionless' at training he was running multiple full laps of Gosch's at a very strong pace. It gave me hope that he wasn't far off. It may have been a 'do or die' test of his achilles! As we know, the 'test' or, at least, his progress toward full training came to a crashing halt in the days that followed. Two things... either his achilles is stuffed and he will miss the year OR his back problem flared and he will gradually recover in the coming months. The optimist in me favours the latter!

If all of the following are unavailable for round 1 (named in descending probability) Bowey McAdam Viney Campbell May Henderson Laurie Culley Melksham Jiath ... this is what the round 1 team could look like B: AMW, Petty, McDonald HB: Salem, Turner, Lever C: Langdon, Langford, Lindsay HF: Chandler, JVR, Fritsch F: Mihochek, Jefferson, L.Pickett Foll: Gawn, Steele, K. Pickett Int: Rivers, Windsor, Sparrow, Howes, Heath Emerg: Adams, Tholstrup, Taylor

he's got 5 weeks until Round 1

Well, I trusted your observations on Tholstrup until I read your observations of Jefferson!

I tend to take Chandler for granted. He is very consistent… puts in, reliable contributor with flashes of brilliance. He is developing his leadership skills. Similar in output and application to Sparrow. A successful team needs the glue!

Got there at 10:00, stayed for 90 mins. Thank you to Demonland, Dee Spencer, thirty-one and all contributors for covering the finer details. My observations: I was looking forward to covering the amazing progress of Steven May in his return to full back ... and alas, that didn't happen, and by some suggestions, it might not happen for some time. So, I concentrated on the progress of other backmen present. Petty spent quite a bit of time running. He looked pretty good. When joining in with the main group he was solid without being a standout. Oscar Berry was very effective in reading the play and spoiling the leading forward. He is definitely showing the benefits of a solid block of training. He is a little taller than I thought, has a strong build with a low centre of gravity. He shows confidence in his kicking skills. Ditto for AMW. The other players delight in his ability to defend the in-coming passes to a forward on the lead. He is in my starting 23! Xavier Taylor is a great competitor, is quick to recover and elusive with ball in hand ... he’s progressing well! Christian Salem spent all of his time in rehab while I was there, but doesn't look to have any serious issues. Jed Adams participated in all the drills. Steady without being a standout. Tom McDonald and Daniel Turner were the best of the key backs. I now have both of them in my starting 23. Jake Lever is looking much fitter than last season. He does not seem to be troubled by ankle or foot pain. He still looks in a little discomfort when required to bend down for the ground-ball gather. Moving on to the rest ... Bayley Fritsch is near unbeatable in the lea /get out the back routine. He is set for a very good 2026. Max Heath was outstanding in the air, particularly down back as others have noted. He is a big kick and is the best competition for Max in the ruck due to Campbell's injury. Which brings me to Max ... still a magician in getting either hand to the ball first and directing the play from the ruck contests. Kozzie is superb in everything he does! Jai Culley, Ed Langford, Caleb Windsor & Trent Rivers are consistently among the best on the training track. With some important names still in part or full-time rehab, Koltyn Tholstrup looms as a handy replacement. He has completed almost all of pre-season and he is showing that he has good pace, strength over the ball and improved disposal. Brodie Mihochek and Jack Steele are doing all the positive things we recruited them for... great additions! My final word goes to Matt Jefferson. He was the best of the key forwards today and is showing signs of becoming a much more reliable mark on a fast lead.

You’re not thinking clearly! You’re over emotional on this. The club didn’t ask him to look for a new home, they said that his place wasn’t guaranteed… that he was free to explore his options. I go to all games at the G, so obviously I watched. Let’s deal with facts… in 2026, May is still on our list. He is looking trim, focused and confident. He is an experienced, premiership full back. He was considered one of the best in the business throughout most of his career to date. I choose not to ignore those credentials. At the time of publication I obviously felt he was worthy to be considered for selection! All of this could change rapidly if we take tonight’s news flash into consideration, but I am not backing down on my support for a bloke who has been a very successful member of our defence for several years. In the end the coach and selection committee will make their choice based on the pathway back to success.

I was referring to the inference that he wasn’t fit

I’m pleased to hear that! He is a valued member of our key backs, however, I have May ahead of him (if back to full fitness). I think that choice is rather obvious!

I’m not talking about round 1, I’m predicting a group that are match ready for the first months of the season, taking injury into account if it were to happen.

I have four... May, Lever, Turner & McDonald, with Petty an 'unknown' until concussion issues are fully sorted.

You don't get to training much, do you!