Harvey Wallbanger

The boys missed the rain this morning and the sun even came out briefly. They were gone by 11.15 am. All 23 present and only Laurie from the emergencies, so he will be the carryover. Not sure what Casey are up to today (bye) but assume Rivers and Moose are having a run with them....

He's played 1 and 1/2 games.....gee whiz.

Just to clarify Dyson Sharp is injured - didn't get dropped.

The highest.

Report from the Devil's Advocates event last night (Smith, Guerra and King in attaendance) - Formally, getting closer re Caulfield but nothing to announce yet. Informally, high level of confidence Caulfield gets done.

You are right that membership revenue is down significantly. I have a different view re membership numbers though - I would rather offer a $30 3 game membership right now (throw kids in for free). Push it hard - have an active "ground game" at the G. What is the asset we have as a Club - half the MCG to fill for most of our home games? With that offer you get another member to the G at an affordable price (in these tough times), maybe with kids and, most importantly, you have a name and a contact to follow up on later - instead of what we have at the moment - tens of thousands of Melbourne supporters who are quietly sitting out there - who occasionally go to a game (oh, I'll just buy a GA, or go with a friend who is a member). So much more we could be doing I reckon.

51,076.

The website repeats March 24 for the flush runs - which I reckon should be next week, 31 March? Right Ghosty? Or maybe it's an April 1 prank?

31 players availed of the early flush session (plus Vines (makes 32) - see below), so probably easier to note who wasn't there. Viney turned up after the others and was doing some serious wrestling and stationery work, so it looks like the achilles is OK for that type of work - no significant running yet though. Of the rehabbers - Luker was part of the 31 - no strapping, but didn't do the modest handball game they undertook. Melky (no strapping) ,Fritta and Langford did just laps at various stages. Campbell doing some very limited mobility work - did not join the game. Others who played on the weekend (TMac part of the 31 above) who did not do the session: Van Rooyen, Lever, Matthews, Rivers, Petty, Kosi - may do the afternoon session? Rehabbers not present: Turner, Bowey, Jefferson, McAdam, White, Johnson. Trackwatchers a little concerend about Langford - doesn't look well (did little of the session) and left early. Otherwise the boys looked in reasonable spirits.

No information yet on main training - guessing that it will be out at Casey, given we don't play until Sunday....

Bad enough that he could not kick on his right foot. Right knee bandaged after seeming to hurt it quite early in the game.

Fritta did not seem to be impaired in any way today.

49,940 - updates are on the MFC website under Membership. George often updates the number against prior years.

Absent today: Jack Viney In rehab: Bowey (runners only) Jefferson, McAdam, Campbell, Johnson, Kentfield (all running strongly and closing in on returns - as per the official injury report). Kalani, in and out of drills but did not do the main match sim. Still a little worried about TC's neck - doesn't seem to have full mobility (if that's the word) in it. Windsor with a guard on his shin (the training incident before last weekend), but otherwise did everything. Langdon, as reported, running laps only. I would still bet he is available this week, given they will probably take at least two emergencies west. As Ghosty said - everyone up and about - great to see AMW at full speed, reckon he is a missing piece we need down back. For those not travelling to Perth, Saturday is a great opportunity to see 10-12 AFL boys playing for Casey at the Whitten Oval - 12.05 pm.

That's correct F&T - the CRRT is already on board and has in fact extended their MOU with the MFC until June/July 2026 to allow the government, i.e. the Premier, to knock the final heads together (i.e. the Sports Minister and the Racing Minister) and get the MRC to play ball - particularly re the tunnel access. The CRRT prefers us to be there because they will get more lease rental income to maintain their own operations and, more importantly, they will finally develop something meaningful inside the racecourse (i.e. two quality sporting ovals) which fits in with their master plan - which was the scope of the feasibility study completed some time ago. The MRC has, selfishly, never wanted anyone else in the precinct, except for the time when the school came along and represented an opportunity to wipe out their massive debts.

I missed the first group too. The 12.15 pm group of 12 was made up of: Langford, Windsor, Steele, Gawn, Tholstrup, Culley, Langdon, Rivers, Heath, Sparrow, Kosi and Onley. Yes. Seemed to be a game based on a wobbly kick followed by two handballs, then kick again - anyway they had fun...

All 23 present and accounted for this morning. T Mac and Heath (listed as emergencies) also present, but no Melksham. A very light and short session. Noticed Windsor chatting to one of the medical team, but otherwise he looked fine. Days like these are for the kids - Max and Jonesey's boys were there.

Me neither but the socials show Kosi present and announcing Latrelle's debut on Sunday.....

So now we have an official report from the Club - 8 unavailable for Round 1: 7 - TBC, 17 (8-10), 21 (4-6), 23 (2-4), 29 - TBC, 34 (4-6), 42 (4-6), 44 (4-6)

Oops, add 21.

Sorry about that Ghosty (important meeting with Hollywood) - so based on the four who attended the second session absentees today were: Viney, Lever, Bowey, Jefferson, McAdam, Campbell, Petty, Kosi (family thing), Cross, Johnson, Henderson, Kentfield. So I reckon unavailable for Round 1 re injury are 7, 17, 23, 29, 42, 43, 44. Nothing much else to report from training as they played soccer and then had shots at goal. Good to see that Culley ready to go....

Nothing re Caulfield in the President's letter today? Perhaps tomorrow on the radio when we have our membership drive (SEN?).

Thanks very much for this KC - I understand Deakyn Smith still working his way back from injury?

Thanks KC. Had a quick chat with the Casey coach on Monday night. Unfortunately, because Hawthorn are playing in Opening Round, and even though Saturday's hitout is only a practice match, the AFL have determined that we apparently are not allowed to play AFL listed players against Box Hill who would otherwise may have played if the seniors were playing this weekend. For example, even though they may defintiely need this sort of hitout, and might not make our Round 1 team, that may mean that Tom Matthews and Xavier Taylor (who were both in our selected 26 last Friday) may not be able to play on Saturday - hopefully common sense prevails. Any idea when Casey might issue a team list and please some names and numbers that we can follow....

He has been given 41.