Harvey Wallbanger

Bar McVee, we should be back to pretty much a top 23 on Friday night - so let's see, and fingers crossed we don't lose anyone in the first quarter. Cannot comment on training standards as the main session each week is at (a closed) Casey - at Gosch's we see just "flush" and Captain's runs.

He was there.

Yes, Windsor was in the main group and Goody mentioned in his presser that he expected him back this week. My guess is McVee is not quite ready.

Goody was there, but the assistant coaches were running the "games".

Gentle flush run at Gosch's - more soccer and walking handball games, which the group seem to really enjoy. Keeping in mind the "individual programs" qualification on the website: Absent: May, Lever, Billings and Petty Rehab: Lindsay - bandaging on his left knee, gentle work with the physio. Jefferson, hand bandaged and running laps, seems confident of a quick return. Hore, calf bandaged, not up to much. Positives: Campbell, did some agility work with the physio, then joined the main group. Tholstrup and McVee in with the main group - both don't look too far away. Kentfield also with the main group. Spargo, coming out of protocols, also with the main group. Spirits, as always with these sessions, were high.

Windsor is expected to be back this week - was back in boots on Friday. Also Kosi, Lever and Spargo - hard to imagine all of them not coming in together with Turner. You can probably guess the omissions and Lindsay, of course, will not play. Please regard the following as facts - not excuses (having watched a lot of training): The "new game plan" (seemingly in deep demand by 99% of Demonlanders) was developed over the summer on the basis of having McVee and Windsor running off half-back (both excellent users). Imagine them in the first three rounds with May, Lever, Bowey and Petty down back. We have never had that full formation this year (but will have it, minus only McVee, on Friday night). Rivers has trained all off-season as a mid, with Sparrow playing a high half-forward role. Both have had to revert to their old roles - on two occasions the role changes were required in the first quarter due to injury (lost Jefferson, then Lindsay). Re the mid-field, we have not been able to have the rotations through there that have been trained - mainly due to the number of injuries, and the absence of Kosi (oh how we have missed him!). Re the forward line - do they get a mulligan because of the above (Goody gave them one on Saturday - just 40 inside 50's). Fritsch playing high has not worked due to all of the above and the lack of form JVR deep. But our oppo defences have had an easy time of it. It makes a lot of difference if the other elements: defence, transition and mid-field are functioning. Hopefully this helps if Binman wants to provide Andy with some "light" at the end of this dark tunnel. 🙂

GW was there - all good!

Another pleasant day of a "non-organised" Captain's Run - no drills, no soccer - just mooching. Absent: From the 23 (plus emergencies named) Lever. Other absentees: McVee, Tholstrup, Jefferson, Hore, Kentfield. Spargo arrived late, and whilst not named on Selwyn's injury list this week, the rumour is that he sufferred a concussion last Sunday. Windsor had his boots on and was doing some kicking with Selwyn, so I'd reckon he is a good chance for next week - don't think he was testing for tomorrow! No Casey players today - just all the AFL listed players. And at around 10.45 am the AFLW team were heading out for a run on Gosch's.

As Ghosty has reported, the mood at these sessions is always pretty light - particularly when they play soccer. AJ's a handy goalkeeper! No moping about, if that was the essence of the question. Goody was there. Official injury report now released with some of our "medium-termers" getting closer to action. Hopefully May is ready to go, and I would expect AJ to return for Jefferson. Lever not present at training.

Flush run this afternoon - consisting of a couple of soccer matches. Absent: McVee, Lever, Jefferson and Hore Rehabbing: Tholstrup, Kentfield, Culley, Spargo and Windsor Windsor walked the boundary barefoot (with bandaging on the heel), and mentioned to a punter that he was "better, and getting better by the day". Observation: unlikely to be available this week. Spargo did not join the others; he wasn't limping obviously but left very early - perhaps being extra cautious given his first full game back for some time. Culley doing exercises with one of the physios. Kentfield and Tholstrup jogging gently - Tholstrup seems to be doing slightly more each week, but still looks weeks away from a Casey return. In positive news May joined the soccer, so hopefully is available this week. I expect we will have a formal injury update from the Club soonish.

You're dropping Bowey from the AFL team?

According to the website the players are now "on individualised training schedules". This morning's Captain's Run was very unscripted (no organised activity) - it seems the players just wander about, gentle jogging, goal-kicking, etc... Casey out early again. Our selected 23, plus the three emergencies, Adams, Laurie and Langdon all present. No sign of May, Melksham, McVee, Kozzie or Windsor.

No Roy George?

Don't think so!

It normally does unless he gets injured or becomes ill.

David Chippindall was our CFO - became Chief Operating Officer in January 2021.

Melksham not available for selection yet according to the injury report - still in rehab at training. No Campbell in your team, or do you reckon he is playing in the seniors this week? Didn't see him at training this afternoon.

Light recovery session as reported by Ghosty. Absent: Spargo, Brown, Windsor, Campbell Rehabbing: Culley and May running gently together - separate group of Melksham, Tholstrup, Kentfield, McVee and Hore All in good spirits - training at Casey later in the week with Captain's run back at Gosch's on Saturday at 10 am.

If every player in the AFL approached the contest as recklessly as Archer did "on that occasion" you would have multiple concussions each week. No way he should get off.

All 23 plus emergencies - Campbell, TMac and Billings. Initially the Casey boys were doing a light run before their practice match against Coburg tomorrow. They were then joined by the AFL listed boys who will join them. Hopefully Spargs will get a full game in tomorrow. I shared a bench with Brian Taylor, who had the binoculars out. He then joined Alan Richardson and went to the middle of the ground to chat with Nathan Jones. BT didn't escape the Ghostwriter so she can report further on his motivations for attending our Captain's Run - maybe getting clearance for Roaming Brian at some stage?

Well spotted Kev - at risk of using the dreaded "culture" word - one definition of it is "how we do things around here (particularly when you were not aware someone was watching)."

Kozzy seems fine - he will clearly not be happy to miss the first 3 games, but no obvious sulking witnessed.

As GW reported - a very light, fun session. A lot of love for Clarry when he scored. Absent: May, McVee, Spargo, Melksham, Culley Rehab: Hore, Kentfield, Tholstrup See Cal Twomey - bone stress 4-6 weeks for Culley Optional skills at the end and many decided to call it quits given it was 33 degrees.

Now that the AFL list is complete, and the season is about to begin, I don't think we'll see Roy training with the main group again. First Casey match is against North on Sunday 23rd March at 11.05 am - makes it tricky to get to both games!

As reported a light fun session - not even any running, probably because they will do an intraclub tomorrow at Casey. Absent: McVee and Woewodin (just the other 41, no George) Injury/Rehab: Culley in a moon boot, Hore's bandage off, but still just using one hand. JVR and Petty seem fine. Melksham and Spargo did everything and Kolt also joined the drills. Apparently back at Gosch's next Tuesday and for the Captain's Run next Saturday