Harvey Wallbanger

Much closer to where the ovals are planned to be....

Your 23?

You are: Kayo (Fox) did not stream VFL games in 2025 and neither Kayo nor Ch 7 will stream them in 2026. They will be streamed by the AFL platform.

The article indicates that you will still be able to stream the games from the AFL website. Production quality of course will be limited....

B: Xavier Taylor, Harrison Petty, Daniel Turner HB: Blake Howes, Jake Lever, Xavier Lindsay C: Ed Langdon, Jack Steele, Caleb Windsor HF: Kozzy Pickett, Brody Mihocek, Latrelle Pickett F: Kade Chandler, Jacob van Rooyen, Bayley Fritsch Foll: Max Gawn, Harvey Langford, Trent Rivers I/C: Tom Sparrow, Koltyn Tholstrup, Changkuoth Jiath, Jai Culley, Tom McDonald Taylor in for Salem. L Pickett in for Melksham. Tholstrup in for Viney. There's your 23. If Salem is fit, toss up between Taylor and Howes for the remaining defender's spot.

A bit of repetition but here goes. All players present but Tom Campbell joined the group in his neck brace, with his kids, towards the end of training. Those in rehab and looking some way away (6) - Bowey, Henderson, Viney, Melksham, McAdam (a particular concern as he now seems to be heavily favouring his left knee) and Salem (hard to judge what he has done - but doing only very light work today). Petty and Kentfield in fluoro caps (no contact) and did all the craft work, so no match sim for them, but suggest they are not far away. Same for Sharp, Gawn and AMW - did most of the drills, but no match sim. Match sim was interesting - with no Gawn or Campbell, Johnson and Heath do the ruck work. In and under were Steele, Rivers, Lindsay, Windsor, Kosi and Sparrow with Langdon and Culley setting up in one wing position and Langford and Tholstrup (Onley alternating) on the other side. We may be getting an insight into our mids this year....? Not Culley, not Langford - these two, with Langdon may rotate through the wings...

That's correct. The north option is quite a distance from the existing road tunnel and therefore would be sub-optimal for us. But access to the ovals from the south still to be agreed.

Not sure about the pokies, but I am pretty certain that we will get to where we want to be which is in that south-eastern corner, the closest spot to be able to access the ovals. And that access issue is one of the remaining matters to be sorted out...

Correct, the school slowed things down and the MRC wanted us on the north side - we want to be on the south side. Reckon we'll win that argument. Big meeting this Thursday. That doesn't mean, of course, that we will get an announcement or an update from the Club immediately.

Absent: Rivers and Petty (Bowser turned up, which was nice). Of the rehabbers, I'll take an educated stab on availability: Far Away - Bowey (of course) Viney, McAdam, Henderson, Campbell (still in neck brace and walking only) Getting Closer - Matthews, Mihocek, Laurie, Melksham, Gawn Almost there - Sharp, AMW. JVR had a bandage on his knee and looked a little proppy today. Luker Kentfield seemed to also have a sore foot, but I would not classify them as rehabbers - just two to watch. These Wednesday sessions seem like "craft" sessions so we don't see full-on match sims, just many different drills, goal-kicking, etc... Track-watchers view of "training the house down category" Culley, Fritsch, Windsor, with Trelly Pickett the stand-out of the new boys. Getting a little excited about what Matthews might be able to do as he increases the activities he can particpate in, and with Bowey's absence, Taylor's chances of being in the Round 1 team probably increasing. So many mid-fielders to choose from - have almost forgotten about the old numbers 5 and 13.....

So the two to be training with us are not tied to us......

AFL reports that 2026 draft prospects Xavier Ladbrook (another Xavier) and Darcy Szerszyn will be training with us. Anyone know anything about these lads. It does not seem that trhey are tied to us - i.e. via an academy?

It wasn't an attempt at an answer - just a bit of banter. Get off my horse......

Except Northey of course....

The general connection being they all played for Melbourne!?

I don't think signing off on the accounts on 21 November stops a President (new or old) updating the members on 16 December if indeed there had been any meaningful developments. The only addiitional contribution at the AGM was that our VP in charge "was learning a lot about politics". See my earlier post - it's all about politics, and departmental decision-making now. Being "closer than we have ever been" is a clever line, but if you have never been very close (maybe the prospect of building over Jolimont station around 2019/20?), what does it really mean?

The Racing Industry has its own strengths and lobbyists. As the main existing co-tenant the MRC has a say in lots of ancillary matters - i.e. where does the MRC house its equipment with both us and the school coming in. Where and when does a tunnel get built? I understand that a lot of the school's issues (with the MRC) were being addressed before Christmas which may have slowed down our progress. Given the school has an important option agreement with the MRC, the MRC approach to them is quite different....I am still hopeful that the project will proceed but it will take some political will - how strong are we in that area?

Can't give you any more if fans are locked out of Casey. Thought the Club was going to focus on improved Member Engagement....?

My information is that yes, the CRRT and the Club want the project to proceed. To the extent that they are involved I understand that the MRC is erecting roadblocks wherever they can. They have never wanted us, nor anyone else for that manner (e.g. the local community) on that site. This position has not been helped by the continuing changes to the MRC Committee and management. My own view is that a political conclusion will only occur when the Premier decides to knock some heads together, i.e. the heads being (1) the MRC and the Racing Industry and (2) the AFL and the Sports industry. Hopefully we come out the winner in that battle.

Well done Ghosty - I thought you might "phone a friend"?

18 years of incredible service to our Club. Our Chief Operating Officer who also acted as CEO in a very difficult year, last year. All the best David.

Exact words "...we continue to work closely with key stakeholders and (our Vice-President) is leading the project for the Board and has learnt a lot along the way about politics. .... it is a top priority for us .... we are not in a position to announce anything publicly tonight .... but we are really close...than we have ever been..... we know it is important for our players, our staff and our members.....we will share more as soon as we are able to...."

AMW told us previously he could join full training post-Christmas....not sure about Matthews.

Gastro apparently. Yes, I think it was Scarlett - looks like Wednesday is his day. Well spotted re Ryan Hoffman - had the official tracksuit on. Maybe a tackling specialist coach?

Hard to say - but they are clearly being cautious. Of all on our list he should be able to catch up on the conditioning. Even on the bike he goes hard!