Kev

The road trip routine needs some work. We looked tired/slow and the ball was like soap for them. The game plan looked not existential, except in the last when a “licence to take it on” may have been the instructions. Most of the game involved us holding the boundary line, with little looking inside for a central corridor, or spread to find space. If you can't get the ball it is difficult to manage the tempo/momentum. Freo sat on us waiting for our errors as we guarded the grass. It looked like we were hoping to get turnovers and then swarm the contest. We started fumbly and they were just too good, and our confidence fell. There was no plan to change tempo or momentum. Would have liked us to chip it round a bit, get each other into it without the opposition rushing us. Need to make space and time, and that inability affected our ability to play to our plan. Where was our change of strategy change up, when it would have made a difference? Where was our handball game? We couldn't create, didn't swarm or make overlaps. Looked like more fun in the last, where we seem to have a licence to take it on. Hopefully that fits us well, more of that as we take on the Blue.

The weather conditions will be opposite to what Fremantle offers. It's a cool 16°C, no wind, heavy/humid air, lovely conditions for this run at Gosch's. When they separated into constructive drills, they had the bigger forwards matched against the backs in one on one contests. There were numerous movements towards a variety of kicks (hit ups, lobs and to advantage of one of them). It forced them to make repeated efforts and to stay engaged with the opponent. Rivers was supportive of the backs, with Chaplin and Scarlett with the forwards. At the same time the mids had an organised sim in a constricted area. Another drill, had two groups hanging centrally at both the 50m arcs, defensive and offensive making four groups. The ball defensively would move back towards goal then switched to the attacking player down the opposite wing. They all rotated through the positions. Interestingly, they included many of the rehabbers in this drill. One the most constructive drills I've seen, which looks like the how the basics of the game is played. Sims were done in a careful way, especially at the stoppage set ups. Sparrow was in everything, I think he has a point to prove. Cross was doing high forward/midfield well. Others that caught my eye were, Turner (shoulder to shoulder with opponent), CJ (in full flight when defending), Melksham (professionalism, also gets it and finishes), Heath (working hard), Miochek (smart, finds separation, gets to the right places and instructs others), White (some beautiful field passes), Onley (poise, good hands) . Adams missed quite a few hits ups, Tholstrup started the sim fumbly but got better. King has not been using the scoreboard (I assume less, one side agianst another and more of, in it together). There is no site of the Choco's central stripe on the balls. They're a happy lot, doing plenty of hard work to go along with that atmosphere.

Max, what a captain's effort. Good drop punt goal with an angle and from his 35 meters out challenge. Important marks , and contests in the last. Kolt drew the attention of their forward line, with his shoulder to shoulder against Nysiah. Took their focus away. Seemed to enjoy the attention. Sharps confidence will be sky high, hopes he continues to build. Petty great second ruck. Catch me if you can Latreelle, excitement. So many endurance runners. Sparrow couldn't get involved. CJ, Miochek, and Steele did well. A few fumbles, and brain fades. Kicking plenty of goals. Had desperation about some of our defense, great signs. King, got a win, and I can see effect of the trust he gives to the players. A close game with a win is a good day.

Kozzie will fly for the mark. kozzie will do the defensive run downs. Kozzie will rove well from the ruck taps. Kozzie will crumb off the back of the pack. Kozzie will distribute from the midfield. Whereas Sharp will work hard to get front and centre and read it off the talls. I saw Sharp do his best work, when the coaches ask the talls to bring the ball to ground. That's my impression from the training sessions. I am hoping that training is a reflection of how they play.

Great for Sharp to get an early look in. I think he is our best crumber of the ball, from off the pack (reads it well), and will work hard to get front and centre.

Tom Cambell was there, first session. Having shots at goal and some run throughs. No neck brace. Did not participate with the group. Paddy Cross was there in the first outing. He had a top on without a number. Someone said he will get the number 41.

Tracc worked really hard on his kicking on the training track, more than anyone else I've seen. Regularly hit those stab passes there, unlike on game day. Hard work with repetition, and a freedom that comes with his new club, is rewarded. He'd want to hope that the crowds keep turning up.

The practice matches will be replayed, probably the next day. They are doing it for last night's game. https://www.afl.com.au/afl/matches/8251

It's about the kayo subscription? Sign up to the digital membership! The basic GA membership get a very poor game day experience (in my opinion). Up in the bleachers, no seats on the wing, stuck with the majority of opposition supporters when they close off areas, or it's a game against those big supporters team. Not many extras for GA membership. User pays system, in this so called, not for profit organisation. Death of the grass root supporters.

Gosch's Paddock 📆 Thursday, February 26 ⏰ 11:00am - 11:30am 📍 Gosch's Paddock 🏃‍♂️ Session type: Pre-match captain's run https://www.melbournefc.com.au/teams/training-times

I believe he got a micro fractured under his eye socket at Casey in a training incident, a few weeks ago. I know he forget his mask at last Wednesdays training, and couldn't compete in the contact drills.

Highlights to the game are up on the social platforms. (You tube, Fox footy)

How has Langford, Salem, Sparrow and Sharp been going?

Someone said Mihocek was slung, and hit "noggin". Perhaps they are being cautious, or it's concussion protocol for him.

I think this is Jeffo's make or break year. He has been doing well at training, goods hands, has a leap and bulking up. Bit early to judge, with one half of a competitive sim. I'll leave my judgement, till after a few consecutive proper AFL games.