Kev

melbournefc.com.auAFL Coaching Staff | Melbourne Football ClubRead profiles of Melbourne's AFL coaching panel

A lovely late morning at Gosch’s. Oh, they are happy, boisterous and the joy they give to each other is genuine. All the exuberance happened at the end of the warm ups and drills. Then they got down to business, as the joviality left. The drills consisted of full field ball movement, some mild tackling, wrestling, keepings off, high ball marking, and getting slapped by a bag carrier. The far side of the ground had the last line of defense with ball, trying to find outlet targets (fifty fifty outcomes, perhaps even less success) from the backline into a congested half field that looked like a structured sim. The defenders worked hard to hand over lead ups, and were very vocal. They then got into two 5 minute sims. At the first stoppage, Henderson got the feed, wheeled and headed downfield. A few high marks (looking at you Turner), though most of the down the line kicks had a tall bring the ball to a front and centre position. The general structures appeared to use the boundaries, make overlaps, and used plenty of handballs. They used an open forward area and congested the midfield. Occasionally taking it central, especially when forward of the centre. Running and working hard, they showed pretty good skills, with minimal turnovers, though a low contact sim. Gawn against Heath, was an interesting match up. Gawn was on top but Heath was not far off (impacting the stoppages and defending the down the line balls). Cross was much better when in the forward area, in the back area he gets a bit lost. Jeffo doing well, Sparrow as well. Bowey playing well, gets to the right positions and is clean. They all seem to be on board with the system of play. At the end they split into goal kickers, ruck working and low ball gathers. The goal kickers were shooting from 40 out, not much mucking about on the boundary. 10 meters out from the goal square had them gather ground balls off taps from balls in and then snap. Lots of backs were on the goal-line defending. Much more sensible approach than the previous seasons (other than the Choco structured stuff, that was instructional), without too much interaction from the coaches. They don't use the GT stripped balls anymore. The 50 odd fans/spectators were happy.

Do you think the squad will arrive early and leave a little later? One hour is short for a main session.

https://www.melbournefc.com.au/teams/training-times 📆 Wednesday, April 22 ⏰ 11:00am - 12:00pm 📍 Gosch's Paddock 🏃‍♂️ Session type: Training 📆 Thursday, April 23 ⏰ 11:00am - 11:30am 📍 Gosch's Paddock 🏃‍♂️ Session type: Pre-Match Captain's Run 📆 Tuesday, April 28 ⏰ 12:15pm - 1:00pm ⏰ 2:45pm - 3:30pm 📍 Gosch's Paddock 🏃‍♂️ Session type: Light recovery sessions (player choice of session)

The 12 meter kicks (speculation with my 'rose glasses' on) of the Lions being called marks, making it easier to force holes in our defensive structure. Yet, we get called several times to play on for the same distance. I would say those adjudications against us may have led to the turnovers by Petts and Kolt who had to look for hits between and over defensive Lions, as we wouldn’t lead down the line for them.

We are a much better team on the G. No lethargy today. Quick out of the gates, unlucky not to be in front in the first. We need to create some central corridor runs. Smart coaching as we made some quick ball movements, especially the third, allowed the forwards an advantage. I thought everyone took their opportunities when called upon (other than a few with clangers). Loved our pressure game, we chased well, including Fritsch. I think they were asked to try to unsettle Harris (good to watch his skills, as well as Neal). Some of the Bears ball movement was great, though they had trouble when they switched. We did well to regularly pressure them and get to that groundball first. Sparrow keeps doing well under King, works so hard. Langford is growing into an important player for us. Chandler, with leadership and impact. Langdon off the half-back works. Turner leading the backs well. Latrelle continues to grow exponentially. King is a brave coach and won't die guessing, he 'has' the players. I don't get the short of 15m kicks that got called marks. Makes it difficult to defend when they get those regular short, stop and start options. Glad we did them (we know how to win), good discipline, structures, effort and fitness. Will the media take us seriously yet?

The media has written us off. I believe we will see if King has the team, and whether they have bought in and play his system. I would love to see a defining statement by hammering the Lions early in the first quarter. If not, then we need intent, smart plays, being clean with the ball, and four quarters of effort. Go Dees

Aidan Johnson did not play for Casey.

melbournefc.com.auTraining Times | Melbourne Football ClubCheck out when Melbourne's AFL and AFLW sides are hosting open training sessionsGosch's Paddock 📆 Tuesday, April 14 ⏰ 11:30am - 12:15pm ⏰ 12:15pm - 1:00pm 📍 Gosch's Paddock 🏃‍♂️ Session type: Light recovery sessions (sessions by line group) 📆 Wednesday, April 15 ⏰ 10:00am - 11:30am 📍 Gosch's Paddock 🏃‍♂️ Session type: Training 📆 Tuesday, April 21 ⏰ 12:15pm - 1:00pm ⏰ 2:45pm - 3:30pm 📍 Gosch's Paddock 🏃‍♂️ Session type: Light recovery sessions (sessions by line group)

We are a bad travelling team. Perhaps too much of getting to know each other and less focus on the system and preparation. We became frenzied runners, but were playing behind, second to the ball and chasing all day. Often we were in the wrong position to gather the ground-balls, then became witches hats as we attempted to defend with zone. We got the transitioning wrong, compressed when in attack and spaces when defending. Do we ever use a central corridor, making us more predictable to defend against? Our anticipation was wanting, being slow off the mark, and the defenders not supporting each other. Our run and intensity was only in spurts. We lost poise and connection, and our conversion from inside 50 was back to last year's incompetence. A few will be replaced, and we reset for a blitz at our fortress (MCG).

The team has been really entertaining. If nothing else, we are getting to watch good footy. There are improvements from one game to the next game. Big learning curves are happening. Some errors to happen, but they will keep going hard and are showing great intensities, with a joy of playing. Go Dees

At the second (I think) preseason training session where May had not turned up to (personal leave), a rumour was going around about his relationship. It wasn't kept to themselves, some insiders knew, then it became indiscreet 'word of mouth' soon after the meeting.

As they gathered at the end of the game, Taylor and Mathews joined the squad on the G. My guess, they'll get a look-in some time this season.

We never looked timid, we have belief in ourselves. Great pressure game, consistently pushed them down the line without the angled movement. Love when we get the ground-balls. If we weren't first to it then we were on their shoulder. A game of great moments, and we scramble and fight well. Windsor's touches make things happen. Amazed by our wingers (Langford, Langdon, and Culley), two way running and getting forward marks. Lindsay is playing well, composure, and with King creating a very high defensive line our backs become goal kickers. King adjusted the structure, and kept King and Rioli quiet after a fast start. Sparrow and Steele closed down Rowell. Latrelle will get even better I reckon. Kossie playing with extreme confidence, remains untouchable. So happy for Melky. Max, what a great leader. Four quarter footy. They are playing with a smile.

I think Taylor is an outside runner. They need to feed him. Very good with ball in hand, and moves well into spaces, with the ability to break lines.