Kev

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.

Any update about Mihochek?

Petty and Adams are waiting for an opportunity.

Mathews was given the orange bib, the one that a high up forward takes so as to create links. He was doing more chasing than getting. That position is possibly the hardest one to achieve in. He does have something about him, though a little time at Casey will suit (speculative).

Gorgeous morning for a training run down at Gosch's Paddock. They were out early again. Plenty of running in the warm ups. Looks like they are building their aerobic capacity, getting them match fit. The drills appeared to emphasise pressure and skills. The sims consisted of two 10 minute periods and a rest after 5 minutes in both. Mainly taken by Rivers who got the mids to set up with gentleness on either side of the midfield, before they floated a ball down back, from where it got more serious. The attackers were able to create turn overs if the backs weren't tuned in. The tackling remains restrained, competing in aerials is nearly non-existent. Some of the ball movement was fast, very little looking for the central corridor, most taking it around the boundary. The passes into the forwards are improving. Plenty of leads of the back of the pack. The mids continue to work on overlap, causing the defenders to work hard on hand overs as they close the space ahead of them. I like what Kolt is doing, reads the play well off half-back and gut runs up the field for more possessions. Still learning his position as he makes sure he is in the area delegated to him by asking Lever. He is not the only one with extensive movement, Adams is also doing it. We will be doing plenty of getting to the contest area in a game, if they persist with full field runs from the backs. Steele will tackle anything, his field kicking and decision making is great. Heath loves bringing his runners into the game, presents well and quickly hands off the ball. Melksham still has his craftiness. His kicking is getting even better. I am still on the fence with Mathews, beautiful kick but not getting enough of the ball. Latrelle is a happy and gregarious man. The set of tall backs on one side were, Turner (also looking good, creates time and has poise), Tmac (doing everything right), and Lever (lots of chasing and captaining the backs). The set of tall forwards on the same side were, Miochek (mister reliable), Jeffo (getting separation), and JVR (imposing himself). After the sims they went into their line groups. Loved that the goal kicking practice was only the forwards. You could see the mids wanted to be in there kicking but no, only forwards. Even Lever wanted into that “sacred” space. Chaplin has them in a structured environment, with plenty of success and connection within that group. Someone parked their car and then sprinted onto the Paddock with the black mask of Luke in hand. With only 5 minutes of the sim to go it made no difference. My guess as to why Kentfield was on light duties, he forgot it.

With the Reds (rugby Union team) vacating, wouldn’t AAMI want to keep us with a reasonable contract? Tennis Australia don't need AAMI, only the Paddock if we vacate. Plenty of 2 hour parking in the side streets around school near the Botanical, or it's $1 an hour on Alexander. Won't Caulfield be similar.

Gosch's is alright. The vibe of being around other professional sporting groups must be uplifting. The quiet of Waverly or Casey, I don’t know. I still advocate for premises around the AAMI Park. Weren't the carparks being looked at as development possibilities? Main problem with Gosch's is access to facilities, the booking and competing for use with those other groups.

The intraclub report mentioned a replay will be posted sometime this evening. melbournefc.com.auIntraclub report | Young Demons dazzleCaleb Windsor and Matthew Jefferson were standouts in Melbourne's final intraclub."A replay of the clash will be made available via the club website later this evening."

Some thoughts about the training in the balmy conditions, with no wind. They are not close checking or tackling, in the sims. The first lot were 8 minutes × 2 sessions of set plays from the half-back area. Then they did a 15 minute hit out. A little congestion to start, though they easily break the lines and get the ball moving quickly without the usual pressure. There was space everywhere. They hugged the boundary most of the time. The backs would switch with ease and the runners found separation and made the easy kicks. I was quite amazed to see our change in game style. Previously we had been looking for that central corridor, we were fighting to make space and get separation. It was a day with plenty of space and skilled kicking. Latrelle dominated, running forward to back and forward again. Really good tank, with a burst of speed as he steps, shimmies and sells the fake, definitely a starter. Nice kick as well. Steel sits back in the central area acting as a defensive mid. Made quite a few re-entries and links. Fritta was played on the wing in a few of the proceedings. JVR hands seem to be in a better position. Hoping it translates to cleaner marking. Looking good. The forward line is no-longer playing “ring a ring a rosie”. Much more about making leads, then getting back and going again. Though I have seen some drills where the forwards get in the way of back men so separation can occur when the area is congested. Interestingly, we can change it up (open or congested style). Some of the structured stuff had them getting front and centre as the big tapped the high ball. We struggled to read it well. They then hope for an “out the back” lead. They played with more freedom and gave each other space. The ball moved quickly At the end of the sims, they separated into groups of marking, I think low ball gets, and goal kicking. Goaling was much more structured then the old just let them have shots. Latrelle and Mentha seemed to have a licence to strut there stuff from hard on the boundary. The rest with set shots inside the 40 meters. The other lot marking from over the bag. Plenty of players finishing with doing fast and numerous laps. J.Rivers working hard on Taylor's positioning and decision-making. King with forwards of JVR, Jeffo, Miochek and Fritsch, just talking to them at the end. Last to leave was King. Lots of the board and associated Admins were also down. They have been regular attendees of preseason, including Guerra.

At the training sessions, there are 4 to 5 analysts at the computers in the shed. Plenty of data sources exist. They would be negligent if they are not adding AI scrutiny to the data.

I think kolt will make it. Perhaps a Viney type of player. Turning a game on his endeavours and bringing pain to the opposition.