Kev

The weather was hard the women were harder. 22 in full training. O'hehir in a moon boot doing handballs with D.Taylor, both in rehab. Colvin doing her individualised program, (joined the main group for some running, though didn't last long) as was Wotherspoon (plenty of running, looking fit and light). Mahony there, but not training. Heath had a training test, she must have passed as she joined the main group. I didn't notice Pearce, Goldrick, or both Mackin's. The trainers worked them extensively. Plenty of run throughs, most of them were on their haunches at the end. Drills consisted of two stations, one with numerous ground ball gets and handballs, the second had them moving the ball by foot after a one two handball. Given the wet conditions, they did really well, the biggest problem was kicking the ball and hitting the chest, handling the ball was performed with the needed care and generally they were clean. They went into a competitive handballing game. Splitting into three teams, rotated so each played the other once. At the split they practiced giving the bird to the opposition. Good synchronisation and following the flavour of the month. They had the intensity up, and were eager to tackle, those with poise excelled (Hore, Purcell, Pisano, Hanks, Harris, Chaplin, Heath, Gillard, Fitzsimon, Zanker, McNamara). They then had sims. Cambell did well, as did S. Taylor (enthusiastic, sets up well behind the ball). We have some smart players, Harris, Hore, Hanks, and Gillard who set the plays up. Dethridge looks ok, strong, though has some Achilles awareness which seemed to slow her down. McNamara looking strong, with smart plays, she has bulked up through her hips. Rigoni looks ready to go, fast, big and eager. Johnson reminds me of a young McNamara. Pisano is looking strong, fit and training well. Zanker was heavily involved in the play, running freely and also looking good. Heath, Bannan and Lampard not far behind the standouts. Gathered for mumerous chats, Harris had a long talk on one occasion, later other leaders. They look very connected, with a genuine love for each other. Displaying plenty of support, encouragement, and inclusion with and to each other.

I think you overestimated them. The humonoid robots may give them a good run. https://bbc.com/news/videos/c5ylkyrkjnzo

Lovely afternoon for a run on the paddock They were subdued until they hit a ball through the soccer goals, the exuberances, trills, and rough housing came out. A few looked me in the eye, the expressions were of disappointment, with an emptiness of aspiration. Basset started with some instructions and examples to the entire group. Then to the soccer game, not much running, and finished with some goal kicking. Sestan, with a trainer, as was AJ doing, both in rehab. Campbell on light duties, doing easy ball handling with McAdam and Moniz-Wakefield. Lindsay and Langford were having a constructive discussion with Radford (I think).

I enjoy going to watch the Demons play live, televised games don’t give me the same enjoyment. The AFL has created a fixture that leaves me wanting. Feels like I have missed the season. The Kings Birthday game seems ages ago. Are the grassroot supporters from the mid-power teams being taken for granted?

It was cold and slippery from the overnight rain, it slowly warmed up a bit. Structure of training is different to the previous seasons. Only a little pre-training jog without extensive stretching. No official kick to kick. They used to pair up and 20m then 30m passes, spin rounds right left foot. None of that. Straight into 3 groups and the associated stations. One, kicking round or through the mannequins, another of, one on one contests with grappling, body work and quick reactions, the last station was hand balling drills (I think). They had a few run throughs at around 80 %. When they gathered as a group (which they did a few times), Viney had a long chat to them all during one gathering. They then ran a full squad drill with moving the two balls across the central square. Three rows each side, with around 4 to 5 players with bibs on, in a defensive role. The object appeared to be, to create angles, switches and find corridors with carrying the ball and kicking. One ball was red, the other yellow, so as to reduce some of the confusion. There was congestion and chaos. Given the slippery conditions they did well. Finding each other and decision-making was emphasised. Broke into two areas, 3 defenders running against 5 attackers, out of the halfback area. They sprinted hard, made connection, had a defender at them if any slip up, and finished with a goal. They then joined the group on the other side of the oval and repeated. Sims started, they did it with intensity and some tackling. At first, they started them on the wing, then from the backline. The last sims, they had twelve to sixteen players on the field, forwards, and mids. The ball started from the backs immediately the forward got a shot on goal, and was handed to an attacker when beyond the 50 arc. The rest waited on the boundary side (for their own rotation on), giving advice and support. The object was to get good connections. Coaches had to call out to them numerous times, take the easy hit ups, don't bomb it. Chaplin working extensively with JVR, in hindsight was probably telling him what he needs to improve with his game. Windsor was looking a bit sore, twisted his foot during the one on one's. Lever was vocal as usual. They then broke into many areas around the Paddock, doing a kind of laissez-faire craft sessions. Finished with goal kicking, which they approached in a serious manner.

AFLW Training schedule https://www.melbournefc.com.au/teams/training-times 📆 Wednesday, June 25 ⏰ 10:15am - 12:15pm 📍 Gosch's Paddock 🏃‍♂️ Session type: Training 📆 Friday, June 27 ⏰ 10:30am - 12:30pm 📍 Gosch's Paddock 🏃‍♂️ Session type: Training 📆 Wednesday, July 2 ⏰ 10:15am - 12:15pm 📍 Gosch's Paddock 🏃‍♂️ Session type: Training

https://www.melbournefc.com.au/teams/training-times 📆 Thursday, June 26 ⏰ 9:15am - 10:30am 📍 Gosch's Paddock 🏃‍♂️ Session type: Training 📆 Monday, June 30 ⏰ 1:45pm - 2:25pm 📍 Gosch's Paddock 🏃‍♂️ Session type: Light recovery Gold Coast 📆 Friday, June 27 ⏰ 11:00am - 11:30am 📍 People First Stadium 🎟️ Free entry via Gate 6 from 10:45am 🚗 Free parking in the red carpark 🏃‍♂️ Session type: Pre-Match Captain's Run

Yes, forgot about those two (Salo, Fritsch), both usually working on skills when free-time on the Paddock.

Tracc, Oliver, Lindsay, Hore, Spargo, Lever, Sparrow, McDonald, Bowey, May, Chandler, Viney, Tholstrup, Melksham, Woewodin, Windsor, come to mind, as those I have seen go the "extra mile". Doesn’t mean the others don’t, just I haven't noticed.

Barely a MFC fan to be seen on this beautiful Sunday morning. The regulars, some passer-by's and dog walkers. Plenty of brown leaves on the surface, which are possibly a problem. The same system, soccer, and then 15 minutes of goal kicking. Williams in-charge of the kicking, shouted a few things, then sat back as they concentrated on their job. They were successful, getting a high percentage through. May was particularly invested, and straight. The vibe was cheerful, and they had a fair bit of enthusiasm and run when soccered. They also had a late start (possibly an hour later then the posted start time), presumably they talked about a reset for the season. What the aspirations and expectations may be, and how and what they will get out of the remaining games (purely speculative).

Training times have been posted. https://www.melbournefc.com.au/teams/training-times 📆 Sunday, June 22 ⏰ 10:00am - 10:30am 📍 Gosch's Paddock 🏃‍♂️ Session type: Light Recovery (recovery from bye!) 📆 Thursday, June 26 ⏰ 9:15am - 10:30am 📍 Gosch's Paddock 🏃‍♂️ Session type: Training Beauty, another full training run. Must travel in the afternoon, with a Captain's run at Peoples First Stadium Gold Coast, on Friday (just guessing).

How can we not have any games in Melbourne for 34 days (5 weeks)? So much for H&A, being alternative games. From kings birthday, 9th June to 13th July, against North. I get plenty of time to recover from the effect of the Wooden fans.

I once met Jimmy Stynes in Leederville (WA) shopping area. He had a great game, and we beat them (Eagles). Love when the players are relaxed and going about normal activities prior to having adrenalin and effort in the game. Go Dees Go Kos

No, I haven't met the Bin.

Not sure about the idea that we are better off as a club. If we were, wouldn't we have been playing for the potential of being a finals contender. We are basically out, and the writing was on the wall very early, zero and five. Tracc has been good, but he wants to win trophies, he wants big crowds, our club doesn’t match his aspirations. He hasn't been holding us together, Max has. We are a fractured club. We signed up another big contract, which haven't served us well in the past. I hope that changes, but just can't see it.