Kev

Maybe, they have an intra club the next day at Casey? I think they also have a run at Casey on Thursday, after the 3 day break.

Jeffo will get a go, does enough adequately. I believe there is a good possibility that he will blossom in the big league. A bit like AMW did. Looking bigger this year, playing the ground ball well, has confidence to take on multiple opponents. He is often free and lurking on the opponents blind side and always moving. Needs to demand the ball, looks for the easy boundary side get, appears a little slow when defending.

Disruptive with JVR going out early. The smalls are unreliable, using mids as half-forward is a bit, fill gap. We really need explosive smalls, get ball and go, stop quick exits and lock it in. We need natural readers of the play. Our clearances are much better when Tracc was on-ball. Viney calls for it when he is out-matched, needs to have more cognizance. I think they have made a mistake with Windsor off the backline (a few tackled got away from him), he loves a goal. Fritsch looks lost playing a high forward. We need the experience of Melky. Mentha could get a look. Chandler needs consistency, he can kick but just doesn't seem get to the right areas. Billings needs to put his head over the ball, look at it, then kick through. He appears to try a "feel" with the ball, that did not work in Mandurah. Will the thing through the posts. Great that we are getting good looks within the 50 arc.

https://www.melbournefc.com.au/teams/training-times Gosch's Paddock 🗓️ Friday, March 7 ⏰ 9:15 am - 10:15am 🏟️ Gosch's Paddock

There will still be rain around the area and the possible clean up, until the low pressure moves. Probably less wind though. Postpone both games, as the spectators may have more on their plate then a game in sub-standard conditions. They would want to make sure accommodation and transport are on board with rescheduling or cancellations!

Aren't the Cats getting the extra bye round because they could've started a week earlier than the others. If their opening game is postponed and their early bye round is now a game week, they should still get the mid season byes.

I think it is good for us. Disruptive to the Cats, and if they have a bad start to season they won't be able to easily reset, or fine tune.

If the Geelong v Brisbane game is postponed, then there is a good chance they play in the bye week that both teams have, around 28 to 30th March. For us, it would mean that the Cat won't get a week off before they play us on the 4th of April.

There is a replay of the praccy match in Mandurah on the AFL site https://www.afl.com.au/afl/matches/7183

Rarely do they get one on one instruction, usually its the lot of them kicking at the goals. They do change it up regularly. That is, snaps, different angles, over or around mannequins, different distances. They also get together in small groups and kick from the improbable angle off the boundary, or try those inside out double movement off ball from sharp angles so as to amuse each other. Choco comes up with a variety of kicking drills and will spend some time with an individual during the mass kicking. He appears to be the field kicking and goal kicking coach. I also think they accept mediocrity, and don't push perfection. I would like to see a dedicated goal kicking coach, who looks at their style, studies the tapes, and helps optimize the craft, well away from that mass kicking drill and put a spotlight and solution on each individual.

Now talking about "21", after the spiel about last year. Our first real hit out with a new forward coach. Give us a chance before all this, pessimism. Wait until mid season, or at least after the first couple of H&A games. But, then you won't be able to say "I told you so"!

That is how they train, when the ball is in our backline. We hope for ball out the back, as we lead towards our goal. When a stoppage happens on the wing, we leave a tall near goal, one on one, the others a kick away, and with an extra defender. During centre bounces, we fill close to goal. Interesting forward structures to come. Chaplin is an innovator and a micro-manager. I think Deaver is wrong about this season. It is a newish bus with Chaplin and Goody putting their coaching skills into a mid and forward structure that will free up Turner and JVR with space, or if the smalls get to them allow for ground ball. We will be swarming again and going fast, and many suggest that that ball movement will help the conversion. Fritsch has attended nearly every preseason session, has a point to prove. Turner has been given the licence. Sparrow and Chandler have both taken more leadership roles. Billings is looking super fit. I am on the train, Choo Choo. Go Dee's.

Are there any demonlander's out at Casey? There is no media anywhere about this game. A brief run down and/or an on-going commentary would be appreciated

2025 Smithy's VFL practice match schedule Saturday, March 1 GWS Giants vs Southport Sharks (Vailo Community Centre, 11:15am) Casey Demons vs Sandringham (Casey Fields, 12:00pm) Port Melbourne vs Frankston (Mars Stadium, 10:30am) Coburg vs Williamstown (Mars Stadium, 1:30pm) Werribee vs Northern Bullants (Mars Stadium, 4:30pm)

I didn't see Sestan, Culley or Henderson with the squad that remained on the Paddock when the others left. Adams was training well today, had plenty of involvement and finished the run with those who I assume were off to Mandurah.