Kev

Wet and muggy out on the Paddock today. Noticed that the ground people have not put any line markings on field. Standing around were Goldy and Jonhson. Lighter duties included O'hehir (did some drills, no sim), and Tayla (did drills, on trainer's side during sim, so minimal participation). Gall was being put through some running tests, and has her personal trainer in rehab. Lampard, Heath and S.Taylor all in full training. Purcell on an individual light program. Beasley watching the goings-on from the sidelines. No Colvin. Gall and D. Taylor in full training. Hose participated in the sim on the trainer's side, therefore minimal interactions, good to see her running around. B. Mackie in full training. They trained with high skill levels, even with the slippery conditions. The drills at three stations (all the same action), had them structure from a kick behind the mark to various leads, the mids with the shorter kick and leading forwards as a longer kick, then they would move the ball ending with a kick at goal. The drill was played without contact, the forwards had a light tag on them, and the mids with a defensive player in front. It was run with good intensity, they consistently encouraged each other, and made the structure made them use angled kicks to advantage. They then went to Sims, with about of about 14 players, with 6 to 8 rotating at the finish of actions, against the trainers in bibs. There was minimal contact. The ball started in the centre bounce area. Some of our strengths were holding the ball in the 50 and creating multiple entries. They were also good with the run past, and the overlap as they spread from the mid-area. They kicked 3 goals, 1 point, in about 7 minutes. Finished with on the run goal kicking. They are a happy lot.

There must be more to it, as Hellfire typed, "In the fullness of time Demon fans who can't comprehend this trade will hear reasons that may shock them". If what you mentioned was all that it was, then many have been in the same situation and the club stands with them. Something that indicates an intractable was there (thought he was down to earth type). How did they miss that prior to the long contract?

My main problem is that 3 years ago they sign a big contract with Oliver, from that time he has had a big personality change, big enough for us to throw him out. Though could be within 2 years of the signing, as we tried to shop him out to Geelong last season. King probably had some info from that time. Leaves me confused about what went, and is going down. From a gun to an unwanted player in such a short period. Why didn’t they know this, whatever it is about him at the time of his contract?

You can use the 6 PR radio app and synch with the TV broadcast (the commentators said this). The problem is the radio commentators don't know our players well. Often use Melbourne, Dees, they, to call our possessions. Good opportunity for the women to play great footy, we haven't trailed by this much for quite sometime. Turn it around, go Dees!

They both bring different things. Viney, hard working, constantly talking to others about skills, professional. Oliver, always smiling, takes time with the new players, never better than the other, has that pestering type of humour, jokes around, always working with Fritta, goes hard at training.

We are hopeless at getting the best out of our playing group. How will this help Oliver or Tracc be better if they stay. The others will be watching the way we treat their mates. Disrespect and easy to throw them when they don't fit the MFC brand. No loyalty, and no ability to create it within our club. They can both be guns, and we don't want them! Ruthless off field organisation.

In preseason Hose was was doing some ruck and tap work under the coaching of Watts (retired past ruck). She has really good hand work, and can turn so the ball goes either left or right. She probably needs to put some muscle on as appears slight, though tall and with long arms. I believe her best place would be ruck, with Campbell and Gall being the relieving ruck and forward combinations (if Pearce retires). Haven’t had much of a look at her marking, positioning, and body work skills due to being injured. Bit of a watch, to see the development next season.

The women were focused on the AIA field. Plenty of gusty wind about. O'Hehir passed a test with the trainer and joined the main group. The right calf still has strapping/support on it. Probably unlikely to be named for Friday. D. Taylor was in full training. Hose still in rehab as was S.Taylor. B. Mackin in rehab, and getting plenty of physio work, appeared unlikely for Friday. Lampard in rehab. Purcell, no strappings and only a small scar below her knee, was doing micro movements, with short skip throughs at a very low intensity and slowly. They warmed up, and went into drills, then into their lines. Mids working on stoppages from ball ups. The backline, drilling with the forwards, from outside the 50 arc to inside it. The sims were taken seriously, with good intensity, and pressure on the ball. Rigoni did the run through connection and kicked into the forwards, though missed a few as she was too direct. The good ball users, Hanks, Paxy, McNamara hit up with the better angles. The talls were marking well. Bannan with plenty of touches and Harris playing well. After the sims they went for goal kicking. The general vibe was joyful and they were getting down to business. The Gosch’s Paddock was getting covered in some fertiliser and there seems to be two large piles, one soil, the other sand that will probably used to topdress the area.

Does anyone believe, Wednesday 1st October 10.40am, at the AIA field will be the time and place for tomorrow's training run? It is still listed on the MFC site. https://www.melbournefc.com.au/teams/training-times

The Glass House field, of the Collingwood football club, in the Olympic Park precent.

Didn't they get a rejuvenation on the AIA surface last season (I remember the Wood's training on Gosch's for a while).

I was in the same boat. At Gosch’s, I got a bit of a look at the Victory squad, and Juan Mata scoring a goal. Looks like a big build up happening for the Storm. MFC training-times also mentioned October 10, at AIA Centre. Can I trust them?

Im surprised by Whitford being the development coach, mainly because I thought King may have brought some of his own selections in. At the end of last season he worked with the forward line when Goody left and Chaplin went to the head. He must have impressed them. He will give the young one's some stability, and brings continuity, which will help the relationship between King and the younger players.

I really hope that is what he brings.

I hope it all goes well for King and his team, and that they can get the best out of the players. My hesitancy is that I reckon we needed a task master. An old school crack the whip leader. The players appeared to get ahead of themselves as a Laissez-faire approach (presumed) didn't seem to get us results. I felt we let the tail wag the dog. The love for each other, didn't work as our human nature is not like that. Within groups, we tend to play roles, and that includes antagonist and boat rockers. I think the brain trusts had unrealistic expectations for the season of love. With a feeling that King is a good bloke, it leaves me with trepidation that we haven't got someone who can stand up against the players and tell them straight with a hard edge, what is demanded of them. Will he bring in the people he can work with, or is he maintaining the status-quo? There are plenty of strong egos in our club, can he manage them and become the top dog? Would love for him to say, they (players and staff) better be prepared for hard work and to expect big changes. I don’t think just changing the game plan will get us there. We need someone to get into their heads in a positive way. Teach them how to win. Otherwise, why sack Goody, another of the modern likeable leaders, who they feel couldn't take us to the holy day again. It will be interesting to see if he can turn our democratic tendency into a dictatorship. Which is what I believe we need.