Kev

Addit: Forgot about Ebert, she showed some skill with ball in hand, though was in and out of the game, similar to some of the new and emerging players. Our regulars had so much cohesion, the newbies need to find their rhythm with them.

A good game was played, 8 sets of 7 1/2 minutes each, no time on. Blues started with the first two, Hore and Hanks as mids, getting the clearances. They were able to hold in it the forward 50. Dethridge turned the game, got the reds two clearances and got them back into the game. Two goals each, then the Blues kicked away. Hanks went off, and the reds started to even up the possessions, late in the third (6th). Hore turned the game again in the 4th (7th, 8th), as Dethridge gave her room to work in at stoppages, then she went forward, marking off leads and finishing well. I think the final score was about 9 goals to 5. Paxman (wing), McNamara (other wing), and Hanks ran circles around them for Blues. They have a great connection, often finding the central corridor and connections into the 50. I thought Gall and Campbell played well. Harris played with smarts as a forward, creating one on ones, some good straight leads to mark. She moved into the backline in the 4th, and her long kicks got the reds moving. The three stay at home forwards for reds were all Casey players, and they struggled to get their hands on it. Hore remained the outstanding player with great composure and feel for the right decisions, she rotated through the mid and forward lines. Fitzsimmons was energetic giving plenty of options and endeavour up front. Pisano got plenty of ball, with her look alike Mahony doing similar roles as high forwards. Zanker played well as forward, leading well and finishing with good goals. She rotated into the mid late in the game. Purcell worked into the game, she brought high energy when the reds fell behind. Johnson ran the wings well, often getting overlaps for the reds. She really wants the ball and works hard to get space. Rigoni playing of the halfback area, she is confident, fast, and solid, though needs to be smarter with her decisions O'hehir moves well, is tall and was prominent early in the game, but fell out of it. Pearce got the engine room humming. Lampard was in and out of the game as was Beasley. Chaplin played well with some carving runs out of the backline. Bannan worked hard, but had the fumbles, though a very difficult match up. They ran it out well, but looked a bit tired coming into the 3rd quarter (5th). Skills were good, with a connection between the regulars a feature. We finshed our goal kicking well, and had some very fast ball movement end to end. They also worked hard to hold the ball in the forward area. The Blues set up a wall very well. The women looked happy with their match.

With Carlton transitioning through what Melbourne experienced last year, as the media speculate about their elite players, and staff, moving on. It comes as MFC are in a better emotional state (went through it last season), than the Blues, who appear to have not hit rock bottom yet. Both clubs have the players, the processes, and structure, when they are on, to hurt any team. It will be a battle of the underachievers, with a fair bit of arm wrestling as they fight to get the upper-hand. Melbourne have been playing a very competitive game, using effort and some flair. The older mids are being rotated at stoppages with some young ones getting a look in, and doing well as they balance their attacking brand, with a defensive structure. Goody continues to adjust his system, controlling tempo and ball movement. They look for boundary line outlets and set the forwards high up the ground, creating forward one on ones as they run hard into the 50. Some more of those long raking kicks to advantage from Langford will impress. Kossie to continue being an untouchable speedster no matter what they try to do to him, running circles around them. Melky to hit them from their blindside, and Max to mark everything coming his way. Carlton will use the main pillars of, mids gaining clearances, the defensive intercept and slings, and the forwards taking contested marks. Voss continues to hope for centralised corridors for fast ball movement so as to create open areas in the forward line. Expect Melbourne to stay within striking range, slowly getting their noses in front and holding the lead. Neither team will dominate as the game ebbs and flow between the two contestants.

MELBOURNE's first match-play of the AFLW season is just days away, with an intraclub match slated for Wednesday, July 16 on Gosch's Paddock at 11am. https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/1830740/aflw-intraclub-demons-first-hit-out

General Admission Seating and Cheer Squad locations General Public Shane Warne Stand M1 M4 (Demon Heartland) M5-M10 M12 rows A-N (no alcohol) Level 4 closed Ponsford Stand M28-M32 M33 rows M-MM (no alcohol) Level 4 closed Olympic Stand M54-M47 (no alcohol) Q49-Q57 AFL Reserve The AFL Reserve is open to AFL members only. M16-M23 rows A-Z M24-M26 M27 rows AA-OO (no alcohol) P24-P28 Level 4 closed CHEER SQUAD LOCATIONS Melbourne: M3 rows A-LL (Punt Road end) North Melbourne: M33 rows A-L (City end)

No, Gawn looked fine at the Captain's run. My thoughts are they are giving Campbell a feel for the game day preparation. My guess, they will bring him in if Gawn needs a managed day off.

Tmac was kicking goals, and leading for the inside 50 hit ups. Tmac didn't attend the backline chats with Bassett, though neither did Salo or Windsor. I think Basset mainly talked to the young ones, Turner, McVee, Bowey, Rivers and Lindsay.

I think Lever is good to go, especially as May looks likely to miss.

Beautiful morning at Gosch’s. Vibe was quite subdued. Many were in warm gear (beanies, puffers, hoodies, etcetera), and in various kits without numbers, which made it hard to see who was out there. They wandered round a bit, a few kicked for goals, later more joined them, some young ones did a slow lap with some stretches in between. The backline gathered with Basset for a long chat, minus Lever who was doing his own low-key program. Oliver and Fritsch, kick to kick. They appeared happy.

My observations of soccer from other sessions is, more than 30 on a pitch that is smaller than AAMI, usually about 10 get involved, the rest wander around. They wack a ball around like the inflatable at the cricket. I don’t know what they get out of it. They then kick for goal when there has been no run in their legs. I believe it is a waste of time. They could be walking through structure, and positioning. Talking about options and intentions, and have more walk-throughs. Kicking and handballing the ball in low activity drills. Breaking into their posistional lines and having more structural sets with walk throughs. Develop leadership within the group as they work on purpose, and deficiencies, that they just reviewed. Discussed on this weeks podcast, dominant teams have a correlation with the onfield leadership more than with coaches. Communication between them is what develops connection and love. A common goal and not this warm fuzzy approach is required. They get one main training, sometimes two depending on the number of days between games. We shouldn't waste the time when they are on a field. These light recovery sesions and Captain's runs, need structure. Use the full size area to develope body memory, and for them to be clear about their decisions. Use communal dinners, outings, talk groups, to develop closeness.

That's good news (precautionary moon boot). My thoughts at the time were, "if serious she wouldn't be ball handling". Molly O'Hehir's hands were fast and clean (wet day as well), hoping she brings great skills to the club.

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.