Kev

Any information about Langdon?

There were some photos (from today), with him hanging out with the light duties/rehabbers.

I didn't see him down on Friday, though others indicated that he was there (more by omission).

Track-watchers and/or @Ghostwriter

2 minutes ago, Ghostwriter said:

Gross! Whose job would it be to empty the bucket?

Unless it is the evil thing, then a personal bottle emptier may come in under the softcap.

6 minutes ago, Ghostwriter said:

As I walked past X said, “Hey, Ghosty!” and I said, “Hey X!” And that was it

All in a days work.

Hostile work environment, without a designated toilet.

Funny story, thanks.

Maybe a small tent with a bucket.

3 hours ago, Ghostwriter said:

Therefore, the bushes near our marquee are makeshift dunnies, for number ones anyways.

We need a porta poti for them. I saw three head to the far away end, kneel and do the, I am a river to my people. MFC should do better!

3 hours ago, Ghostwriter said:

Interestingly, Spaz brings a mouthguard to every session, including captain’s and flush runs.

Unlike Fritta who never wears a mouthguard, even during matches. Even playing as a junior- no mouthguard ever.

Really didn’t notice the finer details. Did see a few dangling from the lips. Though, my sentiment meant that they were tackling and competing with some bravado, plus the sim was more a match practice.

10 minutes ago, Pennant St Dee said:

One thing I know about Kolt is he is a competitor and his disappointing year last year won’t be lost on him 

He is so invested in all the actions he does. I believe he will continue to improve. I can see him being a Dees Captain, if all goes well. Gee, he puts in, learns, leads by example (especially effort), and gets around those who others don't notice.

His concentration is 100%, doing it all well. I haven't seen him make those errors he was prone to last season.

Looking strong, bigger and is maturing.

Going about it humbly.

A big improver from my point of view.

It was a mouthguards in day. The weather, mild temperature and a consistent wind blowing down the Paddock.

Initial drills had a group doing kick to kick, another of laissez-faire goal kicking, and one I didn’t really take notice of. Interestingly they didn’t rotate, my guess is they put them into groups that work on particular crafts.

The structured sims continue to emphasize fast ball movement, with offence outnumbering defense. Though they are starting them in areas of greater pressure. Once the ball gets out they go fast, often looking for centre or well inside the boundary, then asking for angled kicks into a forward player.

They went to a full field game. Two ten minute halves. Non bibs dominated. The bibs were pressured, couldn't find space and made some fundamental errors. The non bibs appeared to have an extra (though they didn't), especially in the forward area where a loose player made that last kick easier.

Culley doing plenty, aerial work with numerous follow-up efforts. TMac everywhere, including many intercepts. The forwards for the bibs barely got a look in, and when it came down their way there was a scramble. Koltyn set up well, he hit the central kick numerous times. Jefferson (high up the field), looking strong, beat Petty with some playing in front and taking contested marks. Mentha looking for the ball on the outside. Latrelle, getting used to the speed, had to rush his disposals. Taylor switched off a couple of times, though is a ball magnet, has a swagger and very good hands (so clean). Laurie is playing smart footy, heavily involved, linking well and getting to the next contest. Still lacking speed. AJ is working the hardest out there, two way running, gets the ball and goes again. They attempted to bring the bibs into the game by starting at the 50 arc, but it didn't work, non-bibs dominating. Rivers loved what they were doing, the defensive and ball movement into the forwards.

After the game they went to structured sims, where offence out numbered the defense again.

They started the ball in an area where the defenders had a chance to close it down. So when the mids get the ball they have to break the line by spreading or with smart handballs. Once it is out they run hard and then hit an open area. The pressure is on them to be clean as sloppy slows the whole process down.

They then moved into their line groups. Rivers taking the backs. Chaplin with the forwards. A mid or two in both lines, who bring the ball in or take it out. Taylor with the backs.

Finished with goal kicking.

Interspersed through the session was group, small group and individual sprints or laps.

They also had them sprint to the water bottles after a few of the drills/sims finished.

They are a happy lot. Great to see Gawn and May talking and enjoying each other's company in between exercises. There is plenty of equality out there.

Another training session has been posted on,

https://www.melbournefc.com.au/teams/training-times

📆 Thursday, November 27

⏰ 9:00am - 11:00am

📍 McNamara Reserve, Myrtleford

🏃‍♂️ Session type: Open Training

1 hour ago, dazzledavey36 said:

I would have had there been more information in the days leading up to it as I would have taken some leave and taken the young fella down for the auskick.

Only saw the times posted today.

Wow, poor communication. They only posted several hours before the clinic. What did you catch @Demonstone?

Hopefully got the local, schools or junior clubs involved.

A kid and his parent in the area who are MFC supporters. Ah, they miss the target again.

Did anyone attend the clinic this afternoon?

The boys headed to Bright for the annual MFC preseason Community and Performance Camp which starts today (24th November 2025) and runs through the week.

This thread will contain any information, intel & photos posted by the club or other sources.

The camp opens with -

Bright

📆 Monday, November 24

⏰ 4:45pm - 5:45pm

📍 Pioneer Park, Bright

🏃‍♂️ Session type: Auskick Clinic

Myrtleford

📆 Tuesday, November 25

⏰ 9:00am - 11:00am

📍 McNamara Reserve, Myrtleford

🏃‍♂️ Session type: Open Training

Training Times

37 minutes ago, BigBadBustling said:

They can be sticky too

You really shouldn't be using the deepheat in that area Bustler.

23 minutes ago, Grr-owl said:

Glute issues can be stitcky…

I heard today that Henderson has a groin issue.

6 minutes ago, Ghostwriter said:

The stark difference between the men’s training in the past and training this year is great but not when it’s at the expense of a team on the eve of a prelim.

I would have loved the Men to give the Women a guard of honour welcome to Gosch's (as the crowd did), and then get out of the way.

Easy to brand, difficult to act. There is an obvious hierarchy and disconnect.

Nothing on the players, more the organisers and proactive decisions.

Addit: Apologies I have been spelling the name of Brody Mihocek the wrong way.

14 minutes ago, Ghostwriter said:

The boys were still out there at 11am

Wow, I had to leave just after the Men's sims ended (why there is no training report for MFCW). I thought when the Men's sims finished they would be off, Eleven!

Imagine if the women doing a preseason, did that to the men on the eve of a big final.

If on the "other foot", I reckon Stinear would have walked them all over to the rugby field, so as to accommodate and empathise how rhythm and normalising is important to the build up. The MFC Women now have a little frustration to top off their preparation.

At least they may have an extra bit of team bonding. That team run, around the boundary, looked like they had connection with each other.

2 hours ago, Ghostwriter said:

Turns out his name is Geoff Ponsford and he’s the son of Bill Ponsford. It was such an honour to meet him.

He is a lovely man.

He used to walk the boundary as a trackie and had been doing that for at least the past ten years. Used to be followed around by his wife, now his daughter helps him out.

Lovely morning down at the Paddock. A little windy but without gusts and a great temperature.

The vibe stays strong as they turn-up to the pre-Bright run.

Plenty of spectators to wish the Men well and to give the Women a welcome and supportive cheer on.

The new one, Xavier Taylor in number 19 looks the goods. My first thought was, he has “the right stuff”. Someone mentioned he was a mate of Lindsay. I can see he has been trained well, as Lindsay was. Those development coaches in the Coates Talent League do a great job. He is ready to impact straight away. He participated in the sims for a short period, he was a ball magnet (the coaches passed it to him a couple of times). Has great hands, handles the ball with confidence. Gets others into the game with connection, creates runs and sets plays up. I like him, if all goes well, could be selected in the first game.

Miochek also participated in a few sims. I like the movement he does. Beautiful timing that syncs with the ball carrier, shows a great change of direction (180°) and points where he wants it. Couldn't have made it easier for the hit up. He was paired with JVR as the two forward heads, with Miochek playing deeper at first and then swapping, as Miochek began leading up onto the wing. Great that he gets heavily involved with plays.

Kossie is raring to go. Space and time move, he dances and accelerates when he gets the ball. Buried a couple of others in tackles as well. Mentha has his mate with him.

AMW continues to gradually enter some drills.

Nathan Jones had some angry pills and was getting animated when some players didn't live up to standards.

Berry's doing well. Can tackle, reads the play, and he handles the ball well. I was quite surprised at his closing speed, which has a bit of explosive acceleration.

Having only one oval to train on proved a problem this morning. The women had some confusion and couldn't get on immediately. They waited and waited, then were told the men had stopped only to make it on to the Paddock and wait again, since the men hadn't finished the sims (who also didn't get to have the normal goal kicking drills). They then walked the boundary and to the far goals to start some warm-ups. Ten to fifteen minutes of disruption.

I am quite bemuzed by the lack of mainstream media interest in the two prelim games. Second day draft is getting more time. We are also competing with the ashes.

We know how to win! It has been the brand of our women for many seasons.

Go Dees!

1 hour ago, Vagg said:

Is Petty training with the Backs or the Forwards?

Harrison's in the backline during sims.

1 hour ago, Ghostwriter said:

Blaithin came off early in the session to have her leg taped (very well-taped). Idk what the issue is.

Mackin was on lighter duties last week and got up for the game.

She is working through a niggle, possibly that knee area that has some bandages around it.

Must be a temptation to rest her. Beasley a maybe? It was mentioned by a watcher that Grace had been playing in the scratch matches that those who don't play game day, get to play in.

1 hour ago, Ghostwriter said:

Maevo said she’s hopeful of a return this week but seeing her rehabbing with Liv didn’t fill me with confidence 😞

Did you notice that Chaplin did some sim plays?

Ran coast to coast and was kicking with some oomph.

The training squad continues to get bigger.

First look, there was Max Gawn and right beside him was Max Heath (he matched up well against our captain in the sims). Gawn pushed himself in the runs.

Steven May looking in good nik, abdominal muscles are tight. Spent quite a bit of time after drills, encouraging and instructing others on an individual level. Got burnt by Caleb Windsor, but who hasn't when trying to corral.

Jake Melksham had the biggest smile all through the session. I think he missed them all. Still a smart player, stepping, selling the candy, moving well.

CJ continues to rehab, plenty of running, the same with Jack Henderson.

AMW participated in some drills, first group action for quite some time, then went to light duties.

No Brody Mihocek.

Jack Steele has joined the main group.

They had them running again. It looked like they went through a few of the mental and physical barriers.

Harry Sharp has them all chasing him.

Drills had them in a keeping-off handball game with heavier tackling. Another was two kicking games. The object of one was to find the loose player with either a small hit up or getting it over the back of the defense (out numbered 9 to 5) within a 50 by 25m area. The other had them spread from outside the fifty and finish with a shot on goal. The defense did well if they could slow the offence down.

The talls had a one on one contest for the high mark. By the end they were marking, as earlier the contest regularly became halved.

Jed Adams is looking good.

Steven King has a soft spot for CJ, often talking to him. Tom Sparrow is in the same boat. King is an observer of the training. If they muck up the structure or get caught out from the plan, he will immediately pull them in and explain the situation (very proactive).

Rivers ran the sims today.

The sims were less frantic. Plenty of hugging the boundary, and then hitting the forwards on leads.

Most of the players played in the positions as expected.

Matt Jefferson and JvR doing well, leading directly at the kicker.

TMac looked good, moving well and making the right decisions down back.

Christian Salem who “slows time” when he has the ball, very clean and smooth.

Harvey Langford continues to get even better.

Koltyn Tholstrup notices all the players. The rest were drinking when Heath was left out there to finish set shot during a sim. He made his way to tap him when he goaled. Leadership written all over him.

Jake Bowey, Xavier Lindsay and Bailey Laurie are going about it well. All very humble personalities.

Harrison Petty will be a big improver, he is training well.

Ricky Mentha Junior needs Kossie with him. Appeared a little low in energy and couldn't get into “it”.

Kade Chandler looked good, fit, strong and boisterous.

AJ is going about it well, using his strength and is putting his learnings in place.

Still a few more to join in, they are looking professional and the buzz is on.

6 minutes ago, stinga said:

Love to know if this fits in with match Sims at training or going too far.

I see the match sim working on fast ball through the middle and into a congested forward line, and to create a congested contested backline. Both movements having them run hard to the contest, and chase that fast ball.

The extra bench player will be interesting, but it is tough to see how they will use them, when looking at the sim.

They turned up when the men were still out there and just finishing.

Not much interaction between them.

The women were less animated, they had their serious styling on. The joy couldn't be contained, and regularly got expressed as training went forward. There was plenty of talk, instructions, and support during their work.

Chaplin doing run-throughs. Then change of direction movement. Got down to some kicking after having her hammy massaged. Seems to be moving well. Later joined in a few sims. Probably a good chance of getting a run if she ticks the right boxes before Friday.

Purcell in rehab, working hard.

B. Mackin was on light duties.

O’Hehir spent less time in the sims than usual.

Beasley continues to train well, her disposals are impressive.

Zanker in full training, as well as Golvin.

Hanks getting heavily involved. Her and Hore matched up for drills and they were pushing each other in the contests.

Harris does lots of talk and creates the necessary structures in the area that she patrols.

The forwards were hitting up well and the deliveries were perfect at times, they were getting the angles right.

If it wasn't for the opposition having that winning streak, I would suggest the women are ready at the right time of the season, and will be firing with belief, skills and a game plan.

Go Dees.