kev martin

Do you think Richmond had a no tackling program. They won't do the back off thing easily, sometimes players are coming in in numbers and they are competitive beast. Win at all cost and all believe they will win the ball. Contact can be done in a safe way I think. That is bracing for it and taking the hit. Halfway and you will be hurt. We also want a players to get front and center balls from the pack, if the defender pulls out, then how do they develop that part which is very instinctual and one of the higher skill sets. It is a tough game and durability is one of the criteria that sorts the good players from the others. What would they do if they couldn't practice getting tackled. Pettraca standing up in them, Viney getting taken out but always able to get his arm free, Harmes fending off, (did a beauty today), Oliver with the ball gone before they get him. The concussion stuff should be a duty of care across all contact codes. In a perfect world they shouldn't hurt the brain.Tackling and getting tackled with correct technique should reduce harm. I have seen many concussion from poor technique. Tackling needs to be practice in a game senario. With full tackling the ball can come free and this unpredictable ball movement needs to be practiced with. Loose ball gets are an asset and often instinctual. Oliver slightly rehurt his shoulder in a drill. Kade Kolodjasni collision today was in the body. Kade Chandler tweaked his knee innocously. They have to tackle to reduce the harm from it. I understand where you are coming from, reducing injuries and protecting those with niggles. They play AFL a very hard game. Technical development then repetitions in real situations.

Both are into full training. They are looking unhampered. Tom is looking a bt fitter than Jack. Great to see them going hard. Most of the time in boots. The running programs sometimes require sneakers.

I was talking to Brian an old footy type support staffer for MFC. He reckons they don't go hard enough at training. A real old schooler. I interpreted this to mean, without the high pressure that is reserved for games then how do you know how you will handle it. Those who perform under pressure are the gems. He also said that they don't play with enough instincts and instincts come from pressure situations. Can see both points of view, Brian's and DeeSpencer's (wrapping in cotton wool in early preseason). Last year we did a lot of turnovers when the pressure was on us. Plus we had lots of injuries. I think I am more old school. Let them go at it. Harden them up. From my experience injuries come from unexpected or unseen hits. If they expect the hits they will see them coming and protect themselves accordingly. High pressure training can only be a benefit for the real game. Like one drill today, without any pressure. It looked amazing, very clean ball movement and exact working to structure. Come the pressure and that completely changes. Running injuries, hammy's, calf, foot stuff is not usually from impacts but poor preparation. Concussion on the other hand? A big question mark in our game.

Jake Melksham is doing fine. Looks like hs is working a lot with Tom Mcdonald. They are often blocking and helping each other create separation and overlaps. In simulations they were often getting repeat entries, so they were kept busy.

It is the 9 to 12 schedule. A beautiful morning to train in. Marty, one of the support staff says they are different team this season. I agree with him, seems a change in the vibe out there. Hoping it can translate out on the field when it counts. In rehab was Aaron VandenBerg, Austin Bradtke and Harrison Petty. Their work load seems to have increased, harder running and ball work. Walking laps was Oskar Baker, Adam Tomlinson and Mitch Hannan. The main group had about 33 (?) players in it. Warm-ups were again inventive and different from the previous morning. They split into two groups and there were two stations. One being a congested game with no contact and fast ball movement. The other was using just over half the field with minimal pressure from four coaches and the players creating switches and corridors to move the ball into the forwards who would finish with set shots. They swapped stations. The players on light duties went over to the rehab area to finish off while the others competed in simulations. Light duties included Neville Jetta, Jake Lever, Kade Chandler, Sam Weideman and Joel Smith (seems to be on his own program). Bayley Fritsch, Tom McDonald, Ed Langdon, Steven May, Christian Salem, Corey Wagner, and Christian Petracca were the ones who stood out to me in simulations. Marty Hore and Kade Kolodjashnij had a collision when both defending a high ball. Looked more like both being winded, Kade left training. I hope as a precaution, he was wearing the 'red cap'. Charlie Spargo was the only one missing today. Steven May and Clayton Oliver trained well. Clayton with a bit of strapping on his left shoulder and at one time had the 'red cap' on. The training kind of petered out after they had a good chat in the middle. A group doing tackling, one on one, or two contests and a kind of leap frog activity. A group having their set shots at goal filmed in preparation for analysis. Some doing 150-meter sprints. A good first week.

It has been embarrassing and I think that is why I am not too invested in winning. Still holding hope that we can be a power team. I do enjoy watching us when we are having a good day. In some of our quarters in 2018 we were unstoppable as was some of our scoring in the time-on periods and times when we hit multiple goals without a reply. Unfortunately we can't seem to muster consistency. The excuses of being a young or building team is wearing thin. We have had decades of that. Hope we develop some pride and figure out how to win, nether alone crush some teams. We really do need to hurt some of the others and gain our place beyond being the laughing stock. The oppositions supporters get angry and abusive if we beat their team. Which does shock me given our past 50 years of struggle and that generally we have been a "nice and fair" team to play. I think that's why I don't want to be too Ra Ra about winning. As the one eyed ones seem mad and have ruined some of my friends, my family and my experiences at the footy. Though in reality I would love to be one of the big kids on the block.

Love the people who are overflowing glasses. Abundance, plenty to give and go around Then there are the bottomless ones. Never satisfied, always wanting more. I enjoy the stimulation by the ones that fill then drink. Keeping it fresh and always having that new approach.

@inanunda you started a thread but have not engaged with the discussion. Does that mean you are firm in your opinion and care not for mine or others? Come on have a dialogue. Support your opinion or show some flexibility.

Your brave inanunda, like waving the red flag at a demon, divisive. Takes all kinds to make a community. Half glass full, half glass empty, no glass at all, overflowing, empty, and swingers from one to another. I think the current situation dictates the main emphasis of threads. When MFC is up, the positivity is up, and when MFC is down, the threads are pessimistic. Of course the moment is reflected. Are you saying those who have been pessimistic in the past have no right to celebrate if the MFC become successful? What problem do you have with the 'tweeds'? You have tones of bigotry, class and thought. The MFC has tweaked a few things. Though it seems to be on the same trajectory as usual. Buying it's way out. Would much rather have a club that is known for developing from its draft selections. We lose so many of our young selections after 3 to 5 years. These are individuals wanting a sporting career, and we really throw them away easily. Hoping for a good draft period and making the most of our young players. By the way, I am in a camp of no glass. Really arn't too concerned about the win/loss position, prefer the journey. Found us being in a final series quite stressful anyway. The home and away games not as much invested. I like uncrowded games and enjoy watching the opponents game as well.

Yes, didn't see it. I wonder where he was 'sitting'. I'll have a look at him tomorrow if he is there. As training is scheduled from 10.30 am.

I think we will find out tomorrow morning, as an open training has been scheduled by the club.

I don't quite understand those calling out the derailment of the training thread. Did I do that to too much of an extent? Most of my replies had some associated training opinions in them. How about making a statement about some issues mentioned instead of saying you don't want to read some stuff? For example : Mental and physical health issue associated with being all about maintaining high physical conditions in the off season? Taking pot shots at our younger players, is it OK? What gets the best out of players in training methods? The problems associated with fans being critical or negative on social networks? Goody's method of encouragement and praise, with keeping the negative to himself? The words to Tom about his shoulders and positioning, I enjoyed that. Don't be like Saty and dribble at my opinions with bollocks, [censored] and others with 'derailment'. Play the subject and not the person. This is the last response I will make about defending myself. I hope to your relief and apologise for boring you.

I don't believe I am overly negative. Both were as responses to other people and not from my direct report. First with Angus. Many have come back to training in ripper condition. Mostly those who have, had an interrupted season. What's so bad about being a bit under done at the start of preseason. He will get the boxes ticked, as they say. Also, means he has a bit of a life out of sport, which gives him a clear advantage in his mental health. As well as giving his body a break from peak hormones and pushing the physical edge. I expect and hope most of them to come back under done, for their sanity and a better physical state. So I don't get your overreaction at it being a negative when I suggest that he is underdone. Have you done much training in your life? I am nearly 60 and playing some modified AFL and soccer. Also, overweight but that comes from not being able to enjoy physicality as regularly as I wish due to body pains and that I enjoy food. Will give any sport a go, have had heavy training schedules and have constantly played all of my life. So I have a fair understanding of my own body and it's needs. With Toby, I was chatting to DeeSpencer about the need for technique and repetitions in training, and he used him as an example. So I jumped on Tobys boat as I saw him struggling with the pressures that heavy scrutiny brings. To suggest that I'm falling into 'negativity' because I respond to others in an open forum! What's wrong with criticism anyhow, you do it. I f you're such a positive human why use accusation towards me, bollocks, par for the course on this site and calling me negative. Practice what you preach and be a ray of sunshine not only to MFC insiders but to the wider community. If you can't walk the walk, past your selectivity then mate please don't throw your testicles about. Unless, you are trying to offend. Then well done. We are what we perceive in others, because if we didn't experience it is hard to recognise it.

I thought he was just going through the motions, even half a step behind at the moment. Also looked a little 'heavier' than usual. It is an opinion! I can be wrong and often am but that's how I formed it. You see it that he was out there for 3 hrs and minimal exhaustion at the end. I was looking at it from a higher standard the perspective of a professional athlete. I think he has even more upside. However, I believe it is a positive thing for him. Hope he had some enjoyable time away from sport and is ready to recreate his 2018 season and work into a good pre-season. What's my opinion got to do with this 'site'? I am completely independent as everyone is and the site acts only as a facilitator.

Though how many infront of the coach as he supervised the drill. Tom Mcdonald, hits the bag holds position and straight lines the ball. Goody's response, 'nobody will be able to get around those shoulders' Jake Melksham slammed the bag and made separation. Goody's response, 'good body work' . Toby timed well off the bag but missed the mark and leap completely. Nearly took it with his elbows. Goody just looked at me. Needs to repeat and repeat, and get rid of any anxiety if that is his concern.

I was making a comment about Goody and Toby. Also I believe is is not quite ready for the big stage. Again preseason, and who knows.

Gee, Saty getting a bit worked up over my opinion. You reckon he is ready to play, I reckon he could do with some training.

I agree about Toby. At one stage he dropped and easy drill mark infront of Goody. The coach didn't look very impressed. Right technique, repeat and continually repeat, adjust to the situation and keep improving.

He is a hard worker and will be right to go when needed, it is preseason.

DeeS, give him some advice from the sidelines when and if he mucks up an easy mark. He doesn't have to take your advice but as most professional are about continual improvements it could give him some options. Or he could just ignore and no harm done. They all get harder feedback at times from within the club. Pretty sure it won't upset or unsettle him so long as it is done in a positive, respectful manner.

There was a little bit of joviality between drills, but my impression is that they are down to business. The volume and numbers of calls, voice and instructions seems to have increased. Body language looks like they missed the place and are ready to go. Even on a hot day like this morning they remained positive and disciplined. Yes, they appear united. Gus look bulked up a bit, I would say he has come back a little under done. He hangs out a lot with Oliver and seems to have great relationships with numerous others. So I'd say he is invested emotionally.

Yes, pre-incident. It happened about 15 to 20 minutes before the end of the full session. I think he will be ok as he wasn't making much of it. He also waited around for his mates to finish up. PS. They all went off to eat lunch together at a buffet.

Training for 3 hrs from 9 am. In rehab, Harrison Petty, Kade Chandler, Aaron Vandenberg and Austin Bradke. On lighter duties, Sam Wiedeman, Josh Wagner, Jake Lever, Aaron Nietschke, Neville Jetta. No Bailey Fritsch, Charlie Spargo, Mitch Hannan or Joel Smith. Oskar Baker walking laps. Adam Tomlinson and Jack Viney walking and running laps. Bernie Vince out there helping them. The warm up was different to last year. It went longer, slower and appeared more inventive and varied. Great to see them working all the muscle groups. They used GT (thick yellow down the middle) stripped balls for the warm up kicks. Helps see the rotation and flight of the ball. They were into drills with 3 stations. The simulation game was handball only disposals with the teams broken into three and the group not competing are wrestling on the side lines. Then they split into the line teams and rotated around three more stations. Forwards included Nathan Jones, Alex Neal-Bullen Jayden Hunt and Toby Bedford. Backs included James Harmes, Jay Lockhart and Kade Kolodjashnij. Mids included James Jordan, Tom Sparrow, Christian Pettraca, Kyle Dunkley and Ed Langdon. Last on the field Braydon Preuss, Christian Petracca, James Harmes and Corey Wagner kicking goals together, and Christian Salem, James Jordan and Toby Bedford craft work. Thought Langdon showed good speed and decision-making in the simulations. Impressed with Christian Petracca, Tom Mcdonald, Nathan Jones and Michael Hibberd. Clayton Oliver left the track early. A punter talked to him and the punter told me he said 'he was good, just wanted to leave early'. Noticed he was favouring his left arm.

I think Saty spoke directly to him, mentioning that it was a sprained ankle and indicating it was not too serious. Hopefully that means the boot is purely to stop the ankle moving, quicken the healing and on for only a short time.

He has dropped some weight, looks ready to go (fittness) and I also think he glides. May appears surprisingly quick over 10 meters, good closing speed. He is very determined to get to a contest and I can see him putting some fear into the oppositions forwards with his physicality.