kev martin

JKH has a big engine and can run all day.

Great to see JKH in the team. I like his aggression, hope he becomes the pest that Bugg used to be. Can see him working welll alongside Garlett. Five goals between them. Vince will be a known quantity bringing a bit of contol to our back play. Will be going in a little smaller in the backline. Hope Oscar Mc and Frosty can neutralize or win the high ball

Out: Billy stretch (injured) In: Bernie Vince Play Salem in Billy's position and Bernie into the backline.

Usually only attend the open trainings. If I am just walking past when they train I'll have a look. Next open one I'll keep an eye out. I am mid 50's, 172 cm tall, Caucasian, no MFC paraphernalia and will be walking laps of the oval. Hope to say gidday and talk about MFC.

Sorry about that. I was wrong. I'll try and get more accurate with my observations. New at this posting and I don't want to be misleading. I apologise again.

I thought the footy show having embarrassed Petracca with his basketball skills may have contributed to his poor performances.

I've seen the numbers during simulations varied, usually to the advantage of the attacking team. If the ball is turned over then the numbers are against the defenders. In drills there are plenty of one on one with ground balls or in the air. They have drills with finding a way through defenders and obstacles. I have not seen 'run with players' in drills. Usually the player doing outside stuff is unmarked. I see the same problem as you depositve, we cannot handle close marking. Intensity changes all the time. Usually the training starts with low and slow then increases then back to less intensity. Can be dependent on the break and whether we have travelled. Didn't focus much on VandenBerg but he is a big player for his mobility and desire. Loves getting the ball. Cam doing everything well. Though they appear to still be encouraging Harry Petty, wouldn't be surprised if they give him another go some time.

The drills were quick and simple. They appeared a little fumbly at first but later improved. Hopefully that's all the hangover from Darwin we have. The morning was cold and the wind was light at the start and a little stronger by the end. The conditions were reasonable for good skills. Nathan Jones vocal, placing high expectations on his troops. Group bonding appeared to be emphasized for a bit of the time. Bailey Fritsch and Oskar Baker in with the mids. Forwards had Dean Kent with them. Backs had Cam Pederson and Aaron vandenBerg. The split into these groupings only lasted for a short time. Then it was into two groups, The talls who practiced marking and the rest. Game simulations were short, with no tackling. Mainly focused on lateral ball movement then finding a corridor. Oscar McDonald and Harry Petty working on Tom Mcdonald and Jesse Hogan. In the rehab group was Jayden Hunt, Joel Smith, Dean Keilty and Dion Johnstone. Jayden was running hard by the end. Dion only doing easy laps. Joel eventually joined the main group so must have made it through the tests. Harley Balic and Billy Stretch were not on the track. Pat Mckenna appeared to have some right hamstring tightness and left early. Goodwin had some focus on Christian Petracca during individual goal kicking. The running group at the end of training included; Cam Pederson, Mitch King, Lachlan Filopovic, Tom Bugg, Jay Kennedy-Harris, Mitch Hannan, Dom Tyson, Sam Weideman, Oscar Baker, Josh Wagner and Tim smith. Cam working very hard leading most of the runs. Jay running home well on the last lap with Dom second behind him when it became competitive. Oskar most of the time tailing the group. PS. I think I saw Brendan in the rotunda of the botanical gardens with his binoculars watching Collingwood train. (not serious).

Oh, sorry didn't quite understand the commentary. Not too focused on the show. Easy to misinterpret if not too knowing of their program. How come that was all they mentioned of the Dees? You can see that others heard the same thing as me. Poor media communication, though I apologise for the misleading post. Thanks for the reply and correction 17.

Oh, sorry didn't quite understand the commentary. Not too focused on the show. Easy to misinterpret if not too knowing of their program. How come that was all they mentioned of the Dees? You can see that others heard the same thing as me. Poor media communication, though I apologise for the misleading post. Thanks for the reply and correction 17.

The footy classified show on ch 9, 9th of July 2018 said they won't talk about MFC till we beat a club above position 10 on the ladder. We suffered for years as the easy beats now we can play, they suggest this. Has it happened to any other club? What is wrong with talking about us? Us fans need to hear what the commentators views are and get some news about MFC. Are we not part of the AFL family? Why ostracize us? I hope it is tongue in cheek, though they didn't mention anything about the Darwin game and they intend not to talk about the dogs game. WOW! If we don't beat Geelong then nothing for us, peculiar. I find their statement offensive. Wouldn't happen to the bigger clubs.

The toilets need to be right next to ground otherwise players have to make there way back to the railway area, losing time and disrupting the session. At Goschs Paddock they often squat in the long grass, which isn't a great look. A space for gear needs to be close by as they often change into and out of boots or runners, plus having the phone and other personal stuff close by and secure. Encouraging spectators who may not be members should also be encouraged. So having some "comforts" for them is only sensible if we are to grow our supporter base.

Did ball hit the goal post. I thought Tracs was going to roll over the goal post (knocking it over in the style of Lee Mathews, 1982) and kick the goal.

Would like to see us have a settled team now. Changes should be due to players not being 100% or ins to match the opposition. We need cohesion now in order to build for some tough teams and hopefully to finals. We just about have a full list and there is alot of pressure for places, but we need stability. Perhaps this next game against the dogs is the last of our voluntary changes. Maybe Vince, Keilty or Baker and VandenBerg when fit. Unsure about the outs.

Such domination on the field. Freo had nothing happening, no flow and unable to find space because of our pressure. Frosty kept winning or neutralizing there ball play. Good effort by him. Angus continues to impress with his ability to get the ball and run. Max's marking and positional play was nice as was his few crumbing efforts. Hoges started so well with his marks but his misses seemed to drain him. I expect him to keep growing as the year progresses. Unsure about Lewis. Hope he is useful if make the finals or when playing bigger matches. I would love to see Joel stick a few marks. Spargo wasn't helped by the break. I can see lots of improvement by him with more games. Love it when Harmes breaks lines. Fritsch has some silk. Neville struggling to find his best form. Viney is a rock seems to hurt those who tackle him. Petracca needs to be able to finish what he starts. Love it when he gets the ball, so balanced and strong. Salem so nice by foot and Stretch is looking stronger and improves our ball carrying. A good win but we need to make scores when we dominate. I don't like us stuffing around.

Tough conditions to appraise any of the skills other than ability to work hard. Great conditions to get some game fitness into Kenty, Mckenna and VandenBerg. I thought VandenBerg was the best at it, especially into the last Quarter. He appeared to really want it. Kent is building and great to see Mckenna stay fit. I thought Kennedy-Harris did well, gee someone needed to be able to kick the goals. The go in AFL didn't help Petty. Well off it though tough for talls in the conditions. Loved Hannans involvement, taking them on and side stepping. Harley Balic seems to be getting fit, playing the outside of packs well. Weids so so, hope he gets better conditions next week and can work on consistency.

Thanks again Tarax, like your use of words, the humour, colour and expressions.

Thanks Tarax, lived up to your word. Interesting to hear Frosty was training with the backline. Can you remember if Petracca was with the forwards or mids? Felt like I was there.

Sometimes a fence can be a problem, restricting the use of the field especially when the rehab is large or some are running laps or they are spilt into groups causing them to clash with each other. They can mark the field to suit purposes and are able to place temporary goals. No more jumping fences to get the ball. The problem I see is because more thoroughfare for the public there will be more rubbish, dog doo, beer bottles and cans. The staff and field cleaners will have to be vigilant. I would love to see a small pavillion that spectators can use to huddle in on those rainy days and the staff can use for their computer/tracking area. As well as toilets and room where the players can put their gear.

During simulations, they rarely use both goals. Usually will set from the backline and if a turnover happens they kick to a coach or a temporary small goal set is used.

Tyson could find it difficult to get back in team. Omitted for 2nd time. Slippery conditions would have suited him. Many similar to him now in the side and at Casey. I wonder what the club want him to focus on. Perhaps decision making and accuracy with disposals. I believe he over thinks his game. Weeds probably out because he is not yet sticking his marks and dewy conditions make it more unlikely. He will continue to get chances. Hannan back in Casey to develop more game involvement. Not taking the big marks or creating any x-factor stuff. Again many similar to him at Casey, Mckenna, vandenBerg, Vince, Balic, Hunt and probably Dion and Kenty. Petty probably not again till next year after a full preseason, given his inability to perform in the big show, but you never know. Don't mind the changes, horses for courses. Good conditions for the small fleet. Frost is in to bring the high ball down for front and center players. Frost and Tom may be the relief for Max so we also keep a tall in the forward area. Hope he can handle the slippery ball. I like that Garlett is in, hoping he his hungry and can make the most of his chance. If he doesn't may find it difficult to hold his place. Charlie will have freshened up. Billy looking stronger and a bit bigger then before. Hope he gets plenty of ball, shrugs tackles, finds space for his run and hits targets.

I missed two players from the running group. I can't remember, but at a guess it was Sam Frost and Billy Stretch. Can anyone else who was there help? If it was these two then I think you are right Skuit, group of potential ins.

Plenty of gusty, strong wind about this morning. There was less margin for errors during disposals thus requiring more concentration from the players. All seemed to adjust well to the conditions. The session appeared to be quite light on, mainly focused on ball skills. The players and coaches jovial and supportive of each other. At times lots of noise and fun interspersed with the serious side of training. There were numerous and extended drills of ball work. The simulations were quite short in time and with little to no contact. The simulations emphasized lateral balls, intercepts and forward movements that split the defenders causing mismatches. The group split into their groups. Mids did stoppage work, backline punching aerial balls and the forwards mainly marking. Not much contested work or tackling performed. Close to the end a group did some boundary runs under supervision of the fitness staff. The group included Charlie Spargo, Oskar Baker, Dean Keilty, Harley Balic, Lachlan Filopovic, Mitch King and Cam Pederson. Could be the group playing in Casey or maybe those who didn't play AFL given a bit more work load. Though Sam Frost, Dion Johnstone, Dean Kent, Jeff Garlett, Bernie Vince, Tim Smith, Jay Kennedy-Harris, Tom Bugg and Josh Wagner not part of this group. Towards the end of the session, Sam Wiedeman and Harry Petty working together, Jesse Hogan working by himself. Neville Jetta, Michael Hibberd and a couple of others doing some one on one marking contests. Sorry but didn't notice Billy Stretch. Did anyone see what he was up to? Pat Mckenna and Aaron vandenBerg training well. Jayden Hunt only one in the rehab group. He did some walking a little running and a small amount of ball skills work (no kicking).

We seem to be a team relying on confidence. When we are hitting the opposition we get on a roll. If they hit us we fall off and start stuffing up. Our games can turn on a bit of luck or bad luck, umpiring decisions, classy play or mistakes. We often can't easily turn the tide if it is going against us. We can be off or on for part or all of a quarter and during those last 5 minutes. We need a greater work ethic and to stop believing we are naturally better than the other. Result come from desire and putting it all on the line. Not cruising along thinking it will happen because we are skilled, well trained and have a brand.

At this stage in the season the players should be 100%. If a bit doubtful then rest them. It gives others the opportunity to play and the team to understand and gel with new players. For finals, if we make them, then it could be different. Placing too much pressure on retaining your place or getting back into the side causes self reporting to become unreliable. No one is really irreplaceable at this stage. Although we may lose something with cohesion we gain through understanding our flexibility and dealing with injuries. The player gets to see the team as a spectator which gives them another perspective and could help them in understanding game strategies and team mates styles and skills.