kev martin

Has Harry Petty been rested due to his mauling at AFL level and not doing well when he returned to VFL? Gee, his bubble has been blown. Hopefully back to best next week.

He was looking good at training. No fumbling, players falling off when they tackled, hitting targets. Want him to take the next step. I think he is working hard to get there. Tracca for a blinder against the old stars.

Next to our ground at Goschs the victory train. Before they train they turn on the sprinklers. These are the pop up/integrated watering systems (just need the tap turned on and off). My guess is because they play through the warmer months they do this to soften the turf. Their fields are also immaculately groomed. Makes me wonder why the stronger professional league, AFL doesn't get premium care by the managers of the paddock.

At wednesdays training he was in the rehab group doing light duties. He joined the main group for awhile but did not engage in contact work. The injury is probably genuine.

Great to see Dom back in. We will learn alot about his desire. Hopefully no clangers. With Viney gone we need him getting his hands on it at the contest. Jeffy also has a bit to prove, 2 to 4 goals please. Going by positional changes, Bernie will be a stopper in the midfield rotating with Harmes. Still want to see Joel Smith take some 'hangers'.

The morning brisk and a little windy, with beautiful blue skies. It was a much harder session then the other ones I've seen. Strength in the tackle and hard running. In rehab was Mitch King, Dion Johnstone, Tim Smith and Jayden Hunt with light duties being Mitch Hannan and Neville Jetta. Neville and Hannan rejoined the main group. After initial warm up, group spilt into positional groups: Fwds included Sam Wiedeman, Dean Kent, Harley Balic, Jay Kennedy-Harris, Charlie Spargo, Aaron vandenBerg. Backs included Cam Pederson, Pat Mckenna, Joel Smith. Mids included Christian Petracca, James Harmes, Dom Tyson, Oscar Baker, Bailey Fritsch. They didn't stay long in these groups and moved to simulations fairly quickly. The first simulations had no talls. Again using lateral movements to find a corridor. They were intercepting the ball and filling space in front of the receiver. There was plenty of talk about positional structures. The talls were drilling contested marking (strength and holding ground) and low ball gathering. They broke again into skill drills and back to simulations. Simulations seemed to include the squad for the weekend. Included were Bernie Vince, Joel Smith, Dom Tyson, Josh Wagner, Jay Kennedy-Harris, Neville Jetta but not Mitch Hannan. They were hard at it with medium strength tackling and contests. Plenty of talk and encouragement was heard. Nathan Jones, Christian Petracca and Angus Brayshaw had 50 and 75 meter sprints under fitness coach who worked them hard. Bernie Vince and Jordan Lewis drilled in kicking to leads after rolling away from mark. I didn't notice the Michael Hibberd incident.

He has big engine and is very determined. After his suspension for the brain fade he has come back showing less harassment. That aggression seems to be channelled into him being more of a leader. Would love to see him get back to his nasty best. Till that happens we shouldn't play him. I love it when he is a pest.

Saw a play from the centre bounce and I think in the 3rd quarter run. JHK came in from the southern wing and collected the ball cleanly and with fast hands handballed it to a MFC player who called for it. He also made a fast handball as was under the pump and hit a free player ending in a 50 entry. Beautiful hands, quick and clean, beat his opponent to the contested ball, listened to teammate and kept our run going. Can't remember who the other Dee players were. Must be other plays as well but I liked his participation in this attack.

On second thoughts, no changes. Balic carrying the flu and didn't play at Casey not fit for the big show. Joel Smith's injury sets him back, so don't want him in as he is only just performing at AFL. Give him a bit more time at Casey. At least Vince has experience, courage, can read the play and able to close a player down. Hannan still a possible out but I can't see who comes in.

Unsure about Hannan's game, involvement and decision making. Can Harley Balic get a run, a mature head who is an outside runner? Could bring Joel Smith in. Get him settled so he can play a bit more of his natural game and start taking some marks. Out: Hannan, Vince In: Balic, Smith

Is Dom Done, given he could have been the obvious in to replace Viney. Well done Harmes, closed McCrea down. Gee some of our kicking to leads in the first half was bad. Spargo saw it flying over his head a few times when on a lead in the 50. He is finding meters off his opponent. Jesse is a confidence player. Couldn’t stick it till a free kick brought him into the game. Always attracts numerous opposition players to him. Good to see our crumbers come into the game in the second half. Max found himself isolated a few times. He should always have a crumber at his feet. Hibbs and Jetts not up to their usual standards of late. Oscar has a great fist and works closely off the shoulder of his opponent. Jordans turnovers, has to be able to see opposition players not just our own. Oliver's intentional plays often look like errors. Amazing footy brain, so creative. Very well rounded footballer, hard to stop. Angus's side steps and run through traffic, great. Max so consistently good. Doing it all over the field. Sticking marks as well. I thought Jesse was going to have the great hands. Fritsch thinks it through well, always does the right thing. Can't wait to see Petracca dominate, I want him to take the next step. I wonder if Bernie, Hannan and JKH did enough. Is Jones Ok, his kicking was usually his strength, it has been off in a few games this year. Love it when Melbourne control the ball and the opponents can't get a touch. Beautiful third quarter. Good coaching, able to change style throughout the game, good adjustments.

happy birthday Doc, wishing you more to come. The same with the game, plenty more, there is always a tomorrow. Triple M 3AW SEN ABC ABC G'stand Match Centre

C'mon Dee supporters, enjoy our journey. Win or lose, we are getting a better ride than in previous years. Go to game, watch the game, none of the heeby jeeby's, jinx's or general anxiety. We are competitive, we can win when we are behind and can dominate games. I know there is an emotional gamble but is only a game. Enjoy, I don't get the hide away, not go or watch it. Individual superstitions really don't determine the outcome (stop the magic thoughts). Have some courage, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else on such a beautiful Melbourne day, at the "G", win or lose.

I believe we are maturing. I expect us not to let the dogs get more than 2 goals in a row and to control the momentum. We should be learning from our past bad games. Four quarters please and hard at it in the time on period. Plenty of marks for us in the 50 meter area on such a beautiful day. Go Dees!

Agree, that with JKH in, it releases Spargo. My guess Spargo will play as a mid. JKH does love tackling and hurting in tackles but will he work hard enough to get to them? His other problems could be his decision making and being a team player.

Baker is not an endurance runner yet. Would have to be an impact player off the bench. Where as JKH will look faster in the final quarter and the time on period. I do like the aggression he may bring to the game.

JKH The backline of the dogs may have to rotate players on him. The same with Tom, Jesse and ANB (all elite endurance) . That could stretch them and throw their backline out of balance. I think he is faster than Bugg and Tyson (though not saying much). I also think he is maturing well and should do better this time out. Hope he makes it, a defining game for him (AFL or not).

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).