kev martin

Good to see a live match. We held up the ball when the booers looked like getting on a run. The boos came out as soon as MFC players ran out of the sheds. Gee they went quiet when it was obvious their team wasn't playing, except for a few quick ball movements through the corridors. Good to see the backs huddle and talk about what to do when it did come fast into them. Hopefully they can get a strategy that will nullify the fast ball. The wind being strong and gusty, caused a few problems for the set shots. When the boos had the wind I thought we milked the time well. Loved that we emptied the forward flanks, which gave the forwards a place to lead into. Hopefully it was based on strategy and not lazy opponents. Salem on the ball was great, vision, timing, tackling and when given space, delivery of the ball. Tracc blew up early, the heat was not his friend. Howes, Schache, and Chandler are our weakest links. JVR has good hands. May has lost some speed. Oh, Kossie, getting close to being a game winner/turner kind of player. Sparrow's two way running was amazing, looking very fit. Gawn, led by example. We have a great structure, defensive and offensive. Well done players, hearing the coaches and executing. Though, our forward area looked stagnant at times. Pleased we took multiple marks in the attacking 50. Looking forward to the season real. Go Dees.

Our club mentioned that we could follow the game via there site. Cannot find anything there. Open the gates next time for the few who are interested!

Fans are being taken for granted.

Thanks JTR, got my ticket. Possibly would not have searched again without your prompt. Addit, what was the 77 cents to secure the ticket about. I had a ticket, they say to upgrade for $8.40 to guarantee entry, then say something about getting it secured (more than 100 did it). Funny, I guess if they don't ask! Reminds me of the beggars in Kathmandu.

Searched ticketmasters for guaranteed GA admission for members and other tickets, it indicated that no tickets were available. Must be a sell out. Looks like it is a pub for me. I guess better than going at 9.30 on a Sunday morning (family day fixture). Anyone have any ideas about how to get into Ikon for the game? Given the hot evening, I would assume plenty with tickets won't be turning up. A sell out, with plenty of spaces available.

Do I need to upgrade my membership admission to the ground, for a reserved seat? If I don't upgrade, is there a chance of being refused entry into Ikon Park?

Some leages are using smart mouth guards https://www.hitiq.com/. I think the NRL (rugby league) are trying them this year. Some came off the field for assessment though that felt the collision was minimal. Getting a good risk assessment tool for brain injury is a big step forward, HIA are bit sketchy, given the collision has to be observed. A body worn diagnostic is much more objective. Wear them at training.

Perhaps also due to reducing brain injuries as they transition to the full game experience. The scientists with expertise on CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy), mention that those medium regular impacts during training may cause more harm to the brain then previously known. There is a push to reduce collision when training, by the medicos.

Beautiful morning for a run, minimal wind, and the day has a little crispness to it (started warming up as the session progressed). They weren't showing much joy as they went about it (to be expected, Gus and other issues). I was told that earlier on, Petty was having a run and a kick. McAdam's was running harder with his program, and Melky was working well in his rehab (no strapping). Good to see that Fullaton is ready to go, as was TMac who were in the VFL squad (no Casey players). Starting 23 out there for a simulated captain's run. Looks like K.Brown is a forward. Originally was trialled as a mid and Tholstrup as a forward. I reckon K.Brown is seen as progressing stronger than Tholstrup and so gets the chance. Hope they rest, K.Brown in the 4th quarter tomorrow and give Tholstrup a late run. Given that the others didn't join the 23, however I assume the game will be only the 23 that ran out today. Goody ran most of the session. Great to him him using his whistle, and getting heavily involved by structuring/voicing what he wants. Usually he delegates more often to the others. Nothing like an up and about Head Coach. They were switched on in the drills, plenty of noise, and excellent skills. Really enjoyed seeing the small fwds working on and executing lovely passes into the tall fwds by Billings, Laurie and Kossie. Thought Fritsch fumbled the ball and missed some easy goals today. JVR is ready to hit the big time. Schache was one paced, though no errors. Had a discussion with a fellow supporter who reckons (I agreed), Tomlinson could play well up fwd, though unlikely. May clumsy and losing his feet (could have been the sun in his eyes), hoping he can get his 'mojo' on, which he had in previous sessions. Salem looking strong, training with the mids, plenty of composure, energy, and run. Windsor moves so well over the ground. Viney, on target to be the best I have seen of him. Tracc still with some anxieties when kicking set shots for goal (appeared to have). Two out of three hit the right spot. No contact at all. Last time I saw any tackling drills was ages ago, and the tackling during sims has been diminished/less impact. They hit each other hard prior to the Christmas break, now more about the defensive structure, run and transition. I am a bit worried as we have not done this type of drill in order to prepare to be 'hard'. Hoping, they have been working on it in the closed areas. We cannot drop our early games otherwise the media will get on the 'going backwards bus'. Tomorrow is not as important as the away trip to Sydney, but gee I hope we bring some tackling pressure. Go Dees

They changed some of the starting times. Tomorrow starts at 9.45 am and not 8.45 am https://www.melbournefc.com.au/teams/training-times Gosch's Paddock Tuesday 27 February 9:45am onwards Saturday 2 March 11:45am onwards Saturday 11 March 11:45am onwards Saturday 16 March 9:45am onwards Tuesday 19 March 11:45am onwards Friday 22 March 9:45am onwards Monday 25 March 11:45am onwards

They had a three day break.

I would like to see Tholstrup get a bit of a run. Gives him some confidence that he could be in the mix this season, that he gets an understanding of the level required, and we/they get a look at him.

They could still do some media/socials of what they are up to, seeing we are all a bit in shock and going quiet isn't the best way to move on. No training at Gosch's this morning. Interestingly, some of the scheduled sessions ( https://www.melbournefc.com.au/teams/training-times ), are later in the morning 11.45 am. Not all are captain's run. Perhaps they are going to work a bit more on intention/purpose/review prior to hitting the paddock.

Nothing is being set up Victory came out at 10, crossed wires

Nothing set up at the moment. Had a chat to an employee of the park, who said they may be training from 10 to 12 today as they have Gosch's booked for then.

WCW mentioned a couple of days ago that she was stepping away from Ðemondland for a while (I think in the unity thread).

Given that they didn't train at Casey today, as previously slated, perhaps they will have a run tomorrow morning (Saturday). As they seem to have scheduled quite a few Saturday runs (most likely captains runs). The Gus issues may have thrown them into some changes.

https://www.melbournefc.com.au/teams/training-times The below AFL training sessions are open for fan and member attendance. Training times and locations are subject to change, so please check back prior to attending sessions. Please note sessions may conclude earlier or later than listed. There may be a short opportunity for autographs and photographs at the end of each session. However, we ask that our fans respect the players' post-training schedule and recovery requirements. Gosch's Paddock Tuesday 27 February 8:30am onwards Saturday 2 March 11:45am onwards Saturday 11 March 11:45am onwards Saturday 16 March 8:45am onwards Tuesday 19 March 11:45am onwards Friday 22 March 8:45am onwards Monday 25 March 11:45am onwards Casey Fields Times will be updated here when available.

I thought there was some karma. Maynard slammed into Murphy, who then lost his bearings and ended up unconscious from the subsequent collision in the '23 grandfinal. Murphy has been unable to get it together, remaining on long term concussion protocols. The wrecking ball strikes again. Very little duty of care, a thug, goes in with intent to hurt any in his way. Turns himself into, ~100kg missile that leads with his shoulder. Is the "Angus" shoulder still a worry for him after his surgery? The AFL cannot afford to have such recklessness from the players.

Difficult to replace a player like Gus. He offered much more to the club than just his on-field skills. His family was also heavily involved in the club, billeting the young players, and I assume always around the club.

Oh, difficult news to handle! Thank you Gus.

A good thread Sam, especially for days and a pre-season like this. All in it together ❤️.

Nothing is set up at Gosch's

"Truth will set you free". Young men with money, time, and the psychological issues of being thrust into the limelight, expecting to be greater than they believe themselves to be, and any associated trauma of growing up, what could go wrong! Mistakes are made, I don't see it as serious and really could be just a medical/psychiatric/psychological intervention away from those afflicted being the best they can be. Rip the bandaid off quickly and get on with it. As for us supporters, I can see what Sam and those positive about us are expressing. I expressed protagonists require antagonistic, now upon reflection I can see, we can all get along and rally behind the "unified" sentiment of Sam, and what they were trying to get across. All for one and one for all, in this "broad church" of the MFC. Thanks Sam

Read in the transcript from the spiel of Gawny, that they have 3 days off, after the match sim with Richmond. They may be training somewhere on Thursday, so Sunday 25th may be a day off (a change to what I wrote in the previous post). Your guess is as good as mine.