kev martin

Hope the hospital visit was not too difficult and the outcome is positive.

Plenty out early, Rucks all drilling together, a few of the smalls drilling fast steps and shimmies around mannequins. Many are goal kicking. Tomlinson and TMac drilling together. No Sparrow. Rehab include, Petty doing mainly bike work, Melksham strolling around, Fullaton exercising with a trainer, BBB and Hunter very light duties. Jefferson training with an assistant. Starting numbers of full training was about 31 players, no run-ons (Yze, Mentha). We ended with about 27, 28 fully fit players. A bit of a worry given we are 5 weeks out. Viney was tackled between a player and the ground, shorts were ripped on one side, and he was limping. Kept playing, then left for some run throughs but couldn't complete them. Cork to the hip, I reckon. May ran some laps, as did Salem, who partnered Clarry in numerous laps. McAdam had some laps, though returned to the sim. Hore ran laps before the end of sims. Verral seems to have a running program going, fitness I reckon. Warms ups were the same as usual, 3 stations, one funny walk, the other handballs and third was short kicks. They then do some run throughs, Tholstrup putting in more than the others. They then go to more dynamic kicking drills, one precision, one lead to long kick to behind the player. A third was also used, (didn't observe well). They were boisterous, and playfully in the approach to each other. Off to the handball games, which became interspersed with the sims. They were still running many players through the on-ballers, Spargo, Billings, Bowey, Laurie, Viney, Gus, Tracc. The wings had some young players, K.Brown, Windsor, Woey, as well as Langdon there. At one stage they put Tholstrup down back up against Rivers who was forward. Jed Adams was looking good. Spargo ran the legs off the others, Kossie was playing a little selfish, Howes kicking was elite a few times. McAdams loves getting out the back for a goal. JVR holding some marks and getting on the lead. Fritta is back.

Clayton Oliver is down at training! He is out early with Gawn doing some simple centre work drills. Now he is drilling with McQualter, as Goody looks on. During a break Goody comes over to him and they embrace. What I would love to see, is him joining the main group when the whistle for collecting together goes off. They have collected and Oliver is doing his own program.

The mids/on-ballers were very interesting today. They restarted the sims about 5 or 6 times, each time having a different and surprising addition or two. Langdon had a go (ran the legs off Tracc), also Laurie, Spargo, Gus, Hunter, ANB, Billings, Bowey, and of course, Tracc and Vines. Another poster said Kozzy and Rivers also played through the centre. Sparrow didn't play in the sims. They really are trying to find the best and variable fit. The kicking drills used today emphasised the ball being kicked in front of the leading player. Some still missed this simple instruction. I think it is not so much of not having a forward strategy, but more of, some not being able to execute the right action. They continue to learn.

Hot morning, minimal wind, general impression is they are working well as a unit, and the intensity was there. Most were out early, teaming up in various groups. Some goal kicking, others running and direction changing carrying water filled bottles, rucks were drilling together. Rehab, Lever (later on the bike with Melky) in runners, not really training, but helping Jefferson out. Melky still doing leg exercises to strengthen the injured area. AMW running with Mentha. BBB down for a short run, Salem working very hard by running extensively. Sparrow did everything except the sims. The scoreboard is up and running. Whistle goes and they are into it with minimal warm-ups. They are into 3 stations, exercise, handball, and short kicking with good execution. Competitiveness starts with 2 handball games. Some have yellow bibs and start out of bounds, they then run on into the game, and attempt to break lines. Mcqualter runs one group. He appears to love them winning at what they do, really encourages them to win and be hyper-competitive. When they had a break it was Woey who did a fair bit of talking, McQualter took a back step. The sims were next. The attackers were very good at first, but as they tired, the defenders started to dominate. We look good when we spread, and when they get the overlap with smart play and good timing. Interestingly, they ran a few through the on-ball position, Langdon, Laurie, Spargo, Gus, Hunter, ANB, Billings, Rivers, Kozzy and Bowey and the usual players. They ran on the wings, Hunter, Langdon, Windsor, K.Brown, and Woey. May dominated with his reading of the play. Max is looking fit. Spargo missed a few easy passes, but his excellent tackling made up for it. Fritsch was tackling well and seems to be honing his defensive game. JVR creates competitiveness when the ball is forwrad, also taking a few marks and creating separation on some leads. Chandler getting front and centre. McAdams in the forward area and doing well, had a head clash which seemed to have slowed him down. Then into goal kicking. Williams moved the mannequins out near the 50 to challenge them with longer kicks, not too successful. Finished with running. At one stage in the goal kicking Tracc was dry retching, later during the running he left the field for the sheds (unusual) escorted by training staff. Couldn't tell if it's a soft tissue injury, as his gait is always a bit funny. I expect he was suffering exhaustion, due to the training load and the heat.

Some of the training remarks are opinions backed by observations, some are purely observations. Though some of what I say is opinion with more of a positive empathise. I was suggesting that this is a training thread and found your opinions a little left field, but you graciously replied with some reasonable rebukes. The on-ballers still have Tracc and Viney to lead them. Tracc can turn a game with his plays and Viney can do the same with his will. We have lots of options to join them and I can see plenty in the mix, Kossie, Rivers, Gus, Sparrow. Our contested footy stands up with the best of them. I reckon you're right about the forward line, and may I add our ability to kick to the forwards advantage is shaky. We also need some smalls to kick goals and get the ball front and centre, especially if Kossie plays mid. I believe the coaches know this and have been working hard to create a well oiled machine, that will also scramble with the koas ball and work hard to get multiple entries. We'll see. The other worry I have is the wing. Hunter (I reckon) has seen his best, and I wonder if we have a player with the understanding and engine needed for that position.

I guess I have a different opinion. Injury list is good, mainly getting some transfered players into shape. BBB has always had is own program, Hunter is a worry, old man niggles, Fritta is back, as is Petty, and Melky not too far to go I reckon. I think the culture stuff has been blown out of proportion. Oliver only knows footy and being sidelined for 'weeks' last year, hasn't done him any favours. I believe he will play well when he is ready. The opinion of doom just doesn't fit well with me. In my opinion I see us as a dangerous side. Opposition teams will fear us. I was expecting a training dialogue not an opinion piece, though thanks for the reply and am happy to engage.

His training has been good. Getting better as he matures. A practice match doesn't really play to his strengths of, gut running, getting to the contest when others tire, his heart must be like Pharlap, I can even see him as a future captain, he always has something to say to the group. I am sure he is not undervalued at the club. There was a period a few years ago where he was on the periphery, and in and out of the team. More recently he has it cemented and I cannot see that changing.

Did you go to training, or are you responding to a training issue?

McAdams has been doing work with the fitness department lately. From memory of earlier runs, it was Lever, as they had him playing deep in the forward area.

Bowser at training is a very good goal kicker, especially his snaps. Composed and always a smile. He loves kicking them.

Could have been the wet conditions, playing within himself, and being conscientious when in the play (less fumbling). He has bulked up, looking solid, that may also slow down that explosiveness. Thought he was Sparrow at one stage. Thanks for those numbers.

I reckon they will put Kossie into the midfield.

Laurie is training predominantly as a forward. I would see him as a mid, as he works very well in congested areas.

Brayshaw was training with the backline today.

I reckon Rivers will be a mid. Plenty coming through into the backline. Salem could just be training without much pressure on him. Getting back into the game, with some freedom. Therefore, not in fully with the backs. As for Howe, could be looking at the wing. He has a light kinda of stringy frame/body and is probably not ready as an in and under player.

I can't remember seeing Tom Sparrow either. Taj is looking a bit like him, may have been the early sighting.

Turner is looking good. A bit of a backline shuffle and he may have a chance, though Hore is also doing everything well. Koltyn, because our list is stacked, may have to earn his way in, though has the passion and ability. Caleb Wilson still needs a bit more development. I don't think he is up to the speed of an AFL game yet. Has the ball skills required. I reckon he needs more strategically understanding of the game. Laurie continues to develop, looks like a big improver, though may have to get a break so as to claim a spot. Got a feeling if given a chance he will perform. Taj I am uncertain about, looks a little slow out there. Has great composure when he has the ball and is looking alot bigger.

It's a wet morning, ball is like soap to a few. Rehab had Jefferson and Hunter working with a trainer, ball work and fitness drills. Farris-White mainly running laps. Melksham and BBB in the sheds with the pedal and rower. Billings, AMW, McAdams, Petty did all the drill work with the team but didn't participate in the sims. Brayshaw worked with the backline and was wearing the lime cap (no contact) during sims. That line also included, McVee, May, Lever, Tomlinson, Bowey, Adams, Hore. Interestingly, not Rivers, Salem, or Howe. They worked very well as a group, good ball handling and disposal for a wet day. A run on indigenous player wearing number 49 was with us, as was N.Yze. I thought Salem was training well, fit and skills remain silky. After their warm-ups and drills, they had a competitive game of handball. They showed great intensity, tackled and hit each other with some gusto. Impressed with Frittas tackling, a couple of times he did two consecutive and other times wrapped up the ball carrier. The area was small, so shimmy and acceleration was needed to do well. Some have that ability to break into space where it is not obvious (McVee, Kossie), or the vision to see the outside player (Tracc, Bowey). I also noticed Goody getting angry, (first time I had noticed this behavior at a session), after the end of the handball game. Another watcher mentioned that Williams did the same. Perhaps the coaches aren't going to be so chummy this season. The playing group appeared slightly stunned by the outburst and went quiet. ('this way covered, that way covered, should XXX take the first open option.'). The sims were unspectacular given the weather, plenty of safe kicking and jostling for that front position. A few soft injuries to Bowey and May in collisions. Turner is looking good, as is Howe and Verral. Tracc is leading by example, getting better and better. No Oliver. They were kicking goals well in the wet during drills. Plenty of fumbles all through the session. I think today's session was very much about being 'hard'. Had to leave early, so I haven’t got a comprehensive report for sims. We are looking good, healthy, fit and dare I say, ready, so early in the season. Go Dees.

Apologies @WalkingCivilWar, @Roy Boy, and others. Without my intervention about the MFC training times post we may had had more observers down at Casey, and therefore a training report. The club is yet to update the information about the training schedule. So misleading and unclear is the communication to us. "Training sessions are scheduled to return to Gosch's Paddock in the week beginning Monday January 15." Wish they would get there act together. https://www.melbournefc.com.au/teams/training-times Thanks WCW for your information, please keep me in the loop.

Perhaps we could expand some of the underground bunkers to put the admin and indoor facilities In. Get them to make the landing strip out of turf for a kick around. Win win situation. So long as the 'Pelicans' don't mind [Adding to and reflecting the surrealistic capacity to finding a home base for the MFC, I wonder who will get there first, Raelians or us]

The Raelians (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raëlism) want to build a landing area for Elohim in the image of a Pelican, and the third temple. Especially as Jerusalem looks unavailable. "Raël stated that humanity has to build an embassy for the Elohim prior to their arrival on Earth and that it must include a landing pad for their spaceship.[91] He stated that it needed to be located on internationally recognised neutral territory so as not to indicate favour towards any one particular nation-state.[77] Initially, Raël sought permission to build it in Israel,[92] explaining this by reference to how the ancient Israelites were once in contact with the Elohim.[77] He also stated that this embassy would constitute the "Third Temple" referred to in Jewish prophecy.[93]"

I'll have go at the Caulfield racecourse. Nature reserve, indigenous overlay of plants and landscaping around the existing ponds for the Pelicans and other wildlife. The master plan indicates it as being a percentage of the area, leaving enough space for recreation. I'd assume a lobby group wants it to be the main purpose of the space.

Hopefully they make it clearer tomorrow, if they post session information, as indicated.

AFL Training Sessions Training sessions are scheduled to return to Gosch's Paddock in the week beginning Monday January 15. Session information will be provided once the week commences. https://www.melbournefc.com.au/teams/training-times From MFC website @WalkingCivilWar @Roy Boy