kev martin

Grundy didn't do any work with the forwards, trained with mids. Turner, would be it then. That would be exciting for the young bloke, and us if he kicks one or two.

Wind back the clock. TMac needs to do more, and will be better for his last run. With Jacob out, what do you suggest? Go with a medium/small player, like Spargo. (Cannot think of a medium possibility) Turner, Grundy or BBB, perhaps Tomlinson. Really hope the Friday game becomes the Fritta show, with a co-starring role by Smith and Kossie.

BBB was in the training squad, and going ok. Knows the role well, as opposed to Turner. Takes a big defender, leaving Fritta and/or Smith freer. Not saying absolutely, only a possible.

Plenty of supporters were here today. The players, though reserved, had a bit more noise about them than the last Wednesday's open training. Usually they are having fun, getting amongst each other, and have smiles on their faces, only a little of this was observed. Hope the stress isn't getting to them. They need the win against Blue, and to get the Mojo on. Clarry is a worry, hope it is only a loading/recovery situation. Given that, he cannot seem to control his efforts when in a session. If tendon, then it can flare post 24–48 hrs after use, and be right to go again. He should be good, unless he picked up another niggle. BBB is a chance to replace JVR, as Grundy trained with the mids. Gawn sitting out the session, he was in training gear and had about 10 minutes of work with the trainer. Turner is also a chance to get a gig as a forward (bit of a "hail mary"), Tomlinson looking strong, is he likely to get the sub position? (maybe not flexible enough) JJ working hard and showing reliable kicking skills. Overall it was a quick session, started with run throughs, then went to kicking drills within the forward arc with 4 starting points in congestion and some kaos. They spilt into their lines. Backs finding spread and delivering through the middle. Mids going lateral before heading into the forward area. The Forwards delivering into their clump, where Stafford hangs out and directs. They grouped, signed some small balls for the crowd , and then went into some simple goal kicking drills. They left the field in drips and drops.

AFL Training Sessions Open Training Details: Where: Gosch's Paddock When: Sunday 10th September Time: 11.30am-12:30pm https://www.melbournefc.com.au/teams/training-times

Well, I thought we had grown as team, wrong again. Back to the same old problem that has been stalking us. Taking our opportunities and converting from inside 50's. Hopefully they can reset.

Didn't we slap this mob around last time we played them. Gave them a sense of being close to us by, missing lots of gettable goals and giving them the last 3 of the match. The Woodens have to come up with a plan to beat us, as our way is superior. Be interesting to see how they adapt to our, see ball, get ball game. We play our way, they are forced into something different, otherwise we roll them. There is a chance they go to ruffle us up. Vines, JVR, May and Sparrow say give me more of that. We will miss Melky, though the forward roles should be the same same. Want them all to contribute when it is their time to impact. Go Dees

If the predicted wind comes (40 k before the rain), I expect the wet to pass quickly. Hope it blows itself out. It won't be a wet weather slog, more a dump making for a slippery ball and surface, then it clears.

He was looking very trim and fit. His preparations must be professional, and so giving himself every chance for a call up.

I could only see strapping on Kossie, and none of the others. A good year for the training staff.

Turned up just as they were walking out through the spectator's guard of honour (also as they left, though no time taken to sign anything). Appears they are focused internally. The session was fumbly and with bad deliveries early on. The wind was very gusty. At one stage Williams pulled them up, and call out “lift the standards”, they responded well. They were low-key out there, the effort was made by the youngsters and those on the periphery of selection. Noise volume by the players was underwhelming. I get the impression that they have cocooned themselves, and are going about it with each other. Probably good news, as they are the ones who need to find themselves in the zone tomorrow, blocking the external noise out, may help. Go Dees

They have been trying to get some stories going, but they don't have much about us. What I've seen is Tracc cooking and Kossie being inconsistent. The other one is Grundy, unlikely he will play and it gives them a lead to Collingwood. Flying under the radar, with training out at Casey. Tomorrow they will hype up, as the Captain's run is in the city, and the media will be in competition for an angle.

Not sure if having him deep in the forward area is the best place for him. I don't think he has the forward craft that Melky would've brought, perhaps Tracc in deep for a few plays. I want him front and centre of the pack, then applying his pressure when they think they have an outlet. Set him up in the pockets, as his snaps from there are great. If possible leave the goal square area empty, by pushing high, then we have a place to lead back into, with kicks over the back. Can't bomb it to the 30 meter area in the arc. Like us, they will easily intercept those ones. Our forwards have been looking very mobile of late. Run their backs all over the park, so they can't set the zone and then give me some precision passes.

He was making a comment about Kysiah. Who I reckon will have a great finals series, because of the growth in his understanding of his role, emotional maturity and is experienced. I thought his last half dozen games were good and he has some consistency happening. It all started after the coaches decided to give him some time at centre bounces. Got his hands on it early in the quarters, brought his tenacious pressure, and has been adding some goals and X-factor. @Jaded No More Commentator looking at his early season form, and not really seeing his growth.

Colly's have been picking and choosing when to play most of the season. Finals have to be for the 4 quarters. We will push the entire time. Will the Colly's be able to sustain a full game when having to work hard? If we stop or neutralise a few of their take it through corridors and angle changes, we will get them. As their high energy exertion moments, are not sustainable. I think they have a power game, and aren't going to do the bread and butter. If they give us the momentum I believe we will run away with it. A comeback is unlikely for them as we will half expect it (given their history this season). We are flying under the radar at the moment. I imagine the players are focused to get this first one under the belt. Clarry has to work through the tags, which he did last year. Our wingers are smart and won't give the Pies an easy out. Our contest will give them little ball use, we get the ball first, problem could be not getting the ball to the outside, where the Pies will be lurking. Cause turnovers, get intercepts, be smart with ball and don't give it back to them. Go Dees!

I assume we had a run at the "G" on Saturday. It would have been a closed session. They were late to the VFL game, so they did something. If at Casey or Gosch's, there would have been some social posts from the MFC.

Funny if not true. Poor indictment of the world and the greed of us. The oligarchs make the rules to suit, then belittle the victims of their rules.

Jefferson's last few games in the H&A, showed his was developing, OK. Without having a big forward with him he looked lost. Even when they pushed him up the field he just couldn't get near it. You would think in a game that has a fair bit attached to it, he would have to run at the ball. When he got close to it he fumbled. Did he even get a tackle. Thought today he was back to his early season form. He needs some kind of pre-season and early form next year, to get me thinking he is a possible for a game at AFL level. McVee turned up to pre-season looking bigger, and with a great attitude. Hoping Jefferson doesn't take time off yet. Maybe a couple of weeks for Chrissy.

Has Collingwood done the same as us, with their AFL listed in the game against Williamstown? Sorry didn't see the start, (watching the US open, Djoko won after being 2 sets down). Given the quarter-time score, it appears so. Looks like the low jumper numbers are out there, so, I guess not.

Good year from Casey. Those close losses at the end of the H&A, hurt them. Tough to go back to back. Gee, they missed Dunstan.

There is also a good chance they don't know the names, nor the cohesion/connection with the add ons.

They show the Dee's players on the telly. Where are the AFL Dogs? Beveridge had them playing for themselves!

Verrall is not a backman, misses a hit up. Then in the ruck on the Dogs arc, taps it to a Dogs player. Put him forward, and play Farris-White as ruck. I guess they see him as the first pick ruck, given how much time he has played there, with Bell or Farris-White available.

Three early goals in the 3rd to Dogs. Makes it a climb of Everest for us. Dees 34 Dogs 87

We really need them to turn their game around. Jefferson especially, as our spear head, given all our usual forwards are out. C'mon Casey Take control