kev martin

I had a look at the AFLW team train on Gosch's. The temperature was increasing, and the wind a bit gusty. Pisano and Colvin both in full training mode. Paxman, was not running at all, though lingering around the area. My guess is that they will test her tomorrow. Beasley was hobbling around, Johnson rehabbing with short change of direction runs. Hore left training early, no obvious hindrances. At one stage, Colvin ran off the blind spot of Gall when the ball went over the back, head collision occurred. Colvin came off worse. I heard the assistant say she caught it on the shoulder and head. Both stopped training. I think they should be OK. Rigoni was training well. Ben Brown was working with the forwards, at the ball up situations and participating in the sims.. Goldy has only one speed at training as well. B.Mackin was getting to the majority of ground ball contests. Zanker's marking was sharp, with hard running to create links down the wing. Forwards running patterns caused space to open up. Plenty of focus, support, teamwork, and professionalism on display. Heath was doing some great outside running and connections. Pearce dominated the ruck and consistently tapping to the advantage of the mids. Some transition from the full back and defensive wing simulations were clean and fast. They were looking good.

Much more of a power mover, low centre of gravity, with heavy hips and shoulders. Explosive speed is good, whereas sprinting is not Sestan's friend, yet.

Oliver was half a step behind the trainer, some gasping for air, working hard. Appeared a touch underdone, like he hadn't had a run for awhile.

Sestan with shirt off has that contoured muscle shape, working hard on endurance and speed.

27th September A few MFC runners hitting the AIA track, in casual wear. Some central running 150m and hard boundary running, 600 to 1K. Viney, TMac, Rivers, Sestan, Adams, Turner, McVee, Howes, running in groups with a timed program. Oliver not grouped, running with a trainer.

AFLW next training Gosch's Paddock Thursday, September 26 3.00-3:45pm https://www.melbournefc.com.au/teams/training-times

The music put them in some rhythms for this morning run. Light duties included Mackin, Zanker, Rigoni, Taylor, Johnson. Paxmen still restricted, attending some drills. Many didn't have numbers on their kit. I couldn't tell how Beasley trained. Tayla and Pearce still assisting on the track. Simulations, the squad split into two groups, ground ball gets and hit up to two leading forwards. The other was stoppage and clearance around the defensive mid. Plenty of goal kicking practice during the session. They finished with two teams taking on the coaches and tie-ins, The teams rotated in and out, as the coaches battled the flood of strong players, coaches ran out of steam.

18th September 2024 Jack Viney out on Gosch's with Chandler, Turner, Sestan, Kentfield and K.Brown. Small runs and kick to kick. Then headed off to AAMI. Probably to the meeting about the Caulfield announcement

Down at Gosch's the MFC AFLW having a morning session. Tayla in an arm brace. Pearce with a forearm support, takes the centre clearances as a coach, assisting Watt. McNamara, Mithin, Pisano and Lampard, working ground ball and exiting in an alley. There were some great taps. Backline, Paxman kicking ball into an aerial clearance near the goal square Gillard punches well causing ground ball, the wave then handballs, kicks beyond the defensive 50. Forwards were kept on the move with a one on one defensive team. Passes within the 50 and kicks around the body were drilled. Purcell moving around with a trainer and running timed jogs. Rigoni running some extensive drills around the boundary, and some time running with Johnson Mackin working through a calf issue, stayed with the main squad. The woman looked well-connected to each other, skills were on show through games, handball in bibs, a hit the small net with kick or handball and, gathers then snaps for goal around decoys. In other areas of the Olympic Park, Storm were training up against a run on team and the Victory squad were out setting structural pre-season habits and formations.

Gosch's Paddock has fresh markings, Zanker was painting the line. Is there a chance of a captain's run Saturday morning?

The MFC AFLW headed off towards Olympic Park via the Boulevard bridge, perhaps some courts hired or a run on the MCG.

AFLW Thursday, September 12 3.40-5:00pm AIA Centre https://www.melbournefc.com.au/teams/training-times Gosch's Paddock has a maintenance program ongoing. The women are on the Glasshouse oval. (I think that is the AIA)

I believe we will get the best from Tracc on the field in 2025. He has to keep his trade value high.

This may just blow over. No club will deal with his contract. The players know, and have a bond that includes multi-generational in a variety of leagues. It is why the MFC can "celebrate" end of season with him. Bridges aren't burnt. Gives us plenty to get entertained about in a finals series that we are not included in. We are on the lips of the media hordes. Must have taken a leaf out of the Collingwood play book. That's branding.

Hoping Tracc is more Dada like. "The art, poetry and performance produced by dada artists is often satirical and nonsensical in nature."

He could follow A.Yze to Richmond to help with their rebuild (they have the biggest membership). They have plenty of draft pics and Lynch. Don't fight for a player who doesn't want to be at MFC. Can only be disruptive to us, and without being driven he could let himself decline. Most big professional leagues around the world transfer players all the time. AFL has been an outlier, though is catching up. Tracc is part of the world's high performance athletes, and expects what that cohort does.

Bump has to be finished with now, as any player bumping has to watch for the opposition player fending it off with their head. No self duty of care required. Moore new Kossie was going to bump, and lowered his body.

Wow click bait for the pessimists, the negatives and the told you so groupies. It is not over, we still have two games to play. Winning isn't everything. I like being a spectator, and will enjoy listening to these last games. Do you mean not making finals, not being competitive, or not a grandfinals contender? All that doesn't detract me from enjoying the game. We are still a competitive team. Those expressing this realistic though sour assessment are bad losers. We got beaten by better teams on the day. If a few of the close results went our way, the season appraisal would've been different Hoping we still build and don't fall down further. I guess the geniuses expressing prophecy on this site, already know.

I'll try a theory. From my recollection, at the time of the introduction to night footy (friday), the MFC didn't get too many look ins. When we did get a night game it was in the middle of winter. My generation didn't get condition to attending and we saw most friday night games from the comfort of our own lounges. After the introduction of Saturday night games and the subsequent popularity to attend, did the night fixtures get going. I also recollect that there was a delayed start to the broadcast, which encouraged attending. We oldies are still prone to watch lesser attended games from the home, given cost, late finishes, and live broadcasts.

We have been shown to have a soft belly, at times lacking will power, and ruthlessness. We are very much a momentum team. When not going our way we struggle to get it back on our terms. It is our brand and culture that Goody has struggled with. His attempt to express what we stand for strikes me more as about hope then reality. If Goody goes and he walks into a club (many would have him) with strong values then his job would have to be easier. He works hard to get them playing for the jumper etcetera. It just takes time, persistence, and resilience to bolster our culture. Ever tried to change your personality. That is what he is up against. Stick with him, he is good for the club. If our brand doesn't change then it is not on him but on the entire organisation. Harden up MFC.

I like the MFC supporters base. Rarely Boo inappropriately, they have a good feel for the game, applaud great play from either team, knowledgeable of the rules, don't make ridiculous calls to the umpires, humble, happy, and many more virtues. Would not want to be a supporter of Woods, Blues, Bombs, or Coasters. I don't know enough about the SA teams fans. If getting big crowds turns us into similar packs of narcissistic fanatics it would diminish my joy of the game. Our suupport isn't perfect, though it's qualities are much better than many. We are the type supporters base I like belonging to. Go Dees

I think @Abyssal has stated he does not "spew vitriolic" statements about MFC players. I think he goes into bat for those who do, which has created the confusion.

I think there are many who go "all in", till they move on to something else. It is all about entertaining our moments. The keyboard warriors love those moments, and the attention they get. Doesn't mean they stay doing the same thing. Many move on, experiences in this world are vast and varied, as we find other entertaining/passionate ways. It's a big wide world, don't get stuck in the safety of home and in the same job for the 50 years. Take a risk, as certainty and stability is overrated and unattainable. The fair weatherers come back when we win (not a good trait). Most just come and go as their life moves forward. Because they move on, doesn't mean they are not, haven't been or won't be again, passionate about the MFC.

Heard some pre-game statistics of us making the four, about 3%, making the eight, 30 %. A loss, zero chance of making the four. Many aren't investing in the season after such a dominant few years. The exit out of finals in straight sets when we were strong doesn't instill confidence in us fighting. We have now returned to the many decades of us relying on other teams results just to get in the finals series. Post traumatic shock of us being easy beats and of course the ski season having a shorter period (if there is snow you better go), is my guess for the poor showing. Personal reason is, I am out of the country. I don't mind the fair weatherers jumping, as I enjoy the open spaces in the good viewing areas, and as I am vocal, I won't get the ire of the opposition's supporters. Though GWS fans have never retaliated to my incessant and inane voice. Go Dees

They often turn up on mass at the Gosh's training. On special days they can be seen collecting awards for their work, other times they are part of the community campaigns, as guests observe the trackers. The numbers can vary from a handful, to the entire admin staff. Seems the club will work hard to be connected, given the non optimal situation of the physical separation of departments.