kev martin

I could do some poverty virtue signalling, like 38 m2 apartment, income of $8000 a year (no welfare) for two of us, no car etcetera, but the main reason I choose the area is a bit similar to why you are in the MCC members area, safety and facilities. Not much social housing here and the associated turmoil, well lit streets that have plenty of people around at all times, not too close to night spaces and the associated inebriated. Then there is easy access to necessary infrastructure, CBD, botanical gardens, art gallery, MCG and shops. The cost of apartments are about the same price, wherever they are built. Some areas of Melbourne have now become dangerous due to poverty, deprivation, lack of opportunities and aspirations of those living there. Has Ballarat got that? Society is splitting. Two tiered education and health systems, social/entertainment events where access and quality is based on financial capacity, plus a huge wealth gap that determines opportunities.

Hibbo was doing the full running program with everyone else. Though, a little bit behind some of the others. He and Lever were gasping, so was Tracc (who may have been "bunging" it on). A couple of the young ones dropped out, as well as Fritta (I think), close to the end.

The captain's run is usually on Gosch's the day before the game. Sunday 11th at 9.30am. Will the main Casey training be, Thursday or Friday? Probably, Thursday the 8th. Then it's a ten day break till the next game, Thursday night. So I assume something like this break. Three days off, would make it Friday 16th, 11 or 11.30 am, for the recovery and review at Gosch's (unless it is Saturday), Monday 19th for the main session at Casey, then captain's run on Wednesday 21st 9.30 am, Gosch's.

There was a lot of running today. Perhaps they thought it best not to put him out there, as his competitive nature may have had him pushing too much.

The players were on the paddock early, so it was difficult to see who had light duties as most are already in the main group. Harry Petty running and kicking in his rehab phase, though still in runners. K.Turner in boots, but still in his running program. Hibbo training. Will Verrall training. James Harmes training. I cannot see Clayton Oliver. No BBB. No Jake Bowey, asked a staff member, and they said progressing well in the concussion protocols. He also said, they know they won ugly against Carlton and expect a close one against Collingwood. Extensive training session. Plenty of running and a drill I haven't seen before. They play keeping off, using an outside circle of players with the defenders inside. A kind of soccer warm up formation, but a larger area. Ball movement drills using 3/4 of the field. One group with the mids passing it round by hand, till a whistle and they find an outside runner that comes from the defensive group, who delivers to leading forwards. Two groups, one looking inside, the other towards the boundary for the runners. They are finishing up with more running. "Another ten and we go again". Tmac is observing from a wheelie frame, as his foot is heavily bandaged. End of the session. A few stay back, goal kicking and some pair up for ball handling, Sparrow and Laurie, Salem and McVee, and Verrall in for some extra running with a trainer on his shoulder.

The world has become a two teared system. Those who can afford to get through the doors into comfortable areas, and the others. I am of the "other", and I feel aggrieved that money makes such a difference to participation and perks. The world is no longer egalitarian and what social class one is born into is the greatest marker for having a seat in the members area, corporate box or in the outer (metaphor for life experiences). The higher social class gives members in that family so many more opportunities and ease to success, than the majority, is amazing to me. The main quality difference appears to be greed. Given I have had to pay to upgrade my GA tickets, and the seat is not any better, it is making even a H&A game an expensive experience. Your experiences are different to mine. I feel I have no power to change that, and that it is in the hand of your class to impact and tear down the walls. Within that structural separation, I wonder if I can still call you my brother or sister. Tempted to call you "boss" or "master", as the lower classes slip further away from the Aussie dream of egalitarianism. I know I have unrealistic expectations but, the world is accelerating towards a greater separation of us.

I've found that as well. An example was in our loss to Freo, a supporter was claiming loudly that "if Lever plays again, he will never watch again". I am bewildered. Really unhappy people, or have such high expectations, or maybe entitlements. Where we have have been in the past 50 years, and where we are at the moment. That way of support doesn't add up?

So many supporters mainly from other clubs, give calls to the ump when it is obvious to most that there is nothing to see here. Carlton calling "ball", all night long on Friday, is an example. So glad that is not in the MFC supporters DNA. Would hate for us to be like that. Bad umpire decisions either way, effect a good game. Winning liking that, is for me disappointing. I even call the footy gods in when a howler of a bad decision leads to a kick on goal and we miss. Sometimes when I barrack I get the, I am annoying, type of feedback. When I was in WA, many wanted to fight and use personal abuse. So, sometimes it is time and place. Has happened at the MCG as well. A Hawthorn supporter at the last game we played was really "off". There are many nuisances to support and just making noise that is contrived is taking the reality and drama out of the sport. The stuff that occurs with some clubs when the home team scores is weird. I reckon each to their own though.

No one out on Gosch's this morning. I assume they have a longish weekend off.

I have a feeling he has been given the freedom to "take it on", keeps him happy, and playing on the edge. He'll have to start taking them, otherwise your strategy should displace that licence. On the Casey thread, a few were discussing selfish kicking goal acts by Fritta (the left foot dribble for goal, instead of a handball). Kossie has a bit of self first about some actions. Need our forward line finding a balance between, team first acts and the magic. A few are team first all the time, ANB, TMac, JJ, JVR, and others do some magic, Trac, Fritta, Kossie, Chandler, Langdon (when near goal), and sometimes Harmes. It isn't a backline problem, they are always as one unit. It's a fine line between, ego, game lifting/winning acts and playing the percentages. I for one, cannot figure out the balance required. I am sure that the coaches are on it.

Kossie's timing is completely off, quite often doesn't even get hands to the ball, and consequently gets the "unrealistic" adjudication. On Friday he was getting in the way. Wish he would get it right, as he really gets up there and usually comes down like a cat. Otherwise, front and centre should be his role.

Isn't this discussion in the wrong thread? If you take it to the post Carlton game post, I would offer my opinion.

I think a win is crucial, no matter how close. Gives a pecking order boost, though we can't play all our cards in this game. Have to hold a few secrets, till the finals period. Wins create confidence and better a ladder position, that also reduces mental pressure and leaves us focusing on "building" and not so much on "learnings", especially as we enter the second half of the season.

I'd like to see Kos stay in the forward area, as I feel he doesn't add enough to the midfield, and the swing seems to effect negatively, how he plays his roles.

I agree with the sentiment. Though, I feel aggrieved when an irresponsible act, ends up with the victim not being able to continue, and the perpetrator keeps playing. Not sure if a send off system will stop the "act", but the influence of being a player down can change the outcome. Occasionally the "act" effects the perpetrator negatively, so swings and round abouts, I guess. Comfortable either way, though if send off becomes a rule, they would want to get it right. Half time tribunals (LOL). Prosecutors and defence barristers, with magistrate in the review room. Unsustainable, especially if they have to pay Carlton like KC's. Opens a can of worms. With you, 3165. Leave the game alone.

He will play, given he wanted to play Friday (according to some interviews). My question, will he break down while out there. Hope he doesn't, but is he listening to his body? His rehab seemed to be go hard, work his way through it, by pushing.

I believe they have changed that this season. We used to win by playing one great quarter, now we are usually pushing for the whole game. I agree about it being a close one. Who will stand up in the last?

Thanks for those beats. A couple of things: Talk is cheap, do do do. I would rather be at the "G" Monday, than anywhere else. De Goey is being sent to J'Berg. Arabs and Chinese are good for Melbourne. Can't wait for the return of the General (Oliver) to assist the Commander (Tracc). Go Oliver's army, bring "it", and the swarm.

Collingwood seem to want to choose when they "go" or not. If they play that kind of arrogant game plan, we will easily beat them. Especially without De Goey effecting the midfield battle. I expect them to be "going", and we have to be "going" with them. If they get a good lead we will be done. This year we are better at playing for the 4 quarters. We've lost the capacity to put several goals on in short periods regularly (can't rely on a good burst) . If we sustain our pressure, effort and complete the fundamentals well for the 4 quarters, then we go a long way to beating them. My question is, can the Woods play a hard fought 4 quarter game, as I think we can? Go Dees

What a big game. Really looking forward to it. It is a setting the pecking order game. Can we play close to perfect or at least smart footy. If not that, then hard, desperate footy for 4 quarters will do. Can't give them many turnovers as Colly's will make us pay because they can go very fast to their offensive transition. Third game in Melbourne and at the MCG, plenty of time to freshen up, get routine, and stability. Which should help, mind and body be right. C'mon Dees perform on the big stage. I remember when this was our "finals" type match for us in the season. We have come so far. Now to get it done, build our confidence, and set us up for a good year.

Thought it was a good win. Kept our nose infront all night. Responded well after the Blue's got a run on. The quick runs from the a slinging backline were great. A better handball game than last week. A couple of series were right on the edge, and ended up breaking the line and leading to effective inside 50 marks. We looked a quicker team. After the scrutiny Carlton faced by the media, I thought they may have made it a closer game. They were desperate at times, and we handled their pressure. We managed the tempo better than other recent games (still a work in progress) and played the switch several times as well. Didn't give junk time goals, though the last 4 minutes of game looked a bit unsteady when we were trying to ice it. They fumbled a fair bit in the first half, then we started playing to their level. Happy we lifted in the last quarter. Max marking the ball, really helps us.

We are fine, clear night, spent the week in Melbourne, on prime time MCG. They want to turn the season back our way. Fight Dees, help each other, 1 percenters, swarm, play smart, get some tempo, hold our marks, convert our opportunities, and don't turnover in a handball panic. Go Dees

Underperforming players, Chandler, Spargo, McVee, even Langdon. Shake them up, best 23 isn't set yet, put a fire under them, perform, execute, or back to the 2nds for a week. Get JJ to take'em on, and see if he can do the spectacular instead of the team first.

Thank you Sped, great reading, balanced, easy to read and uplifting. Please post more of these well considered, and gentle thoughts. How lucky those kids of yours are, if your parenting approach is anything like what you have offered. Keep the beautiful communication and I assume the parenting work up.

I was told he was there. Lewis said he saw Verrall in a photo, head shaven. Missed that, good chance he turned up late to rehab, was incognito doing the main training, or made his way down for the celebrations