kev martin

Light duties: Fritta, Rivers, Tomlinson, Woey, K.Turner, Verrall. Salem, TMac, Chandler, Hibbo, full training. BBB, Tomlinson, Fritta, and Rivers have now joined the main group after the warm ups. Mithen, Fitzsimons, and McNamara, (AFLW) have joined in for some drills. All under the guidance of Williams. Fritta now goal kicking. Three squads, handball game, soccer game, and Williams’ skill training. Dunstan in rehab, right calf. BBB and Tomlinson leave early, when the others start running harder. The full squad drill is, short passes in a pocket, that lends up on a corner of the fifty, then they kick and run around to the points of the square, which finishes with a lead to the forward area and a kick on goal. All rotate through the ground. That is it, 35 minutes. A few finish with some goal kicking. Tracc, Oliver, Kossie, J.Smith, Farris-White, Grundy. Bowey, and the women (still with Williams). Viney, ball handling with a trainer. May, Lever, Hibbo, and Petty chat.

I'm not so set on JVR, as he is being scapegoated. It is the inconsistency that concerns me. I also assume that concerns the players as well. If they are serious about reducing brain damage, then he shouldn't hit the player with such force. Given that if he put a knee into his head it would be deemed in the act of the game, within the rules of the game. Such is JVR's, within the rules of the game, as I interpret them. They are attempting to change the rules, so as to reduce brain injuries, which I believe is warranted. Just a funny way to go about it. Scapegoat a MFC, non-establshed player. They have done it, so now I expect consistency. No hits to head or heavy impacts when playing. That includes whacks to Gawn's head, players knocking the packs hard, knees to the head when marking, straggling the head when on the ground, (elbows such as what Gotchin does). Complete duty of care, otherwise JVR takes a fall that no other players will take.

Wouldn't he want to look so he can show duty of care and not hit the guy in the head with his fist. It was his follow through that got him. A collision was going to occur. More assessment to the guy after hitting Kossie's leg may have been required. How does he avoid that, unless he goes half-hearted, doesn't make it and pulls up. The AFL MRO, must have decided you cannot run into other players at full power. I want consistency. If consistent, then, players cannot knock over packs anymore and knees to the head when marking have to be against the rules.

Absolutely, they have set the standards and now need the consistency, that has been lacking. Making JVR the scapegoat, should send another message to everyone. Really hope that they do it, but past results show they won't.

CTE is real. The consequences of not showing duty of care can destroy our game. Parents will be reluctant to let their children play and the cost from being sued can destroy the financial viability. No one wants dementia, especially early (age) onset symptoms. We have a contact sport, though a little tweek here and there, can reduce the incidents and severity of potential injury. Can't see how that effects the enjoyment of our game. Limit hits to head and high velocity hits that shake the brain about. I want consistency and that the MFC doesn't becomes a scapegoat without the follow up to other teams.

Should be considered serious, as the consequences for repeated hits to head, no matter the consequences of the impact, can lead to CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy).

The suspension doesn't worry me as the head should be sacrosanct. I want to see consistency, and MFC seems to regularly be the scapegoat without the other teams being scrutinised for similar actions. Clumsy attempt to spoil, though what is he meant to do when charging to the contest and the follow through of his upper arm, not his fist, impacts. No player should hit the head of opponents. I notice it just about every time the scrum forms, after a tackler brings someone to the ground, or, as many have said, hits to the back of the head when marking. Goody could use it as Hardwick would, "us against the world".

Seems to me that there are much less multiple entries into our fwd 50 this season. Maybe, because we are scoring well when the first entry occurs. Whereas, the opponents seem to be able to clam up our defensive rebounds.

I was round the corner (upstairs) in the area that had been designated as the Melbourne game, as posted near the bar. I had a bit of a look during the breaks, but the area you were in had no enthusiasm. A few more downstairs, but the noise from the gamblers downstairs, who weren't into footy was distracting. I noticed you didn't get any broadcast for the start of the game (unless on the small screen). The other supporter left at half-time, leaving me barracking alone. Also, given that your area wasn't posted as a Melbourne screen I thought they may swap to the posted game late in the Melbourne broadcast. The others in the room I was in, were barracking for the opponents, but only in those last 5 minutes. At least that put a bit of flavour into their entertainment. Been to Sporting Globe in Richmond, twice now, and it doesn't work for me. Anyone with a better venue, I would welcome any advice. The Rose in Fitzroy and the Mt View in Richmond have been suggested.

Thought we did alright. On the road again, weather conditions we are not used to, and a very fast track. A few of our players stood up when they had a chance. Gawn was marking well, Tracc having a huge impact with his possession, kept us in it. Our nose was in front most of the evening, fighting well, giving an effort, and not letting them have momentum for long periods. The Suns used the ball well after winning the contest. Loved their composure, steps, ability to find space and the right options when running the ball. Thought more of our possessions had an impact. The backline spent a fair bit of time off their feet. Don't like it when they go to ground, in the contest. Was it slippery out there? Good to get those 4 points. They came at us and we hung in there. Went to the Sporting Globe in Richmond. No atmosphere, no commentary for the first 15 minutes (playing Adelaide v Geelong). Only one Melbourne supporter in the room I'm was in. Could anyone suggest a public place to watch when we aren't in Melbourne, that is in the Prahran, Richmond, inner city areas?

The Tassie Naturals.

They will be at Casey (probably) Wednesday for the main run, and then up to Queensland. I'll give him some consideration next time I see May at Gosch's, though it would be the main training and sims, when the system and the real stuff is revealed. From Mondays session, he appeared to be jovial, working and running just as hard as anyone. He is usually around the defenders, it seems a kind of club within a club.

I have observed that Mark Williams really empathises the ball drop, without that you cannot hit it sweetly. I have also seen him indicate to get the ball over the leg, not to hold the ball in the centre of the body, to move straight at the goal, have the hips and shoulders well positioned and he can tell if the player kicks a goal by the sound of the impact. Max has a kind of, move the ball a bit pendulum like, as he strides in. I am sure Williams has been putting some time into Max, as he has with all of them. Though, I have not seen one on one, I agree he needs some input, but not as nervous as some. In Max I have trust, when we need him he will stand up. Love how steady Tracc now holds the ball, when striding in on his set shots.

I just got home. I can't remember seeing Rivers in with the group today. It could just be that I didn't notice him, and am starting a rumour, or old age is catching up. The last two to leave the training track were, Viney doing personal training with Goody, and Oliver kicking goals under the supervision of Mark Williams.

Just going about it, as normal. Hanging out with May, on his walk back to AAMI after the session.

More like, strapping/support, from wrist to just below the elbow. He didn’t want to use his right, was marking with the left, and doing light training away from the main squad.

At training, getting on with business.

Petty wasn't at training, which was a concern as well. Given that Schache was still training, without using his hand, there is still a possibility.

Great for the club, relief for Kozzie now it is done, and he can put any anxiety (deecision making) behind him. Got get 'em.

17 in the main squad. 4 in the light duties, Hibbo, McVee, Fritsch, JVR. 2 in rehab, Chandler and Verral. K.Turner doing his own program. A morning game of soccer after some running. Those who played for Casey aren't down. Schache has damaged a right wrist, large black supprt on it. Came on the field late. Only marking with left, doing some work and kicking with a personal trainer. All those on light duties, including Chandler have joined the main squad for skills training. They are looking sharp. Now they are into longer runs, Chandler has stepped aside.

A good chance (guessing) the training schedule for this week is: Monday, Gosch's at 11.30 am. Wednesday, Casey at 9.30 am for a main session. A captain's run Friday, on the Gold Coast.

Went off with a leg injury. Maybe the calf, early in the third, I think.

J.Smith, no follow up to his good 2nd quarter. Fell out the game as his opponent tightened up on him. Harmes doing well.

Not sure if he looks restricted. BBB has been getting some involvement, but not coping when an opponent is close to him.

BBB and Tmac need to do more at this level.