kev martin

When they did get a goal, I was calling for another, and to fight as most North supporters had their head in their hands, after that 1st quarter and early second, blitz. Though they did get some opportunities early in the second, held it in there with multiple entries, but our backs absorbed that pressure well, and North were cooked.

Noticed , he has put on more bulk, and can now stand up in tackles. Your right, good link player.

I was barracking for North at various times during the game. I like interesting, competitive footy. The North supporters, barely anything from them, resignation only. They just couldn't get any rhythm and when they scored we replied, and held the momentum from them. They did slow our scoring a few times but the dam kept breaking.

At times last night, the quietness of the crowd allowed me to hear all the noise the players make. Loved the talking we do, mainly structural, calling for the ball, encouragement, from what I could make sense of. I could hear it from the Q area (level 4) of the Warne Stand. The MCC has been opening the AFL Reserve Q area, to anyone, on those small crowd nights, so, was able to get a seat right in front of the wing area.

I noticed a sneaky car park area some were using. It is between the on/off area to the domain tunnel, making for quick access to the freeway, or Batman ave. It is on a service road that leads to the electrical station of the tunnel, via a dirt road. To get to the MCG, cross the domain tunnel rd and go up the back stairs of AAMI park. The other sneaky park is near punt rd, with an entrance under the freeway, off punt Rd heading north.

I thought the Roos banner, something about 5 interstate games, was a bit defeatist. The players look at that, feel tired, and have an excuse. They need motivational, emotional messages.

Great running and use of the open spaces, some of our swarming was undefendable. The backline also swarmed by playing out the back. North kept bombing into their forwards, and our backs were just too strong at the fall of the ball, and first to it, if it hit the turf. Love our accurate goal kicking. JVR and Schache couldn't find separation. I don't particularly like games when the other team is never in it. Gee, North have so much to do to make a cohesive style and to have any purpose/structure, so often they looked lost and confused about what to do. We are rolling well.

TMac or Laurie as Sub. Maybe they will go with Tom.

Wouldn't that be great. Hope the A-league get a team in Hobart, a 12 team comp isn't quite enough. If they expand into Asia as well, great for tourism. Getting on board, and the seating numbers would be expanded, if moveable stands then reconfiguration would make for great concert spaces, etcetera. The stadium would then be used on consecutive weeks for some of the year, as games alternate, benefiting the financial integrity. Our national teams, men and women, could have a good bunker in Tas.

Schache is tall and has good hands. You are right though, how is his change of direction ability? Especially as some of our stategies early in the season was about getting the ball over the back. When he has an opponents body chequing him, will he be able to push back? TMac was the one today who was really struggling with those change in direction movements, not because of injuries, but he appears heavier and that big frame he has makes it difficult to stop and push off again.

I think Schache will go alright if the training track is any indication. He was leading well to the forward deliveries. Those that didn't quite make it to him he was able to mop up. A kick to below his knee, marked it. The one that went to wide, he got one hand to it and paddled, then from the boundary, rolled it through. The easy ones, with some angled leads, no problem marking and finishing. He'll be an interesting inclusion. Looks fit, strong and appears to want to impact. How will he go, when he has opponents?

I would like Kossie to get back to his attacking and defensive best. Today at training it was Goody who was giving him plenty of talk and emotions. At one stage he gathered him in with an arm across his shoulders and held him there for a good minute, whispering sweet plenties.

May looked good, hitting his kicks with precision, vocal and moving reasonably well.

Addit: After the AFL finished, the Casey, MFC listed had a run. I didn't stay around as I had appointments to meet. They were led out by Salem, probably doesn't mean much. Tomlinson walking by himself and looked a bit forlorn.

Not sure if anything I do as a poster influences game day. Perhaps you mean the club. So much happens behind closed doors, and I suspect there is not much difference between clubs. Though, those subtle differences have an impact. My main impact is to boost entertainment value in the build up, offer some degree of speculation, and of course give some perspective for those who don't/can't attend trainings. Best way we can help optimise our chances on game day, is large crowds and the associated noise. Go Dees.

Sorry about some of the poor grammar, and of course, "Clarke" (auto correct). Love your interpretation @La Dee-vina Comedia Small new phone, bright sunshine (making it difficult to see screen), when posting from the paddock.

Fritsch was working fairly hard with the trainer. Mainly doing ball work and movement in a 10 X 10 meter area. There was no obvious gait related problem.

Didn't see Harmes. When kicking for goal, Clarry looked super concentrated, otherwise not doing too much, and a bit low key when drilling.

They're looking great. Drills fast and clean, all are boisterous and going. TMac, L.Bailey and D.Turner in the squad. Fritta is doing his own program away from the others. Chandler has light strapping above his left knee. He is moving unrestricted. They've had a few gather rounds, group talking, etcetera. The ball movement when going from backline to forwards was beautiful. Finished with goal kicking and talls doing some marking and the small backs having a discussion with Chaplin. Sparg's and Petty doing some run throughs over on the soccer pitch. Petty went over and had a chat with the squad and Chandler training. The squad spent about 50 minutes out there.

I'm told the nickname was Diesel. Sorry for the misleading information. Lever was really animated when the calls came, called it out three times. Funny how I misheard.

Oops Thanks Saty.

Lever was calling out a nickname to Schache. "Weasel", I was taken a back. Perhaps he has weaseled his way into the team, or his bonding with deep and meaningful discussions.

Yes, there was one of those bands underneath the patella, which was quite thick. Then, bandages/ knee support on top off that. He was also in a rehab top, and did minimal out there, finished with a slowish lap of the oval. Not obviously hindered (no limp), but with a quick turn around, my guess would be, probably not.

Some of the dialogue was about Anzac day being a recruitment drive.

No very far from a full training. Just a quick, boisterous run which had a bit more intensity then normal. They didn't split into the lines. It has been suggested to me that they won't have a main training session this week. Next one is the captain's run on Friday, 9.30 am Gosch's paddock. (Probably)