kev martin

I've been looking at the Melbourne Victory's website. They put out a statement and another from the league 5 days ago. Since then nothing. They play the incident by giving nothing, and probably hoping it blows itself away after they learn the sanctions the league may hand to them sometime today. Put the options on the table, give the fans some warning about possible changes to game day and crowd controls. The members are not included in the behind door discussions that must be going on after such disturbing actions in that abandoned match. They will get their sanctions and then inform us of the game day protocols. Lack of dialogue with the grassroots is the problem.

The problem has to be that the APL (Australian Professional Leagues, A-league) sold the grandfinal to Sydney. There was not enough consultation and being gently led down that path. Fans are disturbed and disappointed. The active supporters lost control and surged. Why did the City goalie pick up a flare and throw it back into the Victory's fans seating area. He should have just left the field and let the security deal with it. I am not condoning the actions, but it is best to placate and not incite. Hoping they don't play games without crowds, though unless they change the decision of where the grand is played, more trouble may be brewing. It is the peoples game and not the administrators (especially when decision are not supported by the majority and based on dollars). The APL could do much better popularising the game with more free to air games and as popularity increases so do crowds and money from the broadcasters. They have plenty of juniors playing, it just doesn't to translate into A-league support. Even internationals playing friendly games here get bigger crowds. I don’t think it is the quality of the A-league but how it it sold and presented by the APL. Selling out to Sydney is just another of their poor decision making.

Thanks Swoop, what time was the session?

The glasshouse oval and Gosch's make two. Funds to develop further!

Was it a simulation (plenty of resets) or a mini intraclub game with scoring? Thanks for the report Deespicable.

Our new gym is getting a workout, established just behind the scoreboard pavilion. Gosch’s surface is pretty good, though it is getting a bit dug up/divots. A suburban team has been training there in the afternoon regularly, the MFC women just finished, plus the local community use it as an off leash dog area (fully fenced area) or personal training place. I don't mind too much, as it is holding up, except faeces possibly being left for us, and that rubbish is usually on the fence boundary. When visiting I always pick it up and bin it. Latest finds on Monday was, three used flares, numerous water bottles(6) and empty beer cans/bottles (8). They actually left a full one for me, which I gave to my partner. Addit: I don't think Collingwood, also having a public space field would have similar problems, as the admin and club rooms overlook the ground. Public use would have to be respectful otherwise the members lurking around would be onto them.

Wow, if correct, we are going in hard right off the bat. My guess would be the same Nev, red/blue training jumpers and a scoreboard, what else would it be.

Do you think they will use it as immediate feedback/review kind of device?

It is new, i have not seen it.

I'm off on my holidays. Won't be able to report on training till after the new year. Happy holidays to everyone.

Too many run ons for me to recognise him. Now I know his number 43. What I did notice was he was sided up with Kossie and there are quite a few first nations people around. Whelan has an offsider, and a run on #33, who is a whippet. Later in the Monday session he was on the training bike. I assume they want to to increase his fitness levels and ease him in slowly. I thought I saw him getting a little physiotherapy on his hip area.

At the time we picked her up, I thought she was a bad fit for the club. (Disrupt the cohesion amongst the existing players) On reflection, she is no "Diva". Played strong, no fuss footy. Just gets on with it, on or off the field, and appeared to re-established a great comradeship with all. I agree with BDA, necessary part of our jigsaw.

I think Daniel Turner's skills are improving and his body is developing, J. Smith has had his development restricted, due to having large blocks of injury. Deakin Smith looks like he will remain in Casey team this season, not training with the main group, appears the same for Moniz-wakefield. Their training schedule could also be, the need for a modified program, or they have turned up not in a very fit condition. D. Turner would have to be ahead given his youth and potential. As for Kye Turner, unknown quality, so difficult to compare.

Everyone was still very supportive of his (Sestan's) efforts. He has huge hips, great centre of balance prospect as will be difficult to move off his space, and so has plenty of weight (bone mass) to move. Hoping for big improvements in his times as he gets into some full-time training.

First time I've ever seen it. I thought about 10 players participated in kicking down the alley and being filmed. Gets them to really square the hips and shoulders to the goals, and makes for a very straight run up. At one stage they were kicking very accurately and Williams put them another 10 metres out. Be interesting to see if they continue with this, and if others do the program. Looks like another Williams creation.

At one stage the players were asking him how many kicks he (Sestan) got that day. He was last in the time trials.

I didn't take much notice, Going about his business, with the backs. A big squad out there today.

I think Jefferson will be a pure forward. Our third talls, could be TMac, BBB, and Tomlinson. They were all doing ruck work at some stages, together with Grundy and Max. Verral was mainly on the outside of the squad today. He did kicking in a small group and some physical training all under supervision of a coach.

Quiet, I think he is just going about his business, I get the sense that he doesn't want to ruffle the feathers as a new addition to the team. Focusing on cohesion and comradeship.

JVR looking great. In the sims he was their go to man a few times. Lovely hands, good lead and double back. Easily got away from Lever, though Lever had to work on two attackers and regularly had to guard the space. Need more time to look at Jefferson, appears to be doing most things adequately, except goaling which he does effortlessly. His fitnees not up to scratch yet, endurance is lacking. He has the posture type where his head is slouched forward, wish someone would tell him to stand up straight.

I was thinking the same thing, not so much about his love life though. Could do with a full preseason so as to get him strong and resilient. Hope they are just being cautious and he gets into it soon. Mainly worked the bike and not the rowing machine.

A wintery morning, coldish and windy. Great morning for the time trials, headwinds on one side and a tail on the punt rd side. Clarry smashed it. Goody was over the moon, they embraced several times. He is set for a ripper. Looking thin, nearly wirey. He is also showing some leadership qualities. Others out front were Adam Tomlinson, he was in a different group to Clayton but gee, beat Tmac by at least 25 metres. ANB caught the front group. Some bad news, Hibbo was having difficulty with his Achilles, left training. Petracca was the only one missing. So many new players out there. Here are some new numbers, 6 Grundy, 12 Hunter, 19 Schache, 26 Jed Adams, 28 Verral, 33, 38, 39, 43 (Burgoyne?), 45, 46 Sestan, 47 Jefferson and 47 Farris-white. Plenty of train ons. Clarry has the hair bun. Langdon has crewed. Salem white. After the time trials, they got into their boots, and it began. Competitive right from the start. Into two stations, two players competing for position as the ball is thrown in the air, the other was soft tackling as the front player picks up a ground ball. Moved into three stations, short kicks, and the other two I can't remember. They transitioned to handball games with 6 on two in bibs. They then went to two stations, a sim with minimal tackling, (Hunter caught my eye with great outside run and kicks to advantage, Kossie and Sparrow as well). The other was a hard tackling handball game in restricted space. The tackler was not brought to the ground, but was expected to break and get the handball (plenty of noise as they prove to each other their shimmy and ability to stand up). They went to their lines. Looks like TMac is with the back-line, as is Woewodin, and Salem stay there as well. Tomlinson doing some work with the rucks and the back-line. Forwards bringing the ball to ground and snapping. Some mids and forwards kicking down an alley, with a camera under the supervision of Williams for goal. They then got their runners on again and hit up 10, 150 metre, in under 20 sec sprints. Deakin Smith, and Moniz-wakefield, Verral, and Adams on a modified program. Grundy and BBB working together in their individual program. They have moved a gym under the shed where Joel Smith and Angus Brayshaw did light duties and were joined with some of the new players. There may have been some drills I missed, it was a long session and with so many players out, there it was hard to follow. Addit, had a good look at Farris-white kicking when on the run and it was ok, hit lots of his targets. @Tim

We could break with Casey, and with agreement, use Port as our VFL feeder/affiliate club. Gosch's and Aami to be used during cricket. I reckon the reason to have a place around the MCG must be related to where they want the administration to hub.

Thanks for the update. M.Chaplin is always a riot and usually has L.Mithin spurring her on. Congratulations to Katy and the other recipients.