kev martin

The numbers of spectators have been down, ever since the training ground kerfufle. We were getting over 100, today around 70. Gee, I think if Tracc laced one of those passes to any of us we probably wouldn't get up, neither alone go again. He really is trying to pinpoint them, Lasers!

J. Smith absent. B. Fritch on an exercise bike. Thought they wound back a bit on the work load today. Could have been due to the morning being hot. I think a few drank a bit before the session, as many had to squat and urinate. Tmac at the 50 meter arc. You really wouldn't want to be rolling around in it! Their concentration in drills was the worst I've seen this season, as plenty of simple drops and misses. When challenged, they did better. Our movement during the handball game is getting better as they run great lines to slice the defenders and break the tackles, though some tackling and herding is great. They are being very supportive of each other, and appear to be having fun. K.Turner played the sims well. Nothing like getting the thumbs up. He ran to space well, read the plays, got involved and made a few take'em-on rebounds out of the backline. JVR plays with a ferocity, though I thought Petty was starting to beat him, but not for long. D.Smith is a bit inconsistent and needs work on his tackling. Spreads well and has a good dance when he gets the ball. Schache has been dropping some marks, when in a contest but in the best position, unlike Max who works hard for the best position and was clutching them. McVee was looking strong and composed when he gets the ball. Lever, May, Oliver, Harmes, Spargo, Brayshaw, Langdon, Jordon, Rivers Sparrow, ANB, Chandler keeping the standards up during sims. Kossie, Tracc, Hunter, and Bowey, the best afield. SLARTIBARTFAST'S TRAINING REPORT

The kaos in drills seems more about creating clear decisions during the drill. They have to search for the correct link There is a method, but players in different tops and lines are running past that aren't involved in the plays of the specific person.

He is also very team orientated. In his earlier sessions, he would let others get to the ball, or would quickly dish it off to them. It is tough in his precarious position. Lately he has been taking them on and pushing harder to get the ball. The longer he is with us the better he is looking, whereas K.Turner is falling off the pace. Burgoyne is a chance, I reckon.

It was straight kicking, 30 m out. I was explaining more the impression Williams has on him. Usually Joel is a pretty good set shot with a smooth gait.

I was watching Joel get some goal kicking assistance from Williams. The one where you kick in the alley and over a dummy. He miss hit every ball. Perhaps he was still suffering with his infection, but he appeared extremely anxious around Williams. Either he scares him or he overly wants to impress him and creates anxiety. He better get over it, if he wants a job forward.

I think they are going to run the legs off opponents. The forward line may play high and the back flanks may push up. [We need to get our transitioning and reactivity right.] During general play, I can see us pushing a back (River's, Brayshaw) and a forward (ANB, Spargo, Kossie) into the middle, with our ruck's filling the kick away from play. We will open our forward area, for getting the ball over the back, and trust the experienced backs to fill and cover. Pack running and hunting, overwhelm them when we don't have it and spread when we do. I don't think they will change that exhausting type of game plan. They will always ask, how long can the opposition go with them till MFC break it open. There is also a chance Kossie will join Rivers, as both get more starts in the middle. Rivers is looking very strong, and makes a difficult match-up. The stuff that will beat us is still the opponents fast balls and switching. Hopes that our wingers can close that down.

I think the brain trust noticed as well. Increase the intensity, make them accountable, have them hardened up. It will be interesting to see if we go in with the killer instinct (I expect so). As McQueen alludes to, can't wait till the Bulldogs game and to see what we've got and what changes happen. Those second half drop off's killed us. Nearly like watching two different games.

Joking aside, I don't think it is loading. I believe it is a change to their approach. The effects will be a ruthless side, who won't be just going through their paces in matches. I think we will get 4 quarters of effort and their best footy, each game. No more softness and giving the other a chance. They are working on their attitudes and mentality. Loading is about the total physical parameters. Which are also occurring. They will be match ready and will build their season. All just my opinion, based on observations and interpretations.

Could be a bit disconcerting. The training's intensity has been high, they have been going at each other, not recklessly but with some fervour, that have left a few with niggles. They want them tough and ready for battle. Good to see plenty of changes in our approach. Structurally (not too much breaking into fwd, back and mid groups, more specific instructions with goal kicking, more time in sims, greater emphasis on the computer analysis with more people hovering over more screens), types of drills (more kaos and complexity), intensity, increased amount of noise (more regularly and louder than other seasons), assisting and instructing each other (often see them one on one, talking and/or drilling), making a highly competitive environment (many activities seem to be them against us, and they are always pushing each other to go stronger/better/smarter), taking a knee and talking as a group near the end of each sessions (I imagine they discuss the purpose/intention/outcomes and air any other business), running programs at the end and not the beginning of the session. It will be interesting to see what this strategy and our long list can produce, especially in the last rounds and possibly finals. Go Dees. Hoping we don't wear them out, though they have bought into the process and our culture appears strong.

When one on one, his defensive skills are more get the ball first. When he is "on", he is a player that can attract the ball too himself and outmanoeuvres his opponent. I've seen him burn both Sparg's and Chandler. He is a more of a Jetta type player, who would take the fast dangerous, crumbing forward, though match him for pace and guile, more than body him away from the contest. He is competitive and fast. Bowey is probably picked before him. Create consistency in his game at Casey, improve the tackling skills, keep building strength, and if he take his chance when a position pops ups, you never know. He is not too far away. Could see D.Smith match up ok on Bolton types (Richmond small) or the motorbike one from Briissy.

That explains why I didn't notice him later on, thanks for that.

Melky was still on a running type rehab program. Howes was in with the main group. He was mainly on the wing in the sims. I thought he struggled to have involvement.

I thought the handball games showed the intent. Tackles were made and players were expected to break it, fend off, or get a handball out. Many players were completely wrapped up, and some tacklers made repeated efforts. They were very willing and I have not seen them engage so full on. In the sims, it was getting close to full match hits (85%). They were being encouraged to run hard, create turnovers and make it difficult for each other.

A MFC volunteer told me that the practice match out at Casey will be curtain raised by the VFL, Casey versus Richmond. Maybe a start just after 12 midday. AFL, Saturday March 4th, Melbourne v Richmond, Casey Fields, 4.10pm

A MFC volunteer told me that the practice match out at Casey will be curtain raised by the VFL, Casey versus Richmond. Maybe a start just after 12 midday. AFL, Saturday March 4th, Melbourne v Richmond, Casey Fields, 4.10pm AFL, February 24th, St Kilda v Melbourne, RSEA Park, 4pm (6 x 25 minutes, no time on).

Beautiful morning for it. They are getting to the stage where there is plenty of push. The drills and sims were done with intensity and voice. There was an extra sim's session, making 4/5 in total for 6 minutes each, with hardly a rest during, as the ball kept moving. Goody was encouraging them to all run the transition hard. Most had to push hard up the field. At times, it looked like our backs ran so hard they were playing as forwards. They were often getting their passes over the backs to the forwards leads. Seems like they are working on creating an open forward line. Some defensive structure to hold the ball in the forward area worked well. By the end, many ended up on the haunches. They have stepped up the tackling in the handball games, they were also encouraging them to break the tackles with fends and steps away from the defender. A bit different from last year, in that they don't separate into their lines (forward, back, mid) very often. Thought Burgoyne did well, got plenty of it by running hard and getting separation, also used his shimmy/step to find clear air. K.Turner was always chasing and couldn't get in it. D.Smith was looking good, beat his opponent a few times and laced the ball to the next player. Moniz-wakefield missed a few hit ups, wasn't alone, as a few of the 1 to 3 year players did the same early in the sims. Jefferson has amazing long arms and his hand are gold. Needs to bulk up, but is looking like a potential. Spargo was in everything. Petracca getting lots of intercepts. Oliver and Kossie the stand outs. Tmac is looking powerful and getting some good acceleration. Lever left early and with no May there, our lack of backline structures made it easy for the forward thrusts. Petty up one end and Tomlinson the other didn’t get much support from the others, especially with the forward push, they were frequently isolated without the usual zoned area. Not sure if the cohesion between the group of best 30 and the rest is great. At one stage, Lever asked judd McVee what his name was in a drill. Hoping it was tongue in cheek. Hunter got hit in the collision with Hibbo who corked his thigh, got it strapped and was running it out. Lachie then smothered a ball off Max's boot with his head. He didn't appear dizzy, but that was the end of the session for him. Maybe getting the concussion tests. Our intensity is causing many niggles early on in our preseason. Talked to a volunteer, he tells me the practice match out at Casey will be curtain raised by the, Casey Demons team versus Richmond VFL.

Yes, according to clubs website https://www.melbournefc.com.au/teams/training-times Date: Wednesday 8th February Time: 9:30am Location: Gosch's Paddock

In the sims he usually has space and moves around as a mid. I have seen him intercept but have not seen him play either one on one, or in the defensive zoning area. That's not to say that he hasn't or can't.

I see Kye as the better option. Just an opinion. At times he drops off, but some of the things he does, have a bit of X-factor. I think with a few years in the system he will get his confidence and consistency. Burgoyne is a steady player, but can be left out of the play. For a small he needs to get either, in and under (not sure if he has it in him), or demand the ball as an outside runner. He has plenty of composure, seems to be able to set up plays and makes great decisions. As Kossie"s mate maybe they will list him and he could be what Bedford could have been, creating magic on the field as they look for each other. I believe Burgoyne needs a feeder.

Port had an interclub match at Gosch's last Friday and we regularly use their ground for closed training's. Someone on Demonland said that Port is definitely, NOT interested in combining with us.

Down at Gosch's now. The rehabber's are having a run. JVR doing laps and sprints with his own personal trainer. Melky on a running program. Lever, Gawn, Adams, Jefferson, k.Turner, Moniz-wakefield, Farris-white all in it together. Full activity, sprinting, running, obstacle running, kicking drills. They can't be far off. They are now doing a full field running and kicking drill and JVR has joined in (20 min simulation without opponents). Max is looking good. Up and down the field, running unrestricted and in everything. All supervised by Yze.

They usually go for around 2 hrs.

I thought Jupiter was aligned with the bull. Cox may have got to Cameron. Mason was looking big today, he is going to be difficult to move when he has position.

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