kev martin

Strange isn't it. Not sure what is going on! When Choco called for forwards to have some goal kicking, BBB went behind the goals to kick the ball out to them.

Laurie is not with the squad.

Gus is greeting the squad with applause and cheers from them. He is wearing the coaches colours. Looks like they have appointed him in an off field role.

Verrall last session at Gosch's, looked like he may do a full training, though started with a test in rehab which he didn't pass. Was working on his hip, and stayed with rehab.

Rehab is out early. A beautiful Saturday morning, though plenty of dew on the paddock Verrall doing hard sprints along the boundary. McAdam individual program and has started, ball work, change of direction drills, and easy kicking and handball. Melky, carrying weights as he changes direction. Hunter continues his running program. Melky has joined him for some runs through the middle. Hunter is struggling to keep up with him (will need a block of conditioning). Captain's run cannot be far off.

One of the most composed kick at training, often hitting with perfection (Hore). Although under minimal pressure. Was on target right from the start of his preseason. He appeared determined to break into the AFL again. Well done Marty.

Play Tomlinson as a forward at VFL level, especially since he can't hold down a place in the backs. If he kicks a few bring him in as a centre half-forward.

If they wanted more noise from supporters, then in a match that matters the most, why are there so few tickets allocated to the teams members? More tickets to members should be allocated for the Grand Final.

No, no, they come from the school of hate. If AFL went down this road, then the extreme become 'holigans'. Fights before games, fights after games, segregated viewing areas. All so as to make us one eyed, tribal and internal protectionist. Hate v hate cannot lead to good experiences and behaviours. Shame that they don't encourage us to support the AFL in general. We have a unique game and I reckon support should be shown for any display of excellence/endeavor/courage even loyalty by any of the players out there. Not necessarily your club, which smells of nepotism and narcissism. That is not to say, don't choose allegiance, but that is not the big picture only an emotional one. If they want more support, stop selling GA tickets in the bleachers. Distribute us around the stadium and bring the public closer to the action. Have the expensive seating cheaper, do more marketing and get us happier about attending. Sell less expensive food. Give families huge discounts every week. Easy to out number the big clubs. Do it by encouragement, PR, price and quality of seats. Wouldn't it be great if the poorest of us had the same game day experience as the wealthy or the discerning. That would be something to cheer about. How often do cheers/chants come out of the corporate? The gravy train could lead by example, instead of telling the people how to enjoy the game. Ever had to put up with abuse from opps because you barrack to loud? Ruins the day, and until we respect all through being in the one AFL camp there will be hate. Never be like the Woodens!

Verrall not listed on the injury list. Not in full training Monday, must be just a little soreness. Also no mention of Spargo, must be managing his calf/achilles.

Goody and McQualter doing lots of talking at training. Tomlinson playing good footy. Windsor straight into the side and holding his spot. Howes can play. Other 1st years and young ones pushing for selection. Lever and May still strong. Salem showing good signs as a mid. Fritsch keeps on rolling. Viney still getting better. New ruck rules should help Max. Petty nearly ready. Clarry has more upside. ANB again under the radar. We are due a win, time for the G to be a fortress, go Dees.

Sorry hitchhiker didn't pick up the notification. Billings definitely haven’t and Woey no. I've seen them work as defensive wings, but that is doing the rail running, and getting into the defensive zone structure. I reckon Woey would be better at it then Billings, as he is a bit more reserved, whereas Billings is a natural attacker. The next open training is the captain's run, that will give us a much better idea of where the selected will play. Saturday 16 March 9:45am onwards

When I have seen McAdam previously in rehab, he doesn't seem happy. He runs without contentment or intensity. Perhaps it is getting to him. Hope we are wrong and missing from the main group and the other rehabbers is genuine. I can imagine being on the couch or in a yoga position (stretching), for a couple of weeks so the 'nerve' issue causing hammy distress resolves. Training away for the group? Does seem fishy. We need his skill base and him in full training mode.

I reckon AMW should train up as a back. Hore, who is more of a Lever back up. Would love Salem to stay in the mids, but just don't see another replacement for Bowser. Hope you are right, love Salem in the middle. Windsor not ready as a back.

That leaves McVee and Rivers to cover their smalls, who will rotate with them? Western also have West and I believe a few other smalls. Hoping Howes can take on a speedy one, but if no Salem then we go in tall against a flexible forward line up. Beveridge will try and take advantage.

We have so many competing as small forwards. K.Brown, Tholstrup, McAdam, Spargo, Billings, Laurie, Melksham, Sestan, ANB, Kossie, Chandler, Woewodin. I know some will work as mids, but who will replace the backs. I reckon Moniz-Wakefield has a better chance of making the side if he works in the defence.

Set Salem free campaign, so he can to do what he is best at (a mid).

Could they get Moniz-Wakefield skilled up as a backman? May Could take him under his wing, jets 2.0.

I believe McAdam had a hammy problem a few weeks ago, just after the calf came good, he had always been running short distances in his individual program at the trainings. For him to be absent, was unusual. AFL indicated McAdam has nerve issues effecting hamstring and will train away from main group as Mon Bon and titan_uranus mentioned. https://www.afl.com.au/news/1085531/hamstring-issue-to-further-delay-melbourne-demons-shane-mcadam-season-start Jed Adams is ready to go if he gets a call up.

Cannot think of anyone else who knows the backline system, and bringing in another green player alongside Howes could throw it out of kilter. Agree totally about his kicking as a mid, and I really would want him to play on the ball. Who else at this stage can take on the small opposition forwards?

I think they will keep Laurie in as they continually used him as a linking player in the sims, though would love to see Tholstrup in, but could be Woey. Chandler was quiet but Goody seems to favour him. Billings in for him wouldn't be far fetched. Spargo out, Salem back, kossie mid/forward. Fullaton has to be a chance to replace Schache.

Deep forward looked like Sestans role today. Yet to see him work off the backline, but have seen him as a high half-forward at trainings.

Yes, he has looked ready as soon as he started with us. They must be working on him understanding the roles. Great that he had a few centre bounces with Clarry in the Casey games. Can only help his development. Today he was hitting his targets and no fumbling, all the new young ones have improved the standards at training. The only ones showing some rust, were Melk and Farris-White. Sestan was getting plenty and finishing well in the less defenders sims. Jefferson couldn't get into the sims game, looks lost and needs support on where to position himself. Adams blanketed Fritta during sims.

That's good, probably means BBB has his own program and will be available down the track.

Whelan, the indigenous support worker, was also absent from training. First time I hadn’t seen him. Don't won't to speculate but I will, with McAdam and Whelan missing perhaps it is something personal.