kev martin

In the before Christmas preseason, Jed was hammering it. Looked fit, put on more size, was getting plenty of plays in the sims, and generally showing good skills. He was looking like a Petty clone. After Christmas, not as much involvement as the others really started to ramp up their intensity, he tapered off. He will be given a chance in AfL, sometime this year, in my opinion.

I believe the fixture is to oppose the NRL, the O (opening) round will probably stay and we should continue to claim the first game against Sydney in NSW.

Carlton better do something, otherwise the Northern States opening round is a game of errors Thursday (except for Sydney's last quarter), and an early blowout Friday. Not a great spectacle or encouragement for AFL.

FRIDAY, MARCH 8 Essendon v Northern Bullants (NEC Hangar, 5:00pm, 4x25min) Casey Demons v Port Melbourne (Casey Fields, 6:30pm, 4x25min) Geelong Cats v Werribee (Deakin University Waurn Ponds, 6:30pm, 4x25min) Frankston v Williamstown (Kinetic Stadium, 7:00pm, 4x25min) SATURDAY, MARCH 16 Casey Demons v Coburg (Casey Fields, 12:00pm, 4x25min)

FRIDAY, MARCH 8 Essendon v Northern Bullants (NEC Hangar, 5:00pm, 4x25min) Casey Demons v Port Melbourne (Casey Fields, 6:30pm, 4x25min) Geelong Cats v Werribee (Deakin University Waurn Ponds, 6:30pm, 4x25min) Frankston v Williamstown (Kinetic Stadium, 7:00pm, 4x25min) SATURDAY, MARCH 16 Casey Demons v Coburg (Casey Fields, 12:00pm, 4x25min)

Not the only one to take too much out of the praccy against the Boos. We regularly fail to cope with a slippery ball. Hoping for some repent and redemption. Coaches to help them see the problems and fix it. They must be hurting! Balloon has been popped, time to build the season. We need team work and an unselfish approach to assist your mate to be a better player. More 1 percenters, talking and to hit the targets. Good result to build the NSW AFL vs NRL.

I thought we got back in the game ear.y in the third, kicked straight and put enough pressure on them to kick only points. The lead changed a few times then Sydney went down the middle and our half forwards did nothing when the ball came in there. No answers, no plan, no connections and lacked tempo control. Disappointed with our skills. In those conditions need to just do the basics well. Aberration, reset this week, and make sure they all have a ball in their hands 24hrs a day. Wouldn't have minded getting a forward coach, our leading patterns didn't work, the crumbers were unseen. Good start for Caleb and Blake. May kept us in the game in the first half. Grundy gave us a lesson in aggression and dominated. Nothing like our game against Carlton last week. Will need to pull the finger out in time for the next one.

Wow, Sydney are going to be fired up, given their pre-game. Hoping they blow up and cannot run out the game, from all that emotional energy lost before the bounce.

Goody says Clarry, "happy and healthy". Great to hear that the engine room will be running on all cylinders. Go Dees.

I've heard they do that.

I agree, Billings will have to earn his spot or they want to ease him into it. Given Kossie is back next week, the small forwards are under pressure for spots.

@leave it to deever

Agree, watching him at training, he is a plodder, always well behind everyone during laps. His close work is good, but we will know that, though if he gets the ball to the outside runners, could become a dangerous link.

From the training, I forgot to mention that Williams has been supervising Traccs goal kicking at the end of the sessions. I mostly see Choco emphasising the spin the right hand gives to the ball as it leaves the hand and drops to the foot. It is the slow spin for Tracc that he slams home. Occasionally gets the ball spinning too quick or with a wobble, and the ball will go a little left or right. The lovely drop happens when not much thought or he starts kicking them. Hoping his constant repetitions and hard work have paid off and he gets 3 or 4 goals tonight.

Will be a good game against a tough team. Go Dees, hit them early and frequently.

Scarfs are still sent out, used to be able to pick them up at the game. In the app or website of the MFC, there is a page that you indicate if you want a voucher or the scarf and the plastic members card. I also think an email was sent giving a link to the opt in/out alternatives. The links send you to the ticket masters site. I have attached a screen shot from the email. I cannot send links as they only work after I have signed in to my account.

What is the rule for substituting an emergency for a selected or interchange player prior to the game?

Given our off season, this will be a defining game. Get em Dees, give them nothing. I want to see scorn on their faces, no laughter or pats on back until the end, or unless a bit of magic happens. Angry and ruthless, us against them. Run out the quarters, get those late goals and go into the break on a high, and definitely to not concede in the time-ons. Pressure, contest and causing turnovers is the modern game and our DNA, plus holding it in our forward area and playing roles. The Carlton community game showed that our zone is still working unless the opps 'take it on'. Be interesting to see if we use fast and powerful plays down corridors, and some blitzing to create a string of goals. Feeling confident. Go Dees

From what I understand, the sub this season is named from the Interchange selections.

I remember him reacting to the trainer Selwyn. He has a tendency to hold frustration in and then it can explode. Though this is like a new start for him. He has had a stressful preseason, which he has now worked through well, so as get to the other side. Hope he copes and gets some umpires love. They will be going at him, in my opinion. Human nature can be fickle, get through this game, like you say "won't bother Clarry", and I will be less anxious for him. Head over, and off to the next contest. He'll have the teams support, and that is what I am sure of.

Fullarton is bit underdone, and as as he is new to club would have had to pick up our new structures and roles quickly. Though, not without a chance.

I agree, bring him on for some pace and footy smarts late in the game, the others will tire from the first hit up for the season. The Pup will be untouchable at that stage. My other guess for sub is TMac, versatility to cover if a key position player is injured.

Viney, but I think they have told him to curtail his whack-'em mold

If Clarry does, or when he plays, I believe his challenge will be dealing with some sledging. Hope it fires him up. He seems to loves niggle and can be a smart [censored]. Umpires have shown that they don't give him much love. Hope he doesn't explode/implode, otherwise all teams will be at him. Need an enforcer!

Still only running restricted distance and timed sprints (150-200 m). Still not doing much in the way of directional change drills or ball work. When he starts doing some hard running laps, then he could be right to go.