Kev

Mathews was given the orange bib, the one that a high up forward takes so as to create links. He was doing more chasing than getting. That position is possibly the hardest one to achieve in. He does have something about him, though a little time at Casey will suit (speculative).

Gorgeous morning for a training run down at Gosch's Paddock. They were out early again. Plenty of running in the warm ups. Looks like they are building their aerobic capacity, getting them match fit. The drills appeared to emphasise pressure and skills. The sims consisted of two 10 minute periods and a rest after 5 minutes in both. Mainly taken by Rivers who got the mids to set up with gentleness on either side of the midfield, before they floated a ball down back, from where it got more serious. The attackers were able to create turn overs if the backs weren't tuned in. The tackling remains restrained, competing in aerials is nearly non-existent. Some of the ball movement was fast, very little looking for the central corridor, most taking it around the boundary. The passes into the forwards are improving. Plenty of leads of the back of the pack. The mids continue to work on overlap, causing the defenders to work hard on hand overs as they close the space ahead of them. I like what Kolt is doing, reads the play well off half-back and gut runs up the field for more possessions. Still learning his position as he makes sure he is in the area delegated to him by asking Lever. He is not the only one with extensive movement, Adams is also doing it. We will be doing plenty of getting to the contest area in a game, if they persist with full field runs from the backs. Steele will tackle anything, his field kicking and decision making is great. Heath loves bringing his runners into the game, presents well and quickly hands off the ball. Melksham still has his craftiness. His kicking is getting even better. I am still on the fence with Mathews, beautiful kick but not getting enough of the ball. Latrelle is a happy and gregarious man. The set of tall backs on one side were, Turner (also looking good, creates time and has poise), Tmac (doing everything right), and Lever (lots of chasing and captaining the backs). The set of tall forwards on the same side were, Miochek (mister reliable), Jeffo (getting separation), and JVR (imposing himself). After the sims they went into their line groups. Loved that the goal kicking practice was only the forwards. You could see the mids wanted to be in there kicking but no, only forwards. Even Lever wanted into that “sacred” space. Chaplin has them in a structured environment, with plenty of success and connection within that group. Someone parked their car and then sprinted onto the Paddock with the black mask of Luke in hand. With only 5 minutes of the sim to go it made no difference. My guess as to why Kentfield was on light duties, he forgot it.

With the Reds (rugby Union team) vacating, wouldn’t AAMI want to keep us with a reasonable contract? Tennis Australia don't need AAMI, only the Paddock if we vacate. Plenty of 2 hour parking in the side streets around school near the Botanical, or it's $1 an hour on Alexander. Won't Caulfield be similar.

Gosch's is alright. The vibe of being around other professional sporting groups must be uplifting. The quiet of Waverly or Casey, I don’t know. I still advocate for premises around the AAMI Park. Weren't the carparks being looked at as development possibilities? Main problem with Gosch's is access to facilities, the booking and competing for use with those other groups.

The intraclub report mentioned a replay will be posted sometime this evening. melbournefc.com.auIntraclub report | Young Demons dazzleCaleb Windsor and Matthew Jefferson were standouts in Melbourne's final intraclub."A replay of the clash will be made available via the club website later this evening."

Some thoughts about the training in the balmy conditions, with no wind. They are not close checking or tackling, in the sims. The first lot were 8 minutes × 2 sessions of set plays from the half-back area. Then they did a 15 minute hit out. A little congestion to start, though they easily break the lines and get the ball moving quickly without the usual pressure. There was space everywhere. They hugged the boundary most of the time. The backs would switch with ease and the runners found separation and made the easy kicks. I was quite amazed to see our change in game style. Previously we had been looking for that central corridor, we were fighting to make space and get separation. It was a day with plenty of space and skilled kicking. Latrelle dominated, running forward to back and forward again. Really good tank, with a burst of speed as he steps, shimmies and sells the fake, definitely a starter. Nice kick as well. Steel sits back in the central area acting as a defensive mid. Made quite a few re-entries and links. Fritta was played on the wing in a few of the proceedings. JVR hands seem to be in a better position. Hoping it translates to cleaner marking. Looking good. The forward line is no-longer playing “ring a ring a rosie”. Much more about making leads, then getting back and going again. Though I have seen some drills where the forwards get in the way of back men so separation can occur when the area is congested. Interestingly, we can change it up (open or congested style). Some of the structured stuff had them getting front and centre as the big tapped the high ball. We struggled to read it well. They then hope for an “out the back” lead. They played with more freedom and gave each other space. The ball moved quickly At the end of the sims, they separated into groups of marking, I think low ball gets, and goal kicking. Goaling was much more structured then the old just let them have shots. Latrelle and Mentha seemed to have a licence to strut there stuff from hard on the boundary. The rest with set shots inside the 40 meters. The other lot marking from over the bag. Plenty of players finishing with doing fast and numerous laps. J.Rivers working hard on Taylor's positioning and decision-making. King with forwards of JVR, Jeffo, Miochek and Fritsch, just talking to them at the end. Last to leave was King. Lots of the board and associated Admins were also down. They have been regular attendees of preseason, including Guerra.

At the training sessions, there are 4 to 5 analysts at the computers in the shed. Plenty of data sources exist. They would be negligent if they are not adding AI scrutiny to the data.

I think kolt will make it. Perhaps a Viney type of player. Turning a game on his endeavours and bringing pain to the opposition.

Kolt got the ball the end of the last action in a sim, missed the easy goal, a 15 meter dribbler from straight out in front, not taking it seriously or losing focus. Another time, it was a simple handball that hit the turf and not the player. The fumbly part, I think it was a tough session under pressure and he had a couple of two/three touches before he controlled the ball. He also did some good things. Such as, finding space, running hard, creating links, and tackling well.

Some thoughts about the training in blustery and humid conditions. Plenty of kicks missing the mark. They are competing and tackling with intensity. The sim in the 50 arc was a 15 minute example. They began with 4 defenders (one sitting deep) and 3 attackers outside the 50. The other 29 were inside the 50. Most of the time two attackers went into the 50 and left the defenders to get multiple re-entries after the ball exited. Most exits were scrambles as the forwards poured on the pressure in tight areas. They had some stoppages in the 50 and Heath managed some good taps. Gawn used his match awareness to find separation outside 40 meters. Plenty of backward ball movement by the forwards as they reached for space. Plenty of snaps and some marks. I was worried for them again as they competed with gusto. Kossie tackling Culley with a front on hit had me gasping. The intensity was high though only the clean and those with peripheral vision succeed. The field sims from wing to wing lasted 8 minutes × 3 sessions, across 3 teams. There were also hats confining the game to about 60 meters across Most of it seemed to emphasise a central game, getting possession, spreading 15 meters and looking for a lead off the back. The defenders had hard time finding leads through the middle. The best they could do was hit up a straight lead that had a hard, one on one. Kolty was fumbly and switched off when it was easy. Turner works well, I think he is a King favourite. Steele makes great decisions. Kossie is great to watch. The three of, Koss, Mentha, and Latrelle were unstoppable. I want to see more of Mathews, he is having trouble getting involved.

I believe kolt's best asset is that he will continue to push himself to learn and get better at his craft. He is dedicated to improvement. Got a big heart. Switched on as soon as he crosses the white line. Blue collar worker who won't shirk. Protector of his team mates. Can see him as a tagger. Loves to tackle. Will wrestle all day. Reads the play well. Supportive of all team members. Though it is only an opinion, I'll be more confident in my belief of him as a good contributor, when I see him in a few more games at MFC.

The vibe was very good. Unfortunately, I've no idea what the gathering was about. It acted as a circuit breaker with joyous outburst. They aren't showing the giggles and playfulness that was a hallmark of Goody's training, a disciplined attitude prevails between the time the whistleblows (start and finish). There are social interactions at the appropriate time.

Beautiful morning at Gosch’s, good temp, no wind. Plenty of power on show as they go against each other. There is some care being shown (not as forceful in tackles as pre Christmas hits). That sense of trepidation for this tracker as they close down each other in contests near to the spectators. A tension exist to the possibility of injury, passes my thoughts. They were serious and professional again, except one stage earlier on, they gathered in a circle which ended in rapturous applause and joy. The goal kicking has been integrated into the warm up drills. Smaller groups, with kicks over the mannequin or a snap after bouncing the ball off the mini trampoline. Only a few kicks from the boundary. Plenty going through or close to the goal. A few of the longer snaps ending anywhere. The sim ran cross field and with very small width. I get a sense that the boundary line is the enemy. My guess is that the ball will move quickly through the middle and most congestion will be in the forward or back 50 arc. Ball movement was very angular, rarely a straight down the line hit up unless it was a small pass to open the field up. Plenty of forward leads off the back of the defender. The defenders checked closely through the middle and their intensity was up. It was all watched closely by King, who continues to voice his teachings when needed or appropriate.

This is the new rule. "competing rucks can't cross the centre circle line before contesting the ball at centre ball-ups". No-one told Heath and the umpires didn't give a free, as he crossed the centre line and made contact before the contest, 7.26 minutes in. Are we not switched on to the new rules? Am I right with my interpretation?

I haven't seen any set plays after a point as yet. In the sims out of the backline, it is the usual pass it round and spread, till an opening is there. Most of the time the balls goes close to the boundary and 50 arc, from there they seem to be looking to bring it into a central corridor.

Jeffo Hands are good, he is moving well, struggles a bit when closely checked, has a beautiful set shot which has developed into a very smooth gait, and with great intention. The delivery into him is improving, which makes his job of getting the ball easier.

Apologise for that, I misread the intention.

I think CJ was wearing a wave cap.

Lindsay has been in the middle, quietly going about it. Plenty of linking and kicks into the forward 50.

I've liked what I've seen of Heath. Moves quickly for a big. Today I saw him get down on himself when he dropped a mark. He sets high standards.

May got a "corker" in the marking contest. May have restricted him in the runs.

Melky distances himself from the spectators. I think that influence may have fired CJ up (re: "smart" reply) as he creates bonds and a laugh for his teammate.

Big turnout by the spectators. Weather was great, temp perfect, and a slight wind blowing down field. They went straight into competitive work in the drills they ran. Three stations, all rotated through them. One station had two sides compete, hit five passes and then shoot for goal. After the rotations they separated into: Mids (Tholstrup in there) with a ruck, as they worked on stoppages. Smalls to mediums, one on one at ground ball and snapping for goal. Talls, one on one competing for marks. Then a 12 minute sim. They were regularly looking for the inside ball and getting numbers to that play. Usually only one player will spread to the boundary side. The first shot on goal was JVR leading well (good separation) and finishing from the 50 arc. Jefferson, not to be out done with contested marks and finishes with grace and accuracy from the opposite side and same distance. Bibs scored 7, to the shirts 37 points. Congestion work is improving, with Steele (I like how he goes about it) making sure there is a receiver on the outside. Langford caving through the spaces, linking with one two's, and his angled powerful runs. He appears to have matured, training with confidence and purpose. Chandler linking well. Finished with runs and a cool down. Max G has put on plenty of muscle mass. Chaplin coached most of the session. No goal kicking practice (perhaps pre-training as it started earlier than advertised). This is the first time I've noticed this in several seasons. The evenness in egos is an interesting change. Seems the leadership roles are across the whole team or the pecking order (leadership group) is yet to be defined. Plenty of focus, minimal joviality, lots of professionalism.

Any information about Langdon? There were some photos (from today), with him hanging out with the light duties/rehabbers. I didn't see him down on Friday, though others indicated that he was there (more by omission). Track-watchers and/or @Ghostwriter