Kev

Who is the new forwards coach, out there warming them up?

Clarry looking good in the warm-up. Joviality with others, kicking with intention and skill. Hoping he is back to dominating in crowded areas, and playing with some freedom without Goody's expectations.

I think it is the safest place to kick from. If they miss no hit to ego, get it and you hear the accolades. Miss from 30 meters out on an a small angle, higher expectations and takes work, and repetition. Those with a good process are working hard on craft, usually the seniors, and forwards. The youngsters are on the boundary having a good time. I think they are given plenty of leeway at these pregame and post game runs. Prefer that than soccer.

General Admission Seating and Cheer Squad locations General Public Shane Warne Stand M4 (Demon Heartland) M5-M9 M12 rows A-L Level 4 closed Ponsford Stand M30-M31 M33 rows U-MM (no alcohol) M34-M36 Level 4 closed Olympic Stand M55 rows A-EE M56-M57 Q49-Q57 CHEER SQUAD LOCATIONS Melbourne: M3 (Punt Road end) Western Bulldogs: M33 rows A-G (City end) https://mcg.org.au/whats-on/events-calendar/2025/august/afl-round-22---melbourne-v-western-bulldogs#GeneralAdmissionSeating

No hint of sub or positions, as there was no structure to todays run.

Most of the players came out of AAMI grouped together, usually they are out higgledy-piggledy. Troy Chaplin last into the shed. Quite a few friends and family of the players, are down here. Plenty of dew on the ground making them concentrate on ball use. I heard they have a business as usual kind-of attitude. They appeared to be similar to last week's Captain's Run, of keeping it all in house, not much emotive or outward looking. I could feel a bit of relief from them as they stepped onto Gosch's for their first public outing since the “decision”. The young ones had a boundary lap, with Tracc joining them. Fritta and Clarry hanging out together. Salo and Rivers doing run throughs. Melky, lots of good work goal kicking. Plenty of them having a go from the opposite side of Gosch's, on the boundary, doing the highly skilled attempts at goal. The leadership group did little but congregate centrally, and chat. Gawn, Chandler, Tmac, and Viney, Radford not far away from them. Bassett with the goal kicking group, Williams must have followed Casey up to Brisbane. Jones who is looking very fit, getting around to a few of them. Chaplin, started with a chat and some instructions to Adams, got around to some others and appeared very relaxed and ready for it. The track-watchers think it is Buckley to lead us, there was a rumour he was behind a tree here, getting a sneaky, early look.

melbournefc.com.auOfficial AFL Website of the Melbourne Football ClubOnly one I've seen down at the Gosch’s training area is Green, unless unrecognisable when they are there.

Yes, Paxy was great, running both ways. Looking fit and making lots of our connections. Put her in best. Also hope Hore is OK, she is so important to us.

Melb 8.4 52 crows 5.8 38 Start of the 4th, they are looking tired, as it turns into a scrap. Melbourne push it into their 50 and hold it there. Crows tried a few times to sling, the Dees backline stood firm and pushed the ball forward again. Good hit out for them. Ebert and O'hehir did well in their first run. Johnson couldn't find enough ball. Great to see Wotherspoon playing, needed the run. Mahony bit of a ball magnet, needs to do better with it. Will be better for the run as she adjust to the pace. Jatczak has a chance to be listed with us. Marks and competes well. Unsure about Dethridge's game, hopefully some learnings. Hore, McNamara, Hanks, Zanker, and Chaplin, best, with Fitzsimon, Pearce, Purcell, and Heath not far behind, though in and out of it.

3 quarter time 7.1 43 to 5.7 37 Crows dominated the quarter early again, creting some easier opportunities to goal. We responded late, with some pressure turning it and straight kicking to keep our lead after they evened the score. Good turn around so as to wrestle back the momentum.

They eventually got going after Crows had multiple entries in the 50. Good movement with short hit ups and getting the ball into better scoring positions. McNamara with plenty of possession, Heath tackling and covering the ground, Jatczak with some important marks, Ebert with a good start. Ist quarter Melb 12 Crows 3 Straight goal kicking, Melb 31 Crows 5 at half-time Crows dominated the early part of the 2nd quarter, backline doing enough to restrict and pressure them. We had some slings of the half-back (Chaplin) that created one on ones in the fwrd 50, but couldn't mark it. Then the experienced players got more involved, Hore, Hanks, Paxman later in the quarter as we kicked 3. 3 quarter time 7.1 43 to 5.7 37 Crows dominated the quarter early again, creting some easier opportunities to goal. We responded late, with some pressure turning it and straight kicking to keep our lead after they evened the score. Good turn around so as to wrestle back the momentum Melb 8.4 52 crows 5.8 38 Start of the 4th, they are looking tired, as it turns into a scrap. Melbourne push it into their 50 and hold it there. Crows tried a few times to sling, the Dees backline stood firm and pushed the ball forward again. Good hit out for them. Ebert and O'hehir did well in their first run.

Straight goal kicking, Melb 31 Crows 5 at half-time Crows dominated the early part of the 2nd quarter, backline doing enough to restrict and pressure them. We had some slings of the half-back (Chaplin) that created one on ones in the fwrd 50, but couldn't mark it. Then the experienced players got more involved, Hore, Hanks, Paxman later in the quarter as we kicked 3.

They eventually got going after Crows had multiple entries in the 50. Good movement with short hit ups and getting the ball into better scoring positions. McNamara with plenty of possession, Heath tackling and covering the ground, Jatczak with some important marks, Ebert with a good start. Ist quarter Melb 12 Crows 3

https://www.marvelstadium.com.au/events/639/melbourne-v-west-coast-eagles-round-21 Gates Open: Approx. 11:45AM Ticket Boxes (Gate 1 & 5) Open: Approx. 10:45AM Match Start: Approx. 1:20PM General Admission locations: Level 1, Between Aisles 1-11 & 24-34 & 39-48 Please note a Level 3 closure for this match. No access for patrons is permitted. AFL Member GA Walk-Up: Level 1, Between Aisle 11-13 $2 Regular sized chips Available in all retail food outlets that serve regular chips (Excluding The Runner) Until allocation exhausted $9 Schooners Available pre-bounce Available on Great Northern Super Crisp and Carlton Dry 3.5% in selected bar locations - AFL Dining (Vic South), Goat Bar, Johnnie Walker Bar, Terrace Bar, Sports Bar, Craft Bar, Peroni Bar & View Bar. 2x Marathon Dim Sims for only $2.50 Available all game Available in various food outlets: Level 1, aisle 4, 31, 45, Level 2, aisle 5, 20, 31, 42 & Level 3, aisle 5, 20, 29, 44 $25 Family Bundle 2x Classic Meat Pies OR Sausage Rolls, 8x Dim Sims, 2x Soft Drinks & 2x Mount Franklin Water. Available all game Available in various food outlets: Level 1, aisle 4, 31, 45, Level 2, aisle 5, 20, 31, 42 & Level 3, aisle 5, 20, 29, 44 Surprised the top level isn't open. They really aren't encouraging the spectators, other than the food and drink promotions.

The women came out as the men continued to goal kick. Not much interaction between the two squads. Campbell and Pearce weren't present, neither was A. Mackin. Gillard showed up later, hobling on crutches. Colvin supporting the team, leg still in a brace. Harris and S.Taylor in rehab. Both looking comfortable, but not pushing. Harris finished with some boundary runs. Rigoni on the exercise bike wearing a left knee support band. Hose doing some ruck taps under the tutelage of Watt, but little else. D.Taylor very close, participated in drills but not the sim. Beasley doing the warm-up with the squad and then into her individual program. B.Mackin in full training. Goldie playing in the Dublin final on Sunday. After the funny runs and stretches (they have a very creative trainer), they gathered and walked to the centre, a chorus of singing and clapping rang out. They have great camaraderie. Into various groups for drills, and on with the crafts. They then got on with extended sims, no stopping for gatherings, two 15-minute sessions I reckon. There were three runs on and a few coaches, on the bibs side. O'hehir down back, intercepting plenty. Hore through the centre controlling the structure and ball movement. The process is taking the lead in the way they go about it. They are looking good, plenty of clean footy, some quick ball movement and smart plays. They shifted the ball with short passes numerous times by going either direct or with switching. Went back into their lines (fwds, backs, mids) and worked with their associated coaches. They finished with some competitive goal kicking between two groups of players. The shed had four technicians head over the computer screens, keeping an eye on them.

Beautiful morning, they strolled, the young ones around the boundary, the older ones hither and dither, some short runs, others mingling around, others kick to kick, and a few doing groundball gets. Finished with 20 minutes of goal kicking. Some structured by Williams. Last out there, Tracc, Chandler and Melksham. When the session ended, they made sure that the young ones left immediately. They appeared very much cocooned, enveloped within the group. My guess is they are blocking out the external and getting on with it. All the selected squad was there. Only Adams, who was one of the three emergencies was missing. No Goody.

We have a few talls who can fill in for Gillard (though big boots to fill). S.Taylor is looking good. I may have mistaken Campbell for Gall. Meaning Campbell also been missing today.

Had a look in at Gosch's for about 20 minutes. Harris on the exercise bike, no obvious discomfort or strappings. Hanks in full training, as is Pearce, Campbell and Wotherspoon. I think D.Taylor was in and out of the training squad. No Gillard. Rigoni was seen in the hands of trainers assesing a leg/knee problem. OHehir, Hose, S. Taylor, Colvin, hanging out with each other, not training, offering support to those training. B. Mackin, and Beasley together in rehab, some ball work, run throughs and lap jogging.

They certainly aren't the feared midfield they used to be. Goody played many of the squad out of there optimal positions as he looked for answer. Just hasn’t worked. I remain optimistic. Would love us to find a forward that becomes feared and produces consistently good performances.

I also noticed we were much slimmer in the top half of the bodies, at preseason. I thought that had us emphasise being fast. Heard a media report about the GC or GWS looking stronger in the upper body aspects and the comment that they worked extremely hard to be in top shape. It will be an interesting off season for us?

Yes, Bing could be right about the fatiguing part and therefore effecting the game, but not about the amount of load being written in blood, as they were prepared to change that. Intense tackling can be exhausting but not the same as running the kilometres. Still believe it was between their ears. Some of the changes this year they have been trying is the running program integrated into the skills work. The emphasis is not being an athlete, but a footballer. My guess is they will be doing more pure running next preseason.

I believe they switched off, thought they had it in the bag and weren't able to adjust quickly enough mentally, so as to turn the momentum around. They were in shock, not fatigued. In the previous seasons much of our momentum changes happened after the quarter ended, and the coaches restructured and directed. I did think we had turned that around this year and the players were able to play better tempo and arrest the momentum back went it happened. Ruthless is the right word to get them atuned to.

I don’t mean flexible for the players to decide, but as a program that is devised by the coaching/training team.

I hope it has hit them that they need to be switched on for the entire game. My guess is they play their hearts out for the rest of the season. They are possibly suffering more than us at their application, lack of will, and intelligence. Training with the soccer ball and being player led has failed. I didn’t want to turn up today as I was feeling vocal and may have voiced my opinion of the recovery sessions being a waste of time and gives them the opportunity to be in an opt-out mode, which may have been reflected on the weekend. Good to hear that they have changed it up.

This was posted about last weeks recovery session (training, 22nd july) by ghost who walks. "This morning the players had an indoor training session which was all about tackling. They were told to lay hard tackles and make them stick, also how to ‘shrug off’ tackles. It was long and intense and at the end they were told to now go about doing the exact same thing during play. Tomorrow, the indoor session will be all about handballing." It suggest there is flexibility to the workload in recover sessions.