Kev

You really shouldn't be using the deepheat in that area Bustler.

I heard today that Henderson has a groin issue.

I would have loved the Men to give the Women a guard of honour welcome to Gosch's (as the crowd did), and then get out of the way. Easy to brand, difficult to act. There is an obvious hierarchy and disconnect. Nothing on the players, more the organisers and proactive decisions.

Addit: Apologies I have been spelling the name of Brody Mihocek the wrong way.

Wow, I had to leave just after the Men's sims ended (why there is no training report for MFCW). I thought when the Men's sims finished they would be off, Eleven! Imagine if the women doing a preseason, did that to the men on the eve of a big final. If on the "other foot", I reckon Stinear would have walked them all over to the rugby field, so as to accommodate and empathise how rhythm and normalising is important to the build up. The MFC Women now have a little frustration to top off their preparation. At least they may have an extra bit of team bonding. That team run, around the boundary, looked like they had connection with each other.

He is a lovely man. He used to walk the boundary as a trackie and had been doing that for at least the past ten years. Used to be followed around by his wife, now his daughter helps him out.

Lovely morning down at the Paddock. A little windy but without gusts and a great temperature. The vibe stays strong as they turn-up to the pre-Bright run. Plenty of spectators to wish the Men well and to give the Women a welcome and supportive cheer on. The new one, Xavier Taylor in number 19 looks the goods. My first thought was, he has “the right stuff”. Someone mentioned he was a mate of Lindsay. I can see he has been trained well, as Lindsay was. Those development coaches in the Coates Talent League do a great job. He is ready to impact straight away. He participated in the sims for a short period, he was a ball magnet (the coaches passed it to him a couple of times). Has great hands, handles the ball with confidence. Gets others into the game with connection, creates runs and sets plays up. I like him, if all goes well, could be selected in the first game. Miochek also participated in a few sims. I like the movement he does. Beautiful timing that syncs with the ball carrier, shows a great change of direction (180°) and points where he wants it. Couldn't have made it easier for the hit up. He was paired with JVR as the two forward heads, with Miochek playing deeper at first and then swapping, as Miochek began leading up onto the wing. Great that he gets heavily involved with plays. Kossie is raring to go. Space and time move, he dances and accelerates when he gets the ball. Buried a couple of others in tackles as well. Mentha has his mate with him. AMW continues to gradually enter some drills. Nathan Jones had some angry pills and was getting animated when some players didn't live up to standards. Berry's doing well. Can tackle, reads the play, and he handles the ball well. I was quite surprised at his closing speed, which has a bit of explosive acceleration. Having only one oval to train on proved a problem this morning. The women had some confusion and couldn't get on immediately. They waited and waited, then were told the men had stopped only to make it on to the Paddock and wait again, since the men hadn't finished the sims (who also didn't get to have the normal goal kicking drills). They then walked the boundary and to the far goals to start some warm-ups. Ten to fifteen minutes of disruption.

I am quite bemuzed by the lack of mainstream media interest in the two prelim games. Second day draft is getting more time. We are also competing with the ashes. We know how to win! It has been the brand of our women for many seasons. Go Dees!

Harrison's in the backline during sims.

Mackin was on lighter duties last week and got up for the game. She is working through a niggle, possibly that knee area that has some bandages around it. Must be a temptation to rest her. Beasley a maybe? It was mentioned by a watcher that Grace had been playing in the scratch matches that those who don't play game day, get to play in.

Did you notice that Chaplin did some sim plays? Ran coast to coast and was kicking with some oomph.

The training squad continues to get bigger. First look, there was Max Gawn and right beside him was Max Heath (he matched up well against our captain in the sims). Gawn pushed himself in the runs. Steven May looking in good nik, abdominal muscles are tight. Spent quite a bit of time after drills, encouraging and instructing others on an individual level. Got burnt by Caleb Windsor, but who hasn't when trying to corral. Jake Melksham had the biggest smile all through the session. I think he missed them all. Still a smart player, stepping, selling the candy, moving well. CJ continues to rehab, plenty of running, the same with Jack Henderson. AMW participated in some drills, first group action for quite some time, then went to light duties. No Brody Mihocek. Jack Steele has joined the main group. They had them running again. It looked like they went through a few of the mental and physical barriers. Harry Sharp has them all chasing him. Drills had them in a keeping-off handball game with heavier tackling. Another was two kicking games. The object of one was to find the loose player with either a small hit up or getting it over the back of the defense (out numbered 9 to 5) within a 50 by 25m area. The other had them spread from outside the fifty and finish with a shot on goal. The defense did well if they could slow the offence down. The talls had a one on one contest for the high mark. By the end they were marking, as earlier the contest regularly became halved. Jed Adams is looking good. Steven King has a soft spot for CJ, often talking to him. Tom Sparrow is in the same boat. King is an observer of the training. If they muck up the structure or get caught out from the plan, he will immediately pull them in and explain the situation (very proactive). Rivers ran the sims today. The sims were less frantic. Plenty of hugging the boundary, and then hitting the forwards on leads. Most of the players played in the positions as expected. Matt Jefferson and JvR doing well, leading directly at the kicker. TMac looked good, moving well and making the right decisions down back. Christian Salem who “slows time” when he has the ball, very clean and smooth. Harvey Langford continues to get even better. Koltyn Tholstrup notices all the players. The rest were drinking when Heath was left out there to finish set shot during a sim. He made his way to tap him when he goaled. Leadership written all over him. Jake Bowey, Xavier Lindsay and Bailey Laurie are going about it well. All very humble personalities. Harrison Petty will be a big improver, he is training well. Ricky Mentha Junior needs Kossie with him. Appeared a little low in energy and couldn't get into “it”. Kade Chandler looked good, fit, strong and boisterous. AJ is going about it well, using his strength and is putting his learnings in place. Still a few more to join in, they are looking professional and the buzz is on.

I see the match sim working on fast ball through the middle and into a congested forward line, and to create a congested contested backline. Both movements having them run hard to the contest, and chase that fast ball. The extra bench player will be interesting, but it is tough to see how they will use them, when looking at the sim.

They turned up when the men were still out there and just finishing. Not much interaction between them. The women were less animated, they had their serious styling on. The joy couldn't be contained, and regularly got expressed as training went forward. There was plenty of talk, instructions, and support during their work. Chaplin doing run-throughs. Then change of direction movement. Got down to some kicking after having her hammy massaged. Seems to be moving well. Later joined in a few sims. Probably a good chance of getting a run if she ticks the right boxes before Friday. Purcell in rehab, working hard. B. Mackin was on light duties. O’Hehir spent less time in the sims than usual. Beasley continues to train well, her disposals are impressive. Zanker in full training, as well as Golvin. Hanks getting heavily involved. Her and Hore matched up for drills and they were pushing each other in the contests. Harris does lots of talk and creates the necessary structures in the area that she patrols. The forwards were hitting up well and the deliveries were perfect at times, they were getting the angles right. If it wasn't for the opposition having that winning streak, I would suggest the women are ready at the right time of the season, and will be firing with belief, skills and a game plan. Go Dees.

The women have training AFLW 📆 Wednesday, November 19 ⏰ 10:30am - 12:15pm 📍 Gosch's Paddock 🏃‍♂️ Session type: Training 📆 Friday, November 21 ⏰ 10:30am - 11:30am 📍 Gosch's Paddock 🏃‍♂️ Session type: Pre-match captain's run The men had been getting to the paddock early (8.45am) in previous sessions. As you said, no postings of the mens training yet.

I was watching Heath do his set shots, and he appeared reliable with quite a well balanced kicking action. My thoughts were that Hawkins (from Geelong, who is possibly helping King as a part-time assistant) may be the best thing for his development as they have similar body shape. Heath moves well for a big man. Occasionally fumbles and misses his field kicks, especially when under pressure.

A cold morning with a gusty wind. It was all about the run. They started in runners, doing sprints through the middle. Then gathered into the associated groups for the 2 km trails. The head group had Sparrow who led most of the way, though CJ hit the lead 250 meters out, I am unsure what the result was, did Tom have another kick, or did CJ set the new standards. Henderson in third and Chandler holding onto the group came a close fourth. I may be wrong with the placings! Oscar Berry worked hard at the back of the pack. They then gathered with support, and the joy was obvious that that was over, especially during the next drills. First time I'd seen them having an organised kick to kick with a partner in a while (we dropped that type last season). The mids and backs, in kick to kick, as the forwards are working on the routine of goal kicking. Some drills of tackling and ball handling. A bit of all in, tackling, moving through traffic, and snapping for goals starting just inside the 50 arc. About six to eight in defensive bibs. Using six balls, which go flying at goal after a bit of tick-a-tack, forward push and the whistle to have a go. I loved JVR work. He is looking good. The sims had them going extremely fast. Again the offense outnumbered the defense. Coaches moved the ball so to get them transitioning fast. The right side of the paddock could use the ball for one, two or three actions then alternate to the left side team. Really direct footy, the emphasis was quick ball, no stationary all roll, go take it on, with the defensive corralling, tackling, intercepting, pressing. Plenty of angles with kicks to advantage of the lead. CJ with beautiful runs, taking them on, though Windsor picked on him. Heath can move well for a big. Has a reliable shot at goal as well. No longer shy, as the warmth is developing within the team. Lever captaining the backs well, McDonald working with Howes to zone, but were often outnumbered. Our runners looked primed. Then into squad goal kicking in a structured way. I am yet to see any of them on the boundary doing the miracle shots. There will be big changes in our game style, if the few preseasons I've seen have any similarities to game day.

Had a watch on him Wednesday. In a drill while the ground was still dewy (slippery), Heath had an easy shot for goal that went sideways off the boot. Loved his response, laughed and went to the back of the queue. In the sims he was clean when handling the ball (positioned himself well, good read of the plays) and had a kick that went straight through the sticks. My intial thoughts were, he may need some development, then the skills I saw, showed that his craft is already developing. Little Max will go alright.

The women came out while the men still had 10 minutes to go. Plenty of support from the men. Richardson brought the men back to the women as they were leaving the field, and circled them all up for a short speech and for bonding. The women got straight to “it”, following a joining of hands in a circle, and after calling the men to unite with them. Chaplin and Zanker working together in rehab. I heard a trainer say to Chaplin that they will go close to the verge. She is not kicking the ball. Very unlikely for this week. B.Macklin was in rehab, or light duties. Beasley continues to impress, big question on whether she is match fit though. Gall and Campbell doing lots of forward work. Gall being given the leading into space role and Campbell for the one on one contests. O'hehir also spent some time forward. Goldrick looks right to play, as she was heavily involved in the sims. Paxy brought maximum effort today, plenty of talk, support and run. Colvin spent some time down back in the sims. Appears to have a “niggle”, as she was on and off in the squad. Their spirit and belief is there. They are mostly serious as they get down to it, though the joy is just bubbling under the surface. Go Dees.

Second day in. They were keen and out earlier than advertised. Miochek and AMW are in rehab, and running extensively. They are pulling Steele, CJ, Henderson, and Johnson out of the group on a regular basis to run. They ran them much harder than on Monday. They ran 700 to 900 meter boundary runs (distance depending on which group), on two occasions. After both runs they needed recovery minutes, and got round each other. They also did a couple of team sprints through the middle approximately 120 meters. There was also less contact today. Jones is being given more responsibility in some sims, and seems to be handling it well. King continues to add his voice frequently. They are letting them play footy in the sims in a bit of a Laissez-faire mold. They were using plenty of spread, with leads out the back. One of the sims had them compete for 4 quarters. First two for 3 minutes and the next two for 2 minutes. The offensive had an extra 4 players at least, so the defense had not much of a chance. They changed the teams offense/defense style after each quarter. In the end, the winning team got a goal after the siren, they only had 15 seconds to go coast to coast (¾ of the field). Bowey finished it. Quick footy movement, about 14 goals each over the 10 minutes (84 to 90). They put a fair bit of pressure on the execution, as any misses slowed the scoring down. Lovely weather down at the Paddock. Great intentions and intensity, from the squad.

Goldrick looked good, most probable. Beasley only question would be that she is not match fit. Showing good skills. Chaplin has to tick the boxes, I believe she is possible. Hopefully she joins the main group by Friday, but I wouldn't be holding the breath. She would be a risk of re-injuring the hammy during the game.

I was looking for points of difference. The soccer became more of a bonding drill and the handball games were played with high intensity, last season. King may implement that type of drill in the future, but today he let them play footy (not full impact). He also didn't get them running. For a first up, not one of the players were on their haunches. Oh, AMW pushed, and doubled up after a run. Usually, they would all put the runners on and run laps after the skills, or sprint to the boundary during change-ups. None of that! My guess is, he will do things his way.

I didn't see much of Kentfield, as others took my attention. Great that he will get a full pre-season, unlike last season, was the conversation I had with another watcher.

Gawn and the rucking fraternity will take Heath under the wing. They are young men and it is easy to get "lost" on the first day in a new environment.

I thought Heath looked lost in respect to social capacity. I reckon he needs a buddy up system. He was searching, but didn’t have connection with anyone. Football wise he was fine. My guess is they will get round him and him around others, just needs a little time.