Kev

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.

Agree with the sentiment, why keep the Ferrari in the garage. I reckon he has paid his dues. Hope the club feels that way.

There is Edwin's Cafe, located at AAMI Park. Not usually open Saturday and Sunday, unless a game day (I think 2 hrs before game). https://www.edwinscafe.com.au/#about There is a Cafe and kiosk in the Botanical gardens. https://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/melbourne-gardens/functions-venues/the-terrace/ Swan street shopping area is not far away.

I think they both have more preparation to go, though Petty looks ahead of McAdam.

A nice late morning run, good temperature with a bit of wind about. They are out of the sheds and walking down to Gosch's with smiles on their faces. The review about Wednesday must have gone well. The three of Kossie, McAdam and Moniz-Wakefield walk with Wheelan from a different area. Great to see Petty with the squad, Fullaton, Woey, Clarry and Moniz-Wakefield as well. McAdam did the warm-up with them. Petty building his fitness with extra running after the drills. Rehab was all split up into different programs for different levels. BBB, Spargo, Turner, Hunter (in runners but doing very little), no Melky. The squad is looking good, there was a great atmosphere about them today. It appears they are happy with the preseason being over and ready for the season to get going. They had a low-key recovery session run today. The main drills were two groups, one with the mids starting on the goal side of centre, (via a tap down) then moving the ball by handball and finding a forward who were running set patterns. Three opponents against about nine attackers. Then they changed to using the other direction. The other one started from the back of centre (via a kick towards that direction), with the backline spreading, finding a runner with a kick and hitting up a forward. Then again repeating towards the opposite goal, it also had about the same numbers of defender as the previous squad. I heard Goody say if you have any doubt of where to run, head towards the straight line corridor, and don't hang out for the angled inside kick. Plenty of kicking for goal. Many doing what Tracc does and having shots after the session has ended, mostly the young ones, but also Kossie, and Fritsch. Chandler was not hitting them well, still with the yips. Ended his shots with three bad misses, then walked off. Really needs to work on his art and get it right, I reckon.

I thought Cripps scuffed a few

Wasn't Bowser hit on the chin by a bump from one of their players. It was a closely contested ball. Bowey got to the ball first and quickly disposed of it, collision happens, and Bowser can be seen testing his jaw as the trainers come out and do a HIA. I thought the head was sacrosanct! Kossie likes to niggle.

I thought the way Bill (Laurie) got up off the turf was amazing. Wrestled for the ball off his feet, when he got hold of it, back up. It was the fastest transition I've seen from anyone. He also has a great learning trajectory, still improving.

Windsor reminds me of Stan Alves

https://www.melbournefc.com.au/teams/training-times A couple more open training sesssion have been added. Demon Family Series April School Holiday Open Training Date and location: April 7 (Gosch's Paddock or nearby location) Inclusions: Players training Signing opportunities Kids' activities Partner giveaways Demon Family Series July School Holiday Open Training Date and location: TBC (Gosch's Paddock or nearby location) Inclusions: Players training Signing opportunities Kids' activities Partner giveaways

Good to see a live match. We held up the ball when the booers looked like getting on a run. The boos came out as soon as MFC players ran out of the sheds. Gee they went quiet when it was obvious their team wasn't playing, except for a few quick ball movements through the corridors. Good to see the backs huddle and talk about what to do when it did come fast into them. Hopefully they can get a strategy that will nullify the fast ball. The wind being strong and gusty, caused a few problems for the set shots. When the boos had the wind I thought we milked the time well. Loved that we emptied the forward flanks, which gave the forwards a place to lead into. Hopefully it was based on strategy and not lazy opponents. Salem on the ball was great, vision, timing, tackling and when given space, delivery of the ball. Tracc blew up early, the heat was not his friend. Howes, Schache, and Chandler are our weakest links. JVR has good hands. May has lost some speed. Oh, Kossie, getting close to being a game winner/turner kind of player. Sparrow's two way running was amazing, looking very fit. Gawn, led by example. We have a great structure, defensive and offensive. Well done players, hearing the coaches and executing. Though, our forward area looked stagnant at times. Pleased we took multiple marks in the attacking 50. Looking forward to the season real. Go Dees.