Kev

My guess is, If they make the finals in 2024, then they will lobby very hard for a home final. Teams need to find a way to win there.

On the "Monday's" (the main training sessions out at Casey are closed), I've not seen the forward very often play when they have opponents on them. They have been practicing with being able to make leads that suit the players delivering it. They lead out then change angles and the ball is delivered easily. I would suggest getting the coaches to at least put some plastic dummies in the way so as to increase the level of difficulty. When they do have an opponent at training it seems they are working hard to get separation by doing the "ring a ring a rosy". I very rarely see the double back and lead again, and having that frantic multiple leading movement. During the games they have adopted the close area movement and that ends up causing the deliveries to be on their heads. They also appear stagnant. Good idea with the banner, but I'm shy, and just cannot do it. Also, in the coaches, I trust.

Thought we had them at the start to the 4th. Then with all those entries we didn't score. The press didn't work, and they left the area without pressure once they were able to find space and go quickly. Tracc was distracted by being manhandled. Needs to ignore them and just go harder. Spargs made zero impact when he came on, JJ is being wasted. Too many handballs on a wet night. Why do so many of our players come in and out of the game? A few missed tackles cost us. We can't allow the other to get so many smothers, a bit of shimmy and some stepping would help. Had times when we created an open forward area, but couldn't win the one on one's. The Cats killed us with defensive marks, and we couldn't handle the slippery ball or take our own marks. What's happened to Chandlers kicking? Where is our poise, thought we panicked too many times. Our defence was great in the first half, but without the forwards taking the opportunities and holding the ball in, they ran out of steam by the 4th quarter. How did our mids not dominate them?

Geelong is playing from behind, and using the soft or close to the line scragging. Why doesn't the one who wants and get to the ball first, get an advantage anymore? Becoming more of a defenders game, if the umps don't pay those in the backs, push and shove 5 meters away from ball when in a stoppage, and holding. C'mon Tracc, run over them.

I started that unfounded rumour. The first training session after the injury, he appeared to be testing that area high up between thigh and pelvis. He was also moving about that day and at further sessions. It is still my guess that the injury is tendon related. The tendon will flare when under a heavy work load, time and force. As he started a heavier training load, and especially sprinting, they realised a niggle was apparent. Tendons, take more time to heal than the muscle, I reckon 4 to 8 weeks. All speculation, and your guess is as good as mine, given how he is being treated and the noise from the club. Could also be nerve related.

I really meant between the goals, not "hit the goals".😂l Agree with you, he was getting closer. Hope it doesn't turn into the yips.

Hoping for a lift from Chandler, he was kicking some rippers earlier on, c'mon Kade hit the goals with some X factor. I feel the same about Kossie. Given it his "special outing" in the Alice next week, tonight wouldn't be a bad time to turn it on and create some consistency. Tracc to keep going, I can see him frequently breaking the lines. Over handballing and balls to players under pressure have been a problem. Hoping for some smart footy and not getting lost for space on those shallow wings. Go Dees.

Yes, though not the entire squad/teams. It appears to be the lines (fwd, mid, back) that the players stay in, when it involves larger structures and connections. For example, the set up on Saturday was a drill with two groups. One being the MFC backs with the Casey* mids and forwards, the other was Casey* backs, with MFC mids and Fwds. I've seen all the combinations applied. Haven't seen a full sim for some time, only the drills. I would assume they do the same thing in the main session. When they practice in their lines, it appears that they swap the roles between those playing in MFC and Casey*. I don't think I've seen the full squad/teams/division made up of only the Casey V MFC. Addit: *Casey, MFC listed players playing at the moment for Casey

Played quite a few of the ball movement drills, by starting central and going straight down the corridor. The other ruck/maul area starts were proceeded by quick direct ball movement. Though they did head towards the outside a few times. I think the empathises was on breaking directly through the line and delivering to a lead at an off angle. No hats involved. Though on Thursday perhaps the mannequins/manikins wearing Geelong jumpers may need resuscitation, after we blitz them.

"Manikin’s are similar to mannequins where they are human shaped models used to simulate the human body. Instead of being used to show off clothing, manikins are used to help simulate medical, surgical, or clinical scenarios." https://www.engeniumstaffing.com/blog/files/What-is-the-Difference-Between-a-Manikin-and-a-Mannequin.html Do you know the right word for those plastic figures?

I think they were giving everyone a big laugh, only Lever, Trac, Max, and the coaches costumed up. It was tough to get Lever back into his footy gear. Sorry about the confusion. Mannequins of course.

My voice isn't what I'd call, harmonious dulcet tones. I also get a bit tangled when speaking and thinking.

I don't know.

The post match review trainings have definitely increased in intensity and the amount of time they are out there has almost doubled. Before this last period, the trainings were nothing more than a stretch, with simple, easy drills. Now they go harder, longer, with more enthusiasm, and have the capacity to try different processes.

They had the manikins out and spread in an arc from boundary to boundary, it was all about set shots. I think, each group rotated into this set up 3 or 4 times during the session. The end they used had them kicking into the wind. In the ball movement drills, the forwards all finished with snaps at, or on the run goals. I noticed that May and Rivers had a competitive edge to their goaling, by keeping score, and the associated sledging.

They all appeared to be moving well and barely any strappings on them. Oliver needed the asthma puffer at one stage. The wind must have been blowing in the pollen.

They were very sharp today. As you said, "With a shorter break the focus should be right on this week." At times the ball didn't spill. They adjusted really well to the windy conditions. Even the goal kicking, which they did a fair bit of, was good.

Their pattern seems to be, day before game Saturday, Captain's Run, two days before that is the main session (Thursday) and two days before that is the post game review (Tuesday, but could be Monday). Fly Friday? I assume they will get another extended break after the Thursday night, Geelong game. Again all speculation, though habits and routine suggests this structure.

Hibbo has prepared like this before and still found himself in the team. Bowey would also be out of concussion protocols. Petty was doing a little bit of forward work today at training. There wasn't much backline preparation out there, though May spent a fair bit of time working with D.Turner.

Rehab: BBB, TMac, Hibbo (the three in runners and no involvement in the main training) and K Turner (doing his own program). Oliver, Petty and Verrall with the main group in full training. Bowey, has the "white hat" on, though is having a full session. Tough conditions (windy), that they are handling well. Plenty of noise as they support and call each other, they remain professional as they perform, then more relaxed during the ends of drills. After warm ups and small drills, they split into two groups, with rotations into each station. First was goal kicking, the other was handball in tight areas until the whistle, then they clear and make a ball entry into the fifty. They used left/right wing, and centre area, as the starting place. Emphasis, on spread and delivery. Several rotations into the goal kicking and midfield set up drills. They finish with a little bit of running, though not too much. Petty, Trac and Sparrow last to leave.

I don't watch or listen to too many broadcasts. Gee, that type of action happens all the time. Ball was in the vicinity, a tackle looked possible, but the ball may come loose, and we had been pinned for continuing the tackle earlier in the game. Sharp hit and ready to collect the loose ball. Crucial period and Salem cannot give a free (no intention). Unlucky it got him on a soft spot, probably on the end of the sternum or a rib. MFC players often cop those hits to our heads. Given the concussion litigation, isn't that one the one they need to get out of the game?

Especially since, just before this, Trac got pinged for pushing in the back, which resulted in a Woods goal, when he appeared to turn his opponent who didn't attempt to dispose of the ball, but exaggerated his forward movement and Tracc got a check on the way down. Poor consistency, but what to expect!

Just finished watching the replay. Savoured the live game memories. Great 3rd quater, the last 15 minutes and 4th quarter. Playing hard footy, causing turnovers, holding the lead, using tempo footy, our running when offence and defence, working well in small and closed areas. Thought ANB in that period (late 3rd and 4th) was almost best on the ground, hassle, run and disposals. Don't know what some are talking about. Smith's game, when it counted, gave us exit and scoring opportunities. Tomlinson and JJ also at "it". How's Sparrow's endurance, wow? How did we miss those set shots in the last, Smith, Pickett and Fritta. Got to fix that up, ice the game, and take the easy ones. Thought we had the Woods playing the man and not the ball. Vines in the last 30 seconds, has amazing will. Umpires nearly got them home. Trac needs Clayton back, I think the work load was getting to him. Loved our desperation and game plan. Interesting that a few of us left the replay watching till now.

I think you're right. Tracc plays his footy in the "right spirit". Just looking at the if's and maybe's. I would also add Petty and Sparrow to the list.

I've noticed Tracc being a grumpy of late. Hope he got under the skin of Cox. If he is going to be a protector and enforcer, look out opponents. Much less smiles and how you do's, more "go to war" at the appropriate time.