Kev

I don't think we are a play anywhere, anytime, any condition kind of team anymore. Give us the G, on a dry, windless day, and we gun. Other times, we want champagne footy to lift us, when grunt over 4 quarters is the way. Last night was an example. Port wanted it more, and Hinkley told them to go harder and test our metal. His players banged us, and as many said in the JVR saga in the Tribunal thread, it is a physical game. The majority didn't want to fight, leaving it to a few. Wet and cold, needs head over the ball and playing for territory. They had it in our defensive area most of the game, except for the 3rd. We nearly stole it, but when the game was on the line, our plan was not appropriate for the conditions. Where was any swarming, with most players in at the area of the ball. Butters ran around the lines too easily, meaning we gave them the back of set-ups, and he stepped through the holes anyway. JVR is young and requires support from leaders, looking at TMac, and to be team first acts. I also want him to hit the packs from the side, as his straight leads and his youth make it too easy to push him under the ball's flight. We are still a good team, and hard to beat. These next games at the G, leading to the bye, will make our season (or break). Cannot put Gus on the ball. Viney looks like he has a niggle. Kossie is not a mid and needs to work on his specky's. We need an enforcer out there. (Sorry about the larger than normal script but can't make it revert to default)

Good quarter, they started hearing footsteps. Tracc and Oliver played as a team. We out worked Lycett. Now to drive it home, keep our intensity and limit the pressure on the backline. Rivers, getting better and better.

They are going after Gawn. Hoping to see him get support from his team mates. We are still in touch, "Fritta". There are a few passengers and the role players don't seem to be doing the job of limiting Ports game plan. We are not travelling well (MCG great). Re-group, reset and get the ball, don't give it back, and create.

Watched JHF play against us, for North. He had trouble getting into the game, last season. Hopefully not developing quickly. Rozee and Butters, bad luck Harmes isn't playing. I am the same, booing is only for nasty acts.

Thanks @Matty, riled about having to upgrade my ticket and the 3 for $36 (that they sold recently, saying access to the KB game), and didn't read clearly what the Beard wrote. Clarity is sincerely appreciated.

Are you sure about that? Oops, I see you mentioned GA bought on ticketek, not via the membership. The email sent said no GA admission.

Only saw the email about, no GA entry available, a little while ago. Went to the ticket site to upgrade my GA ticket and the GA from the 3 for $36 deal. Got some tickets up in the nose bleed, Warne, level 4, BB. So much for footy being affordable! Playing big clubs like the "boo'zers", is just uncomfortable, and pricey.

Nah, in the situation, give'em the Gee up. They love fans, and often declare they play for us. @WalkingCivilWar If you are quiet and not give the support, then, I reckon that is the moz.

We have been playing in the sun, now to see if we can play in the cold at a high level. This is a tester, set the pecking order. C'mon mids get first use, run in swarms, and deliver some stab passes. The defence is humming along, great structure, with hard running during transition from mids and flankers supporting and nullifying, then the rebound. Still worried that Port may slice us and not give us easy turnovers as they are pretty good at using the ball. The defence will need to close the zone a bit, so as to make it to those one on one's. Love that Salem gets into the team, compliments Hibbo, and gives us that poise and stability. They worked him harder than any of the others last Saturday at training. TMac, seems good when returning to the team, it is his second game back where he slumped last time. Hope he impacts and gets consistency week in week out. The Dee's to play high quality footy, with another blitz in the first quarter. Go Dees.

I don't think they go in thinking they are conceding the clearances. With one less in there, do you mean, there is a good chance of not getting it out? We have some good players in close, and our spread from stoppage with outside runners is an improvement from a few years ago. I reckon our problem with the out-number, is it makes it easier for the opponents to tackle, get a spill then win the ball. We are good at getting first use, and I trust our structures to get the ball out when the game is on the line.

Could be right, though when he plays, JJ is very team orientated. Always first option, role and safe plays. I would expect if he is going, then he would take it on more, and hit the riskier but higher reward plays.

Cannot remember seeing him. That does not mean he wasn't there, as it was a quick run, and they stayed grouped together. The same for Howes, didn't see him. I assume, Howes and Bowey were both there.

Couldn't tell, more of a get the week started, then any form/plan type work.

Salem was very comfortable and appeared happy to be out there. Two AFLW players got some training from Mark William's. Eliza West and another I didn't recognise.

Training well, kicking goals, and working on his process.

Looked good, unhampered.

Viney was mainly having a different warm up than the others, using resistance bands.

It's a section of my home made pizza and salad. Only the staff on the field at the moment. Glimpsing the red training tops,, as they meander to the truck and cover. Music beats start up, they mingle with trainers and coaches, a few doing dinky passes, coaches separate., whistle blows and they gather. Tracc is with them. No sign of Petty. Light duties, Tracc, Viney, Lever, Fritta, Hibbo, BBB. Joined the skill drills. Rehab, TMac, Tomlinson, Spargo, they are in rehab tops and are wearing runners. They have joined in the skilss drills, taken by Williams. Plenty of short kicking (look at the target then the ball, is Chocos advice). Plenty of goal kicking practice under supervision, then their out. No sign of Harmes.

Yes, I am at Gosch's now. Any questions?

https://www.melbournefc.com.au/teams/training-times MFC has posted open training session for today. AFL Training Sessions Date: Monday, May 15 Time: 11.30am - 12pm Location: Gosch's Paddock

Loved our defensive unit. Led by Lever organising them. May's muscles, Bowey's courage, McVee's hustle, Hibbo's reading and endeavour, River's size, speed and attack, Brayshaw's smarts and skill. The defensive structures are amazing, and influential in creating turnovers. As a good team we really make the opponents pay for their errors. Some of our fast down the MCG wings ball movement, was great. We started the game with the forwards leading to the boundary. If we aren't efficient converting opportunities good sides could hurt us. Some of our handballs missed the mark and some put the receiver under pressure. We are also happy to run with the opponents and peel off to a zone as a backman picks up the opponent. We really know our roles and the team communication is working. We have a "buy in' and 'connection" going, that stuff that Goody used to empathise when we were middle of the pack club. Good win, now for a tester against Port. Go Dees.

These two teams (Geelong, Richmond) have players that appear to "dissent" all the time. If they crossed the line, umpire's would call it. It may be to get the supporters going, which in turn can influence the umpires. It could also be cognitive dissonance.

I did not see Harme's at either session.

By the end of his training Salem was still moving well, in his glide along style, though at times he was a bit off the pace.

Didn't see the presser. Watched Petty do a fair bit of goal kicking, and working on his set shot process.