Kev

Train on player from Frankston Dolphins, 19 yrs of age.

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I felt the same early on in the sims. Late into the action he came into his own. He ran hard and got to more contest and covered the zone in the back-line area. He made good decisions with the ball and was the factor that brought the red tops back onto contention.

Laurie, is always hunting that loose ball off the packs, but seems to be a bit away from the contest and is often blocked and others get to it first.. Did some nice tackles, finds it difficult to be involved. Woewodin, is running the lines very well. His endurance is building. He and Chandler both started the sims on the wing. Tackling well, creating overlaps and links. Looking strong. McVee, good involvement, bringing pressure, finding the ball and making good decisions.

JvR has been slamming him. Likes to use his body to create space. Good contest, he is so close, not easy for a marking forward in these conditions but contest very well. Petty just gets on with it, though I think he puts it into the old memory bank. They were very eager in the sims. Good hard play and lots of gut running.

Both did well in the sims, though a few ball fumbles (tough conditions). Jefferson made separation for himself, the backs either couldn't go with him or gave him some freedom. He still needs to lift his eyes but did some nice plays. Burgoyne was in lots of plays in both the back area and forward area. He was very team focused, making room for and bringing in other players. A few occasions his second and third efforts made a difference.

He's getting fitter, doing much better in the runs, though not fast he has some endurance capacity. His kicking and hands were great today and got a fair bit of action in the sims.

Lovely day for it, that is, for going hard and making an effort (without the heat). They made the most of it, plenty of omf, hits and gut running in the sims. Amazed by the number of fans, at least 80 of us. Made a good atmosphere. The players really are happy out there, I have seen and heard the talk, support, and camaraderie that shows our culture is fine at the Dee's. There also seems to be a sense of equality amongst them. The warm-ups included some funny movements and body positions. High knee runs, with arms folded, and body turned sideways. I think it creates balance and gets the legs carrying when the body is contorted. Must have a purpose, no matter the Monty Python funny walk appearance. Anyway, the kicking drills aren't much better. Six points in a rectangle by two sets. I think six balls a set. Appears chaotic, as they lead and kick into (what has some method) each of the points. They handled very well considering the slippery conditions. The next drill is through three lines and grouping at each end, 80 meters apart, with a player starting in the middle who rotates in and out. They kick and handball to either leading players from the other end or use a short pass to the central player, or go lateral to one of the other lines. Eight players involved, with three balls moving from end to end. Really making them use the eyes and brain to make decisions. Then they extend the length of the run through. They break into two stations, one a handball game, the other handball with a team being able to kick to a leading player and his opposition, or score the handball. Both competitive. Next one is some tackling practice, then the sims. I liked K Turner and McVee, Salem doing some beautiful long passes, Schache was having some good involvement. May and Tomlinson stopping lots of attacks. Langdon and Hunter competed well against each other. Plenty of action in closed areas, as tackling and fumbles made for some scrambling footy. A few kicks and hopes, but generally most plays were done with intention. The sims were played at great intensity, as there were no stoppages and another ball was in quickly once the forwards got a mark or kick on goal. After sims, they broke into stations of, goal kicking or one on one marking. Then some hard boundary running to finish. I've seen the score board twice now. It seems red versus blue the blue tops. They appear to keep score in all activities they have a competitive edge to them. Blue won the day by 2 points, I think 217 to 219. Blue led most of the session then red hit the front late into sims, and finally blue kicked an easy goal to win it. There was a score that favoured blue even before the drills started, must have done some pre-field competition. He's getting fitter, doing much better in the runs, though not fast he has some endurance capacity. His kicking and hands were great today and he got a fair bit of action in the sims. Both did well in the sims, though a few ball fumbles (tough conditions). Jefferson made separation for himself, the backs either couldn't go with him or gave him some freedom. He still needs to lift his eyes but did some nice plays. Burgoyne was in lots of plays in both the back area and forward area. He was very team focused, making room for and bringing in other players. A few occasions his second and third efforts made a difference. JvR has been slamming him. Likes to use his body to create space. Good contest, he is so close, not easy for a marking forward in these conditions but contest very well. Petty just gets on with it, though I think he puts it into the old memory bank. They were very eager in the sims. Good hard play and lots of gut running. Laurie, is always hunting that loose ball off the packs, but seems to be a bit away from the contest and is often blocked and others get to it first. Did some nice tackles, finds it difficult to be involved. Woewodin, is running the lines very well. His endurance is building. He and Chandler both started the sims on the wing. Tackling well, creating overlaps and links. Looking strong. McVee, good involvement, bringing pressure, finding the ball and making good decisions. I felt the same early on in the sims. Late into the action he came into his own. He ran hard and got to more contest and covered the zone in the back-line area. He made good decisions with the ball and was the factor that brought the red tops back onto contention. GEORGE ON THE OUTER'S TRAINING REPORT BITTER BUT OPTIMISTIC’S TRAINING REPORT

https://www.melbournefc.com.au/teams/training-times AFL Training Sessions Date: Wednesday 18 January Time: 9:30am Location: Gosch's Paddock *Please note: Training times and locations are subject to change at late notice.

He was only on the rower and the ropes , no bike or running, pre-Christmas. Must be lower body related, nothing substantiated. Good to see him running, and doing some sims and drills now.

He (Brayshaw) is coming off an interrupted preseason. It will be the next few weeks that will tell the story. Maybe not in the midfield, but a few extra kilos won't go astray for him as a defensive player (putting his body on the line). All players have to be team orientated, so I wouldn't see a problem if he is not a permanent mid. He is a useful player wherever they put him.

We have so many possibles and good first picked players. The dilemma is who to replace if we are going to put some new ones into the 22/23. Last season we went into the games with minimal changes, and not too many new ones getting a look. It appears we have many options this year. I just wonder if the selection committee will be adventurous. If they are, I hope it is early in the season, so we get stability later on. Where do we fit them all and who misses? Agree about Brodie and Hunter, and I can see Schache being useful. Hibbo is such a stable factor down back and reads the play extremely well, Tomlinson is looking very fit and powerful, I haven't seen enough of Adams, JVR is exciting, I believe Turner needs to tear it up at Casey to get a boot in the door, Melky is looking good on the track and Sestan needs to prove himself. Petty is getting better and better, love his mongrel as well (not many left in the modern game). Can't wait to see our 22/23 selections for game 1. Are we adventurous or are we with going with tried and experienced players?

I agree. Just thought he had a bit of a disappointing end to last year. I expect him to pick up. Hoping he gets back to being in our top 10, as we need his decision making, poise and kicking skills.

I would also include Jefferson, if he can start getting his hands on the ball. As for Laurie, make or break year. I don't think he is up to it, though would love to be proven wrong. He needs some swagger/confidence, and to get consistency of involvement and impact, at Casey. Tommo (Sparrow), Spargo, JJ and Bowey are ready to go. They know the system, and can now begin some leadership roles. Time for them to have their best years. Taj, Howes, Chandler, and possibly McVee and Turner could all could get a go. Casey will have an interesting year with many on the cusp. Hoping they adapt well to the speed and intensity when/if they get the call up. Sestan and Schache, again, I reckon the call up will be determined by how they perform at Casey and what Goody wants with our forwardline, even if different experiences and ages. Schache also a cover for injuries to our talls and depends on how JVR (if gets a run) goes. Our list is so strong and runs deep. Hoping for Goody to give quite a few of them a run. Tmac, Hibbo, Melksham, Salem, BBB, Harmes, Rivers, Tomlinson and ANB may be making way if they start falling off the pace and skills needed. More confident about Tmac, and Salem to keep their spots.

I've found that when you stretch the hand and fingers just before marking, the softening hands seem to grasp the ball and reduce the bounce off the hand. Softening hands, not soft hands. Timing works well, getting a good view of the ball, it's flight, and of course the hand/eye/body, coordination skill.

@RedLegs23 Were they still doing hard running after the sims? Did you notice if Pickett was, for the midfield or forwards? Was J.Smith doing any drills. Did it look like, May, Brayshaw, or Petty, were still on modified programs? How did Jefferson, Howes or Sestan train?

Was Oliver or Hunter at training?

https://www.melbournefc.com.au/teams/training-times The club has posted training at Casey on Friday 13th and Monday 16th, at 9.30 am.

Thought Jordan was looking good. He has developed poise, with some of his side steps/shimmy's, and then making great decisions. Usually, finding a player down the central corridors and creating attacking ball movement. Sparrow is standing up in tackles, power's through his hips and with a shrug or two, they slip off. Still not as strong as Tracc in that respect but, gee if their tackles aren't strong he will escape. Has courage to burn as well. Kossie is our gem. Wow, hoping for some magic between him and Oliver. He has so much explosive pace, and turns like a whirlwind is pushing him around in sharp arcs. They can't touch him. No-one is taking the aerial superiority as yet. Hoping the big boys are just biding their time. I think he is doing fine. Often, only going at 80%. Getting a full preseason into himself. Not standing out, but taking a professional approach. Still has his skills, poise and decision making.

I think he will be a tall mid. Saw him working with Viney and a coach. In the sim, he popped up more in the central area. Would love for us to have a tall winger.

Didn't get much of an opportunity as couldn't get hands on ball. Competed a few times for the mark and got out back at least once for an easy goal. He appeared confident out there.

Yes Was really encouraging their competitive juices. Called out the scores in the competitive drills and wanted them to go hard, especially during transitions after turnovers.

I thought the same. Bulked up, even looking taller. His running group appeared to be the second one (probably top 8). They ran hard. Taking on some leadership/giving directions down back in the sims, and reading the play well.

The volunteer told me that Friday is for training at Casey. So I assume the schedule for preseason training is: Monday and Wednesday at Gosch's 9.30am and Friday's at Casey.

Into the warm-ups, which seem to be the same as usual. A scoreboard is out. My guess is that they use it to simulate time left, scores and quarter, so they can perform particular scenarios. They go into kicking drills, not the kick to kick type, but with players set at 4 points and at angles. It creates more chaos and gets them concentrating. A day that seems to be getting them into competitive mode. They do some handball games. Two stations are about 7 on 7, and one station is larger, then they rotate through them. Back to kicking drills, 3 stations, one hitting up the leader going sideways, another with the leader going away from the kicker and the kicker having to put a full range hit, can't remember what the other one was, they rotate through them. Full sims, tackling and competitive. Sparrow put his body on the line numerous times, I saw him body whacked 4 or 5 times. It was at a frenetic pace and got heavier as it continued. Worried a couple of times, Bailey got a hit, Tracc went down, Farris-white came off head hit (great leadership by Brayshaw as he escorted him), Impressed with Pickett, sharp turning, untouchable with ball, beautiful disposals, closes down space so quickly. Schache has a good lead, gets separation. Lever and Viney (holding back from tackling) keeping up the standards, Howes looking good as was Woewodin who has the same composure as Salem. No-one can keep up with Chandler. JVR is ready. Spargo getting to the drop of the ball. Tomlinson was playing too high, let attacking players get space behind him. Brodie still finding his feet. Some of our ball movement from back to forward was quick, delightful, and deliberate. Good structures already. Bowey did some great intercepts. They didn't do any stoppage plays, so Grundy, Max didn't go up against each other. After the sims into some goal kicking for mids and forwards, with the back-line hanging together in a warm down, talk it over kind of gathering with the ball moving between them. They were whistled, the runners are put on and away they go. Gruelling lap sprinting and fartlek running. They will sleep well tonight. Tracc was still on the paddock doing set shot kicking after everyone had left. Interesting that Hunter is not at training, not a good sign as these ones seem really team building. Talked to Richardson. Burgoyne(#33), they haven't decided yet. He will play for Casey if not listed. Lives with Pickett. I also asked about J.Smith. He tells me they still rate him and is not far off from completing rehab. Talked to J.Smith, told me he got an infection. Must have been post minor surgery. Talked to the volunteer, tells me Friday is for Casey. So I assume Monday, Wednesday 9.30 am at Gosch's and Friday at Casey, will be the schedule. GEORGE ON THE OUTER'S TRAINING REPORT DEESPICABLE'S TRAINING REPORT OLD DEE'S TRAINING REPORT