Kev

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

The scoreboard is out, and they are in either blue or red jumpers. Maybe a morning for an extensive sim/trial match. Gawn v Grundy.

@Tucker, looks like the Training is at Gosch’s, enjoy the morning if you get there.

Agree, I think McVee, Turner, Howes, JVR and even Jefferson and Woewodin. Chandler looks like he will do just about anything to get a run. With so many ready to go recruits, Schache, Grundy, Hunter plus a few experienced (Melksham was looking good) and 2 to 4 year players on the periphery, there will be plenty of pressure for positions. Still think we will blood a few this season. We ran out of steam last year. Hoping we rest the not quite right players.

He was one who was a bit fumbly, though he was getting to the right places in sims. He was also looking stronger and heavier, maybe more muscularity. Was able to break tackles with straighter running. I can see him doing more in and under work.

I think we have to reclaim the MCG as our fortress. We make ourselves unbeatable there, and we will be close this season. The session was pretty good. Only a few had the fumbles, though most of the drills were done in a fairly low key manner (80% effort). May be a while till they go hard.

I can see him improving even more. His capacity to lead to unusual spaces, his snaps are getting better and he is primed as one of the first picked, is durable and has some swagger going on. I predict this will be his year. William's is working hard on them getting their set shots right. If Tracc, Vines and Oliver become "dead eyes", watch out, as taking our opportunities will hurt the oppositions. Some appear to flourish under the tutelage of Choco.

A volunteer told me that they will train Wednesday 11th Jan at Gosch's, probably at 9.30 am. He didn't mention today, so I remain sceptical, as he could have been talking about when he is on the track with them. Could easily be at Casey, though I hope not. Today's training was mentioned on the Facebook page. You could give the club a phone call.

Plenty of spectators and supporters there today. Great atmosphere for the first of 2023. Hoping the club informs us of future trainings. They posted on Facebook but not on the website, about this mornings session.

Totally agree, Gawny had to really work to get to the rights spots when in marking duels today, and visa versa for Grundy. Really interesting to watch, the way they would try different tactics such as, make body contact early and push, or hang back a few steps so the other couldn't see them, or dance around from one side to the other, hoping for the advantage. I find all the work that many of the players are doing with each other, is inspiring. Many are passing on knowledge, I can see them talking extensively between drills. We really have a great culture that way. There is also plenty of banter and pseudo aggression as they gee each other up. Support, encouragement and competitiveness. Addit: Seems JVR is learning Fritch's leading patterns (always finding a step ahead, and led into lovely pockets of space with different angles). Both looking very good. Some of Bailey's snaps today were beautiful.

Woewo was doing alright. His kicking still needs some work and I think needs to "do" a bit quicker. A run in the AFL would be useful for him, to see what is required. Jefferson has a good kick on him, some of his goal sense is amazing. Even some of the others are looking, and seeing consistency. Schache seems to be holding his own, as well as keeping low key. Took some nice marks.