Kev

BBB pulled out of the training (captains run), very early in the session this morning. Spent most of his time wandering around aimlessly, looked underwhelmed. If our forwards fire could be the end for him. Weid and Petracca to destroy the Dogs. Also Dunstan had a little issue with his left hammy (awareness), required some massage, quickly rejoined the seconds squad though. Go Dees

I think he has been playing the last couple of games down back, ever since his return to the main team. He has been doing alright, as he can take more risks and has a bit more freedom. Has created some good linking plays.

No restrictions, wasn't even sure if he had the shoulder strapped. He was wearing a long sleeved under jumper top. Ready to go, I'd say.

Joel was with the seconds, full training but didn't notice the line he went into, sorry. Next time!

I think because of the short week and it being the captains run, they went easier. Probably also protecting Oliver, and as a guess Tracc. Tracc was seriously practising his set shots. Most were on target, with a beautiful flight.

Had a talk to Buddy the MFC assistant. Tells me they love the surface as do the women Beautiful morning, storm is training and Victory are just setting up. The boys are up and about All over now, short and sweet. The not picked group are out there now. Looks like Joel is in the main group.

There into the lines. Mids working on no look kicks from the clearance, then the connection from back to forward. Going 3/4 pace Forwards working off the marking bag, and the back 6 doing some lead up and outs. Now its some competitive sims, all out there, white, yellow, orange and red. Coaches included. No tackling. The sims broke into a smaller group and got a bit more serious, only for 5 mins, still no tackling Goal kicking now. Push ups for misses, for the entire group Our number 50, has done nothing other than walk around. Bit of a worry.

The oval has been raised by a little less than 1/2 a meter. There is a slight camber, with the peak in the middle. A camera is up on the net post at both goals. Plenty of flood lights on 4 poles. Beautiful looking surface. No trees missing Lever is out there, as is Weids, Tomlinson, Bedford Exercises seem to be about getting them thinking They are making plenty of noise

Something is being set up. Cones are going out. Tmac doing some run throughs.

Keep the 8, when we get the 19 teams. Though, I believe the fixture could change to this, even before we have the 19th team. Every team play each other once. Then separate into zones: Top 4, then middle 6 and lower 6 or 7, they play within each zone to decide their ladder position. Have some matches between the zones in the final one or two home and away games, so as to create possibilities of relegation and promotion into a finals place.

I'll go past tomorrow and give you my thoughts afterwards. Hopefully the squad will be there!

Had a wander around Gosch's this morning, nobody there. My guess is, friday morning captains run!

They have also added flood lights, hopefully for some night training. The nets at the goal ends have been renewed.

When Sparrow trained, he had good disposal when he first joined us. At times in matches he has beautiful kicks. I think he is rushing himself, given the speed he is adjusting to. I suggest he has games when he is connecting well. His problem is consistency, he will mature.

We'll be good. Petracca to drive us, with Viney who will get it on a plate from Max. Rivers and Tomlinson will work well together, as Lever and May do. We will attack off the halfback, connect with Langers and JJ. Time for Spargo to have plenty of goal assist. Go Dees

I am really enjoying this year. Great drama and entertainment as we rack up the wins then fall off the pedestal, then steady again. We haven't hit our straps yet as we struggle with connection, cohesion, ruthlessness, and hunt. Our defensive structures are strong, the mids are nearly the best going around, we can pressure when we want. I can see us getting back to scoring over 100 points and/or piling on heavy scores in a short time. In the past, we would make bad decisions throughout the game, be fumbley, overuse the ball, miss the simple. Now, being more mature and confident, our failures can be remedied within the game and are less existent. The opposition have to play hard and bring their best to compete with us. It is no longer us struggling to stay in touch or be competitive, it seems to be we are always within striking range to win it. Again, an enjoyable place to be, given where we have been in the past. Even a loss is a bit, nah and not as it used to be, where the next ones become must wins, just to be in finals. Good entertainment, hoping we keep growing, learning, and getting stronger. Go Dees.

I agree, though they won't use him forward. Has a beautiful long kick so can lead towards the 50 arc in order to kick scores, loves a big hanger, with his speed can easily work up the field and now has some learnt defensive ability. Spargo is there for his defensive/pressure ability and connection. Needs to start scoring more. Bedford is still learning the craft, I believe he has the most potential given his speed and evasive ability. Loves working with Pickett and can see that duo, going forward as match winners.

Agree, however he was more a captain grumpy down back. I wonder if he feels less confident to berate and in that, may not get the reciprocating adrenaline surge or the drive to win, try harder or be more conscientious. Hoping he can move on.

I believe he is a lead up full-forward. Our set up doesn't suit him. He needs space so he can get separation. We usually have a congested forward area (especially when the play is more static), so we can play contested footy and hold the ball in and around the forward 50 arc. Would love to see us clear out that area, and play a few more a kick behind when in or entering the forward area. Let's play our contested game between the arcs, clog their forward line and empty ours. This would give all the forwards more area to work in, including our BBB, who generally has good hands, usually marks at the highest point and has skill to create separation.

Changes, Dunstan for Clarry. Need someone who is proven in and under, and to give Viney some relief. I believe our offensive problem is that we want to congregate together. The talls, usually two of them tend to work with each other to block, support and form a pack with the smalls at the contest as the ball comes down. The strategy, that doesn't seem to work. What I see is, contested footy in our forward line and a lack of space which makes for holding the ball in there and opportunistic goals. It creates congestion and encourages bombs into it. Fast clearances out of our forward-line by the opponents, leave us chasing hard and a defence zone that is a bit thin. The opposition can create connection and confidence with good deliveries. I want us to be one on one in our forward line with more players outside the attacking arc. Hoping for more forward area mobility, which includes leads, decoys, separations and big open spaces. Keep Bedford in for the game in Alice. His performance at the first nations stronghold could be strong.

Clarry is hard done by. The umps don't look after him, and not just this game. Players hang off him before the ball arrives and he gets pinned for not disposing of the sherrin properly. For a champion player, he gets hardly any protection most weeks from the umps and has to play through being tagged and targeted. Can't see him getting the Brownlow votes he deserves, if they just don't see what he does, how he goes about it and his performance through the duress the opposition apply. One of the toughest, fairest and most talented footballer for the Dees I've seen.

Watching at the Osbourne, 119 commercial rd south yarra. Tv with sound, not crowded. Want to see Langdon back to his best Go Dees. @Winners at last

Yes, serious about attitude. If joking I would have started out by saying, two teams walked into a bar and one walked out early. To drop leads like we did in the last three games, meant to me they were drinking the bathwater during the game. This win against Brisbane showed we can and have to, fight for the whole, game. Great leadership, endeavour and will by our no nonsense captain, Viney. Not much back slapping and antics till very late into the last quarter. There seemed a change in attitude to me. They stayed switched on, remained serious and gave very little to the opposition. Hard weeks on the track can also be about working on skill and strategy deficiencies, not necessarily physical efforts. From the warm up in tonight's game, I noticed an effort in getting tackles made. Maybe "hard weeks" on the track meant, "mouth guards in".

You called it DD. Fought for the four quarters.

I believe it is about one of our old problems, lack of ruthlessness. In the Freo game they came off at half time, in such a self congratulatory manner and to only kick the solitary goal in the third and forth, wow. For a team that knew it could win from any score-line deficit, it has really blown-up in their faces. The last three games, with reasonable leads and to have us overran. It's about the head again. Just as winning was contagious, losing becomes the same. I want ruthless back in our lexicon. Play strong for the 4 quarters, not just the 10/20 minutes a few times a game, in order to score enough. Hammer the opposition when we have them struggling. We need to be able to turn momentum and use moments to push harder (not just satisfied). Bring the pain, create fear in the other, go back to being the hunter and not the hunted. Get the ball first, find an outside runner, make space and separation. Force turnovers and score when we do. In a practical sense, our forward-line has been very static, need more of them moving for leads, decoys, separation and chaos. I want us angry, hard, white line fever, with satisfaction after the game and not during. Time to set us up for a strong run in the second half of the year, with learnings and growth, leading us into the final series. PS. Couldn't read the article, pay wall.