Everything posted by Kev
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NON-MFC: Opening Round 2025
That is how it will feel for all free to air spectators. No Saturday night AFL for us, a fizzer of a season.
- PRESEASON TRAINING: Friday 7th March 2025
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PRESEASON TRAINING: Friday 7th March 2025
All about bonding. Most of the drills had a competive edge to it. Golf with a footy, closest to the pin. Group handballing, with one more ball than the number of contestants. The one handling two balls was out, last man standing gets the chocolates. Snaps for goal off passes, two teams, first one to countdown to zero wins. Two groups, handles ball then passes to end the set. First to finish wins. Kind of juvenile, they were all regressed back to teenagers. Plenty of noise and excitement filled the paddock.
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PREGAME: Rd 01 vs GWS
It is a guess from me. Sunday the 16th March, we play. So, a Captain's run the day before, Saturday at Gosch's, probably starting around 9.30 am. Main training at Casey on Thursday 13th, 10.00 am. Recovery run, either Monday 10th or Tuesday 11th, at Gosch's 9.30 am. I think there is a chance of an intra-club sim either this Saturday or Sunday, out at Casey. They could post later. https://www.melbournefc.com.au/teams/training-times
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Half Baked Ideas
Some ideas Kids and big kids, having a kick to kick with the selected emergency players at half time. Have some big kids kick the new balls around so as to wear them in for the game, pre game. Ballot some tickets to the pregame official functions, to the GA members, on an opt-in type system. Invite the board members of suburban and country clubs to a "week with the club". Practical knowledge that will help support these clubs. Some ideas: how to run clubs, financial acumen, creating elite pathways, modern coaching and training skills. Invite these suburban and country clubs to bring in their promising juniors for an orientation program and "what it takes" to make it as a professional. Catch the new immigrants and turn them into Demon supporters. Free tickets and merchandise, instructions on the rules and approaches to the game. Have a Demon radio program, that will broadcast the game on social media. Much more official social media presence. Keep the official MFC website up to date. Ask the coaches to write a spiel about their objectives and the implementation strategies. End of year summaries would also be welcome, including the system they were working on. More information from the inner sanctum. End of year player kit give aways and/or auctions. Get some kids to dress up in little Demon costumes and chase Checkers, Daisy, and Flash around pregame.
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Forward line questions
He has an upside, his enthusiasm for the contest is great, he has some mongrel as well, when infront he finds separation, if behind he will smash the pack. Works hard for the ground ball, gets it, but his snaps need some work. I believe his limitations are his hands, tends to have two bites at it, when he gets that right he will star. I would love to see him work hard on goal assists.
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Forward line questions
Me too, Bowey loves a goal at training, as a high forward he could put the ball on a six-pence for our leading forwards. Unfortunately, I haven't not seen them trial him in that position.
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PRESEASON 2025: Training Times
Maybe, they have an intra club the next day at Casey? I think they also have a run at Casey on Thursday, after the 3 day break.
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Forward line questions
Jeffo will get a go, does enough adequately. I believe there is a good possibility that he will blossom in the big league. A bit like AMW did. Looking bigger this year, playing the ground ball well, has confidence to take on multiple opponents. He is often free and lurking on the opponents blind side and always moving. Needs to demand the ball, looks for the easy boundary side get, appears a little slow when defending.
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Forward line questions
Disruptive with JVR going out early. The smalls are unreliable, using mids as half-forward is a bit, fill gap. We really need explosive smalls, get ball and go, stop quick exits and lock it in. We need natural readers of the play. Our clearances are much better when Tracc was on-ball. Viney calls for it when he is out-matched, needs to have more cognizance. I think they have made a mistake with Windsor off the backline (a few tackled got away from him), he loves a goal. Fritsch looks lost playing a high forward. We need the experience of Melky. Mentha could get a look. Chandler needs consistency, he can kick but just doesn't seem get to the right areas. Billings needs to put his head over the ball, look at it, then kick through. He appears to try a "feel" with the ball, that did not work in Mandurah. Will the thing through the posts. Great that we are getting good looks within the 50 arc.
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PRESEASON 2025: Training Times
https://www.melbournefc.com.au/teams/training-times Gosch's Paddock 🗓️ Friday, March 7 ⏰ 9:15 am - 10:15am 🏟️ Gosch's Paddock
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NON-MFC: Opening Round 2025
There will still be rain around the area and the possible clean up, until the low pressure moves. Probably less wind though. Postpone both games, as the spectators may have more on their plate then a game in sub-standard conditions. They would want to make sure accommodation and transport are on board with rescheduling or cancellations!
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NON-MFC: Opening Round 2025
Aren't the Cats getting the extra bye round because they could've started a week earlier than the others. If their opening game is postponed and their early bye round is now a game week, they should still get the mid season byes.
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NON-MFC: Opening Round 2025
I think it is good for us. Disruptive to the Cats, and if they have a bad start to season they won't be able to easily reset, or fine tune.
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NON-MFC: Opening Round 2025
If the Geelong v Brisbane game is postponed, then there is a good chance they play in the bye week that both teams have, around 28 to 30th March. For us, it would mean that the Cat won't get a week off before they play us on the 4th of April.
- POSTGAME: Practice Match vs Fremantle
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POSTGAME: Practice Match vs Fremantle
Rarely do they get one on one instruction, usually its the lot of them kicking at the goals. They do change it up regularly. That is, snaps, different angles, over or around mannequins, different distances. They also get together in small groups and kick from the improbable angle off the boundary, or try those inside out double movement off ball from sharp angles so as to amuse each other. Choco comes up with a variety of kicking drills and will spend some time with an individual during the mass kicking. He appears to be the field kicking and goal kicking coach. I also think they accept mediocrity, and don't push perfection. I would like to see a dedicated goal kicking coach, who looks at their style, studies the tapes, and helps optimize the craft, well away from that mass kicking drill and put a spotlight and solution on each individual.
- GAMEDAY: Practice Match vs Fremantle
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GAMEDAY: Practice Match vs Fremantle
That is how they train, when the ball is in our backline. We hope for ball out the back, as we lead towards our goal. When a stoppage happens on the wing, we leave a tall near goal, one on one, the others a kick away, and with an extra defender. During centre bounces, we fill close to goal. Interesting forward structures to come. Chaplin is an innovator and a micro-manager. I think Deaver is wrong about this season. It is a newish bus with Chaplin and Goody putting their coaching skills into a mid and forward structure that will free up Turner and JVR with space, or if the smalls get to them allow for ground ball. We will be swarming again and going fast, and many suggest that that ball movement will help the conversion. Fritsch has attended nearly every preseason session, has a point to prove. Turner has been given the licence. Sparrow and Chandler have both taken more leadership roles. Billings is looking super fit. I am on the train, Choo Choo. Go Dee's.
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CASEY: Practice Match vs Sandringham
Are there any demonlander's out at Casey? There is no media anywhere about this game. A brief run down and/or an on-going commentary would be appreciated
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CASEY: Practice Match vs Sandringham
2025 Smithy's VFL practice match schedule Saturday, March 1 GWS Giants vs Southport Sharks (Vailo Community Centre, 11:15am) Casey Demons vs Sandringham (Casey Fields, 12:00pm) Port Melbourne vs Frankston (Mars Stadium, 10:30am) Coburg vs Williamstown (Mars Stadium, 1:30pm) Werribee vs Northern Bullants (Mars Stadium, 4:30pm)
- PREGAME: Practice Match vs Fremantle
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PRESEASON TRAINING: Friday February 28th 2025
Yes Culley was with them, left the paddock with the, I assume are the Casey team.
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PRESEASON TRAINING: Friday February 28th 2025
Beautiful morning, not much wind, more than a couple of dozen spectators. The players were up and about, boisterous and having fun. One of their last drills were three teams competing in a hard at it, handball game in a small area. Goody was encouraging them in it and to win. He also took them aside a couple of times and talked to them, during the session. Halfway through training, those that are playing in the Casey game tomorrow left the area. Included were, Tmac, Tom Campbell, Bailey Laurie, Matt Jefferson, Ricky Mentha Jnr, Kynan Brown and Will Verrall. I didn't notice Tom Fullarton or Ollie Sestan. Jack Henderson was training but had no number, maybe he will get a run for Casey. Charlie Spargo was doing some short runs in runners, it was mentioned that he will play at Casey. Those who stayed with the main squad included, Blake Howes, Jed Adams, Xavier Lindsay, Harvey Langford, Caleb Windsor, Christian Salem, Daniel Turner, Harry Sharp, Taj Woewodin and Aidan Johnson. Jack Viney was running well and getting plenty in the sims (two 5 minute sets). Tom Sparrow looking strong and with good involvement. Wings had Jack Billings, Lindsay, Woewodin and Sharp in those positions. Kade Chandler running extensively up and down the field, off half-forward. Johnson struggled a bit keeping up with Max Gawn. At a couple of stages, Gawny was instructing Johnson on the ruck craft. Jake Lever intercepting well. Apart from him stopping our thrusts, we showed good overall skills, with fast ball movement and kicking to advantage. Adams was getting heavily involved and with good skills. Rivers is ready to go, looking very good, as is Jake Bowey. Tracc a little rusty, missed some hits when distributing. Clayton Oliver continues to push himself, working very hard. Windsor was running freely. They had cones ten metres in from the boundary line. Looks like that they want them to find corridors and not safety. I was told they are flying early tomorrow.
- PREGAME: Practice Match vs Fremantle