kev martin

Beautiful morning at The Paddock. Windless with a few less spectators than usual. There was a group of young, probably academy players in MFC gear on the sidelines as well. Goody throwing the positions around, at one stage he spent 5 minutes on the board organising them. Spargo had some time on the wing as did Chandler. Langdon had some time off halfback and pushed really high. Fritsch continues to play a high forward role. Brown and Lindsay matched up against each other, either as half's or on the wing. They broke even, as Brown finds space with arcs and separation, and Lindsay makes straight line breaks with quick steps, and finishes very well. Sestan still off the backline and playing well, also showing structural leadership as he instruct others to position. Most of the sim sets started from a throw in from the back point post. We cleared well and found lots of space up forward. The backline couldn't get to the contest numerous times. Trac has brought lots of poise to the midfield. Clayton was in good form, shrugging tackles with hip movement, and beating the scramble and congested packs. Lever is doing well, as they play plenty of switches from one boundary to the other, a few times they went central. H. Langford missed a few hit ups and made a couple of poor decisions, though getting plenty of the ball. Billings is playing strong and wants the ball off the wing. Laurie is doing everything right as a mid. Woey has a bit of pain through his shoulder, but continues to do most drills and sims. They are happy and boisterous.

There is the marketing, and why they pay for the rights to broadcast it.

No free to air broadcast. A free kick to the NRL Indigenous/Maori game on channel 9. Why are the AFL pandering to the division in society, of the haves and the nots, and the bars selling that drug.

How was Ed Langdon? Did he play as an onballer?

I was there, saw Judd go down, spasm, crawl, got up, hopped, then walked with pain and discomfort for about 20 meters till the trainers met him. Given his will power, I'd guess he would have made it to the boundary by himself. Ghost could have seen the first part and made the opinion that at least he was able to move by his own and concluded it may not be too bad, being a more glass full kinda person. Her observations weren't wrong, just not a complete commentary. They also underpinned the opinion about the extent of the injury, which is more of a concern to me. Our thinking, it was not too bad, given he made his way towards the boundary by himself, before being assisted. We were hoping it was only cramp.

A hot day down at Gosch's Paddock. They are working the squad hard, plenty of running and for a longer time of exertion than early preseason runs. A few suffered brain fades in the heat. The overall skin folds are minimal, their bodies are top light, they are ready to run. Great to see Spargo with the squad, he participated in the non-contact drills, the same for Tracc, who ran numerous laps, when they did sims. Fullarton is now in full training as is Lever, and McAdam. No shows, included Viney, Windsor, Bowey, Salem, Tholstrup and Kentfield. Goody and Chaplin were very vocal, mainly about the structural forms. The sims were dedicated to last few minutes, perhaps 10 sets were performed. The team in front, played behind the ball. The lead changed numerous times. They finished with the 30-second board being shown from the boundary, the ones in front protected the ball and the defensive had to match up. The ones in front managed easily. Langdon is flourishing as an on baller. Plenty of touches, a few inside the forward 50. Lindsay and Billings on one wing with Woewodin and Sharp the other side. They were making lots of connections boundary side for the back to the forwards. Chandler and Sparrow in the half-forward area, though not much involvement. Petty running the full ground from back to forward area, with Hore in tow. Jefferson started down back, fluffed a couple of easy marks, they moved him forward and he did much better. Sestan off halfback is doing well and Verrall had a good session up forward. AMW has poise and making good decisions with the ball. Kossie is looking good, ripping through the traffic with turns and bluffs. Campbell is giving Gawn some resistance in ruck and around the field, he is competing well against him. Gawn is doing more leadership now, vocal and supportive to the others. Actually, most of them are getting into the encouragement and congratulations. Poor Juddy, when he did 'it', he started crawling off to the boundary, team first attitude, get out of the way of others, while spasms and pain hit him.

https://www.melbournefc.com.au/teams/training-times They are back at Gosch's on Monday February 17th. Which probably means the training schedule for 2025 season will be, Monday recovery at Gosch's, main midweek at Casey, and the captain's run at Gosch's. Gosch's Paddock 📅 Wednesday, February 12 📍 Gosch's Paddock ⏰ 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM 📅 Monday, February 17 📍 Gosch's Paddock ⏰ 9:00 AM - 11:00 PM Casey Fields Beyond Bank Family Series - Open Training 📅 Friday, February 14 📍 Casey Fields ⏰ 3:00 PM - 6:30 PM ✍️ Player signing opportunity

https://www.melbournefc.com.au/teams/training-times They have updated the details of February 14th, family day at Casey. Gosch's Paddock 📅 Wednesday, February 12 📍 Gosch's Paddock ⏰ 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM Casey Fields Beyond Bank Family Series - Open Training 📅 Friday, February 14 📍 Casey Fields ⏰ 3:00 PM - 6:30 PM ✍️ Player signing opportunity What's on offer? Partner giveaways and collectibles Player signing opportunity after training Fun activities for juniors and families Secure your membership and the latest Demon Shop merchandise this AFL pre-season Casey canteen is open for food and beverages Rock climbing wall - exclusive for Junior Members. Sign up here or on the day at the Membership tent

Yes, Brown is in full training. Definitely not standing out with any errors. Getting some involvement, moves well to space using lateral steps, good hands, good disposals. I wonder between Lindsay and himself, who are similar players, which one is ahead in Goody's thoughts. He was playing out of the half-back area today in the sims.

https://www.melbournefc.com.au/teams/training-times Gosch's Paddock 📅 Wednesday, February 12 📍 Gosch's Paddock ⏰ 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM Casey Fields 📅 Friday, February 14 📍 Casey Fields ⏰ TBC

There have been some sessions when they go fast and find an attacking corridor. Some wind was blowing straight down the middle as well. Could have been a matter of trying different styles. Though you could be right. Playing safe doesn't make for beating the best sides. As for the practice match, there will be plenty of maybe best 23 giving it a go and the game plan may be held untill round 1. In any case it will be an interesting start to our year. In Chaplin I trust, as a change up to the forward line.

Beautiful morning at the paddock. The full field drill was skilful and done with plenty of vocal support. One drill was a completive one on two contest, defender double tackles, was encouraged. The sims started with Goody going slowly through the intention and set up. Then they competed in 3 or was it 4, 6 minute sets. Tackling was a lot more gentle than previous hit outs. May looking very fit, and getting intercepts and fists to many of the opposition's forward pushes. Tmac covering the ground well and vocal in the backline as was Petty. Max is running very hard and creating mismatches in the forward area. Langford found space on the lead and twice finished nicely. They played the boundaries, out of the backline, when looking central only half came off. Chaplin working on the forwards defensive setup. Mids separated to drills. Under the guidance of Radford, Whitford and Jones, they worked with Gawn and Campbell, most of the plays ended with a contested scramble. Forwards and back tall's, worked mainly with one on one or off the bag for marks and the follow-up groundball. Running was emphasised, as they develop match fitness. Those that didn't do the k's in sims, ran extra sprints. Some backs and forwards had more running sets. My impression is that there is so much pressure for spots, and they are getting competitive.

Johnson has been doing well in the preseason, often finding some freedom from opposition that others can have difficulty with. He uses the boundary side well, and has a good leading pattern. I haven't seen him hit the packs or perhaps he is waiting for serious opponents. Yet to see him doing any ruck drills. My feeling about Jefferson is that he is a back-up to Fritsch. His one on one's, are fairly good, and at times shows he has the hands to go with it. Though a little inconsistent with that. His best asset in contest, is he keeps his feet, controls the aerial, brings the ball to ground and gathers it. His snap shot is also good.

Verral is not quite there at the moment. Getting bullied in the ruck by Campbell, and Johnson seems a better forward. I like when he gets the ball in hand, as breaks lines because of strength and makes good decisions, but not getting it often enough. He is also good below his knees for a big. I haven't seen him take many pack marks or use his bulk to smash the pack. I believe we should stick with him, as may have more development. Would like to see him kick a few goals and to feed the mids with ruck taps in the Casey team this season.

Heard a couple of names out there today, 5/1/2025. Verrall, fish JVR, rooter Hore, budge