Kev

I agree, Saturday could have been the better option. Especially, since they need the kids to be on board.

Finals Open Training - Gosch's Paddock 📆 Friday, November 7 ⏰ 10:30am - 12:30pm 📍 Gosch's Paddock 🏃‍♂️ Session type: Finals Open Training 🎨 Facepainting 🍩 OMG Doughnuts 🛒 Demon Shop ☕️ Coffee Cart 🛍️ Partner Giveaways ✍️ Player Signings https://www.melbournefc.com.au/teams/training-times

Blustery conditions at Gosch’s today. The women handled it well, their skills and standards were of a high level. The warm-up had all players participating, other than Purcell. They then gathered in a circle with the Admins and AFL coaches (at least 35 people plus the players), Hose gave a talk. They finished in the usual way, with clapping and singing in unison as the observers walked to the boundary, appearing a touch stunned by the players' joy. The drills and warm-ups were quite competitive again. They had a drill, light contact work, moving in confined areas, with smoothers, and handballs, another, had them chase a player through the obstacles. There were the usual lead-ups, and short passes. A drill had them stab passing through a target to a stationary player. The first lot of sims, Stinear talked to them about structures, and walked them through the movement. They then had sprints, then back to sims, where the opposition was mainly trainers with a splattering of AFLW. The object appeared to be to move the ball quickly, create spread and lay angled kicks to the advantage of leading forwards. A few appeared to be carrying some niggles, O'Hehir, Pissano, Mahony as they stepped away from some of the drills where contact and or hard turning, was expected. They all participated in the sims (minimal contact). During sims, Goldrick, Colvin and Hose were loading (running) the wings. They also participated in some sims. I am unsure what to make of that. Unlike last week, Harris trained fully. After the sprints, Chaplin went to the boundary, indicating some hamstring awareness/damage. No ice was applied, nor any physio work. She stopped training. My guess is she will be a test come Saturday's Captains Run. They finished with a competitive goal kicking between the reds and the blue guernseys. Mackin worked hard, as did Rigoni. Paxy and McNamara in everything. Hore continues to show she has such a good footy brain, always finds extra time and makes those better decisions. Gillard and S.Taylor working well together. Fitzsimon and Wotherspoon doing everything right. Zanker is dominating, finds great separation, strong marking and finishing. Hanks is all class. Bannan and Gall having lots of the play. Stinear talked to them on about 4 occasions. They finished at 12.35pm, a good two and a half hours of training. They are good to go. Go Dees

Thanks Ghosty. Hoping the rain will finish soon!

Gosch's paddock was beautiful this morning. Harris and O'Hehir on light duties, finished their session on the bike. Purcell continues with rehab, starting to load up by carrying weights. Colvin on light duties. Beasley joined the main group, as well as Gall. Hose continues to participate in the drills and some of the sims. Goldrick turned up midway through, with a trainer. Gave the thumbs up to indicate she was good to go (guess work). Did run throughs for the rest of the session. The day had a fair bit of competition, from the warm-up with fun and wins, to drills where they had different coloured tops and contended with each other. The drills included: Leading and marking in the forward area, with an opposition. Starting scrimmages high up in the forward 50 and scrambling towards goal. Two groups in a small perimeter, where a player attempts to break through tackles. In the sims, a main group played against the trainers/coaches. A small group would flood/swarm as they moved the ball off half-back and moved it quickly into the congested forward area. The sims seem to emphasise entry into the 50, holding it in and creating multiple entries. They are up and ready, displaying intensity, high standards and professionalism. The joy was obvious at appropriate times. Kate Roffey (past president) turned up to support them, stayed for the entire time and gave out numerous hugs and encouragements. Go Dees

Wet and muggy out on the Paddock today. Noticed that the ground people have not put any line markings on field. Standing around were Goldy and Jonhson. Lighter duties included O'hehir (did some drills, no sim), and Tayla (did drills, on trainer's side during sim, so minimal participation). Gall was being put through some running tests, and has her personal trainer in rehab. Lampard, Heath and S.Taylor all in full training. Purcell on an individual light program. Beasley watching the goings-on from the sidelines. No Colvin. Gall and D. Taylor in full training. Hose participated in the sim on the trainer's side, therefore minimal interactions, good to see her running around. B. Mackie in full training. They trained with high skill levels, even with the slippery conditions. The drills at three stations (all the same action), had them structure from a kick behind the mark to various leads, the mids with the shorter kick and leading forwards as a longer kick, then they would move the ball ending with a kick at goal. The drill was played without contact, the forwards had a light tag on them, and the mids with a defensive player in front. It was run with good intensity, they consistently encouraged each other, and made the structure made them use angled kicks to advantage. They then went to Sims, with about of about 14 players, with 6 to 8 rotating at the finish of actions, against the trainers in bibs. There was minimal contact. The ball started in the centre bounce area. Some of our strengths were holding the ball in the 50 and creating multiple entries. They were also good with the run past, and the overlap as they spread from the mid-area. They kicked 3 goals, 1 point, in about 7 minutes. Finished with on the run goal kicking. They are a happy lot.

There must be more to it, as Hellfire typed, "In the fullness of time Demon fans who can't comprehend this trade will hear reasons that may shock them". If what you mentioned was all that it was, then many have been in the same situation and the club stands with them. Something that indicates an intractable was there (thought he was down to earth type). How did they miss that prior to the long contract?

My main problem is that 3 years ago they sign a big contract with Oliver, from that time he has had a big personality change, big enough for us to throw him out. Though could be within 2 years of the signing, as we tried to shop him out to Geelong last season. King probably had some info from that time. Leaves me confused about what went, and is going down. From a gun to an unwanted player in such a short period. Why didn’t they know this, whatever it is about him at the time of his contract?

You can use the 6 PR radio app and synch with the TV broadcast (the commentators said this). The problem is the radio commentators don't know our players well. Often use Melbourne, Dees, they, to call our possessions. Good opportunity for the women to play great footy, we haven't trailed by this much for quite sometime. Turn it around, go Dees!

They both bring different things. Viney, hard working, constantly talking to others about skills, professional. Oliver, always smiling, takes time with the new players, never better than the other, has that pestering type of humour, jokes around, always working with Fritta, goes hard at training.

We are hopeless at getting the best out of our playing group. How will this help Oliver or Tracc be better if they stay. The others will be watching the way we treat their mates. Disrespect and easy to throw them when they don't fit the MFC brand. No loyalty, and no ability to create it within our club. They can both be guns, and we don't want them! Ruthless off field organisation.

In preseason Hose was was doing some ruck and tap work under the coaching of Watts (retired past ruck). She has really good hand work, and can turn so the ball goes either left or right. She probably needs to put some muscle on as appears slight, though tall and with long arms. I believe her best place would be ruck, with Campbell and Gall being the relieving ruck and forward combinations (if Pearce retires). Haven’t had much of a look at her marking, positioning, and body work skills due to being injured. Bit of a watch, to see the development next season.

The women were focused on the AIA field. Plenty of gusty wind about. O'Hehir passed a test with the trainer and joined the main group. The right calf still has strapping/support on it. Probably unlikely to be named for Friday. D. Taylor was in full training. Hose still in rehab as was S.Taylor. B. Mackin in rehab, and getting plenty of physio work, appeared unlikely for Friday. Lampard in rehab. Purcell, no strappings and only a small scar below her knee, was doing micro movements, with short skip throughs at a very low intensity and slowly. They warmed up, and went into drills, then into their lines. Mids working on stoppages from ball ups. The backline, drilling with the forwards, from outside the 50 arc to inside it. The sims were taken seriously, with good intensity, and pressure on the ball. Rigoni did the run through connection and kicked into the forwards, though missed a few as she was too direct. The good ball users, Hanks, Paxy, McNamara hit up with the better angles. The talls were marking well. Bannan with plenty of touches and Harris playing well. After the sims they went for goal kicking. The general vibe was joyful and they were getting down to business. The Gosch’s Paddock was getting covered in some fertiliser and there seems to be two large piles, one soil, the other sand that will probably used to topdress the area.

Does anyone believe, Wednesday 1st October 10.40am, at the AIA field will be the time and place for tomorrow's training run? It is still listed on the MFC site. https://www.melbournefc.com.au/teams/training-times

The Glass House field, of the Collingwood football club, in the Olympic Park precent.