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42 minutes ago, Petracca said:

How is Schache?, Do we expect him to seriously push for selection or just stay in the 2s the whole year. 

He will push for selection absolutely. Point to prove. Last chance saloon. Quietly believe he’ll be a very good option for us.

1 hour ago, Rob Mac...... said:

Any chance it could be Will Verrall?

Nope. Definitely Kye. Verrall on limited action until late Jan recovering from a lingering groin issue. Club taking the cautious approach. 

6 hours ago, Sydee said:

Anyone know who is flying behind Max in pic 44?

Kye Turner. Train on player.

1 minute ago, dazzledavey36 said:

How were Trent Burgoyne and Kayne Turner?

Kayne Turner? I’m hoping he’s still at North😂

In all seriousness KYE turner has impressed. Unfortunately we have many intercept defenders like him. Maybe one to watch if Tomlinson departs end of 23’ if he’s not picked up elsewhere.

35 minutes ago, Deespicable said:

Note, there is one more session on Friday at GP before the players break for X-mas.

Firstly, there are a handful of players who now have been on limited duties for the past two weeks and it's fair to say that round 1 is starting to look unlikely for them, unless they emerge fit and fired up from the X-mas break and nail a heap of sessions.

The five are: Hibberd, BB Brown, Angus, Joel Smith and Deakin Smith. 

On top of that two of our newbies - Will Ferrell and Jed Adams - have been on extra, light duities - it's possible they won't return after X-mas simply because they would have been bored out of their brains just doing endless run throughs and watching everyone else get stuck into it.  

Three other players copped knocks today but all seemed fine after them - May (ribs), Gawn (knee) and Sparrow (head knock from Spargo tackle). All kept going at match sim. Kozzie wasn't there today either, but he was the pick of the bunch the week before, so hopefully nothing untoward about his absence today.

As to the highlights of the match sim (note I left about 11.15am, so those that stayed till the end can update anything extra as required).

T-Mac: I can say that he is looking as good as new and I am not sure why some here said he may have long-term injury worries. Sure he is no longer capable of winning our 200m rep sessions and yes he's a tad porky around the hips from his all-meat diet, but the big fella is just a clever lead-up, lead-back player with strong hands and we all know he's a deadeye dick and has a huge tank. If he returns from the break with a passion for the sprints then he's a monte to line up forward with Fritter and JVR and his best mate Melky will miss out. It's as simple as that. 

JVR: Ok, I am sold. He is ready and only an injury will stop him playing rd 1 now. In fact it's a shame we have to wait until round 15 for his battle with De Koning. While his nice hanger over Lever today was the highlight, he was so much more than one grab. He dished, he tackled and he wore my pre-Robbie idol Greg Parke's No.26. I reckon he said I don't want Jonesy's No.2, I want 26 for Parkey because maybe his grandfather knows him or used to be a copper or something. Either way he is starting to take on that junior Schwarter look and along with T-Mac and Gawny, he is the frontrunner to play as our talls rd 1, subject to injury of course. A quick note here that Schache has also been looking mega impressive as well at training playing as a mobile forward swinging onto his left, but I suspect he will have to wait until injury to get his chance. And with so many TFs on the park, I can see why the club ain't moving Petty there just yet. 

CP5: Ok, I am not sold. Yes I know his 2020 was a breakout extravaganza and I know his 2021 was brilliance personified with his ability to lift in big games making him Martinesque. But right now he's like Danger or Fyfe - a turnover machine that looks like he's going to break the game open but lets you down big time by foot. Yes I know he was injured late last season, but everything you don't want to see was on display today and last week when I attended. He just coughs the ball up time and time again as he looks to split the game open through the middle. Yes it was windy so he was not alone in miskicks (even Bowey had  a howler or two). I remember Goody eventually had to pull Clayton aside three years ago and explain to him that he had to take more responsibility for going forward than just giving it off by hand, but I reckon when Goody comes back from hols he will need to pull Trac aside and just tell him to back off the media, back off the nice guy stuff and just get down and dirty. Or find a new psych. Ultimately our year will be determined by whether Trac gets back to being one of the best five mids in the game.

Hunter: As withT-Mac, he made sure the club knows his quality. He lined up on Ed 'Sheerin' Langdon and he was clever, composed and ducked on to his left with the ease of Karl Amon. He will play round 1 barring injury or returning from his break in the bad books and he will play the left wing which means us MCC members will get to see Langdon close up for the first time.

Lever: After an injury-riddled '22, he's running strongly again and looking like the All-Aussie of 2021 again - although JVR postered him on one occasion. As with Trac and Salem, he's one of three stars who if they get back to their form of '21, then finals are looking likely.

Grundy and Gawn: The quick take off from down back after goals (or likely goals) in match sim meant there was little centre bounce work done, but both these guys still look superb. Gawn's marking is just so clean, while Grundy is mega quick with a dish off. They bring so much to the table and are very different.

The kids: Sorry but so far all our youngsters other than JVR are still a fair way off. I did like the work and run of Judd McVee though - he's really improving and looks likely to get a go at some stage this year. It's interesting that a decade ago, a new recruit just had to fart to get noticed, but now they have to train the house down over and over to even look like getting a game in the ones. And unlike in Jones's early years, there are so many well-ensconced senior players that it's hard to see changes anyway.  

Gus will be right for round 1. Always has a limited preseason just for his body to settle, young man living in an old man’s body😂.

As for Verrall and Adams, they’ve both been recovering from injuries that derailed their seasons and notably why they weren’t taken earlier in the draft. Verrall with a groins issue and Adams with a bad shoulder. They should be into the thick of things late Jan/early Feb. 

10 hours ago, David-Demon said:

Each to his own but Burgoyne has tried out before with Port Adelaide and not made the grade for various reasons. My choice is Kye Turner.

🙄😂

15 hours ago, McQueen said:

Nah not with guns like that. 
 

Tomlinson for certain. 

Nope, it’s Schache. Has put on considerable size after the club asked him to when the trade was all sorted. 

28 minutes ago, old55 said:

Jefferson got some very nice air in pics 16 and 44 which are from the same marking contest.

That’s not Jefferson. It’s our train on player from Frankston, Kye Turner. 

18 minutes ago, daisycutter said:

maybe

As fact. He was in attendance today. 

4 minutes ago, Demon Disciple said:

Still no May 😬😬😬

May was there.

49 minutes ago, rjay said:

The 2 best ruckmen of the last decade...

Gawn and Grundy. Yes. 

2 minutes ago, rjay said:

What's this "of" word you're using here?

?

6 minutes ago, 12345_54321 said:

What a dumb post. There is far, far, far more chance of Verrall becoming a player than Farris-White. Jason admitted that openly that KFW is a total throw at the stumps. Verrall has clear talent and if not for injury would’ve been in the conversation with Barnett for the best ruck in the pool. Not to mention, he gets to learn off the two best ruckman of the last decade.

Adding to this, Verrall has played footy properly for the last 3 years at least, Farris-White hasn’t played a game in 5 years? Not sure if people have forgotten what a “Cat B Rookie” is.

On 11/30/2022 at 2:40 PM, DeeSpencer said:

Poor man’s Jack Fitzpatrick. With development resources tied up in Jefferson, Adams and Big Kyah I’m a little surprised we went for a rookie teen ruck after years of not making it a priority. 

What a dumb post. There is far, far, far more chance of Verrall becoming a player than Farris-White. Jason admitted that openly that KFW is a total throw at the stumps. Verrall has clear talent and if not for injury would’ve been in the conversation with Barnett for the best ruck in the pool. Not to mention, he gets to learn off the two best ruckman of the last decade.

😉

On 11/28/2022 at 11:19 AM, 12345_54321 said:

All the senior boys don’t have to be back until next Monday. 1-4 years the only lads required to train today but others can join in if they want to. Gawn and Lever are in Canada right now! Sneaky word is JVR will be in the number 2 next season. 

😉😉

8 minutes ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

What's the go with two different players wearing the same number? We don't have enough jumpers in the skinny, extra-long size? Or do the two players have to face off against each other to see who wins the coveted Allan Jarrott number? 

No numbers are finalised. As per usual our new apparel hasn’t arrived yet so the numbers are size fits. Hence Grundy being in Jackson’s old jumper and Hunter being in Bedfords😂

Hunter will be in the team. Will be a great get for us. We wouldn’t have got him without having that specific role which will be opposite to Langdon. Will be an extremely shrewd pick up that cost very little pick and salary cap wise. 
 

As for people wondering where certain players are, all players will be there on Monday. This first week was mandatory for 1-4 year Dees and optional for the rest of the group.  

3 hours ago, 12345_54321 said:

All the senior boys don’t have to be back until next Monday. 1-4 years the only lads required to train today but others can join in if they want to. Gawn and Lever are in Canada right now! Sneaky word is JVR will be in the number 2 next season. 

And before people mention JVR being in #21 in the training video that’s just been released, they’re the old training kits and the new ones haven’t arrived yet😂

31 minutes ago, Slartibartfast said:

Grundy in 6, Hunter 12 and Schache 19.

AMW and Smith running reps, Grundy, Fritta and TMac all doing drills with running interspersed.  Tmac looked totally unhindered and was doing the warmup kicking drills.

I didn't see Harmes, Lever, Brayshaw, Gawn, Oliver, Lingers, Melk, Tomlinson, Dunstan, ANB, Petty, Brown and Smith.  I didn't see Taj either but he may have been there.  

Usual warmups, then ball movement drills on 3/4 ground.  Had to leave earlier than expected unfortunately so that's about all I saw.  Spoke to AMW very briefly and he said he'd added 8 kilos and was 182 but still growing.  He's got an infectious smile and personality. Hoping for really big things from him.

All the senior boys don’t have to be back until next Monday. 1-4 years the only lads required to train today but others can join in if they want to. Gawn and Lever are in Canada right now! Sneaky word is JVR will be in the number 2 next season. 

1 hour ago, Matt said:

We’re offering more picks, than just the two 1st’s as well

The extra pick he speaks of is 37. We’ll take 13. 

4 minutes ago, Storma and Wiz said:

I don't think Phillipou will be available. I'm thinking Melbourne would like to get in front of West Coast and select Elijah Hewett. It sounds like we are very keen on Ed Allan. 

West Coast will take Allen with their first pick (8) or second which is the pick before ours after selecting Busslinger with one of them. 

18 hours ago, WERRIDEE said:

I think our key needs are a key backman, half back, midfielder, key forward, small forward.

The players I'm looking at are Ellison, Emile-Brennan, Phillipou, Keeler and George. Are we a chance to get them all? 

I'm looking at Phillipou at 13, Keeler at 37, George as first round rookie, Ellison at second round rookie and Emile-Brennan at third round rookie.

Seniors

B: Lever, May, Hibberd

HB: Salem, Petty, Brayshaw

C: Langdon, Petracca, Hunter

HF: Neal-Bullen, McDonald, Pickett

F: Fritsch, Brown, Gawn

FOLL: Grundy, Oliver, Viney

IC: Harmes, Sparrow, Melksham, Bowey, Spargo

 

Casey

B: D.Smith, Turner, J.Smith

HB: McVee, Tomlinson, Rivers

C: Howes, Dunstan, Woewodin

HF: Chandler, van Rooyen, Laurie

F: Moniz-Wakefield, Schache, George

FOLL: Farris-White, Jordon, Phillipou

IC: Ellison, Keeler, Emile-Brennan, White

Brayden George won’t get past the 20’s let alone the rookie draft. Phillipou will barely get past Essendons first pick let alone our first pick. Keeler is a chance. Jefferson will be the likely for our pick 13. Emile-Brennan will be on the list as a rookie if available.

1 hour ago, layzie said:

Out of all the main KPF prospects in this draft, Jefferson is the one I've seen the least of. 

What I have seen suggests some clear upside with good hands overhead but he does look quite skinny. I feel we really do need someone that can hold their own in the contest and get physical when required. 

That man is van Rooyen. He’s the physical one. The type of forward Jefferson is, very much compliments JVR. 

1 hour ago, picket fence said:

Oliver over Parrish?? MELTDOWN?? On what Planet...... Myself and MANY were OVERJOYED when we chose Clayton Oliver over a front running, free wheeling Parrish!!!!

‘Many’ is an overstretch. Maybe you’re a Nostradamus Picket, but I remember vividly the calls by numerous supporters of “why would we pick the fat kid from the country who has only come on extremely late and labeled the ‘bolter’ when Parish is right there”.