Ghostwriter

… which further adds to his confidence level. It’s psychosomatic.

Exactly. It would be unfair (and potentially unwise) to write him off now when he’s working harder than he ever has and is fitter and more determined than he’s ever been.

Shane’s on an individual training schedule, totally separate from the others and has been since preseason began. It’s fitness-based. He said this has always been an issue for him and this is the furthest he’s come in terms of achieving peak fitness (and with that comes the other benefits in the form of increased confidence and faith in himself). This is exactly where he’s at. Therefore the fact that he wasn’t in attendance from the start with the 1 - 4 year players is a non-issue. He’s on a tailored program, so it hasn’t been necessary for him to be training at the same time and place as the others. Selwyn and Tom (Couch) and assistants have got him in the great condition he’s in by catering for his needs, so to speak. I don’t know the specifics and I’d never ask, but what I do know is that whatever they’re doing… it’s working. He’s also in a great place mentally as well. He admits he’s been down on himself in the past. He’s turned a corner and it shows in everything he does. I don’t need to ask him how he’s going, he’s keen to share and does so more and more with every session. Bottom line: He has been working just as hard and for just as long as the others.

Important news about Harvey Langford… He hasn’t been given a nickname yet. He’s always been Langers but knows he won’t be Langers now because Ed gets called Langers. He’d be happy with Harves. Told y’all it was important news. You’re welcome 😁

Shame you didn’t hang around for the presentation session out in the middle. Riveting stuff. 😜 Every year they give out awards for admin staff achievements, they did it today straight after training before the players even came off the ground. Poor bastards looked like they’d sooner be anywhere other than there. But they were rewarded with a Zooper Dooper each. Zooper Dooper fixes everything… they were like a bunch of kindergarten kids 🥹

We haven’t 86d Shane up ‘til this point in time, why on earth would we do it now? He’s the fittest he’s ever been, he’s in the best shape of his career, he’s mentally not just well but very well (even if he’d not said it himself you can tell by his demeanour), and he has worked SO hard this preseason. Both Selwyn and Goody are really pleased with the effort he’s making. Many on here have said let’s see how he goes with a full preseason under his belt. Therefore… let’s! 😃

Toby’s mum was born in China, @Lucifers Hero

According to Roy the campaign was and still is unnecessary. He says Kozzie had no intentions of leaving us, nor does he now. And he added the line that I’ve heard from at least a dozen people at the Club just in this last month… don’t believe everything you read in the media.

Thanks for the info. I should’ve said Lily is not a WA girl. I knew she wasn’t from WA and was actually getting her mixed up with Kolt’s girlfriend who’s from Bendigo.

I don’t like the whole we have to find him a Victorian girlfriend thing but Judd’s girlfriend is a Dees player. She’s a Vic gal. I ran into Kolt at the AFLW Hawks vs Port final (he was wearing a Hawks scarf but we’ll let that slide since his girlfriend plays for Hawthorn) and I mentioned that Judd is “dating” Lily (Johnson). Kolt was quick to say they’re not just dating, they’ve been together for a while and it’s serious. So there’s that.

So whaddya sayin… I should leave the arzeless chaps at home?

That’s awesome, PF! *phones the Club to tell them to warn Jeffo*

I think Cranky Franky was taking the p!zz, Kev. 😁 You said McAdams, not McAdam and CF added an S onto those other players’ names. However, he should’ve asked about Billingss, not Billings. 😁

I saw Clarrie throw up a little on the boundary, mainly liquid and not much of it but evidently enough for him to be told to call it a day. I’m guessing he wasn’t feeling 100% before training even started because he was eating an apple on his way over from the rooms and he said that’s all he’d eaten. 🤷‍♀️ PS: yes, Kev, top temperature of only 24 degrees today but try telling that to my 3rd degree burns. SPF 50+ my arze. 😡

Being given #10 came as a big surprise to Disco, totally unexpected. This is because there was talk of one of the new boys getting it (probs Harvey) and he thought it had been decided. He’s humble and very grateful to be wearing the number of a much-loved Club champion. There was consultation with Gus before the decision was made.

Don’t believe Kev, y’all. It was freaking hot. 🥵

As the boys came off after training they were met with a camera on a tripod above which was a note that said “What’s on your Xmas wish-list?” Expect some frivolity on the MFC website, I suppose.

Folks really ought to have faith in Shane. He’s in fantastic shape, he’s been training for as long as everyone else and at the top level (Selwyn said the same). He’s in the best headspace, very buoyant and confident, it’s so nice to see. Again, he said he’ll be there in Round One. I said yeah coz Koz (see what I did there), he said that’s exactly right.

That’s how he explained it. He made it sound so simple (how it should be) but you know, the AFL loves them an MFC shafting. I didn’t say that to him though. The poor boy’s so young.

I was introduced to Toby this morning. He’s 16yo and lives in Hampton Park. His mum is Chinese, his dad is Dutch. He’s hoping to be picked up by us in next year’s draft. He loves training with the boys, they’ve made him feel really welcome and he loves how far the coaches push them during training. He’ll be training again this Friday and again “a week after the holidays” which might mean on the 9th of January when they all resume or maybe he means the week following that one. He’s a well-spoken, friendly and polite kid.

Yet another reason we’re poorer without Gus. He was the resident creator of nicknames.

He said we haven’t got any spots of any kind left to fill on our list but from now until sometime in February (I think) if anyone gets an injury we can have him. Richo talks fast and it’s difficult to take it all in. Also, what he said differs a little to what JT said on Monday. JT says we plan to cat. B rookie him. 🤷‍♀️

Clarrie done for the day.

He’s one on one with Keith, a physio. Running laps. Now he’s practicing set shots. Just spoke with Shane. He’s on the stationary bike now. He’s on an individual program which focuses on fitness. Purely and simply, fitness. Building his tank.

Ricky Lever is on a stationary bike on the boundary absolutely barking at the top of his voice at the boys. He’s even scaring me 😅 Nicknames: Aidan is AJ, Xavier is X, Shane Mc is Shano. Someone was up all night thinking up those creative masterpieces 😂 Clarrie’s body… his words: “nah I’m not in good shape, I’m a fat [censored]”