Ghostwriter

I didn’t know this had occurred. I’ll have to read Demonland when I get home

Matty Whelan’s response to the suggestion of Koz being captain at some point, verbatim… (Laughs) “No chance. Not a chance. That’s never gonna happen… ever.” Matty said he wouldn’t be surprised if Chin was one day given the captaincy. He said Chin would have to be the most dedicated player we have, and that he’s fully committed and invested. I said Chin is always so serious, even when having a lighthearted convo. Matty said that’s in his nature, even when they’re mucking around, play-fighting etc. Chin looks dead serious but everyone is used to it now. Edit: forgot to mention… earlier I asked Koz what would happen should he one day be offered the captaincy. I can’t be sure but I think I saw a blood vessel burst in his eye 😁 JK. He actually said he doesn’t think that would happen but it’d be cool if they offered it to him. I said Oh so you’d accept it? He said nah but it’d be good to know they rate me <3

It was the (now) usual tough session. The boys actually pulled up well, despite the heat. Knackered of course but they still looked pumped.

Further on the subject of Vines seemingly having a weight lifted from his shoulders, despite being injured, he definitely is different now. And he’s not the only one. I see a similar thing with Melky, Max and Tmac. They seem to be less burdened, if you will. I spoke with one of the medics and he said it’s probably because of all the changes and that Kingy has a reassuring way about him. This makes sense. I was introduced to our new “psych” as he calls himself. His name is David. He’s about 6ft5 and very softly spoken and gentle-natured. I felt like I’d had a professional session with him, minus the $600 fee 😁 David only started two days ago which means we’ve been psych-less since Stephen Rendall left months ago. Maybe we haven’t had a desperate need for one, therefore not in a hurry to fill the position 🤷‍♀️

Sch!tts and giggles. Fun for the sake of fun, the opposite of seriousness.

Just had a chat with Kingy. We talked about training. I told him that of the players I’ve asked about training so far the consensus is that it’s brutal, intense, very challenging, etc. I even told him one player called him a [censored] psycho. He loves it. He said that tells him he’s doing things right. But I also told him that these same players all said while it took some getting used to, they actually love this level of intensity and they feel so much stronger and fitter. I told Kingy that thus far there’s been no S&Gs out there. Not a single shc!tt or giggle in sight. He said, “Oh there’s S&Gs, most definitely there is. But that’s when we’re over there” and he motioned towards AAMI. He said he doesn’t just let them engage in S&Gs, he encourages it because there has to be a healthy balance. Then, back on the serious training subject, he told me some of the things he tells the players. This was my favourite: he tells them “Yes, it’s bloody hard, it’s brutal, I’m pushing you then pushing you again, and again. I’m pushing you to your absolute limits. I’m doing everything I can to get everything possible out of you and that’s because I want you to be bulletproof and, more importantly, I want you to KNOW you’re bulletproof.” Talk about inspirational! It took every fibre of my being to resist jumping the fence and slam tackling anyone in my path then running 50 laps for fun. But then I remembered I’d likely pull a hammy just trying to jump the fence so instead I just pictured myself doing it.

Ollie Green and Louie Hodder (no relation to Courtney but wishes he was) are two Casey boys here. And of course Tobes. Lamond is also a Casey player who’s here Edit: Ollie Green isn’t Brad’s son, they just share the same name There’s only one Casey player whose name I’ve yet to find out. Latrelle is wearing #39 but so is this Casey boy, just to add to confusion. Edit: It’s Paddy Cross

Nothing to worry about re Disco. His hammy isn’t a concern, they’re just being super cautious with him. He’ll be “running today and running fast” according to Pete our head physio. Pete says at this time of year they don’t want anyone trying to be a hero. I have nfi what that means, I just nodded like I understood

Clearly the club are all across Demonland… 😃😃😃

Five or six Casey players are here today. One is wearing Bowser’s jumper and one is wearing Ricky’s jumper. Neither Roo nor Ricky are here. They’re close to well enough but Wheels said they’re keeping them back from training partly because of the heat.

Tmac just arrived. He’s usually first out. He looked a bit puzzled when he saw the other three already out there. I’ve never seen someone put their boots on so quickly - not sure he even tied the laces 😅

Max, Disco and Melky have been out here for a while already. They’re following instructions from Selwyn.

According to some (looking directly at you, Fence), Goody wouldn’t even make water-boy.

LUKER!!!

Edo will be sorely missed and not just for her skill and talent. She was a great example for our young forwards to look to and learn from. Edo’s situation is not unlike Nibbler’s in that she doesn’t wanna leave the MFC but her partner wants to go back home.

Similar to what I was saying (above) but more concise. Yes, it would be great; it’d be invaluable, but I can’t see Max doing this. I reckon he’ll step down from captaincy when he steps away from playing.

Still on the wrong sport, I never thought Ben Stokes was captain material and I probably still wouldn’t only he’s captaining England with the full support and help of Joe Root and it shows. I hope Max does this, ie. relinquish the captaincy not upon retirement but while he’s still playing thereby making a new captain’s transition easier. Somehow I can’t see Max doing this though.

Dustin Martin is a great example of this.

LOVEYA DISCO!

I think most would agree he deserves it but I really can’t imagine he’d accept it. It’s certainly something a great player can grow into, as you suggest, and the on-field aspect might not be an issue for him, but fronting up to the media and addressing his teammates all together probably isn’t something he’d ever be comfortable with. He said he’s been an introvert since childhood and it hasn’t changed at all. It likely never will.

I can’t see Kozzie ever being vice-captain let alone captain. He’s not comfortable in the spotlight… off-field. He’s introverted and he’s the first to tell you he will never change in this regard.

I actually boast a very good rate of success with matchmaking. True story. But my efforts would be futile if I was to take this one on since you live in Sydney and we all know how long-distance relationships go (just ask Lily Johnson). But… If you can forget about Ed, how about a Sydney-based player? I have Clarrie’s number; just say the word 😉

And this is why I’ve decided I no longer want Reece’s job when he’s done. It’s one thing to do so much running during a game but now this???? Running laps around the boundary (and keeping up) with players? Yeah nah [censored] that. I didn’t sign up for that. Well I haven’t signed up for anything per se but it’s well known at the club that I’m next in line for Reece’s position. Richo rubber-stamped it two years ago. Reece himself has endorsed it. @DeelightfulPlay … I know you’ll be disappointed I’ve decided to give up on my dream job but for someone who doesn’t run unless her life or the life of one of her children is at stake, this running around the boundary caper is a bridge too far.

OIC. K. THX. CYA. GFYS 😝

Do we need to keep raking over the past? How about we stay in the present and look to the future. Besides, “delusional Goodwin” also had a steadfast belief in developing Jeffo but you never mention that.