CHF

Windsor is a quality footballer. His first season was exceptional as he played on the wing. He has good vision and balance and always seems to have plenty of time to play the ball. His execution sometimes left a little to be desired, but that is understandable given his level of experience. I have no problem having a look at him in defence as long as the coaching team are proactive in response. I recall Fritsch having a run in defence some seasons ago and it was very clear from the first couple of games that he was being played out of position but he was persisted with for some time before he was moved. I do not want to see that happen with any other player. Have a look at Windsor back there by all means. When assessing the success of the move, there also needs to be an assessment of the player slotted into his wing position. Overall we need to see a team improvement in the moves.

My son, when he was a little tacker, loved the Dr Seuss books so I would read them to him. In one of the books the good Doctor made the statement “Sometimes a question is complicated, but the answer is simple.” Over the years that statement stuck with me. If we accept that the good doctor’s statement is a fact, then the reciprocal, “Sometimes a question is simple, but the answer is complicated.” is also a fact. Simple question: “Will our forwards perform better this season?” Complicated answer: Since our flag in ’21 our forward 50 has been the problem child in the team. ’22 and ’23 the team structures were good enough to get us into a good position in the H&A season only to fall out of contention in close results. What we would have given for a few good KPF performances in those games. Last year there was a lot written about the quality of our delivery into the forwards, but it may have been a combination of a below par midfield performance and a lack of structure in the forwards. Whatever, ’25 is a new season and a new opportunity for the forwards to perform. Selection, at this stage is pretty much wide open with a lot depending on form and performance in the intra-club and inter-club practice games. In the tall department the first on the team sheet will be JVR. A 21yo 193cm+ key forward that is the lynchpin of our team in the forward 50. I expect Turner to be the second tall initially as I think he has shown a bit as a forward with a few ‘meat and potatoes’ performances last season. I can see him stepping up this season to offer an alternative target forward. Who else is there from the tall squad is really player form and gameplan dependent. Do we play two rucks? If so, do Campbell and Gawn spend some time resting forward when not on the ball or do we use them more flexibly than that? Will the new kid on the block, Johnson, play as a third tall and backup ruck to give Max a rest? How much time will Petty spend up forward and how will he be used? There is a lot of question marks that will not have answers until the real stuff starts. We will get some clues in the pre-season matches but I expect no definitive answers in those games. Jefferson is the young developing tall that spent last season plying his trade and learning the ropes at Casey. This will be the season that he is given opportunities to show his stuff in the first team. It may be earlier than a few on here expect. Other possible tall backups are Fullaton and Kentfield. Gotta be honest here, I really have very little, read no, idea of where they might fit in or how they are going in their development. The first medium forward on the team sheet will be Fritsch. In my view, our one really consistent forward over the last 4 or so years. He is one of those players that the opposition must find very difficult to find a matchup for. He managers to lose his opponent and find space, he is good in the air and at ground level and is a good snap as well as set shot. Melksham is our veteran medium forward. He is very good at what he does. He is getting on but is very professional in his approach to the game both on and off the field. If he is fit enough to train, he will give his very best whenever he plays. Provides a lot of support and direction to the younger players on the ground. McAdam is in the mix and reports have him fit and firing at training. May well get time on the ground during the first 3 matches of the season with Pickett forced into a late start of the season. Langford is a young man that might get a taste of AFL in our forward line as a medium with flashes in the middle. The small forward cupboard is looking a little bare with Pickett missing for 3 rounds, Chandler presently injured, Spargo coming back from and season with injury and a young Mentha in his first pre-season. I will watch with interest the pre-season games to see what the coaching team trail in this area. Is Sestan a chance to be given a run there? Maybe A M-W or Brown. I think it might be a ‘pic-on-form’ decision. Petracca last season rotated into the forwards and kicked a few. I believe that we will play him predominantly in the midfield. He is one of the best in there and I think it is where he prefers to play. I see 80/20 midfield time for him. We need to win around the ball and he is one of the best in there. Tholstrup and Sparrow could spend time as HHF and play further up the ground a bit to facilitate our faster ball movement. Oliver and/or Viney could also have cameos in the forward 50 at times. A lot has been made of the loss of ANB and who will fill his position. I would have loved to keep him for the way he made and filled a role, but I do not see this loss as a big problem. With the new forward line coach, Troy Chaplin, I believe that we will have a very different structure this season and I do not know if the role ANB filled will be critical. I think the gameplan of the forward line will be based on the players we have, and their skill sets rather than looking to force square pegs into round holes. Trying to select a R1 forward setup at this stage I find impossible as there are so many options given the players we have vying for selection there. I am a great one for selecting on form. Balanced against that, in the forwards we need to build relationships and trust within that team within the team so I hope the coaches can find a right balance. I am also very interested to what Chaplin brings to the forward 50 as coach. I think we will see more structure and discipline in the forwards and the forward and midfield line coaches driving quality delivery.

…..and his time I will look at our midfield. I am based in Europe and watch the game via live streaming no matter what the day no matter what the time. I am here in front of my screen giving advice. Not just advice to the team, coaches and players but also to the directors selecting camera shots and replays etc. One thing that really, and I mean REALLY, annoys me is that after a goal is scored they concentrate on the player and reactions and then after a time replay the goal leadup and score. This is usually just as the teams are setting up for the re-start. Unfortunately, as the goal replay is on the bounce setup is confined to a small supplementary screen in the bottom right hand corner. This does not allow me to see who is in the centre or how they are setting up. I hate that. Now that I have that rant off my chest……. Gawn, Oliver, Viney and Petracca our 4 Horsemen of the Midfield Apocalypse. Been doing it together for quite a while and I have enjoyed watching it. Each of them is very different to one another in where their strengths lie and the way they play the game. I see them as the ‘go to’ drivers of the midfield. Last season the only one of four was there most of the time and playing to a high standard and that was Viney. He relishes the hard work and the responsibility and rarely disappoints. 30yo now and does not look like slowing down. Oliver, as we all know had a pretty torrid last half of the ’23 season and pre-season in ’24 and was but a shadow of himself all through the last season. Petracca had the big injury in the KB match and was out for the rest of the season and Max was out for a few matches and we were without any ruck backup. Given the state of these four last season and how they look to be tracking in this preseason, I expect that we will have a much stronger and better structured midfield this season. One thing that did come out of last season was the chances that were given to a couple of players to have a run in the midfield. This has given the list a bit more depth than was and along with the drafting we look to have developing strength and depth for our midfield rotations. Viney is in his prime and we always know what we will get from him, week in, week out. Oliver is ticking all the boxes in training and looks fit, happy and ready to roll. Very different to last year. Petracca has come back strong and fit into this pre-season and as long as his head is clear I can see him out there with a point to prove this year. I expect him to spend more time in the midfield on the ball than he did last year. Rivers showed a lot of potential during his spells in the guts last year and I can see him getting more time there this year as long as he is not required to fill in in defence too much. He has high midfield ceiling in my view. Sparrow seemed to plateau a bit last season, and I would like to see him elevate his game a bit more this year. To me, he has always looked likely but has not taken he game to the highest possible level. Pickett will get time in the middle this season but he may be required more up forward as the cupboard looks to be a bit bare when it comes to small forwards. Those are the players that I think will get most inside, onball time and, if they can stay fit and build games playing together, I would see our midfield being one of the competition leaders. As backup to this core, I can see a number of young developing players that will be hungry for a chance to impress. Tholstrup had a good solid season last year in a losing team. Not an easy thing to do. Given a chance to back up a stronger midfield rotation I can see him learning quickly and a lot. Bailey Laurie is one that I watch and think he should be playing better than what he is showing. Last couple of seasons he has been the ‘almost man’. Needs to get a run of games and turn those flashes of excellent play into a string of quality possessions across a full game. Langford has stepped into the team training and looked at home from day one. He will feature early in the season if not R1. However, I hope that he is managed and brought along slowly with the older more experienced players shouldering majority of the load. Maybe a forward pocket/HF with a couple of cameos in the middle to get a taste. Lindsay is in a similar situation to Langford. Looks a natural footballer that could well start at HBF or wing with a little time in the middle this season. As with all young footballers, until they are under pressure week in week out, we don’t really know if we will end up with diamonds or dust. Brown is one that I think will surprise a bit this season. Looks to be a tough little nut with a good turn of speed. Might be that he gets a run as a fillin small forward early. I see his future in the middle. Sestan has been around for while and I think this will be a make or break season for him. I want him to succeed, and it might be as a small forward initially. Will be keeping a close eye on both him and Brown at Casey. The wings are going to be an interesting watch. Not just to see who plays there but also how we use them. Langdon looks to be a lock on one wing with Sharp and Billings primary alternatives for the other. Windsor can slot back in there as required. Langdon is the best wing player I have seen in quite a while. Ha incredible stamina, good speed and a very good footy brain. Sharp has excellent stamina, speed but I have not really seen him play so not idea of his footy quality. Have been good reports about him in training….. but that is training. We shall see. Billings will be better this season than he was last. I think he learnt a lot last year and will be fitter this year. And the Rucks… Max, the best ruckman of his generation and one of the best of all time. If he has a good run with injury, he will lead us deep into the pointy end of the season. Campbell is a good get as back up to Max. It remains to be seen how and who we employ as second ruck on game days. Verrall is still only 20 and has a bit of time to develop to his full potential. I hope that he gets some good time a Casey ruck to develop and gain confidence. Fullaton is listed as a ruck but I do not think he is being developed there. We shall see….. The old adage about the game being won or lost in the midfield is one of the turisms (I am sure that is a word) of footy. Last year our midfield lost manpower and structure and the team suffered. This year I can see us getting a hell of a lot more drive and both attacking and defensive cover from the midfield group. Petracca to spend more time in the mid field this year. I think he will be a very determined young man along with Oliver who also has a bit to prove after last year. These two, along with Viney and the others in support will win us a lot more games than we lose. Jones assisting in the midfield coaching is a good look and, I hope, a good football decision.

I did think about Lindsey as an option in the back 50 but I find it difficult to know where the coaches might begin his development as he has not really been a part of full training until recently. It could be logical to give him a run on a HBF but it could just as well be a wing or even, given our low stocks of small forwards, in the forward 50. He is reported as all class but it remains to be seen how we use him. we have a fair few options in defence so he could be slotted in elsewhere.

I have a good level of confidence about our ’25 season. I believe we will show great improvement over last season if we can avoid critical injuries during the season and continue to have a solid, relatively injury free pre-season. Having said that, I think our list is in much better shape depthwise than it was in ’24. If I can carve out the time, I will take a look at the different areas of our team and give my views on how we are set up. These are, of course, my opinions and I doubt that we all hold the same views. It is all open to discussion. I will start with our defence which has been one of our building blocks for success. I think we will have a transition season in defence with a couple of the senior players starting to get towards the end of their careers. May and McDonald are 33 and 32 respectively and while both have plenty of experience both have had injuries in the past season or two. After long careers, they will need time to recover for any niggles and are likely to lose half a pace off the mark as time goes on. A lot of people see Petty completing with McDonald for second ‘big’ defender, but I see it developing into a race of three as the season develops depending on May’s fitness. Injuries and player form will determine who plays where and when for those three. As backup in the ‘big defender’ department we have had Adams developing over the last few seasons and, from reports he has built a bit of muscle over the off-season and might be about time to present himself as an alternative. Will Turner swing back there if required? I think he is a last resort alternative as I like the way he is developing in the forwards. Personally I would have looked to keep Tomlinson around as ‘big’ cover rather than Hore as I think this might be a need that comes into play as the season develops. Out of the box thought…. Could Kentfield or Fullaton be given some time as a defender at Casey to see what might develop? Lever at 28yo has a lot of footy left in him and as long as he can avoid injury, will carry on his role as an intercepting tallish player and senior defensive director during the games. Back up to him is Hore, who is also 28 and Howes 21yo. Howes got some games under his belt last season, and I think he is going to step up another couple of rungs this year. Salem is the other senior member of the defenders club at 29yo. He has been a top quality player for us over the journey but, to my eyes, he had a patchy season in ’24. Not as clean as he has been with the ball and a bit slower with his decision making. I want to see him back to instinctive best and hitting targets. We have a good group of medium/small defenders who are all young and developing well. Rivers at 23yo is in transition from defender to midfield and I think this will continue with him working into a greater role in the midfield during this season. However, I also see him being critical in the defensive 50 at times while he can play the defensive role very well, he is difficult for an opponent to play on. He almost requires the opposition to play and defensive forward on him. He has pace and confidence with the ball in hand. Bowey and McVee at 22 and 21 are pretty damn special in my eyes. Both stepped into the team and looked confident and at home from their first touch. Windsor is being talked about as being in the mix as a defender after a debut season on the wing. He is another that stepped into the team and has looked all class. I can see the value in giving him time in defence to develop and I can see his running and quality delivery as a good asset out of the defensive 50. Maybe Sharp is looked at as the quality replacement on the wing to cover the move of Windsor. Depth cover at the moment looks to be Woewodin and Moniz-Wakefield. Both look to have a lot of qualities to develop. Having a mix of Rivers, McVee, Windsor and Bowey, ball in hand streaming out of defence and delivering forward is a vision I like to entertain. I do recall in ’21 one of the images that has stuck with me was the likes of Hunt and Salem linking with Langdon and Brayshaw positioned on the wings with layered running from defence and then pushing up field to provide options. It would have been an interesting listen when the footy department was reviewing the game plan development from last season. In my opinion, in defence we were too conservative and predictable with ball movement once we had won the ball. From training reports we look to be addressing this with faster decision making and ball movement and looking at opportunities in the corridor. I like this but it does require player skill and confidence. Mistakes are going to happen during a game, and I can accept that if it was the correct decision at the time. What I want to see is the confidence of the players and coaches to try and make the same or similar play again. This is a critical thing when coming out of defence to launch an attack. In summary, in my opinion we still have a quality defence and good structures and coaching. Add to that good depth and a good mix of experienced and developing players and I am confident that our defence will once again be a solid building block of our gameplan. I can see us taking a bit more risk coming out of defence this season. One other thing that is coming through from the training reports is that we look to be much fitter and stronger than we were at this time last season. Two of our critical building blocks of our ’21 premiership team were traded into the defence from other teams over consecutive years and I could see a similar scenario in the not too distant future if we do not find the development required within the list. I have looked at about 15 players above with the ability to play in defence, a third of the list that will allow for versatility and flexibility during the season, within that group of players there are a number that can play in other areas of the ground with Petty and Turner able to swing forward and McVee, Rivers and Windsor developing alternative roles. Early selection will be interesting as all except lever have had strong, injury free pre-seasons to date. ‘Big Defenders’: May, McDonald, Petty…Adams, Turner? (Kentfield/Fullaton?) Medium/Intercept Defenders Lever, Hore, Howes, Rivers Medium/small defenders McVee, Bowey, Moniz-Wakefield, Windsor, Woewodin

I enjoy watching Pickett play in the red and blue and hope I can watch him in our colours for a lot longer. However, this is professional sport and the players play for teams for all sorts of reasons. I, as a supporter, have followed the Demons ever since I can remember and will continue to do so no matter who is in the team or on the list. If Pickett, or any player choses to leave for another team, so be it. Swings and round-a-bouts. I support my team first and then the players. P.S. it will be interesting to watch the interaction of Kossie with the Freo players at the end of the game on the 15th Feb.

A big thank you to all of our training reporters. It all sounds very positive and as if there is a very good feeling from the players. If you set aside the poor season we had last season and the potential trading upsets that swirled around two of our best players and just concentrated on the way the player all look to have come back fit and ready, the additions to the list and the vibrancy of the training, I would assess our potential for '25 as very, very good. Positives: Oliver back fitter than he was at this time last year. More settled and looking at ease. Petracca attacking the pre-season fit as a fiddle, professional and not looking as if he is carrying any hangover from his injury. No long term serious injury recoveries carried through from the previous season to affect preparation. A good full pre-season into the young players such as Windsor, Tholstrup, Brown, Woewodin, Howes and JVR. Over all an improved list with a couple of first round draft picks to underline our potential to improve. Not a lot of Negatives to look at really: The loss of ANB I would list as a negative because he was one of the first picked each week and we all knew what we would get out of him. Have to say that I am not all that worried about our performance in '25. I think we will easily make the finals. TEAM: Defence: May, Lever and Petty or Tmac will make up the talls back there with Hore, Howes and Adams as depth/cover. Mid-size and smaller defenders We have a bit of class with Salem, Rivers, Bowey, McVee and Moniz-Wakefield. Possible that Windsor gets a bit of time back there as well but, i, would keep him on the wing for the time being. I think that defence with the structures and systems that they have been playing for the last few seasons will off a lot of variety and flexibility. Midfield: With Petracca and Oliver still on the list and Viney not looking as if he is slowing down we have a tough, experienced midfield core to hang our game on. I think we will see a lot more of Petracca in the midfield this season compared to last. We need to play as much as possible to our strengths and with him in the middle and at stoppages we are much more aggressive. Players like Rivers, Sparrow, Pickett will all get turns on the ball. The wings will have depth of cover with Langdon, Windsor, Woewodin and Sharp looking as the main players. Sparrow, Bowey and, to a lesser extent Billings mat get time there. Developing Midfield talent with Brown, Langford, Lindsay and Laurie will all be looking to put pressure for time in the starting 23. Max, Tom and Will as ruck cover and depth. Forwards: With a new line coach and some developing talent I look at this area of our team with a bit of confidence for the first time in a long time. JVR and Fritsch will be the senior pair in the forward 50 as I see it. Turner looks to be next in line as a tall and I do see him improving with this pre-season. He will have a bit of competition with Jefferson looking to step up this season and Johnson having a big crack as well. Kentfield and Fullarton as developing talls. Melksham in the mix as a medium forward as is McAdam. Then our fleet of smaller forwards, Pickett, Chandler, Spargo Sestan and Brown. We will also see some of the mids/wings rolling through there a required. Mentha is one to watch as he develops and I would not be surprised to see him get a run mid to late season. I do know that some will see me wearing rose coloured glasses but, I have been supporting this team as far back as I can remember and I see this a very strong list that can give it a good tilt in '25.

I fully understand that it is still very very early in the pre-season but I cannot help but compare it the the same time last year. The injuries were already stacking up and there were a multitude of negative stories re Oliver. I hope we continue the run through the pre-season in the way that we have started it. All very positive. big thank-you to all of the training reporters and photographers.

Do you qualify if you have spent a shed load of money with the legal profession over the years? Asking for the friend of Rumpole.

These bloody glasses can be looked at in three ways. optimist: the glass is half fulL. pessimist: the glass is half empty. realist: I need a refill.

Thank you all for the reports and pics. Beginning of winter where I am with FCW (....... the last two words are 'cold weather')... snow on the ground and a cutting breeze that does not bother to go around you. Warms my heart at least to read these posts. again, Thank you.

I don’t mind a pick like this. I have to believe that JT knows his business. Mature age, country boy and a bit rough around the edges that has finally been given a crack at the big time. I am sure he will give it everything and not die wondering. He plays for my team and good luck to him.

My thoughts as well. I am surprised that Allan dropped a bit. I do hope that we are keeping in touch with the ones that were interested in before the draft. Dropping players like Tauru, Hotton, Smith, Faull, Hynes and Armstrong an email or call to congratulate them and let them know were will be watching their development with interest.

I am hearing a couple of very quiet whispers, but not sure if it is really solid information or wishful thinking. * Very unlikely North will trade out of pick 2 unless they get a once in a generation deal and given the depth of the draft I think that is a long shot. * Consensus is that Lalor will be Richmond's first pick However would not surprise if Smith was the first named called. If they did go that way then I would expect Allen to be called at their pick 7. * Ashcroft to be bid on by either North or Carlton to keep Brisbane honest. * Believe that MFC rate Langford higher than Tauru. * If Allen is not there at MFC second pick I would not be surprised to hear us calling Hotton out. * Smillie may slide to mid teens. No idea why. Based on these unverifiable rumours I see a couple of different outcomes. Likely..... 1. Richmond: Lalor 2. North: Smith 3. Carlton: O'Sullivan 4. Adelaide: Draper 5. Melbourne: Langford 6. Richmond: Tauru 7. St Kilda: Allen 8. St Kilda: Travaglia 9. Melbourne: Lindsey/Reid/Hotton Possible... 1. Richmond: Smith 2. North:Lalor 3. Carlton: O'Sullivan 4. Adelaide: Draper 5. Melbourne: Langford 6. Richmond: Allen 7. St Kilda: Tauru 8. St Kilda: Travaglia 9. Melbourne: Lindsey/Reid/Hotton

Training reports..... Season fixture published..... a couple of steps towards the real thing. With regards the fixture, i do not have any problems with it. A good run for the first 9 rounds that give us a chance to be at the pointy end of the table and to get good exposure in the second half of the season. An interesting run with three interstate games in 4 weeks with the bye between the first and second of those games. I am sure the powers that be are working out how to tackle that. Last 7 rounds in Melbourne with the Pies last up. That ids not bad. My early prediction is that we make the 8 and push for the top 4. If we have a similar run of injuries in preseason and in the season as we had this last season then we, or any other team in a similar situation, is in trouble.

Ahhhhh a training report..... that can only mean that the real thing is a step closer.

I think we have to be realistic about what has been said in Green’s letter. He does say at the beginning that what follows is high level information and that some things need to be kept in confidence. As to finding out the results of the review, I think we will see responses to the detail of the review in the next couple of months. There will be an extensive redefining of roles and responsibilities within the football operations side of the club as well as the same thing happening on the administration side. Deciding to have these reviews is one thing, structuring and carrying them out properly is another element but the most important thing is understanding the information and outcomes and reacting in the best way.

IF... ....Damian Barrett has any integrity as an AFL journalist.... THEN... ...He would apologise for his biased reporting with regard to what has transpired at the MFC over the last few weeks.

Read the club by club reviews of trading and some pertinent comments about different club's trading were made, However, when it came to MFC, the whole blurb was to do with the rubbish that had been going on the the last month or so. Nothing really about the fact that we have a couple of first round picks in the first 10. Also started reporting on what the situation might be in 12 months time with Pickett, Petracca and Oliver. That has very little to do with our performance in this trade period, except to say that we have done very well to retain these three players for next season, added a couple of depth players to cover holes and got two excellent first round picks in a deep draft.

I think that we are in a position that if he is not picked up in the next couple of days he could be picked up at a later stage as a UFA by any club. We could make him a contract offer at any time a I understand it.

If we do not get Derksen in this trade period I would keep Tomlinson.

Damn, it would be a hard gig on trade radio so far this trade period. Not sure what else to expect though. Not a lot of prospects in the market this year for trade, either buying or selling. A high quality draft crop and mid level talent on the trade table. All the teams want to get into the draft as early as possible and as often as possible. In my book that leads to high price tags on any that are traded. For the MFC I do not see us doing much in the trade week. ANB to Adelaide, Campbell in and maybe a couple of steak knives shuffles but I expect us to retain and use pick 5 and try to get into a position for a late first round selection. As to the Oliver situation I think it is as much a result of the lack of trades so far as anything else. I think he will line up for us next season along with Petracca. With not a lot else to talk about the AFL Media is driving this for all it is worth. Give me a break.... I read a headline that said Oliver has a dream of playing for Geelong.

Who is this 'Sam Manure' and why should I bother with him?

The "Dude" being Moore putting Petracca's life on the line.

It is as I thought. No definitive statement from either the player or the club until the talking is done and there is a resolution as such that looks to close the chapter. Keep in mind that the story has not been written or completed just the latest chapter. For a number of years now I have accepted that the AFL is a professional sport where the players have a limited time to maximise their earnings and set themselves up for their post playing lives. Accepting that I have to accept all that goes with it Including the last few weeks of discussion and conjecture about Petracca's future. It is the way it is. I also have to say that I support the MFC team and not just individual players. As with all of us, I have favorite players but it is the team I support. I think that there were faults on both sides of the table and in hindsight both sides would have handled it a bit differently. However, I take the statements from the club and the player at face value for the time being until words and actions tell me differently. I expect that the club and the player will act with professionalism from now, through the pre-season and into next season. No matter what Petracca might think or feel he will need to be ultra professional to get back to playing the standard of football he knows he is capable of. Either to get the MFC back into contention or to showcase his ability to potential suitors. I hope both sides take lessons from this and not 'learnings'. P.S. I would not be surprised to see Petracca spending more time operating out of the midfield next season than he did this last season.