george_on_the_outer

Well, nothing to take away from that experience. It was a scratch match, and it was in every respect. Neither coach showed their hand, there was no discernible game plan or style from either, but what do you expect in February? For both sides it was the opportunity to see whether players could fit in different roles, who could do something outside their comfort zones and the chance for recent draftees to show their wares. Based on what we saw today, we can certainly expect Caleb Windsor to feature early in the season. The kid is lightening quick, but has football smarts, and with Hunter still injured, and unlikely to reach any fitness level before R1, then Caleb should get the wingers job. The other real standout was Kynan Brown, who has that inate ability to see gaps and just walk through them while others just fall about. We probably won't see him for a while, as he is so slight in build, but if today is anything to go by, then we may have a first class father-son. Pickett spending lots of time in the middle...a positive, but he won't be around in R1. ANB in the middle...no. Schache as ruck backup...no. Tomlinson as 3rd tall defender...no. Viney easily the best on the day, but please don't wear him out at this time of the year. At least we only used Petracca and Max sparingly. So we tried things, some worked, others didn't.

Toiyges have announced: Missing from Richmond’s team is Dion Prestia (hamstring), Dustin Martin (managed), Tim Taranto (managed), Liam Baker (family reason), Toby Nankervis (managed), Tom Lynch (building match fitness), Jacob Bauer (hamstring) and Liam Fawcett (back). Veteran Dylan Grimes, who has returned to the main training group after a calf complaints, has also been managed. So we haven't got a forward line, they haven't got a backline, and their midfield is Hopper, Ross and Bolton....should be a ripper match!

Watching those shots ( and they are fantastic) it was really telling the large number who wouldn't be there, just 2 years later in a Premiership side.

This is what you get as a Collingwood supporter: https://www.collingwoodfc.com.au/fans/events Family Day, meet the players, intra club match And this is what their CEO sends to members, even changing times so that the fans can get access to their players, and avoiding the clash with Taylor Swift: Welcome to season 2024 and we hope you enjoyed the holiday period with those closest to you. Our 16th Premiership win is a moment in history we will always remember, success that was made possible by our Club’s 19th player – our Members and supporters. At December’s AGM we announced our Club’s Vision is to Paint the World Black and White with our underpinning Club Purpose To Connect, To Win and To Grow. We will continue to build on our connection with you, our fans, on and off the field. As part of this, we want to provide some key updates ahead of the 2024 AFL Premiership Season. COLLINGWOOD FAMILY DAY AND SEASON LAUNCH – FEBRUARY 14 We are pleased to inform you we will hold our annual Family Day and AFL Season Launch from 4.30pm on Wednesday, February 14 at the AIA Vitality Centre and we look forward to seeing as many Members of the Magpie Army attend. Players will take part in an Intra Club match before the guernsey presentation of our 2024 AFL team together with representation from our women’s, wheelchair and second-tier programs. Initially, we wanted to hold this event on the Friday however due to the number of people that will be in our precinct with the Taylor Swift and Matchbox Twenty concerts that night – we made the decision to hold our event earlier in the week. We hope you recognise we want to ensure the best and safest experience for our Magpie Members and their families. OPENING ROUND – MARCH 9 The Opening Round sees our Club kick off our season against the GWS GIANTS and we look forward to seeing the Magpie Army out in force at GIANTS Stadium. For fans based in New South Wales and for those travelling to the game, we look forward to connecting with you in Sydney. AFL ROUND ONE + FLAG UNFURLING – MARCH 15 We cannot wait to see the Magpie Army fill the ‘G as we unfurl our 2023 Premiership Flag for the first time when we take on the Swans in Round One. There will be a hive of activity pre-game with a March to the G from the AIA Vitality Centre. For Members based outside Victoria, we will host Watch Parties across the country allowing the Magpie Army to gather together in multiple cities across the nation. FOOTBALL DEPARTMENT UPDATE As we announced in December, Graham Wright will be taking a well-deserved break from March to September. This has allowed us to work through how our Football Department is set up and allocate responsibilities to key leaders within the department. Working closely with Craig Kelly, General Manager of Football, Coaching, and Leadership Brendon Bolton will step up and oversee the men’s football program and be the point of call on key AFL matters. Head of Football Strategy, Innovation and List Management Justin Leppitsch will take on additional responsibilities relating to list strategy which will see him work closely with the Club’s Head Recruiter Derek Hine on recruiting and list management. General Manager Football Operations and AFLW Clare Pettyfor will continue to oversee the operations for both football programs. Our recently appointed AFLW Head Coach Sam Wright has commenced in his role and has hit the ground running working closely alongside Head of Women’s Football Jess Burger on ensuring our women’s football program builds strong foundations for success ahead of the 2024 season and well into the future. MEMBER AND SUPPORTER EXPERIENCE Collingwood supporters are like no other – we show up, we cheer loudly and we help our athletes perform. In 2023, thanks to you, we were the most attended and most watched team in the AFL competition. We know that while most people have a great time watching and attending the footy, there are areas we can improve on as a Club and we are working hard to ensure the best possible experience and engagement is available to all our Members and supporters across the country and the world. Some initiatives we are working on behind the scenes in 2024 will lead to more insight and content from within our four walls, an improved match-day experience, improved membership support and new events for fans to share ideas and feedback. For Members, we have listened to your pain points and we are working hard to eliminate hurdles and barriers when it comes to ticketing, access and general membership enquiries. We look forward to seeing you at events and games across the country this season. Craig Kelly Chief Executive Officer

This was produced by Jake Niall in the Age today: https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/overruled-why-maynard-would-escape-ban-for-another-smother-20240207-p5f344.html I have to agree with him 100% as the rule change only specifies : unless a player has taken “all reasonable steps to avoid that high contact and/or minimise the force of that high contact (for example, by adopting a body position that minimises the force of the high contact).” As he points out: "The tribunal ruling that cleared Maynard was explicit: the Magpie defender could not have reasonably foreseen high contact with Brayshaw when he left the ground and he took reasonable steps to avoid the high contact." A repeated incident under this new rule will result in no penalty being applied, despite another player is carted from the ground, after having a shoulder dropped into his head. The AFL have fluffed it again. Just make the rules "head high contact will result in a penalty". Simples.

Sadly what has been produced since Ben left is outright slack, lazy and simply not directed at us...the fans. Demonland was producing "happy snaps" of players at training 20 years ago, and what we are seeing now is nothing more. In fact our own @Six6Six produces far superior quality shots when compared to the amateur efforts shown by people who are being paid to do the job. At training sessions we see them behind their camera, and scrolling through their phone, while spectacular marks go un-noticed, and what's worse....not a single written report about what is actually going on right in front of them....or behind them as injuries occur during the session. Or who is training, who is not, who is rehabbing. ....off we go to Demonland to get that information. Podcasts from the club? No, you have to come to Demonland for that!. Interviews....once again unsighted since Ben left, except for the banal questioning line of "what was it like out there today". How about something as simple as asking Christian Salem how his recovery is going? Essendon have a run down on their community camp over a couple of days. And how about writing something? There is more food for the supporter needs right here on Demonland, than can be found on the club website. Like @Dannyz has pointed out, go to other clubs websites ( yes that hurts), but it shows what their fans are being given and entertained with, and can get excited about. That is how you build a fan base, that is how you maintain a fan base.

Have to agree with all said by @Slartibartfast. The session was just "meh", which perhaps is not unexpected given we don't want to be injuring any more players beyond the 9 sitting in rehab or doing their own thing. And also we are getting to the serious stage, so all the hard work has been done, so to use @binman's analogy, we are probably tapering. If we think we had forward line problems at the end of last year, when we have Petty, Fullarton and now McAdam rehabbing with Kossy not available for the first game, there should be a good argument for TMac to fill a forward line gap...but wait! He stood out the session today as well.... The backs in sharp contrast....and it is a sharp contrast....have their cup running over! Marty Hore, Tomlinson, Howes and Adams are all looking like they could fill any holes and probably more. But the rest of the regulars in the backline look as good as they have ever been, so where will the gaps happen? And I also have to agree with @Slartibartfastabout Kynan Brown. Sharp, slippery and skilled, he will be a great option at some point...but not this year. Like all the first year kids, he just doesn't have the strength to exist at the top level. When you see him and Windsor stand next to Woewodin for example, you truly see what the effect of one year in the system produces from a physical perspective.

For the track watcher at the match sim, were there Casey players filling the gaps? They were there 2 weeks ago, but if not this week, then it is unrealistic to take much away if it is just 14 on 14 as was the case last Wed at training.. Without the pressure of another 8 players filling gaps, and without the physical contact, conclusions about abilities are a bit spurious. Looks good though.

I don’t think anyone has mentioned it but Noah Yze was training today, and for a kid who has another year before drafting, he sure fitted in as much as any of this years draftees. He is a good height and we were trying to compare him to others around . He appeared to be just below Steve May in height. Importantly he knows how to play football. And will be an easy F/S selection given what we saw.

Something about glass houses and stones....we have done the same: https://shape.com.au/projects/casey-fields/ https://sport.vic.gov.au/news/articles/new-designs-showcase-casey-fields-aflw-transformation

This is typical of what can be done if we had a Comms team that was capable of anything other than taking happy snaps of players whose names we already know..." https://www.nmfc.com.au/news/1481945/training-report-young-forwards-fire-in-match-sim

What? No snakes? @picket fence

If we get 10 games for the season out of Ben and TMac each we will have done well.

One thing I forgot to mention was the drill/sim after the match sim. It started again and again on the HBF with the exercise to find a way into attack. It is probably much needed with the emphasis on rebound goals, which happen more often than pack marks in the forward line that the fans love so much. Since half the side was trying to attack, the other half was having to defend, and then they changed the roles around. It was interesting how little of the conventional "switching" happened, but that was typical for the top 4 sides last year. The good sides just have it covered so well, and if sides try to do it, they just get locked in with nowhere to go. Anyhow it was a great spectacle, as each exercise produced different results, sometimes back and forward, sometimes through the middle, sometimes lightning fast down the wings, but the common factor was the running required, both to attack and defend. No room for slouches these days.

Yes but only half the ground. What was poignant was the number of young kids there. The club needs to make these Casey sessions open to build this future fan base in Casey.

Thought it best to start a separate training thread: Training at Casey...what could be more of a simulation of winter football conditions....wet, raining, windy....yep it's the middle of summer, but no sunscreen required. Even @picket fence's slippery mates would have taken the day off and retreated to more habitable locations. Advertised as a match simulation session, it was hard to draw any conclusions or real observations. This was because of the absence of numerous player for whatever reason, or players who were on some sort of restricted programme, or just plain injured. As a consequence, there were numerous Casey listed players filling in, but obviously getting plenty of good experience themselves. On the sidelines, we know about Melksham, and of course no Oliver or Joel Smith. Salem, Billings & Sparrow were just running laps, with Sparrow looking to be the one doing it at full stretch. No sight of Hunter, BBB, McAdam & AMW, while Jefferson walked on and off the field to physio areas. Every year it is a concern when players aren't on the track post Christmas break, and you can utterly guarantee for every week they are not there, you can take a week off the season for them. 11 missing out of a list of 44 isn't good! There was all the usual warm-up's and drills but the match simulation was the most important. But, as said before, what can one take from it with so many sidelined? What could be taken away were things like: TMac playing permanently in the backline. For those that have been around from when he played their last, be prepared for much of the same. Indecisive about where the ball is going, strong marking, but watch out for the kicking. One wonders how he will find a hole to fill with May, Lever, Tomlinson, Turner, Rivers, Bowey, Salem, Adams, Hore & Howe all vying for the back 6 positions. Blake Howes and Disco Turner are going to be putting up their hands fairly soon for a role in the senior defensive structure, and both stood out on multiple times during the sim. But don't discount Adams, who probably is 3rd in line, but having built up considerably in the off-season is showing some real promise with genuine football skills. Interestingly, Judd McVee was playing further up the ground, and found himself taking shots at goal at one point, so maybe the coaches have something more planned for him. Petty was back for the drills, but didn't compete in the sim, likewise Brayshaw, and to a certain extent Gawn, who came back for only a short spell in the sim. Probably to give the backups some time for assessment. In this respect Verrall is streets ahead of Fullarton, and I suspect Fullarton will only find a role as a forward....although we need plenty of those options given the situation at the end of last season. JVR almost took mark of the year reminiscent of the one Michael Roach held on to many, many years ago, but unfortunately he spilled it in the end, but he truly was sitting on top of the pack to attempt to take the ball at waist height. If he connects something similar in the season, he will be taking home the MOTY easily. Pickett spent the whole session in the middle, and like most years, nobody can lay a hand on him. He just dances through traffic when he has no right to do so. And with questions over Oliver, both he and Laurie can expect more opportunity in the engine room. ANB gave a clinic on how to kick to the opposition when under no pressure. So no change there. Rivers was magnificent to watch as he streamed from HB and delivers accurately. Chandler was very involved and seemed to be on the end of numerous chains. But he was also active in contested situations, so maybe a mid-field rotation role might be on the cards in season proper. Woewodin showed glimpses of what may be possible, but with these types of simulations and with tackling and pressure not at the levels of AFL games, it is difficult to judge. Still he looks more and more like his old man, and is obviously benefitting from the training programmes. I know people will ask about the new draftees, but sorry, not much to report. They after all are just starting out and some of the Casey players show more, simply because they are stronger, fitter and accustomed to the speed of the action. Just give them time. And don't expect to see them playing any time soon, unless we hit a huge injury problem. That's all from me but wait for @Six6Six and his photo's to appear, as he was busy with the telphoto lens and should have some great shots of the action

PJ was the recruit of the year. He put everything back on the rails, the football department and the admin and the Board. Turned us back into a football club, properly run. Watch out for North Melbourne in the coming years ( it took us 8 to get back). PJ has done a review of their operations, Clarkson has been brought in as coach and Todd Viney is running their football department. Sound familiar?

The problem is the work experience kids who run our communications haven't returned from school holidays. Same situation as last year when the club site said training at Gosch's only for the people who turned up to find out it was at Casey. How hard is it to update a website? We don't need 50 photos each day, we need information.....try writing something! @Six6Six does a better job with the photos anyway!

Our facilities are NOT more than adequate. We share facilities at AAMI with 3 other codes with multiple teams themselves, and have 4 teams of our own. When you lose two finals by a mere 9 points then having something better than what we have could have been the difference. When players have to drive 45 minutes one way and then another 45 minutes back from Casey and do it multiple times each week, surely that time would be best spent in recovery, training, physio etc. That is what makes the difference between winning and losing at the sharp end. Ours facilities are the worst in the league. There are multiple examples in this thread of what others already have, and what others are planning. Go an look at what Essendon have had at Tullamarine for 20 years to see how far behind we are. It doesn't matter if our own facility is in the middle of a race track. We are the only club in the competition without a home base.

Perhaps @Demonstone could start a "guess the weight" contest..... This bloke always did look a bit skinny, so perhaps weight has nothing to do with playing AFL footy?

The reality, as alluded to in the article, is that because Gosch's is public land, that it will not be developed. The locals will be up in arms in exactly the same way as the stupid proposal we had for Jolimont. In a way, this is good for us, because we will have Gosch's available to use as is, however second rate. What is truly concerning is that Collingwood and Richmond had plans that they had proposed ( even if they won't proceed?)....where were ours?

This article is from over 2 years ago....one does wonder why it has taken so long for the MFC to get involved, instead of all the mucking around with Goschs and the Jolimont proposals during that time? Anyhow it shows artists impressions of what can be done inside the existing track. Note up to 7 sporting fields. https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/caulfield-racecourse-unveils-570m-sports-entertainment-precinct-plan-20210413-p57iu8.html

https://themongrelpunt.com/ But if you want the full article, you have to join up and subscribe ($6.60 p.m. but you can unsubscribe)

Excellent article. And written with a good in-depth analysis of what is already known, but without the red-and-blue eyes, that we all have. Makes some excellent points about the Petty forward option and how it affects others, and in fact, the whole team. And also makes a truly relevant point about our wingers, and importantly not using statistics as pure numbers, but points out the relevance of the numbers when compared with Collingwood wingers.

Let's see how long it takes for that information to be available on the Clubs website.......perhaps the work experience kids aren't back in school yet?