Tarax Club

3 minutes ago, hemingway said:

If not, he should fair dinkum go on strike and request an immediate transfer. 

Agree Ernest, among the best performed from last Saturday's Casey Demons televised game.

6 hours ago, DV8 said:

_ playing in Darwin isn't nonsense, but not having a bye the week after is... These two have to work in hand, or it is troublesome.

.

I'm pushing for us to Bookend Naidoc Week in July,,, in the Alice.

A Friday or Saturday night game in Alice, to welcome Naidoc Week.

And a closing Twilight Sunday match.

... Both games Free2Air .

A fortnight away in JULY in the Territory. 

 

Hopefully its school holidays at the time?  This would be excellent for the players at this time of year, as a freshen,,, up in the warmth.

More power to positive innovative ideas! Yes school holidays commenced Monday 2nd of July through until Friday 19th of July. According to Goody's press conference team are scheduled to arrive today, Thursday and train at Marrara stadium 10:30 am tomorrow morning. Weather has been warm and windy daytime early Gurrulwa perhaps, today winds are more moderate though. Evenings swing back to more like Dinidjanggama with heavy dew forming. Awaiting selection news hopefully skilled footballers like Billy Stretch will get a call up and be on the flight up here. Your top-end correspondent team are both basking in the most pleasant dry season climes awaiting Saturday nights game with anticipation.

1 minute ago, timbo said:

Some epic emoji steez. As good as Arthur Vichot. Chapeau!

Can you give us the inside goss re: the weather at this time of year? At approx 7PM to 10PM: humidity, dew point (dew on ground and therefore on ball), temperature, prevailing evening breeze (e.g. warm dry inland, sea breeze). Everyone is stating it's going to be more humid than Boonie's box on a seaming Delhi pitch but old mate Weatherzone does not comport with this narrative.

Cheers timbo! Seeing this is to be apparently to be your top-end correspondents' ultimate, penultimate, antepenultimate or preantepenultimate gig? We shall do our best. Can discount the theory about being more humid than the interior Boonie's box at New Delhi come Saturday eve. Although not a qualified meteorologist exists between us and more inclined to go with BOM direct rather than Weatherzone.

An almost absolute majority of posters on this thread appear to be against the ?️ Darwin fixture. A brief scan reveals some fair and rationale analysis and a couple of humorous 'gems' amongst the usual backwash. Win lose or draw since the the Demons first appearance at Marrara ?️ for a pre-season game V doggies in the wet  ?️ season. Where the heat and humidity actually was a factor, way back in the dreamtime when Robbo was still taking speccies ? and a tropical ?️ cooled off proceedings. Jack Watts and Brad Miller forming a dynamic duo up forward to provide impetus for a convincing victory against port power, game one of the triplepeat. Jack Trengrove's footy smarts won the game V port for the game 2 return bout. Liam Jurrah's cameo magical Marrara goal of the decade. Neville Jetta gracing the grandstand wing pre-rookie revival, Nathan Jones's set shot goal outside fifty metre arc, leading the way  pre-captaincy, followed by Jaydyn Hunt's spectacular spiraling torp over the ginger crow ? ruckman last year. Yeah survived the karma bus episodes wandering about in the footy universe outer limits. Reality is Northern Territory $$$ have helped keep the good ship ?? afloat. Your top-end correspondent has been seriously entertained, enjoyed and at times, if necessary endured all the Mighty Demons matches here in Darwin. If the game this Saturday is to be the last... well as George Harrison crooned "All things must past".

Go !!!

1 hour ago, kevin martin said:

Training continued.

I watched Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver going at each other as the mids trained. Lots of pushes and punches to chest area. Oliver seemed to win front position (timing of hits) though Tracs able to win the ball because of his stability in the space when the ball came down. Oskar Baker and Billy Stretch trained with the midfield. Nathan Jones giving plenty of instructions and delivering with fast handballs.The mids did some drills playing through obstacles, quick lateral ball movement and straight running when in possession. At the same time the backs contested with the forwards in game simulations.

The Casey players ended the session with goal kicking. The AFL squad contested with a simulation. Coaches wanted them to go pretty hard. Aaron VandenBerg getting plenty of ball. Joel Smith breaking lines. Jesse Hogan clean collection and hitting targets. Bernie Vince working hard and plenty of talk to structure the backline. Bailey Fritsch having so much composure with ball in hand always runs to space. Jack Viney playing smart football and so fast at the roll and go when he gets the ball. The backline communicating well to set up and cover the space.

Neville Jetta seems to be enjoying training. He was working/instructing Jay Kennedy-Harris for a while. He is vocal towards everyone and appears to be growing as a leader.

Lachlan Filipovic training well and appears to be improving as a marking tall.

Christian Petracca finished his session with a few 70 m sprints under supervision and being timed by the coaching staff.

Tom Mcdonald a little uncomfortable after some timed runs, but beyond that he looked good.

Cheers ‘Big’ Kev top trackside coverage! Your top end correspondent intends to be in attendance at training in Darwin prior to the Dockers clash so will try reciprocate with some local colour next week. Are Harrison Petty’s ball handling skills up to par? Frostie had a shocker here last year couldn’t handle the dew.

Jones - flew the flag

Viney - best game back

T. McDonald - took a hit

Hannah - needed more support

Melksham - creative catalyst stymied

Salem - contributed positively overall

Harmes - blooper turnovers hurt

O.McDonald - had a go

Jetta - full of courage

Hogan -  mojo majorly missing

Lewis - brave dynamo waning

Fritsch - star is ascendant

Petracca - start stop finish

Oliver - combative inside contributor

Tyson - better for run

Vince - jury is out

Smiths - not quite there

Gawn - influential in play

Brayshaw - radar off beam

Neal-Bullen - lacked meaningful impact

Hibberd - bring back 2017

Umpires - three blind mice

Max now has a weekly column for the competition to the Fairfax rag?  That may explain his omission. His 2016 form from a limited sample from afar at the 'G'  v woods and tigers Anzac Eve in succeeding  weeks. Gawn absolutely monstered the opposing rucks and dominated the midfieldbattle like a colossus. Best individual ruck performance I can recall from an AFL ruckman. May his star status be re-ascendant 2018.

18 minutes ago, picket fence said:

I think Balic comes in for Hames

Pedo for ANB 

Pedo allows more options in attack, defence, and Ruck!

 

Cameron Pedersen great foil for Big Max, has a positive track record as a forward against the Hawks and loves a dry, fast track in the sunshine at the 'G' ! Weather forecast for Sunday?

1. Christian Salem decking "Magic Door" after Eddie went apoplectic about his bump on Jordan Lewis.

2. Jeffy Garlett's picking the pocket of North's McDonald and kicking a terrific opportunist goal.

3. The unheralded Josh Wagner's blue collar (red vee) performance in defence.

1. Resilience shown by the team in very trying sub-tropical conditions particularly after half-time. It appears that visits to the top end have ‘toughened’ up the boys!  

2. Lions are definitely an improving side on Saturday nights performance and made the game a good contest, but lacked finesse and meaningful firepower up forward.

3. A number of ‘unsung’ players some much maligned here made a positive contribution to the result at different stages of the match.

A few comments, to add to the other reports from Friday’s training  session. Considering the trying conditions, strong northerly wind and high temperatures the standard of skills exhibited was quite high, stamina and fitness levels overall were very good.   

Agree with positive comments made by a number of observers/posters here re: Bernie Vince,  Max Gawn, Dom Tyson, Dean Kent, Billy Stretch, Christian Salem, Alex Neil-Bullen,Christian Petracca, Tom MacDonald, Jesse Hogan all were noticeable for a range of attributes from their physical conditioning through to their determination and skills exhibited during the training drills.

Impressed that most participants maintained an admirable intensity throughout the session which was intelligently managed by the coaching staff. Observed numerous rotations to allow for recovery and plenty of opportunity provided for maintaining hydration levels.

Of the new recruits Bailey Fritsch moved with poise and purpose, looked very neat skills wise,  was able precisely pass the footy by foot and appears accurate over an extended distance despite the conditions. He judged the flight of the ball superbly and marked confidently despite the strong gusting wind. Close by he is deceptively strong around the hips and upper thighs. 

After all the training drills were completed and most players departed for what one assumes was a cool shower. Josh Wagner, Jayden Hunt and Neville Jetta did some extra-curricula work competing in pairs for the high kicked incoming ball. Their positioning/bodywork to spoil or mark the ball was terrific. Jettta despite giving up “inches” was the obvious master.

Observations on the possible ‘game plan’ for the coming season. Competewith strength around the packs, gain possession and clear congestion by handball and reminiscent of Hawthorn maintain possession by short passing allowing forwards time to lead into space to receive an accurate footpass. Well at least that appears to be plan A.

Final thought as a visitor to the centre of the footy universe from the top end, conditions were much tougher for footy than ever experienced in the ‘cooler’dry season evenings in Darwin. Ok will acknowledge pre-season training is not a fixtured AFL game. But training intensity and duration appear to mimic something of game conditions.

In anticipation of a continued positive  trend on Goody’s team performance graph for season 2018. Adios from your northern correspondent.?Go Demons!

Some may say supporting MFC is like bearing a cross may the karma bus collide and the curse of  old 65 cease to exist. When many of us would honestly wish for the team to bloody well consistently lift the whole season through. Auld Lang Syne cherish the best trash the rest! Bring on 2018?

3 hours ago, Deemania since 56 said:

Weideman and Oscar McD - - plenty of Casey room for these two.

To quote Binman 06/12/2017 on an earlier preseason training thread ... 

"Surprise, surprise stmj is worried tmac's younger brother won't make it. Quelle horreur!

Well i'm not. I can see what the fd can. Like he has been since first selected he is a lock for our starting 22 (yes, yes, i know he was dropped. Once). I have argued the fact he is picked week in week out is proof of his standing. Some - well one - have argued his selection is down to luck and fortituous timing (there are no other options!).

The latter argument is moot this year with lever coming in. There are options for the fd if they think he is not ready.

So when he starts in the side round one and remains in all year, injuries notwithstanding, it will be crystal clear, even to his most trenchant of critics, how highly he is rated by his coach and the fd.

By the happy to bet the above scenario will come to pass."

Objective evidence of a player's performance independent of an observer's emotions or imagination reflects the pre-eminent  role modern sport science has at the pinnacle.  Objective  aces Subjective every time.

 Odds on for Oscar to replace Jack as the  Demonland whipping boy next season 

26 minutes ago, DemonFrog said:

I think that I am on the same schedule.

But this is our Premiership year, so which game/s should I attend?

As an amphibian and prone to desiccation demonfrog you must have moisture to survive ideally water not swan lager! After the deluge spring showers seem best ‘September The Grand Finale’ is strongly suggested☔️

26 minutes ago, DemonFrog said:

I think that I am on the same schedule.

But this is our Premiership year, so which game/s should I attend?

4 hours ago, Satyriconhome said:

Whinge whine carp complain   the whole fixture isn't out yet   wait for the Home game at Etihad

Didn't realise Hillsong was 3.20 on a Sunday and it clashes

May even go to Alice this year, done Darwin 3 times

As a loyal paid up member of the Dee's Diaspora based at Darwin. I'm perfectly at ease with the round 16 fixture  (must be the territory life style).  Shall be in attendance at the match  v the shockers basking in the 'Dry' season climes again for a 9th consecutive time god willing!  Encourage some of the more financial melbournecentric followers to support the club by putting their money where their mouth is by purchasing fly in package. You never never know? Its a great footy experience here in the top end. 

Witnessed the Jayden Hunt torpedo from the Marrara grandstand that night. Told my missus "he won't kick this" . Confounded quite a few of us, including crowbot ruckman Jenkins who got an almighty shock and rushed to the goal line in an attempt to spoil. The ball sailed metres  above his head closer to top of the goal post. While not a 'classic' torpedo punt (ball spin was out of whack) a very long kick nonetheless. From memory the goals at Marrara have nets so the final length of the goal kick may well have been impeded.

Blast from the past! Recall Willo's match winning performance Round 10 1988 v Pies at Waverley.  Sitting in the concrete 'cauldron' outer, a reflection of the crowd's  (60,000+) involvement not the wintry conditions. All the initial first quarter momentum with the opposition three unanswered goals. The ferals about were going apeshite, this was a top of the ladder clash. The demon supporters subdued and mostly hushed. The Colliwogs were running rampant, Darren Millane doing as he pleased until Ted Fidge infamously interjected. Brian Wilson led the MFC response in a brilliant individual and team lifting fashion scoring the first Dee's goal late in the first quarter and going on to kick five inspirational goals in total. A skite, show off, show pony call him what you will, but delivered as a champion footballer in spades.

Postscript post demons 'retirement' Willo the joker in the Saints pack '91!

5 minutes ago, bing181 said:

Frost not even in emergencies. 

Will be celebrating with a couple of 'frosties' up at the Rocks post-match Saturday evening! Black label lemonade of course!

5 minutes ago, bing181 said:

Frost not even in emergencies. 

Will be celebrating with a couple of 'frosties' up at the Rocks post-match Saturday evening! Black label lemonade of course!

Re: umpiring performance yesterday at the 'G'. Here's my two bob's worth, as a neutral observer of the Hawks v Kangaroos game in Tassie.  A young woman Eleni Glouftsis, at the commencement of her career as an AFL umpire adjudicated the match with more aplomb than her more senior colleagues did earlier in the day. Her bouncing of the ball at the centre bounces was also markedly superior.

The other bob; sackcloth and ashes for Saint Kilda another preseason of penance ahead!

 Re: umpiring performance yesterday at the 'G'. Here's my two bob's worth, as a neutral observer of the Hawks v Kangaroos game in Tassie.  A young woman Eleni Glouftsis, at the commencement of her career as an AFL umpire adjudicated the match with more aplomb than her more senior colleagues did earlier in the day. Her bouncing of the ball at the centre bounces was also markedly superior.

The other bob; sackcloth and ashes for Saint Kilda another preseason of penance ahead!

Max Gawn Neville Jetta Bernie Vince Jordan Lewis Corey Maynard Michael Hibberd Christian Salem Clayton Oliver all having a go. Rest of the team need    to lift their performance. 

Max Gawn Neville Jetta Bernie Vince Jordan Lewis Corey Maynard Michael Hibberd Christian Salem Clayton Oliver all having a go. Rest of the team need    to lift their performance. 

18 minutes ago, AzzKikA said:I hate you too then.

Après-ski!

3 minutes ago, loges said:

Playing him this year killed us, no impact.

6 minutes ago, AzzKikA said:

I still hate you.

Just returned to Jimbaran from the (snow sic mud) ski slopes of the Ijen volcano in time to do likewise!