Maldonboy38

Disagree about Spencer. Unco - yes. Awkward - yes. But he is winning ruck contests and his 2nd and 3rd efforts are way better than Jamar's. I reckon both Jamar and Spencer will play round 1. The battle is for the Sellar/Pedersen/Fitzpatrick/Gillies spot and it is Sellar for mine. But I agree with Weedster above - the coach seems to like Pedersen.

Sellar played on Jackson Trengove who is a fairly good player, but Trengove was really poor on Sunday. Sellar gave him an absolute hiding. Sellar is not the best tall on our list but he is miles ahead of others: Gillies - I remain unconvinced. Fitzpatrick - I saw some good signs recently, but he was ordinary against PA. However, I am unsure of how much game time he actually got. Pedersen - I just can't see the upside of this bloke. The most impressive thing about Sellar's game was his one-grab marking and also his second efforts when the ball was on the ground. If Jamar and Spencer play it is difficult to get Sellar into the 22.

I really enjoyed the camera angle and the commentary was better than the usual, sugary, self-indulgent, boys club stuff we get from Fox and 7. Rather than all the close-ups, slo mos, and constant advertising I got to see big patches of ball movement. Loved our boys tackling - a real highlight. The oval was an absolute beauty - easily AFL standard. It was probably a VFL standard game with a lot of in-tight mistakes by young players. There were some tragic spots where our defensive structure broke down horribly through the middle/half back. Our ball movement from back through to the 50m arc was impressive at times.

I live 15 minutes away from Casey. The parking is really good. Limited capacity and definitely not sufficient for the crowd likely for the game against the Saints. Arrive really early if you want a definite car park. The ground is usually excellent but they had some grass poisoned by an over zealous attendant who killed more than the weeds. There is still some speculation that because of this the game might be moved. Keep your eyes on the MFC website, especially the morning of the game. I can't believe I have a wedding to attend. Murphy's %$@&* law again. I will have the AFL app on most of the day - maybe even during the ceremony - and I am conducting it! The grandstand is good but is small, and many people end up on the eastern side of the ground due to sun glare. There are 3 long shelters on the eastern side of the ground. If you come be prepared for wind (it is NEVER still at Casey Fields)

These are really good questions, but I maintain the view that they can only be answered through fitness and a good look over a number of weeks. His long kicking for mine means half forward or on the wing, but he has never demonstrated the engine to be a wingman. My one worry is his marking ability - for the life of me I can't remember one overhead mark, whereas Trengove, Jones, Howe, Grimes have all demonstrated this at varying levels.

The really good St.Kilda sides of recent years had Baker in their side, who provided very little except tagging, scragging, tackling and stopping. Jordie is a very similar player and I don't want to see Trengove or Toumpas or Jones used in a negating role. If we have enough speed and talent across the rest of the 22, Jordie is absolutely best 22 as a negative presence.

Disagree with the negative slant about Tappy in the title of this thread. We waited until late last year to see an injury free Blease and he is a mouth watering prospect for this year - even if he has another minor injury. I want Tappy to be given (earn) 8 - 10 games, in the forward line playing a Chappy-type role. We have bemoaned our kicking skills for 4-5 years or more, and this bloke is a seriously good kick. With him, Strauss, Dunn, Watts, Clark and now also Toumpas we have kicking ability. Don't just look at Tappy's muscles and expect him to be Rod Grinter. Watch his football when he is injury free, hoping that he can be some time soon. At this stage he is probably not in our best 22 but I would like him to be.

The game against Port in Renmark doesn't mean much to me because it is still too far away from the season proper, is played in belting heat, and the newbies, young'ns, and rookies will make up the majority of the team. We will get better measures of foot skills, sure hands, playing to instruction etc... but I can't see the game being used to assess whether we can actually win. The NAB cup round 3 game will be more important as we see which players are being genuinely considered and which players have already cemented a spot.

I am beginning to think that Fitzpatrick would be a better option than Pedersen for round 1. I remain unconvinced and unimpressed with Pedersen's vigour and ability to actually get the pill. Fitzy is quick, has a very strong set of hands, and gets to a lot of contests. When Mitch Clark comes in, I am unsure if Neeld will play 3 talls plus Howe, but he said at the AGM that Daws, Rodan, Byrnes and Pedersen were brought to the club to play and are likely starters.

Jordie has some glaring deficiencies but his stopping and tackling are in the elite category. We need him. I was unconvinced about Pederson prior to NAB round 1, now I am sure: he is not in starting 22 form. Kent and Evans are contenders. Viney and Toumpas are contenders. I reckon Watts, Garland, McDonald and Frawley are enough for the backline larger players. We need Dunn and insert Strauss as the starting 6th defender.

After the first week of NAB cup - which was more like old fashioned practice matches than genuine pre-season comp games - I have already been surprised by a few things. I know it is only 1 week and I am not putting the whole season on these things, but the surprises to me were: Dean Kent's pace and AFL readiness Michael Evans. His pace and follow up work were very good. Dunn and Watts down back. With their reading of the play and kicking this is a great pairing. Hogan. How many marks and how much running can a 17 yo do? Toumpas and Viney. I was unsure if either were ready. Now I think they may both be round 1. Howe's continued development What surprised you?

I was there, Biffen but I do not have Maldon plates. I hope there is another Dees family from Maldon because growing up I was one out. My eldest son got a photo taken with Max Gawn - he is a genuine gentle giant. Seemed to be having a ball.

Wife and 2 boys went, and we had a really good time. My reflections: My boys owe me 1 month of good behaviour for going on those rides. Max Gawn really is huge. Robbo said he was now 110kgs This was not the Pies, Bulldogs or Tiges day - most of the women were stunning. It was a really relaxed free kind of morning. Wanted to take wife and kids on ghost train but it was closed - bummer that! We got to sing the club song but it was the most passionless, flat uninspired rendition you have ever heard. The coffee lady was slower than a Collingwood supporter on the way to the dentist. I hope I win the shoes. Didn't win the raffle - never do, never will Enjoyed the morning immensely - it was our first time there.

Our defence was very good, but it has been good for a long time. We got beaten again in the stoppages. Our movement of the ball was good, except coming inside 50, where it was terrible. Midfield quality, and ball into 50 quality need a huge amount of work.

We need to be clear about the desired outcome by the AFL. They know 4 clubs at least have used tanking or "pre-game planning prejudicial to the interests of the AFL" and also realize the priority pick system was the catalyst. They weren't really interested in getting their man or punishing the club(s) involved. They needed an outcome that was political in nature. It had to: Ensure everyone thinks the AFL is taking it seriously Look as though they are being tough Stay well clear of any outcome that would prove teams were deliberately trying to lose Keep Demetriou well away from any flack Be phrased in ambiguous legal terms Ensure that no action - legal or otherwise - would occur subsequent to the announcement of penalties They got all this, and we did not lose draft picks which in my mind is the right penalty for deliberately trying to lose. You watch, in two weeks time this will be completely off the news pages. MFC and AFL will go very quiet very quickly. Caroline Wilson will be starved of oxygen and some other point of interest (gambling and drugs probably) will take the attention of the journos and media. The AFL will wipe their brow, say "phew - it all went to plan" and move on to Essendon and Brisbane.

I reckon the AFL got this just about right - perhaps they were a bit soft on us. Bailey and Connolly were behind the scenes making dodgy decisions leading to deliberate short term losses for expected long term gains that never came. And Jimmy - God bless him - was probably implicit also. We are very lucky not to have draft picks taken away. We did everything else BUT tell our players to lose. I can't tell you how angry I am that officials of the MFC - the founding club and best club in the world - decided that a culture of losing would have long term gains. I have been a great fan of Connolly and thought Bailey had some things right, but I do not want to see Connolly back our great club. Think how Barassi, Flower, Viney, Lyon would respond if the club was doing everything to lose while the players were busting heads, guts, legs and all they had to try and win a flag??? We lost Brock McLean and Scully because of this, and probably others. Regardless of how we now feel about them they were good players who smelled a rat. Never, NEVER again!!!

I really like what Neeld is doing. Looking at the players during the intraclub, we have body size right across the ground so we shouldn't be pushed off the ball. But we still have to see whether Blease, Strauss, Tapscott, jordie, Nicho etc.. can mature into 70+ game players who are consistent, winning footballers. Neeld has a definite plan: he knows the game plan he wants us to play, he knows the attitude to training and playing he wants to see, he has shown great guts in turning over 15 players (some who thought they were the next wave of Melbourne success), he has the guts to place young captains at the head because he knows they are the best leaders at the club, he knows the coaching staff he wants and has drawn them in. Now we want to see if he can game-day coach. All the other elements are coming together (the list still has some tweaking if we want 3 - 5 A grade elite footballers). I will be looking very close to his coaching during NAB cup. Ball movement Player positioning at stoppages Responding to 3 goals in a row from opposition The one-on-one talks with players at 1/4 time and 3/4 time. Player confidence (I can't stand Malthouse but my goodness do his players play with confidence) The last coach who had me completely was Northey. Daniher had me at times but the up-and-down win/loss thing had my head in a spin. I can't become a Neeld "fan" until I see the players playing for him, and them playing footy that wins finals. For mine 2013 is another building-blocks year, and 2014 will see a very different team under Neeld. Here's hoping!!

Are you sure about this quote, Demonland? "Are you Mark Jamar is back to his best. He is jumping off the ground again, unlike last year, and gave Spencer an absolute bath in the ruck. Sadly, Spencer still is not concentrating on the ball, despite his enormous height advantage, and apart from a good single mark, he did not touch the ball in general play or at ruck contests. By that I mean he did not touch the ball …" I am not sure if you were watching the same game as me but Jamar was nowhere near his best, and in front of me was beaten three times in the air by Spencer in one-on-one ruck contests. Also, Jamar did nothing around the ground where Spencer at least ran forward, gave 2nd and 3rd attempts, went for marks and presented.

I was there today and some of it was really interesting rather than a highlights reel. The first thing to note was that apart from a couple of the young boys, we are a much physically stronger list than last year. No skinny legs, Muppet arms etc... Even a lot of the newer recruits have some serious size about them. The scratch match seemed to be planned around ball movement from defence to attack. At times, when the umpire blew the whistle or there was a goal/behind, one of the coaches would move the play to the other end of the ground or the wing, and give the ball to the defensive position team. If any of you guys remember that Dean Bailey's main practice emphasis was on running patterns when Dees had the ball, you would have been happy to see the succession of handballs moving the ball forward today. There were few poor kicking options chosen. If things were closed down, they ran and handballed in patterns until a gap was found. It was refreshing to see. If the half-backs had no options forward they would simply run into spaces between half-back and centre line until a gap was found - a little like Hawthorn or Fremantle. There was no Mitch Clark, no Dawes, and Pederson hardly ever went forward after the first 5 minutes. So the emphasis was not on our forward structure whatever it might be. It was on moving the ball out of defence. Some of the interchanges of handballs was outstanding to watch because it looks like the horrible Melbourne habit of panicking and handballing to a stationery target is gone. 1. Hogan - have to agree - star in the making. Leads well, contests well. Was bumped off the contest or led under it by mature defenders but his leading and contest at the mark is of a very high standard. . 2. Jones - Very vocal around stoppages and efficient with the ball.. 4. Watts - With the ball in his hands he is simply a gun. He still hangs back a bit when he could contest and did it a few times in the first half. However, it seems he was being instructed to play wide and loose at times. 5. Toumpas - His pace of the mark is amazing. Didn't get a lot of it but was clean when he got it. Hits the ball at full pace which is exciting to watch. 7. Viney - was in and at every contest, but was unclean and sloppy at times. Obviously loves the hard stuff. 8. Frawley - Definite backline general and I reckon I saw a bit of his old arrogance at times. He is in for a huge 2013. 10. Byrnes - Everywhere, quick, accurate and knows where the spaces are. Those looking for a forward spot have to get past him. BOG today. . 12. Sylvia - Hardly saw him, but was efficient when he had it. 13. Jordie -Usual great work rate, but a few times handballed when kicking was clearly the right option. Other players let him know this each time. 14. Dunn- was everywhere today, often in the right place at the right time. He reads it so well and with Watts looks to be the rebound 50 designated player. His kicking still is outstanding. Also some fumbles and strange choices. 15. Rodan- Amazing first half. He was in everything and leading into spaces other players could not find. 17. Blease - One of the best today. His running to the next play after disposal was excellent. His kicking a little wobbly sometimes but he just kept running and getting it. 19. Strauss - Some people don't like the phrase "elite kick" but I can now confirm he is one. Great game down back and after watching our defensive kicking out from the backline over the past 5 years, he is a must for starting 22. 20. Garland - Didn't notice him a lot but he is that quiet 'humphrey' type. Efficient but not brilliant. 21. Pedo - OK, but didn't impact contested opportunities when he could have. 22. Magner - As usual went hard at every contest and did some good set up work through the wing at times. 23. Tynan - grew in confidence in the second quarter and had about 6 good, solid touches in a row. Cleaner by foot than I expected and seemed to understand our defensive structure quite well. 25 TMac - Didn't stand out but his spoiling, reading of the game and defensive positioning was good. 26. Nicho -didn't notice him a lot. 27. Gillies - He makes our starting back 6 more problematic. Reads the play OK and is very aware once he has the ball. A good game. 31 Grimes- Spent a fair bit of time on the bench but was OK when in play. His kicking was cleaner than previously. 32 Evans - didn't notice him a lot - just OK. 33. Barry - didn't get into the game much and might be a year away. Very quick. 34 Kent - Liked what I saw. Looks ready to match it physically and is team oriented. Skills might need some refinement. 35 Tappy - Was playing as a forward and the emphasis was on defense, but was quite good in patches. 36 Davey - Chased and tackled really well but we want him kicking. Didn't win or receive a lot of the ball. 39 Jetta - Didn't get a heap of it but when he was involved looked really, really good. Ran well, kicked well, made options well. 40. Jamar - Bustled at the bounces and throw ins but provided nothing around the ground. I thought he was out done by Spencer today. 41. Davis - Looks made for defence and positions well. Still not convinced of his kicking but he was marginally better today. 42 Pencil - Broke even in ruck contests with Jamar but provided run and options around the ground. A good game. 43 Taggert- Really goes at it but doesn't win a lot of it. 45 Jones - Really surprised me, did some top notch stuff and could challenge for a spot. 46 Terlich- saw him do some nice things, but didn't notice much 47. Couch - Got better as the game progressed and ended up playing really hard and really well. Looked more ready than last year. 48. Fitzy - He is SO unco but played a good game at times. His pace and second efforts for his size are surprising. On today's performance will definitely challenge Pederson for that 3rd forward/ruck help position. It was a game that highlighted the half-backs and the midfielders. All of them had a go and showed their wares at times. I have picked Viney in my Supercoach starting 22 but on today's performance I am not sure if he is ready. Tynan, M. Jones, Terlich and Fitzy were the ones who surprised me today. Davey and Sylvia were disappointing Loved it - the footy is back!

B: S. Wight J. Frawley M. Whelan (easiest line of all. These 3 clear of all other contenders) HB: B. Lovett D. Neitz S. Febey C: S. Tingay T. Viney A. Johnson HF: A. Yze D. Schwarz G. Lyon F: J. Farmer A. Jakovich R. Robertson R: J. Stynes T. Johnstone B. Wilson I: J. White R. Grinter N. Jones J. Mcdonald (sub) R. Flower finished in 1987 but goes in every MFC best team. Disappointed I couldn't get Hardeman in. He was a the best CHB I have ever seen.

There are better websites for getting it up.

Watching it on AFL.com and the resolution is so poor I can hardly tell one player from another. If it wasn't for the commentators I wouln't be able to watch it. Have the AFL run out of money??

How good was the kick from Flash that led to the All-stars goal!! He is looking very good tonight. Can he produce this in the season proper? Gee I hope so because he isn't just playing well - he is leading the team. Bring it, Aaron.

Love the work of Grimes here. First he pushes Couch off from Jones' line giving Jones a space to run into, then continue alongside Jones eventually blocking Magner from the contest. Great photo sequence.

I have seen 6 preseason sessions and read reports from all the others. I am getting a bit worried about out kicking efficiency when coming inside 50. Every training report from a whole range of different Demonlanders is reporting the same thing. Are any of the coaches specific skills coaches? Should we make this more of an emphasis between now and round 1? Surely we cannot settle for Bail, Nicho, Blease etc.. to constantly miss a forward structure that might actually be able to produce? I also agree about Fitzy. Both he and Spencer have trained really well. Fitzy's one clunk marking has been great to watch and it will be interesting to see how he fits into the NAB cup rotations. He has others ahead of him (Jamar, Spencer, Pederson, maybe even Gillies) but his pace and marking ability create match-up headaches for others.