dpositive
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Posts posted by dpositive
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14 minutes ago, WERRIDEE said: Kentfield was going to debut before he hurt his knee. Can't see why he can't debut now. A month is not a long time out. Petty has been out of form.
Yeah agree Petty has been out of form which is why I think he gets last chance as burst impact replacement, a role which he needs to be coached positively to do.
As i said in other post Im just a bit concerned that Lukar had a significant injury which might affect his confidence and impact which I would like to see built and evidenced in the lower level.
Both these thoughts are deeper coaching and development matters which I really will leave to the coach who is closer to the players.
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15 minutes ago, WERRIDEE said: Give Luker a go.
Just a bit worried that the significant injury he sustained may affect his confidence and impact which I would rather see built and evidenced at Casey.
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Just a few changes Werridee
B: Lever, McDonald, Salem
HB: Tholstrup, Turner, Howes
C: Langford, Sparrow, Windsor
HF: Chandler, van Rooyen, Culley
F: Fritsch, Mihocek, Heath
FOLL: Gawn, Steele, K.Pickett
IC: Lindsay, Langdon, Sharp, Petty, Moniz-Wakefield
EMERG: , L.Pickett, Kentfield prefer both to play limited time at Casey
Petty the ultimate emergency can pinch hit for Turner if he is short of a run or can cut out for max in the ruck and JVR who must be played fulltime forward and Heath who may need exposure to AFL..
Mw can replace Tholstrup if he is needed to tag or cut out Salem
Heath played well at Casey last match and can provide support for Max and an xtra tall to create space
Latrell is exciting but I reckon can have run at Casey to build up his presence not just impact. Use his pace at that level to cut them apart and force his way into the team against Essendon.
Rivers may need an extra week recovery same as Kentfield
We do need to see how player perform at Casey Jefferson and Kentfield l
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23 hours ago, Willmoy1947 said: Aside from the FACT that eventually the buddy/mate attitudes within the hallowed halls of the AFL will come back to bite, don't ask me how, I've got a feeling that we have just witnessed. with one almighty backdown by the MRO, a pick and choose, laissez faire slap with a wet lettuce.
They ( the AFL) need a bloody good kick up the Khyber in my book.
23 hours ago, Willmoy1947 said: Aside from the FACT that eventually the buddy/mate attitudes within the hallowed halls of the AFL will come back to bite, don't ask me how, I've got a feeling that we have just witnessed. with one almighty backdown by the MRO, a pick and choose, laissez faire slap with a wet lettuce.
They ( the AFL) need a bloody good kick up the Khyber in my book.
23 hours ago, Willmoy1947 said: Aside from the FACT that eventually the buddy/mate attitudes within the hallowed halls of the AFL will come back to bite, don't ask me how, I've got a feeling that we have just witnessed. with one almighty backdown by the MRO, a pick and choose, laissez faire slap with a wet lettuce.
They ( the AFL) need a bloody good kick up the Khyber in my book.
Youll get 2 weeks for that, Sidey would get nothing and Kozzie would get life.
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I am a redleg member which I consider a donation to the club as I dont get down to enjoy the games with my melbiourne based mates who are all also redleg members. I get to sit with them and enjoy the pre and post match events.
Its easy to do as I just pay a fortnightly amount on automatic instalment.
It is fortunately supported by the really friendly membership staff who also assist me on match days when I bring friends along (usually at the last minute)
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15 hours ago, Kev said: Most of the game involved us holding the boundary line, with little looking inside for a central corridor, or spread to find space. If you can't get the ball it is difficult to manage the tempo/momentum. Freo sat on us waiting for our errors as we guarded the grass. It looked like we were hoping to get turnovers and then swarm the contest. We started fumbly and they were just too good, and our confidence fell.
There was no plan to change tempo or momentum. Would have liked us to chip it round a bit, get each other into it without the opposition rushing us. Need to make space and time, and that inability affected our ability to play to our plan.
Where was our change of strategy change up, when it would have made a difference?
Where was our handball game?
We couldn't create, didn't swarm or make overlaps. Looked like more fun in the last, where we seem to have a licence to take it on. Hopefully that fits us well, more of that as we take on the Blue.
We seemed to be too far off our opponent when they had the ball and didnt create space when we had the ball, Both of those features were noticeable last week.
We burnt ourselves when all going forward when turnover happened with poor handball or missed target
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Possible Team
B: Howes McDonald, Salem
HB: Rivers, Lever, Jiath
C: Windsor, Langford, Langdon,
HF: Chandler, van Rooyen, K.Pickett
F: Fritsch, Mihocek, Sharp
FOLL: Gawn, Steele, Tholstrup
IC: Petty, Lindsay L.Pickett, Culley, Heath
EMERG: Moniz-Wakefield, Taylor, Sparrow
Windsor Langford takes centre clearance Windsor Langford outside Tholstrup tagging
K Pickett also run through centre for burst swap with Tholstrup
LIndsay chop out Windsor Langdon THolstrup Chandler Sharp Salem ( lets see what hes got)
L Pickett burst swap with Chandler, Sharp
Culley swap with Mihocek, Van Rooyen Fritsch (Van Rooyen, Mihiocek rotate FF and CHF)
Heath chop out for Max Mihocek, Van Rooyen (Forward role)
Petty is a better ruck than both Roo and possibly Heath but can plug in for any defender needing chop out (Lever Howes Mc Donald) and can chop out for Max jn defence role
Theres plenty of flexibility around some core who have little rest Langdon Rivers Salem Jiath Mc Donald Steele
Van Rooyen must be just forward rotatindg and leading with Mihocrk. both providing contest so ball comes down to crumbers. Fritsh plays deep and behind contests.
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I did wonder if that was another holding the man free gone missing.
Watched the Casey boys where only Heath looked reasonable so knew why King made no changes.
Ive had a gutful of not manning up when opposition has the ball.
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On 14/03/2026 at 17:08, whatwhat say what said: no, it's a pro-racing industry proponent
it has vested interests, to say the least
meanwhile, fisherman's bend was first proposed as a conversion from industrial about 15 years ago - the tram line to / from it is at least 20 years away from being developed, with no business case proposed, as is the same with the bridge connecting it to the city
90% of the land in it is privately owned - good luck getting developers to commit to open space when they can make money on it instead
On 14/03/2026 at 17:08, whatwhat say what said: You are dead right WWSW. It really needed some vision and forward planning years ago. The body tasked with implementing was ineffective and had no influence. With a destination entertainment business hub I have suggested there may have been support for improved transport. Communication failed previously. I hope it does not fail with Caulfield.
On 14/03/2026 at 17:08, whatwhat say what said: -
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Thank goodness someone can make sense of these statistics.
I was perhaps totally wrong . I felt in watching all games so far that pressure was high . I commented many times that you just could not afford to fumble as opponents were close checking and turnovers occurred. Turnovers also seemed to lead to chains that led to scoring.
The pace of the game looked faster as well, which affected the precision of disposal.
I will keep watching and hoping that we continue our winning results.
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I dont want to down play the saints too much. I am hoping we beat a good side not a poor side.
WE had some great performances and some ordinary performances. Our good passages were very good. Roo and Max probably the difference.
The main thing I noticed was our [layers seemed closer to their opponents which appears to be a pattern of all games. No guarding ground and shepharding players into position but close checking and tackling. Chasing and putting players under pressure and off balance is what created so many turnovers.
I hope we look at our squad for next weeks selections and pick players who are suited to the opponents. Therefore we might rest some who played well and put in some more surprising picks, but in the light of today I dont know who that is.
Perhaps Sharp played his one out of the box, Kolt played a role scripted 3 weeks ago, really well. Langford did little but maybe needed that run. I think Petty is showing the ultimate swing man off the bench and maybe TMac can go into the defence who all played pretty well
Great problem to have. Looking forward to an exciting season.
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29 minutes ago, Queanbeyan Demon said: The boys should have colluded and nominated 23 Meatloaf tracks.
or Better still all nominated Grand ol Flag.
Perhaps the many different versions seen in this site
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On 11/03/2026 at 22:34, No10 said: I’ve seen Fisherman’s Bend mentioned a few times here...
Firstly, the school was a nightmare and has ended up with almost zero open space.
And also the area extends into industrial zones that are currently entirely disconnected from any community, which is where I imagine you’re suggesting?
I don’t see the appeal whatsoever. Caulfield is far superior and the multipurpose usage is all good planning and will work. They just need to get it done.
On 11/03/2026 at 22:34, No10 said: I’ve seen Fisherman’s Bend mentioned a few times here...
Firstly, the school was a nightmare and has ended up with almost zero open space.
And also the area extends into industrial zones that are currently entirely disconnected from any community, which is where I imagine you’re suggesting?
I don’t see the appeal whatsoever. Caulfield is far superior and the multipurpose usage is all good planning and will work. They just need to get it done.
On 11/03/2026 at 22:34, No10 said: I’ve seen Fisherman’s Bend mentioned a few times here...
Firstly, the school was a nightmare and has ended up with almost zero open space.
And also the area extends into industrial zones that are currently entirely disconnected from any community, which is where I imagine you’re suggesting?
I don’t see the appeal whatsoever. Caulfield is far superior and the multipurpose usage is all good planning and will work. They just need to get it done.
Its difficult to really summarize what has been a long debacle around the Fishermans Bend Site.
FB is a very large area with many different areas of activity.
It was established under Liberal Govt with private sector developer involvement. Labor inherited what was seen as land profiteering scheme. They set up an overseeing body to coordinate progress which for varying reasons did not occur.
The area is still projected by both parties to contain a population of 80,000 in a variety of housing models. Transport was a particularly fraught issue culminating in the proposed underground station not being included in the latest build. This combined with no tram route extension and poor road access has set back all progress. Melbourne Uni has delayed its Innovation campus which was a feature of original plans and all o[tions seems to have stalled with a project which is now overseen by the state Department of Transport.
No One seems to care about this vacant area at the moment. My proposal for training grounds with accompanying entertainment, retail, Corporate areas has also found little support,
Caulfield may well be our field of dreams if we can negotiate with a racing industry who dont really want us there. I fear Waverley is the Trojan Horse for Collingwood to move us out of the Melbourne city area.
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I think we must make a positive of this issue.
WE have loved both our premiership players who provided not just the flag but great enjoyment and entertainment for our members and fans. Indeed they provided increased interest in footy to all followers and grew not only our club but the game.
As a strong club we are able to see that growth in our players and while disappointed when they leave we can farewell not only Trac and Ollie but ANB Jacko Maysie etc with all due respect and thanks. The club has always shown understanding and loyalty to our players and we have benefitted from their presence.
We now move on to an exiting new phase where the next generation of players will contribute with our remaining flag bearers to give sustained success to the club. Thats a success that does not always mean winning but being competitive, improving and being the best players and people as individuals. We believe that will bring club success and is why we urge our fans to become members and our members to welcome them and continue to provide the support they have, and of course we welcome people who have never supported a club to join us on our journey.
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Dont know why the love for Petty, TMac has him covered in defence and has been really solid in praccies and training (from reports).
Petty can certainly play both back and forward and has shown he can be reasonably mobile. I reckon he makes an excellent emergency as he can fill most spots.
Im not sure how he goes as a burst player as he always seemed to need time to get used to patterns but i would be concentrating on that aspect in training.
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15 hours ago, Demonsone said: We’re in fisherman bend? I live in port melb and the whole redevelopment has stalled, port melb vfl has been spoken about which is need of redevelopment but it’s used as a cricket ground, with our relationship with Casey this would prohibit to form another vfl alliance.
Agree the whole development stalled, but still represents as a greenfield site for 80,000 people and could support housing shortage issues.
Is supported by both parties for different reasons but fails due to reluctance of both parties to publicly acknowledge developer profit taking.
Plenty of scope for a community facility including entertainment, retail and corporate destination for transport which would shift the intransience. A powerful AFL presence as training and club administration centre with internal and external areas could get the project back on track
But the club is focused on Caulfield.
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On 27/02/2026 at 10:20, KozzyCan said: Would have been an even bigger political minefield trying to take inner city parkland over. Not to mention the hare-brained idea of trying to build the HQ on top of the train tracks.
That we are trying to build a home base in the middle of a racecourse tells you how difficult it is to find enough available space to put a couple of ovals on that isn't an hour from the CBD.
Fishermans Bend can do.
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On 27/02/2026 at 09:58, Diamond_Jim said: Yep
those new stadiums they like to build are certainly well out into the boondocks. It's part of the model. Buy cheap industrial land and surround the arena with rent paying franchised restaurants.
Our arenas missed the boat on the surrounding revenue. (Docklands and MCG). Thank heavens
my proposal for FB was based on a commercial entertainment facility in a greenfield location,
included restaurants
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Jefferson seems like a Fritsch clone. Wether he replaces him off the bench or in the side will depend on other selections.
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On 13/02/2026 at 18:44, rjay said: We have no cards to play if we move 'Distr'...the only cards we hold are if we stay.
If they are so interested in Gosch's let the Government push through the Caulfield deal & get it moving for us then we can shift to Waverley for the interim couple of years.
Everyone Happy...
it was one of the factors that i included in the early promotion of Fishermans Bend option.
Standard negotiating tactic.
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13 hours ago, Stem Splitters said: I totally hear any skepticism and views here - our AFL game is a game of heart, grit, and 'gut feel,' and the idea of a laptop coaching a team feels a bit sterile. But it’s worth looking at AI not as a 'replacement' for the likes of Sam Mitchell's soul, but as a high-powered pair of glasses.
Here’s why even the most old-school fan might find it interesting:
It’s about 'Seeing' the Unseen: We’ve all been frustrated when a player looks 'off' or lethargic. Currently, coaches guess why. AI can look at the biometric data and say, 'He’s not lazy; his central nervous system hasn't recovered from last week's 12km load.' It protects the players we love from injuries that are currently 'invisible' until they pop a hamstring.
The 'Vibe' vs. The 'Fact': A coach might feel like we are losing the clearances because our rucks are beaten. The AI can instantly point out, 'Actually, the rucks are winning the tap, but our rovers are positioned 2Mtrs too wide for this specific ground.' It turns a 'vibe' into an actionable instruction in seconds.
Removing Bias, Not Humanity: Humans are prone to 'recency bias' as it's called. We remember the last mistake a player made or has made (usually on a subliminal level) and judge them accordingly. AI doesn't have a 'dog house.' It looks at the cold, hard efficiency of every involvement/interaction. This may lead to ensuring the best players stay on the ground based on output, not reputation. And the like.
We truly are on the cusp of a new era of data management. One that takes sterility (and guess work) out of a knowledge-base. And turns it into actionable takes beyond what we may have perceived prior. i.e taking the data analysis that is gathered (since the likes of GPS and other metrics) and actually doing some things profound with the data. That's where AI enters the fray.
The Sam Mitchell Factor: Coaches like Mitchell aren’t trying to turn players into robots. They are trying to find the 1% tactical gaps and advantages that the human eye misses when watching 36 players moving at 25km/ph.
At the end of the day, a computer can’t give a three-quarter-time speech that makes hair stand up on your arms. It can’t teach 'courage.' But it can ensure that when a player goes to show that courage, they are in the best physical condition and the best tactical position to win the ball.
It’s not 'Moneyball' taking over the game; it’s just making sure teams like us, have the sharpest tools in the shed. I’d rather we be the ones wielding the tech than the ones trying to catch up to it in two years' time. This Sam Mitchell snippet is really about the AFL telecasting/approving to the wider audience that AI is in use and the likes of Mitchell are being projected as frontier leaders. I'd be disappointed if the Dees were not adopting AI use.
As an extension to thoughts...
1. Pre-Season & Player Management (The "Optimizer")
In the AFL, pre-season is about the delicate balance between "loading" and "breaking."
Hyper-Personalized Loading: While coaches use GPS data now, AI can cross-reference that with sleep data, heart-rate variability (HRV), and even psychological wellness scores to predict a "soft-tissue window" before it happens. It moves from "the group is doing 8km today" to "Player X’s biometric signature says he’s at 85% risk of a hamstring strain if he sprints today."
Drafting & "Moneyball" 2.0: AI can analyze thousands of hours of minor League (U18) footage to find players whose "spatial awareness" or "decision-making speed" under pressure matches current AFL stars, identifying "diamonds in the rough" that recruiters might overlook.
2. Game-Day: Preparation & In-Game (The "Super Assistant")
This is where Sam Mitchell and others are likely looking for that 1% edge.
The "Opposition Oracle": Imagine an AI fed with every game the opposition has played for three years. On game day, it can alert the bench: "When the opposition is 2 goals down in the 4th quarter, they increase corridor usage by 40%." * In-Game Tactical Shifts: In the heat of the game, a coach's bias can take over. AI acts as an "unemotional observer," suggesting structural changes: "The opposition’s spare man is intercepting 70% of entries; recommend moving a defensive forward to negate." It’s about processing 22 moving parts simultaneously - something the human brain struggles to do perfectly for 120 minutes.
3. Injury & Recovery (The "Predictor")
I'm drawing on the DeepMind's 'AlphaFold Project' here: As it really shines as an example.
Biomechanical Analysis: AI can analyze a player’s kicking or running gait in real-time. If a player starts favouring one side by even 2-3 mms - unnoticeable to the human eye - the AI flags it as a fatigue-induced mechanical failure, allowing for an early rotation.
The "Digital Twin": Some elite teams are moving toward creating a "Digital Twin" of an athlete - like a virtual clone or model that can "play" the game first to see how much stress their specific joints and tendons will take. That is where the State-of-the-art will take us (in coaching and all manners of Industry).
Some final thoughts:
On the "Human Element": AI doesn't "whinge." AI frees up coaches to do more "human" work. If AI is doing the heavy lifting on the data, the Coach has more time for the "soft skills" - like mentoring, empathy, and the psychological "rev-up" that an algorithm can't replicate.Think of it like a pilot with a sophisticated heads-up display. The pilot still flies the plane and makes the final call on the landing, but the AI ensures they have every scrap of data they need to make that call perfectly. For a club like Hawthorn and Sam Mitchell - and hopefully Melbourne - integrating this isn't just about 'using tech'; it's about making sure players are the best-informed athletes on the field.
I'd invite any expansion on this topic, that the OP has raised.
Go Dees!
Same comment as to mfcrox. Hope you are are both not AI generated.
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15 hours ago, mfcrox said: Football is a very data rich sport... especially with Champion Data game-day statistics available. I also used to work in the high performance/ strength & conditioning space at TAC Cup level in the mid 2010s and even back then we would have a plethora of data to look at in regards to game-day and training loads, recovery, etc.
I could see AI being used to analyse Champion Data statistics for trends that the successful teams are using in regards to defending, ball movement, attacking chains, etc. I could also see AI being used to track player loads/recovery data in much greater detail than any human could ever devote time to.
I hope Melbourne are up to their eyeballs in AI to be honest... it is going to be an absolute game-changer in professional sport in the next decade.
Like you I hope the club is up to the eyeballs. Would be good to see such a statement from the club even in a modest acknowledgement as a recognition of innovation.
Also I am again impressed by the latent talent that resides in our supporters (Dland ) and disappointed that the club does not utilise this talent.
How can we get the club to engage.
PREGAME: Rd 04 vs Gold Coast
in Melbourne Demons
Yes thats a good get in line with exposing the next generation resting them back to work on specific features of their game
Sorry about the multiple quote seems auto generated.