Tolstoys Nudge

Led well and is a natural at taking marks at highest point. Great natural leads too has bulked up considerably already so by time halfway mark comes he’ll be a big boy! Also really good around corner and at ground level for a big boy

Brayshaw re-included 🤷🏻‍♂️

I agree — love the fact we’ve got some tough calls for R1 & if Ben returns to full fitness and 2021 form he will no doubt play 15+ games

Well it was a real treat to get down to GP today and see the boys train well in the flesh on a lovely Melbourne Summers day!!! I’ll keep my notes brief and in summation or dot point format if possible, as always the Reginald trackies do a bang-up job 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Highlights: • First thing that really caught my eye right out of the gate was how much Clarry has altered his shape. Is far less top-heavy and far more ‘sinewy’ in I feel is an effort to utilise his first step more & be more explosive more often given the added midfield depth this year. Significant change imho • Thought JvR was super impressive in the flesh. Has come a LONG way condition wise & will only fill-out more but his touch in the 1-1 drills was absolute quality. What really impressed was the ‘un-teachable’ things, the nuance that comes with being a killer contested mark ala David Schwarz 1993-1994. I’m talking. About the angles, the deft touches, the use of both hands independently, the nudging of the opponent one-way whilst he angles the outside hand the other. His timing in air is still developing, but the bustling 1-1 with opponent stuff is 💯 craft that’s there and will be plenty good this season right outta the gate. He got away from Petty a few times on the lead, but was well quelled in the air by Pig or Petty, but JvR is only soaking it all up to build craft and you can see him rethinking the next contest. • Next standout was the all-around quality seen on both teams in the SIM on all lines. GAWN are the days where the class of a select few just scream out at you in comparison to the group. Sure, Viney, Trac, Clarry, May etc they shone brightly but it’s with 5% here and 5% there as opposed to just out & out utter domination! • Salem & Gus were silky smooth and the former’s hands were again sublime as always. Best marking mid in the game just about. Salem was reading the play well and breaking lines inc some forays through the middle. Just a class act that will benefit enormously from a full pre season. • Thought that TMAC looked in absolute RIPPING nick, combo of 2018/2021 with 10% more upper bulk on shoulders and 10% more pep in his step in movement. Fluent both ways and lateral movement was there too. In air timing looked sharp sharp sharp • McVee is a player! just has real poise, smart by foot — doesn’t get lost and has real 360 footwork as well, which stood-out. Seems to be a player looking for smart bagged with little kicks to set up teammates, inc a nice weighted kick to Gus that helped setup a Grundy i50 mark • May looked to be even more of a general than usual with Lever absent. Looks mega fit and will scare the he’ll outta most fwds this year. Never beaten and set up numerous forays and switches.. • Wingers delight!!! Hunter and Ed just looked to be two thoroughbreds out there tearing up Flemington straight… having double the wide run means we now genuinely have an offensive and defensive threat at all times and means we can switch to either side of the ground without hesitation which makes all the difference. Hunter sneaking behind the defenders was also encouraging but most of all seeing the joy he was clearly experiencing being out there was wholesome! • The ball movement for both teams in the SIM was controlled but maniacal. First option handballs were taken and the ball barely ever hit the deck unless there was a spoil or strong aerial contest. The hands were clean and there was a number of side-back kicks to space to look for that overlap and turbo charged speed lane to open up. Given nature of ball returning to play before the kick has even passed the line, it was damn impressive to see the teams moving constantly to create space & not afraid • Vines was everywhere, wearing White #24 and really does look poised for an AA year. Like Clarry? Looks stronger yet leaner, a real trend in our mids • Hibberd competes so dang hard he looked frighteningly strong and fast. His arms are such weapons and it is so great to see him set a std for all to follow. His competitive edge has already begun to help Riv, Bowser, Woe etc • AMW has some real size about him, looking fwd to seeing his explosiveness once rehab completed. Spargo running laps was showcasing those new arms, holy heck they’re huge haha • Fritta was himself, finishing well and moving with cleverness inside 50. Wil benefit a heap from having an attacking wing to help him get in behind the defenders as well as swifter movement honouring his early leads more often • Almost ZERO deep corner locked entries 🙌 this was my absolute #1 TAKEOUT from todays session. The i50 licks were almost exclusively precise and <20m to a target in space and even the penetrating long balls were always to a target leading into open space ahead of the d50 opponents ie over the top and not just bagged in there with a set defence!!! Was evident this was being driven by the coaches and both Ooze, Choc and Staff all commented to players at points re how dangerous we look with this M/O. • Kossie is not only gonna play mid in bursts but he is going to dominate while doing it! Just has soooo much time and space in close and even when clearly barely in 2nd gear, it was evident that he could toy with anyone at anytime. Footwork is sublime, explosiveness is off the charts bit he looks SUPER! • ANB did some nice finishing things i50, Chandler looked competitive but still behind Spargo, Nib etc.. Burgoyne did couple nice things in the handball drills, def quick off mark first 3-8m especially but it’s his lateral movement that is his 1Wood. • Both Turners looked a little lost at times and caught in-between the play when compared to Harry, May, Rivers, Pig.. • Banter and talk was consistent and the encouragement for younger lads was excellent! Gus was vocal, as was May & the usual suspects. • Schache impressed me on several occasions. Running the ground well and seems to have a slightly steely-eyed focus & gave me the feeling he was really confident in his body and base fitness right now inc his frame which is strong, nimble and has a real pep In his step. Could be the real sleeper form this years recruits and with not much expected it could be the right time for Him to really come into his own • Seston is a player. His old man said until now he’s always just been told ‘sit in the goal square and feast’ so he’s learning risky what it takes to be an elite footballer and is clearly getting a huge ROI in just what it takes. Powerfully built, he’s got a low centre of gravity and legs that offer him explosiveness that I’m not sure even he would be aware of just yet, but there’s some serious x-factor there and if he manages to get the Petracca-type fitness build he is potentially something scary. But he may not & could be gone in 24m, but the risk/reward ratio is abundantly clear and well worth taking. Has a bit of A Jakovich about him. • Grundy looked fit and will be much better for the preseason as he needs some touch but that’s to be expected considering the amount of footy he’s missed. But showed his agility and ability to match it at ground level with the smalls as well as doing some nice things in the air as well. Look fwd to him getting some touch in early rounds and then lookout!!! Overall, it was a sensational session and loads of takeouts. Forth and evenness the big thing in combination with the movement..

He’s been incredible!!! Evasive, good skills too #mystery46

Indeed!!!

Right now.. SCHACHE is the shocker (in the mix for R1 = 💯) I'm gonna do a R1 & what I think (should be do the miraculous) our Flag team would look like in GF for us to have best shot.. ROUND 1 VS BULLDOGS FB: Rivers May Bowey HB: Salem Petty Lever C: Hunter Petracca Langdon HF: Pickett McDonald Spargo FF: Grundy Van Rooyen Fritsch FOLL: Gawn Oliver Viney Interchange: Schache Neal-Bullen Sparrow Melksham Strategic Sub: Jordon ——————————————————————————— 2022 GF LINEUP VS LIONS/TIGERS/BLUES FB: Howes May Lever HB: Salem Petty Rivers C: Hunter Petracca Langdon HF: Seston McDonald Jordon FF: Gawn Van Rooyen Fritsch FOLL: Grundy Oliver Pickett Interchange: Viney Chandler Sparrow Spargo Strategic Sub: Schache IN: Howes, Seston, Chandler OUT: Melksham, Bowey, Neal-Bullen

Which? You mean the ones re May when everyone was pouring on year 1? Lever? Or perhaps when I said Langdon would be our key to taking next step? hahaha I’m sure there’s been a few wrong opinions but that’s why they’re opinions old mate… but when having a crack — be specific at least you dolt! Rude to boot.😇 PS — LETS HAVE A WAGER IF YOU’RE SO ANTI LH.. ie games played weighted to B&F finish? Or a simple Demonlander vote ergo if LH had a positive impact or not! Pick your bane/toxin/poison Monsieur 🙏🙏🙏

Oh dear

Hence the preface re fitness 🤦‍♂️ This is a needs based acquisition, and Hunter has wanted out for 3 years. Already looks like a new man down at training and mark my words if he’s healthy you’re going to be feeling giddy despite your perniciousness!!! Lachie is seeing this preseason as a convalescence of sorts & his i50 disposal is top 10 in the game. If you can’t see that this is a need then.. well I don’t really know how to proceed. But to reaffirm my viewpoint, not for the sake of verisimilitude but for the opinion that (again — IF for/healthy as the aforementioned post stated) he adds real value & possesses much that we lack in some of the more nuanced skills. Not saying he’s guaranteed to make the greatest impact but as far as potentially plugging gaps go, he’s our most astute recruit since May!!!

Never mind I was just being half amusing half factual in terms of LY pre season. this years stuff always straight fwd, heard the hunter news a day before it got out but just couldn’t find the time to post LY.

Most important addition in last 24m and already showing having 2nd genuine wingman and one more elite i50 kick will do EONS for the fwd line And taking pressure off Langdon — 2 genuine wingers also means now JJ and Sparrow rotate through midfield to improve our rotation and ensure more explosiveness and horses for courses approach so the duality of this cannot be measured tangibly until about round 8-12 but if he is fit and plays the impact will be immense. 2 elite running, one good one great disp wingers whom BOTH are dangerous fwd and both run both ways is extremely exciting and offers as much as having TMac back, JVR playing & having Kossie play more of a blitzkrieg mid (5-6 CB att) and he and Fritta running back into 50 whilst others lead out — so many good things happening now we just need some luck

Slightly Incorrect Said our list was capable of dynasty but he jumped right off LY in terms of how we were playing even when we were winning he wasn’t sure as I’m his “core four” stats we were showing as off the pace. Having seen the comp for spots and speaking to a few of the medical crew it seems all agree the intensity is on another plane. Opposed to LY where it was noticeably soft-ish in terms of off-ball intensity. IF the rumours re Goodwin learning from Scott’s revelations this time LY and about not sticking to same old gameplay and being reloaded to hear new ideas etc as well as not having favourites who are locks irrespective of form then we will be FINE!!!

Not LY friend — blv me

Hush puppies Far Superior in comfort

Exactly my thought and why I’m WRAPPED with this pick!!! Dees only club who showed real interest after he was a top-up player in tune up session for top draft talent — Taylor is a master. They loved the drive in his legs and skills below his feet then when saw highlights they were apparently that excited they couldn’t contain themselves. Planned to have him train in preseason but took him instead in RD to show faith. One to watch 100% highlights look sensational — literally a JAKO clone bit of Cuthbertson maybe too

Word is that it’s for either of him or the Pou, yep! We wanted a top 6 believing (through own mock draft I presume, which would be likely 90% accurate) that one will be available at pick 6. Surprised as heck no one bit tbh… possible still one may come to party and are just posturing right now, for me — I’d of thought Hawks wanna load up next year but our picks are likely 12-18 so not exactly Uber attractive HOWEVER — next year draft depth is massive and picks 16-22 are like pick 6-10 this year in many people’s view!

AFL store has them. Grabbed one yest

Dropping eyes and faster transition where player runs from middle after vacuum created by fwds leading — exactly what we weren’t getting again Friday night due to perceived pressure and reluctance to take the risk and lower eyes Plus none of our better kicks getting enough ball through middle for final kick (Spargo, Brayshaw, Trac, Salem) instead it was left to others who’s predication is to kick longer (hunt, clarry, Viney, Sparrow, Ed) all this can be eradicated quickly and few straight kicks would’ve allowed perceived pressure to drop and the flow-on effect would’ve been dramatic!!! Scoreboard pressure was our final insurmountable enemy.

It’s not the strategy that’s issue it was simply our execution. Basic skill error u der more perceived pressure than actual pressure. This meant none of the easier faster transition goals came off ie that diabolical run in final Qtr where Spargo Melksham nuffed it. Salem was incredibly quiet and Melksham missed several getable chances whereby swabs took theirs. Simples

A poignant piece w/opinion Dees must prioritise GUS and for very very good reasons indeed!

Bruhn = 75% chance a #demons23 player

Mcstay is currently our most likely target — would be fitted in without losing anything other than fringe ie Hunt, Brown Retirement & Melksham moving on. Amon will be tougher but word is we are easily his pref destination esp with Brayshaw moving to HB so watch this space — will depend on what occurs but if we somehow lose Jackson then the space is there if we keep him we will need to move on all aforementioned and likely 1 more like Baker as well.

And obviously the fact our pressure has dropped right off — this is attitudinal and will correct I’m certain of it

Many good and measured posts but this for me gots nail on head! May just affords ultimate confront and luxury and ultimately enables the zone to press higher. the other issue is our kids blasting rather than taking game on with legs from contest. It’s honestly that simple!