Tolstoys Nudge

Disagree - was good by foot today as was stretch, both have lowered heads on fwd 50 entry and that’s the kick we need to hit. They’re not gonna be transistioN kickers that bust is open but they do lower eyes and look lateral unlike almost all our current senior players! I’d have Maynard over Nate any day of week, gets better each time I see him & I’d have stretch over a few also - can be caught out if trying to hit stagnant targets but inside 50 Disposal is good and runs well on outside which is what we need. That’s what’s missing - Hannan, Smith, Vandenburg, Maynard, Stretch all should feature and would have helped plenty if in last week - Hannan Mostly Vanders toughness and def run stretch is another who runs well defensively!

Pruess was obv being held for thurs night. Maynard was absolutely terrific in a woeful overall effort, Chandler & Bedford also impressed me, but both are just so so slight. Stretch and Maynard must be in’s for next week with concern being turnaround time. Baker was quiet but has had no prep but pace is still quite something. Smith also looked good despite his field kicking - for me his hands mean he will be an inc once match fit, Joel Smith ahead but thanks to a JLT game he was put back into for [censored] knows why he’s out. All MFC players there in crowd, TMac didn’t look sore but who knows, Oliver and Salem both talked about how bad fri was and how much better we were against cats which I found a little off putting in a 80pt loss tells me Clarry still being young really just refers to his own performances I suspect even though he says “we” - Heard Brendan Mc say few interesting things, seems coaches blv it’s 100% attitude and lack of following instruction defensively. Maynard 27 touches and looked a cut above all other mids, even delivery was good. Chandler had 17 kicked 2 and loads of pressure acts, Bedford looked good but still while away I think.

Would kill for a Miers type in our fwd 50 right now - Although I do blv Jeffy will be I’m for a cracker year from next week onward

Pretty clear now with decent sampls size that were just not where we thought we were. List is young and seems to have far more gaps than we realised - WC started the misery and all clubs inc Bris have followed suit and showed us up for pace and with getting behind our back 6 consistently. Much work to do to even salvage a top 8 spot let alone any grand delusions at this stage. Could be corrected by later in year but personally I cant see how. Cats went and fixed their holes we’ve just viewed WC loss as a bad game and tried to do same thing again without getting any fwd pressure in and a backman who we then play with two of the back men we wanted gone.. woeful and shame but it’s a LONG way off let’s not kid - we’re 8-13 at best I’d say. Hoped LW was aberration but gut feel was that it wasn’t - esp when blues nearly Knocked port off.. oh dear - we need 5-6 feisty pressure players at least over next year or two, or a miracle change in style.

Why so many so glum? Go back to any of last 3 games V Cats and add one of comp’s BEST 1-1 defenders to our side as well as some polish from KK & that’s tonight - If you’d of known we’d add that next time we face Geelong after the finals we’d be 50pt favourites.. weather helps cus it’ll be a gritty contest and I expect our boys to be simmering.. Dees by 15pts

Right here.. silently brooding ?

*Pun unintended* Just an amazing story first off for Jay & getting a game 16 days after being added to an AFL list - We all wish him well.. just had a chat to a member of the “inner circle” whom tells me it was revealed yesterday that he was brought in to play a lock down FWD role inside 50 to replace Spargo, perhaps meaning Hunt stays back or at times they perform a double pressure role but either way I think it’s exciting to know that may be the role he’s been brought in to play!!! Can’t wait for the bounce back effort this week - should be a cracking WIN ?

Pretty sure Weid can take ball at highest point which means overhead, so sick of the negativity many of you portray week in week in - it’s R1 ppl, get over it! Weid has few opportunities and is still learning the craft - was LEAST of our prob yesterday! ANB slotts goal in first we prob run away with it - instead Port played out of their skin and we got caught running on the spot, it happens!

This one won’t get filled with ransoms til next week when h2h start I think anyways if anyone left out jumps in now to Sunday it’ll work 156151

I’ll start a new one since all are full! For anyone else league code is 156151

So you gave away my spot? Ouch - this is disappointing, wish I knew why my msgs are blocked.

Last report said 6-10 (earlier this week)

Tried sending you a msg to see if that fixes it - nothing else seems to work says last private msg was 2014 lol I must of blocked msgs somehow back then not sure wtf is going on..

Hey bud - Is there a league code for me to use yet?

PRUUUESSSYYY!!! Anyone whom doubted those preseason watchers rating BP feeing better now? Woweee - ain’t seen a goal like that since I was running around in the VAFA hahaha

Yeah ambient noise was good until they starting commentating again someone needs to tell em to cut their mike audio until it’s right!!!

Trac’s tackle just before audio dropped Cleary spurred boys on a bit - look sharp both sides clearly blowing hard but Weids looks good, Nev is Nev but maybe even better.. Who kicked 4th boys? Toilet Break got me ?

The goal kicking I’ve seen him do is fantastic! Went 8/9 last session I saw and his GK was solid last 6 weeks of season.

I can see ppl being worried but your point - is pretty spot on! its a diff game now and a high premium is placed on rehab even for niggles but the rehab group are still handled well with a lot of running & basically just miss contact drills so I don’t think it’s a bad sign we’ve had so many go through that group. ie Gawn being only member of mid group not “interrupted” but that’s not really true - Oliver and Gus had solid work loads and haven’t really been interrupted even Trac, he’s fitter and looks dominant in sims now - it’s all just precautionary and related to the higher level of professionalism we now have down at the club: one that’s now seems as the leader in innovation and professionalism, a far cry from being the laughing stock just some years ago. From what I’ve seen - I’m not one bit worried about starting later and the new regulations around sessions and breaks etc when there I see a group that’s hungry and that’s going full bore - with an added sense of purpose than ever before! The talk volume and clarity is sensational even Comp to Pies around corner if you watch both groups you see the difference in positive reinforcement but more importantly you hear a lot more focus words re intent and focus from players such as “Come in boys, we gotta want it more than everyone else” or “Keep playing the Melb way, we wanna dominate those gut running red time minutes that’s our edge” and so forth.. trust me - it’s a positive environment down there and one I’ve NEVER seen before! New rules another reason to feel positive - heard BMAC state this on numerous occasions ie “that new centre setup is our gold mine boys, execute and we will win”..

I’m game - usually do pretty well in SC and could use a decent league! Team name is Demonic_Destroyers

Yes I mean I disagree that many think he’s been surpassed.. ?

To me that’s a bit silly to say! Doesn’t work like like and if you read the Guthrie article it’s clear what issue is and makes total sense! Trac looks trimmer than ever and I expect him to blast out of blocks in more mid focused role this year.

Disagree wholeheartedly here.. I Now assume he is a lock & that Jeff will battle Bedford for 2nd Spot with Weeds, TMac, Melksham, Trac all locks.

Overall thoughts: - Game simulation was high intensity, Macca made big point of saying to the lime coaches that if we can execute in last 15 when other sides are knacked, we’ll Win. This seems to be a real mean theme this year, as too often we let close games slip and could easily of won top 2 spot if we won 90% of those close games. Standouts: Fritsch disposal and acc of touches. Vanders was a bull and did some great work entering attacking situations turning slow transitions into scoring plays. Brayshaw showed great hands & timing. Pruess was solid w/disposal. May solid & gave his all through entire session l, and was certifiably buggered at end of the training session. Tmac was sensational with hands & positioning, looked cut above. Nev was talking all throughout and encouraging every play, whilst also showing absolutely insanely accurate short passes. Sparrow looks to be one they’re working to develop foot skill wise before anything else and his focus was solid all session. Chandler to me is a sleeper too. Has real poise & game sense. Oscar was frustrating coaches quite a bit throughout missing key instructions & being a bit clumsy. Clarrie’s size is at another level again - 2-3cm talker IMHO to 12 months ago & bulk is now more refined clearly more powerful in arms especially. Joel Smith’s hands again looked great but foot skills short are really questionable & can’t see him breaking into back 6 this year will be more a fwd and utility option. Fritter clearly a wingman and sweeper. KK, Salem, May, Lever, Hibs & Nev all look like forming a truly gifted backline with Frosty ahead of Oscar for Mine. Petty worked reallly strongly all session, def has development to come and could be ready to make a mark if called upon. Jeffy looks a little behind fitness wise but is def pushing with Bedford for small spot.

His left knee. See below. Got some smalll consoling from Physio on his way off hopefully just a niggle..