Training 2025 Preseason Thread

[PerfectFooty]

The one time of year Bright's football ground is decent to do anything on

Edit, they didn't do anything on the ground itself but the land next to it. Good call. I've fallen enough in the mud and sandpits up there

 

[Dory_77]

Good write up danster168 and thanks for the others.

 

[dazzledavey36]

The one time of year Bright's football ground is decent to do anything on

Edit, they didn't do anything on the ground itself but the land next to it. Good call. I've fallen enough in the mud and sandpits up there

Try doing that whole activity on that footy ground in the middle of winter..

 

[PerfectFooty]

Try doing that whole activity on that footy ground in the middle of winter..

P a i n

 

[Bluelegs]

Glad the club was smart enough not to book their training camp a few days before Christmas again.

 

[MarcMaverick]

Glad the club was smart enough not to book their training camp a few days before Christmas again.

I mean, whats the point?

 

[danster168]

Does anyone know if there is training tomorrow or is that it until the new year?

 

[Bluelegs]

I mean, whats the point?

They did that last year which apparently pissed off a number of players and their families.

 

[dazzledavey36]

They did that last year which apparently pissed off a number of players and their families.

really??

 

[Bluelegs]

really??

They were in Lorne one week before Christmas. Stupid time to do it.

 

[MarcMaverick]

They were in Lorne one week before Christmas. Stupid time to do it.

I mean Lorne is a great location for a Chrissy break but not for training.

 

[schmuttt]

They did that last year which apparently pissed off a number of players and their families.

Classic MFC tbh

 

[Proper Gander]

Classic MFC tbh

Culture was the best it had ever been though

 

[MarcMaverick]

Culture was the best it had ever been though

According to [NAME REDACTED].

 

[Dancing Potato]

Culture was the best it had ever been though

Sounds like someone has been down to the environment.

 

[MarcMaverick]

Sounds like someone has been down to the environment.

Unfortunately the front fell off.

 

[SugarHealey]

No denying he isn’t at his peak. But he’s at least positioned to get himself in a better position come round 1.

I think we will part ways at end of season. It suits both club and player to do so. But not, 'IF' we don't get the right value, in trade terms.

My crystal ball gazing says Oli will be in different colours, and will play to a different tune this time in 2025.
I think Tracca will stay in RednBlue and see out his contract, and end-up one of our greats.

Next year will see the end of some older Dees. And will also be a turning point, Re our list profile.
We need draft capitol for next year. see Oli.

We should hit the next draft in a big way... and hopefully we will bring in a top-shelf free-agent.

I things go right for us, we should return to finals for the next couple of seasons, ahead of having another red hot crack at it.

 

[SugarHealey]

If he's not running as hard as what he should be, if Goody is fn serious, then Clarry can't be carried next season. Clearly not looking at his peak, but at least he's looking fitter and training hard. Good signs. The few weeks off at Xmas will be crucial I reckon.

He still appears to be carrying fat or fluid in his thighs. No definition. Don't know why he doesn't cut-up well.

But look at Tracca, since he pulled his finger out a few years back to get up a couple of levels, Via increased fitness and attitude.

 

[TheBoss]

Does anyone know if there is training tomorrow or is that it until the new year?

Yes, 10-12 at Gosch's Paddock

Training Times | Melbourne Football Club

Check out when Melbourne's AFL and AFLW sides are hosting open training sessions

www.melbournefc.com.au

Might see you down there!

 

[SugarHealey]

Unfortunately the front fell off.

 

[markm106]

I think we will part ways at end of season. It suits both club and player to do so. But not, 'IF' we don't get the right value, in trade terms.

My crystal ball gazing says Oli will be in different colours, and will play to a different tune this time in 2025.
I think Tracca will stay in RednBlue and see out his contract, and end-up one of our greats.

Next year will see the end of some older Dees. And will also be a turning point, Re our list profile.
We need draft capitol for next year. see Oli.

We should hit the next draft in a big way... and hopefully we will bring in a top-shelf free-agent.

I things go right for us, we should return to finals for the next couple of seasons, ahead of having another red hot crack at it.

Realistically with our current List we should be pressing for finals in 2025.
Agree Clarry could be elsewhere in 2026 and that we’d also need the right deal to get it done. The problem is going to be his huge salary. And who pays it. Doubt he takes a pay cut unless he’s playing up again. But in that case no one would want him.

 

[markm106]

He still appears to be carrying fat or fluid in his thighs. No definition. Don't know why he doesn't cut-up well.

But look at Tracca, since he pulled his finger out a few years back to get up a couple of levels, Via increased fitness and attitude.

Trac is in another level with his training and preparation. Only a small percentage of players fall into that category. Clarry was pretty full on with his training a few years back. Not sure he’ll get back there.

 

[Crusty Demon]

He still appears to be carrying fat or fluid in his thighs. No definition. Don't know why he doesn't cut-up well.

But look at Tracca, since he pulled his finger out a few years back to get up a couple of levels, Via increased fitness and attitude.

Trac is on a different planet. I'd say the only bloke who comes close to him on our list is Vines. Clarry is never gonna be like that. Never has never will. Gus never had the same frame or willingness to go close to the lengths that Trac goes either. Always looked a little pudgie. 40 different blokes on the list. They all go about it differently.

By all reports Clarry is training great. Is he in the best shape of his career? No. Is he looking better than this time last year? Yeah. Our supporters can keep getting their knickers in a twist over it, but we gave him this contract knowing he had off field issues. Knowing he's not ever gonna be like Trac. Stringer is a little the same. As supporters we expect these guys to all be like Trac. But they aren't. Hoping Clarry is in a solid mental state at least and can have more impact next year. Fingers crossed.

 

[danster168]

Training notes:

• Once again interrupted by the guy running for a spot on the board. Nice guy, but please stop hassling everyone and leave them alone.
• Players not training were the usuals: McAdam Lindsay, Spargo, Lever, Melksham, Kynan Brown, Sestan. Most of these guys did forms of running or strength exercises in the shed. Spargo was the only one not on the track. I think Sestan had a hamstring complaint. I actually don't think JVR was training at all. I don't recall seeing him.. Fritsch returned to full training and looked very good.
• Petty, May and Sharp also spent some time at the latter parts of training doing some boundary running. All look 100% so not worried about any of them. Seems more like they want them to do additional running than anything else.
• Petty was training for large portions in the fwd line but who knows whether that's because they need him there for drills or because they see him as a fwd. I'm still not convinced either way.
• They did a 5 v 5 handball drill that they've done before. The 5 v 5 becomes a 5 v 4 when one of the players has to run around a cone and the other team must use the outnumbers to work the ball up the other end of the 30m field by hand. The focus was to not hold onto the ball for too long. To get the ball moving at all/most costs. Clarry did a big fend off on Windsor, basically benched him off with 1 hand. Not surprising. And Petty also 'Dustied' Petracca with one arm which put Trac on his butt which got some reactions and a smile from Trac. Melksham gave advice to Langford from the sidelines which was showing his leadership.
• They did a 14 v 14 match sim with the ball starting in the backline each time. A 3 second count was given after each mark to encourage ball movement. The best performers in this were Trac, Pickett, Hardie, Woewodin, Sparrow, moniz-wakefield. Langford got chased down twice from behind. Once from Howes which got a big cheer and once from Woewodin. My main concern with Langford is his speed. I actually see him more as a Jack Macrae type in terms of power. Both similar height. Langford made some blues but he does work into space well. He seems to read the play quite well. So when the backman was surveying options and a few leads were ignored Langford would pop into a pocket of space and received a few marks like this. So it's a big watch for me. I really want to love him, but I don't see how he's round 1 based off what I've seen in multiple trainings. Mitch Hardie was much better. Tidier, quicker and finds the footy. I'm totally happy to be wrong but I see more of an uncontested player from Langford than a contested player. The lack of speed reduces his power. And his hand balling doesn't have any pop on it. Arghh, I feel like I'm hanging him out to dry so I'll move on.
• Mentha actually found a bit of the ball in the match sim. Most of the time he was either in between 2 minds or did things at 'Ricky pace' which is about 50% of the level so either got caught or made a disposal error but I was pleased that he was getting his hands on it.
• AJ was serviceable. Didn't get a heap of it but did a nice intercept mark, kicked a goal, and always looks likely when near the ball. I'll be disappointed if he doesn't play round 1. And play the majority of games.
• Windsor was everywhere but keep in mind the ball did often start in defence. Trac was everywhere (admittedly he played for both teams but still). Pickett was best on in the match sim which was bitter sweet considering his suspension. With the extra space in the 14 v 14 match sim he's just impossible to tackle.
• After attending multiple training sessions I can confirm that not much time goes into goal kicking. At least none in the 1hr 50 mins that I've attended in about 5 training sessions. As a simple man, I don't like this. It's not a focus. No deliberate practice, no practice with real men on the mark calling trash talk. I don't get it and never will. But if Goodie says during the year that we focussed on it. It's a lie. It's an afterthought. Towards the end of each session as I'm walking to my car, they give have about 10 minutes where guys just take pot shots, have snaps, kick barrells, etc, but it's not set shot proper practice. I'd say the fwds have about 6 or 7 shots each. Should be 100+ at each training. Surely. Anyway, everyone has their own spin on this.
• Ultimately, the good news is that all of our good players, minus clarry, look good. Pickett, Petty, Trac, Gawn, McVee, Rivers, Lever looks fine despite rehabbing, Fritsch, Melksham, Salem is training fully, Bowey etc. And the lesser lights in many peoples eyes in Sparrow looks great, Kynan Brown is in great shape and had bulked up. if he isn't in the team, he's going to put up some crazy VFL numbers. And the ace up our sleeves is Xavier Lindsay is surely just a couple of weeks away from full training. He's physically ready and has basic the perfect build for a new draftee.

 

[Proper Gander]

Training notes:

• Once again interrupted by the guy running for a spot on the board. Nice guy, but please stop hassling everyone and leave them alone.
• Players not training were the usuals: McAdam Lindsay, Spargo, Lever, Melksham, Kynan Brown, Sestan. Most of these guys did forms of running or strength exercises in the shed. Spargo was the only one not on the track. I think Sestan had a hamstring complaintI actually don't think JVR was training at all. I don't recall seeing him.. Fritsch returned to full training and looked very good.
• Petty, May and Sharp also spent some time at the latter parts of training doing some boundary running.
• Petty was trining for large portions in the fwd line but who knows whether that's because they need him there for drills or because they see him as a fwd. I'm still not convinced either way.
• They did a 5 v 5 handball drill that they've done before. The 5 v 5 becomes a 5 v 4 when one of the players has to run around a cone and the other team must use the outnumbers to work the ball up the other end of the 30m field by hand. The focus was to not hold on to the ball for too long. To get the ball moving at all/most costs. Clarry did a big fend off on Windsor, basically benched him off with 1 hand. Not surprising. And Petty also 'Dustied' Petracca with one arm which put Trac on his butt which got some reactions and a smile from Trac. Melksham gave advice to Langford from the sidelines which was showing his leadership.
• They did a 14 v 14 match sim with the ball starting in the backline each time. A 3 second count was given after each mark to encourage ball movement. The best performers in this were Trac, Pickett, Hardie, Woewodin, Sparrow, moniz-wakefield. Langford got chased down twice from behind. Once from Howes which got a big cheer and once from Woewodin. My main concern with Langford is his speed. I actually see him more as a Jack McRae type in terms of power. Both similar height. Langford made some blues but he does work into space well. He seems to read the play quite well. So when the backman was surveying options and a few leads were ignored Langford would pop into a pocket of space and received a few marks like this. So it's a big watch for me. I really want to love him, but I don't see how he's round 1 based off what I've seen in multiple trainings. Mitch Hardie was much better. Tidier, quicker and finds the footy. I'm totally happy to be wrong but I see more of an uncontested player from Langford than a contested player. The lack of speed reduced his power. And his hand balling doesn't have any pop on it. Arghh, I feel like I'm hanging it out to dry so I'll move on.
• Mentha actually found a bit of the ball in the match sim. Most of the time he was either in between 2 minds or did things at 'Ricky pace' which is about 50% of the level so either got caught or made a disposal error but I was pleased that he was getting his hands on it.
• AJ was serviceable. Didn't get a heap of it but did a nice intercept mark, kicked a goal, and always looks likely when near the ball. I'll be disappointed if he doesn't play round 1.
• Windsor was everywhere but keep in mind the ball did often start in defence. Trac was everywhere (admittedly he played for both teams but still). Pickett was best on in the match sim which was bitter sweet considering his suspension. With the extra space in the 14 v 14 match sim he's just impossible to tackle.
• After attending multiple training sessions I can confirm that not much time goes into goal kicking. At least none in the 1hr 50 mins that I've attended in about 5 training sessions. As a simple man, I don't like this. It's not a focus. No deliberate practice, no practice with real men on the mark calling trash talk. I don't get it and never will. But if Goodie says during the year that we focussed on it. It's a lie. It's an afterthought. Towards the end of each session as I'm walking to my car, they give have about 10 minutes where guys just take pot shots, have snaps, kick barrells, etc, but it's not set shot proper practice. I'd say the fwds have about 6 or 7 shots each. Should be 100+ at each training. Surely. Anyway, everyone has their own spin on this.
• Ultimately, the good news is that all of our good players, minus clarry, look good. Pickett, Petty, Trac, Gawn, McVee, Rivers, Lever looks fine despite rehabbing, Fritsch, Melksham, Salem is training fully, Bowey etc.

This is good stuff Danster. Much better than some of the Demonland people (you may post training reports there too, but if so I haven’t seen them. Yours are more detailed and less inclined to imply a breakout year for every person on the list)