Training 2026 Preseason Thread

[steve0908]

Bowey May Taylor


Lever Turner Howes


Langdon Rivers Steele


L. Pickett Petty K. Pickett


Fritsch Mihoceck Melksham


Gawn Langford Viney


Lindsay Thulstrop Windsor Salem


Chandler


Swallow JVR Jaith

 

[mrmonkey]

Bowey May Taylor


Lever Turner Howes


Langdon Rivers Steele


L. Pickett Petty K. Pickett


Fritsch Mihoceck Melksham


Gawn Langford Viney


Lindsay Thulstrop Windsor Salem


Chandler


Swallow JVR Jaith

Pretty sure Petty will be playing backline. Bowey won't be available for 6 months.

 

[MarcMaverick]

Ok, so we have Kozzy Pickett vs Max Gawn

11

Max Gawn

Age

33

Ht

209cm

Wt

110kg

Pos.

Ruck

Career

Season

Last 5

D

14.1

4star

K

7.4

3star

HB

6.7

4star

CL

2.8

4star

HO

35.3

5star

D

18.5

4star

K

11.5

4star

HB

7.0

4star

CL

3.5

4star

HO

29.2

5star

D

8.4

3star

K

3.6

2star

HB

4.8

4star

CL

1.0

3star

HO

15.6

5star

next year in SOO.

 

[Duke of Windso]

I had a dream that the season had already started and we were on top of the ladder, so things are looking pretty good

 

[ray_purchase]

Bowey May Taylor


Lever Turner Howes


Langdon Rivers Steele


L. Pickett Petty K. Pickett


Fritsch Mihoceck Melksham


Gawn Langford Viney


Lindsay Thulstrop Windsor Salem


Culley


Swallow JVR Jaith

If Howes is best 22 we have problems. Unless he suddenly just became a good player for some reason.

Actually I think hes worth trying wing/half forward. Didnt he kick a ripping running goal towards the end of last season?

 

[Crusty Demon]

If Howes is best 22 we have problems. Unless he suddenly just became a good player for some reason.

Actually I think hes worth trying wing/half forward. Didnt he kick a ripping running goal towards the end of last season?

Yeah I think Howes is a dud also. But can see him getting games while Bowey is out unfortunately.

 

[jhong]

Old Demon, new era | Rivers' return

Former player Jared Rivers is relishing his return to the Dees as assistant coach

www.melbournefc.com.au

 

[Demon 16]

We should have done it over the past 2 seasons, but I wouldn’t be against playing JVR in defence a little bit this year, just to freshen him up.

 

[Scythe]

We should have done it over the past 2 seasons, but I wouldn’t be against playing JVR in defence a little bit this year, just to freshen him up.

Not sure there's a need tbh. Already have Petty, Turner, Taylor, Lever, May, McDonald, Adams and Howes all fighting for 3-4 spots.

 

[Lord Nev]

We should have done it over the past 2 seasons, but I wouldn’t be against playing JVR in defence a little bit this year, just to freshen him up.

I'm hoping he plays LESS in defence than he has had to the last 2 years.

 

[Demon 16]

Not sure there's a need tbh. Already have Petty, Turner, Taylor, Lever, May, McDonald, Adams and Howes all fighting for 3-4 spots.

I’m specifically interested in his development with this suggestion, nothing to do with propping up our backline.

Just a thought. I like the idea of playing forwards back, and backs forward a bit early in their careers.

 

[Lampers]

If Howes is best 22 we have problems. Unless he suddenly just became a good player for some reason.

Actually I think hes worth trying wing/half forward. Didnt he kick a ripping running goal towards the end of last season?

I’m not sold on Howes as a back. He gets a tonne of the ball there in the VFL but he’s playing that zone off role that he’s unlikely to play at AFL level. His kicking is safe enough but he’s not creative. As a defender he’s not agile enough for the smalls and not strong enough for the talks.

As a junior he was apparently a pretty good hybrid mid-tall forward, and he started his development at Melbourne on the wing. So the potential for versatility is there. But there would need to be a glut of injuries to see Howes played anywhere except the backline IMO.

 

[Crusty Demon]

I’m not sold on Howes as a back. He gets a tonne of the ball there in the VFL but he’s playing that zone off role that he’s unlikely to play at AFL level. His kicking is safe enough but he’s not creative. As a defender he’s not agile enough for the smalls and not strong enough for the talks.

As a junior he was apparently a pretty good hybrid mid-tall forward, and he started his development at Melbourne on the wing. So the potential for versatility is there. But there would need to be a glut of injuries to see Howes played anywhere except the backline IMO.

Yeah I'm sure he was a wing type when he came onboard. Seems to be a bit of an inbetweener type. Not quite big enough to play key position and not fast enough or skillful enough to play a wing/flank role. Like many others on the list, I want to see what a new coach will do with him but I just don't see it. Bit of a list clogger imo.

 

[Lord Nev]

Yeah I'm sure he was a wing type when he came onboard. Seems to be a bit of an inbetweener type. Not quite big enough to play key position and not fast enough or skillful enough to play a wing/flank role. Like many others on the list, I want to see what a new coach will do with him but I just don't see it. Bit of a list clogger imo.

As we enter the age of the medium forward even more, Howes could actually become quite useful in a defensive role, at least until Taylor really hits his straps anyway.

The thing that always bugs me about these discussions though is that so many tend to think players are either guns or 'list cloggers' when in reality there's plenty of space in between. It's impossible to have 44 guns on your list, and decent depth is important.

 

[Demon Attack]

Yeah I think he is a handy young player who has shown a bit and can hold a third or fourth forward quiet. Nothing wrong with that.

 

[MarcMaverick]

As we enter the age of the medium forward even more, Howes could actually become quite useful in a defensive role, at least until Taylor really hits his straps anyway.

The thing that always bugs me about these discussions though is that so many tend to think players are either guns or 'list cloggers' when in reality there's plenty of space in between. It's impossible to have 44 guns on your list, and decent depth is important.

Yep, AFL isn't a static league. Oliver used to to be useful untill they moved away from contest and Def. Then he became ineffective.

 

[Crusty Demon]

As we enter the age of the medium forward even more, Howes could actually become quite useful in a defensive role, at least until Taylor really hits his straps anyway.

The thing that always bugs me about these discussions though is that so many tend to think players are either guns or 'list cloggers' when in reality there's plenty of space in between. It's impossible to have 44 guns on your list, and decent depth is important.

I must be watching different games then lol. Thought he looked utterly useless at AFL level this year. He had 2 maybe 3 very solid games to start 2024, but since then has looked way out of his depth in defence. I'm sure there was a game this year he had a stack of goals kicked on him. Maybe he can provide something elsewhere on the ground. He looks extremely shaky as a Defender.

 

[Lord Nev]

I must be watching different games then lol. Thought he looked utterly useless at AFL level this year. He had 2 maybe 3 very solid games to start 2024, but since then has looked way out of his depth in defence. I'm sure there was a game this year he had a stack of goals kicked on him. Maybe he can provide something elsewhere on the ground. He looks extremely shaky as a Defender.

Think you're getting caught up in that 'he's not a gun so he must be terrible' thing again tbh. All I said was he could become a handy player given how many medium forwards we're starting to see now. Let's remember, this is a 22 year old who has been thrown around a fair bit in terms of roles early on, then in and out of the team because his last name isn't Petty.

Probably also worth remembering nearly all our defenders looked terrible this year - McVee, May, Lever, Rivers, all handy players who had their worst seasons for probably 4-5 years. Coincidence you reckon? Or not helped by a poor game plan and midfield and forward line who struggled to apply any significant pressure?

 

[danster168]

Yeah I'm sure he was a wing type when he came onboard. Seems to be a bit of an inbetweener type. Not quite big enough to play key position and not fast enough or skillful enough to play a wing/flank role. Like many others on the list, I want to see what a new coach will do with him but I just don't see it. Bit of a list clogger imo.

you just described James Sicily. I think Howes has upside but I just don't think it will eventuate. He probably only has 1 chance left.

 

[Lord Nev]

He probably only has 1 chance left.

Nothing like a bit of danster hyperbole. Bloke is signed until end of 2027 after re-signing a few months ago, reckon he gets more than one chance in 2 years tbh.

 

[Crusty Demon]

Think you're getting caught up in that 'he's not a gun so he must be terrible' thing again tbh. All I said was he could become a handy player given how many medium forwards we're starting to see now. Let's remember, this is a 22 year old who has been thrown around a fair bit in terms of roles early on, then in and out of the team because his last name isn't Petty.

Probably also worth remembering nearly all our defenders looked terrible this year - McVee, May, Lever, Rivers, all handy players who had their worst seasons for probably 4-5 years. Coincidence you reckon? Or not helped by a poor game plan and midfield and forward line who struggled to apply any significant pressure?

I do understand not every player can be a gun lol

Imo he's just not AFL standard. What are his strengths? I have said I'd like to see what a new coach will do with him. I'm hoping it's not deep in defence though as he looks shaky af. Not sure where he's at contract wise, but he'd be in the mix to not get a renewed contract unless he starts showing something. Jefferson, Laurie, Adams etc. We have quite a few around this age that need to start showing something at AFL level. Could be a sink or swim year for this guy. Let's hope King can unlock something

 

[PerfectFooty]

I do at one point last year thought he was stiff to be dropped after what i thought was a good game. I think he goes okay but will need to show a bit more going forward, has been on the list a while. I wouldn't think he's useless, just serviceable atm

 

[Lord Nev]

Not sure where he's at contract wise, but he'd be in the mix to not get a renewed contract unless he starts showing something.

Re-signed for another 2 years a few months ago.

 

[schmuttt]

Happy to give them all a fresh start under King, even guys I'm convinced are no good like Jefferson and Sparrow.

Regardless of what you think of any player they're in a completely new environment now, so lets give them at least one year to see what they can do.

 

[mrmonkey]

Howes looks OK to me, tbf I think most the players have looked average the last year or so. Hopefully with a bit of a refresh we'll start to see some more positive signs.