COACH Dean Bailey says his team’s first hit out of the season - an intra-club clash between ‘Blue’ and ‘White’ - was played out as he expected.
He indicated the players blew out some cob webs, played with intensity and were keen to show their wares in a match environment.
“It was like soap at times and the boys couldn’t handle it as easily as they’d want to,” he said.
“Some of our decision-making wasn’t great, but some of it was pretty good.
“So at the end of the day, we came away with Ricky with a slight, almost grade one [hamstring injury] and a couple of corks and bruises, which are what you’d expect from a hit-out like this.”
A ‘Blue’ side played a ‘White’ team with the teams mixed after the half-time break.
The ‘White’ team won by five points.
But it was more the players on show that interested the red and blue faithful.
Key forward Jack Watts was one to impress, with the now third year Demon booting two goals and shining in the second half.
“Jack’s pre-season has been like most of the group. He’s done anywhere between 80 and 85 per cent of the pre-season,” Bailey said.
“He’s one of many players who’ve really improved with their fitness and their time on the track.”
The likes of Tom Scully, Brent Moloney, Colin Sylvia and Jack Grimes all impressed. New Demons Jeremy Howe and Michael Evans also showed good signs.
Bailey also praised developing ruckman Jake Spencer, who has improved his size considerably over pre-season.
“Jake’s road has been interesting. He hasn’t had a lot of consistent footy. He’s played a lot of week-in-week-out football,” he said.
“He’s a super competitor the big bloke and he’s still young - he’s only 21 and moving into 22 [this year]. Those big blokes take a bit longer and he’s at 204cm.
“He’s still mobile and agile and getting closer to making pieces of play happen, than where he was 12 months ago. He’s heading north, which is really good for us.”
Bailey said Spencer and Stef Martin were two players who could give reigning All-Australian Mark Jamar some relief in the ruck this year.
Bailey expects to have almost a full list to choose from for next week’s NAB Cup clash, although James Frawley (pectoral) and Michael Newton (wrist) will be unavailable due to injury.
“We’ll have a full list to pick from, so we’ll pick the best team we can,” he said.
“It’ll be pretty much based on their pre-season - you can’t pick players who are short on pre-season, because then you open up the opportunity for soft tissues.
“Most of our blokes have had pretty good pre-seasons and most of the blokes who played today should be available I’d think.”
Bailey also praised the Melbourne members and supporters for coming out to watch the intra-club clash. Among the crowd were president Jim Stynes and club great Garry Lyon.
“I’m not surprised [they turned out to watch] because the Melbourne members and supporters are fanatical - they want this football club to move forward, as we do,” he said.
“Their support over the last three years has been outstanding - it doesn’t surprise me the numbers that are here today.
“They keep coming and they keep supporting and hopefully in the years to come they’re going to smile more often than not.”
Scores
He indicated the players blew out some cob webs, played with intensity and were keen to show their wares in a match environment.
“It was like soap at times and the boys couldn’t handle it as easily as they’d want to,” he said.
“Some of our decision-making wasn’t great, but some of it was pretty good.
“So at the end of the day, we came away with Ricky with a slight, almost grade one [hamstring injury] and a couple of corks and bruises, which are what you’d expect from a hit-out like this.”
A ‘Blue’ side played a ‘White’ team with the teams mixed after the half-time break.
The ‘White’ team won by five points.
But it was more the players on show that interested the red and blue faithful.
Key forward Jack Watts was one to impress, with the now third year Demon booting two goals and shining in the second half.
“Jack’s pre-season has been like most of the group. He’s done anywhere between 80 and 85 per cent of the pre-season,” Bailey said.
“He’s one of many players who’ve really improved with their fitness and their time on the track.”
The likes of Tom Scully, Brent Moloney, Colin Sylvia and Jack Grimes all impressed. New Demons Jeremy Howe and Michael Evans also showed good signs.
Bailey also praised developing ruckman Jake Spencer, who has improved his size considerably over pre-season.
“Jake’s road has been interesting. He hasn’t had a lot of consistent footy. He’s played a lot of week-in-week-out football,” he said.
“He’s a super competitor the big bloke and he’s still young - he’s only 21 and moving into 22 [this year]. Those big blokes take a bit longer and he’s at 204cm.
“He’s still mobile and agile and getting closer to making pieces of play happen, than where he was 12 months ago. He’s heading north, which is really good for us.”
Bailey said Spencer and Stef Martin were two players who could give reigning All-Australian Mark Jamar some relief in the ruck this year.
Bailey expects to have almost a full list to choose from for next week’s NAB Cup clash, although James Frawley (pectoral) and Michael Newton (wrist) will be unavailable due to injury.
“We’ll have a full list to pick from, so we’ll pick the best team we can,” he said.
“It’ll be pretty much based on their pre-season - you can’t pick players who are short on pre-season, because then you open up the opportunity for soft tissues.
“Most of our blokes have had pretty good pre-seasons and most of the blokes who played today should be available I’d think.”
Bailey also praised the Melbourne members and supporters for coming out to watch the intra-club clash. Among the crowd were president Jim Stynes and club great Garry Lyon.
“I’m not surprised [they turned out to watch] because the Melbourne members and supporters are fanatical - they want this football club to move forward, as we do,” he said.
“Their support over the last three years has been outstanding - it doesn’t surprise me the numbers that are here today.
“They keep coming and they keep supporting and hopefully in the years to come they’re going to smile more often than not.”
Scores
Blue 6.6 (42)
White 5.7 (47)
Goalkickers
Goalkickers
Blue: Dunn 2, Watts 2, Fieldsend (Casey), Howe
White: Bate, Evans, Gawn, McDonald, Trengove
White: Bate, Evans, Gawn, McDonald, Trengove
