melbournefc.com.au editor Matt Burgan reflects on the first day of Melbourne’s community camp to Wonthaggi/Phillip Island
8 am
IT’S AN EARLY start for the players. Although Melbourne’s two-day community camp to Wonthaggi/Phillip Island kicks off later on, the players are not exempt from training duties on Monday morning. Skills and weights sessions take place at AAMI Park, before they get ready for their two-day camp.
11 am
Players, along with members of the football department and the administration leave AAMI Park and the MCG for Wonthaggi/Phillip Island.
1 pm
Glorious, sunny conditions greet Melbourne in Wonthaggi. A local contingent, including government officials, welcomes the red and blue to South Gippsland.
Key stakeholders are in attendance, including Bass Shire Council deputy mayor John Dutcher, who welcomes Melbourne to the region.
Mark Neeld notes that the local Wonthaggi Recreation Reserve is in “outstanding condition”.
“They’ll be happy to run around on that later on,” he says.
The new senior coach quips that director of sports performance Neil Craig will be happy to head to the local bowls club later in the day.
Neeld continues some humorous moments, when he introduces the new recruits to the locals. He demands that they step forward and show their faces from the rest of the playing group.
When Jimmy Magner steps forward, Neeld says the 24 year-old has the biggest arms of any player to ever be on a rookie list. The coach then concedes he’ll use a similar theme when describing Tom Couch.
“I’ll run with the same joke that I used, because it might get another laugh. So we’ve had the biggest arms and now we’ve got the biggest thighs on a rookie list,” he says.
Neeld is posed several questions, and responds in honest fashion about the season ahead.
“There will be a bit of excitement. At times, there will be some disappointment, frustration, lots of hard work. But what you will see is an honest group of players going out there, week-in-week-out,” he said.
At the end of official proceedings, new Demon and local boy Josh Tynan, who played with Gippsland Power, presents a gift to Dutcher on behalf of the club.
1.30 pm
Former skipper Brad Green fronts the media for the first time since being left out of the leadership group.
Not surprisingly, Melbourne’s oldest player handles it with aplomb and speaks with great dignity.
Green says, “Neeldy’s a straight-shooter and he said straight away ‘mate, I’m not going to bulls*** to you, I’m just going to tell you that you’re not going to be captain’,” he said.
It’s a newsworthy ‘presser’ for the media.
Soon, a super clinic is held at the Wonthaggi ground.
Forward Jack Watts is overheard saying to the kids, ‘how are we all going today? Are we having a good day, so far?’
The kids give him a warm ‘yeah’.
Lynden Dunn is soon king of the kids. The key forward gets 20 kids to gang tackle teammate Jack Fitzpatrick. Big ‘Fitzy’ just sits there, as the youngsters tackle as hard as they can.
Versatile tall Stef Martin says it’s great for the players to mix with the youngsters.
“It’s a great deck and the weather is beautiful, and it’s good to see the kids kicking the footballs outside. It’s also great for the kids to get some time off school and importantly have fun,” he said.
“You can’t help but feel in a good mood when the kids get excited to see you and play some footy. And it’s great to break up the routine with the camp.”
Martin says fellow big man Max Gawn “leads the charge” with the kids.
He adds that Jack Watts and Col Sylvia are great with the kids because of their “outgoing personalities” and Lynden Dunn is also good with them “because he’s a dad”.
Dunn also gets among the kids by interviewing them for Dee TV.
“In regional areas, the kids are in awe of the boys and the kids want to get involved,” he said.
“The funny thing with kids is that they’re brutally honest, which is very good.
“You do get some very funny responses, and you’ve just got to work with them and have a laugh with them.”
Dunn says new co-captain Jack Trengove and Jack Watts are among the most popular with the kids. Col Sylvia and Max Gawn are also hits.
“Col’s a people person and Max Gawn is so tall and looks like a giant,” he said.
Meanwhile, the hard-working Melbourne community team, led by Debbie Lee, Glenn Balmforth, Renee Dobson, Kara Donnellan and Christina Kassis, were busily organising teams of players for local visits.
Dobson takes Mitch Clark, Trengove and Jordie McKenzie to the Wonthaggi Bowls Club. (And we’re not sure if Neeld’s suggestion that Craig should join them comes to fruition!)
Lee also organises a visit to residential/aged care facilities Kirrak House and Armitage House, which includes Clint Bartram, Jeremy Howe and Mark Jamar.
Donnellan assists Sylvia, Jack Grimes and Jake Spencer in their visit to Wonthaggi Hospital.
One particular character, nicknamed ‘Riv’, is delighted to have Brent Moloney and Ricky Petterd visit him. A Demon supporter for 63 years, ‘Riv’ is rapt to have the boys pay him a special visit.
Two of Melbourne’s James’ - Frawley and Sellar - then head to the local Australia Post office. The philatelists (err sorry, key defenders) begin a signing session, naturally talk footy and mix with the local community.
2 pm
For the coaching staff, they soon retreat to the beautiful Silverwater Resort, an accommodation setting complete with gorgeous ocean views. Messrs Neeld, Craig, Todd Viney, Leigh Brown, Jade Rawlings, Brian Royal, Aaron Greaves, Andrew Nichol and Paul Satterley undertake a meeting before an early dinner.
3 pm
The super clinic concludes with 300 children having an afternoon to remember. Each child received some goodies, while former Port Adelaide and Carlton star Nick Stevens was also on hand to help facilitate the clinic, given his new role as Gippsland Power coach.
4:15 pm
All players attend a meeting held by Lee, who speaks of the importance of Melbourne in the community. She also gives the players an option of the areas they would like to participate in in the community in 2012. The aim of this is to develop the players and the club in the wider community.
4:45 pm
Brad Green, Luke Tapscott, Gawn, Dunn, Watts and Matthew Bate head to Wonthaggi Football Club, where they take the senior and junior teams for training.
Watts makes the comment: “we may see some of these juniors playing for Melbourne in the future”.
5:30 pm
The players, coaches and staff who are around, all enjoy a BBQ buffet dinner, before attending to the rest of their activities for the evening.
6:15 pm
Aside from co-captains Jack Grimes and Jack Trengove, the remaining six members of the new-look eight-man leadership group conduct interviews for DeeTV (note: to be shown in the coming days).
Several interviews are held throughout the day with media manager Ryan Larkin busily organising online, newspaper, television, radio and local media.
7 pm
The coaches and trainers head to Wonthaggi Football Club for a ‘Coach the coach’ and ‘Train the trainer’ session. Neeld, Brown, Royal, Greaves, Nichol and Satterley attend, along with trainer Sam Pietsch.
About 40 coaches from the region attend and ask questions such as ‘how do you get the best out of your players?’
Trends of the modern game, coaching structures and how to coach at different levels (eg. juniors, senior level and AFL) are discussed.
There is also some friendly banter between the Melbourne coaching staff.
Another 25 people attend ‘train the trainer’ with Pietsch. Andrew Shenker from Victor Sports also assists Pietsch with the workshop. They focus on strapping techniques and recovery methods.
Meanwhile, back at the Silverwater Resort boardroom, a leadership group meeting is held. Director of sports performance Neil Craig and backline coach Jade Rawlings conduct it, with all eight members in attendance.
9 pm
The coaches, trainers and staff return to Silverwater Resort after an enjoyable and productive day.
And they are ready for another big day on Tuesday, after a good night’s sleep.
8 am
IT’S AN EARLY start for the players. Although Melbourne’s two-day community camp to Wonthaggi/Phillip Island kicks off later on, the players are not exempt from training duties on Monday morning. Skills and weights sessions take place at AAMI Park, before they get ready for their two-day camp.
11 am
Players, along with members of the football department and the administration leave AAMI Park and the MCG for Wonthaggi/Phillip Island.
1 pm
Glorious, sunny conditions greet Melbourne in Wonthaggi. A local contingent, including government officials, welcomes the red and blue to South Gippsland.
Key stakeholders are in attendance, including Bass Shire Council deputy mayor John Dutcher, who welcomes Melbourne to the region.
Mark Neeld notes that the local Wonthaggi Recreation Reserve is in “outstanding condition”.
“They’ll be happy to run around on that later on,” he says.
The new senior coach quips that director of sports performance Neil Craig will be happy to head to the local bowls club later in the day.
Neeld continues some humorous moments, when he introduces the new recruits to the locals. He demands that they step forward and show their faces from the rest of the playing group.
When Jimmy Magner steps forward, Neeld says the 24 year-old has the biggest arms of any player to ever be on a rookie list. The coach then concedes he’ll use a similar theme when describing Tom Couch.
“I’ll run with the same joke that I used, because it might get another laugh. So we’ve had the biggest arms and now we’ve got the biggest thighs on a rookie list,” he says.
Neeld is posed several questions, and responds in honest fashion about the season ahead.
“There will be a bit of excitement. At times, there will be some disappointment, frustration, lots of hard work. But what you will see is an honest group of players going out there, week-in-week-out,” he said.
At the end of official proceedings, new Demon and local boy Josh Tynan, who played with Gippsland Power, presents a gift to Dutcher on behalf of the club.
1.30 pm
Former skipper Brad Green fronts the media for the first time since being left out of the leadership group.
Not surprisingly, Melbourne’s oldest player handles it with aplomb and speaks with great dignity.
Green says, “Neeldy’s a straight-shooter and he said straight away ‘mate, I’m not going to bulls*** to you, I’m just going to tell you that you’re not going to be captain’,” he said.
It’s a newsworthy ‘presser’ for the media.
Soon, a super clinic is held at the Wonthaggi ground.
Forward Jack Watts is overheard saying to the kids, ‘how are we all going today? Are we having a good day, so far?’
The kids give him a warm ‘yeah’.
Lynden Dunn is soon king of the kids. The key forward gets 20 kids to gang tackle teammate Jack Fitzpatrick. Big ‘Fitzy’ just sits there, as the youngsters tackle as hard as they can.
Versatile tall Stef Martin says it’s great for the players to mix with the youngsters.
“It’s a great deck and the weather is beautiful, and it’s good to see the kids kicking the footballs outside. It’s also great for the kids to get some time off school and importantly have fun,” he said.
“You can’t help but feel in a good mood when the kids get excited to see you and play some footy. And it’s great to break up the routine with the camp.”
Martin says fellow big man Max Gawn “leads the charge” with the kids.
He adds that Jack Watts and Col Sylvia are great with the kids because of their “outgoing personalities” and Lynden Dunn is also good with them “because he’s a dad”.
Dunn also gets among the kids by interviewing them for Dee TV.
“In regional areas, the kids are in awe of the boys and the kids want to get involved,” he said.
“The funny thing with kids is that they’re brutally honest, which is very good.
“You do get some very funny responses, and you’ve just got to work with them and have a laugh with them.”
Dunn says new co-captain Jack Trengove and Jack Watts are among the most popular with the kids. Col Sylvia and Max Gawn are also hits.
“Col’s a people person and Max Gawn is so tall and looks like a giant,” he said.
Meanwhile, the hard-working Melbourne community team, led by Debbie Lee, Glenn Balmforth, Renee Dobson, Kara Donnellan and Christina Kassis, were busily organising teams of players for local visits.
Dobson takes Mitch Clark, Trengove and Jordie McKenzie to the Wonthaggi Bowls Club. (And we’re not sure if Neeld’s suggestion that Craig should join them comes to fruition!)
Lee also organises a visit to residential/aged care facilities Kirrak House and Armitage House, which includes Clint Bartram, Jeremy Howe and Mark Jamar.
Donnellan assists Sylvia, Jack Grimes and Jake Spencer in their visit to Wonthaggi Hospital.
One particular character, nicknamed ‘Riv’, is delighted to have Brent Moloney and Ricky Petterd visit him. A Demon supporter for 63 years, ‘Riv’ is rapt to have the boys pay him a special visit.
Two of Melbourne’s James’ - Frawley and Sellar - then head to the local Australia Post office. The philatelists (err sorry, key defenders) begin a signing session, naturally talk footy and mix with the local community.
2 pm
For the coaching staff, they soon retreat to the beautiful Silverwater Resort, an accommodation setting complete with gorgeous ocean views. Messrs Neeld, Craig, Todd Viney, Leigh Brown, Jade Rawlings, Brian Royal, Aaron Greaves, Andrew Nichol and Paul Satterley undertake a meeting before an early dinner.
3 pm
The super clinic concludes with 300 children having an afternoon to remember. Each child received some goodies, while former Port Adelaide and Carlton star Nick Stevens was also on hand to help facilitate the clinic, given his new role as Gippsland Power coach.
4:15 pm
All players attend a meeting held by Lee, who speaks of the importance of Melbourne in the community. She also gives the players an option of the areas they would like to participate in in the community in 2012. The aim of this is to develop the players and the club in the wider community.
4:45 pm
Brad Green, Luke Tapscott, Gawn, Dunn, Watts and Matthew Bate head to Wonthaggi Football Club, where they take the senior and junior teams for training.
Watts makes the comment: “we may see some of these juniors playing for Melbourne in the future”.
5:30 pm
The players, coaches and staff who are around, all enjoy a BBQ buffet dinner, before attending to the rest of their activities for the evening.
6:15 pm
Aside from co-captains Jack Grimes and Jack Trengove, the remaining six members of the new-look eight-man leadership group conduct interviews for DeeTV (note: to be shown in the coming days).
Several interviews are held throughout the day with media manager Ryan Larkin busily organising online, newspaper, television, radio and local media.
7 pm
The coaches and trainers head to Wonthaggi Football Club for a ‘Coach the coach’ and ‘Train the trainer’ session. Neeld, Brown, Royal, Greaves, Nichol and Satterley attend, along with trainer Sam Pietsch.
About 40 coaches from the region attend and ask questions such as ‘how do you get the best out of your players?’
Trends of the modern game, coaching structures and how to coach at different levels (eg. juniors, senior level and AFL) are discussed.
There is also some friendly banter between the Melbourne coaching staff.
Another 25 people attend ‘train the trainer’ with Pietsch. Andrew Shenker from Victor Sports also assists Pietsch with the workshop. They focus on strapping techniques and recovery methods.
Meanwhile, back at the Silverwater Resort boardroom, a leadership group meeting is held. Director of sports performance Neil Craig and backline coach Jade Rawlings conduct it, with all eight members in attendance.
9 pm
The coaches, trainers and staff return to Silverwater Resort after an enjoyable and productive day.
And they are ready for another big day on Tuesday, after a good night’s sleep.
