MELBOURNE opted to train at a secret location away from "prying eyes" on Thursday morning, with coach Simon Goodwin saying it was a chance to work on specific elements of the club's game plan.
The Demons' usual training ground is at Gosch's Paddock on the corner of Punt Road and Swan Street, with supporters, media and opposition scouts easily able to access the facility.
AFL.com.au understands the ground the Demons trained at on Thursday is located in Port Melbourne.
"A couple of reasons: it gives us a chance to get some variety in our training. Moving away and training at a different venue is always a new stimulus for the players," Goodwin said on Thursday.
"But also to do some work on some of the things in our game away from the prying eyes. We're in a pretty public space here on Punt Road."
Asked whether he was prepared to reveal where the Demons trained, Goodwin said: "We'd rather keep it pretty private, yeah."
Goodwin said training at the private venue would only occur intermittently.
"It'll only be a few times throughout the year. We are open, we like having our supporters come down to training, but just every now and then it's a chance to get away and work on some things in our game and really do some setups and structures around our game style," Goodwin said.
"It was a traditional training session. It was our main session of the week."
The Demons will be looking to win their third game in a row on Sunday when they face Hawthorn at the MCG, and Goodwin admits stopping star Hawk midfielder Tom Mitchell, who is in red-hot form, is high on his agenda.
Mitchell is averaging an astounding 45.3 disposals per game from his first three matches this season, and is leading the AFL Coaches' Association Award.
Sending Bernie Vince to Mitchell is one option Goodwin and the Demons' match committee are pondering after the Demon veteran's superb defensive shut-down role on Lion Dayne Zorko in round two.
Zorko had 20 disposals against the Demons, but his influence across the contest was minimised thanks largely to the job Vince and teammate Christian Salem did on him.
"He's had three outstanding games, so we'll certainly put some time into him. He's been a big part of our week and looking at him and looking at how they play," Goodwin said.
"[Bernie] is (being considered for the role) because he has the ability to do the job. He's someone we trust highly, so he's certainly someone we'll look at."
Goodwin said midfielder Angus Brayshaw was "very close" to senior selection after a standout 22-disposal game in the VFL against Coburg at the weekend.
Sam Weideman (five goals) and Cam Pedersen (26 disposals, 15 marks) were also dominant for the Casey Demons.
"There's a whole host of guys in the VFL who are playing some good footy, and that's the great thing about the position we're in at the moment," Goodwin said.
"(Casey coach) Jade Rawlings has done a great job with the Casey Demons and we've probably got seven or eight guys who could come in and do the job straight away.
"Angus is one of those, he's in really good form and he's not too far away."
