The Devils Advocates had their first function for the year last night at the offices of city firm Freehills. Here are just a few random notes:

Jimmy spoke at the start and he was full of anticipation for the season. He spoke with admiration about the way the playing group is preparing itself for the campaign ahead - much better than in his day at times when the team was down. There are so many reasons for optimism about the club at the moment. The Prez is looking tall, mean and lean and, while he's going through some tough times, he has that infectiously uplifting attitude that made him one of the most amazing success stories of the game. He's as committed as ever to seeing the club through to a better future.

Dean Bailey gave us a great insight into the pre season so far. From the aweful start at Subiaco to a less than six day break v Essendon and then to Adelaide on a charter flight that took 2 hours and 20 minutes he painted a picture of how the playing group is developing. We have had our obvious disappointments with the injuries in a short space of time of Cale Morton, Liam Jurrah and Daniel Bell but on the credit side has been the determined attitude of the very inexperienced teams we've put on the park. Bails showed some footage from Saturday's game starting with Liam's great goal and including some fantastic footage of Tom Scully, Jack Trengove and Jordie McKenzie and I'm not going to get carried away by what I saw in the brief excerpts - but they backed up what the otherwise unhinged commentators were saying on 5AA in between their gushing over Tippet and Walker and the rest of the Crows side.

Bailey referred to Jurrah's injury and the challenge he faced but pointed out that he and the other injured players were all young and would recover and be valuable members of the team in the coming years. I don't know if it was a slip but he spoke of Liam's injury as being "12 weeks" which is a bit better than the 16 reported.

The good news is that we are getting a decent number of players back from injury in the next couple of weeks. Aussie, Bater, Beamer, Cam Bruce and Col S are back this week. Colin Garland will also be back but possibly with the Scorpions. The Flash isn't far away either and we should see Sam Blease and Jack Watts in action in a couple of weeks via Casey. PJ is also improving with each session.

An interesting question was raised about the forward line in the absence of Jurrah and Bailey indicated that he would be looking to players like Lynden Dunn to fill a similar role as a forward but that he also wanted there to be plenty of goalkicking power and pointed to Ricky Petterd's last two games (4 goals in each), the fact that Addam Maric was coming along and the return of Aussie as a goalkicker. He also planned to use Brad Green up forward and would continue to try Stef Martin up there. He also indicated that for this week's NAB Challenge match v West Coast he might use Mark Jamar in a key forward position as he wanted to have a bigger body in the forward line. The comment was made in response to the last question for the night so there was no time to ask the next question about who he was going to play in the ruck but I suppose by a process of elimination it would have to be Jake Spencer and Stef Martin this week.

Nick McCallum interviewed our two J Macs. Junior, in his 14th season is as enthusiastic as ever despite the club's three bad years in a row and Joel is determined to overcome the kick in the bum he got after being delisted by the Lions.

Then followed the auctioning of some items by auctioneer Phil Kingston of Gary Peer & Associates and the obligatory raffle. It was a great night and good to know that the club is continuing to receive great support from the legal fraternity including a fair smattering of judges. After the AFL's horror off season it was reassuring that, unlike at some other clubs, this was the only occasion in which our players had to face the law.

thanks wj - great insight

Great post WJ. How often do the Devils Advocates meet?

Always like to hear of nights like this.

Thinks for the insight.

Great insight as usual. Thanks WJ.

Great insight as usual. Thanks WJ.

Agree with others in saying thank you WJ re insight.I had made a new thread before reading this with regards to Lyden Dunn and him moving forward.Very impressive at training this morning.

Just want to echo the other sentiments WJ, thanks for the info. We're quite priviliged as the 'general' membership would not normally receive this type of news given to a specialised group like the Advocates, we're lucky to have you.

Query on Gysberts, was he mentioned at all? When we drafted him I was expecting his development to take a fair while but from what I've heard he's impressed very early, the club must be rapt with what many outsiders considered to be a risky draft choice.

Just want to echo the other sentiments WJ, thanks for the info. We're quite priviliged as the 'general' membership would not normally receive this type of news given to a specialised group like the Advocates, we're lucky to have you.

Query on Gysberts, was he mentioned at all? When we drafted him I was expecting his development to take a fair while but from what I've heard he's impressed very early, the club must be rapt with what many outsiders considered to be a risky draft choice.

Someone asked Bailey a question about Gysberts and Bailey said that he did 4 or 5 really good things in the game against Adelaide and they are very happy with his progress.

Someone asked Bailey a question about Gysberts and Bailey said that he did 4 or 5 really good things in the game against Adelaide and they are very happy with his progress.

Music to my ears.

Still not expecting a heap of games this year, more than happy to see him develop further at Casey

Great summary WJ.

I was there too, and there's a couple of observations I would add.

- Congratulations to the MFC and the Advocates Committee for providing the President, CEO, coach, captain, 4 additional players (Jord McKenzie, Stef Martin, Joel McDonald and Wonna), Board member and Neitz to attend the event. Really outstanding support and made for a great event.

- Bailey was very good last night. Very entertaining.

- The comments made about Scully and Trengove were amazing. It was even said that they are in our best bracket of players already. Take that as a positive or a negative I suppose!

- James McDonald is the hardest trainer at the club (and by the way a ripping bloke).

- It's been said, but Joel MacDonald spoke about the hurt of being delisted. He was conplimented by the MC, Nick McCallum, for choosing the MFC. He actually didn't accept the compliment, rather saying that he didn't choose Melbourne, he was delisted and it was devastating for him. Then when he had the opportunity to come to the MFC, he could see a lot in common with the Lions pre-premiership list of a lot of similar aged recruits building together to success. He said his new lease on footballing life is driving him to attack every ball. Seemed incredibly focused and professional.

- Bailey dismissed the poor showing against Freo by saying "forget about that one". In analysing the Adelaide game last weekend, he said that the average games played of the group out there was 27 games. Bailey made the point quite a few times that the number of games our group has played will cause inconsistency but also excitement, and that patience is still going to be something we need! He thought that the reaction by the players to the Adelaide loss demonstrated a progression to not wanting to accept second best.

- On Watts, Bailey said that 4 - 5 solid weeks at Casey (and I don't remember, he might have said also the practice match on Saturday) Watts should be ready to play. He has put on weight and will put on more next pre-season as well.

Edited March 11, 201015 yr by Choko

Thanks, guys.

Attended last night as well and it was a good function...

Some more insight as I know everyone on here loves ever bit of info they get (me included)

Watts - stated he weighs 89.4 or 5 this week and expects him to be 91 by the end of the season. His weight should increase to 94 by start of next year and he thinks that great for a 19yr old (JCB this info is for you as I know you love the details)... Watts will play Casey 2s next week and DB stated he needs about 4 or 5 games at Casey before he would look to be selected in the team...

Gysbert - Stated he was a bit thin especially since he was a 190cm midfielder... stated Scott West loves him at stoppages and his hands are amazing in close and West keeps talking him up to DB. DB spoke about the draft selection and that it wasn't a shock to them it was everyone else that thought Melbourne would go tall... They took him because he would not have got to pick 18 and mentioned that both Port and Geelong have stated that they would have taken him prior to pick 18

Scully and Trengove - their arrival and professionalism has increased what is expected at the club now as these guys train hard and have high expections on themselves but everyone else - He noted it was a bit freaky that young players could do this.

Jurrah - was never intended to be our FF this year or main target... DB still wants a big anchor player in the goal square (as WJ mentioned he will trial Jamar there this week) and he wanted Jurrah to play the pocket or flanker role... The issue is where are the goals going to come from and thats when he mentioned Dunn, Green going foward and being the focal point.

DB mentioned how the guys haven't played many AFL games but they don't like losing or blaming anything on situation. Scully and Trengove bought the dees into the game in the 4 qtr against adelaide and all players where [censored] that they lost and knew they should of won... No player was blaming the flight, lack of prep or that it was a praccie match the just wanted to win and they won't accept a lose... It seems that they now expect to win and coming second won't cut it I got the feeling that this come from a lot of the younger players who have never not been successful.

My main highlight for the night was when DB started talking about injuries to Bell and Jurrah and all the doom and gloom... He mentioned all the players coming back in and then told a stories about an unsign member who emailed the club and stated with Jurrah and Bell going down the club is going no where and we haven't got any players so we won't win blah blah etc etc and he shouldn't resign... DB actually called him (got his answering machine but will call when again when he leaves the function) to tell him about the club the players and how exciting this year and our list is... The whole club is on the same page but I think it is fantastic that the senior coach will ring a member (I know he shouldn't have to) to get him signed up, he is taking time out of his work but isn't leaving just to the admin people... This is the second time I have heard DB do a similar thing which I think is great

Attended last night as well and it was a good function...

Some more insight as I know everyone on here loves ever bit of info they get (me included)

Watts - stated he weighs 89.4 or 5 this week and expects him to be 91 by the end of the season. His weight should increase to 94 by start of next year and he thinks that great for a 19yr old (JCB this info is for you as I know you love the details)... Watts will play Casey 2s next week and DB stated he needs about 4 or 5 games at Casey before he would look to be selected in the team...

Gysbert - Stated he was a bit thin especially since he was a 190cm midfielder... stated Scott West loves him at stoppages and his hands are amazing in close and West keeps talking him up to DB. DB spoke about the draft selection and that it wasn't a shock to them it was everyone else that thought Melbourne would go tall... They took him because he would not have got to pick 18 and mentioned that both Port and Geelong have stated that they would have taken him prior to pick 18

Scully and Trengove - their arrival and professionalism has increased what is expected at the club now as these guys train hard and have high expections on themselves but everyone else - He noted it was a bit freaky that young players could do this.

Jurrah - was never intended to be our FF this year or main target... DB still wants a big anchor player in the goal square (as WJ mentioned he will trial Jamar there this week) and he wanted Jurrah to play the pocket or flanker role... The issue is where are the goals going to come from and thats when he mentioned Dunn, Green going foward and being the focal point.

DB mentioned how the guys haven't played many AFL games but they don't like losing or blaming anything on situation. Scully and Trengove bought the dees into the game in the 4 qtr against adelaide and all players where [censored] that they lost and knew they should of won... No player was blaming the flight, lack of prep or that it was a praccie match the just wanted to win and they won't accept a lose... It seems that they now expect to win and coming second won't cut it I got the feeling that this come from a lot of the younger players who have never not been successful.

My main highlight for the night was when DB started talking about injuries to Bell and Jurrah and all the doom and gloom... He mentioned all the players coming back in and then told a stories about an unsign member who emailed the club and stated with Jurrah and Bell going down the club is going no where and we haven't got any players so we won't win blah blah etc etc and he shouldn't resign... DB actually called him (got his answering machine but will call when again when he leaves the function) to tell him about the club the players and how exciting this year and our list is... The whole club is on the same page but I think it is fantastic that the senior coach will ring a member (I know he shouldn't have to) to get him signed up, he is taking time out of his work but isn't leaving just to the admin people... This is the second time I have heard DB do a similar thing which I think is great

Very encouraging post. Everything you hear about the culture at the Demons seems extremely positive. It is clearly a very professionally run organisation and is looking and behaving in the long term, while at the same time recognising the need for short to medium term success. The fact that the young guns also are exhibiting a bit of mongrel about winning and non acceptance of defeat is very encouraging. They WILL taste success this year and hopefully enough of it to begin building a winning culture as well as a professional one.All in all we should all be encouraged by these posts.

Great thread, thanks guys.

Attended last night as well and it was a good function...

Some more insight as I know everyone on here loves ever bit of info they get (me included)

Watts - stated he weighs 89.4 or 5 this week and expects him to be 91 by the end of the season. His weight should increase to 94 by start of next year and he thinks that great for a 19yr old (JCB this info is for you as I know you love the details)... Watts will play Casey 2s next week and DB stated he needs about 4 or 5 games at Casey before he would look to be selected in the team...

Gysbert - Stated he was a bit thin especially since he was a 190cm midfielder... stated Scott West loves him at stoppages and his hands are amazing in close and West keeps talking him up to DB. DB spoke about the draft selection and that it wasn't a shock to them it was everyone else that thought Melbourne would go tall... They took him because he would not have got to pick 18 and mentioned that both Port and Geelong have stated that they would have taken him prior to pick 18

Scully and Trengove - their arrival and professionalism has increased what is expected at the club now as these guys train hard and have high expections on themselves but everyone else - He noted it was a bit freaky that young players could do this.

Jurrah - was never intended to be our FF this year or main target... DB still wants a big anchor player in the goal square (as WJ mentioned he will trial Jamar there this week) and he wanted Jurrah to play the pocket or flanker role... The issue is where are the goals going to come from and thats when he mentioned Dunn, Green going foward and being the focal point.

DB mentioned how the guys haven't played many AFL games but they don't like losing or blaming anything on situation. Scully and Trengove bought the dees into the game in the 4 qtr against adelaide and all players where [censored] that they lost and knew they should of won... No player was blaming the flight, lack of prep or that it was a praccie match the just wanted to win and they won't accept a lose... It seems that they now expect to win and coming second won't cut it I got the feeling that this come from a lot of the younger players who have never not been successful.

My main highlight for the night was when DB started talking about injuries to Bell and Jurrah and all the doom and gloom... He mentioned all the players coming back in and then told a stories about an unsign member who emailed the club and stated with Jurrah and Bell going down the club is going no where and we haven't got any players so we won't win blah blah etc etc and he shouldn't resign... DB actually called him (got his answering machine but will call when again when he leaves the function) to tell him about the club the players and how exciting this year and our list is... The whole club is on the same page but I think it is fantastic that the senior coach will ring a member (I know he shouldn't have to) to get him signed up, he is taking time out of his work but isn't leaving just to the admin people... This is the second time I have heard DB do a similar thing which I think is great

Wolf, that post was very well constructed, great work. You could tell the passion of the club through your post and it's info like this that shows just how exciting our future is going to be.

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Gysbert - Stated he was a bit thin especially since he was a 190cm midfielder... stated Scott West loves him at stoppages and his hands are amazing in close and West keeps talking him up to DB. DB spoke about the draft selection and that it wasn't a shock to them it was everyone else that thought Melbourne would go tall... They took him because he would not have got to pick 18 and mentioned that both Port and Geelong have stated that they would have taken him prior to pick 18

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Thanks for that Wolfmother.

Further evidence regarding the state of play for Gysberts. I just hope the critics from the old Mclean v Gysberts threads and threads alike take note. That there were clubs with intent on picking up Gysberts with their first round pick prior ~ to pick 18, etc. But we most likely won't see the like until 10 minutes after Round 1 finishes...

Awesome work fellas.

No problems guys... starting to head to more functions etc etc as my sporting life slows and I know everyone appreciates all the details (I love reading about training even though I can't get there and anything else when I didn't attend all the internal stuff)

The club is heading in the right direction and we will surprise this year.... we will come out and win games against final eight sides then get smashed by richmond or carlton etc etc I think it will be a rollercoaster but we have the talent to beat alot of sides and I think the doom and gloom is over... I think people forget how quickly things can change... in 2007 we considered the best hope of the Victorian team and some tipping us for the flag.... a few injuries and we end up cellar dwellers....

Edited March 12, 201015 yr by Wolfmother

One of my favourite parts of the evening was the vision that Bails shared with those in attendance of some highlights of the NAB Cup Challenge. Tom Scully's goal was a special because of the way he ran to position to accept a pass from a team mate. It's been so long since I've seen a Melbourne player set up a goal so effortlessly (at least that's how it seemed) and Jack T does it as well. Still, I'm trying to keep a lid on things so please just ignore this .

One of my favourite parts of the evening was the vision that Bails shared with those in attendance of some highlights of the NAB Cup Challenge. Tom Scully's goal was a special because of the way he ran to position to accept a pass from a team mate. It's been so long since I've seen a Melbourne player set up a goal so effortlessly (at least that's how it seemed) and Jack T does it as well. Still, I'm trying to keep a lid on things so please just ignore this .

Sorry WJ, but no way can I ignore it! Already lying awake at night trying to select the team for round 1. Sounds like Tom and Jack T are certainties. I can now concentrate on the other 20.

You forgot to mention that it was from 50 out on a 45 degree angle.... so the rumours about no power in his kick are a little premature