I went and had a look today also. Cant realy add alot, I agree about Spencer and just to upset everyone Jurrah limped off half way through. Didnt look to bad!

Dear god no.

Thanks everyone for their reports.

Did anyone see anything in terms of leadership?

Surely you were taking the [censored] when you asked this question..?

I even laughed when I saw it.

Surely you were taking the [censored] when you asked this question..?

I even laughed when I saw it.

It's a fair question.

It's about who is loudest.

Everyone knows that the louder you are the better your leadership.

Yeah, sorry guys, my mistake...

I really thought it was a joke. No offence intended.

So... anyone notice some determination and competitiveness while they were there..?

Some desire, perchance?

Yeah, sorry guys, my mistake...

I really thought it was a joke. No offence intended.

So... anyone notice some determination and competitiveness while they were there..?

Some desire, perchance?

i thought about how i should phrase the question for a bit..left it open to interpretation...no offence taken...

it's interesting to note that whole group isn't training together...makes it hard to see who the real leaders are.

I've got Monday off. Anyone know if they're training on Monday?

Col Sylvia oozes leadership on the track. Hes loud and gets around to everybody. I noticed Killer missed his 3rd set shot in a row and Col walked over to him showed him what he was doing wrong, put his arm round him and had a chat. Good to see

It's a fair question.

It's about who is loudest.

Everyone knows that the louder you are the better your leadership.

HaHaHa! But of course....

Col Sylvia oozes leadership on the track. Hes loud and gets around to everybody. I noticed Killer missed his 3rd set shot in a row and Col walked over to him showed him what he was doing wrong, put his arm round him and had a chat. Good to see

Who is killer?

Biound to be a bit rusty, plenty of time for the boys to get into it.

Watts muscled up...

Who is killer?

Killer B)Watts

Josh Mahoney said of Jake Spencer:"Jake has been on the list for a couple of years now and has been upgraded to our senior list. We see him as a future ruckman for us. He's got great balance of running ability and aggression for a big guy. He has had some injury issues throughout the year. We'd hope he gets through a full pre-season so he can show the talent we think he's got."

Bhima said: "I'm putting myself out there for criticism but with the talk of who will have a break out year in 2011, Jake in my view will be one of the big improvers. As I said, it was windy, yet he continued to both kick accurately both on goal and in short kicking drills. He still has an awkward technique, yet on the right foot his style is starting to resemble Cox of West Coast. Jake looks confident and kept having shots of goal as if he'd figured out how it all works. He even kicked a long bomb from the boundary as he was leaving the track. He is also moving well and I'm genuinely interested to see how his training form will translate on match day."

Haydo said: "Spenser has also put on some descent baulk and looks set to play a fair bit of senior football next year. He looked fit and imposing."

These comments got me thinking how fantastic it would be if the Pencil's development took a quantum leap forward to the point where he could take over the #1 around-the-ground ruck mantle for 40% or even 60% of game-time, freeing up the Russian to be the 'man-mountain" KPF that we are all craving. It's unlikely to happen (at least not in those proportions of game-time), but it's an exciting 'off-season' dream for the future.

Couldn't agree more regarding Nathan Jones as a leader - he leads by example every time. Not the most skilled player in the team, nor the quickest, but amongst the most determined and gutsiest.

Will struggle to get into our best 22 next year if everyone is purring...big 12 months ahead...

Surely you were taking the [censored] when you asked this question..?

I even laughed when I saw it.

It is funny E25 that when I read the DDs question I had a bit of a laugh because I thought it was sarcastic. It is obviously ridiculous that based on a one hour training session leadership qualities could be clearly identified...Yet I did reply in earnest because when I thought about it, it was actually an important point. Although leadership has nothing to do with degrees of enthusiasm or 'presence', based on the list that were training today I would have to say the Dees are short of experienced leaders...and that from what I saw at training today, it was certainly not evident that a clear leader was amongst the group...Possibly that is because a captain hasn't been announced yet, or that he was not training.

Either way, Demonland works best when people feel that they can ask questions without being ridiculed...as lets face it...there are far more important things in life than an unofficial football website.

Will struggle to get into our best 22 next year if everyone is purring...big 12 months ahead...

Won't struggle one bit. Gun!!

Not having an abundance of so-called great leaders around the club is not a massive problem for me.

Look at Carlton and Chris Judd for instance.

Look at St.Kilda's problems and Collingwood's off-field issues.

I think we have assembled a list of young players who have outstanding characteristics that won't need as much guidance. I think the the youth of our club will really drive our team and take it to new levels of professionalism.

I think our recruiting staff have done exceptionally well to get such great young kids with good heads on their shoulders.

Grimes, Scully, Trengove, Watts, Frawley, Petterd, Garland and Jones from all reports are dedicated professional athletes and I am already hearing reports of them leading the way on the track.

Together with Rivers, Green, Jamar, Davey, Moloney and the rapidly growing Sylvia, I feel we are in good hands and so-called 'leadership' wont be a problem for us.

And on the topic of leadership, I actually never rated Bruce as a leader. In fact I thought as a senior player he left a lot to be desired at times with his hospital handpasses to some of our younger players and his lack of desire for body contact.

Bruce certainly isn't a massive loss for us IMO. If anything it frees up a spot and $300,000 in our cap that we can throw at uncontracted players in the future. And it allows us to get more game time into Morton, Strauss, Bail, Grimes & Gysberts.

Have read a couple of reports re pre-season training, and the thing that jumps out for me is the number of players who seem to have come back with a more mature attitude, if not fitness. Optimistic that we're going to see a bit more of that potential realised next year as players step up.

A bit intrigued by Maric. Important year for him, and judging by initial reports, maybe the penny has finally dropped re the necessity of just working very hard, all the time.

Still early days though - now let's hope that all of them make it through to Round 1.

Will struggle to get into our best 22 next year if everyone is purring...big 12 months ahead...

Jones if fit will be a walk up start .

Looking forward to seeing more long bombs from fiddy .

Thanks for the training report guys being interstate never get to see the training and am envious of you in this regard

Please keep them coming

A bit intrigued by Maric. Important year for him, and judging by initial reports, maybe the penny has finally dropped re the necessity of just working very hard, all the time.

Inmteresting thoughts people have on Maric. Bailey singled him out this time last year as coming back in outstanding condition and very fit. People think if they aren't playing seniors, there is an issue with mental application and working hard.

All I ever hear is he is dedicated. If he improves he can make it.

I was so rapt when we drafted this kid. In the u16 he was the x factor/a freak.

I'm still hoping against hope that he could be another Allen Jackovic (minus the serious injuries)

I was so rapt when we drafted this kid. In the u16 he was the x factor/a freak.

I'm still hoping against hope that he could be another Allen Jackovic (minus the serious injuries)

That's being hopelessly optimistic. I doubt there'll ever be another Allen Jackovich. A once in a lifetime talent.

At this point for Maric I'd settle for "good enough to make the senior side".

I was so rapt when we drafted this kid. In the u16 he was the x factor/a freak.

I'm still hoping against hope that he could be another Allen Jackovic (minus the serious injuries)

And minus 9 cms and 40 kilos.