Let me preface this by saying that every club will be having their best pre-seasons ever, with all players flying etc etc.

But reading this on the MFC website- Pre-Season Snapshot, i get the impression that aside from a slight strain here and there, we actually have everyone engaging in FULL pre-season training. This would dispel some fear held by those who attended certain sessions and saw some players not participating in certain aspects of training.

If this is the case then it really is a great stepping stone for 2011, and hopefully the remaining 5 weeks of training continue in this manner...

Let me preface this by saying that every club will be having their best pre-seasons ever, with all players flying etc etc.

But reading this on the MFC website- Pre-Season Snapshot, i get the impression that aside from a slight strain here and there, we actually have everyone engaging in FULL pre-season training. This would dispel some fear held by those who attended certain sessions and saw some players not participating in certain aspects of training.

If this is the case then it really is a great stepping stone for 2011, and hopefully the remaining 5 weeks of training continue in this manner...

I'll be very interested to watch training within a week of them starting back.Several of us posters will be attending to keep an eye on training. However, even in the last week there were a few whom did not seem to be in full training.Tom McNamara,Rohan Bail & Luke Tapscott did not seem to be doing all the work and Aaron Davey was doing most.

I'll be very interested to watch training within a week of them starting back.Several of us posters will be attending to keep an eye on training. However, even in the last week there were a few whom did not seem to be in full training.Tom McNamara,Rohan Bail & Luke Tapscott did not seem to be doing all the work and Aaron Davey was doing most.

In all the years of watching pre-season I have yet to see someone who is not in full training post Christmas play any meaningful football until mid-year.

The difference for 2011 is that those names which have been seen or reported as "recovering" or "getting over" an injury didn't have a real contribution to the side last year, save Joel McDonald.

Petterd, Sylvia, Garland, Jones & Rivers are ALL out on the track now. The core of the goal to goal line are all there.

Those who NEED a genuine pre-season are getting miles under their belt to enable them to survive the rigours of the game.

These are the ones where the improvement comes from, and are the drivers of improved Team performance. Jurrah, Watts, Scully, Trengove, Bennell, Spencer, McKenzie.....these are the important ones. Others like Fitzpatrick, Gawn, Tapscott or any of this years recruits are only a bonus if they "come through" in 2011.

Let's keep the fingers crossed we don't have a Morabito situation before the real stuff begins, but things are certainly looking very, very positive toward having our best 22 fit and on the field come round 1.

In all the years of watching pre-season I have yet to see someone who is not in full training post Christmas play any meaningful football until mid-year.

The difference for 2011 is that those names which have been seen or reported as "recovering" or "getting over" an injury didn't have a real contribution to the side last year, save Joel McDonald.

Petterd, Sylvia, Garland, Jones & Rivers are ALL out on the track now. The core of the goal to goal line are all there.

Those who NEED a genuine pre-season are getting miles under their belt to enable them to survive the rigours of the game.

These are the ones where the improvement comes from, and are the drivers of improved Team performance. Jurrah, Watts, Scully, Trengove, Bennell, Spencer, McKenzie.....these are the important ones. Others like Fitzpatrick, Gawn, Tapscott or any of this years recruits are only a bonus if they "come through" in 2011.

Let's keep the fingers crossed we don't have a Morabito situation before the real stuff begins, but things are certainly looking very, very positive toward having our best 22 fit and on the field come round 1.

Good points and thanks for pointing that out-you are correct in what your saying, although I was a little disapponted that Tapscott couldn't keep on the track.Here's hoping that he does after Xmas. I must say, and I have been constantly watching training for over 20 years now(at least 15 sessions a season)-that they seem to be training the best I've seen ever.Their ball handling is crisp.A lot more football work at training and not just fitness & exercise work.I have put this down to a West/Royal combination as they seem to take a very strong hand at training.

Telstra Community Camp: The Demons will be heading to Leongatha in south-east Victoria over February 14 and 15. The two-day trip will see the players train, visit schools, nursing homes and hospitals and also conduct clinics for junior fans.

NAB Cup opener: February 11 v Adelaide and Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium.

How did we draw the NAB cup matches against Adelaide and PA?

And given the community camp is during the on the Monday and Tuesday following the Friday night match, it looks like someone may have already pencilled us in as being 'knocked out'!

How did we draw the NAB cup matches against Adelaide and PA?

Because the AFL is yet to official recognise us as a draw card/blockbuster club & there is only one set of supporters that can change that.

Because the AFL is yet to official recognise us as a draw card/blockbuster club & there is only one set of supporters that can change that.

Beautifully put. Simple and understated.