Yeah, I guess because I highlighted him dropping marks I don't care about those things you mentioned. Nice work.

Yeah, I guess because I highlighted him dropping marks I don't care about those things you mentioned. Nice work.

Try not to be so sensitive.

I agree with him.

A couple of minor skill errors are meaningless to me; I place much more importance on the other things he mentioned.

I hate hearing Watts (or any player on our list) described as laconic.

Why? Just means he doesn't have much to say. Can't all be talkers.

(Maybe laconic was the wrong word)

Why? Just means he doesn't have much to say. Can't all be talkers.

(Maybe laconic was the wrong word)

??!

Economical use of energy, not words.

Laconic is often seen as a bad thing when used to describe an athlete, but it merely means they are efficient.

He had been getting talked up for being red hot during the preseason so far and today he stood out to me for not being able to hold a mark during a good session. To suggest that should not be mentioned when giving observations in favour for other aspects of a players game that are not as apparent is rubbish. Going by that, you should not make comment on a player unless you are going to mention all other parts of their game that could be seen as 'more important'.

...and in the process you threw him under the bus for a few minor skill errors.

"Apparently Maric has been going well but there was no sign of that today, dropping marks. Obviously, he has got to do something pretty special this year but he is up against some good players for his spot, some younger and seemingly more confident than him."

Threw him under a bus? It is glaringly obvious that he is playing for his career at the Demons this year, he dropped marks at a training session today when he had reportedly been going well and there are players at the club that play similar roles as him that show more promise.

Wow, I managed to get Wonna's whereabouts right. Might have something to do with knowing what is going on rather than trying to find non-existent fault in reports that fellow supporters have supplied.

Wonmaeamirri as I pointed out was not at training Wednesday and reports stated he wasn't there again today- News shows he was at the late Maurice Rioli's funeral.RIP.With his late Dad's funeral etc.. just hope he can get his fitness back quicky.

So sensitive.

...and in the process you threw him under the bus for a few minor skill errors.

Maric will be OK in 2011

Any doubters should look @ his game V The Swans last season.

Showed plenty that day

Impossible to judge on one training session in early Jan

I'm tipping a big season in 2011

This kid wasn't All Australian Under 18 for nothing

Regular readers of Demonland may recall my glowing pre season training review 2 seasons ago of Sylvia ,and the certainty I had that the forthcoming season would be his 'coming out' year , well this year , and based on my attendance of 4 pre season training sessions, my 'certainty' for the forthcoming season is ( drum roll )................ Dunn .

He is training with purpose , confidence , maturity , and poise , with the knowledge , based on an impressive second half season last year , that he is more than ready to mix it with the best on-ballers in the league .

Whilst not decrying the pre season training performances of my standout players ( in no particular order ) Sylvia ,Maric , Bail , Frawley ,and Bennell , Dunn has excited me because of his presence - physically intimidating , and his maturity - willingness to lay the extra tackle and shepherd when necessary .

Dunn will be a force this season - I have spoken !

Totally forgot but did anyone else see Joel Mac attempt mark of the year during the game they were playing? I thought he was going to brake his neck!

Jack Fitzpatrick. I think he might even be the quickest at the club over 100 metres - he really is quick. He marks well and his positioning is good but for me, his skills are average at best and from here I can't see him making it.

Cale Morton had a shocker. His kicking was way off, at one point did four clangers in a row and was really down on himself. When he runs he is super-quick and at times looks like a footballer but I have some serious question marks over him being a start-up in our best 22.

Thanks for the comprehensive report.

However, given it is the first training sessions for the year, the conclusions highlighted I think are jumping the gun a bit.

Regular readers of Demonland may recall my glowing pre season training review 2 seasons ago of Sylvia ,and the certainty I had that the forthcoming season would be his 'coming out' year , well this year , and based on my attendance of 4 pre season training sessions, my 'certainty' for the forthcoming season is ( drum roll )................ Dunn .

He is training with purpose , confidence , maturity , and poise , with the knowledge , based on an impressive second half season last year , that he is more than ready to mix it with the best on-ballers in the league .

Whilst not decrying the pre season training performances of my standout players ( in no particular order ) Sylvia ,Maric , Bail , Frawley ,and Bennell , Dunn has excited me because of his presence - physically intimidating , and his maturity - willingness to lay the extra tackle and shepherd when necessary .

Dunn will be a force this season - I have spoken !

What position??

Too slow for a genuine on baller, no overhead presence to be a marking forward and I've not seen him mentioned down back.

Defensive forward I'd think but it's hard to be a "force" in that position. Nice footballer but I've always had trouble placing him.

Any ideas??

Regular readers of Demonland may recall my glowing pre season training review 2 seasons ago of Sylvia ,and the certainty I had that the forthcoming season would be his 'coming out' year , well this year , and based on my attendance of 4 pre season training sessions, my 'certainty' for the forthcoming season is ( drum roll )................ Dunn .

He is training with purpose , confidence , maturity , and poise , with the knowledge , based on an impressive second half season last year , that he is more than ready to mix it with the best on-ballers in the league .

Whilst not decrying the pre season training performances of my standout players ( in no particular order ) Sylvia ,Maric , Bail , Frawley ,and Bennell , Dunn has excited me because of his presence - physically intimidating , and his maturity - willingness to lay the extra tackle and shepherd when necessary .

Dunn will be a force this season - I have spoken !

You had me with this until the highlighted portion. If we learnt anything last year it is that Dunn is a true half forward. Whether it is in a defensive mindset or purely as an attacking weapon he should be left to play there and not wasted on ball.

No mention of Howe?

I'm hopeful of big things from him

No mention of Howe?

I'm hopeful of big things from him

Looks like he's fit in well, looks clean with his ball use and seems to present well. Bit hard to tell yet, hopefully he gets a crack in the NAB Cup.

What position??

Too slow for a genuine on baller, no overhead presence to be a marking forward and I've not seen him mentioned down back.

Defensive forward I'd think but it's hard to be a "force" in that position. Nice footballer but I've always had trouble placing him.

Any ideas??

I see Dunn growing into a genuine forward target, and hope we re-try him at full forward this year. he is gaining confidence no doubt and his kicking has become a real weapon.

I cannot see why he couldn't fulfill the full forward role in games, he is strong enough to bring the ball to ground and leads up well. His marking is improving, but he is, like Jurrah just a natural forward.

He can also be released into tagging roles on guys that suit him like Jobe Watson.

Like Bate the year before he was our best big bodied forward this year. Will be interesting how both will go as they are decent forwards but both lack a yard of pace.

Dunn adds a bit more though because he does add some mongrel which we lack.

And he's a bit more agile & can mark above his head.

What position??

Too slow for a genuine on baller, no overhead presence to be a marking forward and I've not seen him mentioned down back.

Defensive forward I'd think but it's hard to be a "force" in that position. Nice footballer but I've always had trouble placing him.

Any ideas??

an attacking on baller , without the defensive mindset that categorized Bailey's unsuccessful use of him 2 years ago.

He is confident , clever , a great kick ,experienced , and possesses the ' bigger engine ' now that will let him play a Barlow - like onballing role , that appears to be how his training is being geared ,from my observations .

No mention of Howe?

I'm hopeful of big things from him

Me too DC but the only way you find out is in real games.

Training proves very little, some players are great trainers but lousy players

when in the heat of battle and vice versa.

Hang in there till April.

I see Dunn growing into a genuine forward target, and hope we re-try him at full forward this year. he is gaining confidence no doubt and his kicking has become a real weapon.

I cannot see why he couldn't fulfill the full forward role in games, he is strong enough to bring the ball to ground and leads up well. His marking is improving, but he is, like Jurrah just a natural forward.

He can also be released into tagging roles on guys that suit him like Jobe Watson.

Like Bate the year before he was our best big bodied forward this year. Will be interesting how both will go as they are decent forwards but both lack a yard of pace.

Dunn adds a bit more though because he does add some mongrel which we lack.

Could not agree more with your last comment.

we have almost no mongrel, there is probably no melborne player that other teams hate.

Too many "nice guys"

Col Sylvia?

Dunn?

Moloney?

Rivers?

& soon Tapscott...

an attacking on baller , without the defensive mindset that categorized Bailey's unsuccessful use of him 2 years ago.

He is confident , clever , a great kick ,experienced , and possesses the ' bigger engine ' now that will let him play a Barlow - like onballing role , that appears to be how his training is being geared ,from my observations .

The only training session I've seen this year was today, but he didn't present with the midfielders, rather the forwards. Rightly so.

He's no onballer and is average overhead. What he does have is x-factor, and he's a difficult matchup. I've gone from writing him off to recognising that he can have a role.

Col Sylvia?

Dunn?

Moloney?

Rivers?

& soon Tapscott...

It will be nice when the younger boys are a bit bigger to give a bit too.

I reckon Dunn would be hated be every opposition player he has ever played on. I love it. Still think about round 22 last year against that nob Firrito