I checked out the training this foggy cold morning at Gosch's park.

The Dees had a short and sweet session. Some one-step kicking drills, some handball, and a few shots at goal. Sylvia trained with this group.

Rivers, Frawley, Bartram, McDonald and McKenzie were in a separate group. They walked the boundary and did some handball and kicking drills. Someone told me they were just doing a separate training program - so no cause for alarm.

In summary it was a nice friendly session and everyone looked ok.

Then i thought i would wander over to the Collingwood training oval. They started their session as we finished ours.

I'd love to say how slow they looked and how they lacked skill. Sadly ...not so.

They are a seriously big unit with great kicking skills. They went through a longer, harder session with emphasis on match drills and firing shots at goal from contested possessions. They are 2-3 years ahead of us in physical development. The only skinny looking kid in their line-up is Andrew Krakouer.

They also have different lines on their practice oval compared to ours. In their forward zone they have straight lines leading out approx 30 degrees each side of the left and right goal posts, and they draw further circles or arcs withing the 50 metre line, creating a couple of rectangular spots just forward of the goal square.

An assistant coach told me it was designed to set up various zones near the goals. He was surprised when i told him we did not have similar lines at our practice oval.

We have a number of players who look underdone compared to their team (Gysberts, Evans, Scully, Morton, Gawn and Howe).

I think it's great we are giving these kids a chance in the big game; just don't expect them to perform miracles tomorrow.

However 2013 could be very different. Go Dees.

Hmm... very interesting... Thanks for that!

Really? the assistant coach was surprised we don't have the lines drawn on the field?

Considering the proximity of the 2 training ovals, surely he's noticed for himself without you needing to point this out...

Really? the assistant coach was surprised we don't have the lines drawn on the field?

Considering the proximity of the 2 training ovals, surely he's noticed for himself without you needing to point this out...

I doubt collingwood give a toss what we do.

Everyone knows we have an unformed gameplan and can't press with the best.

I doubt collingwood give a toss what we do.

Everyone knows we have an unformed gameplan and can't press with the best.

Ignorant post.

Thanks for the scoop DirtyDees!

Collingwood are an impressive unit. It is only a matter of time before we becomes the hunters instead of the hunted. A few of our kids are a tad lean, but a few good preseasons and you might see a few more Chip Frawley/Brent Moloney types running around.

Ignorant post.

Ignorant of what. the facts prove what I say

Ignorant of what. the facts prove what I say

Ignorant of the fact that we managed to beat Essendon without a press.

We have a gameplan. We're not doing a great of job of executing it consistently (or at all, some weeks), but when we get it right it's there. So your post was ignorant of the fact that we do have a gameplan.

We definitely have a game plan its just not a copy of everyone else, which I think is great.

I can't wait until we win a flag and everyone is copying Melbourne plan because its so great (thats what seems to happen every year copy lasts year premier). There always good when your winning, I don't think Geelong press up like Collingwood and they seem to go alright with the right cattle and a few years experience we'll start tearing sides apart without relying on a fwd press.

It was interesting to compare their preparations, noting that the two clubs are coming off different breaks.

Last year we had a longer on-field training session at the Junction oval on the Sunday before the QB clash.

Perhaps this year the MFC chose to use the better facilities at AAMI park and move some of the session indoors.

As for the extra lines on the Collingwood practice oval, check them out. We use the No. 2 oval near AAMI park and the corner of Punt Rd and Swan St. They use the No. 1 oval next to Punt Rd and Boulton Parade. And a correction - it's Gosch's Paddock, not Gosch's Park.

Go Dees.