At training today, it was great to see the coaching staff really getting amongst skill practice sessions, doing such work now whilst in the last few years we would be doing this type of grainy in late January.Seems a great relationship between coaches themselves and the relationship b/w players & coaches.

One major thing I have observed in the last few weeks is the rejuvenation of the likes of Brian Royal & Todd Viney at training . Todd seems to be giving the insight info to Mark Neeld whilst Brian seems to take a major part of the training drills. Even when the players are doing their 400 metre run throughs Brian is there really encouraging all. He also seems to be thriving back as the midfield coach,a major pivotal part of the development of this club.

Todd seems to be giving the insight info to Mark Neeld

Pardon my ignorance, but I have not idea what this means if anything at all.

The new coaches are certainly leaving an imprint on the club's recruiting as evidenced by today's rookie draft:-

• Jai Sheahan won the best and fairest this year with Geelong Falcons under coach Aaron Greaves who is now midfield assistant coach at Melbourne.

• Tom Coach, an on baller from Collingwood VFA. Mark Neeld was midfield coach with the Magpies this year.

• James Magner, from Sandringham Zebras in the VFL, where he won the best and fairest this year under coach Brett Lovett. He also played at Frankston under Lovett.

I don't know if anyone who coached Leigh Williams at Norwood EFL has a job at Melbourne but there are plenty of new coaches at the club so one might put his hand up to claim him.

I noticed this as well, as i think many would have, one of the real big benifits we get when a new coach comes in and changes things up, and shakes the cage a little bit.

One of the major benefits from taking coaches form the lower leagues, they know who can play because they coach against them in the TAC and VFL alot, also they see the under rated players who have missed the normal system.