Tweet from the Melbourne Football Club -

If you're free tomorrow at 9.15 am come down to Gosch's Paddock to watch the boys in an opening training session #firstandforever

This is the time to check out those stories about Rory Taggert being as big as a Sherman Tank (oops Freudian slip - forget the reference to the Tank, I was only joking. Oh, even joking is no defence.) ... horse.

On the subject of the early stages of pre season training, this is a fairly significant article - Dees back in better shape this year: Rawlings

When Mark Neeld and Tim Harrington spoke recently about the club's tactics and strategies for the free agency/trading/drafting period, Mark Neeld stressed that he and the football department had been disappointed at the way some of the players presented for pre season in November 2011. Reading between the lines, the disappointment reflected the fact that some players had not applied themselves to the programmes set out for them during their break in September/October. Neeld vowed that there would be "no surprises" this time around. It seems that all those who have remained at the club have got the message.

Taggert is a good height for a mid and looks to have strong core strength, but his upper body/arms still need work - although not Gysberts type work. He looks good at training.

Taggert is a good height for a mid and looks to have strong core strength, but his upper body/arms still need work - although not Gysberts type work. He looks good at training.

BH, on a scale of 1 to 10 how do you rate Gysberts and Morton as against Taggert?

Also, if you're going tomorrow (or anyone else for that matter), I'd appreciate an assessment on Jack Watts i.e as to whether you think he's built himself up over the two months since the season ended.

I'll probably be at the Gabba taking in another sport but look forward to everyone's reports with great interest.

Taggert is a very different type of "morph" to Morton and Gysberts, just underdeveloped. I see a very strong player in a couple of years.

The benefit of owning a business 500 metres away means I'll spend an hour at training tomorrow. I'll check Watts out for you, but on a cursory glance I haven't noticed any difference. Years ago he'd be the player I studied most at training, but now I hardly take a second look. Still looks skinny, but skillful.

Yep, that was my read on Watts too.

Looked exactly the same as last year.

It is only the beginning of preseason, though.

Taggert is a very different type of "morph" to Morton and Gysberts, just underdeveloped. I see a very strong player in a couple of years.

The benefit of owning a business 500 metres away means I'll spend an hour at training tomorrow. I'll check Watts out for you, but on a cursory glance I haven't noticed any difference. Years ago he'd be the player I studied most at training, but now I hardly take a second look. Still looks skinny, but skillful.

Got any job openings?

Taggert is a very different type of "morph" to Morton and Gysberts, just underdeveloped. I see a very strong player in a couple of years.

The benefit of owning a business 500 metres away means I'll spend an hour at training tomorrow. I'll check Watts out for you, but on a cursory glance I haven't noticed any difference. Years ago he'd be the player I studied most at training, but now I hardly take a second look. Still looks skinny, but skillful.

Thanks BH - look forward to it.

Anyone who watched some of Casey's early games last year would surely agree Taggert showed a hell of a lot of run, carry, good kicking, fight, all great signs for his future. Looks the goods to me.

Taggert is a very different type of "morph" to Morton and Gysberts, just underdeveloped. I see a very strong player in a couple of years.

The benefit of owning a business 500 metres away means I'll spend an hour at training tomorrow. I'll check Watts out for you, but on a cursory glance I haven't noticed any difference. Years ago he'd be the player I studied most at training, but now I hardly take a second look. Still looks skinny, but skillful.

I didn't realise Mr Whippy still operated at the MCG when the footy or cricket isn't on. No wonder you've got time to go and watch training.

On the subject of the early stages of pre season training, this is a fairly significant article - Dees back in better shape this year: Rawlings

When Mark Neeld and Tim Harrington spoke recently about the club's tactics and strategies for the free agency/trading/drafting period, Mark Neeld stressed that he and the football department had been disappointed at the way some of the players presented for pre season in November 2011. Reading between the lines, the disappointment reflected the fact that some players had not applied themselves to the programmes set out for them during their break in September/October. Neeld vowed that there would be "no surprises" this time around. It seems that all those who have remained at the club have got the message.

Can't remember the exact percentage, but Neeld told me approx half the players didn't bother to complete their pre-pre-season programs last year. Obviously a lot of those guys have now been moved on.

I know this is irrelevant though I didn't want to open up a fresh thread for it , do you guys think that Neeld helped Green score the coaching gig?

With his relationship with Malthouse and all I would think he did which is a pretty good indication that Green left on good terms and that Neeld continued to support him when he was no longer a player.

I know this is irrelevant though I didn't want to open up a fresh thread for it , do you guys think that Neeld helped Green score the coaching gig?

With his relationship with Malthouse and all I would think he did which is a pretty good indication that Green left on good terms and that Neeld continued to support him when he was no longer a player.

there would be no dount that Mouse would have asked Neeld his opinion. Up to Mouse then.

I dont really think there is any 'side" to Neeld . Hes just very matter of fact and focussed. I would think hed be only to happy to help a decent bloke further his career. Why wouldn tyou ?

I know this is irrelevant though I didn't want to open up a fresh thread for it , do you guys think that Neeld helped Green score the coaching gig?

With his relationship with Malthouse and all I would think he did which is a pretty good indication that Green left on good terms and that Neeld continued to support him when he was no longer a player.

i can't see why employing an assistant coach should be different from any other employment process. So you'd think the prospective employer would check references of any potential employee. In short, I'd expect the CFC to have contacted the MFC; and because of their personal history it may well have been Malthouse to Neeld.

With the recruitment strategy they have gone for, Watt's wont be playing key position for a while, so I think the preasure is off him developing into a bulky size. He'll need to retain his swift of foot for chopping off leads and rebounding out of the backline.

A work colleague of mine is mate with Greeny having played junior footy with him in Launceston. He spoke with him recently and it was clear that Greeny was keen to play on in 2013, but was told he would have limited opportunities as the club looks to develop younger players.

I think most professional footballers now would prefer to keep playing on till they drop dead

The financial inducements and the lifestyle attractions are too overpowering for a player to make an objective decision

Can't remember the exact percentage, but Neeld told me approx half the players didn't bother to complete their pre-pre-season programs last year. Obviously a lot of those guys have now been moved on.

Wow. There is the gulf between the good clubs and us. The club leaders havent been able to elicit elite cultural behaviours before and I am hoping now that the ones that are still there are committed and focused on being the best they can be. I guess a few cards were marked early on then.

All we are asking for is dedication, commitment and effort. Let's hope we see it.

I think most professional footballers now would prefer to keep playing on till they drop dead

The financial inducements and the lifestyle attractions are too overpowering for a player to make an objective decision

I think the fact that careers are really short has a big say. They don't want to let it go because they know they can never be there again...

Money might be a factor in a small number of cases altho it is fair to say a lot of players have no idea what they are going to do post career. Its probably a bit scary because footy is al they have known..

A work colleague of mine is mate with Greeny having played junior footy with him in Launceston. He spoke with him recently and it was clear that Greeny was keen to play on in 2013, but was told he would have limited opportunities as the club looks to develop younger players.

I dont buy this, if the keen was keen to develop younger players then why the f would we have gone so hard to recruit experienced players opposed to going to the draft?

I dont buy this, if the keen was keen to develop younger players then why the f would we have gone so hard to recruit experienced players opposed to going to the draft?

There could be a number of reasons. Green is more of a mid-sized lead up forward or a wingman, but he does not have the speed we want out of those positions. Byrnes and Rodan can play midfield and forward and have the speed we needed/wanted. We are obviously wanting to give the young guys opportunity, and if we have younger players that play the same role that Green filled (guys like Howe, and maybe Taggert) then Green would have been holding back there development. Given the height we now have in the forward line, I can understand how Green would be on the outer. I couldn't see him getting a game ahead of Howe that's for sure.

It all seems to come back to this premiership model that this group of coaches etc have brought in. He possibly didn't fit in it, or had players ahead of him in the pecking order which meant he wouldn't be a regular. Not the first time its happened to a player i'm sure.

I think the fact that careers are really short has a big say. They don't want to let it go because they know they can never be there again...

Money might be a factor in a small number of cases altho it is fair to say a lot of players have no idea what they are going to do post career. Its probably a bit scary because footy is al they have known..

yeah lots of reasons

bottom line is that when an ageing player says he wants to keep on playing it's only what you would expect him to say

A work colleague of mine is mate with Greeny having played junior footy with him in Launceston. He spoke with him recently and it was clear that Greeny was keen to play on in 2013, but was told he would have limited opportunities as the club looks to develop younger players.

Greeny played junior soccer and cricket. I know this because he ran rings around me every time and smacked a cricket ball for 6 through the back of my Dad's work vehicle when he (and I) was 13 in George Town.

BH, on a scale of 1 to 10 how do you rate Gysberts and Morton as against Taggert?

Also, if you're going tomorrow (or anyone else for that matter), I'd appreciate an assessment on Jack Watts i.e as to whether you think he's built himself up over the two months since the season ended.

I'll probably be at the Gabba taking in another sport but look forward to everyone's reports with great interest.

A self-confessed Melbourne supporter at the Gabba. Looks like we really are in for rain today.

Some pics from today's training session including Viney, Byrnes and Rodan:

http://www.afl.com.au/Galleries/tabid/16430/GalleryId/2814/Default.aspx