Yes, I was there, but there's nothing really to add to what has been reported.

Although I'll confess my love for Mitch Clark. Not only is he a striking 200 cm figure, he looks like a real leader. As others have noted he takes a real interest in training drills even if he's just observing. Clark has the size, agility, marking prowess, pace, presence, etc to become one of the AFL's top 10 players. When you think that Cox didn't hit his straps til his mid 20's there's so much more for Clark to give. I have no doubt he could be the best ruckman in the league, but having him spend 70% forward is a luxury I can live with.

I was surprised how vocal Rodan already is. He was encouraging the boys to keep their skills up in the windy conditions while they were stretching on the fence-line. I've never seen Davey do that in 10 years. Yet people like Sheahan, a supposed expert, wanted to make him captain a few years ago. It beggars belief.

Taggert kicks and moves well. He's a nice size, but needs to develop his upper body, which won't be difficult. But I've never seen him play, so take it with a grain of salt.

I watched Viney's kicking really closely. Over longer distances it's so so, but his passing from 15-35/40 metres is pinpoint, low and laser like. Much like that pass to Daniher in the championships. Forwards will love being on the end of his passing. A good initial turn of foot too. Good pace.

Watts' physique hasn't changed one iota, but it's very early in the preseason and some clubs haven't even started back yet. I see Watts' down back for the foreseeable future and I don't see him in a key defensive post, but more the 'plus 1' intercept role and highly skilled distributor. He doesn't need much more bulk for that. I would like more meat on him because it will give him confidence to compete in more, especially in the air, but it's not there yet.

Happy to answer any queries, as I'm sure others are.

Thanks mate, appreciate your input. Agree with you on Clark, hopefully he can do most of the preseason. Reckon he could be in for a huge year with a bit more support up forward.

Think they would be really working on Watts' core strength, so we may not see a noticeable difference in size for a while, but think he will be able to compete better with that added strength. Spoke to Rawlings a few weeks ago and he'll definitely be playing in the backline.

Yes, I was there, but there's nothing really to add to what has been reported.

Although I'll confess my love for Mitch Clark. Not only is he a striking 200 cm figure, he looks like a real leader. As others have noted he takes a real interest in training drills even if he's just observing. Clark has the size, agility, marking prowess, pace, presence, etc to become one of the AFL's top 10 players. When you think that Cox didn't hit his straps til his mid 20's there's so much more for Clark to give. I have no doubt he could be the best ruckman in the league, but having him spend 70% forward is a luxury I can live with.

I was surprised how vocal Rodan already is. He was encouraging the boys to keep their skills up in the windy conditions while they were stretching on the fence-line. I've never seen Davey do that in 10 years. Yet people like Sheahan, a supposed expert, wanted to make him captain a few years ago. It beggars belief.

Taggert kicks and moves well. He's a nice size, but needs to develop his upper body, which won't be difficult. But I've never seen him play, so take it with a grain of salt.

I watched Viney's kicking really closely. Over longer distances it's so so, but his passing from 15-35/40 metres is pinpoint, low and laser like. Much like that pass to Daniher in the championships. Forwards will love being on the end of his passing. A good initial turn of foot too. Good pace.

Watts' physique hasn't changed one iota, but it's very early in the preseason and some clubs haven't even started back yet. I see Watts' down back for the foreseeable future and I don't see him in a key defensive post, but more the 'plus 1' intercept role and highly skilled distributor. He doesn't need much more bulk for that. I would like more meat on him because it will give him confidence to compete better, especially in the air, but it's not there yet.

Happy to answer any queries, as I'm sure others are.

Thanks BH

I know it's very early in the pre season but i am interested in your thoughts on my following observations

JV - what is you opinion of his fitness base - do you think he is ready to step straight in to the 22?

D-Rod - i was at training for a short while friday (i don't make many if any) - I liked his work and thought he really adds some intensity and skill. It looked like he trained with the backs, where do you see D Rod fitting in for 2013?

Cheers

Thanks BH

I know it's very early in the pre season but i am interested in your thoughts on my following observations

JV - what is you opinion of his fitness base - do you think he is ready to step straight in to the 22?

D-Rod - i was at training for a short while friday (i don't make many if any) - I liked his work and thought he really adds some intensity and skill. It looked like he trained with the backs, where do you see D Rod fitting in for 2013?

Cheers

I'm not well equipped to answer to be honest.

From all reports Viney has decent endurance and was always at the front as a junior, but I suspect he's middle of the road, or slightly better on an AFL list. At the risk of sounding like I'm putting too much pressure on a first year player I'd be surprised if he doesn't play 20 games next year. He's exactly what we need and will play most of the year as a 19 year old. Gone are the days that you'd see Robbie running around at 17. If Viney isn't "plug and play" I don't know who is. Gaff played 17 games for West Coast in his first year and Viney is more ready than Gaff. Even at training I noticed that he has an intensity and urgency unlike any other player on our list. Already. I'm not making any assertions where he currently ranks in the pecking order, but his mindset stood out. It has all of his life.

I'm not overly excited by Rodan, but he's another senior player that definitely shows leadership, so it's hard to complain when he's just one of 40 and one suspects better than a pick 88. He's apparently going to play midfield, but I agree with others that he may start as the sub a few times. He's always disappeared in games, been poor defensively and never been an high accumulator of possessions. So you know what you're getting. He'll average 15 disposals, have the odd dynamic quarter, and probably be pivotal in winning a game, or two. What he does off the field may well be more important than what he does on it.

Thanks BH. Like your observations on Mitch Clark. Let's hope he makes a quick recovery from that injury.

Excellent reading, thanks for all the thoughts and reports.

Thanks BH. Like your observations on Mitch Clark. Let's hope he makes a quick recovery from that injury.

Let's just hope that he makes a recovery from the injury.

I see we were training on Collingwoods oval at Goshs'.

We were always going to take that over when the pies moved to their other training ground. Does anyone know if thats happened and thats why we're on their oval? Or are they just in Arizona?

Arms the size of Daw's? Laughable

Grimacing because he's so unfit it's an effort for him to

Like this

This one is my favourite:

The tan is a running track around the Botanical Gardens. Running track for public and whoever else chooses to use it.

Very popular running spot.

Has quite an incline on one side.Not sure how long McQueen But it is used by The Dees, Pies, and Richmond on a regular basis.

Hope that helps.

3.87 kilometres

3.87 kilometres

Interesting, that is virtually exactly the same distance as the track around Centennial Park in Sydney. I used to run the tan growing up and now live in Sydney and ride around Centennial Park but never realised it is the same distance. Love the tan for running, one of the great runs anywhere.

This one is my favourite:

Look at the boys in the background......look unimpressed to say the least

Love it!

What size do you want Watts to be?.......again he is not going to be a KPF or KPB......his build is more like Goddard, he is 6 5 in the old money, and I assume now he weighs about 93 or 94K which is about 14 and 1/2 stone in the old money....he will be playing across the half back line....and taking maybe a third tall or medium sized fwd......not the gorillas that is for Chip or Tommy Mc...can we please finally after 4 years that we now have 3 or 4 really big guys that can play FF or CHF, and let Watts create

This one is my favourite:

That was the one I was actually looking for

Look at the boys in the background......look unimpressed to say the least

Nicholson looks slightly amused though

If footy doesn't work out for Gysberts perhaps he could learn to ride a horse.

This one is my favourite:

Beamer: "three kilo dumbbell's Nicho, I don't think he'll make the cut for my 'Bool Boxing Boot Camp.."

Nicho: "I reckon Greavesy's lifting them.."

Beamer: "three kilo dumbbell's Nicho, I don't think he'll make the cut for my 'Bool Boxing Boot Camp.."

Nicho: "I reckon Greavesy's lifting them.."

More like...

Beamer; Let's give this weak c**t a wedgie.

Nicho (to himself); God you're a bully, Beamer.

http://www.gettyimages.com.au/Search/Search.aspx?contractUrl=2&language=en-US&family=editorial&p=melbourne+demons&assetType=image&ep=2#

For anyone who wants to check out some pics from fridays sesh.

Hogan is a beast already! once he actually fills out properly yikes watcch out...!!

Pedersen is a big unit too. will add alot to our forward line.

Jack Viney and david rodan look in great nick as is shannon byrnes and mitchy clark.

Attention all Keyboard Warriors; give Gysberts a break. For all we know he'd probably done a heap of reps prior to this photo being taken and was completely fatigued.

Attention all Keyboard Warriors; give Gysberts a break. For all we know he'd probably done a heap of reps prior to this photo being taken and was completely fatigued.

For all we know, those are foam dumbells.

I also think Gysberts could very well turn out to be a really good player. It's premature to write him off IMO.

Don't understand where all this gysberts hate is coming from- know it's all just fun and games, but seems a bit excessive. I personally hope he can get his body right and become a 150 game player

http://www.gettyimag...Type=image&ep=2#

For anyone who wants to check out some pics from fridays sesh.

Hogan is a beast already! once he actually fills out properly yikes watcch out...!!

Pedersen is a big unit too. will add alot to our forward line.

Jack Viney and david rodan look in great nick as is shannon byrnes and mitchy clark.

Awesome link!!! thanks

Attention all Keyboard Warriors; give Gysberts a break. For all we know he'd probably done a heap of reps prior to this photo being taken and was completely fatigued.

Settle down mate, the guys were havin a joke or two. No need to get your panties in a twist over a few online laughs