Whilst respecting your right to disagree Satyricone, I am 100% confident it was Joel MacDonald. He kicked 1 out on the full to where the tents were set up, kicked another 5 metres wide on the other side. Landed one 5 metres short of Jack Viney so that he was tackled to the ground by two fluro greens as soon as he picked the ball up, and fluffed another where Rodan was the intended target. With regards to the "consecutive" I apologise for the ambiguous description, I meant to say consecutive kicks from him, not necessarily that there wasn't others who had kicks in between his.

Joel MacDonald is not a good kick, in a simulated match environment, or a real game, I think we've all seen enough to know that.

As for Barry, Nev Jetta also likened him to Michael Long, so no pressure on the young guy at all, but really good to watch...

The young 'small' new guys, which also included Blease, were also given a separate tackling class by John Muggleton, who I spoke to after he had finished...

he is enjoying coachiing the players and said the days of arm waving will be over by the time he has finished with them

Thank god for that .

Cannot stand us being weak tacklers .

I like to see the opposition hurt .

Win or lose.

I popped along, but didn't watch much of the main group. As I wandered across from Punt Road the first group I came to was Toumpas, Viney, the big Kent, M. Jones. Terlich, Tynan and Jamar. This group of 7 were training separately to the main group on the eastern side of the ground in the forward area. I love watching the new talent so thought I'd plonk myself right there, which was away from the main group and nearly all other spectators. They did various drills, which included sidestepping and getting around a front on opponent before hitting up a leading target. They'd then rebound to an initial target in the pocket before kicking to a longer flank/wing option. As a follow on from this drill the last recipient of the long ball, who by now was some way from the makeshift (rugby) goal, was encouraged to run and carry, before kicking for goal from 45 metres on the run from a bit of an angle.

The two standouts for me were Viney and Toumpas. Toumpas' short-passing was brilliant and often congratulated by the recipient. Viney's passing was also pinpoint. He really is a very good 30 metre fast, low and accurate kick. The big Kent is a good kick too, although he was slightly hooking his longer kicks for goal. Tynan is moving well and a big unit. Terlich miscalculated the odd kick. Matt Jones is a nice height and a very good kick, but dropped a couple of marks with hands out in front that he should have taken. It was noticeable that they weren't taken on the chest even though they could have been.

Boy, I love Viney and Toumpas. One just looks like a born leader that is going to be a driving force at this club and the other reeks of balance and class.

I watched a bit more of the main group, plus the joggers, but don't have too much more to add to the reports already given. Grimes ran lap after lap after lap at a quick clip. Dawes and Gawn separately did the same. As did Clisby and Stark together. I got more glimpses of Barry gliding across the turf and using his really nice left foot. I understand the Long comparisons. If he isn't soft we may have a real talent there. You can spot class a mile away. And I reckon Pedersen has lost his holiday weight. I saw him at his first training session and he was carrying more condition than any other player, but he's moving well and is a nice kick. I reckon Pedersen will be considered a fantastic addition by season's end.

Finally, I watched a bit of stoppage work with Fitzpatrick, Viney, N. Jones, Rodan, Magner, Sylvia, and one or two others. It was more positioning and reacting rather than competing, although they were manning up one-on-one, so not as intense as other stoppage work I've seen. Having watched us slaughtered in this area over recent years I hope we make some much needed inroads. Viney has great hands and a low centre of gravity. I don't care if other supporters think I'm being unrealistic, or placing too much pressure on a young kid, I'm not, it's simply my belief that he'll rival Jones as our best mid in his first year. By year's end he'll certainly have no-one other than Jones ahead of him. We're getting a ready made quality addition here. Toumpas adds the outside class, and will be a darling of the Melbourne faithful.

Edited December 20, 201212 yr by Ben-Hur

Boy, I love Viney and Toumpas. One just looks like a born leader that is going to be a driving force at this club and the other reeks of balance and class.

Love this quote BH. Just had a couple of little déjà vue chills up and down the spine. Perhaps a little of Viney senior and a young (albeit shorter and midfielder not full forward version) of G Lyon. ( was thinking maybe a little petal off a Flower, but no he looks like Gaz, Todd and Gaz played a whoe lot more together than Todd and Robbie, either way I'm happy)

I'm relying only on reports, but my instinct is that Ben Hur's assessment is 100% correct.

The younger brother (who was a rookie at the Bulldogs) of a work colleague of mine played at North Adelaide with a 16 year old Jack Viney. He reported that the kid will be an absolute superstar.

And as to Toumpas, I simply cannot believe GWS didn't pick him. To the extent we've had bad luck over the years, this pick will make up for some of it.

And as to Toumpas, I simply cannot believe GWS didn't pick him. To the extent we've had bad luck over the years, this pick will make up for some of it.

Harrington said at a recent lunch that Toumpas was part of the Hogan/Barry/Viney deal. Its no mistake that he fell to us, he's a far better player than O'Rourke if his hips hold up.

A ripping result though.

... he was carrying more condition than any other player.....

My new favourite term for being fat.

And as to Toumpas, I simply cannot believe GWS didn't pick him. To the extent we've had bad luck over the years, this pick will make up for some of it.

Below is a part of an email I received from a opp club recruiter on GWS passing on Toumpas and a couple of comments on the others. I heard separately that GWS tried to draft players that where already friends hoping on the fact that the friends will stick together and stay at GWS together. They drafted a lot of Vic kids. This may be some reason on why they passed on Toumpas and went O'Rourke and Plowman. Also Corr and Jaksch who they took later I know are good mates.

"I and many others have no idea why GWS passed on Toumpas and went with O'Rourke. Toumpas is 10 times the footballer. We had Toumpas at 3 and O'Rourke at 8. Toumas is just all class in everything he does. Neat, balanced and composed. And a great kid to boot."

Viney was the steal. Just what you needed. Hard as a cats head. I just hope he doesn't get injured to often the way he plays. Kind of a kamikaze Kirren Jack.

As for Kent, Jones and Terlich they are much of the same. Hard at it footballers who have a dip. I'm not sure they are world beaters but at leastthey have the right attitude and desire to start with, which is what your Coach wants."

Edited December 20, 201212 yr by Grimes Times

Below is a part of an email I received from a opp club recruiter on GWS passing on Toumpas and a couple of comments on the others. I heard separately that GWS tried to draft players that where already friends hoping on the fact that the friends will stick together and stay at GWS together. They drafted a lot of Vic kids. This may be some reason on why they passed on Toumpas and went O'Rourke and Plowman. Also Corr and Jaksch who they took later I know are good mates.

"I and many others have no idea why GWS passed on Toumpas and went with O'Rourke. Toumpas is 10 times the footballer. We had Toumpas at 3 and O'Rourke at 8. Toumas is just all class in everything he does. Neat, balanced and composed. And a great kid to boot."

Viney was the steal. Just what you needed. Hard as a cats head. I just hope he doesn't get injured to often the way he plays. Kind of a kamikaze Kirren Jack.

As for Kent, Jones and Terlich they are much of the same. Hard at it footballers who have a dip. I'm not sure they are world beaters but at leastthey have the right attitude and desire to start with, which is what your Coach wants."

Should forward this email to Denham. Might help him understand what we are doing given he thinks we are just randomly calling out names and trading for whoever we can get.

Harrington said at a recent lunch that Toumpas was part of the Hogan/Barry/Viney deal. Its no mistake that he fell to us, he's a far better player than O'Rourke if his hips hold up.

A ripping result though.

Awesome - the club absolutely nailed this negotiation.

Hats off to Tim Harrington and Todd Viney.

Awesome - the club absolutely nailed this negotiation.

Hats off to Tim Harrington and Todd Viney.

My thoughts exactly.

Harrington said at a recent lunch that Toumpas was part of the Hogan/Barry/Viney deal. Its no mistake that he fell to us, he's a far better player than O'Rourke if his hips hold up.

A ripping result though.

Don't like seeing that in writing nor hearing about it being discussed in a club forum. These things can come back to bite you know....

Edited December 20, 201212 yr by jnrmac

Yeah, i'm with jnrmac. Wouldn't that be considered draft tampering?

a question about Perdersen. Is he training largely with the fwds when they break off into smaller groups or is he inbetween (back, fwd, ruck)? just wondering whether he seems to be going to be used in a similar role as to what he was at North.

I'm relying only on reports, but my instinct is that Ben Hur's assessment is 100% correct.

When Facts fail, there's nothing like instinct to back up your argument.

I hope your instinct is right, or i could be in a glass case of emotion in 2013

Edited December 20, 201212 yr by Deelirium

Don't like seeing that in writing nor hearing about it being discussed in a club forum. These things can come back to bite you know....

Agreed.

Awesome - the club absolutely nailed this negotiation.

Hats off to Tim Harrington and Todd Viney.

and I can still recall the horror and derision at Vineys appointment to recruiting.

Where did all the knockers go i wonder ? Lol

Whilst respecting your right to disagree Satyricone, I am 100% confident it was Joel MacDonald. He kicked 1 out on the full to where the tents were set up, kicked another 5 metres wide on the other side. Landed one 5 metres short of Jack Viney so that he was tackled to the ground by two fluro greens as soon as he picked the ball up, and fluffed another where Rodan was the intended target. With regards to the "consecutive" I apologise for the ambiguous description, I meant to say consecutive kicks from him, not necessarily that there wasn't others who had kicks in between his.

Another poster on BF reported that Joel Mac trained well with good disposal, just saying

When Facts fail, there's nothing like instinct to back up your argument.

What "facts" are you referring to ?

Yeah, i'm with jnrmac. Wouldn't that be considered draft tampering?

No more than a player pricing other clubs out of contention ala Ball I would have thought. Maybe I'll wait for a clear definition of draft tampering. I wonder what Caro thinks, no doubt she'll catch wind of this. Probably a good idea to take the comment down?

and I can still recall the horror and derision at Vineys appointment to recruiting.

Where did all the knockers go i wonder ? Lol

It is early days yet mate, i think we did well this draft yes, but it was important, who are we liking? Viney yes, Hogan Yes, Toumpas yes, most people could have picked those guys mate, its the later picks which will tell.

Don't like seeing that in writing nor hearing about it being discussed in a club forum. These things can come back to bite you know....

Ok lets assume I made it up then and move on with the fact that we got a ripping player and paid unders. Less worry and more Christmas cheer guys.

Ok lets assume I made it up then and move on with the fact that we got a ripping player and paid unders. Less worry and more Christmas cheer guys.

Telling a Demon supporter not to worry is like telling Phil not to eat- both a good idea for our health yet both very unlikely.

What "facts" are you referring to ?

well, i guess there aren't any. Second hand information which is as good as a police report to some on here, and as fickle as a twilight book to others, i guess i'm somewhere in the middle

Telling a Demon supporter not to worry is like telling Phil not to eat- both a good idea for our health yet both very unlikely.

gold.