Was a decent session. Kicking wasn't under pressure but seemed sharp.

Was mostly running, and the boys were encouraging eachother well.

Good to see Grimes very vocal.

Clark was running.

Roos seemed to be delegating a lot to Jade Rawlings.

I noted in one of the Roos' interviews he says whilst no one is particularly his right hand man he had intended to load up jade with a bit more responsibility etc esp as he knows the boys and the lay of the land etc. I actually like that there is at least a small bit of continuity about it all.

I got there at the beginning and stayed till stumps

Before the hand wringing starts,

Clark was fine, he took part in the kick to kick, he was doing work to instructions, at the end of the 300 metre runs he ran with Maia Westrupp to encourage him, which I thought was great, got a big hello and a beaming smile from him at the beginning of the session

Standout for me in the running was Howe, after watching so much training in the past, had to ask him, said he had been working over the break and "first impressions count"

Evans and Dyson were working with Viney, Hogan, Michie and Tapscott, Spencer and McDonald were separate as well

Evans and Dyson left early (Tyson reported a bit of hamstring tightness), Viney, Hogan and Michie did some runs together (a couple with Tapscott) and Spencer and McDonald joined in the 300's

Michie and Tyson are both big bodied

Had the wonderful pleasure of speaking to both Jack Viney and Jesse Hogan, they want the season to start tomorrow, asked Jesse if they are trying to shackle him to make sure he doesn't do too much like Jack, laughed. called Viney "the action man"

One bit I saw and liked was Roos mimicking to Dave Misson, Jesse Hogan's strut

Roos, Miller and somebody else when for a run after the session, looked like they were heading to the tan.

Any questions feel free to ask

Thanks Dees. Just a quick question, is that your score for them out of 10 or is it an official beep score kinda thing?

Also, that is reeeeeeally worrying about Clark/ Didn't expect him to be doing much, but hope it's not as bad as what you saw.

No it is purely my highly unscientific assessment based on observing all ten run-throughs. It did though give quite a public assessment of progress, albeit incredibly early in the year. My guess though is that Roos will take a lot of notice about how fit these guys are when they return. He was very much involved in the process, and i think he will read it as a good indicator about attitude etc.

I think my highlight was that our leaders of last year, the two Jacks, look very fit and Jack T looks to have his running ability back. At his top he is of course an elite runner (like his sister who is an olympic marathon rep). The early signs are good for JT, and if we can get him back to his debut year form we will of course have an a-grader pick 2 to go with Dom Tyson.

Talking of Tyson, i was standing right next to the to the ball work of that group, where the trainer was kicking to them stab passes from about 15 metres and they were required to make them and then handpass. Tyson has amazing reflexes, quickest hands i have seen.

The other guys who looked to have return very fit were Tom McDonald and Jimmy Toumpas. TD won all the runs in his group, and Jimmy Toumpas compared to last year more than held his own. I expect big years from both of them.

Dom Tyson out there?

Sorry, i did this in my I phone in the car - not easy to Edit. Yes Tyson was in the injured group. See my second post.

not sure if posted, here is a link to the photo gallery of today's session

Melbourne Training Session 6/11/2013

Only made it for the last 20-30 minutes. So my report is limited.

Running groups:
Grimes, Howe, Trengove

McDonald, Toumpas, M. Jones, Clisby

Viney, Hogan, Michie

Pedersen, Terlich, Fitzpatrick Gawn

Plus Spencer, Nicholson, Tapscott, Westrupp and Clark but I didn't see them in the actually running when I was there.

No Tyson (?hammy), Evans (from what I saw), Kent or Barry (?extended leave due to IRS).

From the groups of mainly 400m runs I saw Grimes looked like a machine leading Howe and Trenners. And all 3 looked fit and strong. Trenners still a way off peak midfield fitness and speed I would say. Not surprised he's handed off the captaincy. When he first came to the club I bet Trenners would've beaten Grimes is this type of running.

From the next group McDonald just pumps along at great pace. I was slightly disappointed he hasn't added a lot of bulk but he's played well with a skinny body and has a long preseason ahead to add some more kgs. Toumpas was the one doing really well fighting to catch McDonald. For the first day of preseason he gets the award. I think his body shape is looking a bit stronger as well. The other 2 weren't too far off and a second AFL preseason should see them at AFL standard.

Viney led the 3rd group but Hogan didn't let him get too far away at all. Has a shocking hair cut does Jesse but was running well. Michie has a big body. Strong legs and core and was right behind Hogan and Viney. If he stays healthy he'll be ready to go in 2014.

Pedersen impressed me a bit. He looks in much better shape than the start of last year and led Terlich and the big boys. Big Maxy Gawn doesn't run a fast 400 but keeps the legs turning over and doesn't fall behind too much. Considering this is his first healthy start to a preseason if he keeps improving from here the results will come.

Overall good voice and support. Grimes leading the way. Toumpas looking improved. Hopefully I'll make it back to see Roos in command and more skill work.

Who's asking for fitness levels or expecting a "big October"?

All I asked was if his "scores" were made up or were official ratings, and was concerned by how bad he made Clark sound.

Feel free to just avoid this thread if you're one of those who likes to constantly say "it's only October", or "the real stuff is miles away", some of us like to hear about what's happening.

I didn't mean to reflect badly on Clark. He is injured, as you could see by watching how gingerly he ran, and was not involved in any physical stuff at all. He also did the last 300m run through with the Gawn/Fitzy group and was about 150m behind by the end. He has a long way to go, but i think we all knew that (or at least suspected it)

Got to love pre-season, everyone looks bigger and the hope returns

Only made it for the last 20-30 minutes. So my report is limited.

Running groups:

Grimes, Howe, Trengove

McDonald, Toumpas, M. Jones, Clisby

Viney, Hogan, Michie

Pedersen, Terlich, Fitzpatrick Gawn

Plus Spencer, Nicholson, Tapscott, Westrupp and Clark but I didn't see them in the actually running when I was there.

No Tyson (?hammy), Evans (from what I saw), Kent or Barry (?extended leave due to IRS).

From the groups of mainly 400m runs I saw Grimes looked like a machine leading Howe and Trenners. And all 3 looked fit and strong. Trenners still a way off peak midfield fitness and speed I would say. Not surprised he's handed off the captaincy. When he first came to the club I bet Trenners would've beaten Grimes is this type of running.

From the next group McDonald just pumps along at great pace. I was slightly disappointed he hasn't added a lot of bulk but he's played well with a skinny body and has a long preseason ahead to add some more kgs. Toumpas was the one doing really well fighting to catch McDonald. For the first day of preseason he gets the award. I think his body shape is looking a bit stronger as well. The other 2 weren't too far off and a second AFL preseason should see them at AFL standard.

Viney led the 3rd group but Hogan didn't let him get too far away at all. Has a shocking hair cut does Jesse but was running well. Michie has a big body. Strong legs and core and was right behind Hogan and Viney. If he stays healthy he'll be ready to go in 2014.

Pedersen impressed me a bit. He looks in much better shape than the start of last year and led Terlich and the big boys. Big Maxy Gawn doesn't run a fast 400 but keeps the legs turning over and doesn't fall behind too much. Considering this is his first healthy start to a preseason if he keeps improving from here the results will come.

Overall good voice and support. Grimes leading the way. Toumpas looking improved. Hopefully I'll make it back to see Roos in command and more skill work.

Great report-there even sounds like hope for Pedersen without the spare tyre.

PJ observing proceedings......like a boss.

Another thing i should add is that all four television networks had full crews there with individual reporters, plus AFL TV. It says a lot about the power of the Roos brand. I could also point out the wide media coverage Roos recent interviews have had.

I think we are getting there about being taken seriously again, and the AFL establishment are perhaps waking up that we are a coming force.

I completely disagree that how fit the guys are now is not important. id argue that it is the MOST important.

for the sake of the argument lets give everyone fitness points.

over the course of a preseason (because everyone is doing a pre-season), everyone will improve say 4-6 points.

if youre starting at a 10, and you improve 5 points, youre at a 15.

if you start at a 3 and you improve 5 points, you've improved just as much over preseason but youre still only an 8.

I think we are getting there about being taken seriously again, and the AFL establishment are perhaps waking up that we are a coming force.

I think we're getting there about getting there. Being taken seriously , thats for this season to show.

So will any injured players be back for round 1?

I really hope Roos/Stone makes something of Howe as a mid...

(sigh)

So will any injured players be back for round 1?

Surely it;s too early to tell? Clark almost certainly won't be, and I'd be surprised if Dawes was. Both need to be eased into it. Big Fitzy is a 5th year, same with Gawn, and both being there intrigued me. I think Roos needs them right for round 1.

I completely disagree that how fit the guys are now is not important. id argue that it is the MOST important.

for the sake of the argument lets give everyone fitness points.

over the course of a preseason (because everyone is doing a pre-season), everyone will improve say 4-6 points.

if youre starting at a 10, and you improve 5 points, youre at a 15.

if you start at a 3 and you improve 5 points, you've improved just as much over preseason but youre still only an 8.

I completely agree, and judging from how seriously Roos was treating it, so does he. At this stage of the year, it is mostly about attitude, and for M Jones and Clisby to return so thoroughly unfit as they appeared to be, I'm sure will not have impressed Roos at all. Big Max (and yes i am a big fan) will also have to improve rapidly if he is not going to to be overtaken by Spencer in the near term.

I completely disagree that how fit the guys are now is not important. id argue that it is the MOST important.

for the sake of the argument lets give everyone fitness points.

over the course of a preseason (because everyone is doing a pre-season), everyone will improve say 4-6 points.

if youre starting at a 10, and you improve 5 points, youre at a 15.

if you start at a 3 and you improve 5 points, you've improved just as much over preseason but youre still only an 8.

No doubt that those with headstarts and those that have kept their fitness are important.

My point was more that some players have surgeries in the off-season, some cannot work, this is when the hard work begins for a great number of the players, and I notice that there was a large 'injured' group today.

They will have time to get their 'fitness points'...

So will any injured players be back for round 1?

Oh i would hope so. Of the injured group today, you would expect Tyson, Hogan, Viney and Michie to be there, and maybe Dawes

I suspect though we will see Clark mid year at the earliest.

I really hope Roos/Stone makes something of Howe as a mid...

(sigh)

I reckon Howe in the back half, will suddenly make opposition bomb-entries putty in our hands.

If Clark is running now why would he need more than 4 months to get fully match fit?

I completely agree, and judging from how seriously Roos was treating it, so does he. At this stage of the year, it is mostly about attitude, and for M Jones and Clisby to return so thoroughly unfit as they appeared to be, I'm sure will not have impressed Roos at all. Big Max (and yes i am a big fan) will also have to improve rapidly if he is not going to to be overtaken by Spencer in the near term.

This is the kind of thing I would be cautioning against; do we know whether they were lazy over October, or were they unable to do some work - if they are indeed 'thoroughly unfit?'

Oh i would hope so. Of the injured group today, you would expect Tyson, Hogan, Viney and Michie to be there, and maybe Dawes

I suspect though we will see Clark mid year at the earliest.

You can say "I wouldn't know"...

So will any injured players be back for round 1?

You'd sure hope so...

Only made it for the last 20-30 minutes. So my report is limited.

Running groups:

Grimes, Howe, Trengove

McDonald, Toumpas, M. Jones, Clisby

Viney, Hogan, Michie

Pedersen, Terlich, Fitzpatrick Gawn

Plus Spencer, Nicholson, Tapscott, Westrupp and Clark but I didn't see them in the actually running when I was there.

No Tyson (?hammy), Evans (from what I saw), Kent or Barry (?extended leave due to IRS).

From the groups of mainly 400m runs I saw Grimes looked like a machine leading Howe and Trenners. And all 3 looked fit and strong. Trenners still a way off peak midfield fitness and speed I would say. Not surprised he's handed off the captaincy. When he first came to the club I bet Trenners would've beaten Grimes is this type of running.

From the next group McDonald just pumps along at great pace. I was slightly disappointed he hasn't added a lot of bulk but he's played well with a skinny body and has a long preseason ahead to add some more kgs. Toumpas was the one doing really well fighting to catch McDonald. For the first day of preseason he gets the award. I think his body shape is looking a bit stronger as well. The other 2 weren't too far off and a second AFL preseason should see them at AFL standard.

Viney led the 3rd group but Hogan didn't let him get too far away at all. Has a shocking hair cut does Jesse but was running well. Michie has a big body. Strong legs and core and was right behind Hogan and Viney. If he stays healthy he'll be ready to go in 2014.

Pedersen impressed me a bit. He looks in much better shape than the start of last year and led Terlich and the big boys. Big Maxy Gawn doesn't run a fast 400 but keeps the legs turning over and doesn't fall behind too much. Considering this is his first healthy start to a preseason if he keeps improving from here the results will come.

Overall good voice and support. Grimes leading the way. Toumpas looking improved. Hopefully I'll make it back to see Roos in command and more skill work.

This is far more in keeping with what I was told. It was mentioned that Trengove couldn't keep up with Grimes.

No biggie, but the other reports lauding Trengove's running session was at odds with what I'd heard.

I reckon Howe in the back half, will suddenly make opposition bomb-entries putty in our hands.

I too reckon Howe could be terrific down back.

I'll watch which line group he joins with interest. It will probably be forward.