Classic Demonland.

Anyone else a bit surprised Blease, Strauss and Watts wouldn't be back training today?

Blease and Strauss have only done a couple of full pre-seasons and we know Blease couldn't run out of sight on a dark night.

Watts is supposedly going to become a big, strong, two-way running midfielder and he's never done a pre-season as a mid.

Would have thought these 3 would be doing every session possible and trying to impress the new coaches. I know I would be.

Saty, can you please tell me how a player can change his body shape in 9 weeks? Especially given he was O/S for at least 2 of it. I appreciate the still have gym's in other countries, but I just don't believe they'd go to a different country and do a solid 3 or 4 hours a day in the gym. I have no doubt they go for runs and do the odd weight session.

...especially if you aren't "being prepared" at Windy Hill!

Anyone else a bit surprised Blease, Strauss and Watts wouldn't be back training today?

Blease and Strauss have only done a couple of full pre-seasons and we know Blease couldn't run out of sight on a dark night.

Watts is supposedly going to become a big, strong, two-way running midfielder and he's never done a pre-season as a mid.

Would have thought these 3 would be doing every session possible and trying to impress the new coaches. I know I would be.

I don't think they are allowed. Like not even if they volunteer. Grimes and Clark were there I think because they were granted holiday leave when on the LTI list.

I would hope these 3 would be doing everything possible I agree but that might mean sessions at the club gym but not in direct contact with coaches.

Thanks for your reports everybody.

Next session is on Friday.

Don't know where or when but we will no doubt have another informative and entertaining thread.

I have to laugh at some people still having doom and gloom about Mitch Clark.

He was back running , kicking and looking very comfortable.

Let's not forget that the reason he was shut down was because the screw in his foot was causing him irritation. The screw is long removed, he's back running and he will be ready to roll come season start.

I wouldn't be sure enough to laugh at everyone.

I think what you'll find, if you just think about it, that there is a considerable body of people here who just won't believe he is ready to play until he does. I'm one of them.

All well and good, but rates of improvement in fitness aren't linear, nor are they the same for every individual.

FWIW, Matt Jones played every game this season, but this time last year, as opposed to trying to keep up in 300m sprints, he was working as an electrician. He started pre-season late, and off a low(er) base, but still managed to get to where he needed to be by Round 1.

They have time.

I agree. It is just the start of the pre-season after all. It was no doubt a reality check for everyone. What matters, is where they go from here. I have no doubt improvement will be rapid, hopefully across the board.

Saty, can you please tell me how a player can change his body shape in 9 weeks? Especially given he was O/S for at least 2 of it. I appreciate the still have gym's in other countries, but I just don't believe they'd go to a different country and do a solid 3 or 4 hours a day in the gym. I have no doubt they go for runs and do the odd weight session.

Sorry for late reply, had to get back to reality....didn't say body shape...talking about his running....saw him first day last year and he struggled, his words yesterday as well, obviously been putting the miles in.....if you actually follow them on Twitter, when they are on holiday....you get pics of the gym in the hotel they are staying in, or where they went for a run, Nathan Jones who is due back in two weeks tweeted he went for a lrun yesterday.....footy is so professional these days, they may be 'on holiday', but the fitness never stops

Sorry for late reply, had to get back to reality....didn't say body shape...talking about his running....saw him first day last year and he struggled, his words yesterday as well, obviously been putting the miles in.....if you actually follow them on Twitter, when they are on holiday....you get pics of the gym in the hotel they are staying in, or where they went for a run, Nathan Jones who is due back in two weeks tweeted he went for a lrun yesterday.....footy is so professional these days, they may be 'on holiday', but the fitness never stops

Saty can you tell how Michie was going? He hurt his knee playing in the WAFL and was wondering if he looed propy or gingerly walking and running around?

cheers.

Saty can you tell how Michie was going? He hurt his knee playing in the WAFL and was wondering if he looed propy or gingerly walking and running around?

cheers.

No he was fine, in the 'rehab group', but didn't seem to be struggling at all, they all did a lateral test, and they all had no problem with it, you know the knees up going sideways for about four steps, I was actually baffled why Viney was there, but couldn't be bothered asking, Hogan was there because of his knee, think it was all just precaution, Evans had his foot and Dyson a thigh, if you want to look at my Twitter account which is Demonpk, there is a picture of Michie looking 'miserable' at being at the Dees

No he was fine, in the 'rehab group', but didn't seem to be struggling at all, they all did a lateral test, and they all had no problem with it, you know the knees up going sideways for about four steps, I was actually baffled why Viney was there, but couldn't be bothered asking, Hogan was there because of his knee, think it was all just precaution, Evans had his foot and Dyson a thigh, if you want to look at my Twitter account which is Demonpk, there is a picture of Michie looking 'miserable' at being at the Dees

Thanks Saty, thanks for the twitter link as I do like my photos (in a non creeping kind of way)

Thanks also to six6six as well, fantastic job just like last preseason!!

More photos.

http://www.gettyimages.com.au/Search/Search.aspx?EventId=187087295&EditorialProduct=Sport#

More photos.

http://www.gettyimages.com.au/Search/Search.aspx?EventId=187087295&EditorialProduct=Sport#

Some good photos, ta. A bunch of photos of the toump in anguish (a greek tragedy?) and a couple of gnarly shots of fitz vomiting.

My favorites were of Roos actually coaching! Showing players what to do, pointing, instructing - teaching! One shot (the last one i think) had this caption -

'Coach Paul Roos teaches the players during a Melbourne Demons AFL training session at Gosch's Paddock' (note the word teach not coach)

The Toump was in anguish coz he had made an effort to catch Tommy Mc, who let him guts it out to get on his shoulder and then changed up a gear and cruised away, which I loved, for a guy with a strange running gait Tommy can really move, Fitzy is another one, for a guy managing diabetes, apart from the regurgitation of the water, he looked in really good nick

No he was fine, in the 'rehab group', but didn't seem to be struggling at all, they all did a lateral test, and they all had no problem with it, you know the knees up going sideways for about four steps, I was actually baffled why Viney was there, but couldn't be bothered asking, Hogan was there because of his knee, think it was all just precaution, Evans had his foot and Dyson a thigh, if you want to look at my Twitter account which is Demonpk, there is a picture of Michie looking 'miserable' at being at the Dees

Gee mate, you desperately need a shave or are you trying to resemble JHC himself?

Saty, can you please tell me how a player can change his body shape in 9 weeks? Especially given he was O/S for at least 2 of it. I appreciate the still have gym's in other countries, but I just don't believe they'd go to a different country and do a solid 3 or 4 hours a day in the gym. I have no doubt they go for runs and do the odd weight session.

Go on my diet for 9 weeks and I;ll guarantee it will change your body shape....

The Toump was in anguish coz he had made an effort to catch Tommy Mc, who let him guts it out to get on his shoulder and then changed up a gear and cruised away, which I loved, for a guy with a strange running gait Tommy can really move, Fitzy is another one, for a guy managing diabetes, apart from the regurgitation of the water, he looked in really good nick

Agree. Fitz has always been a fantastic trainer, and he is no different this year. However, the standout in that group of talls was Spencer who was clearly at this stage superior to all of them, which i had not seen before from him. He has obviously put in a lot of work in the last couple of months which is all credit to him. it will be good to see hot competition for places in the ruck.

not only good to see Roos in amongst the players as teaching but also close and appraising , But, best of all was the satisfaction apparent on his face when with Stone and Rawlings. That smile says more to me than anything.