I must be dreaming...Melbourne is learning how to play that game...... you know......FOOTY !!

You are !

You never mentioned any of that, you pointed out how he was injured and not competing in drills as the basis for your criticism.

most anyone with a sense of balance might have picked up on it

I want Dawes out there.. I feel dudded to date. Is that bagging...or just a real world appreciation ?

Pros - He is a leaderHe is a massive physical presenceHe is a quality CHF with a great pair of hands and a brilliant contested markHe loves the physical stuff Hope he recovers 100% and hes out there round 1 with Clark and Hogan

I'm a fan of Chris Dawes, having doubted his value at Collingwood. I completely turned around on him, seeing the physicality, contest and leadership he brought to the team this year. He was a standout. What he is NOT however, is a good contested mark, and there is simply no evidence to suggest he is, not matter how much you try to spin it. It is the weakest part of his game, he knows it, and works hard to try and compensate for it.

Pretty sure Mitch did his hammy today, anyone confirm?

You are !

C'mon OD, you've got to shake that automatic cynicism reflex. Don't be a doubting Thomas - have faith!

If it's all gone pear-shaped by round 3 you can then return to the cave of cynicism. But for now, it's the off-season - a time to rejoice in the possibilities and dream a little.

Pretty sure Mitch did his hammy today, anyone confirm?

Oh well if he has they are heading for there Christmas break so he has time to recover before they return in the new year.

Pretty sure Mitch did his hammy today, anyone confirm?

Robinson or Morton?

He was running around when I left, which was after 1 and 1/2 hours of training! If he did it, it must have been right at the end of the session.

C'mon OD, you've got to shake that automatic cynicism reflex. Don't be a doubting Thomas - have faith!

If it's all gone pear-shaped by round 3 you can then return to the cave of cynicism. But for now, it's the off-season - a time to rejoice in the possibilities and dream a little.

Sorry Reverend but it is just a bit of by play between me and bb

As an occasional peruser of the training rundowns, can anyone tell me how Michael Evans has been going so far this offseason? Fully recovered from his foot complaint?

And to those questioning Dawes worth, look at how Collingwood have struggled to replace the valuable role he brought to the team. First Lynch and now White brought in to try and replicate his role...

And thanks to those that have posted their views on todays session in here...

After watching Tysons' video highlights clip he can really play. Its plays Vs AFL players not TAC so the deal we did looks worth it considering we landed Salem as well.

I quite agree. From the video clips he will be a delight to watch and the deal picking up Salem as well will serve us better than (for example) keeping pick two and only getting Kelly. Despite rejuggling other picks as part of the deal, overall we seem to have done very well in the trade/draft period.

I quite agree. From the video clips he will be a delight to watch and the deal picking up Salem as well will serve us better than (for example) keeping pick two and only getting Kelly. Despite rejuggling other picks as part of the deal, overall we seem to have done very well in the trade/draft period.

We will see.

I agree with what they did, but history will, once again, judge us.

I hope it is kind.

Uhm Mitch hammy????

For those that have witnessed training do the following seem to be front runners for a starting 22 - Mitchie, Tyson,JKH

Thanks all for comments

I dont mind the ocaissonal slip in reporting through personal opinion of observation

usually balanced out by other reporters.

It is just great to hear that the intensity seems to be improved that the squad seems pretty well balanced that the coach/es seem focused and there seems to be improvement all round.

It is only training and we have had optimistic reports before so a little bit of scepticism and criticism even if personal is fine

Keep up the good work

How many sessions left before Xmas break and when do they return????

For those that have witnessed training do the following seem to be front runners for a starting 22 - Mitchie, Tyson,JKH

Very early but a fit Tyson plays, Michie will be extremely close and JKH to me there are two spots on the ground that are up for grab, small forward and small defender, he is up against Blease, Tappy, Byrnes, Bail and Kent so he has a chance.

For those that have witnessed training do the following seem to be front runners for a starting 22 - Mitchie, Tyson,JKH

Tyson - big bodied and you can see in the bits of training why we got him, not sure, only so many we can fit in, which is good.........there is going to be real competition in there

Michie - exactly the same, big bodied and looks really solid in his work

JKH - love watching him, but size may go against him, still very small, though looks like he can handle himself, I don't think Roos plays small defender/forward, think he likes 2 key defenders, 2 key forwards and then everybody rotates in roles

Evans (somebody else asked).....again how many can you squeeze into the midfield...has looked really solid in training and has put a bit of size on

(again, the good thing is nobody is standing out, the Roos model)

I am looking more at the NAB cup and if Roos' past is anything to go by, we will see 4 different midfield set ups

Edited December 16, 201311 yr by Satyriconhome

We will see.

I agree with what they did, but history will, once again, judge us.

I hope it is kind.

Like me...you have been burned too many times.

I am "trust but verify".

Love what they did with the Tyson/Salem pick 2 trade in theory.....lets see how it turns out in practice.

Maxy at Casey Fields today (with friends):

I think a fit Dyson will be straight in and then Michie not far behind. They have better skills than some who were in that role last year, so I can see them both finding a spot, either midfield or either HF or HB.

I have yet to see JKH train so no comment.

In regards to Evans, I really like him. Every time I see him play at AFL level he impresses me, just has not had a consistent run. I would like to see him getting a few games in a row to show us his talent.

Someone said how many midfielders can we have, my answer is, there can never too many mids, as long as they can play somewhere else too.

The more mids that we have, such as the 3 mentioned, the better. These guys should slot into the team and we also need to have better depth available other than Magner, Crouch and the like to replace players when called upon.

I have no issue with bagging for players being unfit, lazy or looking disinterested but getting stuck into a player for being injured is just plain disrespectful.

And ignorant.

Pretty sure Mitch did his hammy today, anyone confirm?

VCE results out today?

Interesting to hear Jones has been so vocal.

Was personally surprised to barely hear a peep out of him at training on Wednesday.

For those that have witnessed training do the following seem to be front runners for a starting 22 - Mitchie, Tyson,JKH

I'd say Michie on the interchange, but JKH my favourite to date for a small forward role.

I think experience will see Byrnes fill that spot initially, until JKH and/or Barry have the running patterns and structures down pat.

At the same time, I expect Byrnes to provide better value for us onfield this coming season.

Tyson will be in the 22 if fit.

Blease to also be in the fight for that small forward role.

Tyson - certainty

Michie - certainty

JKH - definite possibility