Hawthorn, Geelong and Richmond finished first, second and fifth on the AFL ladder after the 22 home and away rounds.

In three week's time Melbourne embarks on the three game NAB Challenge/Pre Season Practice Match series against these teams and whilst their outcomes won't be earth-shattering, we look forward to signs of improvement to build up the team's confidence as we build up to the real thing.

It's getting closer and, over the coming weeks, we'll see training stepped up and, since we have a new team of coaches this year, it's going to be interesting to see what unfolds.

Mahoney hinted that Hogan may be back in full training today.

I wonder if that eventuates.

Its a wet morning in Melbourne and I've wimped it!

heard jamar n kent back in full training

and dawesy - good news considering hogan aint too far away

All coming together Kent, Jamar and Dawes back in main group, would think with modified programs they wouldn't be far off full fitness.

All coming together Kent, Jamar and Dawes back in main group, would think with modified programs they wouldn't be far off full fitness.

...all of demonland breaths a sigh of relief.

...all of demonland breaths a sigh of relief.

except od (and others) who is reserving judgement until the real thing. after 50 years who could blame him?

Mahoney hinted that Hogan may be back in full training today.

I wonder if that eventuates.

It will eventuate at some time in the next 4 to 6 weeks.

Does anyone know what was wrong with Jamar? Didn't seem to be in the rehab group and then straight into the main group?!

Can anyone clarify?

Does anyone know what was wrong with Jamar? Didn't seem to be in the rehab group and then straight into the main group?!

Can anyone clarify?

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2014-01-22/jamar-ready-to-defend-ruck-spot

Its a wet morning in Melbourne and I've wimped it!

I wussed it too

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2014-01-22/jamar-ready-to-defend-ruck-spot

Thanks. The couple of times I've been to training he's been standing on the sidelines smiling.

Mahoney hinted that Hogan may be back in full training today.

I wonder if that eventuates.

heard jamar n kent back in full training

and dawesy - good news considering hogan aint too far away

All coming together Kent, Jamar and Dawes back in main group, would think with modified programs they wouldn't be far off full fitness.

...all of demonland breaths a sigh of relief.

This trail of posts shows how easily a rumour becomes an unsubstantiated comment and eventually "a fact" which leads to emotional responses on Demonland!

Jay Kennedy-Hunt a stand-out at Dees training today. Smooth w/ ball in wet. May slot straight into sub/vacant small fwd spot. Pick 40.

Jay clark

Jay Kennedy-Hunt a stand-out at Dees training today. Smooth w/ ball in wet. May slot straight into sub/vacant small fwd spot. Pick 40.

Jay clark

I was excited until I read the last two words.

Which only goes to show I have more faith in an anonymous poster on Demonland than on a Herald Sun reporter.

Thanks. The couple of times I've been to training he's been standing on the sidelines smiling.

I also saw that seemed very relaxed watching and bouncing the footy no training and no running

I saw jay Clark there. Found it hard not to abuse him. He can't even get our names right. I will post later when I get home.

At training today in the wet.

Firstly to allay the fears of many:

Hogan was running laps, in no discomfort.

Jamar joined in some of the contest work.

Dawes was involved in all contest work.

Gawn was with the rehab group for most of the session and appears on track.

Viney was walking laps and appeared to be limited in his activities.

Kent was involved in all contest work.

Observations:

I have an elderly man crush (I AM married ) on Toumpas, Tyson, Kennedy-Harris, Kent and Jones. They consistently found their targets despite the often driving rain and give great cause for optimism for our midfield.

Tapscott is even more massive in the upper body than you'll remember him from last year.

McDonald, if anything, is less developed in the upper body, looking almost like Howe in build.

Watts consistently fumbled the ball in the wet, but atoned with the disposal almost laser-like in accuracy.

Dawes looks a million dollars and was very serious in all his movements.

Salem and Toumpas are the same person in skill level and disposal.

Unlike observations from attendees at other training sessions, I found N.Jones to be extremely vocal and a leader, obviously signalling his intentions to push for the major leadership of the team.

Finally, and what fills me with most excitement, is a feature of the training drills where players are running the full length of the field in anticipation of receiving the ball or creating a shepherd, unlike in previous years where players would virtually stop to admire their work once a kick or handball was completed.

I like the comment that salem and toumpas are almost the same person in skill level and disposal.

In the future itll be like having two pendleburys running around.

Well done Joeboy, good effort in the wet. Hope you took your wellies.....

Finally, and what fills me with most excitement, is a feature of the training drills where players are running the full length of the field in anticipation of receiving the ball or creating a shepherd, unlike in previous years where players would virtually stop to admire their work once a kick or handball was completed.

I am limited by only be able to watch matches on TV, but it seems to me this is one of the most striking differences between the way we have played and how the better clubs play.

creating a shepherd

Best thing I've EVER read on 'Land.

Tasmanlvr's contribution from Bigfooty:

(not as many hair-do/fashion appraisals to day)

Dawes, Kent and Jamar returned to the main group today, guys. Dawesy in particular looked very good, even though he left to continue his rehab halfway through he lit up the track in the first half.

Okie-dokes, we're back again at Gosch's for the first wet training session in like seven weeks. (I know we've had holidays but it's barely rained anyway).

I'll accurately describe this weather as the equivalent of Justin Bieber's mugshot. Try convincing someone it was 40+ degrees four times last week.

Dawes is still unbelievably motivated running laps.

The new rainjackets the boys are wearing harks back to the 90s. Not the most attractive look TBH.

Good to see Jack Viney is here. Not training with the main group but still, he's recovered from the head knock.

The boys start off by running a lap. Dawes leads the way! Say what you like about his footy but his motivation and passion for this club are second to none.

Some stretches now.

Let me get this straight. Chris Dawes. In the main group. YES! Best news all day!

Rehab: Fitz, Viney, Riley, King, Clark, Hogan. Jamar, Kent and Dawes have joined the main group by the looks of it. Great news.

Matt Jones is in rehab too now.

Maxy Gawn doing main group activities too. The boys are doing upper strength drills BTW.

Some short kicks now. Jamar and Spencer kick to kick along with Georgiou. This ought to be a bit of fun.

Group called in - Dawesy leads them in. He's on fire today! Making a mockery of this ugly weather.

Group split into three - traditional forwards/mids/defenders in the same positions as the normally train.

The forwards are doing some leading activities, mids doing some repetitive stoppage work, defenders doing some one on one work.

Alright. Groups come in, and there's another drill with half wearing bibs. A few are sitting this out, including Strauss, McDonald, Kent, Bail, Tappy, Salem, Spencer, Barry and Dawes who's gone back into rehab. Was great to see Dawes in the main group for a while.

I'm liking N Jones' form in the stoppage drills. Another big, productive year ahead I hope.

Georgiou showing his defensive capabilities, laying a good tackle on Tyson.

Group called in again.

Apologies for lack of updates, its raining on my iPad and I don't want it to get TOO wet.

Familiar switch drills. Skill level looking great in the conditions!

Jack Grimes looking very solid. Jonesy going the slip n slide method to clunk one. He is committed as always.

Howe picks up from a half volley and keeps the ball moving. Ground skills outstanding.

Dom Tyson also looking very clean with the footy.

Tell you another bloke who's looking solid? James Strauss. Having a very good week and pre season.

Jimmy Toumpas continues to build on his form, as has Jack Trengove who's using it beautifully.

Bernie Vince is as methodical and efficient with the footy as usual.

Changing it up again, some ground skills/bump/handball drills, and then a 10m kick.

Alright, another drill, half the list wearing a bib, half not, and both expected to do a kind of slingshot as well as defend.

JKH and Dom Barry breaking lines! So exciting!

Jack Watts is once again running on the burst. This is extremely exciting given I've seen it a few times now.

Some pushups? Did my old club captain take over training?

Full grounder now. Yes!

Proper match simulation now.

Dom Tyson stands out early grabbing three clearances in this drill under heavy traffic.

Nathan Jones is another who stands out, using the ball very well and on the burst too.

JKH makes time stand still when he has it, an excellent reader of the play.

Training finished afterwards - not as many notes as usual due to the rain (apologies!) but a very exciting session nonetheless, probably because Chris Dawes lit it up very early on.

Does anyone know what was wrong with Jamar? Didn't seem to be in the rehab group and then straight into the main group?!

Can anyone clarify?

Foot issue