This coming Monday will be a holiday for most of Australia but not our footballers. The melbournefc.com.au website states that our TRAINING TIMES for next week are:

Upcoming open training sessions:

Monday 27 January - 9:30am - Goschs Paddock

Wednesday 29 January - 9:30am - Goschs Paddock

Friday 31 of January - 9:30am - Goschs Paddock

All other training sessions are closed sessions.

I think that last bolded sentence is worth noting because many are still under the impression that if a player is not out there on the track during the hours of open training then he's injured and not doing anything much to get fit for what lies ahead and, if enough of them aren't out there, the sky's falling in. However, in all likelihood, that's not the case at all.

At the only Demons training I attended this year (at Casey Fields in midweek last week), the session took place in 40 degree heat and barely lasted an hour. As the players were coming off I quipped something to Cam Pedersen about them "knocking off for the day" but he said this wasn't the case and that the group was off to AAMI Park and would be working there till 4pm. I also discovered that a very small group of players, part of what's called the "rehab" group were already at AAMI doing their modified programmes.

These days pre-season training is far more scientifically based than in the good old days when players would roll up (often a tad overweight) at some time in late February for a season that would begin in mid April. There are specific programmes tailor made for each individual player with the aim of having them in best condition for the season ahead.

So we don't necessarily need to be concerned if we don't see for example, a Mitch Clark or a Mark Jamar joining in with the rest of the group on Australia Day. It doesn't mean that it's the end of the world or that they're on holiday like the rest of us. The likelihood is that they will be doing their allotted work behind the scenes in the gym or the pool or in some lecture room inside one of the best sporting faculties in the country in closed sessions only metres away from Gosch's Paddock.

I wish I could join those fans who venture out there on Australia Day but I'll be up in Queensland doing something important (probably near to or in a swimming pool). I would still appreciate your reports.

I'll definitely be popping past, some of us have to work Australia Day.

I don't know if its been mentioned elsewhere but we're not alone with players going through rehab and with injuries at this (and any other) time of year - Summer aches and strains: The AFL injury list

Melbourne

Its all about the key forwards for the Demons. Chris Dawes had a late start due to off season knee surgery, and Jesse Hogan jarred his knee at training on January 10, but returned to the track this week. Mitch Clark (foot fracture) has a crucial six weeks coming up which will decide if he plays in the NAB Challenge, but should be right to play early in the year at least. Adelaide recruit Aidan Riley is building up his recovery program from the broken leg he sustained midway through last year.

The above was obviously written before Colin Garland's ankle injury came to light but we can see that most clubs have their concerns although it's a worry that Carlton appears to be relatively injury free.

In the past week alone we've learned of injuries to Joel Selwood, Jackson Trengove (not Jack) and Lewis (not Leroy) Jetta on top of some highly publicised injuries the week before.

I trust we're as good as the others in treating injuries and getting rehabs right, if not better.

In the past week alone we've learned of injuries to Joel Selwood, Jackson Trengove (not Jack) and Lewis (not Leroy) Jetta on top of some highly publicised injuries the week before.

I trust we're as good as the others in treating injuries and getting rehabs right, if not better.

Geelong is one club that goes to great lengths to get its players right - Geelong forward Steven Motlop flies to London to visit knee specialist. I wonder if panic stations have set in among the fans as they might here in those circumstances? They can ill-afford to lose Selwood and Motlop for any lengthy period of time after losing a swag of seasoned players who retired or were delisted at the end of last year.

Geelong is one club that goes to great lengths to get its players right - Geelong forward Steven Motlop flies to London to visit knee specialist. I wonder if panic stations have set in among the fans as they might here in those circumstances? They can ill-afford to lose Selwood and Motlop for any lengthy period of time after losing a swag of seasoned players who retired or were delisted at the end of last year.

They can afford anything they please WJ after the last 7 years.

Geelong is one club that goes to great lengths to get its players right - Geelong forward Steven Motlop flies to London to visit knee specialist. I wonder if panic stations have set in among the fans as they might here in those circumstances? They can ill-afford to lose Selwood and Motlop for any lengthy period of time after losing a swag of seasoned players who retired or were delisted at the end of last year.

Think they might drop back a bit this year 'Jack'. It will be interesting to see what the Chapman effect is, as we well know (McDonald) you have to be very careful how you deal with heart and soul players and Scott might have made a classic error.

Think they might drop back a bit this year 'Jack'. It will be interesting to see what the Chapman effect is, as we well know (McDonald) you have to be very careful how you deal with heart and soul players and Scott might have made a classic error.

The Cats are pretty confident that they've handled the succession of the old guard into the new very well. Two years ago, they gave ten new players a chance to play AFL. They have been coming along nicely and still performing at a high level. They let the veterans go at the right time and I don't see them slipping very much unless they have a bad run with injury. Selwood and Motlop are critical though.

They can afford anything they please WJ after the last 7 years.

Perfect example of illogically justifying over-reaction based on recent past performance.

The Cats are pretty confident that they've handled the succession of the old guard into the new very well. Two years ago, they gave ten new players a chance to play AFL. They have been coming along nicely and still performing at a high level. They let the veterans go at the right time and I don't see them slipping very much unless they have a bad run with injury. Selwood and Motlop are critical though.

Everyone thinks they handle succession pretty well it's only when the champions are gone that you realise you haven't. I'm a big fan of how the Cats have done it over the last number of years but I think they will get found out this year. Injury is part and parcel, you just don't replace champions that easily. Chapman could well be seen as their McDonald, these mistakes are made by young coaches.

Hoping to see a decent crowd there, considering the holiday.

I'll be there and taking notes.

You going to be there Bitty? Found your credit card yet?

Possibly. And yes. Biffen returned my card. He "rescued" it from one the "methheads". However substantial charges for personal services at "The Gatwick Private Hotel" have been listed.Form your own conclusions!!

I've somehow convinced the lovely wife that we should pack up and leave Torquay early tomorrow. She will drop me off but the one condition is I have to train it home afterwards. Win win if you ask me! I get to see training and get an hour of peace on the train ride home.

Possibly. And yes. Biffen returned my card. He "rescued" it from one the "methheads". However substantial charges for personal services at "The Gatwick Private Hotel" have been listed.Form your own conclusions!!

Expensive lunch outing. Take a small amount of cash tomorrow.

Looking forward to the training report.

I've somehow convinced the lovely wife that we should pack up and leave Torquay early tomorrow. She will drop me off but the one condition is I have to train it home afterwards. Win win if you ask me! I get to see training and get an hour of peace on the train ride home.

Have you considered that she might be meeting her lover?

I've somehow convinced the lovely wife that we should pack up and leave Torquay early tomorrow. She will drop me off but the one condition is I have to train it home afterwards. Win win if you ask me! I get to see training and get an hour of peace on the train ride home.

And u don't have to unpack!

Well thought out plan MD.

nearest parking lot?

Last time I got a ticket from the city of Yarra!

nearest parking lot?

Last time I got a ticket from the city of Yarra!

I believe there's parks on Alexandra Ave, just walk across the bridge to Gosch's. They shouldn't be filled up tomorrow.

Have you considered that she might be meeting her lover?

That's the exact thought entering my head when I read MD's post.

Pots and kettles?

I'm up here on the Gold Coast this week so I thought I might try to catch up on a Suns' open training session just to get a comparison between our training and that of another club.

So I checked out their website and for those who like to complain about melbournefc.com.au (and you know who you are), I discovered this under OPEN TRAINING SESSIONS

You are invited to join the Gold Coast SUNS on Saturday 18 January for an open beach training session on the Palm Beach foreshore.

Date: Saturday 18 January

Time: 8am 10:30am

Location: Pirate Ship Park, Palm Beach Parklands, 945 Gold Coast Hwy.

Fair dinkum - that was nine days ago and the only way I could get to that session would be if Doctor Who lobbed in on The Tardis.

I think it's high time that Vlad investigates this mob. They're not promoting the game and it's un-Australian not to have an open pre-season training session here today of all days!

I'm up here on the Gold Coast this week so I thought I might try to catch up on a Suns' open training session just to get a comparison between our training and that of another club.

So I checked out their website and for those who like to complain about melbournefc.com.au (and you know who you are), I discovered this under OPEN TRAINING SESSIONS

You are invited to join the Gold Coast SUNS on Saturday 18 January for an open beach training session on the Palm Beach foreshore.

Date: Saturday 18 January

Time: 8am 10:30am

Location: Pirate Ship Park, Palm Beach Parklands, 945 Gold Coast Hwy.

Fair dinkum - that was nine days ago and the only way I could get to that session would be if Doctor Who lobbed in on The Tardis.

I think it's high time that Vlad investigates this mob. They're not promoting the game and it's un-Australian not to have an open pre-season training session here today of all days!

The thing that annoys me more WJ is that you are on the Gold Coast and I am in Melbourne and have have to return to work tomorrow.

Now that is annoying!

JKH tearing it up as usual in a drill with about ten other guys. Standout, along with Dom T.

Today's rehab group: Hogan, Dawes, Clark (our forward line together at last!), Jamar, Gawn and Fitzpatrick.

Looks like Dawes has rejoined the main group now. Awesome!

Just back from training; left early because the young feller had had enough and the dog was starting to whine a bit!

I will leave training notes to others but a few random observations:

Good turn out - about 200 by my count.

I walked half a lap with Shannon Byrnes. He seems like a really affable and outgoing guy. We talked about the changes he has seen over the last 14 months; the new faces and challenges that he has had to meet. He said that he felt like he had seen footy from both ends now. Agreed that bad drafting in the early 2000s had caused a lot of the problems that we have found ourselves in. His most interesting comment was that the team were great runners but now they just need to learn how to play footy! I suggested that we could not be worse than last year to which he replied ruefully as he wandered off ... "we couldn't be worse ..."

Later on we watched Tappy, Blease and Bail practice their goal kicking. The difference between the 3 was interesting to see. Sammy and Tappy rarely missed on either foot. They practised set shots and snaps and were pretty impressive; Bail not so much. I presume these guys are being assessed for small forward role; at the moment I reckon the choices were pretty obvious.

Any questions please feel free to ask away; I will be on and off for a while.

Does anyone think Tapscott can be made into a good AFL footballer by Roos and co?