Training - Wednesday 10 December, 2014

[Barney Rubble 1,576]

I can't see Watts getting early games.

He along with Riley & McKenzie have spent most of pre Xmas on light duties.

[Dinosaur Rover 197]

The Gidstar was in attendance this morning and provided his report and pictures (to be loaded shortly)

It is the subtle glance around his shoulder, after kicking an incredible, inside-out banana from the boundary line that gives you the impression that Jeff Garlett is going to be our next Jeff Farmer. He hides in the shadows of Dawes and [Pedersen] and produces the extraordinary. He is going to be an entertainer and will hopefully bring some much-needed excitement back to the Dees.

The Wednesday training session is the lightest session of the week but this didnt prevent the usual hard nut suspects in Dunn, Cross, Jones and Kent from putting in a hard session. Kent was boxing, giving and receiving some serious body blows, hardening up and shaping up for a big season. Dunn takes everything seriously and seems has adopted a new nickname Gerbil.

Some really exciting signs from Jesse Hogan who spent most of the session with the other big men in Jamar, Fitzpatrick and King, battling in some contested marking. Hogan won most the marking contests quite easily but maybe thats more of a comment about his opposition. He certainly looks like he will play round 1 if he avoids injury.

Out of the new boys in Patracca is the clear stand out. He is explosive. He is confident and he is strong. Most importantly, he kicks set-shots under pressure. Although Roos likes to ease them in, I reckon he is a shoe in for round 1 match.

In comparison, young Angus Brayshaw, Billy Stretch, Oscar MacDonald and Alex Neale Bullen seem a bit more timid on the track. They certainly have loads of ability but I think they will take a bit more time to mature.

Jack Trengove was in a moon boot hobbling around in a mobile device and Jack Watts was running laps. Didnt quite know what to make of his joking and smiling demeanour. I would have preferred to see the look I saw on Heritier Lumumbas face who looked like training was dead serious business.

Mitchell White and Aaron Vandenberg already look like they are part of the furniture. Both bring a level of seriousness. If I had to put a bet on it, I would place my money on White to play before Vandenberg.

While is was a only a Wednesday training in December, and as Melbourne supporters we all like to get excited pre Christmas. But the team morale and culture, led by Paul Roos seems to be in tact. There is a pleasing balance between a hard work and sense of enjoyment that gives some confidence about the MFC as a group. Lets hope we take it into 2015.

Fitzy wasn't there according to devil inside and I didn't see him

[Moonshadow 17,677]

I can't see Watts getting early games.

He along with Riley & McKenzie have spent most of pre Xmas on light duties.

You do realise the season proper doesn't start for several months yet?

[DeeSpencer 26,090]

I can't see Watts getting early games.

He along with Riley & McKenzie have spent most of pre Xmas on light duties.

JKH played round 1 last year (just as many draftees did and have done previously) and he would've only been on light duties after coming to the club a couple of weeks prior if this was last year.

So it's a bit early to rule anyone in or out besides Trengove.

Terlich and Spencer are probably the 2 furthest back but if they were good enough they could still make it with a good run from here. Vince hasn't done much with the main group either but because he's a shoulder not a leg injury he should be progressing towards round 1 as well.