I'll defend Dawes becuase he was always recruited as second forward to compliment Clark. Whilst there is room for improvement I'm not too concerned by his output so far.

with or without clark I don't think anyone would have been happy with 20 goals from 18 matches when he was recruited

does not do a hell of a lot apart from kick goals either (apart from smashing blokes, which I do enjoy)

I'll defend Dawes becuase he was always recruited as second forward to compliment Clark. Whilst there is room for improvement I'm not too concerned by his output so far.

There is no rule that says 2nd forwards can't hold their grabs though 'Clint'. I think you are marking him a bit easy to date.

I think he has a lot more to give and hope he starts this year.

especially since none of us know how true it even is, or how effective it is, it's all just assumptions and vague folklore

Assumptions and vague folklore are the backbone of Demonland C&B! Along with innuendo and character slur.

Assumptions and vague folklore are the backbone of Demonland C&B! Along with innuendo and character slur.

you forgot hearsay, groupthink and my personal favourite - extreme pedantry

Where is the time trial held and do they have any ball work drills during this session?

Usually done around Princes Park McQueen. Doubt any players would stand up to Roosy and say they won't do it cause it's too hot!

Ventured down today with two boys in tow (got there late, around 10.00 am). From what I could see, the session was quite demanding. Running sprint drills followed by full field running drills incorporating ball movement from one end of the field to the other and back again. Players were rotating around the field as part of the drill, some players providing defensive pressure. This was followed by more running drills (300 metre runs) followed by timed 70 metre run throughs.

Some observations (at the risk of duplicating views already logged):

* Max Gawn looks great. He moved well although at times slightly favoured his bandaged knee leg. To be expected I guess. I have high hopes for Max, I think he will be very important for us as long as he keeps reasonably free of injury. He appears bigger and more defined around the shoulders.

* Newton moved well and seems to do things with a minimum of fuss.

* Brayshaw moves very well, at one stage during the game drill he instinctively blocked a defender to allow the attacking player a clear path through. To me, it showed a good awareness of what was around him. He's still a bit slight but moved very well.

* Jack Watts ran laps and also looks to have put on a few pounds generally (just looks more solid.

* Max King looks ok when he has the ball, but is last in pretty well all the running drills. He puts in but doesn't seem to have the same tank as other players, There were plenty of other players giving him encouragement during the drills.

* Generally, the entire group looked fit and moved well (those that were with the main group).

A big thanks to the players after training as well. My boys asked a number of them for autographs as they were leaving the area and they all signed happily and engaged the boys in conversation, even after a strong session. It made my boys day and hopefully keeps them engaged until we start winning games on a consistent basis (makes my job of keeping them interested much easier).

sorry, I must have missed the post that said he "broke down".

sorry, I must have missed the post that said he "broke down".

breaking down at training, pulling out due to soreness, let's not split hairs hardhead

Hello chaps, fellow reporters, naysayers, lemon suckers and the general diaspora.

Missing in action -

Nathan Jones, bad gash from surfing, Misso said he is absolutely filthy with himself, hence no pics on social media.

McKenzie has the man flu.

Trengove still rehabbing inside.

Walking wounded -

Hogan, think he had a bit of back tightness, think this issue is similar to Hawkins, can create discomfort but not stop him playing, left track early.

Petracca, just tweaked his knee, got it strapped and carried on, so obviously not serious.

Kent is fine, still working his way back, trying not to do it again, so on a modified program.

Watts, still on his modified program, worked his guts out again.

Alex NB, was doing bits, no serious damage to his knee, taking it day by day, no time set for return to full training.

Others: Riley, Stretch, Terlich, Vandenberg (whose body shape is changing already), and Spencer, all said they were exactly where they should be.

Slightly walking wounded - JKH who had a second look at breakfast after one of the running drills and made the fitness staff laugh by saying that was last time he has bacon and eggs before training.

Bernie Vince is nearly back at full training, took part in all the drills, did the 'guns' photo this week to prove he is nearly symmetrical again.

Jayden Hunt is being looked at as a project for half back utilising his speed and neat kicking.

Nice touch today, Max King, who I think they are trying to kill, was absolutely spent after one running drill, Jamar over to him, arm around him encouraging him on, Jamar is setting himself for a big year, has his game face on.

Dom Tyson is absolutely pumped, another session completed, is bouncing around.

Most who completed the session today rated it at 7.

One interesting thing, Nev Jetta is actually looking faster, asked him, agreed did speed work over the Xmas break.

Another interesting point, new friendship seems to be Salem and Viney, last 2 off the track today after doing some extra work.

Any questions feel free, pics on Twitter Demonpk later.

Thanks TDI

(Sorry for some reason I was not allowed to "like" your post)!

Howe still training with the backs?

breaking down at training, pulling out due to soreness, let's not split hairs hardhead

As I read it he returned to the fray before later seeing the trainers and finishing up for the day, no doubt as a precautionary measure... hardly splitting hairs hemlack

I see under the Gold Coast entry that O'Meara is in doubt for round 1 and Ablett's resumption of contact work looks delayed.

Doesn't hurt our chances.

Looking forward to the training reports, set to kick off with a time trial.

Let's not go there. Memories of our performance against an undermanned Saints in round 1 last year are still clearly etched In my mind.

hardtack - you beat me to the punch.

Exactly my thoughts and I have said it before - you can only beat the team the opposition puts out there on the field

All too often over the past decade or more we have heard posters implying that the forthcoming game vs <insert any team> will be so much easier given that <insert star x,y,z> will be missing.

It is far long passed time that we just got out there and won regardless, and if against the full strength opposition, all the better.

GO DEES!!!

I'll defend Dawes becuase he was always recruited as second forward to compliment Clark. Whilst there is room for improvement I'm not too concerned by his output so far.

A big hulking 193cm 103kg forward and you are happy with his 20 goals from 18 games?

Sorry but when you paying a big premiership forward 500k a year I expect a far more better output then this.

Too much accepting mediocrity.

Its quite simple he really needs to step up.

I'll defend Dawes becuase he was always recruited as second forward to compliment Clark. Whilst there is room for improvement I'm not too concerned by his output so far.

Roughhead was a second forward to Franklin.

A big hulking 193cm 103kg forward and you are happy with his 20 goals from 18 games?

Sorry but when you paying a big premiership forward 500k a year I expect a far more better output then this.

Too much accepting mediocrity.

Its quite simple he really needs to step up.

Such a simplistic generalisation and you know it!

When's the last time we had a competitive mid field? When's the last time we had 2 or 3 tall forwards to rely on?

Leave him alone.

Roughhead was a second forward to Franklin.

Omg....really?

enough sarcasm, now all we need is ET to send us his captain obvious pic

enough sarcasm, now all we need is ET to send us his captain obvious pic

thankyou

Omg....really?

That was a response to post that "he was recruited as a second forward" meaning what, that second forwards aren't required to do as much? Not every forward line has two household names as key forwards. But then you've gone on to enlighten us about how crap our midfield has been, an extension of that would be that our defence is constantly under the pump yet players managed to stand up. So now its Dawes turn, and no he shouldn't be left alone. You put your hand up for big coin you need to deliver.

I think casting Dawesy as a "role player" or "second/third forward" can sometimes veer towards excuse making for under par performances. His absolute best is actually very good. Hopefully he can produce something closer to that level on a more consistent basis next season.

Dawes can't take a grab to save himself overhead. One of the big reasons is that he can't jump. If you watch him play he doesn't jump at the ball and therefore loses that ability to get separation from his man. But he does compete very hand and puts in the work rate to provide an option. Sure he's probably overpaid and we gave up a bit for him, but he's some what reliable as a key forward compared to whatever else you can draft or trade. Only have to look at the Dogs and Boyd for that. Or Carlton taking a chance on Liam Jones.

The other big reason that I like him is that his biggest competition for spots tries to mark with techniques like this and often falcons himself.

Such a simplistic generalisation and you know it!

When's the last time we had a competitive mid field? When's the last time we had 2 or 3 tall forwards to rely on?

Leave him alone.

Meh excuses.

Jeremy Cameron has played with a midfield that are still in high school yet didn't stop him from kicking up to 60 goals. And he was the only key forward that they had at the time. So no forward support and no decent midfield around.

Brad Green in 2010 kicked 55 goals from absolutely no extra forward support and not much midfield depth aswell.

We had a decent enough midfield his year. His problem is he has brick hands and doesn't stick his arms up. 2nd forward or first we paid him to kick goals and he isn't doing enough of it.

Again a big 2015 is a must for Dawes. Love his character and leadership he provides. But on field he isn't doing enough.

That was a response to post that "he was recruited as a second forward" meaning what, that second forwards aren't required to do as much? Not every forward line has two household names as key forwards. But then you've gone on to enlighten us about how crap our midfield has been, an extension of that would be that our defence is constantly under the pump yet players managed to stand up. So now its Dawes turn, and no he shouldn't be left alone. You put your hand up for big coin you need to deliver.

I'm just shaking my head in disbelief that you're comparing an AFL powerhouse (and all its cattle) with our performances over the last seven years...

Dawes has done all that has been asked of him and more - the first task was to bring in a new attitude, leadership and setting the tone. Let's give him some support ffs.

Meh excuses.

Jeremy Cameron has played with a midfield that are still in high school yet didn't stop him from kicking up to 60 goals. And he was the only key forward that they had at the time. So no forward support and no decent midfield around.

Brad Green in 2010 kicked 55 goals from absolutely no extra forward support and not much midfield depth aswell.

We had a decent enough midfield his year. His problem is he has brick hands and doesn't stick his arms up. 2nd forward or first we paid him to kick goals and he isn't doing enough of it.

Again a big 2015 is a must for Dawes. Love his character and leadership he provides. But on field he isn't doing enough.

Shiel, Ward, Treloar, Whitfield, Kelly, Greene, Scully.....okay, whatever.

Shiel, Ward, Treloar, Whitfield, Kelly, Greene, Scully.....okay, whatever.

He kicked 62 goals with that midfield that finished last in 2013..

Whats your point?