The boys trained really well all flying, over heard some of the boys from Collingwood boys at cafe saying how HL told them that the Dees are really flying and not just what clubs all say, but that he has never seen so many players flying that time of year, said that watts is more competitive then what most people think, all so said Tyson reminds him of a young Dame swan.

Haha. Thanks naa. I know it's a typo (not stooping to pedantry) but it brought me a laugh. Just hoping that Tyson has a sex change after accepting his Australia Day honours.

Regarding the 3k time trial, Roosy said towards the end of his pre-season update video

( http://www.melbournefc.com.au/video/2014-12-22/paul-roos-preseason-update ) that the players would do their 3k time on the Friday of the first week back (this Friday) and that they would be expecting personal bests from pretty much everyone.

Speaking of that video, how tired does Roosy look!! Looks like he hasn't slept for a whole year (which he probably hasn't, given the mess he inherited!!)

Thanks to all those who've posted reports from training, much appreciated. I've been down a few times this pre-season and 2 of the big standouts for me have been Jack Viney and Dom Tyson. Very excited about these guys this year!!

No longer has one hour in make-up prior to On The Coach.

Speaking of that video, how tired does Roosy look!! Looks like he hasn't slept for a whole year (which he probably hasn't, given the mess he inherited!!)

He looks astonishingly like you and me after a night on the sauce!

Oh Audrey - I look like hell! I got bags under my eyes ...

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)

He works his backside off. He competes, he chases, offers opportunities and never backs away. He was recruited to be the muscle to back up a star forward. He is a shining example to his team mates as to what effort looks like. I would love him to be Jono Brown or any number of other physically imposing goalkickers but there was never any prospect of that.

I am very happy we have him because his approach is exactly what we have lacked and there is now a requirement to replicate it. With a lead forward to support again he will be a significant asset.

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.

Couldn't agree more 'P-man'. I see him at his best a much better player, I actually think he doesn't himself and besides all his bluff and bluster he needs to accept that he can play good footy. It's time for him to do it on a consistent basis and earn his money.

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

What do you mean none of us know? We watch him every week. We watch the ball come and he drops it. No "assumptions" or "folklore" to be had when you are witnessing it with your own eyes!

He works his backside off. He competes, he chases, offers opportunities and never backs away. He was recruited to be the muscle to back up a star forward. He is a shining example to his team mates as to what effort looks like. I would love him to be Jono Brown or any number of other physically imposing goalkickers but there was never any prospect of that.

I am very happy we have him because his approach is exactly what we have lacked and there is now a requirement to replicate it. With a lead forward to support again he will be a significant asset.

He was not recruited as a defensive forward. He more often than not backs away rather than leading up at the play. He needs to make the play not take the easy option.

Having Cloke at Collingwood he sees himself as a 2nd stringer, well he needs to get over this and impose himself on the game consistently.

Can I add that he won me when he chased a defender to close to the wing and, upon returning, had words with the forwards who had stood by and spectated rather than make the effort to do their job and intervene.

I willingly concede that his form was not great this year but form at no stage diminished effort. How many players in any sport can you say that about?

As we progress he will be a significant asset.

And we will progress.

Can I add that he won me when he chased a defender to close to the wing and, upon returning, had words with the forwards who had stood by and spectated rather than make the effort to do their job and intervene.

I willingly concede that his form was not great this year but form at no stage diminished effort. How many players in any sport can you say that about?

As we progress he will be a significant asset.

And we will progress.

I will be happier when he leads up at the ball and makes the play. Yes he will chase but he's not quick enough to catch in most cases unless he is chasing a statue or they are caught unawares. Yes he will have words but often they are not backed up by his actions. For instance having a go at JKH for not giving off when he has done the same on numerous occasions.

He was not recruited as a defensive forward. He more often than not backs away rather than leading up at the play. He needs to make the play not take the easy option.

Having Cloke at Collingwood he sees himself as a 2nd stringer, well he needs to get over this and impose himself on the game consistently.

Are you sure? You may well have insight that I do not but my understanding at the time of his recruitment was that he would do for Clarke as he had done for Cloke without the the forward line rucking.

I do not believe he is an "easy option" player in the way he has applied himself. I agree that a greater output is desirable.

He came off a limited pre season last year so how about we give him a little grace, if only for effort, and wait to see what full preparation, a competent midfield and forward support will bring.

I will be happier when he leads up at the ball and makes the play. Yes he will chase but he's not quick enough to catch in most cases unless he is chasing a statue or they are caught unawares. Yes he will have words but often they are not backed up by his actions. For instance having a go at JKH for not giving off when he has done the same on numerous occasions.

This x2

I will be happier when he leads up at the ball and makes the play. Yes he will chase but he's not quick enough to catch in most cases unless he is chasing a statue or they are caught unawares. Yes he will have words but often they are not backed up by his actions. For instance having a go at JKH for not giving off when he has done the same on numerous occasions.

Appreciate your point but how grateful are we mere mortals that the more stressful moments of our professional lives are not immortalized on film/video/digital/whatever.

I am not saying he is Jesus Christ but that he is a good citizen and we have lacked good experienced citizens recently.

With the number of young players we have at the club Roos has clearly pursued the dual purpose of worthy and useful experience and talented youth.

I suspect he was very happy that Dawes was at the club.

He came off a limited pre season last year

oh boy! that's like the third one today :D

oh boy! that's like the third one today :D

What?

Obtuse

Perhaps you are suggesting that full preseason is unnecessary and therefore all AFL players are overworked and do not need the training.

Or perhaps that injuries that require at best weeks if not months have no subsequent effect upon performance during a season that includes at least 22 games where the average player runs about 13 Ks a game week after week .

What?

Obtuse

Perhaps you are suggesting that full preseason is unnecessary and therefore all AFL players are overworked and do not need the training.

Or perhaps that injuries that require at best weeks if not months have no subsequent effect upon performance during a season that includes at least 22 games where the average player runs about 13 Ks a game week after week .

so you're suggesting that if a player misses some training in January we might as well bench him for the year because there is no way he can reasonably be expected to perform to the standard required. Did you read Jonesy cut his foot surfing? Forget him then! No 4th Bluey that's for sure! He's been interrupted FCS!

it's BS. If you are fit to be selected that is all there is to it - particularly if we are discussing Dawes, give me a spell, he wouldn't run 13km for the year! Are you saying that his lack of performance was because he was not fit enough to keep up with the play? Or are all those dropped marks because he missed the day they practiced marking cos his preseason was 'interrupted'?

Interesting point.

Dawes missed considerable training but that is not the essence of my argument.

In reply to your derogatory statements I would content that there has been no other forward at the MFC who has spent more time chasing defenders than Dawes.

Were you there?

The midfield delivery was atrocious.

He was not in form (as are disappointing golfers / cricketers / jockeys or soccerists, whatever sport)

Your harsh and judgmental tone suggests bravado

or more disappointingly no experience at all.

And that post was more belligerent than I have been advocating. Apologies.

Thanks for the reports every-one.

1 thing to be fit, helps when running around like a headless chook.
I'd like to know if their disposals improving?

Can't win if ya can't get it to the next bloke.

Edited January 5, 201510 yr by Fork 'em

Let's hope that in 2015 Dawes can shed the concrete hands that has plagued him at Melbourne and Collingwood. He does most other things well but we can't afford a CHF that is unable to mark overhead.

so you're suggesting that if a player misses some training in January we might as well bench him for the year because there is no way he can reasonably be expected to perform to the standard required. Did you read Jonesy cut his foot surfing? Forget him then! No 4th Bluey that's for sure! He's been interrupted FCS!

it's BS. If you are fit to be selected that is all there is to it - particularly if we are discussing Dawes, give me a spell, he wouldn't run 13km for the year! Are you saying that his lack of performance was because he was not fit enough to keep up with the play? Or are all those dropped marks because he missed the day they practiced marking cos his preseason was 'interrupted'?

Well, reductios don't necessarily make an argument.

But more to another point altogether, I want to know what's going on with this GWS colour-themed avatar thumbnail you're now using. Does this mean you've forgiven Scully or are you just hoping that some gesture of friendship might help lure a defector or two away at the end of the year?

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!!!

That's why I wrote 'doesn't hurt our chances' rather than - we'll win this. There's a difference!

Hows the ol Pedo bear doing?

And Big & Little Mac?

How many need to fess up about Pedo that they got it wrong?

Anyone?

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)

Dawes only kicked 30 goals in the pies premiership year. He is not a goal kicking fwd and they knew that when he was recruited. He is just a super competitive large bodied forward which along with Pederson and Hogan now make a more competitive forward line.