First mistake I've had all day is reading one of your comments.

I Only got half way before I wanted to shoot myself.

The truth hurts. Maybe not as much as jumping on a bicycle with the seat missing, but it hurts.

The truth hurts. Maybe not as much as jumping on a bicycle with the seat missing, but it hurts.

Take your word for it...

It was my one and only pre season session for the summer and I don't think I'll get the time to see another one so I'm limited in terms of comparison with other such sessions but I wouldn't say I was underwhelmed by the skills on display. It was also not a high key day given that the players were returning from an eleven day intensive workout at Maroochydore and they trained mainly in the wet.

I'm not making excuses but I think you might find the odd spilt mark and one or two miskicks at most club training sessions like these in late January and if people are suggesting that the majority of training runs have been sloppy or poor then there would be room for concern. I didn't see it that way although I agree that there wasn't the intensity there of a team training with the finals in sight. That's probably because the finals happen to be a long way off and the start of the season proper is more than two months off.

I was more concerned with seeing the new faces and I was impressed by them. Lumumba, Garlett and Newton all looked likely to fit in from game one as did Hogan who looked like he was still a little way off being 100% fit and I've already mentioned the youngsters elsewhere. I noticed Sam Frost's size but didn't pick him up much in general training - it would have been much easier if the players trained with their numbers on their backs. So I was happy with the new blood and given that we haven't lost much from last year, we should be way in front in terms of the list.

Added to that, most of the drills looked fairly positive and attacking in style which leads me to believe there will be less emphasis on the negative and more accentuating the positive (which I thought we were crying out for in the last half of last year and is important as we approach a new season).

On that basis I can't agree that we trained like a 17th placed team, I don't believe the coach or players think that way and that's what matters more to me at this stage of proceedings.

I remember watching Collingwood train on the same piece of ground about three years ago in our early days of Melbourne pre season training in this precinct (we had finished training on the next door oval). It was a windy day and the Pies were making a lot of mistakes fluffing around with the footy and I really was underwhelmed. They still made the finals and in fact, finished top four.

I agree with Whispering Jack. Our list is fitter and healthier than iIt has ever been in my memory - and spud free.

We are reaping the benefits of 2 great years of recruiting and our coaching panel is arguably the best in the comp.

Don't forget Brendan McCartney is about to start and his influence is potentially enormous.

I can't see any reason not to be excited about the future

I agree with Whispering Jack. Our list is fitter and healthier than iIt has ever been in my memory - and spud free.

We are reaping the benefits of 2 great years of recruiting and our coaching panel is arguably the best in the comp.

Don't forget Brendan McCartney is about to start and his influence is potentially enormous.

I can't see any reason not to be excited about the future

Generous

"Spud" is a word that will be used as long as there are people who feel good when they use it.

"Spud" is a word that will be used as long as there are people who feel good when they use it.

I like a good baked spud, especially with a bit of sour cream ... that feels good!

Generous

Very

Serious subject and I certainly feel bad for ANB being re-injured but I did laugh out loud reading this.

It was a very vivid mental image.

You can see him now, standing over the top of him asking "Was that the patella again? How long will you be out for? Show me your guns so i can get a pic!"

"Spud" is a word that will be used as long as there are people who feel good when they use it.

I think "spud" should be removed from all discussion about the players due to its absence in their new diet.

I think "spud" should be removed from all discussion about the players due to its absence in their new diet.

Call them Sweet Potatoes?

Frites ?

( waiting to see how long it takes if Fitzy doesn't make the grade to have his name changed to Fritesy ? )

Frites ?

( waiting to see how long it takes if Fitzy doesn't make the grade to have his name changed to Fritesy ? )

So "Pom Frites" would be a synonym for "Saty's Spuds"

Disclaimer: I don't like using the term "spud" to describe any footballer other than Danny Frawley.

I just remember 2 years ago under neeld we were training the house down and we were getting thumped every week. in every press review the players and coach couldnt understand why couldnt play like we trained. ha what a joke. just dont want to read anything into one training session in january