4 hours ago, Jaded said:

Not a man. A legend.

 

Tom McDonald taking out the trials is a shock. Not.
Wonder how Oscar did.

Said this so many times on here, one more won't hurt: we are watching a living/playing MFC legend running around every weekend. What a treat. He epitomises everything the MFC was once about, and want's to be about. Love that Jones boy.  

16 minutes ago, The Song Formerly Known As said:

Said this so many times on here, one more won't hurt: we are watching a living/playing MFC legend running around every weekend. What a treat. He epitomises everything the MFC was once about, and want's to be about. Love that Jones boy.  

Jones gives 100% all the time, he leads by example, come on boys follow Jonesy or enjoy Casey.

44 minutes ago, The Song Formerly Known As said:

Said this so many times on here, one more won't hurt: we are watching a living/playing MFC legend running around every weekend. What a treat. He epitomises everything the MFC was once about, and want's to be about. Love that Jones boy.  

Still remember all those Demonlanders who wanted to get rid of him about 6-7 years ago. Hilarious. 

2 hours ago, Redleg said:

Still remember all those Demonlanders who wanted to get rid of him about 6-7 years ago. Hilarious. 

I don't know about "get rid of", but some, like me, were very critical of Jones.  He was very slow to get to B+ status.  His 5th year on our list was very poor.

I remember posting that his challenge was to become our Brad Sewell.  Thankfully, in 2011, his sixth season, he bridged the gap and hasn't looked back.

Players' reputations are firmly in their own control.  Often when I post I'm not barracking, I'm commenting on what I see.  Jack Viney's third year was as good as Jones' sixth.

Edited January 6, 20169 yr by ProDee

7 hours ago, Scythe said:

So he only returned to running four weeks ago post neck surgery and he finished top three? 

What a man.

He's been running and training the whole time, just no contact.

Surprised that a top 10 has not been published by the club. Anyone know how many of the squad ran? 

10 minutes ago, sydneydee said:

Surprised that a top 10 has not been published by the club. Anyone know how many of the squad ran? 

They never let this information out, I was surprised the Port guy was so forthcoming yesterday on the radio.

The best we will get is "the club were happy with how the players returned from the break etc...."

2 hours ago, sydneydee said:

Surprised that a top 10 has not been published by the club. Anyone know how many of the squad ran? 

More info on the time trail.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/melbourne-youngsters-impress-coaching-staff-after-strong-time-trial-performances/news-story/b4f237069e7044c56fa90e7834a7a4ba

 

Can someone cut and paste the herald article on the time trial please? 

Sonething about the young guys doing well especially Mitch white

6 minutes ago, DubDee said:

Can someone cut and paste the herald article on the time trial please? 

Sonething about the young guys doing well especially Mitch white

Melbourne youngsters impress coaching staff after strong time trial performances

an hour ago

LAUREN WOODHerald Sun

 

Mitch White leads the Melbourne time trial. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

 

MELBOURNE rookie Mitch White led the charge of the Demons’ young brigade in Wednesday’s 3km time-trial at Princes Park, with club officials rapt to see the next wave of players stepping up to the plate.

 

White, 19, has played just one game for Melbourne, having lined up in the Demons’ final round win over Greater Western Sydney last season.

He finished a respectable fourth in the time trial, won by Tom McDonald who was closely followed by Jack Grimes, with impressive performances coming from the likes of Oscar McDonald, Billy Stretch and Alex Neal-Bullen — all of whom have played 11 games or less for the club and either ran or were close to personal best times.

Fitness boss Dave Misson said seeing the likes of White and his comrades put every foot forward this is one of the biggest positives coming out of the preseason thus far.

Tom McDonald wins the Melbourne time trial ahead of Jack Grimes and Nathan Jones. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

“Mitch has really taken on what we call a rookie mentality — he’s working really hard in the off-season and has come back and demanding a spot on the list,” Misson said.

“That was the thing. The older guys still ran, but a lot of the young guys really stepped up and it’s good to see that they’re not happy sitting back and saying ‘well, I want to play in a couple of years’.

“They want to play now, so that’s great. They haven’t rested on their laurels — they’ve really improved this pre-season.”

 

Skipper Nathan Jones is back in full contact training after recovering from off-season neck surgery, and while Misson admitted that Christian Petracca’s latest setback — a broken toe that will see him sidelined for four weeks — is a frustrating one after 12 months on the sidelines after a knee reconstruction, the club is trying to keep its expectations in check to avoid disappointment.

“We were trying really hard ourselves not to get too excited (about Christian returning),” he said.

“We’ll have to cool our heels a little bit.”

Jay Kennedy Harris finishes the time trial strong. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

Billy Stretch gets a pat on the back from Paul Roos. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

Edited January 6, 20169 yr by daisycutter

Look out for Mitch White this season.

Mitch White was my tip to surprise next year and play 10 to 15 games. There was something about his last game that just showed he did not look out of place at all.

On 4 January 2016 at 5:02 PM, old dee said:

Not sure how injuries to his legs effects his hands when he goes for marks DD.

he is a support player who we may get a dozen games from in 2016.

if he is around in 2017 it should be at a very much reduced salary.

IMO he is not the future that will see us playing finals football.

Due to depth I think he will be offered a 1 year deal for 2017. Considering what he's being paid for his current contract compared to what his output has been I think 1 year at 100k should be enough, I don't think he's in and danger of being poached. He can spend 2017 at Casey passing on his leadership skills which we keep hearing about. At the end of 2017 both The Weed and Hulett will have had two years in the system and Dawes can be released back into the wild.

Grimes looks in great nick -  make or break year for him

Grimes is the next Jordie. For all of his effort and professionalism he doesn't have the talent and will be over taken this year by a number of younger players. Could well be his last year at the club.

Is there anywhere that the full placings can be found?

13 minutes ago, CBDees said:

Is there anywhere that the full placings can be found?

Spreadsheet on Missons PC.

3 hours ago, Bombay Airconditioning said:

Due to depth I think he will be offered a 1 year deal for 2017. Considering what he's being paid for his current contract compared to what his output has been I think 1 year at 100k should be enough, I don't think he's in and danger of being poached. He can spend 2017 at Casey passing on his leadership skills which we keep hearing about. At the end of 2017 both The Weed and Hulett will have had two years in the system and Dawes can be released back into the wild.

He, Dawes, will IMO need to produce some far more positive results i.e. take marks and kick goals, not just "make a contest" and "bring the ball to ground" (code for failing to hold marks) if he is to be offered any contract beyond this year. 

4 hours ago, monoccular said:

He, Dawes, will IMO need to produce some far more positive results i.e. take marks and kick goals, not just "make a contest" and "bring the ball to ground" (code for failing to hold marks) if he is to be offered any contract beyond this year. 

His future will depend a lot upon how quickly the likes of Hulett, Weideman, King (x2) and Frost come on. I doubt we're going to see much improvement from Dawes, so it'll just be a matter of how long it takes for the youngsters to surpass him. 

Like Roos, Misson sounds very peeved at Petracca's toe injury: '...while Misson admitted that Christian Petracca’s latest setback — a broken toe that will see him sidelined for four weeks — is a frustrating one after 12 months on the sidelines after a knee reconstruction, the club is trying to keep its expectations in check to avoid disappointment. “We were trying really hard ourselves not to get too excited (about Christian returning),” he said.  “We’ll have to cool our heels a little bit.”

Not much sympathy coming from head coach nor head of fitness for Petracca, so can't help but think that he wasn't following instructions.

2 hours ago, Good Times Grimes said:

His future will depend a lot upon how quickly the likes of Hulett, Weideman, King (x2) and Frost come on. I doubt we're going to see much improvement from Dawes, so it'll just be a matter of how long it takes for the youngsters to surpass him. 

Agree, he will be a year by year proposition with the team now calling the shots.

Edited January 6, 20169 yr by Bombay Airconditioning
Tired.