2 minutes ago, DeeZee said:

Jack Watts is really our second tall

To me it depends on how the Weed progresses.

Our two locks for tall forwards are Hogan and  Watts.That leaves the Weed, Smith and Pedo ( and Hulett ) as the third option and possibly a bench option - 4 talls ? .  

The only issue for me with this is who gives Gawn a chop out when he needs it ? Watts ? Frost ? Of the remaining options only Pedo is ok as a ruck.

Got there closer to 10 and no Hogan and I didn't see Hannan, Maynard or Flippers. 

Rehab group as standard; Viney, T Mc, Pedda, JKH, Vanders, Trenners, Mitch King.

Restricted group pulled out of the main drill for running and skills; Lewis, Oliver, DJ, T Smith, Keilty, Wagner

I'm interested in how long Lewis is staying out of the main stuff. They seem to be really pumping the work in to him with the rehab group. Maybe management after years of finals footy, maybe a change of role to an outside player and they just want him fit. One for Saty. Oliver (who had been in the main group) and Lewis were running repeat sprints when the rest of the rehab group had finished up, with Oliver a slightly lesser distance. Working hard.

DJ impresses me. Kicks low and hard. Leaps for marks and takes it out in front. Reminds me a bit of Jamie Elliott from the Pies. Keilty has some spring to his movement and a neat kick. Smith isn't overly tall (obviously can play above his height) but does move well enough and can kick on both sides. There was a drill where the 6 in the restricted group paired up and took a few reps before swapping over of leading out from the square whilst the other gathered a loose ball and kicked to the lead. It was really nice to see mostly well placed and penetrating kicks hitting leading targets. No pressure but still good to see. 

Tyson hopped off at one stage but it appeared it was just to get what I assume are blisters tended to and then he was back in. Seems a very common ailment with others doing the same.

The main group went from multiple series of in tight drills to full ground team ball movement. Ben Kennedy slid in with a perfect bump above knees to skittle Frostly who jumped back up and kept competing. Was very willing. 

I'm often critical of him but Spencer was starting to resemble an AFL footballer today. I'd say after a long build he's now got the right AFL body that resembles Gawny. Plenty of strength without looking heavy and appears balanced. He was presenting for the ball and moving it on nicely in the main drill. 

Doesn't always come off but Watts receives the ball in drills looking towards the corridor, when so many others focus first on going wide.

In the main drill McKenna doesn't panic and backs himself to kick on both sides.

Joel Smith impressed with his leap for aerial contests and a perfectly timed sprint up the middle to intercept an attack. Hibberd is powerful and calm but also one of the first to have hands on hips and sucking in the big ones.

To be a big negative: Jeffy Garlett was getting out in space and running with the ball but a lot of kicks keep bouncing in front of the intended target, in match simulation and smaller drills. It's just laziness that needs to stop. ANB has a habit of just rushing to give or receive the footy, he induces fumbles, just needs more timing, he was better as it went on. Petracca is a little but unsure when in the back half. He wants to move everything on. Watts kicked to him at half forward and the ball was touched and then play on. Tracc did his best to avoid tackles but about 3 of them got him down and piled on him!

There was plenty to like and it was a high intensity fast paced session for December. 

30 minutes ago, nutbean said:

To me it depends on how the Weed progresses.

Our two locks for tall forwards are Hogan and  Watts.That leaves the Weed, Smith and Pedo ( and Hulett ) as the third option and possibly a bench option - 4 talls ? .  

The only issue for me with this is who gives Gawn a chop out when he needs it ? Watts ? Frost ? Of the remaining options only Pedo is ok as a ruck.

Nut, we now have Jordan Lewis to do 3rd man up when Gawn is rested. Probably better that he doesn't jump all over Watts though.

Is Heritier there? I thought I saw a news grab on ch7 last night of him back at the club.

Yes, the intensity was good. Kent collected Kennedy, front on, at one stage and left him a bit groggy. Someone brought Wattsy down pretty hard on the boundary, couldn't see who it was. Had a chat to Hannan, who is excited about coming to the club and is impressed by the list and the coaches.

51 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

Tyson hopped off at one stage but it appeared it was just to get what I assume are blisters tended to and then he was back in. Seems a very common ailment with others doing the same.

New Balance.

7 minutes ago, Jesus Hoganshaw said:

New Balance.

New Balance don't supply the players with boots.

Tyson uses Diadora boots from memory.

All players have their own boot deals and have had for some time - collective bargaining agreement

5 minutes ago, Clint Bizkit said:

New Balance don't supply the players with boots.

Tyson uses Diadora boots from memory.

His father is the MD at Diadora...pretty good memory I would think 'Clint'.

6 hours ago, Whispering_Jack said:

I would expect that the entire playing list (well, all bar one) will be out there at Gosch's Paddock at 9.30am for the first official training session of the summer.

Conditions should be perfect for training with clouds early but clearing to a 21 degree maximum. 

I wish I could make it out there but at that time, unfortunately and in the words of A B Paterson:

"I am sitting in my dingy little office, where a stingy

Ray of sunlight struggles feebly down between the houses tall ..."

Looking forward to reports from those who can make it out there.

That would be a corner office with huge windows overlooking the peasants scurrying around on the pavements below. Isn't that from where all legal eagles ply their trade.

I didn't chat today, mainly took photos which I will post over the weekend, followed half the squad to the tan where they pounded up and down a grass slope for a while, so after full session they had to do that, DeeSpencer has covered the drills excellently as per the norm, but don't agree slightly on Garlett, but I am biased

Many thanks to all our diligent training watchers / reporters. You are the 'lifeblood' of demonland at this otherwise barren time of year, especially for us footy deprived members from interstate.  

........... and now that I've buttered you up, a quick question please.   I note  from another thread that many of us have the Weed filling a kpf position in our round 1 team, but I've read very little about his work on the track so far this pre-season. Some intel about how is he looking so far would be fantastic.  Thanks!

5 minutes ago, Deeoldfart said:

Many thanks to all our diligent training watchers / reporters. You are the 'lifeblood' of demonland at this otherwise barren time of year, especially for us footy deprived members from interstate.  

........... and now that I've buttered you up, a quick question please.   I note  from another thread that many of us have the Weed filling a kpf position in our round 1 team, but I've read very little about his work on the track so far this pre-season. Some intel about how is he looking so far would be fantastic.  Thanks!

Weed, is still a bit stick like (in comparison to others), obviously he is a work in progress, just clocking up the sessions like the rest, haven't seen him standout or struggle which at this time of year is a good thing

And Max has still got a pressure bandage on his calf, but he completed the full session including pounding up and down the slope

Just a bit of colour from training, they had a young guy for Make a Wish today, his wish was to train with the Dees, so started with Goodwin, spent a bit of time with Misso, went with the squad to the run

 

3 hours ago, waynewussell said:

T Smith, Kielty, Wagner & Johnstone now doing repeat 200s now with Crossy

good luck keeping up with Crossy new fellas!

great to have Crossy 'break in' the draftees (and Waggers)

2 hours ago, AllMyTeamsAreWank said:

 

Not referring to Redpath are you? Was plodding around in their VFL side before doing really well in the seniors. 

Yes i was. I actually started that email by saying i couldn't remember the player's name but then Redden popped into my mind. So yes Redpath

10 minutes ago, DubDee said:

good luck keeping up with Crossy new fellas!

great to have Crossy 'break in' the draftees (and Waggers)

I asked him the other day whether he is going to play at Albury again this year to keep his eye in (he played about 7 games last year when he could fit it in) answer "of course", also asked him whether there was the slightest chance of him even looking like he is ageing or slowing down, answer "absolutely not"

Edited December 2, 20168 yr by Satyriconhome

The young Make A Wish supporter was befriended by Jack Viney late in the picture and was surrounded by cameramen, so expect to see some News reports this evening. Jack arm-wrestled the kid and then hauled him up on his shoulders. On Weiderman, yes he is still lightly built by AFL standards, but athleticism is excellent. He is busting a gut during training and will take another step in 2017, however, I don't expect him to play every game, 10 or 12 would be more likely. I saw Lewis get really down on himself for not hitting a leading target on his right foot. He immediately sent a sizzling pass with his left at the next opportunity. Watching Goody and Macca coaching together was encouraging, to say the least. Goodwin is very clear in communicating what he wants / expects from the group. Macca keeps working away at the finer detail... "arch your back and kick through the ball, Frosty, don't just caress it... Save that for Sunday nights!" 

12 minutes ago, waynewussell said:

The young Make A Wish supporter was befriended by Jack Viney late in the picture and was surrounded by cameramen, so expect to see some News reports this evening. Jack arm-wrestled the kid and then hauled him up on his shoulders. On Weiderman, yes he is still lightly built by AFL standards, but athleticism is excellent. He is busting a gut during training and will take another step in 2017, however, I don't expect him to play every game, 10 or 12 would be more likely. I saw Lewis get really down on himself for not hitting a leading target on his right foot. He immediately sent a sizzling pass with his left at the next opportunity. Watching Goody and Macca coaching together was encouraging, to say the least. Goodwin is very clear in communicating what he wants / expects from the group. Macca keeps working away at the finer detail... "arch your back and kick through the ball, Frosty, don't just caress it... Save that for Sunday nights!" 

Think Macca has issues, the other day "you are looking for the perfect handball, just get it forward, I don't care if you use your censored, get it forward"

1 hour ago, waynewussell said:

The young Make A Wish supporter was befriended by Jack Viney late in the picture and was surrounded by cameramen, so expect to see some News reports this evening. Jack arm-wrestled the kid and then hauled him up on his shoulders. On Weiderman, yes he is still lightly built by AFL standards, but athleticism is excellent. He is busting a gut during training and will take another step in 2017, however, I don't expect him to play every game, 10 or 12 would be more likely. I saw Lewis get really down on himself for not hitting a leading target on his right foot. He immediately sent a sizzling pass with his left at the next opportunity. Watching Goody and Macca coaching together was encouraging, to say the least. Goodwin is very clear in communicating what he wants / expects from the group. Macca keeps working away at the finer detail... "arch your back and kick through the ball, Frosty, don't just caress it... Save that for Sunday nights!" 

Melbourne FC ‏@melbournefc  34m34 minutes ago

When you challenge your idol to an arm

wrestle Andrew and Wes: 2 @jackviney7: 0 #myheartbeatstrue

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So have we found Clarry of the Overflow?

This tweet of training today pretty much sums up the changes between last season and now...

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   Melbourne FC ‏@melbournefc  4m4 minutes ago

   The coach reporting for duty @Starlight_star #myheartbeatstrue

   

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Cheers again for all the training reports. I am sure I speak for most Dees fans living outside of Victoria, it is much appreciated.

Thanks everyone.