Well, it's all over red and blue rover for the 2006 as the boys had a short sharp seassion at TBO this morning mainly for the benefit of the 2 million flies and a few diehard supporters in attendance.

There's not much to report really although I guess the big news is that Neale Daniher is back in town after holidaying in Thailand. Training was taken by the assistant coaches and by the look of it a few players have started holidays early (a few of the interstaters).

GOTO was there with his camera and the haze lifted just enough for him to take a few snaps which he will no doubt have up later on Demonology (I also took my wife's camera but alas, being the Luddite that I am I couldn't work out how take a snap until the ground had been vacated).

Byron Pickett looks a bit lighter than he was a fortnight ago, Travis looked in sensational form and Lynden Dunn is (pardon the tired old cliche) training the house down. PJ and Beamer were training and Colin Sylvia was on the sidelines but minus the cast.

All in all, a low key send off to another season where we did well but weren't close enough in the end to smell the cigar smoke. As I do every year at this time, I'm quietly and confidently looking forward to next year but I'm not overconfident.

We need a few players to rise above their current levels and to announce their arrivals among the elite in 2007. We have the material, they just need to break through.

cheers for the update

i want to get to a training early next year do you know the dates that training resumes?

Thanks WJ

Merry Christmas to all.

Let's hope the New Years brings all our wishes........

We all know what is top of the list.......

.....and NO it is not Nathan Carroll having a shave .....

I also look forward to getting to a season, or at least making my annual pilgrimage to filth park for the pracky match(s).

May the God's of Football shine on the MFC in 2007. B)

GO DEES - Have a safe and relaxing time off.

George has put his photos up on Demonology here. Also has a summary from training a bit more detailed than mine. I was too busy waving the flies away.

Memo: Next time I go to training in summertime, take the Aeroguard.

Anyhow, Travis is looking sensational and I'm going to have a bit of a wger on him for the 2007 Brownlow. His time (and the MFC's) has come.

How are Jace Bode and Heath Neville going?

How are Jace Bode and Heath Neville going?

I have to admit that I didn't notice them doing much at the two training sessions I've attended. They're young kids and I guess we'll know a bit more about them when the pre-season stuff starts.

Michael Newton's lack of muscle development is concerning. Compare his legs to anyone else's, a fair comparison may be to Lynden Dunn - the difference is huge.

Michael Newton's lack of muscle development is concerning. Compare his legs to anyone else's

How about Michael Tuck?

I'm not worried about his lack of muscle development. Some players are strong without looking it. Newton, if he is to succeed will rely on his speed, agility and spring. I don't want those compromised by some "hulk" like physical development.

Michael Tuck was a midlfielder. Look at Bartram and Junior. It's a bit different when you're against a big defender each time. It doesn't mean that he won't make it though.

But I'd like to see him play in the NAB cup before making any big calls.

Michael Tuck was a midlfielder.

Thanks for that, I didn't realise.

I don't think Nick Reiwoldt has bigs legs either.

True, but he generally relies on his huge aerobic capacity and work ethic to get by himself.

Does Juice do this?

True, but he generally relies on his huge aerobic capacity and work ethic to get by himself.

Does Juice do this?

Based on what I've seen of Juice to date it's impossible to answer that question because he hasn't been on the ground in most games long enough to even have to rely on such capacity.

Further, does one need a huge aerobic capacity if one plays at full forward for Sandringham? I'll ask Nick Sautner next time I see him.

I'm not having an opinion one way or another at this stage, simply playing devil's advocate.

Sautner and Riewoldt are very different. Sautner is very strong body on body, while Riewoldt is a runner. Newton is built like Riewoldt and cannot rely on Sautner's core strength to win one on one contests. So while the running is not important for Sautner, it is exceedingly important for Riewoldt.

Also, Riewoldt does not play full forward. He plays further up the ground where there's more space. It's hard to play uncontested football 20 metres from goal.

I said initially that

"Newton, if he is to succeed will rely on his speed, agility and spring."

I don't see him as a pack marking strength forward, particular early in his career. Hence I'm not worried about supposed skinny legs.

BTW, is it possible to have weak legs and be able to stand on peoples shoulders when you take marks?

I said initially that

"Newton, if he is to succeed will rely on his speed, agility and spring."

I don't see him as a pack marking strength forward, particular early in his career. Hence I'm not worried about supposed skinny legs.

BTW, is it possible to have weak legs and be able to stand on peoples shoulders when you take marks?

re. weak legs - Not if Robbo's big bum is any indication! Gary Ablett had a big rear and massive thighs too.

You would think being of a slight build and smaller weight you would have a good spring, but I guess it all comes down to your pins. Newton has a long time to develop and mature, he'll get there.

But will he be given that time? I'm not sure if he's on a 1 or 2 year contract, but even if we assume it's 2, if he doesn't make some serious headway THIS season, he's only going to have 2008 to make strides. Bate and Dunn have put themselves in a position to be MILES ahead of him, and the club's shown that it's willing to stick with a tall forward only for 4 years, and in that case the player had a multitude of injuries to take into account.

I'm as excited about Newton as the next guy, but I'm under no illusions that he's a made man. If he doesn't at least equal the efforts/impact of Dunn last season then he might be in a little bit of trouble.

But will he be given that time?

I'm a firm believer that players mature at different rates and at different times. And there are two parts to the maturity, mental and physical.

Newton clearly has the physical talent. He looks like he'll mature physically a bit later than many who are drafted and the impression I get is that he's yet to mentally mature.

Newton was drafted as a bottom end player. This, compounded with the fact that he's probably maturing later than many means the risks are magnified. I'm confident the club knows this. Newton's a speculative investment. We will have to invest more into Newton than Smith (who was much more physically and mentally mature than Newton when drafted) and it may not work. But the upside is substantial.

It's the substantial upside that has people excited and justify the investment. I'd be very disappointed if the club invested 3 years into Newton and discard him before they were sure one way or the other whether he'd make it and what the finished product looked like.

Fair enough.

as long as he gets a chance at

A: Sandy Seniors full season

and maybe

B: games at AFL level

then we shall no if he is up to it all, but please, dont write him off without seeing what he has to offer!!!!