I went to training today. The following are points of interest.

1. Weetra, Bode and Warnock didn't train with the main group at all.

2. Sylvia only trained with the group for the first non contact drill they did. I arrived just as they were starting and didn't see him do any running, but from previous visits to training he often does these before the main training session starts.

3. Bartram, Wheatley and TJ did the full session.

4. Ward stopped training after about an hour of a 1 hour 20 minute session.

5. McLean did all drills for the first hour and then did a series of run throughs.

At this stage it looks to me that of the players in contention for a spot in the seniors only Sylvia wouldn't be ready for round one. Bartram may need some match practice. We look pretty well placed at this stage.

Thanks fan, did Moloney do a full session at 100%?

Was Holland up and about? Didnt he get a corkie last week?

Sylvia has such potential. Hopefully he has a great year. I would love nhim to silence a few critics on this site. Its hard that he is always being compared to Mclean, whose body seems to be much more mature, yet he still suffers from the dreaded soft tissue curse.

Round 1 is when we need eveyone, not this week.

Holland and Moloney did the full session.

Thanks Fan for the latest report on training today.

Thanks Fan!

What about Pickett? was he looking fit? Full Session?

Great news

Bartram and Travis up and running

Now for the kid Sylvia....

What about Pickett? was he looking fit? Full Session?

But he did a full session!

Unfortunately I have it on pretty good authority that Col will not get a senior berth before round 8 due to OP.

Thanks Fan, I'm so glad someone has time to go to training and fill us all in, it's much appriciated.

Great news about Bartram. Hopefully he'll be right by Round 4 or so, after a couple of practice matches at Sandy.

His injury has turned out much much worse than I think everyone expected.

Im not sure i would be too worried about Col at this stage.

If he isnt due back till round 8 or 10 thats not a bad thing, better that, than having a blinder and going out from round 10 for the season.

Im expecting a mediocre, average first 10 rounds, 5 wins, 5 losses with the view that the Demons are aiming for September action and a better September result, we need to peak from round 17 onwards after a solid year, not come out firing and then after round 12 or 13 start losing games and poise.

If we are 7 and 6 or 8 and 5 at round 13, with players fresh and some due to come back, id be a very happy supporter, as long as the plan of firing in the latter stages works.

There is something brewing at demon land and i cant wait to see the season unfold.

Im expecting a mediocre, average first 10 rounds, 5 wins, 5 losses

Have a look at the draw. A fast start is important I think.

I do agree that if Col is not available until well into the season there is not much damage done. If he comes in fully fit he could be a real wildcard.

Im expecting a mediocre, average first 10 rounds, 5 wins, 5 losses with the view that the Demons are aiming for September action and a better September result, we need to peak from round 17 onwards after a solid year, not come out firing and then after round 12 or 13 start losing games and poise.

Hmmm. I don't believe we can afford a mediocre start.

5-5 after round 10 seems a bit dicey considering we play 7 MCG games. I'd aim for 7-3 with the aim of sneaking a win at either Subi, SCG or Telstra Dome (V Dogs) and budget losing 1 MCG game against either St.Kilda, Geelong or Adelaide.

We need heaps of wins in the bank before we hit a horror 5 week patch between rounds 17-21 where we play Port (AAMI), Sydney (Canberra), Bulldogs (Dome) and Freo (Subi), with Collingwood in between. On previous history we'd probably only win one of those games.

All very valid and looking at the draw very easy to saw we could come out of the blocks firing, i just dont think its done us any good to date thats all.

Anyway, one opinion and a ball hasnt been bounced, either way i am liking that Trav is getting a run this week, Flash and Beamer get a second run and the season is only weeks away.

Bring on the Sherrin