1 hour ago, Jack Vineys Anger Manager said:

Where's Riv?

One of a number of non-1st-4th years not present.

2 hours ago, Demonland said:

Prepare for your houses to be trained down. Taylor just collected a ground ball sold some candy whilst moving laterally through traffic gave off a hand ball kept running and received it back before pin point kicking it long down field.

I am sure we will coach all of that out of him before games kick off. No wait it's a new era 😁

Wheels told me this interesting story…

JT encouraged everyone to believe that Latrelle would be a later pick, knowing all along we were gonna take him early. He had heard Essendon were considering taking him with a later pick. When we took XT with pick 11, Essendon and GWS and whoever else was interested thought that we mustn’t be that keen on Latrelle or we would’ve taken him at the first opportunity. Essendon then thought cool we’ll get him instead. Then the JT hammer came down on everyone and we took Latrelle.

The funny part is that wheels and Kozzie had to hide in the carpark until just before the Latrelle pick was announced because anyone catching sight of Kozzie would’ve been sus as to why he was there. Wheels said the AFL helped our club out by agreeing to not list Kozzie as a jumper presenter (again, dead giveaway) and facilitated the sneaking in of Kozzie unnoticed.

I mean, I knew JT was a wizard but this is next level!

1 hour ago, Greg Schneider said:

Does it look like Windsor is being used mainly in the midfield or half back? Thanks

Both. Hard to accurately gauge it though as not all listed players are present and therefore the end to end drills and "match SIMs" are less structured than they will be in a week or two. He, as a few others like Kolt, Culley, Langford and Bowey seem to always be in positions to be used as the link man across half back or in the middle.

As has also been noted there is a lot of quick ball movement and either long handballs to a guy running forward or hand balls amongst players running in waves that it can also be hard to gauge exact positions.

2 hours ago, Demonland said:

Match SIM

Petty playing as a defender.

Love this time of year,

We can all be positive and happy.

These reports do make me smile and I end up with my membership despite being so disappointed last time.

So thanks to the track watchers you have done your job superbly .

3 hours ago, Demonland said:

Match SIM

Petty playing as a defender.

Amen to that!

Another big thanks to Demonland, Ghostwriter, waynewussell, ClaNiKo, Kev, all posters and special comments great reports fast and furious this morning. Sounds like everyone is up and about, great that Taylor was there this morning but no mention of Steele. Will miss these reports next week when they are on camp at Bright. Hopefully the club will keep us informed.

33 minutes ago, DeeZone said:

Another big thanks to Demonland, Ghostwriter, waynewussell, ClaNiKo, Kev, all posters and special comments great reports fast and furious this morning. Sounds like everyone is up and about, great that Taylor was there this morning but no mention of Steele. Will miss these reports next week when they are on camp at Bright. Hopefully the club will keep us informed.

Anyone who lives in that part of Vic can make their way to training. Days and times are TBC and idk the location because the person with whom I was speaking doesn’t know either. He said he just gets on the bus and is taken there. I’m thinking there can’t be too many grounds in Bright, surely.

2 hours ago, deelusions from afar said:

Got nothing against the guy but with 2/3 draftees this week small forwards, looks like its going to be even harder for Henderson to get a look in next year. Does he have enough upside to still make it?

Emphatic NO

5 hours ago, Ghostwriter said:

And some slightly unhinged cheer squad nuffie met him before any of the players did. He got a warm welcome hug from her and now he’s probs questioning the draft results 😅

Nah! First clause in his contract mentioned this.

2 hours ago, Ghostwriter said:

Wheels told me this interesting story…

JT encouraged everyone to believe that Latrelle would be a later pick, knowing all along we were gonna take him early. He had heard Essendon were considering taking him with a later pick. When we took XT with pick 11, Essendon and GWS and whoever else was interested thought that we mustn’t be that keen on Latrelle or we would’ve taken him at the first opportunity. Essendon then thought cool we’ll get him instead. Then the JT hammer came down on everyone and we took Latrelle.

The funny part is that wheels and Kozzie had to hide in the carpark until just before the Latrelle pick was announced because anyone catching sight of Kozzie would’ve been sus as to why he was there. Wheels said the AFL helped our club out by agreeing to not list Kozzie as a jumper presenter (again, dead giveaway) and facilitated the sneaking in of Kozzie unnoticed.

I mean, I knew JT was a wizard but this is next level!

Umm, once we took XT , with the very next pick, wasn't it already too late for any other club to 'intercept'? Certainly if the enemy saw Kosi's face at #5 they could have 'stolen' LSP. But surely not once we had the floor for our own consecutive 'Tracc' picks. No?

4 hours ago, waynewussell said:

Well, not wanting to be unkind, but at his first hit out, Taylor looks like a boy amongst men! He could still be hung over from draft night!

Spargo made a good decision to leave

Competition for spots in the fwd line and the backline should be excellent

14 minutes ago, Go Ds said:

Umm, once we took XT , with the very next pick, wasn't it already too late for any other club to 'intercept'? Certainly if the enemy saw Kosi's face at #5 they could have 'stolen' LSP. But surely not once we had the floor for our own consecutive 'Tracc' picks. No?

Sigh. I just knew someone would take me to task for this. Didn’t expect it to be you, though.

I relayed exactly what Wheels told me. Any doubts or questions should be directed his way.

8 minutes ago, Ghostwriter said:

Sigh. I just knew someone would take me to task for this. Didn’t expect it to be you, though.

I relayed exactly what Wheels told me. Any doubts or questions should be directed his way.

I wasnt taking anyone to task. I like the story. I just know there's a huge amount of stuff I don't know and that possibly I missed something about the draft process. There was no vitriol in my post.

I watched the men’s and the women’s training which was great but the highlight of the day was meeting a lovely 95yo gentleman. He told me some of his favourite memories of his many years as a passionate Dees supporter, including Fred Fanning’s 18-goal bag which he saw live. I listened to him for quite a while and it was heartwarming to see his face light up with each memory. It was really special.

Turns out his name is Geoff Ponsford and he’s the son of Bill Ponsford. It was such an honour to meet him.

3 minutes ago, Ghostwriter said:

Turns out his name is Geoff Ponsford and he’s the son of Bill Ponsford.

Was he seated or did he stand?

21 minutes ago, Demonstone said:

Was he seated or did he stand?

...and if ever someone makes it to 200 a Ponsford would be fitting. 😂

3 hours ago, Mouseymoo said:

WHAT?? GOODWIN ALLOWED THIS TO HAPPEN??

1 hour ago, Ghostwriter said:

I watched the men’s and the women’s training which was great but the highlight of the day was meeting a lovely 95yo gentleman. He told me some of his favourite memories of his many years as a passionate Dees supporter, including Fred Fanning’s 18-goal bag which he saw live. I listened to him for quite a while and it was heartwarming to see his face light up with each memory. It was really special.

Turns out his name is Geoff Ponsford and he’s the son of Bill Ponsford. It was such an honour to meet him.

Well there's a name. You were truly graced... and he just a lucky to have met an interested listener.

These are life's best little moments imho.

The unexpected gifts.

7 hours ago, Demonland said:

The incredible Melk has arrived and working separately with a trainer doing some warmups. Not sure whether he will join the man group or do his own separate program.

Oh, he’s in the man group alright. 😉

Just now, beelzebub said:

Well there's a name. You were truly graced... and he just a lucky to have met an interested listener.

These are life's best little moments imho.

The unexpected gifts.

Oh, it was something I’ll always remember. Before we parted ways he sincerely thanked me for listening. He didn’t need to though, I really enjoyed his stories and equally as much enjoyed seeing how happy it made him to share them. Here’s the embarrassing part though… he told me it was an honour to meet me because he’s seen me on TV a bit. What could I possibly say to that? I was literally speechless. So we took a selfie together and everything seemed normal again 😄

I couldn’t have selected a better day to return to Melbourne following a sojourn in the north, where sunshine prevailed in stark contrast to reports of icy winds and rain at home in early November. Today, I attended a training session at Gosch’s Paddock for my first Demons’ men’s preseason training session to a pleasant surprise in the form of new recruit Xavier Taylor from the Eastern Ranges. Taylor received the customary Demon Army hug of welcome and then proceeded to demonstrate all of the skills and talent expected of an early first round draft selection.

This was the first time I had seen him in the flesh but I had followed the highlights of his stellar season through the winter in the Coates Talent League and at Victoria Metro Under 18 level. I watched him carve up the Sandringham Dragons forwards on screen in a CTL Grand Final best-on-ground performance in the Ranges’ 15-point premiership victory where he controlled the air and the ground with 25 disposals and 15 marks. He ran onto the ground today and looked and felt completely at home with some skillful manoevres that suggested he is headed for a long and successful career. Unfortunately, his fellow draftees in Latrelle Pickett and Thomas Matthews (reputedly excitement machines par excellence) weren’t yet available so I’ll have to come back for some more before the team breaks off for the end of the year.

Taylor wasn’t the only player to impress. Kozzy Pickett was in everything , showcasing his innate ability to anticipate the exact point where the ball was about to arrive. The skipper appeared comfortable as he transitioned into training after his recent overseas trip and he had a good contest with a physically imposing trainee understudy ruckman in Max Heath from the Saints. New recruits Brody Mihocek and Changkuoth Jiath (CJ) were both in partial rehab, but demonstrated that they will bring new dimensions to the team's dynamic.

I liked the look of Blake Howes who showed a fair bit of run and there’s a bit of competition among budding key forwards JvR, Matt Jefferson and Luker Kentfield. Jai Culley looks a likely improver and very impressive wearing the number 13. Bailey Laurie is working hard for one of the spots opening up in the midfield.

As training finished for the men, the women came out for their final warm up session before tomorrow’s Preliminary Final against North Melbourne. They looked keen an bouyed for the task as they kicked off with a soccer friendly.

It was time to get back to the office before watching Mitchell Starc destroy the Poms in their first innings in between the Rookie Draft where Melbourne welcomed a tall midfielder in Riley Onley along with the long-awaited arrival of Kalani White.

It’s been a great day for Demonkind!

Lovely morning down at the Paddock. A little windy but without gusts and a great temperature.

The vibe stays strong as they turn-up to the pre-Bright run.

Plenty of spectators to wish the Men well and to give the Women a welcome and supportive cheer on.

The new one, Xavier Taylor in number 19 looks the goods. My first thought was, he has “the right stuff”. Someone mentioned he was a mate of Lindsay. I can see he has been trained well, as Lindsay was. Those development coaches in the Coates Talent League do a great job. He is ready to impact straight away. He participated in the sims for a short period, he was a ball magnet (the coaches passed it to him a couple of times). Has great hands, handles the ball with confidence. Gets others into the game with connection, creates runs and sets plays up. I like him, if all goes well, could be selected in the first game.

Miochek also participated in a few sims. I like the movement he does. Beautiful timing that syncs with the ball carrier, shows a great change of direction (180°) and points where he wants it. Couldn't have made it easier for the hit up. He was paired with JVR as the two forward heads, with Miochek playing deeper at first and then swapping, as Miochek began leading up onto the wing. Great that he gets heavily involved with plays.

Kossie is raring to go. Space and time move, he dances and accelerates when he gets the ball. Buried a couple of others in tackles as well. Mentha has his mate with him.

AMW continues to gradually enter some drills.

Nathan Jones had some angry pills and was getting animated when some players didn't live up to standards.

Berry's doing well. Can tackle, reads the play, and he handles the ball well. I was quite surprised at his closing speed, which has a bit of explosive acceleration.

Having only one oval to train on proved a problem this morning. The women had some confusion and couldn't get on immediately. They waited and waited, then were told the men had stopped only to make it on to the Paddock and wait again, since the men hadn't finished the sims (who also didn't get to have the normal goal kicking drills). They then walked the boundary and to the far goals to start some warm-ups. Ten to fifteen minutes of disruption.

Edited 3 hours ago3 hr by Kev