8 minutes ago, 640MD said:

I do not doubt your opinion and he does look good in the Dee’s colours.

But

For him to be our recruit of the year must mean that the team he came from have lost severely.

Was he played in the wrong position , had too much opposition for his place or was he injured badly, why did they let him go. We have recruited very poorly in the past few years IMO from other clubs. Culley same but looks good.

Hope your right though !!

I agree with you. It is a bit like the Riley Onley situation. It is hard to fathom how a quick, athletic 6’5” mid who was rated in the top 30 at the beginning of the year slid to us in the rookie draft. Every club (including us) overlooked him on average 3 times.

Like everyone else here I hope CJ ends up being the recruit of the year and Riley is the draft bargain. Call me a stick in the mud but you’d think both are highly unlikely.

Just on Culley in the match sims, is he being stationed out on a wing or is he playing more inside midfield?

7 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Just on Culley in the match sims, is he being stationed out on a wing or is he playing more inside midfield?

Would also be curious to hear where Sparrow and Laurie are lining up

Both have struggled in the half fwd role at AFL level, but maybe with a new coach and Trac and Clarry out of the midfield, they’ll have a chance to show their wares through the middle of the ground

2 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Just on Culley in the match sims, is he being stationed out on a wing or is he playing more inside midfield?

It’s difficult to pin down the exact positions of many of the mids, wings, and half-forward/half-back types because this isn’t an 18-on-18 match-simulation with players set up in their true roles at the start of the play. “Match SIM” might even be the wrong term to use, as the structure is quite different. As a result, players naturally push further up the ground.

Culley is one of those players who seems involved in everything but he doesn’t appear to be playing a traditional wing role in these drills.

Another factor is how each play begins. It’s rarely a standard centre bounce. Most sequences start with the ball already down at full forward, with play initiated from the pocket. Occasionally they’ll bring the ball to the middle, but even then there’s no proper ball-up and an assistant coach will simply roll the ball away from the rucks and mids in the square to kick things off.

Next time, I’ll pay closer attention to which players are actually starting in the centre.

I'll also add that in these "Match SIM" drills it is usually just two key forwards/backs in the forward 50 and maybe a smaller forward or mids running in with the ball. It isn't the traditional match setup with 6 forwards and 6 backs set up like in a game.

Favour please

A friend’s son is a train on player at hawthorn. Does anyone know if there is a Hawks equivalent to us (Demonland). I’d like to see if there is a training thread and how he is going.

Not surprised with Culley and his endeavour. You need people like this when you're in the place we're in right now.

I'm thinking Rd 1 is very possible.

1 minute ago, FarNorthernD said:

Favour please

A friend’s son is a train on player at hawthorn. Does anyone know if there is a Hawks equivalent to us (Demonland). I’d like to see if there is a training thread and how he is going.

https://www.bigfooty.com/forum/threads/2026-off-season-preseason-reports-and-discussion.1403920/page-10

Melbourne's midfield ensemble under new coach Steven King continues to take shape in the wake of the exits of premiership champions Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver.

The Demons and their rookie coach will be tasked with finding the right mix of midfielders to commence their new era of the red and blue, with a balance of youth and household names set to lead from the middle.

Captain Max Gawn is set to be surrounded by a new-look pack of ball winners, with his vice-captain Jack Viney and livewire Kysaiah Pickett now the most familiar of faces to their eight-time All-Australian.

His old St Kilda counterpart, Jack Steele, is among the new names set to roll through King's engine room, while first-round draft selections Harvey Langford, Koltyn Thlstrup, Caleb Windsor, Xavier Lindsay and Bailey Laurie will each get their turn.

The Demon who could take on a much larger midfield slice looks to be second-year onballer Jai Culley, who has continued to impress at pre-season training under King.

Having added size and strength, as well as bringing a high-level work rate, Culley could be the Melbourne midfielder who helps fill the hole left by Petracca and Oliver.

The 194cm talent, who will coincidentally wear Oliver's vacant No.13 jumper, is positioned to be a key piece of Melbourne's midfield unit for 2026 after just four games at AFL level this year, three of which came in Troy Chaplin's trio of appearances as interim.

Had it not been for Andy Moniz-Wakefield's cruel ACL injury midway through the pre-season, and the AFL's decision to approve the signing of Culley as his replacement via the Supplemental Selection Period following the acquisition window's deadline days prior, Culley would have likely spent the entire 2025 season in the VFL for Casey.

A rise to prominence for Culley would see that exception bear fruit for the Demons, while also leaving West Coast to rue their decision to part ways with the 22-year-old at the end of 2024.

Taken with the first overall pick in the 2022 Mid-Season Draft, Culley managed just a dozen games for the Eagles in his two-and-a-half seasons in Perth

Culley couldn't break into West Coast's midfield pack during his time in WA, however the Eagles have since looked to uncover bargain options to aid their centre bounces, adding cut AFL trio Harry Schoenberg, Finlay Macrae and Deven Robertson via the SSP last week.

What was West Coast's has been Melbourne's gain, with both sides set to put forward refreshed midfield groups in 2026.

The Demons have looked to add height and power to their cohort, with Culley, Langford and Rookie Draft addition Riley Onley all stopping the tape above 190cm tall. The latter was among the new names to impress at training on Monday.

The taller trio will complement Pickett's speed and agility, with Steele and Viney bringing experience and proven contested games.

Viney has been one of several senior Demons limited on the track so for this pre-season, with the likes of Jake Bowey, Shane McAdam, Jack Henderson, Moniz-Wakefield and draftee Thomas Matthews not taking part in skills drills at their latest session.

Bowey was kept to running for the entirety of training at Gosch's Paddock, while key forward Jacob van Rooyen joined him after some friendly fire left him with blood pouring from his mouth.

The Demons returned to Melbourne last week after spending time in Bright as part of their pre-season community camp.

Wow. Thanks track watchers for all the comments on tracing and how the boys are doing. Really look forward to coming on here and reading what they’re doing at training and how they’re looking. I know it’s early but I’m really getting excited for next year, with no expectations I’m hoping the boys will prove a few people wrong with their thoughts on us.

Was just wondering if anyone knows how long the boys have a break from over Christmas and when they start back ip at training next year. Thanks, Go Dees!

PS. Super pumped to see the videos that Melbourne media will provide over the next week or so of the training camp up in bright. It should be brilliant to watch

14 minutes ago, Demonland said:

I'll also add that in these "Match SIM" drills it is usually just two key forwards/backs in the forward 50 and maybe a smaller forward or mids running in with the ball. It isn't the traditional match setup with 6 forwards and 6 backs set up like in a game.

This is good news.... actually , wonderful news. They're not looking to crowd the arc...letting fwd learn 'space'

It's very different in a game granted but this is how you teach craft and patterns.

Truly heartened to hear this.

Yesssss !!!!!

8 minutes ago, beelzebub said:

This is good news.... actually , wonderful news. They're not looking to crowd the arc...letting fwd learn 'space'

It's very different in a game granted but this is how you teach craft and patterns.

Truly heartened to hear this.

Yesssss !!!!!

Keep in mind, though, that match sim training can't replicate a full game as you need 46 available players (fewer if the interchange bench is less than 5 a side). As a consequence, the match sim at training is always going to have more space. It's just a question of where that space is going to be found.

1 minute ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

Keep in mind, though, that match sim training can't replicate a full game as you need 46 available players (fewer if the interchange bench is less than 5 a side). As a consequence, the match sim at training is always going to have more space. It's just a question of where that space is going to be found.

Fully appreciate that, and alluded to such.

Got to walk before you run kind of thing. You need to develop the understanding of where and what to do first. Sort of with 'training' wheels and by that I suggest uncluttered.

Once you've got the idea you can still look to execute this mentality in a game , even with more people around. You've developed the process. . Conversely or more poignantly in a coaligned education those feeding you are learning where to put the ball. That doesn't mean where you( the leading fwd )is.... but where you're heading.

If you look at the top teams they dont necessarily kick to a player.... they kick to a space.... knowing thats where their receiver is heading.

This sounds very promising for us. ( well to me ...lol )

2 hours ago, Ghostwriter said:

Wow. This must be a recent rule change. I got photos with several of the Victory players earlier this year (also for a young soccer fan). They must wonder why literally no one shows up to watch them train. Their open training this year was a sad sight. A smattering of people turned up. Similar thing with Storm, hardly ever any fans watching them train.

Maybe photos with players are allowed, but not match sims etc.

Anyway, glad I got along; day one of long service leave and I got to go full mfc-nuffie! #kickinglifegoals

Woot, not going to lie, reading training reports is keeping me going through what is a horrendously difficult move. We've been settled in the US for some time - been here 14 years this round - and wow, accumulated stuff and made friends and now we are ripping ourselves up and relocating back to Melbourne (area). Gave away the cat today, totally gutted over that. Selling my car on Wednesday, flying out on Friday. Saying goodbye is amazingly hard, even when we have good reasons for the move.

Training reports remind me of things to look forward to. Can't wait to rock up to Gosch's, see folks and all the team, including the new boys.

11 minutes ago, thirty-one said:

Woot, not going to lie, reading training reports is keeping me going through what is a horrendously difficult move. We've been settled in the US for some time - been here 14 years this round - and wow, accumulated stuff and made friends and now we are ripping ourselves up and relocating back to Melbourne (area). Gave away the cat today, totally gutted over that. Selling my car on Wednesday, flying out on Friday. Saying goodbye is amazingly hard, even when we have good reasons for the move.

Training reports remind me of things to look forward to. Can't wait to rock up to Gosch's, see folks and all the team, including the new boys.

It’ll be good to have you back! We need more folks who rock a tie-dye/MFC combo and pull it off brilliantly.

#HippiesNeverDie 😁

8 hours ago, Demonland said:

Kozzy’s evasive skills are sublime but ya’ll knew that already.

Really? He couldn't even get past Whitney! 😂😂😂

I called Thomas Matthews “Tommy” and he said he likes being called Tommy and that’s what he wants to go by but he’s not the only Tom in the side. I said it’s all good because the other Toms are usually called Tmac, Spaz and TC. I told him he’ll no doubt be given a nickname by his teammates. Or will he?

Before training started I was asked if I’d met the new guys yet. I said I’ve only met XT so far. Langers said ‘“XT”? I like it!’ Then Salo and Rooey agreed.

Our team’s nickname game is poor 🙃

2 hours ago, Demonland said:

Melbourne's midfield ensemble under new coach Steven King continues to take shape in the wake of the exits of premiership champions Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver.

The Demons and their rookie coach will be tasked with finding the right mix of midfielders to commence their new era of the red and blue, with a balance of youth and household names set to lead from the middle.

Captain Max Gawn is set to be surrounded by a new-look pack of ball winners, with his vice-captain Jack Viney and livewire Kysaiah Pickett now the most familiar of faces to their eight-time All-Australian.

His old St Kilda counterpart, Jack Steele, is among the new names set to roll through King's engine room, while first-round draft selections Harvey Langford, Koltyn Thlstrup, Caleb Windsor, Xavier Lindsay and Bailey Laurie will each get their turn.

The Demon who could take on a much larger midfield slice looks to be second-year onballer Jai Culley, who has continued to impress at pre-season training under King.

Having added size and strength, as well as bringing a high-level work rate, Culley could be the Melbourne midfielder who helps fill the hole left by Petracca and Oliver.

The 194cm talent, who will coincidentally wear Oliver's vacant No.13 jumper, is positioned to be a key piece of Melbourne's midfield unit for 2026 after just four games at AFL level this year, three of which came in Troy Chaplin's trio of appearances as interim.

Had it not been for Andy Moniz-Wakefield's cruel ACL injury midway through the pre-season, and the AFL's decision to approve the signing of Culley as his replacement via the Supplemental Selection Period following the acquisition window's deadline days prior, Culley would have likely spent the entire 2025 season in the VFL for Casey.

A rise to prominence for Culley would see that exception bear fruit for the Demons, while also leaving West Coast to rue their decision to part ways with the 22-year-old at the end of 2024.

Taken with the first overall pick in the 2022 Mid-Season Draft, Culley managed just a dozen games for the Eagles in his two-and-a-half seasons in Perth

Culley couldn't break into West Coast's midfield pack during his time in WA, however the Eagles have since looked to uncover bargain options to aid their centre bounces, adding cut AFL trio Harry Schoenberg, Finlay Macrae and Deven Robertson via the SSP last week.

What was West Coast's has been Melbourne's gain, with both sides set to put forward refreshed midfield groups in 2026.

The Demons have looked to add height and power to their cohort, with Culley, Langford and Rookie Draft addition Riley Onley all stopping the tape above 190cm tall. The latter was among the new names to impress at training on Monday.

The taller trio will complement Pickett's speed and agility, with Steele and Viney bringing experience and proven contested games.

Viney has been one of several senior Demons limited on the track so for this pre-season, with the likes of Jake Bowey, Shane McAdam, Jack Henderson, Moniz-Wakefield and draftee Thomas Matthews not taking part in skills drills at their latest session.

Bowey was kept to running for the entirety of training at Gosch's Paddock, while key forward Jacob van Rooyen joined him after some friendly fire left him with blood pouring from his mouth.

The Demons returned to Melbourne last week after spending time in Bright as part of their pre-season community camp.

Sometimes there are great "rags-to-riches" stories. I sure hope Cully becomes a big one, especially given the loss of AMW last year may have been bigger yhan we realised. Maybe both have strong 2026 seasons. We're due some luck.

1 hour ago, Ghostwriter said:

I called Thomas Matthews “Tommy” and he said he likes being called Tommy and that’s what he wants to go by but he’s not the only Tom in the side. I said it’s all good because the other Toms are usually called Tmac, Spaz and TC. I told him he’ll no doubt be given a nickname by his teammates. Or will he?

Before training started I was asked if I’d met the new guys yet. I said I’ve only met XT so far. Langers said ‘“XT”? I like it!’ Then Salo and Rooey agreed.

Our team’s nickname game is poor 🙃

Tommy? Ahhhh! So that .......deft second-round pick sure gives a mean handball?! 😉😂

1 hour ago, Ghostwriter said:

I called Thomas Matthews “Tommy” and he said he likes being called Tommy and that’s what he wants to go by but he’s not the only Tom in the side. I said it’s all good because the other Toms are usually called Tmac, Spaz and TC. I told him he’ll no doubt be given a nickname by his teammates. Or will he?

Before training started I was asked if I’d met the new guys yet. I said I’ve only met XT so far. Langers said ‘“XT”? I like it!’ Then Salo and Rooey agreed.

Our team’s nickname game is poor 🙃

I prefer X-RaTed 😂

Because he’s X and I rate him.

Thanks for the great reports GW.

2 hours ago, Ghostwriter said:

I said I’ve only met XT so far. Langers said ‘“XT”? I like it!’

Imagine if one day he ends up as captain. He'd then be XTC and our senses would be working overtime.

10 hours ago, alpha33 said:

How long was the scheduled training?

Is that a hypothetical question similar to that asked of a piece of string?

8 hours ago, Ethan Tremblay said:

Currently 38 degrees.

Edit: oh sorry……. that’s here in Perth.

Fahrenheit or centigrade?

8 hours ago, Mickey said:

Hallelujah

6 hours ago, FarNorthernD said:

I agree with you. It is a bit like the Riley Onley situation. It is hard to fathom how a quick, athletic 6’5” mid who was rated in the top 30 at the beginning of the year slid to us in the rookie draft. Every club (including us) overlooked him on average 3 times.

Like everyone else here I hope CJ ends up being the recruit of the year and Riley is the draft bargain. Call me a stick in the mud but you’d think both are highly unlikely.

This draft had several high rated prospects skip thru due to less spots and more clubs taking “needs” ergo less mids taken — Onley could be a miss or a total stud I have a genuine crush on his assets tbh I think he’s a bont-ish player inc the hands it’s very exciting

CJ HATED the wing — will relish HB and manic game style suits him too a tee so for him it’s all about decision making and using his dahs to start handball chains