20 minutes ago, Ghostwriter said:

Just had a chat with Kingy. We talked about training. I told him that of the players I’ve asked about training so far the consensus is that it’s brutal, intense, very challenging, etc. I even told him one player called him a [censored] psycho. He loves it. He said that tells him he’s doing things right. But I also told him that these same players all said while it took some getting used to, they actually love this level of intensity and they feel so much stronger and fitter.

I told Kingy that thus far there’s been no S&Gs out there. Not a single shc!tt or giggle in sight. He said, “Oh there’s S&Gs, most definitely there is. But that’s when we’re over there” and he motioned towards AAMI. He said he doesn’t just let them engage in S&Gs, he encourages it because there has to be a healthy balance.

Then, back on the serious training subject, he told me some of the things he tells the players. This was my favourite: he tells them “Yes, it’s bloody hard, it’s brutal, I’m pushing you then pushing you again, and again. I’m pushing you to your absolute limits. I’m doing everything I can to get everything possible out of you and that’s because I want you to be bulletproof and, more importantly I want you to KNOW you’re bulletproof.”

Talk about inspirational! It took every fibre of my being to resist jumping the fence and slam tackling anyone in my path then running 50 laps for fun. But then I remembered I’d likely pull a hammy just trying to jump the fence so instead I just pictured myself doing it.

Thanks very much.But what are S&Gs?

4 minutes ago, Dingo said:

Thanks very much.But what are S&Gs?

Sh!ts & Giggles

Edited 10 hours ago10 hr by hardtack

Big thanks to all the track watchers

4 minutes ago, Dingo said:

Thanks very much.But what are S&Gs?

Sch!tts and giggles. Fun for the sake of fun, the opposite of seriousness.

Big thanks to Ghostwriter, Demonland, W_J, Harvey Wallbanger, all posters and special comments. I love the detail of the drills and whose involved DL and the player snippets GW and getting Kingy’s input is huge.🙌

Sounds like it was a very torrid session, in very warm’ish conditions how did the boys pull up?

Further on the subject of Vines seemingly having a weight lifted from his shoulders, despite being injured, he definitely is different now. And he’s not the only one. I see a similar thing with Melky, Max and Tmac. They seem to be less burdened, if you will. I spoke with one of the medics and he said it’s probably because of all the changes and that Kingy has a reassuring way about him. This makes sense.

I was introduced to our new “psych” as he calls himself. His name is David. He’s about 6ft5 and very softly spoken and gentle-natured. I felt like I’d had a professional session with him, minus the $600 fee 😁

David only started two days ago which means we’ve been psych-less since Stephen Rendall left months ago. Maybe we haven’t had a desperate need for one, therefore not in a hurry to fill the position 🤷‍♀️

2 minutes ago, DeeZone said:

Big thanks to Ghostwriter, Demonland, W_J, Harvey Wallbanger, all posters and special comments. I love the detail of the drills and whose involved DL and the player snippets GW and getting Kingy’s input is huge.🙌

Sounds like it was a very torrid session, in very warm’ish conditions how did the boys pull up?

It was the (now) usual tough session. The boys actually pulled up well, despite the heat. Knackered of course but they still looked pumped.

20 minutes ago, Ghostwriter said:

It was the (now) usual tough session. The boys actually pulled up well, despite the heat. Knackered of course but they still looked pumped.

Any update on CJ after going away with the trainer?

Thanks for getting down again

5 minutes ago, GawnOfTheDead said:

Any update on CJ after going away with the trainer?

Thanks for getting down again

I didn’t know this had occurred. I’ll have to read Demonland when I get home

Arrived at 9.30 to find nearly all the players out having a kick to kick with a partner. Melkys partner was his young son.

The rehabers havent changed since last time. And i know this is impossible but Langford looks even taller. And Max G must be sick of the sight of the back of Disco head as thy run the boundary. Shane McA was running with Reece Conca but perhaps not at the same intensity as Wednesday.

Tom Matthews had a bandage on his left leg and was jogging the line. Also did some time on the bike. And the baggy training shorts seems like a tent at times.

TC did some time running the line. I dont think that is his favourite drill...

Hendo and Vines on the bikes.

The match sims were good fun. Trelly move very well but tried to take on Fritta and Culley. Trelly off to catch his breath.. Culley and Windsor looking good. And if you are a young add on from Casey and Windsor is chasing you dont run in a straight line.

Salems tackles always keeps his opponents on the ground for an extra couple of seconds.

Onleys disposal may be an issue.

Kalani did some competitive work with Jamar, with Conca kicking the ball in . Bump now, ...and again ...and again.

And just between you and me, I think we are going to handball more next season. (Just kick the thing I can hear us yelling now).

At any one time there are about 30+ 'track watchers' looking on.

14 minutes ago, Fritta and Turner said:

And just between you and me, I think we are going to handball more next season. (Just kick the thing I can hear us yelling now).

At any one time there are about 30+ 'track watchers' looking on.

probably. It is kick the ball with your foot!

And thanks to each and every one of the watchers . A lot of the demonland readers will agree Most !

12 minutes ago, Fritta and Turner said:

Trelly move very well but tried to take on Fritta and Culley. Trelly off to catch his breath..

Culls in particular flattened him.

Trelly asked me if I’d seen this happen. I said I had and what the hell was he thinking??? He said he tried to take them on and it came undone. He said that’s gonna happen now and again but it won’t stop him from trying.

We’ve got ourselves a good one.

4 hours ago, Demonland said:

Two umpires here today so looks like there will be a serious Match SIM at some point.

But not #22, dunno how he would've managed it.... Guess he wouldn't pay any frees at all!

Ump #22 in the past might not have seen our way, but I have watched him the last couple of times, he is getting better.

I concede it might be from a low mark.

2 hours ago, Ghostwriter said:

I was introduced to our new “psych” as he calls himself. His name is David. He’s about 6ft5 and very softly spoken and gentle-natured. I felt like I’d had a professional session with him, minus the $600 fee 😁

David only started two days ago which means we’ve been psych-less since Stephen Rendall left months ago. Maybe we haven’t had a desperate need for one, therefore not in a hurry to fill the position 🤷‍♀️

Is there perhaps a correlation between you returning to training and him starting?

Not from today but ….

33 minutes ago, Neil Crompton said:

Is there perhaps a correlation between you returning to training and him starting?

He’s likely meeting with the club right now to re-negotiate his contract, ie. asking for a pay rise. 😁

3 hours ago, GawnOfTheDead said:

Any update on CJ after going away with the trainer?

Thanks for getting down again

CJ had a medical type bandage below his knee on Wednesday, same today. It is the usual thing you see after an arthroscopy.

However, before everyone gets too excited, he participated in full training that day, and did about half a session today. There was an awful lot of running, sprints and up and down the field in todays session, so perhaps he was told not to overdo it?

23 minutes ago, george_on_the_outer said:

CJ had a medical type bandage below his knee on Wednesday, same today. It is the usual thing you see after an arthroscopy.

However, before everyone gets too excited, he participated in full training that day, and did about half a session today. There was an awful lot of running, sprints and up and down the field in todays session, so perhaps he was told not to overdo it?

Thank you, Sir.

Hopefully nothing serious and will be good to go come season start.

I'm going Saturday Ghost writer. Will it be a serious session?

35 minutes ago, WERRIDEE said:

I'm going Saturday Ghost writer. Will it be a serious session?

It’s not a training session at all.

The players will come out, sign things and get photos taken then they will leave. I was told they’ll be there for only half an hour or so.

On Saturdays they do hill-running, a lot of hill-running. Nothing will change tomorrow except they’ll be taking a bit of time out for the meet & greet.

But come along anyways! Your daughter will have a blast.

https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/1941480/afl-training-report-friday-standouts

MELBOURNE’S AFL pre-season is ramping up with players putting their best foot forward this side of Christmas.

While they're not full matches just yet, the group have started completing 20-minute match-like drills, with Melbourne Media trackside to scope out the notable moments.

Anyone watching on would be able to quickly note that Kysaiah Pickett isn’t looking to slow down, despite having already had a career-best campaign in 2025. His quick feet and electric energy were back on Gosch’s and dare we say, with a slight edge to them, making the Demon even more of danger. 

A moment of excitement was a chain down the ground between K.Pickett and young draftee Xavier Taylor, the duo’s speed helping them link up through the centre and deliver the ball inside 50.

Changkuoth Jiath started strong during the half-ground match-sim, his intercepting and explosive speed out of defence a standout.

Through the middle and up forward, Jai Culley was as strong as ever, clunking marks and winning contests – two skills he became known for in the back-half of last season.  

One match-up that was particularly entertaining to watch was between Aidan Johnson and Jake Lever, who went head-to-head in the opening half. Johnson proved stronger in plenty of the one-on-ones.

Brody Mihocek seemed crucial up forward, not just from his own impact, slotting a number of goals, but from his vocals, clearly using his experience to help lead the young teammates around him.

Bursts of talent came from draftee Latrelle Pickett, one standout moment saw him speed down the ground, successfully taking on a number of players and coming out on top.

Second-year Demon Xavier Lindsay had moments of gold. There’s exciting potential with Lindsay for 2026, who was able to put together an impressive 2025 despite having not had a full pre-season in the lead up to games. With a full pre-season under his belt, there’s no telling where he can take his game next year.

1 hour ago, Ghostwriter said:

It’s not a training session at all.

The players will come out, sign things and get photos taken then they will leave. I was told they’ll be there for only half an hour or so.

On Saturdays they do hill-running, a lot of hill-running. Nothing will change tomorrow except they’ll be taking a bit of time out for the meet & greet.

But come along anyways! Your daughter will have a blast.

Ok but do you know which half hour?

Harvey is listed as 190cm. I’m very pleased to announce that he's very pleased that he’s now 192cm, but hasn’t been measured in a while so he’s hoping he’s grown even more. I don’t know what he calls “in a while” but it’s probably a week 😁 These tall guys are never tall enough in their own eyes.

1 minute ago, Dingo said:

Ok but do you know which half hour?

Wheels said it will likely be before they start their usual Saturday morning running. The club hasn’t told us because we’ll be there for the entire time and I guess we don’t need to know.