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Sounds like he was very excited. Jon Dorotich was from WA too.

Some other good news at training was Mitch Clark jogging some slow laps. He got a big cheer from all the boys as he ran passed them.

Thats because he's watching Leigh Brown grind Jack Viney's head into the ground...

I managed to catch around the first half hour as a (prolonged) break from my morning jog. Observations: Hogan is huge in the body for a 17 year-old. Dawes is definitely taller than him, so don't know if Dawes (193cm) is taller than listed, or Hogan (varies, but last I saw was 195cm) id shorter than listed. He was jogging laps with Dawes and Gawn. All the new draftees were there. Toumpas looks reasonable broad across the shoulders and should fill out. They were separate from the group and did some drills including a rapid fire catch and handpass drill off a net. Toumpas was super clean in this drill, Matt Jones good and only fumbled one I saw, Terlich was pretty fumbly, and I wasn't watching when Kent had his turn. They also did 15 metre kick-to-kick and M. Jones didn't need to move a muscle for Toumpas' kicks to him. Barry, Evans and Grimes ran laps not in the main group. Sylvia and Watts were paired together for what looked like 200 metre sprints, but only did half distance. There was one player definitely over 200cm that I didn't recognise. He later joined the new draftees, presume he was an "invitation to train" rookie list possibility. I can't think of any listed player that wasn't out there doing something today (although not all in main group training). I've got some video of the team running past when paired up, will see if I can get it off my phone and up here.

Viney set Demon Standard Looks like it was an interesting training session.

Good, we need more Jack's!

Toumpas is not smiling here, go home factor now at 75%.

Leigh Brown will regret this one day.

Yes, November is when Demonland expectations begin to rise and then crest in February. We all know what usually happens after that. I have few expectations. But I do hope we're a competitive footy team, along the lines of Brisbane this year: always have a good go and maybe upsetting a couple of higher-ups.

A work colleague of mine who also a WAFL Colts umpire goes to the same gym as Kent does here in WA. Said he was flogging himself in there the (Friday) night after being drafted rather than celebrating. Says he's a real hard worker.

I didn't miss as much as I thought. Arrived around 10.20. Huge amount of on lookers from brief comparisons while driving/training by in the past. Looked like a bunch of media for the new arrivals. New arrivals did very little. Agree also noticed Viney in a tap ruck to mid session and he moves well through traffic. Does anyone know who the other ruckman in that drill was, had no number but he looked a little nervous and nearly killed the 'bag man' a couple of times Barry ran a heap of laps, moves well but looks light. Hogan... he does look a player from very limited work. They are obviously slowly bringing him along but he looks bigger, stronger than other players who have been on our list for longer. Even when we was just having a kick to kick with Dawes he goes at the ball, good sign from a future fwd. Not great amount to add as was trying to get my bearings for most of it but some observations: Lots of 2 player repeat sprints nothing really stood out besides Flash who does lag a fair way behind. Each portion of training looks like it is timed to the second, even if they have not completed the drill with all players whistle goes and it's into the next drill. The type of circle work drill mentioned from previous sessions looked like it was back in play, there will be very very very little going through the centre ofthe ground. Bal was worked from say back pocket with a switch or a hit up to CHB, from there it was strictly boundry run and carry. Trenners went through the centre square at one point and was told TRENNERS GET OUTTA THERE very quickly. In a lights v darks full ground stoppage drill it was just contest after contest after contest, any time the ball was held in or spilled to far out a ball up or throw in was had to simulate the next stoppage. It again shows the way we are going to play, hard contested in tight then spread. For mine (i'm sure others will have different opinions) it looked sloppy with no real stand outs besides it highlighting we still have a long way to go with out skills. Plenty of turn overs in this drill. Left while this was still going on. Overall loved it, players really vocal, getting around each other and can see some real physical development in most players but seeing it live gives a broader view and tempers any over the top expectations. The process is in play and it is a gradual build but the foundations are in place and looking good.

Jimmy smiling and loving every minute of being traded to us again. He is my new favourite player

You would say that we could have simply picked him up in the Rookie Draft? I will quickly pivot from the point that you don't know that for certain, to say that what is the point of getting a speculative 18 year old at ND52 and having him on the Primary List when he is not a chance to play AFL footy in 2013? Meanwhile we would have Magner and Jones - two 25 year olds ready to go now having to wait for the 'luck' of major injuries to teammates to be eligible for a game. This thread is symbolic of this idea - why should we have a Primary List spot set aside for someone who won't be ready for 4 or 5 years? And who won't play for 2 years? Gysberts or any other slight kid who doesn't bring something to the table from day one (speed, skills, ferocious attack on the footy) should not be on the Primary List. That is the new dynamic at play here in my opinion.

Totally agree. Watching his clips on the website and those posted by Ben Hur (I think), I thought to myself this kid's got the nicest looking kick in the club, if not the entire AFL. Not since TJ have I enjoyed watching a Demon kick like that.

Son of a MFC player and deceased war hero who went on to be a champion of the club and the Game. Coached North and Carlton to multiple GF victories. If that is not the stuff of legend I don't know what is. IMHO No.31 will be THE number at the MFC for quite some time yet.

It's all been there since draft night. Try connecting your computer to the internet.

Went in for treatment on his shattered elbow

... uh, I reckon the seasoned training watchers are probably switched on enough to recognise Fitzpatrick.

2011 was a disgrace of a year. Those totals look nice on paper but the actuality was quite different, for a start most of the wins were in the first half of the season before we capitulated badly and other teams figured us out. Also, two wins were against a first year Gold Coast, which makes 6 and a half wins as I don't think Gold Coast counts, one was against Port Adelaide who were barely a team in 2011 (they couldn't beat Gold Coast) in Darwin (which makes the game bizarre every year), another against Brisbane (where we fell over the line), and wins against Adelaide and Freo in Melbourne in which both opposition teams didn't show up. Thats 2 and a half honourable wins, while on the other side of the ledger there was a flogging from West Coast, Carlton, Geelong (186), Hawthorn (sound familiar) and bad losses to Richmond and Port Adelaide (remember the team that was barely a team?) in the second half of the year. As i count it, thats two and a half real wins in 2011 and one in 2012. Yes 2012 was even worse, but considering all the off-field turmoil, the seeming senior player revolt, Jurrah, bad luck with injuries and a team that was clearly not fit enough going around there were many reasons rather than simply that we got worse. Neeld will be Judged on 2013, as hopefully we will get to put a team he believes in on the field and the club can avoid the constant tragedy that plagued us in 2012. But if we are going to hang our hats on 2011 as a retrospective success then we are in real trouble. Lastly, the most interesting thing from 2011 is how we performed against the top 4 teams. lost to Geelong by 186, West Coast by 104 and 48, Hawthorn by 55 and 54, Collingwood by 88. Overall we lost to the top four by 535 points!! An average losing margin of over 89 points! This shows how far from the top teams we were. 8 and a half wins means nothing if you can't get within 8 goals of any top side. Let alone 8 goals being the absolute closest you get! In 2012, we lost to Hawthorn by 66, Sydney by 101, Collingwood by 42, Adelaide by 69pts. Admittedly we played two less games, but its still only 278 points, an average losing margin of 69.5. Far better than our 2011 effort. Showing that even though we played better against weaker teams in 2011 we were actually better and more competitive against top sides. Maybe looking too closely for a silver lining as both season were complete shite, however 2011 was no great season. It was terrible!

You lost me at Morton wasn't a failure.

I have zero idea if Neeld is on the right track or not. There seems to be a good energy around the place but... that doesn't mean a hell of a lot really. Only results do. What I do know is that the Bailey way was broken. We had a team that went to water under pressure, and who thought that games under the belt equalled success. Neeld may well build a highly motivated team that can't execute a game plan (seen that before, haven't we?), and that finishes bottom 4 every year of his reign, but I'd put a months pay on it beating Bailey's side each time because the side Bailey wanted to build had no heart and had no balls, and by the end everyone knew it.

"WTF is Morton doing here?"

it doesn't surprise me that you don't agree with me, I'd expect nothing less and I'd query my judgement if you did. The side we had two years ago was as fragile as your reasoning and couldn't stand up to the side we currently have. We are far better off without most of the players you've listed. Where was this supposed improvement going to come from? What were you expecting, Bruce and Green to play on for another 5 year; Addam Maric, Kyle Cheney, Tom McNamara to develop some talent, Bennell to get more than 6 possessions a game, Gysberts and Morton to double their body weight ? Where was it Stakka; in your mind How do you reconcile this 2010 side as if it had 'peaked' obivously it hadn't, it was a bunch of babies out there With this Here's the BnF 2010 Green, Frawley, Jamar, Davey, Sylvia, Bruce, Moloney, Scully, Garland/McDonald, McKenzie We hade a poor side that was capable of coming up with the occasional win but like your argument going nowhere. Now toddle of to Ology and annoy them.

Take one look that's that [censored] CARO.

If he gets another contract I reckon he'll have more kids. Think of all the father/son picks we will have access to . It's good for the long term .

now this boys and girls IS how you kick a ball.. beautiful to watch

You don't even need the 10 minute pep talk. All you need to know is that your mark is fairly dumb, that he talks and thinks that way and has made the comment before. The right question will get the result you want.

looks like brownie's testing the jaw out seeing if its healed properly

Nothings lower than a politician, especially the lady in power at the moment.

I'd probably do the same if the Dee's picked me up.

Agree 100% heard that as well this morning. Wilson just might be a little concerned because I do not expect the MFC Legal Team to forget anything.

Made the trip down to have a look this morning. Things of greatest note for mine. Gawn is enormous across the chest. Looks like a monster; fitness pending, I could see him being first ruck by year's end. I was taken by exactly how big Viney is. Was paired with Byrnes in the sprints in the 5th or 6th pair, and was the standout for mine, taking him easily each time. Even when he slipped at the start, and gave up 10m, he chased him down. Was hungry! Dawes was more active than his injury report suggested, i would suggest he would be back with the main group as soon as next week. Hogan did laps with Dawes and Gawn. and then kick to kick with Dawes... there is just something about him. looks commanding with the footy around him. Aaron Davey was a shadow of his former self. I understand the contract situation, but it's sad to watch from my perspective. Barry did some kick to kick lead work late in the piece and looks like a beautiful mover All in All seems like a more balanced list already. Disappointments, 1) Would have loved to have seen the new boys tear it up also, i guess we need to ease them in. 2) Watts and Sylvia seemed to be on slight restrictions compared to the rest of the group. Nothing to prevent ready for round 1, but these are 2 players I'd love to be tearing the track apart all pre season. Whenever expectations aren't meant, resritced pre seasons are always mentioned. Welcome aboard Jimmy, Dean, Dean and Matt! Go Dees!

In the Hindenburg ,sipping Moselle.I've got a cabin upstairs ,sipping Champagne. If we crash I wont spill a drop .

For a thread on Final Comment this thread just goes on and on.

A-motherhucking-men. Will never forget that first game against Geelong either. It's as if they knew any possession he got would have zero effect on the outcome of the game. I don't think one Geelong player noticed him on the ground. He literally ran around without an opponent all day, won some cheap ball at the stoppages and on the fly. The next thing you know half of demonland think we have another 'superstar' at our club. I will be surprised if gysberts lasts more than a couple of years on North's list. One of the most overrated young players going around.

Is this post about Jordan Gysberts - or all the players we let go? The fact is that in the Bailey years we recruited a lot of talented kids to play the sort of open footy that was in vogue 3 or 4 years ago. Perhaps because they had natural talent they hadn't developed the hunger you need to have today - but one way or another they were all given a chance and they didn't cut the mustard. You could say that we were tough on Cook - but no other club has given him a lifeline. Some are critical of the FD for letting these players go for next to nothing - but the fact is that no one else rated them. The mistake was in recruiting them in the first place - it was time to cut our losses If we get a few injuries - we might miss Martin because of his adaptability - but I don't think he's going to come back and bite us. Gys is still young enough to make a good career for himself but the way we want to play he's too light to be a key inside workhorse and too slow to be a line-breaking outside runner. Gys will be better off in a different environment - and we'll be better off moving forward without him

Have to agree with deeluded here. Go and read up on Barassi Snr - a Tobruk rat who wore the 31, his son who was 'adopted' by the Greatest AFL Coach of All Time, his career in the 31, the flags he won in the number, and the coach he became at other clubs. Look into it, read up on it, watch this: http://sixtyminutes.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8458100 It's more than just a number.

Morton was a complete and utter failure. What do you call 65 games of crud and 5 serviceable games??? Don't start revising history around here......

Not sure he left only for money. He also left to coach and other issues happening at the time. But to answer your question: I love him because he was a champion and he played hard. He loved the Club his father played for. He still smarts and hurts over the 58 GF loss. He defends anonymous girls being beaten up by their boyfriend in the middle of the street. He still loves the Dees. He loves his heritage both family and football. I love him because he came home to the Dees. He is a champion footy player and a champion bloke. Not much else to say really.

When I arrived the players were split into groups. Russian and Pedo were doing marking contests, Dunne, Spencer and Fitz doing the same. Spencer is enormous and packing a ripped six pack. Surprising. Dunne was working with the forwards. Rawlings was giving plenty of feed back on technique to avoid hands in the back. Another large group where doing kick to kick with tennis balls and soccer balls. Smaller group doing contested handball drill, receiving ball on the ground and getting hit by a bag. Blease was copping plenty from Neil Craig and made to repeat some of his efforts. Byrnes was real sharp and Craig was loving it. Flash was very clean, I still have hope even though he can't straighten his left leg. He lifts the whole group just being out there, they love him. Rodan, Jones, Tappy and Howe were having set shots. The groups then joined up, doing a full ground drill moving the ball from back pocket to full forward, with each section being filmed. Jmac cannot kick, full stop! Jamar looked great, swinging onto his left on the wing and hitting up forwards! Tappy played in the forward line. Strauss was criticized for his disposal into forward line. Rodan was really sharp across the wing, looking forward to him hitting up our talls this year. Also notices viney wearing number 7, and Magner in Moloney's 22. Spencer moved well in this drill, had me wondering if there may still be hope! Then half group split into tackling drill, working on hitting low and lifting opponent, not sure if this is a good idea. Another group where doing 3v3 handball drill, very intense. Jonesy was dominant. No one can touch him. They then split into 3 groups for running. A repeat 100m ish effort, a 30m agility group, and a full ground spreading drill where the boys got flogged. Wrestling, spread, ball work, and repeat efforts. Pedo worked hard but needs the work, Davey just ahead of him. Tappy headed in after first of 3 rotations. Forwards doing 200s along boundary combined with hard leading from the square. Hard work. Blessed blew up! Howe looked a million bucks. Gotta go now.

that's the trouble with you elitist intellectuals, no feel for the common man. Where is your humanity?

And if we are going to try and paint 2012 as better than 2011 then you are in worse trouble You should have stopped there. 2012 was indeed worse that 2011. And given all the "soft" excuses you have given for 2012 the same would equally apply to 2011. Neeld has slashed and burned the list not because of what he saw in 2011 and earlier but in 2012... 2012 was a trainwreck and our on field performance went backwards. Given the excellent changes made to the list, I would be amazed if we put another year like 2012 in . Neeld has the players now and he needs to deliver

Toumpas for sure flashy outside player But love hard nut viney Don't care just get senior games into these guys so we can have a hard midfield

If Kent even plays this year he'll be doing well ... or we'll have a hell of an injury list. In my opinion also ..

Given Toumpas is Greek wouldn't it have made sense for him to follow in the footsteps of our greatest hairy player in recent time and wear the 3!

Jordon hadn't convinced FD after three years because of a philosophical shift in coaching. He hadn't been a failure (As neither Martin nor Morton had) but didn't fit the preferred type of player. Neeld has taken the club in a completely different direction to the one we were previously committed to for three years as the premiership template. Will the new approach work. It didn't the first year. It's an extreme approach to have topped up with good VFL players at the expense of young developing players. Pederson came virtually at the cost of Gysberts and Martin.(Martin was given away for nothing) In my mind Pederson has to be better than Martin, Fitzpatrick and Hogen to have justified giving up on Gysberts for his inclusion. He couldn't make it at North so he has to really step up with us. Neeld has taken an extreme direction that had better work by the end of three years, or we will be needing to clear out a dozen good VFL players and have a new hole where we gave up on developing players. Yes Gysberts has gone and their is a lot I like about several of the new young kids. But one question remains as a result of Gysberts going. Will Neelds extreme approach work?

Good thing it's not 2007.

If you catch the bus out there and have a penchant for singing french songs, best hum them or sing them in your head.