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Was at training to-day, flew down from FNQ to watch all the new recruits. Please accept my apologies if I miss anything. Support Staff arrived about 1015 and set up the ground. Trainers, water boys and coaches arrived at about 1035. Dave Mission and his staff set up a running track and modified programme training area. The team arrived in whole at around 1045. It was very impressive. Most notable was every player was introducing themselves to each of the four new recruits and the whole team was training to-day There were a lot of people watching training. Todd Viney arrived with the all MFC administration staff and introduced the four new recruits to the staff. He asked the four recruits to get to know the staff and asked the staff to know the new recruits. The team broke into five groups: Group 1 – Mitch Clarke. Mitch is (obviously) on a modified; he conducted a warm up behind the goals and then went into a walk, slow jog, medium pace jog for about 30min. He then conducted a couple of laps of the oval (To the warm reception of the team, very positive). I spoke with Mitch and he said everything is coming along excellent and he is well on track. He looked good. Group 2 – New recruits. All four new recruits were slowly introduced to training. They conducted some handball drills, kicking and Neil Craig spoke with them for a while, explaining what the team was doing on the ground at the time and also what is expected of them during training. It was excellent to listen to and NC was very positive, very supportive and most of all very encouraging. Toumpas kicking and hand ball skills were very impressive. Group 3 – Jack Grimes, Dominic Barry, Josh Tynan and 1 other (Don’t know) – I spoke with Jack Grimes and asked why they were on modified programmes. Jack mentioned, none of them were injured. Jack and Josh are on a modified running programme to increase speed (over 5m) and increase endurance in the legs. Dom Barry and 1 other were increasing fitness and endurance due to being new to the system. Most notable - Jack Grimes was very impressive. He is strong, determined and very quick. He was very vocal towards the main group. The session went for about 1hr 30min and everyone was running well. DB then ran laps. Group 4 – Gawn, Dawes & Hogan – Spoke with Dawes and he is wrapped to be at the Dee’s. He said his calf was good, however told to take it easy to-day. He ran laps with Max Gawn and Hogan. Most Notable – Hogan is an absolute monster. He is just as tall as Dawes, just as wide (across the shoulders) and has a great presence around him. He is very big. Group 5 – Main Group (Everyone else). The session started with some laps and stretching. The group was very vocal and everyone seems to be happy being there. They then moved into sprints, 150m & 300m sprints. They were slit into pairs and had to race each other around the oval. They were all putting in hard. Jack Viney ran really hard the whole session; Colin Garland was also very impressive. It was a gruelling session that lasted for about an hour. They then moved into stoppage drill after stoppage drill after stoppage drill (run by Brian Royal). Jack Viney is afraid of nothing, he through his body at everything. There was defiantly no love lost out there, a lot of pushing and shoving thought the whole session. Everyone was very hard at the ball and at each other. I think there is going to be a lot of ‘bruise’ footy next session. Jack Watts and Colin Silvia did break off for a while and train by themselves. Spoke with them both afterwards and they told me they are not injured, just getting over illness and have been told not to push too hard after being ill. They then broke into forward, back and mids and conducted some stoppage drills and individual skills. They also moved into a kicking drill and ball movement drill around the ground. I was impressed by the lack of dropped ball. Frawley was very strong at this drill, his body position and strength is impressive. Aaron Davey was almost last in every sprint to-day, however his kicking during the other drills was one of, if not the best out there. He was also speaking with MN a lot and I have a funny feeling ‘Flash’ is still an important part of this team. Rodan also picked up a lot of possession; he is strong in the body and knows how to get the ball. The session ended with some stretching and Jack Viney wrestling Brown to the ground. MN and the recruits then conducted interviews. Spoke with Lynden Dunn and he said the atmosphere and mood at the club was excellent. He said, it was nothing like he had seen before. I could also feel a very positive feeling as well. Most Notable – Mitch Clarke (running); Jack Viney (Hard); Jesse Hogan (Massive) I hope this is OK. FNQ Demon.

I have watched, and he has been poor. But he's not been alone in that regard. He is capable of better, he's had issues with his body, he (like Col) has had to deal with being the stop gap player who'd be shifted around from position to position, he was also for a period the MFC player who'd be most tagged and physically targeted (not without effect), who was rarely protected by his team mates. Good players in wretched teams bear the brunt, and he's struggled with that. He now plays a lesser role in a team less reliant on him. He now might have team mates who will support him when he is physically targeted. He may get his body right to play deep forward, where he would have played his career if he were in a better team. To question his integrity ("Checked out a long time ago.") is offensive and unwarranted given the footy he's brought to the MFC over his career to date. Flash may or may not rise in 2013, but he deserves our respect and compassion for attempting to.

What else is he honestly meant to say?

While Trengove didn't have a great year can I point out a few stats. 199 kicks (6th at Melbourne) 190 handballs (2nd at Melbourne) 88 marks (7th at Melbourne) 99 tackles (2nd at Melbourne) 8 goals (12th at Melbourne) To me these stats suggest they worked on his inside game and his pace wasn't an area of focus. (2nd handballs, 2nd tackles) Remember he is a 3rd year player in one of the worst clubs in the league. With better players around him his stats would improve and there's nothing to suggest his natural progression won't continue. As Melbourne improve so will Jack Lets compare his stats to Dustin Martin, the very next pick in the draft. Keep in mind he is rated highly and currently plays in a more successful side 257 kicks (6th at Richmond - 58 more than JT) 190 handballs (6th at Richmond - 9 less than JT) 63 marks (16th at Richmond - 25 less than JT) 60 tackles (7th at Richmond - 39 less than JT) 23 goals (4th at Richmond - 15 more than JT) JT's stats are comparable with arguable the highest rated player from this draft. While he may have 'looked slow' at times during 2012, he was by no stretch being left behind by his teammates. Comments above that Trengove is likely to be on the outer in years to come are laughable. He will continue to be one of the first picked for the next 10 years

People who were arguing whether we would take the great kid with pick 3 if forced to or let him go to GWS/GC (lol) take note; this is why people were willing to "overspend" (lol) on Viney- not only is he hard and skilled he has a winning attitude that will take his game and the game of those around him to the next stratosphere. He is a leader on the training track and will be a leader on the field, and all else will follow him. The prototype of the guy you would want on the front line with one self. Such a happy melbourne supporter I am

Someone has to defend him as the vultures are circling! Going on everybody's assumption that in season 2012 his body was shot and he is finished so you would assume this is as bad as it gets for Aaron Davey. Some stats I found: In 2012 Aaron Davey averaged 4.6 tackles per game (his highest ever), 3rd most at the club, a figure that would of had him 5th highest at the premiers Sydney (as well as quite a bit of bench time). The flavour of the month, Lewis Jetta, averaged 2.8. Apparently, he used to be a good player, so the fact his average of 0.9 goals per game is his best since 2007, aswell as the 4th highest in 2012 at the club, must mean there is some life left in him. So we have a small forward, in a team that got pumped, dealing with a stress fracture in the foot, injured knee and coming off a stressful preseason in which the coach admitted they rushed him back too early, getting little game time to settle in, and managed to be a leader at the club in tackles and goals. He will continue to be an elite kick, good leader and offer guidance to our youth,apply defensive pressure and kick goals. And all this while injured last year. I'm sure this will get smashed but just hoping he can prove everyone wrong.

I hope he finishes his career at Port.

more like Todd Viney: Wat about Garlett Neeld: You're fired!

When fit, he is one of the first names on the team sheet. He is a fixture in the side and will be for quite some time. He might not have been the attacking weapon in 2012 that some wanted but I was happy with his performance and I am confident that he will continue to grow and develop. When you compare him to the other players on our list in the same age bracket, he is easily at the front of the pack.

Really impressed that you actually spoke to some of the guys whose programs were modified to find out why. And the reasons were interesting. Without this, assumptions get made ("Grimes is injury-prone"; "Sylvia is lazy" "Watts is soft") which can be far from the mark. Really 'going the extra mile' - well, thousands of miles, probably! Great report & sounds like it was well worth the effort.

thanks

We were provided with some interesting statistics and a fresh perspective on Davey's career. It was then followed by a procession of douchebags who simply reiterated there old argument without any new thought. Close-minded, cynical flogs. Great argument tappy

Why is there even a thread on this? How about we worry about people that are actually playing for the MFC

Obviously he's been fortified to make that comment!

Can someone confirm if NMMNG is Range Rover the former King of starting threads. FFS while we are at it how about we start a thread on the 2016 draft period. 4 months to go before First Bounce

I wont put a figure on what I would call a fail, (well within reason), other things need to be considered such as who steps up, injuries and can you see sustained improvement and the boys in games for greater length of time as well as an ability to run out games. Lets say if we were to win 8 games, be in another 10 to 12 games for the majority of the game, were within 3 goals for all our losses and clear improvement and right direction obvious to all I think I would be ruing chances missed and calling it a Pass.

A oft overlooked factor when assessing a young mid is who are the other/better midfielders around him? Many in the list you gave of 21 yr olds that JT should be besting serve in midfields where they are playing as the 4th best midfielder or further out in the pecking order. The higher you play in the pecking order the more attention you recieve from oppositions. For example Sidebottom would have Swan, Pendles, Ball, etcc in front of him. Sidebottom is probably 5th or 6th in the pecking order, and it's easier to perform better with less opposition pressure... Jack regularly played as our 3rd best mid (after Jones and Grimes) and performed well.

Not if you're from Scandinavia.

Only if you book a room first

Has anyone mentioned the bald-headed clowns that dress as monks and act half-cut drunk behind the goals at GWS games? Them, I loathe.

Can't believe the general love this club has been granted in here. The AFL created this team to win finals to make $$$ from a region that doesn't really give a shite. Hate them with passion please.

We have gone out and got A-grade young talent which isn't necessarily hard but we targetted Hogan, aggressively recruited and traded for Viney in the second round, and seemingly fell into Toumpas. So there are your blue-chip kids that we weare always going to get. The recruitment of experienced leaders in Byrnes, Rodan, and Dawes is promising and welcome, but that is not where the really pleasing aspect of Neeld's tenure lies (remember we can only judge list management at this stage) - it is in the recruitment of Gillies (22), Pedersen (25), Matt Jones (25), Terlich (22), and Magner (25). All these players (to varying levels) take the pressure off the players that we have asked to carry us in our next flag tilt. Add those names to Jones, Clark, Frawley, Garland, Sylvia, Jamar, and Grimes, and suddenly those 21 and under are not asked to carry what their counterparts at other clubs are not asked to carry. Neeld has invested in our youth, as evidenced by the fact that he traded Pick 3 for a younger player, but he knows that you can't just throw kids out there and let them at it, because other teams will continue to let them have it.

GW$ should always be hated by the MFC. Never forget what the lying little turd did and how GW$ went about it. Dogs

As I've said before C&B, it's a very convenient stance you're taking here. Given that Neeld was only appointed at the end of season 2011, he is really only now able to restructure this list, and that he is doing. So it's not as though we could actually have any meaningful comparison just yet. I am just basing my observations on his actions to date. And they have been very deliberate and very clear and, to my mind, very convincing. I have no doubt that we will see a different MFC side next year. I do not believe we're finals bound, as it's still an inexperienced player group, but I think we'll be more consistent and, importantly, we'll be harder and more competitive. However, you seem pretty confident about your position - so, name your price. We'll have a wager that the team we field against Geelong next year at Kardinia Park (round 13, Sat Jul 13 at 2.10pm) will be a lot more competitive than the team we fielded in round 19, Sat Jul 30 at 2.10pm in 2011 that lost by a margin of 186 points - 37.11.233 to 7.5.47. That's not that long ago to be fair - almost identical games, both Sat arvo at Kardinia Park. I'm not going to propose 186 points as the margin, because, despite your clever Exhibit A comment, I think you actually know that no team coached by Mark Neeld will get flogged by 186 points. So, how about a margin of 86? That's a lazy discount of 100 points on 2011.

Aren't you the bloke that posted in Ology that we only needed to get games into young players and we would be contenders for the flag?? That Stakka bloke?? Sounds familiar....

Huh? Zero evidence? There seems to be quite a bit from where I sit. We've turned over the list in no uncertain terms. We've recruited players to fill key roles. We've drafted good young talent. Training intensity seems to have been stepped up and from all reports the players are responding. This is clear evidence that Neeld is building something real. If you mean that there is no evidence in terms of results, well, no sh!t Sherlock. It's November. We are building a team to win games and instilling a new culture of professionalism. This takes time but surely you can see the evidence of it taking place?

I disagree, they have an opinion but theres no actual 'point' to the comment. its just negative rubbish really. The sort of thing thats manifesto amongst the MFCSS. To utter anythig remotely along those lines is to observe with closed eyes id suggest. Again this only really goes to the 'impression' of some. In itself as vacuous as the first.Now this isnt a critique of your post GiG, just allowing that many I feel just dont seem to portray their views with much logic or reason. No one can say right now that Neeld will be ultimately successful. That in itself is not down to him alone. What i do feel though is reasonable to assert is that he ( MN) is indeed taking us down a path that whilst leads to where success lays is not a guarantee of such. It to me is foolhardy and plain obfuscating for any to harp on about us going nowhere when all around us is such change that even of itself is having gone somewhere. Prior to his arrival many of the markers of a successful club/team were missing. We hadnt the expertise either in depth or scope to back our players. We do now.. That folks is change i;e weve done something about a poor situation and got somewhere by doing so. The make up and qualities of the team list was as many had observed wrong. it was bedded down in false hopes of a 'new age' dawning on the back of developing kids. It was either hit or miss, or hope and prayer; take your pick. The FD has taken to this sheet with not just erasers but scissors.I cant remember ( ever) such wholesale and widespread change to a Melbourne list. A player list that read like a supermarket novel was pared back to the essential talents, then added to. But not in some adhoc darts at the draftboard style but a concerted effort to address the inherent wrongs of age spread and any meaningful pulse that could be utilsed. Boys , or the 'too many of' , were replaced by more seasoned men, and football players to boot ( pi ) , not more of those experimental types. Weve gone from a list who seemed lost in the wilderness to a team who will line up at the start' somewhere we were never even close to for years. Weve morphed from a place where 'other teams players' just gave a wide berth to to a club where players ( new) and draftees and beaming with the sense of chance and opportunity , let alone the suggestion that finals are now realistic prize. And some still suggest weve gone nowhere ?? Some cant see change, some just dont want to see it. Then again some wouldnt realise it if it bit them on the bum !! go Dees

Chook, My apologies for the lack of detail. Please accept this as an apology. At the beginning of the session when the boys walked out they were one group introducing themselves to each of the new recruits. The persona and vibe was very positive. Colin Sylvia and Nathan Jones were very vocal and encouraging everyone to train hard. Making comments like “One chance to get it right”, “Do it for each other”, all comments were very positive and a sign of a unified team. Mitch Clarke and Chris Dawes spent a lot of time talking with each other, laughing, High 5’ing. They seemed like they got along very well and enjoyed each other’s company. Aaron Davey (although slowest around the park) was very vocal and every player was listening to his direction and words of encouragement. Colin Sylvia (During a break) was having some kick to kick with Jack Watts. One of the trainers came across to put some pressure and out mark Colin (For fun), his skills were unbelievable. He had the ball on a string. His hands were so clean, marking one handed, using his body. It was very impressive. I forgot to mention during my initial report another couple of points that stood out. During the whole day each session was timed exactly by Dave Mission. During breaks everyone broke into their respective groups (Forwards, Mids. and Back) under the command of respective coaches. What stood out is the size of the Backs and Forwards, they are big boys. Obviously the Mids are not as big, however a nuggetty bunch. During the breaks, the new recruits would run to their respective groups and listen in to the feedback from the coaches and then return to Neil Craig for some more advice. If there is any other detail you require, please go to training on Wednesday, see you there J FNQ Demon

It's because it's more difficult to delete text on an iPad. I will make more of an effort in the future so we can all avoid your sarcasm.

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

The past two years we have had easy draws> Next year is the easiest. Of this years top 8 only Freo is played twice. Possibility of blitzing it if things go right. Gotta start with a win in rd 1 the first since 2005!!!!!!

Played a defensive role all year and never got towelled up, was shown a new side to his game by Neeld. This kid will be a very very good player

Arguably they are all surrounded by far better midfields than ours. Makes a big difference. Des Headland looked like a star in the awesome Brisbane premiership teams but was never as good when he went to Freo cause he didn't have the gun midfielder to support him. Also, Trengove was chasing the opposition from start to finish this year when all the others had given up, he ran himself into the ground. If the team is pulling it's collective weight, blokes like Jack won't have to pull the others along.

I think 10 wins is achievable, simply because the low of 2012 was exacerbated by so many factors that are unlikely to repeat in 2013 both off field and onfield. In addition, Neeld has covered the holes in the structure (i.e. forward line), the players seem to be getting on top of the elite training load, and our crop of young talented players are starting to blossom (Watts, Blease, JT, Howe, Tapscott, etc...). Finally we have injected 8 new players that are going to take 4 spots in the 22 while delisting 10 who were not taking spots. Then there are the three top 10 draftees. We all know it could all go pear shaped, but it could also rise like a phoenix. I choose to believe the latter. Go Dees.

Loads of punters on here were riding Jones off a couple of years ago as being too slow and one dimensional.......not sure where these op are now. The kid will be allright

Huge confidence that jacky trengove will one day be a gun, don't think he will reach his peak next year but I reckon he will show why he was selected as the youngest captain ever with a few standout games/quarters.

Absolutely this. Even the blue-chip youngsters take a couple of seasons to really hit their straps. The biggest mistake some supporters will make - especially this time of year - is expecting our stale midfield to transform into a well-oiled machine in one pre-season. Expect improvement. Don't expect miracles.

I'm just waiting for a handball chain of Kent, Clark, Kent...then to Frawley for good measure.

I'd say so.

Ah ha, have we cottoned on to Neeld's recruiting methods here? He is trying to get rid of players with "difficult for some" surnames, and replace them with short surnames, for the benefit of some supporters. Look at the list of "outs" above - there is a trend here... I'm not looking forward to the first person who gets Kent incorrect, and I also thank Christ we haven't drafted a "Smith".

Thanks

A lot of varying comments. I'll add one more. The recruiting we have done over the past year has been done with a considered PLAN. Not the scattergun approach of the past several years. When I look at the body types we have recruited along with the experienced players (also with strong body types) I can't help but feel that we have recruited with one purpose in mind to become really hard at the ball all over the ground. Yes we still have a couple "Wide Receivers" to quote another code, or outside runners to quote the AFL. But that is needed to break open the play. It remains to be seen whether the players can pull it off, but the type of player is definitely right. I pity the team that comes out and says we are Soft C**ks this year.

Think he was joking mate - that was a great training report, with heaps of detail!!

"WTF is Morton doing here?"

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

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.

Mate, maybe you don't realise it but your language is unnecessarily inflammatory, a "backslapper" WTF, a "backslapper" is someone who associates themselves with success, we're not successful, so your use of the term is wrong. You are "sick of it", so what? Just because you can't see how the changes to the list will allow us to leave the bruise free era behind, it does not mean that others who see the game differently to you are wrong, they just have a different perspective, and I for one think Ron judgement is on the money. There is no skill in picking the winner once the race is won.

I hate GWS & the Scullys.

See your point Ron, but i will loathe and hate GW$ until well after my death. I still remember that interview with Gubby Allan...the deals were already signed.