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Went to training on Monday. Only the third training session i've been to - ever. The last was an intra club game two years ago and the one before that was when Barass was coaching and training was at the 'G. Scored a training sherrin that day and watched Barass kick torps, apparently preaching their effectiveness to seemingly disbelieving players. Lots to watch and see and it made me more appreciative of the regular DL training reports in terms of how comprehensive and well done they are. So i won't try to emulate them. Instead i'll give some random observations I arrived during the scratch match and stood behind Neeld and the coaching panel. Fascinating to listen to their observations and in particular Neeld's instructions to the runners, which was mainly feedback to be given to individual players. On a couple of occasions a runner was sent out to Watts to praise him for second efforts and his contesting work,. On one occasion he was matched up against Dawes in a marking contest, was caught behind but held his ground and made the spoil. The ball hit the deck and Watts dived after it and was smashed by a few players diving in after it. Neeld also made a point of sending out a runner to Jetta after he got the ball on the wing and made an excellent decision on his next kick down the line. Both Watts and Jetts looked terrific i thought - both in the scratch match and subsequent drills. Good attitudes and hard at it. Less impressive was Viney, at least in terms of his kicking (couldn't knock his endeavour though). He butchered a few kicks, but to be fair he wasn't alone. I thought that given it was perfect conditions the field kicking left a lot to be desired - particularly going forward. Jones was terrific in the scratch match. In everything and hard to collar. At the end of training (during drills) almost demanded Misson run another rotaion, yelling 'one more'. Love it. Other observations. I watched Toumpas, Fitzpatrick and someone else (one of the young new guys) kick the ball to each in triangle. Toumpas is a beautiful kick, a natural. Watts, Davey and Toumpas are miles ahead of everyone else. It made me wonder who the last pure kick was at the dees (prior to the current list). Steven Stretch, Andrew Obst and Robbbie Flower come to mind. Sylvia seems to be enjoying training as is Frawley. Rodan is a real energy Great to watch him and Viney continuing to one on one stuff when almost every other player had left the ground. Near the end of training one of the assistant coaches kicked the ball toward a group of players heading off. Mac Donald, rather than marking it smashed it away with his fist. Made me laugh as it seemed he is always in dee - fence mode. Super defender! All in all a fascinating experience. The final thing i'll add is that overall the energy seemed super positive with lots of encouragement. I don't think it should be underestimated the importance of a cohesive, united playing and coaching group - something that one can only assume could not have entirely been the case last year with at least a handful of disgruntled players.

What do you want him to say......A good poker player keeps his cards close to his chest....Does not change his expression.....Gives his opponents nothing.......Until he has won the game......Some people want a running summary.....I trust the club on this.....I would rather be kept in the dark as a supporter and have the club win the day rather than to know exactly what was happening and lose....

Literally says nothing and he'd be lambasted by some. Figuratively says something and he's lambasted by some. Meaningfully says something and he'd be celebrated by fools.

Yeah - most recently I went to last year's Grand Final. The winners played a stable back 6 of Richards (97% TOG), Grundy (98% TOG), Shaw (83% TOG), Mattner (83% TOG), Johnson (87% TOG) and Smith (93% TOG). They played this set-up in all 3 finals against 3 different oppositions except against Adelaide when Grundy wasn't available and LRT had to go back. Rhyce Shaw said after the GF: "How have you viewed the form of the backline this year? "We’ve done pretty well. Our back six or seven including Nick (Malceski) is really a tight unit and we play together and probably complement each other a lot in a lot of different areas which is fantastic and is just a great support for each other and it was a great end to the year. The guys really stood up in the Granny and it was fantastic." http://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/2012-11-06/rhyces-season-wrap-the-best-moment-of-my-life The Swans had the lowest points against in 2012. How about you?

As always, we appreciate your input on these forums, Cameron.

He's only saying what anyone who has a semblance of a brain already thinks. And his initial "role" was nothing more than doing a job.

I always loved watching the Dukes of Hazard. Boss Hog would connive and carry on only to be found out as having ulterior motives and ultimately make an arse of himself.

So Brock didn't play against them in their 11 loss run or if not, see, hear or read anything about them in that period. Therefore unlike any other AFL football follower, let alone player, he would not have known what Carlton was doing during that 3 months. Even "blind Freddie " knew what they were doing and it was discussed in the media as well. Wasn't their something called the "Kreuzer Cup"?

And if my brother came to me and said to me " stop doing your job, you are hurting my club" I would say suffer in your jocks. Greg cannot and should not have to answer for his brother. I have never liked the swarthy cocksure Gerard but i think you are off the mark asking for Greg to be quizzed about the opinions of his brother.

Very good RobbieF If that is the case I might call into the shop today I could use a little improvement!

Anyone would look good in a Melbourne jumper.

I have moved these to a new site - "smugmug". Please let me know if this is a better viewing experience. I have left the old link to the "photobucket" site there for comparison. Hope to get to training again soon so I'll share the experience when I am able. Cheers, Six6Six aka Demonolatry. SmugMug Slideshow (needs flash) http://six6six.smugmug.com/photos/swfpopup.mg?AlbumID=27800770&AlbumKey=DqggvC lightbox http://six6six.smugmug.com/Sports/MFC-Training-2013-01-28/27800770_DqggvC#!i=2344500953&k=4dF2pVS&lb=1&s=A gallery http://six6six.smugmug.com/Sports/MFC-Training-2013-01-28/27800770_DqggvC PhotoBucket http://s1340.beta.photobucket.com/user/lynjan/library/MFC%20Training%202013-01-28

Shite! Just read the last couple of pages. I need those guys that cracked the enigma code to understand this stuff.

Yes you are right dc most of us knew after 2 So I guess we can afford to give Barry two at least.

Journos are after the "Gotcha" moment. They had it when McLean fingered Melbourne for tanking. It far outweighed the "Gotcha" moment they might have had by exposing Brock's double standards.

If I was disagreeing with you, Billy - you'd know it... It's an interesting side note to a tumultuous time. If we are charged and sanctioned we will lose our gambling and liquor licences, and we will lose our sponsors and possibly be sued by them for previous payment. Some on here don't realise how much the AFL do not want what is happening right now. I bet the Bloated One has said 'F___ing Adrian' under his breath a few times in this mess.

It's a blance, Stuie. And that was patently a straight bat. But of all the times we are going to give a short 'straight bat' of a Prez message. It was this week. Let's get effusive and effervescent when we have avoided sanctions and/or large legal fees.

The dog ate it!

Healy is a huge part in why we are here today. Him and Sheahan brought this up once again because it was 'never resolved' in their eyes and now he says he fears for how it will be resolved? I just don't want to hear from him.

I have never been as excited by a group of new draftees/recruits coming into the club as this year. And that's saying something - because, albeit being completely deluded at the time, I had thought we were building towards absolute greatness in 2010. Having seen what Neeld, Craig, Misson and Co have brought to the club in terms of professionalism makes my thinking in 2010 seem ridiculous now - I feel as though I've been on the same journey as Jack Watts under the new regime, albeit as a supporter. Barry strikes me as bringing a much needed extra dimension to the list. BH has worked me into an absolute lather about the kid - I just can't see how he won't succeed given his blend of skill, pace and, importantly, attitude. That said, each of Viney, Toumpas, Barry, Hogan, Kent, Matt Jones, Terlich, Dawes, Pedersen, Byrnes and Rodan excite me in some way. No idea about the rookies, or Gillies for that matter. Add to that Davey, Evans, Strauss and Jetta, each of whom seem to be the equivalent of new recruits this year given the training reports, and it's hard to see how we won't improve this year. Potentially markedly. I will be seriously p1ssed off we we don't absolutely pump Port in round one.

Healy is such a dick. He's now playing the PR game for the AFL. It's not that we had no case to answer, but it would have been irresponsible of the AFL to charge us since it'd crush the club... Spare me!

Don can't say a word till the AFL make their move. Very delicate matter here lads, whichever side of the fence you sit. He has already said we will fight.

Well that's looks like the Essendon 'red' which most of you were wishing we had... I will say it again - you guys don't know what you want.

So far he has played 29 games for 4 goals Not exactly a ringing endorsement for a goal kicker so far

I actually like Healy's has finally said what we all wanted someone in the media to acknowledge Demetriou has also got to understand he has played a significant role in creating the environment for which four or five clubs have tanked. They have taken away the incentive, but his reluctance to accept what the whole world was telling him, his complete denial that tanking existed, allowed clubs to think they could get away with it. It was almost tacit approval.

rangey's been back a week and still no polls - fcs

I would love to hear this: "I'm President of the Melbourne Football Club, the most powerful football club in the world, a club that will blow your investigation clean out of the water. You've got to ask yourself one question: Do I feel lucky? Well, do ya, punk?

it was apparently pre-recorded early this morning...................lets move on

Didn't the AFL article state that the AD's comment that the MFC were yet to respond was on a pre-recorded 3AW interview? This is a perfectly logical explanation so settle down!

yes and no. I would think it goes to how much care and attention is really being given. This isnt the weekly shopping list its one of two major dilemmas for the dark empire. The afl is just stuff up after another. AD is supposedly running this circus. Not giving him any lattitude. Its his job to be ontop of it not fanning fires.

No doubt. But it lends weight to those proposing that the AFL are reverse engineering the outcome. The process is facade to deliver the outcome the AFL wants. The AFL would already have its outcome....hopefully "after an exhaustive investigation the AFL is satisfied the Club has no case to answer etc...." Not at all. Easy answer. "I was not at Carlton in 2007 and I dont what had gone on during that period". End of story

I will be ecstatic if we beat port in rd 1, even by 1 point. Any win will be a massive statement to start the season. Remember what happened in rd 1 last year. We'll easily beat the Lions, they said, we'll pump them by 10 goals, they said. The port game is a 50/50 affair and we don't deserve to start favourites.

Can we get over the slip by AD on when we responded, it is irrelevant to the real issue.

There there lil' buddy. Everythings gonna be alright .... Promise.

What a great job he did too, failing to ask THE most obvious question after Brock said the reason he left the MFC was because he didn't like what went on in 2009. That question being "then why did you decide to go to Carlton after what happened there in 2007?' The fact that three knowledgeable football journos did not ask that question seems odd to me. So if they were just doing their job, then it'd be fair to say they were performing abysmally (which again is rather odd given I rate Gerard's commentary).

Thank God the Don's the President and not some of you mob. They've just put the submissions in and this week will be a very very important one for the Club while the Commission review the submissions. For the next week frankly, we Supporters are the least important part of this equation. Acting in a way that makes the Club as small a target as possible for the Commission and for the Press is the only way to go for this week. If the Commission come out and charge them then the Club should remain a small target until the hearing. So far the AFL have treated these matters as a press circus. Everything going on with the Tippett issue was in the paper before any of the hearings. It was a disgrace. So much for natural justice or the right to be heard. This isn't just about the MFC. This is also about three servants of the Club who by acting with the Club's interests at heart at no benefit to themselves, in fact against their own interests, find themselves fighting to save their own careers. Spare a thought for Bailey who whether he was good or bad, acted with throughout to develop the team for the long term not for the short term to get wins to save his job. He is having to fund a legal battle of massive proportions with only some financial assistance from the Coaches Association. I hate to think of the cost of paying top lawyers to forensically read through 800 pages of evidence, then conduct hours and hours of interviews themselves then write extensive responses. And he's not at the Club. Same goes for Connolly who only ever acted with the Club's interests in mind. I for one are happy for the Club to say no more than has been said. I suspect we are in for a long drawn out saga on this one. Having to spend $100,00's of dollars in legal fees to save their careers.

A 9500 page Fink detailed response to the 800 page documentation lodged a few days before Christmas would be a more than adequate reply. Hopefully titled...'happy new year.' That will keep Gil busy. Poor Gil...

People often assume great photos come from great cameras. Actually, they come from talented photographers such a Six6Six. Well done. And Jack Watts has really bulked up in the upper arms (although I'd like, also, to see a bigger chest...hopefully that will follow). And Aaron Davey seems to have returned to the hairstyle of his earlier days. Let's hope his football follows.

well spotted there.. WE ARE UNDER SIEGE !! where have yo been lately. About the only thing Prik has got right in the Aged of late is that we WILL keep our powder dry til we have the kill shot in our sights. Until then its still a game of wits and guile. Nows not the time to telegraph your moves.

Perfect day to announce that there will be no charges, mix the news in with the drug summit occurring

I think i will wait to about round 10 before i make judgments on development.

Didnt they beat us twice last year.

MELBOURNE traitor...

tell us something we don't know

Expect announcement very soon - no case to answer. Like unpopular political decisions announced on Cup Day, look for the Pentagon to bury the announcement in the middle of the drug summit. Not enough proof to charge us. Move on

You should go more often binman great report

He could have detailed our response but that may have embarrassed those under the scope and would have served no purpose. Imagine if we had said the players fumbled because they were [censored] and Watts only played 3 games because he was too. Give em nothing, take em nowhere. Let the press make up their own stories, they will anyway.

We shall go on to the end. We shall fight in the Courts, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our club whatever the cost may be. We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the football grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender, We ARE Melbourne pure daisycutter

I think it's wise for the club to play a dead bat to the AFL and deny oxygen to the Media who'd love us to feed the circus.

Sometimes we need to be realists, the Economy is flat, we are the worst performed team on field for the last 6 years, we have an extremely low membership base, a low supporter base, received the worse Financial fixture over the past 2 years and 2013 is a complete disaster draw for the Admin side of the club, no one outside MFC supporters and the opposition supporters have any interest in watching our games they have been crap. Off field issues have been non stop over the past 6 years. What benefit does any company gain from sponsering us at the moment? In all honesty, Schwab is only one person that unfortunately heads up a failing organisation. I don't disagree with the pressure he should be under, but the board and other senior staff need to be placed under the same pressure. The club can't continue to be the whipping boy of the competition both on and off the field.