Leaderboard

I got there at the beginning and stayed till stumps Before the hand wringing starts, Clark was fine, he took part in the kick to kick, he was doing work to instructions, at the end of the 300 metre runs he ran with Maia Westrupp to encourage him, which I thought was great, got a big hello and a beaming smile from him at the beginning of the session Standout for me in the running was Howe, after watching so much training in the past, had to ask him, said he had been working over the break and "first impressions count" Evans and Dyson were working with Viney, Hogan, Michie and Tapscott, Spencer and McDonald were separate as well Evans and Dyson left early (Tyson reported a bit of hamstring tightness), Viney, Hogan and Michie did some runs together (a couple with Tapscott) and Spencer and McDonald joined in the 300's Michie and Tyson are both big bodied Had the wonderful pleasure of speaking to both Jack Viney and Jesse Hogan, they want the season to start tomorrow, asked Jesse if they are trying to shackle him to make sure he doesn't do too much like Jack, laughed. called Viney "the action man" One bit I saw and liked was Roos mimicking to Dave Misson, Jesse Hogan's strut Roos, Miller and somebody else when for a run after the session, looked like they were heading to the tan. Any questions feel free to ask

PJ observing proceedings......like a boss.

Wrong. Pre-game motivational speech by Mark Neeld.

Just back from training. Started about 9.30 with warmups. Was an injured group who mostly did handball and light running at half pace, short distances.Tthey were; Hogan Viney Tapscott michie (I think) Tyson Not at training; Jamar N jones Garland Frawley Vince Watts Dawes After kick to kick the main group broke into three groups of four or five and did about ten 300 m run throughs at top pace. It gave a very good indication of their condition early in pre season. Here are the groups with an overall score out of ten. Roos personally timed each run through and seemed to be discussing every detail with Misson Howe 8 Grime 8 Nicho 8 Trengove 8 McDonald 8 Toumpas 8 Clisby 3 m jones 3 Spence 8 Maxy. 5 Fitzy 7 Terlich 6 Clark not fit and only did light laps. Does not look at all fit. Issues of note: Trengove and Toumpas look significantly fitter than last year. Spencer is we ahead of Gawn on current fitness. Max has a lot to make up.

Here we go again for another year, Got down there today for a short while Training pics 2013-11-06 ==> http://six6six.smugmug.com/Sports/Training-20131106/33265265_VPpv7Q#!i=2887448292&k=VHKJM7r&lb=1&s=A

Just listened to/read Paul Roos presser and my ears pricked up when he spoke about our young Jack. Whilst I'm obviously over the moon in landing Roos, Stone and the batch of mids we've snagged over the trade period, this particular scenario is going to be fascinating to watch unfold over the next 5-6 months. Watts' move to the midfield. It'll be his third positional change at the club, and we all know how many knocks the kid has taken along the way for the way he's developed. What I find really intriguing is Roos' comparison of Watts to Freo's big boys in the middle. Whenever I've seen Watts in a contested situation where the ball is in dispute, he's looked incredibly gangly, apprehensive to really go in and win the ball, and use his frame. We're all aware that Watts' biggest issue is his confidence. He's not naturally aggressive, nor does he look comfortable when other bodies are flying in for the pill. I'm sure Roos is aware of this and this is what is going to be so interesting to watch over the next period of time. If Roos and co can bring some mongrel and stink to Watts' game, it may well catapult his own confidence and mental toughness through the roof and we may well have a serious player on our hands. It would turn into a snowball effect and I can imagine him never looking back. Out of all of the exciting prospects and scenarios to unfold during the offseason, it's this particular challenge I'm looking forward to the most. Go dees

When I spoke to Howie, this is the impression I got, he knows Roos is an admirer but he wants to be more than the 'speccy kid'.........I was with another supporter who goes to training a lot including the very first day and what we both saw was that the last year Howie looked nothing like today, he has worked his arse off in the break As for training reports what you get from me is facts and optimism but i am also a realist, I just don't bag players, coaches, teams.......will try and get down quite regularly and speak to the players....that way we get a bit of colour in the reports.....next time is 18th when everybody comes back......

Thanks to all who not only go and look but then take time to give us their impression. I appreciate that it is their opinion from a marginal knowledge base but it certainly adds to mine. Being closer to the action certainly provides a better perspective than relying on media which has too many other often conflicting perspectives. It is great that Dees supporters give us all a better insight to the developments at our club keep it up and GO DEES

Roos or no Roos I'm not going to fall into the trap of getting too excited over the boys "looking sharp" and "training the house down" at any point this summer. However, I do appreciate the reports. I have zero interest in the Spring Carnival and the cricket still a few weeks away, so I enjoy any Dees fix I can get. Thanks everyone. Best bit I've read so far is Roos mimicking Hogan's strut. The kid's made of the right stuff. Can't wait to see him in action.

I'm sure it's been posted here on numerous occasions, but it seems apt to mention it again. Adam Goodes has publicly stated that his biggest weakness upon entering the AFL system was his aggression/appetite for the contest. But, with competent coaching staff and older teammates mentoring him, he was able to improve that aspect of his game. Aggression can be learned. Wattsy may not become a Jack Viney, but he can improve at least enough to become AFL average. It's up to Jack whether he WANTS to.

Boys and girls, we will have to tie Clark up in the stands to stop him playing Round 1, which bit don't people get, he ran, kicked, marked, jumpred etc etc for close on 2 hours today without a problem. The reason he was supposedly running last in the 300 was he was running with Maia Westrupp encouraging him As for Trengove, he had no problems in the group he was running with, suffice to say Grimes made a point of finishing first each time, he was also the most tired at the end, Trengove, Howe and Nicholson recovered better As for Pederson, never understood the issue with his body shape, if he was overweight he would be not playing AFL, again watched him take the GPS unit off which means removing shirt, has no excess baggage, he is just big bodied

If Clark is running now why would he need more than 4 months to get fully match fit?

Got to love pre-season, everyone looks bigger and the hope returns

Only made it for the last 20-30 minutes. So my report is limited. Running groups: Grimes, Howe, Trengove McDonald, Toumpas, M. Jones, Clisby Viney, Hogan, Michie Pedersen, Terlich, Fitzpatrick Gawn Plus Spencer, Nicholson, Tapscott, Westrupp and Clark but I didn't see them in the actually running when I was there. No Tyson (?hammy), Evans (from what I saw), Kent or Barry (?extended leave due to IRS). From the groups of mainly 400m runs I saw Grimes looked like a machine leading Howe and Trenners. And all 3 looked fit and strong. Trenners still a way off peak midfield fitness and speed I would say. Not surprised he's handed off the captaincy. When he first came to the club I bet Trenners would've beaten Grimes is this type of running. From the next group McDonald just pumps along at great pace. I was slightly disappointed he hasn't added a lot of bulk but he's played well with a skinny body and has a long preseason ahead to add some more kgs. Toumpas was the one doing really well fighting to catch McDonald. For the first day of preseason he gets the award. I think his body shape is looking a bit stronger as well. The other 2 weren't too far off and a second AFL preseason should see them at AFL standard. Viney led the 3rd group but Hogan didn't let him get too far away at all. Has a shocking hair cut does Jesse but was running well. Michie has a big body. Strong legs and core and was right behind Hogan and Viney. If he stays healthy he'll be ready to go in 2014. Pedersen impressed me a bit. He looks in much better shape than the start of last year and led Terlich and the big boys. Big Maxy Gawn doesn't run a fast 400 but keeps the legs turning over and doesn't fall behind too much. Considering this is his first healthy start to a preseason if he keeps improving from here the results will come. Overall good voice and support. Grimes leading the way. Toumpas looking improved. Hopefully I'll make it back to see Roos in command and more skill work.

Take Scotland ?? I think they're saying NO !!!

Because his best footy is well and truly past him and he is not the type of player or person we need at the club.

Thought you said you were 16 years old. How the bloody hell do you own a house already?

I know Matt Jones personally he is far from unfit. For someone to even mention that has no idea what they are talking about. He is a great trainer & someone the inner personnel at the MFC rate clearly. One of the very few last yr to follow the game plan.

I really hope Roos/Stone makes something of Howe as a mid... (sigh)

No it is purely my highly unscientific assessment based on observing all ten run-throughs. It did though give quite a public assessment of progress, albeit incredibly early in the year. My guess though is that Roos will take a lot of notice about how fit these guys are when they return. He was very much involved in the process, and i think he will read it as a good indicator about attitude etc. I think my highlight was that our leaders of last year, the two Jacks, look very fit and Jack T looks to have his running ability back. At his top he is of course an elite runner (like his sister who is an olympic marathon rep). The early signs are good for JT, and if we can get him back to his debut year form we will of course have an a-grader pick 2 to go with Dom Tyson. Talking of Tyson, i was standing right next to the to the ball work of that group, where the trainer was kicking to them stab passes from about 15 metres and they were required to make them and then handpass. Tyson has amazing reflexes, quickest hands i have seen. The other guys who looked to have return very fit were Tom McDonald and Jimmy Toumpas. TD won all the runs in his group, and Jimmy Toumpas compared to last year more than held his own. I expect big years from both of them.

I would prefer somewhere with a warmer climate.

do they make a reality van?

Oh, you mean the player ... I was going to say yes as long as we get first dibs on all the single malt, but Old Dee would probably have done so before I finished typing ...

No.

Spoke to one of our players today who described himself as being "completely energised" after his first meeting with the new coach. Hope that's the case with the players across the board.

Been saying it for a while now, Clark in the ruck gives us an extra mid.

The preseason will be critical for Jamar. I don't think he is a cert for first pick ruckman.

More likely that he's about to be lapped

It'll be a true sign that this club has turned a corner when one of our players give articulate and thoughtful interviews and nobody says 'he should be captain', but just says 'good to have another responsible presence at the club'. I'm a big fan of Garland the footballer and Garland the human being (from what snippets we get), but I don't think he'd even want to be captain. Leadership group for sure, but he doesn't seem the type to want a life of constant attention.

If it turns out that Clisby and Jones don't do the required work, it's no biggie, they just won't play. But I'd be staggered if two guys in their mid 20s who have been given the opportunity of a lifetime would be so stupid as to just throw it away by slacking off. I'm going to give them the benefit of the considerable amount of doubt.

I am excited too, stmj. I agree about his physicality, I also think that people can develop that area of their game. And he has the size to back it up. And he doesn't have to be the go-to clearance player in there, far from it; Jones, Viney, Tyson and Trengove will be the focus in there. His value will be his ability to push hard and find the footy and deliver facing our forward line. Oh, and Hogan might be chance to rotate through the middle too...

Who's asking for fitness levels or expecting a "big October"? All I asked was if his "scores" were made up or were official ratings, and was concerned by how bad he made Clark sound. Feel free to just avoid this thread if you're one of those who likes to constantly say "it's only October", or "the real stuff is miles away", some of us like to hear about what's happening.

Fractured collarbone for Rogers, no timetable of a return given. I see that the Pack have also placed Jermichael Finley on season-ending IR. Plenty of injury concerns down there. The logical replacement would be newly free-agented Flynn. Seneca Wallace underwhelmed in this game at key moments, as opposed to McCown. He was very comfortable out there, surprisingly for such a journeyman who if memory serves, did the preseason games with the Niners. The question then becomes, after 2 road wins at the helm, does he keep his job when Cutler returns? Always very odd seeing a game with two non-starter QBs at the helm, but it was a good game to watch. How bad is the situation at the Dolphins? What a lowlife Incognito is. Questions now need to be asked about the Dolphins handling of the whole issue, the whole hazing culture in that side seems out of control.

The Range Rover of caravans! Or are they just joining the 'band-wagon?

Eagerly awaiting first pics

Not a caravaner myself but pleased to see the new coach's box sponsor New Age caravans. One piece at a time.

Actually a 400% improvement (increase) on 15 wins is 75 wins. 60 wins would be a 300% improvement on 15 wins...

Do we dare to dream?

Sweet mother of god...did we really have all of Gillies, Pedersen and Sellar playing in Round 1? Suddenly that result makes perfect sense.

If he ends up playing in the back line I'll be bitterly disappointed.

Just like Port round 1 this year an 'easy' game.

If we don't start winning games early on next year the tone will change. "He's not the messiah, he's just a very naughty boy" will be the cry.

Anthony albanese from the alp looking at a trade. Libs are looking at a medical to bring him in, possibly at the expense of bronwyn bishop. Bishop has had a good career to date but stagnated a little in 2013 and could do with a new home. Libs not sure what it would take to get the deal done, possibly need to throw in a sweetener, with rumours an exchange of seats could push the deal forward. Stay tuned

Hey moderators - are you awake? Much of the last few pages should be transferred to the General Thread as it has absolutely nought to do with drafts and trading. In fact it is meaningless clutter, in the context.

lol this threads gone off the rails, if you want jabber on politics, open a new thread, or better yet, a new forum.