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Got there at about 10am to find 5 distinct groups: Absent: Viney and Garland Rehab (on the multi purpose oval) all running, all looking reasonable: Hogan, Clark, Fitzy, Riley, Dawes, Tapscott, Kent, Jamar, Matt Jones Remedial kicking: 25, 8, 13, 50, 44, 26, 18, 39, 42. Doing a drill that involves facing sideways then turning, shuffling feet and kicking to a target 25m away. Seems a clever drill to practice a quick decision and kick to a stationary target. They then paired up in same coloured vests and practice kicking to leads. Spencer and Westrupp a fair bit of work, but mostly drop punts and nothing horrendous as a group Marking: Watts, Evans and JKH doing a drill that involves using your body to bump into a guy on a bag before taking the mark. All about controlling the body to go at a defender without going too hard. Byrnes and Blease doing some work as a pair. Small defenders (Terlich, Strauss, Clisby etc) were doing a drill where they led out 10m at 2 kickers who in quick succession kicked footies to them. It had a focus on quick and sure hands that attacking defenders need when put under the pump. The rest of the guys practicing quick handballs to get to open space. Like a midfield group exciting clearances Then Grimes, Nicho, Spencer, Michie, Byrnes and McKenzie had done enough for the day After that all besides the rehab did some simple lane work starting with tackling, the various handball drills. Really basic stuff like picking it off the deck and criss cross handball. But I like it. It's traditional training for a reason, it emphasises the fundamentals done well are vital. Good spirit and voice from the lads. From there it expanded in to different ball movement drills. A triangle set up with a group in the goal square and one on either flank practiced moving the ball around. Kick in to a target then fast flowing handballs until a man is clear out in space and moving on. An emphasis on getting to open space and on following up to the next group. By that time quite a few more had dropped out of training and were practicing goal kicking after a light jog for others. The rehab group, then joined by some who had dropped off started some handball games on the sideline. The initial one was where everyone gets a footy in hand and someone introduces an extra footy which means whoever has to catch that has to then handball his footy away and so on and so forth. Really fun stuff for the players and they got a couple of circles together and had a mini comp. Clark and Watts some of the winners. At one stage Kent (i think) suggested when you stuff up and get knocked out of the group you get pelted with a footy but Clark just simply said none of that with a presence that tells me he's respected. Good leadership. Anyway main group training rolled out with more on the sidelines doing handball drills or sitting in the sun than participating. Even Grimes, Spencer, Michie etc who left 30 minutes before came back. After a while Roos noticed that they weren't doing much so hastily called them in to observe the forward line ball movement drill that was starting on the far wing. That could've happened 20 minutes earlier and players divided in to positional groups and maybe even coached (by spare coaches or senior players) on what was happening but oh well. Usually when guys finish up they go back to AAMI so it was strange seeing them just milling around waiting for the rest. Main group finished around 11 and my overall impression was it was a bit of a middling session. It seems the players are nearing fitness levels that the staff are happy with so there wasn't flogging on the track and instead there were lots of managed loads. It also seems that Roos is happy to keep patiently teaching fundamentals and clear drills. I also got a sense it was a bit of a Wednesday at this time of year session ie. the pressure might be on for Mondays and Fridays as the bigger work load days and it's not yet time for physical pressure drills that risk injury. Bernie Vince impressed, as did Strauss and Blease doing the full session. JKH just finds a way to keep getting touches of the footy at training, he's like Jones and Cross in that regard. Salem did most of the session and looks good without there been too much to see. Harmes and Hunt the same. Hunt is athletic with his movement. Harmes seems busy as well. Georgiou moves ok.

I see mjt has gone off early today, was there today, had a chat to NATHAN Jones, today was a light session for everybody, hardly had a bead of sweat on him....Clark will be fine, for somebody who is crocked, he was doing the lateral exercises in the rehab group quite easily. Nathan is champing at the bit for the NAB Challenge, we agreed it won't be a mickey mouse go this season, there will be 36 blokes trying to get Roosy to put them in his 22 for the first round Had a chat to a couple of other players, everybody has been told what role/position/spot they are expected to play this coming season, been given specific things to work on that will help in this role/position/spot Emjoying the training because as I have mentioned before it is all footy orientated, if that makes sense

You think maybe that you should stop posting in "Absolutes" ? When discussing Paul Roos coaching us last year you said ( and I quote) - Next, who ever thinks he will coach us is delusional . Injuries like coaching appointments aren't over until they are over. Clark has had a bad run with injuries but no worse than the Golden boy Hird had and he came back, no more than the Ox and he came back and lots of others.

I appreciate your contributions Sat, but your name dropping does become increasingly frustrating, and telling him to put a snarky comment just looks like a massive suck job. You don't need to forward everything on a forum to players and admin, it's exactly that where supporters get on and pretend our opinions matter. You don't want to fill players and staffs mind of discontent when it's not required.

.....and Pedo!

Report from you know who from you know where: W elcome back to training at Gosch's yet again guys. Glad to have you back on board again for another training report. I'm still suffering from last night after watching that epic Djokovic/Wawrinka game. Go Stan! Probably my favourite top 10 male player BTW. Bit of stretching, running laps etc. when we got there. Mitch running laps. Better than nothing I guess. Clisby is on the sidelines too. Alrighty, this warmup scheme is different. Boys being taken to all parts of the ground. Rehab is basically the same as Monday. Hogan, Dawes, Kent, Riley, Fitz, Gawn, Jamar, Byrnes(?) by the looks of things. Clark is still running laps at Gosch's but eventually joins rehab. Notice a new scheme - players in rehab wear singlets, players training wear training jumper. Solid 25 minute stretch, as I said to all parts of the ground. Alrighty, to the short kicks now! Boys called in for the first time. Let's see what they do today. Alright. The boys are split into five groups. One in the goalsquare doing sidesteps and a short kick? ...interesting. There is one group on the wing with Watts, Evans, JKH and an assistant (Miller I think) doing some bumping drills. On the other wing there are some upper body strength drills. I'm not sure what the last group is doing... setshots? There's only two or three blokes in that group. I don't mind it though, Roosy mixing it up a bit. This group in front of us is doing some weird things. Handballing above their head (or to each other) then a kick on demand? Huh? Even I'm confused. I'm guessing it's testing their kicking skills under pressure. There's five footy's and five targets to kick to but yeah it's hard to explain this drill properly. Stretches again. Same pick ball up/ride bump/handball drill as generally seen throughout pre season. Nicho and Viv are heading off now. Spencer and Grimes too by the looks of it. Small group doing some simple handballs - Strauss, Watts, Bail, Blease, Barry and Toumpas in this group. Addition of a man to drill I mentioned above instead of tackle bag thingymajig. Group called in and then some short, quick handballs. The boys are up by the sounds of it. Drill is changed to include groundwork as well. There's a couple of errors but the boys look far more accomplished then they did when they started doing this drill some time back. Drill changed again, four groups handballing with a bit of movement included for the players too. A shepherd is then required as well. Players handball off then shepherd a player shadowing the receiver. I'm not brilliant at explaining things. Short kicks on the run now. Groups move back a bit. Kick, run hard, receive handball then give off to another player. FAST MOVEMENT. This is only a brief drill. Boys called in again. Now they are split into two different sized groups. Big group in the middle and a small group on the wing. Bit of a split now. The group on the opposite 50 to where we are doing a drill which is mostly handball at speed but with a few switch kicks here and there. Group nearest to use attempting to kick goals, including *shudders* James Frawley, who unsurprisingly shanks his set shot. Meanwhile Trenners, Toump, Salem, Tyson and Barry ran a lap of the oval by the looks of things. Dawes also practising his set shot. More promising signs in his recovery. Notable Monday absentee Matt Jones is here watching on. Dawesy looking solid with his set shots, mostly from 40-45m out. Tappy has come here too and runs a slow lap with Tyson. Seeing Dawes, Clark and Hogan watching on from the sidelines makes me sad. Main group is called in again. Half grounder with a drill similar to one that's been consistent with us this pre season, switch kick, handball, down the line kick, etc. Few too many players on the sidelines. A fair sized circle doing handball drills. Main drill becomes a full grounder. Pedo's working hard and running hard which is pleasant to see. Needs to to stop the derision that he's copped since getting THAT three year deal. Harmes uses the ball efficiently, it's something I've noticed since he's come in. Blease is looking better, no, not at the level we'd want him to be yet, but he's running hard which is a good sign. Boys called in yet again. Notice as they head out (and I'll capitalise this for emphasis) NATHAN JONES LEADING THE BOYS OUT. USING VOICE. His demeanour has changed in recent weeks. And that hints at something. Alright, few boys wearing bibs, looks like a delivery drill inside 50. More specifically they're hitting up shorter targets and are patient with their delivery looking for the right kick. 23 blokes sitting out this drill. That's way too much. Boys called in, I presume to explain to the crowd of players what it is they want to do when they actually do this drill at an undisclosed time in the near foreseeable future. Alrighty, boys called in again? Wattsy doing a bit of talking, I like that. Roosy with a very lengthy chat. Alrighty so this lengthy chat is done. Looks like they're finishing up. That was a weird training session. By Tasmanlvr from Bigfooty with thanks Edited for font size

As for the forward line watching Hogan and Dawes today they look fit and ready to go. Dawes did some marking stuff with Kent post his running and then got Miller to kick him a few high balls to grab before goal kicking. I think it's already been mentioned he's only a week or so til back doing footy stuff and it looks that way. Same with Hogan. I get the feeling that if we were in season and Hogan jarred his knee in a game that he would be playing this weekend or next at worst. Clark's harder to judge. There's no obvious sign of any problem with him but he does seem to be on a more restricted program than others. Byrnes is back in main training. Blease is training very well. JKH the same. Tapscott was in main training and is doing a fair amount of work in rehab. Howe is going really well. Come round 1 right now it looks like we will have at least Spencer to ruck and then Hogan, Dawes, Howe and take your pick of a few options for the smalls spot. What we don't have is the second ruck/key forward spot sorted yet. There's still lots of time but Clark, Fitzy, Jamar and Gawn all seem a while away. But that's not the end of the world. We can make do with Pedersen or use Dawes or Hogan as that back up. It's one spot in 22 and if we lose round 1 it's not much of an excuse.

Nice to see Strauss up the top. People probably sick of me bringing it up but I see him as the greatest untapped player on the list. Big injury free year for Strauss and we may just have a decent rebounding defender (with speed and a good KICK)

Does this count for Dawes, Clark & Hogan all "training together"...??

Providing Dawes & Hogan have no setbacks they will play some nab games & will be fine for round 1. As for Mitch, what I was told was his foot is fine & he was going to be doing heavy blocks of running throughout the Xmas break & January to get enough fitness up to play at some stage during the nab games. Unfortunately he nicked his hammy just before xmas so the original plan has been pushed back until his hammy is good to go.

Here's my top ten at training... I've only watched twice... Not intended to be a list of "best", just a list of those who impress with full pace repeat efforts. The sort of thing one does to get noticed by the coach. 1 James Strauss 2 Nathan Jones (doesn't need to impress coach any further - unless Captaincy is the motivator) 3 Jayden Hunt 4 Jay Kennedy-Harris 5 Jeremy Howe (can't help it - just good at everything) 6 Daniel Cross (see Jones) 7 Lynden Dunn 8 Jimmy Toumpas 9 Cameron Pederson 10 James Harmes

I really hope we can shove this back down your throat at the end of 2014 - but until then all I can do roll my eyes because you might be right. But, jeez, you say it like you actually know, and like the rest of us, you don't.

Very impressive full-ground circuit work at sustained pace Cross, Vince, Jones, Strauss, Dunn, JKH, Blease, Hunt, Howe all looking good

I awaiting their call from a Manager on friday. Will probably be offered a free replay of 186.

Photos of today http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2014-01-22/photo-gallery-wednesday-22-january (hogans_heroes enjoy!)

Bodies need time to recover. Sometimes they will do swimming or gym work etc... Remember AFL is one of , if not the most physically demanding sports in the world.

LOL

paul roos at sydney master of preseason silence first order=get players right second order=tell the press nothing PR will make sure clark,dawes,aand jamar come back at the right time and play only when fit the time is here when we dont PANIC preseason and practise matches will be exactly that and nothing else,so dont expect to see a full team in these games PR loves the bigger players and trusts them in tight games,jamar is definately on his 'must have list', always remember the no news swans coming out every year with a ready to go team

The fact that the name "Fitz" appears between those of Dawes and Riley in the listed players for the rehab group, would tend to indicate he is not OD... I know, I know, it's early in the day And what happens as soon as I make this smartass reply, Lamashtu above posts a rehab group list that does not include Fitzy.

If it's not our player then you can address him as "Trengrove".

I blame Jack Watts!

Have to disagree here Saty. I also have been to the last 5 AGM's and probably 16-18 of the last 20. The rubbish is not from the posters, but rather it is found in the way the club has approached the meetings. I feel the members have been treated shabbily, in that, as has been stated previously, stupid kinder type questions have been asked of our new recruits and no real insight has been given into the footy direction. That said, I don't expect the game plan or any secrets to be let out, but some honest and frank discussion on our direction is what the members deserve. Also the flippant stupidity from the last compere and I think it was Howcroft, the last few years, has annoyed the hell out of me. In addition, unfortunately, the questions from the floor often are no better. PS. The answer "Don't Go", is actually a bit insulting and very flippant, to those who want and deserve better.

Amen to that Arrow.

We don't really know what those who remain on the Board from the older ticket have contributed. The logic of saying all must go because the Board performed poorly is as logical as saying Nathan Jones should be delisted because the footy team has performed dreadfully since he joined the club.

I tend to agree and disagree in equal measure.

I'm not a physio and I have not been to training to watch them, but I would have thought that if there was a set back relating to his foot, then you would see a moon boot on him quick as!!! It was reported he had hurt his hammy before Xmas and that they would take it slowly with him, To me it seems that is exactly what they are doing with him. He is running laps and from all reports he is doing them fairly unhindered. I am less concerned about the forwards than I am about the Rucks (as I think someone else mentioned)

It used to be that when people wrote about "Col" I didn't know whether they meant Sylvia or Garland. Then we had people writing about "Jones" with it unclear whether they meant N or M. Now we have two called "Dom" to add to the confusion. But now I realise it doesn't actually matter. The reader can assume what he or she likes and the training reports are still valuable.

Vintage Machsy , E25 , Jose, Artie , Keyser Soze and whoever else you have been.

Now can we get back to flogging the dead horse that is Jack Watts likely position/potential/physical assets and perceived lack of toughness. I could train a robot to write various cliches about him to keep on topic and within the rigid structures people have come to expect from this neatly arranged site. But then Machsy and Co would be redundant. Long live any "utterly pathetic attempts at humour" in the middle of January when the latest real news we have had from the club is "the boys went training in 42 degree heat and used a fridge on a truck to cool down between drills." Life as we know it does not depend on the verity and sincerity of every posters intimate thoughts on Jack Watts progress as a player, or lack thereof.

You know, at some point the bloodshed has to end. At some point, people have to get over Gardner's perceived failures, Szondy's perceived ineptitude, Gutnick's perceived conspiratorial nature, Ridley's perceived treacherousness, and anything else people have issues with pre 1996... I liked the fact that three of Gardner's board hung around when Stynes took over, and I have no problem with keeping a few of the old Board around if they, and their compeers, believe they can contribute. Changes have been made, personnel has improved, relationships have been restored, and faith renewed - do we not agree? If we do, then any more desires of people to leave based on the guilt of presence or association, is a tad petty.

Attaching football content to the AGM was a great way of getting people to attend. Taking the footy content from the AGM is a great way of getting people to stay away. The AGM covers a pretty awful period of our history. Tanking penalties, AFL bailouts, CEO/coach/President changes, massive financial losses and dreadful on field performances. Some nasty questions could be asked. I wonder why they want it kept low key............ I'm fully behind the changes that have occurred but I must say it still pizzes me off that three directors who presided over a shocking period of our history where the Board were front and centre in its cause are still there. I'd like to see them do the proper thing and resign. How they can look the membership in the eye is beyond me.

Today's rehab group is Tappy, Hoges, Jones, Gawny, Dawes, Jamar. Clark running around the boundary of the rehab oval. All looking fairly sprightly.

"Mitch is on track to play early in the year and ideally he plays Round 1. We will monitor him closely for the next 5-6 weeks, and if he is ready for a NAB Challenge game, we will play him. No idea why people are panicking, sounds like everything going to plan. So what if he s not ready for round 1? He was rushed last year to play round 1 and look what happened. I dont care if he comes back round 10 as long as hes ready to go.

Which is all the more reason why the football information aspect of the evening is so important. A good balance between the administrative and football sides is what most people want. Very few have had the opportunity to hear Paul Roos' vision for the club in the future (apart from the brief grabs on the news) and most would prefer to ask him or our new recruiting manager questions than anything else even if balance sheets and bottom lines are also vitally important to the club.

Watts deserves everything POSITIVE he gets. He has copped it from day one and has not had a coach who knows what they are doing or how to develop him properly. Also he is LOYAL. He could have very easily jumped ship at the end of last season and decided to stay despite all that has happened. I look forward to him shoving it back two fold this season to all those who have taken cheap shots at him during his short career. Go Watts shove it up em.

man i miss that guy.

6 talls in re-hab. sheezus..

I definitely think from a list management perspective, we need to start solidifying long-term replacements for Clark, because I can't see him getting a full season for us without being injury prone.

Agree Jack. I would be tending to not cut back on opportunities for engagement with supporters given the predicament we are seeking to put behind us.

"The Dees are going to be something" ... Bruce McAvaney in the commentary.

Perhaps bigestred meant it has been forgotten about by some Essendon supporters. That certainly seems true.

Don't insult $2 hookers. I'm sure many of them are capable of insight. Richo finds it difficult just stating the obvious.

Because it's obviously been working so well? I don't go the AGM because I'm not too interested in hearing sugar coated statements or listening to members ask ridiculous questions. I'd argue that unless you plan on changing something with the club by having some kind of influence then there's not a lot of benefit of getting worried about what they do or don't tell you. Also what information do you want that hasn't been made available. Football wise there's not a lot that isn't public knowledge about where Roos is taking us. Off field it's Jackson doing the same

Massive news. I can get on with my life now.

Jack Trengove still reminds me a bit of Jimmy Bartell in playing style - and Jimmy was never 'quick'. I still think he can become a good quality, inside, strong bodied mid who is composed, uses the ball well, defends well and can creep forward for the odd goal. Inside/strong bodied mids rarely become very good until they're 24 or 25 so I'm not too worried about Jack myself.

Last year Robbo & a couple of injured players - Mark Jamar & a couple of others went up early and did clinics in Alice Springs & elsewhere along the way. Even had a small problem in their chartered light plane having to make an emergency landing.

Hi Cards, I'm a Seahawks fan so best of luck for Monday week. I was reading the stats for last night, 4 times the best defence in the league has come up against the best offence in the Superbowl. 4 times the best defence has come through and won. I'm also quite bullish that minus the KC Chiefs, you're yet to play an elite D and even against them I think Houston and Poe went down. That's in my opinion our best chance, in the first half to take control, block the run early, force Peyton to make throws against Sherman, Chancellor, Maxwell and Thomas. If he throws the ball 35 times he'll get picked off a few times. My concern is that 1. Seattle's offensive fire power isn't quite at the level you see of teams winning Superbowl's of years gone by and 2. Whether Wilson has the clutch ability to win the game when it matters. Manning will put up points, he's truly a once in a lifetime QB, and if Broncos go 14-0 up, I cannot see the Hawks getting back in it. On the flipside, we could be 21-0 up in the 3rd quarter and even with the best d in the league I wouldn't feel safe. The QB means so much in this game, and I think it'll be a fitting finish when the Broncos win by 3 in a 27-24 game. All the best, and go the Blue!

Perhaps you might want to give some thought to recruiting from the LFL (Womens Gridiron). I'm not sure if any qualify for Chicks U18's. None looked under 18 to me. And they are not affliated with our own Legends League (atm), although perhaps something can be arranged. Demonland Legends might be in need of a sponsor?

As a Broncs fan I'm very worried about the Hawks D. I just have a feeling there pressure on the recievers might be a little too much for us. I know Manning is so clinical especially after coming out after half time but he doesn't have the zip he once did and I just don't know if he can work the number 1 defence enough. If we can get more yards on the ground than Beast Mode can we are in with a shot. Another telling point will be Harvin. If Harvin can come back and play then Hawks have a huge boost in the passing game that opens up running lanes.

Essendon should be at the bottom I have no doubt that the AFL are trying to put out as much positive, pat them on the back articles about the dirty drug cheats as possible to try and make people forget how disgusting of a club they are Too bad we will never forget, nice try though AFL you morons.