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Spoke to a current player today , he said Mitchie will start at Casey. New players to come in to the team he thinks are : Cross - absolutely flying Vince - really good Tyson - doing well Hogan - gun Clark - foot is fine, hamstrings struggling because of extended lay off.

I would hate to go through life always requiring proof before I believed. I like to use my own eyes and cognitive powers to form conclusions. These conclusions are based on experience, past history, and current facts. Everyone gets it wrong from time to time, and I'm no better judge than others, but there's usually enough evidence to make sound conclusions that just as often become fruition. I don't automatically tick every player's chances, but one at least starts to recognise the percentages of probabilities. I'm not sure how you get through the long off-season without being able to get excited about anything until it's proven.

Injury would be the number one reason. Number two is the quality and depth of Freo's settled and experienced midfield. The third would be Ross Lyon's strong development program for young kids coming through, especially ones who have had barely one pre-season to their name. The fact that he's played one AFL game means very little to me. It's about the environment he's been in for the past three years and the tutelage he's received. He wanted to come home and we snagged him. Freo weren't happy. He is already far more valuable to our side than a lot of our mids who have little ability and have been brought up in a basket-case of an environment under terrible management and next to no leaders. We should be overjoyed that we, the MFC have snagged this youngster.

We have... just been the opposition kicking them!

What is wrong with you people, you actually believe that nobody at the Club either reads or monitors this site, of course they do, to gauge the feeling of 'so called' supporters. I made a joke about the snarky comment and it was taken that way, gee there can be a modicum of intelligence shown in conversations, I know it is a rare beast on here If posters don't want there opinions, baggings, comments, snide remarks, player assessments read by somebody at the Club, then don't post As I have said before I will say exactly what I want to say

please no more broken arms, legs, ankles etc

Did you see him play any WAFL games last season Demon Frog. Saw him 5 times last season and must say very impressed to get him. Really stood out in a side bereft of talent. On what I saw he was best WAFL midfielder last season.

You prepared to stake anything on that?

Do you think the "barmy army" would chant ONWARD CHRISTIAN SAALEM

Obviously we can't exactly brag about ours but a lot of saints fans would like to know about this Ross Lyon development program. I think a few of them would feel Ross is great at developing the best 22 but no so young players. As for Michie I think it's rational for the level of expectation to be on similar levels to Kent or Evans. There's a lot to like and a lot of reasons to be cautious. So cautious optimism is the best theory but that's ok. I'm really hoping he's fit and on the park for nab challenge and round 1 so we can see him play

What PVR?

i will get excited when we start having 8 goal quarters...Been too long.

It's very hard not to get excited by this: http://www.sportsfan.com.au/afl-fantasy-builder-viv-michie/tabid/91/newsid/120883/default.aspx The most in depth look at him that I've seen so far Enjoy

Just back from a long overseas stint and I've been sifting through these preseason training reports. Frankly, I'm more than a little disappointed not to hear that Col Sylvia is going gangbusters at training and that this is going to be his year at last. Absolutely devastated!!!

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

Consolatory words P-man Wow they are a bit of a rarity around here. Good effort

Couldn't break into a Grand Final midfield. What a hack.

How is Jayden Hunts progress going?

I don't lurk, I am like everybody else I sit behind my keyboard, weapon in hand, ready to strike. Create friction, with who, posters who don't agree with my viewpoint/opinions, so there is only a rule for me, then, how laughable Again I don't pass on anything I read on here, this is a myth being perpetuated by a couple of posters, as I have said I don't need to I don't need to draw attention, I pass on what I have been told by a player, asking permission first of course, in the hope of keeping supporters who bemoan the lack of information, informed I only take pot shots at certain posters who deserve it, I don't do it very often now coz I have stopped reading their posts, you can do the same to mine if you wish, seems the answer really doesn't it Training reports can become a bit tedious if they all say the same thing, mine I try and make a bit different, if you don't like them, don't read them, simple really

They have trained together, ffs Dawes and Clark went overseas together to train this preseason. Think about it this way. Franklin took every oppositions #1 defender and dragged them in to the mid all year leaving Roughhead with the #2 leaving Gunston with the #3. We can do the same thing with Clark, Dawes, Hogan and Howe. Howe would draw the #4 defender... #4. That would worry any defence... Quick paced Clark, Hogan and Dawes who are a bit agro and would run through you and you have Howe who prefers to mark on top of you... With the exception of Hogan, they are proven, no one apart from you has disputed that. But as i referenced its a matter of if they can all play together due to their injuries.

Guys, leave Saty alone. He obviously has a great passion and deep love for the MFC. He goes to every game and most trainings as well as a lot of the Casey games. I wish I had his commitment. I'm glad a lot of the people at the Club see him and recognise his loyalty and treat him with the respect he deserves. Keep it up Saty! Wish we had more like you mate.

Viv will be a huge get for MFC. I followed him at Peel and he was double teamed almost all the games he played in the Wafl. Came over and watched the one game he had against Geelong. He was only told at 10 am that he was playing and was easily their better player in the second half (biased but close to truth). He is an excellent ball player who kicks to the jumper, has absolutely no other thought than for the team and I am tipping a 22 game player this year. Freo did not want to let him go.

Well that's disappointing for Michie if this is in fact what he's been told. To say there's no chance of him playing round 1 when we're 7 weeks out must be depressing. What if he tears it up in the NAB and practice games? Just doesn't add up.

Thanks to those who provided training reviews. Am I the only one completely confused why any mod worth his salt doesn't just fly through these threads and delete the bickering? The ratio of 'the same blokes going at each other over a keyboard' to 'football related' posts is enormous.

I am also a garlic muncher long time Cardies fan but attend at least 1 WAFL game every week. He stood out at Peel because he found his own ball which I would argue is harder to do in a bottom side. As others have said he was trying to break into a very very good midfield. I don't think anyone is talking him up as a Brownlow medallist but IMO we have picked up a hardened big bodied mid who has a few good pre-seasons behind him coming from a good culture and who's club really did not want to let him go

I think the Nathan Jones analogy does correctly illustrate my point but perhaps we disagree about the issue. While decisions of the Board have to be seen in public as unanimous so that it appears the Board is of one mind, that will not reflect reality. On many issues the Board is likely to have a diversity of opinions. In fact, Board's operate best when the orthodoxy is challenged in house. But once a decision is made any well-functioning body has to provide a unified front. As I said originally, I have no idea whether the current Board members who were there previously have - as individuals - been good or poor performers. I'm just saying it is naive to assume they supported every decision the previous Board made. And even if they did, that still doesn't mean they haven't got something valuable to offer today. Edit: typos

I assume you're not excited about Hogan either ...

No contest! Jim Cardwell, the "Prince of Secretaries". He assembled the greatest playing list(s) ever to represent the mighty Demons.

I think Viv will be a fine acquisition.

Correct me if I am wrong but he only played one AFL game? Sorry Roger but I am not excited. I know I am speaking for OD as well but we may get excited if he can regularly perform on field at AFL level. Actions speak louder then words.

Peter Jackson is the best Recruit we have had in years....

but we are still crap.

For mine, we just haven't focused enough on Jack on Demonland. Just the one thread doesn't make sense to me.

Why do I keep thinking this is Henri Lecont commentating on MFC's training? Henri is supposed o be over the road at the tennis at this time.

Potential! Potential! Mate I admire your positivity but we have been hanging on potential for years. I greedily scan those adds on this site that have a remarkable number of ,apparently, loose women living four miles from me. All potential roots but have i've had none of it. Potential? Let's sees a bloody first round win!!!

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.

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.

There you go people: Jamar ready to defend ruck spot http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-01-22/jamar-to-defend-ruck-spot "MELBOURNE ruckman Mark Jamar will join full training soon as competition for the club's main ruck spot intensifies." "Melbourne football manager Josh Mahoney told AFL.com.au Jamar had enjoyed a good period since returning to training in January and would join the main group by the end of the month." "He is expected to be available for selection during the NAB Challenge Series that kicks off for Melbourne against Richmond on February 14 at Etihad Stadium."

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.

I believe RR is holding down a small unchartered Pacific island, on his own and unaware that the war is over.

That particular model must be from Cleaveland.

No but I reckon I could write the transcript. Iwas also making a phone complaint the other day (and I know I'll sound an arse) but I can't remember to whom. However, I was speaking with a young lady in Melbourne who I could understand perfectly. She couldn't help me but she was so pleasant I didn't take the matter any further.

That's what Ivan Milat liked to tell us .

Been here a number of times lets wait till 2016 to make the judgement.

Can you please stop forwarding the opinions of about 5 people on here to people you see at MFC training? I don't know why you do it.

What about Ray Carr, Russell Colcott and Shane McSpeerin?

My curiosity is on the quiet midfield weapon we've acquired, Dom Tyson. Anyone have more detail on his situation and progress?

Jon Ralph. So unnecessary and so disrespectful. ( not too mention that the season hasnt started and who knows what will happen - StKilda could do a Port Adelaide). Maybe from now on we should refer to him by his full title - Likely never had an original thought in his life Journo, Jon Ralph.

It's no biggie for me. I reckon if you've got a good CEO then the Board are a lot less important. But we called coaches, CEO's, players and others to account when they don't do a good job. Why should those three be any different? And the job they did was less than ordinary.

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.