Leaderboard

With thanks to tasmanlvr over at BigFooty... TGIF! A morning at Gosch's to start somewhat of a lukewarm morning which should get better. Are we already at the end of January? Two weeks until NAB Challenge, guys! Imagining that James Frawley's contract talk will dominate discussion at Gosch's this morning. Inb4 nine year, $10 million deal which is also heavily backended. Overheard: so I learned that it's Alex Georgiou's birthday tomorrow, and it was mentioned, to which he responds 'Is it tomorrow?' Classic Georgiou. Jesse Hogan and Jack Fitzpatrick rejoin the main group! Brilliant news! Rehab: Viney, Riley, Clark and Terlich, who had a huuuuuuuge knee strap on Wednesday. Dean Kent also doing little despite wearing training jumper. Stretches and runthroughs to start with. Solid crowd building up at Gosch's. Short kicks following the stretches. Bit of grappling and upper body drills. Jack Trengove getting a bit of attention to his hip. A bit precautionary I expect. More wrestling exercises. One of the most impressive things you notice is you hear the contact that the players make 50m away. King, Spencer, Jamar and Gawn isolated to work with new ruck coach Greg Stafford. He's a big boy! Stoppage drills, boys split into two. One team wearing bibs, defending, while the other has the footy. In one group Chippa breaks the lines and make everyone look like they are moving in slow motion! #pleasestaychip There's also a forward group. Dawes/Hogan/Fitz. Brett Allison barking out instructions nearest to where I am. Chippa looks motivated ... Mitch Clark leaves training early. Not ideal. Hopefully he comes back. Variation of the drill now, one forward at each end, Fitz and Hogan. Cam Pedo looking alright, takes a nice mark. Hopefully we see more of that and less of him squibbing it this year (coughcoughroundone) Pickles Evans is also working hard, laying tackles at will. Will be interesting to see where he fits as he was best 22 before copping that toe injury last year. Extension of the drill but situated inside 50. Ball movement is QUICK. Boys look like they are following the three-second rule. Get the ball, find an option, use it. I like it. Switch/down the lone/handball/kick inside 50 drill now. Nathan Jones basically hitting every target, Dom Tyson to Fitzy is something I want to see in round one if Clark isn't playing. There's something about Salem that looks different ... he looks a bit more built than when he was drafted. Looking good. New drill now. Starts on the wing and involves handballs before delivery inside 50. Dawes/Hogan at one end and Gawn/Fitz at the other end. Gee Toump looks good. Delivering some really sharp kicks. Dom Tyson needs to work on his goalkicking, missing a few bread and butter 25m shots on the run. Interesting hearing Paul Roos yell out 'HALF TIME!' it's now obvious. Training is being treated like a game. On resumption its basically a similar drill but involves a player in the middle marking, swinging sround and delivering to a forward. Refreshing to see Jonesy get louder and louder on the track. No doubt the captaincy has got him going. Full grounder drill now. You beauty. Match sim!!! It's great to see two ruckmen at contests with Gawn fighting with Spencer. Dawesy getting in front of Tom McDonald and marking everything. I could watch that all year. Ball use out of defense has been excellent!!! Alright, an alternate drill now ... out of defense, through the middle, kick up forward. Nice. I love seeing blokes sprint THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE GROUND in this drill just to get the footy. I love it! And I haven't seen it for ages, if ever. Especially not under the "talent manager". I see the white training jumper for the first time in person. And I'm 110% done. It's just so beautiful. :') PROPER MATCH SIM. ALMOST AN INTRACLUB!!! Jack Watts first centre clearance of this mini-intraclub. Mini-intraclub is pretty much equal teams. I like it. Clisby with kickout duties. Interesting. Ball use is good. Toumpas is getting the ball a bit which is what I like to see. Jack Watts with two clearances (albeit from a free kick). It's good to see that hardly an inch is being given defensively, but that decision making is also good from the team with the footy. Just saw Hunt blow away Roh Bail getting the footy. He is QUICK. Dom Barry getting a bit of the footy. Good signs. JKH tackles a bloke and sets up a goal with his defensive pressure. It's déja vu from Wednesday. Same occurrence at the same end no less. Dom Tyson turning blokes inside out. BREAKING ANKLES OUT THERE DOM. I LIKE IT A LOT. Jones bumps Grimes after he gets rid of the footy. I swear Jones just wants the captaincy on his own, still not satisfied with co-captaincy. Thing that frustrates me with Watts, gets the ball a fair bit but not really following up. Staying behind the ball. Haha Roosy: 'NEXT SCORE WINS! NEXT SCORE WINS!!!' Cross is getting plenty of it, as is Kent. Tyson's getting it too. Exciting! I think the game plan is more defined now - there's still a lot of switch play but the build up is more patient, concise and decision making is far better. It looks like they are finishing up. Few are staying out to improve their skills a bit.

Good news. Jack Fitzpatrick and Jesse Hogan at full training this morning. Mitch Clark and Chis Dawes expected next week.

My dad plays golf with Danny Frawley, well at least at the same club. Danny told him, that James being a country boy is very loyal to the team that gave him a shot, however his dream is deep finals football. If he sees any possibility of playing it with Melbourne he'll stick around for life, but if there's no progression he won't risk his dream for a team who in 7 years has really not delivered. I am perfectly fine with this opinion, and in the same position I would do the same. He's stood up for alot of blokes in the last 7 years, and it's time for them to repay him. If they do that, he'll be a dee for life.

Thanks Roger, great work.

Wow pretty hard to top that huge report. But anyway, I went today. -Clark hung around for a very short time doing light drills before heading off. -Viney, Terlich and Aiden Riley (I think) were doing running drills on their own. First time i've seen Viney in the 2 weeks i've been watching the Dees train but he was running superbly. -Garland was the only complete no show I'm 99% sure, though Dunn gave false hope by wearing no.20 during the sessions -We did some great running and pressure drills, such as running in 4s and doing a condensed game of only handballs in a coned off area -Having the intra club game at the end was fantastic, I noticed Jamar and Gawn stood on the sideline while Max King took the ruck for one team, interestingly. Watts started on the wing in the game and I think had the most possessions, ran well and looked very hard to match up on. Tactically we seem to be doing a lot of short kicks across goal in defence, but centering the ball once inside 50. -Kennedy-Harris has real potential. Competes well in all the main drills and can find the ball. Looks like his set shot kicking needs a lot of improvement though, as he was working hard on it at the end -I've been so impressed with Daniel Cross, his experience and maturity really show. He's a better kick than I thought too. From what i've seen, he is always the last to leave training. Can't wait to see him play. -Hogan and Fitzpatrick didn't completely do the full training. Towards the second half they started running the boundary. I think Dawes was in many of the main drills. It's also worth mentioning that Salem often stands out on the main drills, but others like Harmes and Hunt were in the thick of it today and quite impressive. It was a really good session

Great report Tasman. A few highlights for me this morning: - Hogan and Dawes look in great knick. Both worked hard the entire session displaying repeat efforts and strong hands. - Dom Tyson looks so composed. He may have missed a couple of running shots on goal but his field kicking was outstanding. He punches the ball low with his preferred left - even over 50 metres. - Viv Michie, much as above. We know he's only played half a game at AFL level but he has all the attributes if he can find the ball in the big league - he's well built and a nice kick. - Christian Salem is more solid than reported on here perviously - actually quite well developed for a first year recruit. He has the best kick on the training track - a really fluent motion, seems to kick the ball out of his hand rather than dropping the ball on to the boot. - Viney, Terlich and Riley worked hard over the full session, still running hard at the 2 hour mark of training. The way they were moving they can't be to far away from joining the main group. Seven weeks until round 1 and the list is looking healthy! - It is only training but they are doing it with much more intensity than last year. The drills are a lot more pressure based including full tackling - hopefully training under these conditions transfer to working through congestion game day.

I'll get to quoting you guys and answering your questions once I come back from the cricket tonight. Loving the feedback. Cheers.

I don't know how you follow the club - but my affection for the club, and certain of its players, isn't altogether logical. Or clinical. And that's why I've stuck with the club for so bloody long. I should've stopped watching the Dees following our loss to the Dockers in the second semi final in 2006. Because, as a supporter, it's largely been a waste of a lot of time (and $$$) since then. In short, I can't turn off the tap emotionally on matters that adversely impact upon the club. When, and if I do, I'll just be another of those 'Dees' supporters who spends all winter skiing at Hotham, hasn't watched a game since the Granny in 2000, hasn't ever bought a membership, and yet who claims to be a 'died in the wool' Dees supporter. Required players (potentially) electing to leave the club are not in the 'whatever' category for me.

Who could blame him?

Thanks mate, excellent work, great read too.

My understanding from AFL sources is that Jackson is not going anywhere and he will be around for a while and he is enjoying the challenge at MFC. I did not get the impression that PJ would be flying the nest within the next 12 months.

This thread has got me pumped - great reports, thanks. Love this time of year - last season is just a bitter memory and I'm fully recharged with optimism again.

I can feel the onset of my annual pres season pollyanna syndrome

As stated earlier, these days it is about being a professional footballer. Most who are drafted don't make it to 50 games. If your job had the potential for such a limited tenure, would you not try and maximise your earning potential? Being a football player is Chippers job, not a weekend pastime. He has every right to explore his career opportunities. That said, he is a loyal servant of the club to this point in time and has right to expect his employer to provide him with some incentive, over and above money, to keep doing his job with the same employer. Unlike other naysayers, I believe that will happen. Chip does not need us to be knocking on the door of the 8 in 2014, he's just looking for the club to be clearly heading in a positive direction. If that happens and I reckon it will this year, Chip stays in my opinion.

Here it is.... The next 300 page topic to keep us amused through out the season

After 7 years of crud, I'd do the same thing and see what the 8th year brings

I reckon he'll stay. And that's because I reckon we'll show some good signs this year. And, I suspect, all things being equal, he doesn't actually want to leave.

If the talk is that he's definitely leaving, I hardly think he would've been included in the leadership group following an extensive Leading Teams process. His attitude towards the club and his future would've come out loud and clear through that. It'll be a big contract year for Frawley, particularly given that he'll be arguably the most sought after restricted free agent, and I suspect his manager's telling him to cool his jets for a while on the contract talks (ie, wait and see how the club performs AND what other offers are likely to be on the table). In short, no need to rush - it's only the pre season and there's a long way to go. Not necessarily good, or bad - it just seems to be a very commercial approach IMO.

Pfffft. Nothing article. Fools jumping at shadows.

I'm getting seduced again! Fmd.

Bump. The bloke is at it again: http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2014-01-31/garland-focuses-on-44th-player I love this. Maia Westrupp would make 45 but splitting hairs can be a waste of time. Our 4 rookies may get paid less and have less opportunities and security but they should be treated as equals in a well run club.

I would add incompetent management / Board as well rpfc But you are correct. We entered 2012 with a list that consisted of numerous VFL standard players and a bunch of kids. The last two years showed their collective abilities. Lets hope the list have improved this year and we can at least be competitive most weeks and eke out 5 - 6 wins

Amazing how many use hindsight...and add a little icing on. If you were accountable enough you'd state who you thought at the time. I thought Grimes and Trengove at the time because they were the best alternatives at the time of a bad lot. And I put Green in that camp at that particular time after that particular season and what he had shown. What transpired after Neeld had taken the job - performance wise and list changes - in his 1.3 seasons as coach - even blind freddy could use hindsight and say that it would have been more prudent in holding onto Green instead of taking a risk and putting two young guns at the coalface - now knowing what we know and what had transpired! That said, I think both Trengove and Grimes will be better footballers and leaders in their own right as a result. Good topic TGR.

He could attempt to drive change and still quite reasonably wait to see if he succeeded.

...... must resist.... try.. to.. resist!!!! Stop getting me excited!!!! MUST NOT GET.... ah f it! this got me waaaayyy to excited: "I love seeing blokes sprint THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE GROUND in this drill just to get the footy. I love it! And I haven't seen it for ages, if ever..."

I wasn't comparing. I was addressing the issue of appointing a captain at a young age. I disagree with your assessment of Trengove's maturity - I don't believe that was the problem. The difference was more a factor of other things such as the coaching and support structures around each of the individual captains. And don't discount Trengove as a captain again at some time in the future. He has all the makings and the inventive to push for the main leadership role at some time in the future.

How many times have us supporters fallen for the round 1 trap.Could've sworn we said the same thing about smashing Port and Brisbane in the previous round 1 games. I think St Kilda in round 1 will be a very tough assignment - one that might be a bit too difficult for us seeing that it's at Etihad.

Brought this up a while ago in regards to chip. One of his close mates was playing footy up my way and he mentioned that money was never an issue for Frawley it was all about on field improvement and the direction of the club. So im not surprised he has put of contract talks. We must improve this year or its bye bye chip.

U know what I am sick of? I am sick of being a target for other clubs to pinch our players. I am sick of being the joke of the AFL. I am sick of losing. I am sick of players wanting to leave. I have had a gut full of bad seasons. It needs to change this season and hopefully with PR at the helm and the injection of new players and existing ones given a new lease on life it will happen. Must admit I am a bit nervous about the 2014 season and how we will perform.

Free agency - The bane of struggling clubs. Will only ever favoure the powefull

Integrity would be a good start. Hey Dank, "make sure you use the good stuff, we are playing Carlton this week", "I take full responsibility for my actions" followed by "we will use every legal avenue to defend ourselves", "when the full story comes out we will be fully clear of any wrong doing". Sorry I am not allowed to comment". The architect of the program has knifed his extremely well like president, the CEO, the high performance manager, Danny Corcoran - everyone but himself. Tried to knife Demetriou and McLaughlan. Using Julian Burnside, the commie people smuggler defending lawyer, to claim Hird is "heroic" and that his human rights are being abused. Refuses to accept any responsibility and holding out for his $1m holiday on full pay. Hows that for a serious subject. They guy is a delusional [censored]. And for that matter so is his wife. The world they inhabit is rarified. They clearly think they are above everyone else. I personally can't wait to see him go down in flames. As for the club. I hope they fold. Deserves everything he has coming and a lot more.

nothing personal against you DemonFrog but any jumper that has a red sash reminds of Essendon....i hate Essendon.

Correct. Move on. Just part of footy these days. Ask Hawthorn. Who do we need, who can we get, what do we need to do to get him?

Well, we aim to be well run don't we? And since you are using the present tense - are we not 'well run' now? Decisions surrounding trades and draft picks are rarely accurately judged until years after the fact. But I am quietly confident about the Tyson deal, and I am loudly confident about the Hogan/Viney deal.

At this stage I would temper my concern. This is the way of Free Agency. But if rumours appear and they won't go away and get bigger like with TS then I might look at it differently. Melbourne is still an unknown quantity this season and it appears we have reached the end of the dark ages. If the same admin and coach as then were around he would be front of the queue to leave for sure. But I get the vibe he means what he says unlike listening and reading what TS said.

Hey Tas the reports are fantastic, thanks so much for sharing them - love your work. I assume Jordie just cut them up again, IMO the best trainer we've had over the last few week looking at it holistically. Thanks.

It doesn't actually. Timing is everything and Neeld (and I strongly suspect Schwab's) timing on Trengove in particular was awful.

Supporters do feel that way, which is why we lost thousands upon thousands of supporters in the 70s and early 80s and now after 2007.

Yes, I would think if fit, it will be Kent in place of Watts at HF

Even if we get a top 5 draft pick I don't see how that gets us a better player. We couldn't land anyone with pick 2 this year, I'm not sure how we'd land a player better than an elite key defender in the prime of his career? The best we could probably do would be going back to GWS and getting one of their young highly drafted talls to plug in defense plus a swap of picks again.

From what I have heard and seen Chip is in the same boat as Watts last year, he wants to stay but doesnt want to spend his career struggling at a third rate club without getting any success. If we show something to give him hope I recon he will stay

"hey I heard someone was talking about me...."

I think he'll stay for at least as long as Roos. Roos wouldn't have committed for longer than Jackson. And his job isn't finished until he's found an equally competent replacement. That's his most important job now.

here we go again head for the hills the sky's falling !! someone hasnt signed..( yet ) big deal...honestly.

Can anyone tell me how this restricted free agency thing works? If we match an offer from another club is Chip locked in to the terms of that contract with us? By that I mean the length of the contract. So for example if the Suns were to offer 6 or 8 years for X dollars and we match it, is Chip locked in to being a Dee for that period? If so this could work out in our favour and it would be smart management to make sure our gun players fall out of contract in their restricted years rather than unrestricted years.

Seriously? Of all Tapscott's shortcoming's that aint it.

PJ is absolutely a required player.

yes, having an extra foot didn't work out too well for rolf he should have picked the priesthood instead of entertainment

dean martin without jerry lewis did ok i think you're being overly dee-feetist

I received an email today from a usually reliable source saying that one should never trust emails from usually reliable sources.