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I posted about Ray's illness last year, but can't find the post. Just wanted to mention the sad passing of my lifelong demon buddy, Ray this morning, in Frankston palliative care. Ray bravely fought a brain cancer for nearly two years when he was only given three months. We used to go to watch the Dees play when we were kids, ducking off from Springy Under 12's and catching the No. 4 to Richmond. For long time supporters, that was when Phil Rhoden used to drop kick 55 yards from full back in the reserves. I was honoured to attend Ray's wedding last year, shortly after he was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour. Ray's family and mine are all crazy demon supporters and we spent lots of sunny (and otherwise) afternoons at the MCG screaming for our team over the years. You don't need to suffer any more, Ray, and we will all miss you and your wonderful sense of humor. You were taken before your time. Condolences to your wife, kids and extended family. BD

Got there around 10. Groups: Hogan MIA Watts, McKenzie and Riley were heading off. Jamar doing kick to kick Vince and Gawn a rehab duo. Spencer and Terlich as well Dawes doing laps The 4 new draftees were just playing handball games with Shannon Byrnes, Kent with them as well 2 AFL academy guys were with the newbies. You can find their names on the AFL website The main group was doing some repeat sprints. Frost, Hunt and others impressive. Stretch was in with them, he's got a little head start on the other 4 No sign of any of the Casey guys who had been training with us, nor Tapscott Sometime between 10:30 and 11 the core of guys went over to the Tan From those who stayed behind - Gawn and Vince were doing a drill where they would repeat lead and kick working together down the field, like a 2 man circle work. Both moving well - New guys were doing pretty relaxed stuff. Petracca looks a similar size to (a trimmed down) Kent. Brayshaw is actually pretty skinny. I'd stop with the Wines comparisons for now. Neal-Bullen, whilst an inch or so shorter is about the same size as Brayshaw, they both look like they will fill out. Oscar McDonald is a skinny young chap, not a surprise - McDonald and Bail were running with Garland and Garlett. Col was working hard to catch the front two but improved from what I saw a fortnight ago. Garlett with some work to do - Pedersen and Jamar running some solid repeat work I wandered over to the tan closer to 11. The boys had just finished running along the river side. Grimes very vocal, Toumpas as well. Got to witness some Roos magic. Instead of standing around getting their breath he told them to hustle up and then get in to positional groups. He was very vocal. "It's quarter time, what are we doing" "They've just kicked 2 in a row, it's a centre clearances, what's going on". So they broke in to positional groups and it was 5 defenders, a dozen or so mids and then only 3 forwards (I think King, JKH and Salem). Eventually as there was about 18 of them either a coach or player worked out they should split in to 6, 6 and 6 and the forwards should go on one side of the mids to make it realistic. Anyway, it was clearly Roos trying to get the focus on making the most of each training minute. They were then sent up the hill. I followed a couple of minutes later at a much more leisurely pace. So I can only say that Jones and Toumpy were at the front on the way down. Toump looks super fit and has his new intimidating look. He doesn't look like a young draftee anymore. I've now given him the new nickname Heisentoump.

He's eaten Sam Blease!

Why would he want to join a club that tanked?

It was bit of a weird morning with gusty winds and on-off light showers. Today was largely a fitness session and it was great to see the new boys out there looking good in the red and blue! My observations from today, in no particular order: Awesome to see the new guys out there. They mostly did light fitness work and some skills led by Byrnes in his new role. There were also two other medium to tall but quite skinny young guys there who I didn't recognise.. presume either Casey players or rookie list prospects. Petracca and Brayshaw are solid units! Petracca particularly through the legs and hips and probably more toned. Unsurprisingly though they didn't keep up to the other midfielders when they joined in some runs though. Very exciting prospects! Neal-Bullen didn't look out of place but would need to see more. Young Oscar looks a good height, just needs to fill out. Brayshaw's kicking looked the sharpest out of the new lot I'd say and Stretch is already looking reasonably toned / fit. One poor physio giving Jamar a back rub copped a falcon in the face from an errant Petracca kick. Watts did some hand balls drills with McKenzie and Riley early but didn't hang around for long. Dawes disappeared after awhile as well. Terlich, Spencer, Gawn and Vince did mainly runs around the oval with a few running and kicking drills. Kent also appeared on light duties and did some hand balling with the new guys. The main group did some repeat sprints up the middle of the oval. Players that were generally in front included Garlett, Hunt and Grimes. JKH is looking good, beat Bail in one of the earlier lap running drills. Vince has an absolutely sublime kick, so natural.. also made one young fella's day but coming up and saying gday as the kid was wearing a #23 guernsey. As others mentioned Toump has a more aerodynamic hairstyle... might be why he's doing so well in the running! There was a big set-shot goal kicking session involving everyone in rotating groups from different angles. It was hard to keep track of who was kicking true but Vince, Jones, Howe, Tyson and Salem stood out to me. Viney sprayed a few but conditions were windy and a bit wet. Dunn seemed the most vocal, keeping everyone going through pretty grueling running sessions. Garland looked fitter but still catching up. The main group headed off to the tan and eventually returned looking pretty spent... Some laggers in the oval laps included King (still has a lot of work to do), Pederson, Fitzy, Frost and Garland. At this stage of the preseason most are looking very fit and capable!

I feel sorry for him. I see a guy who did his damn best to take the bull by the horns during a dismal era for the club. It would have taken a heavy toll mentally and probably come at the expense of his personal development. Here's hoping focusing on footy yields great results for him.

Thanks Jack for your leadership in such dark times. You showed maturity beyond your years, shouldering a burden that no-one your age or experience should have been given. Hopefully with having the pressure of captaincy relieved you can grow into an even better footballer.

I am not into fancy diets but I have lost 23 kilos in 12 months.......I was inactive, had a beer gut and was lazy ....drank to much beer....ate all the fast foods I could get because I was too lazy to cook for myself......I then went to the doctors and she told me that diabetes was just around the corner and my blood pressure was about to go off the scale. I then changed my attitude.....I joined a Gym.......Ate a whole lot better(no Macca's No Hungry Jacks) cut down all sugars and breads,.....Started cooking good for you foods.....Walked the dog a lot more(Boy is he a happy chappie now) What I am trying to say Is that "Every thing in MODERATION".....I love pasta dishes but I only have them as a treat now....Instead of ice cream I have yogat for dessert. I am now 88kgs.......and that's not bad for a bloke that 6'3' .....That was my playing weight when I retired at 36....Also only have a beer on Sundays with friends and you know what?.......I feel great....The Doctor is as pleased as punch.......and as I'm in my early 60's, I can look forward to the rest of my retirement in good health....

Jones, Viney and Toumpas finished first in the run around the Tan this morning.

I completely disagree. Most of the players on our list have busted a gut during their time on the list, including Grimes, and I reckon it's insulting to suggest otherwise. It just so happens that Jones is also our best player, so it has borne more fruit. I reject the commonly held notion around here that Jones is the only one who tries. (Not your words exactly TSKFA, but it appears to be the sentiment.)

Its Dec 1 not April 1

There are some things in life that I can believe. This is not one of them.

Watch out for the FATCATHEARTATTACK

Must have been a deep fried Paleo

Somewhat disappointed that there was no statement of appreciation for Jack's work as co-captain, by the Club. He couldn't have performed the role any better under very trying circumstances. Hope the Club issues something to say 'thanks and it looks forward to his contribution as a senior member of the team on and off the field.' or something like that. He deserves it!

step up? has been the only one doing so for years now.

Ask Dave Misson, I do, Hogan having one of his advertised light days, Trengove was the only other one who didn't do some form of training A couple of clarifications, Pedersen is big bodied, did the whole session which most of the players rated as a 9 which is 'hard', he would not be on the list if he was overweight, Garlett is on a specific program The group was pounded today, Nathan Jones announced at the end and I can't quote, it would be censored so he said along the lines of "anybody who has not to put 9 today is a rather silly person", Daniel Cross ranked it 3rd in his hardest sessions ever and he has done 15 pre seasons The new boys as others have said are big, Oscar Mc said he was getting worried on draft night as 'all' had expected him to go around the 40 mark, said his house went crazy when he got Melbourne Alex Neal Bullen was expected to go in the first 25, I asked, we were delighted he was still there at 40 I am going to put some photos up on my Twitter account Demonpk and Six was there again so we should get some other top photos as well Bernie Vince is getting frustrated with not being able to do some of the drills because of his shoulder, although he is still his smiling self making a joke of it There were two tall young sticks training, so I asked, AIS Academy, no sign of the Casey guys or Tapscott, nobody else either, so not sure who we are going to rookie

I don;t often post, but thought i might weight in here as i do have an honours degree is Statistics. Day 1 of first year Statistics you will generally be presented with the "Birthday Paradox": http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birthday_problem In your class of 30 people - there is a 70% chance that two people share a birthday. Much higher than you might expect. (A lot of people wrongly predict 30/365 are the odds). In this, as in many probability problems, you need to look at the "complementary" (opposite) event. i.e. What are the odds that in a class of 30 no-one shares a birthday. This is 365/365 * 364/365 * 363/365 *362/365 * ....... * 336/365 = 29.4%. (or a 70.6% chance that people share a birthday). For our class of 5 draftees. the odds that 2 share a birthday are: 1 - 365/365 * 364/365 * 363/365 * 362/365 *361/365 = 2.7%. i.e. Pretty low. But extrapolate this across 18 clubs with 5 draftees. The odds that at least one club has a pair of draftees with the same birthday is (again using complementary events): 1 - (97.3%)^18 = 39%. i.e. Pretty good odds. Probability & Statistics on the Demonland Board - Let the Good Times Roll!

Feel for your loss mate, remember the good times.

Fyfe was not Freo's first choice so you can even claim that they made a mistake but got lucky.

Melbourne's facilities are as good as any, why is sharing a facility with other codes bad? They don't all need them at the same time. Also, Melbourne have the flexibility of using a very good facility at Casey all to themselves if need be.

Love all the cocky heroes who think that because we got some good kids coming through that now Jones isn't as valuable and doesn't deserve the pay or contract length he required. Jones deserves everything and more.

Gysberts and Cook were indisputably poor picks, surely? And didn't Cameron pick Morton?

Thanks, Mrs Roos

wtf big sook must have been getting stuck into some nachos sitting on his a55 all year collecting our paychecks hate that man so much

Needs to guarantee himself a spot in the first 22 before he worries about captaincy duties. Good move.

And some not so much. I still think he's a great leader and has a lot of good traits as a player to be an on field leader. I'm very glad that Jack and/or the coaches have seen that there is a problem with his form though. First step to fixing a problem is acknowledging it. I hope we see a faster, stronger and more skillful Jack Grimes out on the field next year.

Everyone knew he was right but he did it while being a Carlton player - the team that were the biggest of all tankers. His hypocrisy was breath taking, especially considering his behaviour at our club was very ordinary. Let him rot in Aberfeldie.

Except that the "Donation" was actually a penalty for doing burnouts after training in the car park.

He joined Calrton, didn't he?

I don't really understand the social club side of things, is this a place to go to all year round or just game days? What benefit is this venue meant to provide? Wtih differen't level of memberships, people have access to demon memebers bars at the G, outside of the G we have the Duke deal.

You've got to be joking. Persona non grata in my eyes. Don't need him. Don't want him.

The boys didn't do a lap of the tan this morning. Rather, run thru's from the bridge to the horse shoe and back - followed by runs up the Anderson st hill. Most pleasing was Toumpas up the front and looking very fit. Also sporting a very short shaved head and beard. Rashid Amla look a like. My general observations whilst I was there. - Today was a big running session - Jesse Hogan and Watts not there - Huge difference in condition from the new recruits and 1st year. Salem looks the part now. - Petracca IMO looks like he could play senior footy tomorrow, others are just kids. (which they are) - Jamar and Dawes look the thinnest I've ever seen them - diet working - Gawn running round with Vince kicking/leading. His skills would be the best of any one that height. - Garlett in a running group with Big Mac, Garland and Bail. He's bigger in stature than what I thought. - Lumumba getting round the boys with encouragement. - Roosy joined in all the running at the tan

The diet is going well for me. Nothing but snags and chops for a week now and I look like a Bronze Statue. Moving like one also. Put on 5kgs already.

you've misinterpreted - I was in no way undermining EQ. I was pointing out the fact that she is able to nail it every year demonstrates that it is very clear to everybody in the inner circle of the drafting community that there is a set hierarchy of prospects, which means it is basically impossible to claim that any pick in the first 5-10 was a mistake unless somebody goes for a big smoky that didn't work. I can't think of anybody ever doing that in the first 5-10 BTW. Plenty didn't work out but they were all expected to be picked there. Even Richard Tambling.

I'd like to put a stop to this panicky thread right now by pointing out that during the time we trained at the Junction the criticism was that we had separate football and head office operations and secondly, that we had divorced ourselves from our home, the MCG. The Junction is no answer.

The odds of someone posting about Angus on this thread are getting slimmer...

Wednesday it is then. Thanks folks. (BTW: another good reason for not doing Tuesday is that I think Wongs might be closed on Tuesdays )

BP was just terrible, I was done with him after Strauss. Unfortunately had to sit by and watch us take Lucas Cook. I'd of went no where near Morton, Strauss, Cook or Gysberts. Parker and Sloane were unforgivable to overlook. Shuey was an obvious selection for a club deprived of leadership. BP made some shocking selections, I am glad he is history. MFC are well and truly back on track now, but BP set us back a LONG way. As for Emma, I have a lot of time for her early work on big footy. I feel she paid her dues, and I don't mind her inside knowledge.

No, they are 'on the mark' - Emma does her 'phantom draft' on what her contacts tell her will happen, not what she thinks players should go at. And just because everyone gets something wrong, does not mean it is any less wrong. It just means that everyone is wrong.

but obviously these people dont exist - or at least they are never the ones in the position to make the call, which is further proof that the notion is basically impossible!

This is exactly what I'm talking about. Parker went at pick 40 and Sloane at 44! How can anybody rationalise that our club made a blunder there, obviously the prospect that they were on draft day held no bearing to the players they would ultimately become and ZERO clubs were able to see through that!

I believe the new recruits will begin training today mate.

26 and sunny again in Perth...really starting to give me the shits! Looking forward to the training reports. Apologies for my ignorance, when would the new recruits start training?

Not us.

yes is much better if open

Wednesday 10th is fine for me.

Rog, the mistake you made was to put 2016 at the start & expect people to read it before going off half cocked Don't do it again

No personal ego is what makes Emma the best. Her articles are about what makes each candidate an individual. She is fascinated by the extraordinary range of personal experiences that lead to a young boy being so committed to a game that they, as teenagers, work way beyond average behavior. She is a treasure.