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Funny story was talking to a young fella who was traveling up and playing footy up this way. He played Stingrays with Zac. Apparently he interviewed so well at the draft with all clubs except Collingwood. He was straight up and told them that they were the last club he would want to play for due to their supporters after what they did to this dad couple of years ago, he and the family haven't forgotten about it and were promised by the Collingwood footy club something would be done about these maggots and to this day are still waiting ... Hates them with an absolute passion and he defiantly made sure that they knew about it too. Wouldn't want to mess with all three Jones brothers now. Apparently Young Zac can seriously throw a few.

Was my first session for a year at least, as much as they change, they stay the same. The major drills: Offence 'out the back' from half back - this is a standard one but does give a window into how we will move the footy. Essentially, unless you are Jones and you can break through a stoppage chest going forward, you have to hand it back and then look across CHB for a short switch as first option, if that instant kick isn't there, run 10 and kick it to the other HBF/wing and run it through that side of the ground and hit a target. This looked good, and the guys look to have committed to the 'out the back' release as I will touch on with Viney later. Hands across the ground (rucks and fwds worked on technique) - this was basically a hot potato across the ground to goals that teams had to hand pass through from point blank. This was a bit of a mess with all the kids giving some questionable hands, but they played it pretty hard. While this was on Stafford too the rucks in technique and competing when the ball hit the ground. There was a bit to this, simple but good habits. Dawes and Hogan were pitted against Miller in a series of one on ones where he got them to lead different ways; drop back, hold ground and push sideways, lead up and out, etc. This was excellent. Bring it back from half back or make a stop - this is another simple drill, almost like keepings off with the goal of bringing it back down the other end of the ground or stop the other team doing that. They split into three teams to do this and it was tough to get through. Sometimes it is hard to know whether that is a good thing or a bad thing... Viney got stuck into Harmes (I think) for not giving it out the back of a pack once, he hesitated slightly and Jack got into him, it was good to see that it is so much of a focus that it is the point of the drill. Fitz got falconed in kick to kick... Centre work with spread/fwds leading/defenders roll out and competing - the centre work was pretty simple but confident and played in good spirit... The forwards were learning how to lead straight, push-off opponent turn-around lead, lead toward goal, and lead fat side one after the other. Another impressive yet simple drill that I was pleased to see. The defenders get the crappy drills... Roll out ball, two teams competing to bring it back to coach with hands... Boring. Match sim...kind of - first choice mids and fwds vs the rest but the rest included 3 extra players. And Tyson, Jones, and Lumumba were beating the the team with three extra by themselves... It was a bit frustrating to Roos who exclaimed to the White team that they had three extra players 'think about it'... Tyson was running rings around whoever that it was actually good for the mindset of the rest that Michie caught up with him at one point and buried him - he deserved it... Apart from the running to finish that was what I gleaned. Random thoughts: Lumumba will play midfield from the sets he was looking at. Watts is fit but looked a bit pained, hope he gets over his groin issue for next year. Rehab boys were doing a lot of work. Trengove the outlier. Howe likes being a forward... Like Miller as a coach. Hogan looks like he is a 5 year pro. Dawes looks so much thinner, still strong, but his knee will have to carry less weight now. Very fit. Goodwin torped one 70m. He should be playing... Goschs in great nick, it was good to be back in the greatest city on the planet, go the Dees.

At least a couple of hundred there, Coffee,Santa,Club Mascot, snags on the barbie all good. I'm not going to say too much, but after being to three or four session this preseason, Tyson is all set for a big one as our number one mid along side Jones and young Viney to step up another notch as well, all 3 got plenty of it in match simulation. Hogan is absolutely going to tear it up, as he is the real deal, very fit and agile and big and mean...think Lockett and Riewoldt love child. Kent and Garlett will also be mainstays in the forward line this year as they just look the goods. Very impressed with Brayshaw, just the way he moves and his foot skills....just going to be a class player for us. My final mention is Lumumba, he will add good run from the backline and another big body charging it up in the midfield, he uses the full length of the ground and breaks lines.

Really enjoyed watching training today and the14 on 14 mini games were great to see and gave an indication of current thinking. At this stage there are no major structural moves - Howey is still being viewed as a defender. There were a lot of players being managed/nursed because of minor ailments. There was also the kid gloves approach to our young first-year brigade - nothing wrong with this mind you, but anyone who thinks any of our 18yo's are going to walk into the side forget it as they weren't allowed to play the mini-games. The only one who has a chance is Petracca - simply because he is so well-developed and is freakish and if he plays pre-season games, he is going to press the selectors into considering him as a small forward/sub option ahead of Kent and JKH and Salem and Toumpas. The other aspect is that Roosy is incredibly loyal to his core group - so Bail and Matt Jones are ahead of others, until the others earn their stripes and force him to reassess. Frosty played in the second side even with Tom Mc absent, which could have been because he was the only backman left that could line up on Dawes/Pedo/Jamar or it could be that he is another that will have to earn his stripes. Based on what we saw in the mini-games, the certainties in the side if we were playing this weekend would be as follows: B: Grimes Dunn Howe HB: Garland Lumumba xxxxx C: M.Jones Tyson Cross HF: Bail Pedersen xxxx F: Garlett Hogan Dawes (susp - susp Rd 1) Ru: Jamar Viney N.Jones Unavailable (regulars not training with main gp): Jetta, Vince, Watts, Tom Mc, Riley, Trengove, Gawn, Spencer plus all first-year players.

I agree with you there - there have been too many attacks on posters who provide information about training and other matters. That sort of thing leads to derailing of threads which is annoying and unnecessary. If we find this occurring in future the offending posts will be deleted and posters may be banned. I recommend that people refrain from engaging with the snipers. Thanks.

The training info is great, as 99% of us can't attend. The photos add to the whole scenario being described. To those that provide the info and photos, thanks. Keep up the good work.

Hello people. I know I'm getting in early but I'm going away (I will be back!). I'd like to sincerely wish all of my fellow Demonlanders a very Merry Xmas and a happy and successful (GO DEES!) 2015. We are all part of one big family. So whatever you wish for, I hope that your wish is granted (although a premiership in 2015 may be stretching it just a little!). Cheers and best wishes

Hi TDI, thank you for your reports and efforts. Please don't let the few that bag you get the better of you. 99% of us appreciate what you do. How did some of the young fellas go today...Salem, Toumpas, JKH and Kent?

It's only from a few bozos. For the overwhelming majority of us, the training reports are a godsend.

Great reports from all and I could only add a couple of points: 1. What a great turnout from the fans! It must be a real filip for the players, when the club which has performed so badly during the past year, turn up to a training session and see a couple of hundred excited and eager fans lining the fence. 2. Am amazed at how fit Jamar looks. I've real concerns given his age about his ability to get on the park, but boy he looks as fit as he ever has. 3. Love the look of Petracca and Brayshaw for very different reasons. Petracca is a real bull and has the body to match. Will be a real addition as a "ball getter". Just don't expect the kid to front up round 1. He might be perfectly capable, but with something this good you don't want to burn him. Brayshaw is a really smart operator. He won't be at the bottom of the pack, but he puts himself in the right spot, reads the ball and the play brilliantly, so he will finish a game with some astounding stats one day. Not ready for consideration for a long time, so don't get the hopes up about him either... 4. Am amazed at how we have suddenly strengthened the backs so much. Frost will be a 10 year solid player, while the new Junior Mac looks the goods, although a lot of development still needed. Good to see the two brothers wrestling each other at one stage, and neither giving quarter. Probably like the backyard for the past 10 years! Nice to see a fit Garland as well, and while HL looks to being recruited to the mids, he could always pinch hit down back as well. 5. Still a couple of seasons away is Max King. He is a natural football and knows how to play. Once he has the body he will be something special as well. 6. Hogan and Dawes up forward with Garlett or JKH at their feet.....it's going to be pretty

I'll answer the last post first Michie and Newton are like peas In a pod, they do everything asked without too much fuss, the perfect Roos soldiers Bad news Alex Neal Bullen dislocated his knee during an indoors wrestling drill, was going for scans today to check out the peripheral damage, hoping not too bad, nice touch of his mate Billy Stretch making sure he is ok, I asked him was Billy fussing around him, he laughed and said yes Congratulated Nathan Jones for his new contract, he thanked me hanging tough and said "don't worry we will get you success soon", a class bloke The majority of the midfield group did at least 15k today, the rest between 13 and 14, so Roos was not joking about the 'hard' pre season Another nice touch, Brayshaw was off from main group doing a drill with the other newbies,, seemed to tweak his foot, Shannon Byres noticed this and checked with him, seemed to brush it off, Byrnes still went and got the medico so it could be checked out The last training before Xmas and last off the track again, Daniel Cross Pics will be on Twitter Demonpk Any questions feel free will try and answer, spoke to a few this week

Loved the look of Petracca and Brayshaw at training and they way they seemed to interact with each other; also Kent was very impressive. On arrival, it was good to see Gawn and Fitzy taking a few strong leading marks and i was surprised the way King was presenting in front of goal and roosting a few. Hogan will be a legend for us and Dawes won't be far behind, judging from his strong performances today. Not sure about Frost yet as he seemed to be outmuscled but HL and Garlett will certainly add some polish to the team. Jones was doing what he always does so well and why we are so lucky to have him as our leader for the next five years and Tyson is pure class. Generally, the boys were all very willing in the drills and I am optimistic that the Dees will give it a real shake this year. As one of our past coaches said, we will be the benchmark team that it is the hardest to play against.

Keep up the great work TDI, many on here appreciate your training updates and passion re all things Melbourne.

Demon draftee escapes serious injury after training mishap

I wonder why?Might have something to do with the results over an eight year period.

That is the best thing I've ever read

I think what the signing of Jones says , in a manner, is that we've pushed through the talk, all the rhetoric about what this club is about in terms of culture and direction and blah blah blah , and actually got to the point where the Club does actually represent all ( well, much of ) what its being pumped up to be. We're a decent club with prospects and a developing culture that should prove attractive to not only those already on board but those eyeing a starting, or next destination. We're officially no longer a basketcase

Wow can't believe all the hate, I love the training reports I think TDI does a great job keep it up, this will end up like the guys who used to post the trade rumors (chilliboy??) got shot down every time in the end gave up I hope this doesn't turn out the same

You are pathetic. Give it a rest.

I wouldn't advise them to read this site even when we are winning. It's like social media, the players don't real time updates of what the fans think of them. There is no value for the players to get involved in a forum designed to dissect the club they play at and the players themselves. They get the drift from those leaning over the fence in games anyway...

Salem and JKH looked solid, did most things. Toumpas runs like a gazelle, a heavily pregnant gazelle, but did some really good things until he came off frustrated with what looked to be, and TDI confirms, to be tightness. Kent looks good, I will be effusive about him. Him and Garlett are the hope up forward for smalls and they both look like footy players. Know where it's falling, good skills, read the kick well, etc. But again, if you want to get excited about a kid - his name is Hogan. He is a mountain already with a bemused look at training of a bloke that just wants the real stuff to start.

As I've said a number of times, it would beggar belief that the player managers and the AFLPA didn't know what was going on at Essendon. We know the AFL did. They are all covering their backsides. Personally I hope the whole house of cards comes tumbling down.

I wonder the logic behind broadcasting your intentions so early. Seems a bit weird.

We work at night in my various industries. Your 3 hour day will be over soon and then you can go back to the X box. Most squatters have it all set up on the screen. We know you dont work hard Jazza. Riding a quad bike through mud is not really a job, it's a lifestyle.

I have an idea: We leave it how it is until the season stars. Then with every win we add a person to the banner. It can be based on how overall deserving they were or it can be if they are best on ground and a key part of winning that game. Then as the season goes on hopefully we have lots of faces on the banner.

Couldn't agree more D'eyes. What a bloody wonderful place this is! Have a GREAT one my friends!!

All is well... but my son and I look forward most to Easter and our annual sojourn (well, 2015 will be the 2nd year on the trot) to Melbourne to celebrate his birthday and watch the Dees opening game at the "G". The only thing he's hanging out for more than that, is the start of his next season at the Newtown Swans.

Winner of the coaches award for the Newtown Swans under 11's in 2014. Booming left foot that usually hits its target.

Looks completely made up to me. There are no direct quotes, not even an insinuation and neither Jones or the club mentioned anything at all regarding Jones Jnr. No outher news outlets running with it either.

weird being the predator now huh!!

Never in doubt. This is what a club leader looks like. Bloody stoked. Loyalty is not dead to certain players. Never was.

Philli Green bay New England Cant wait for todays game it should be a cracker!...

uh huh. I only read the training reports for the weirdness these days. I mean who cares about the training? What matters is potting Saty for being OCD and /or unhealthy obsessed. [censored] 'em Saty. My grandmother spent a good 60 of her 90 years doing whatever it took to help 'her boys' of the MFC. If there was something to be done she was there to do it, and she did it with a smile and not expecting a thank you. All that mattered to her was that her beloved boys were supported so they could smash the other eleven pretenders to the throne. At her funeral there was an all star cast of the 50's and 60's teams, and she was carried away with 'Grand Old Flag' playing. The club needs people like you, Saty. Don't let the naysayers get you down.

I was there for about an hour.. all I'll add is that I am so pumped to see Hogan out there on game day - he really looks like something special. Saw him slot one from 45 or so out, very casually on his way to a drill, straight through the middle and the smiles of folks around me were something to behold! I was very close to Spencer doing a 1on1 boxing drill with a trainer and the kid has become a monster - should be interesting to see how this affects his gameday performance as he will not be shoved aside easily by anyone

Here is the training report from they guy that runs the MFC supporters page on Facebook, always a good read: https://www.facebook.com/melbournefcsupporterspage/posts/679014852196470

Now I'm going to have to change my do not resuscitate notice to dismiss pulling the plug until after the GF.

Easily the best report of the pre-season so far. You should go more often mate! Cheers.

don't forget here, jnr, essendon is the victim of gross mismanagement and governance of everybody but themselves if everyone else had exercised their responsibilities we wouldn't be where we are now now they are just being scape-goated to whitewash the real guilty yeah, right

One of the main points is that players acknowledge that there will be serious competition for spots, they have been told there are no walk up starts All the big men are feeling the benefits of the diet and the training, Jamar and Dawes are fittest they have been for a while, Gawn is back in full training, Fitzy doesn't have a niggle and same with Pedersen

didn't gerard healy also raise concerns with the afl? i think essendon had a few people questioning their "program" but they still pressed ahead no doubt they then went about ensuring no smoking guns were left lying around.....or did they? it really was "whatever it takes". they deserve to pay, but the afl's governance was soft at best

Thing is though, there isn't much room up forward with Hogan, Dawes and Pederson. Big tall forwards with Kent, Garlett and Bail picking up the crumbs. I think even though he is better as a forward it is much better balanced with Howe in the backline. Plus, there aren't many in the team that can take those intercept marks.

His son

Sorry to discuss footy on the thread, but I taped the Crows v Dees game and have just watched the 1st quarter again. I tried to concentrate more on what we were doing than the result, as of course I know it. In that 1st quarter, Matt Jones made about 6 skill errors. Frawley was easily beaten for possession quite a few times. JKH showed some real endeavour and talent. Watts looked good when he went, which was rare. Dawes fumbled about 5 marking attempts. Terlich was brilliant at giving the ball back. It is interesting watching the game with a different mind set.

The clubs all know what is going on, most of the time, with their lists. If the Swans want to sign him for 2016 and he refuses to sign, you can figure it out. It could have been just a throw away line from Nathan that he would love his brother playing with us next year and the journo beefs it up.

thank you o wise aristotle. as tacitus said "It is the rare fortune of these days that a man may think what he likes and say what he thinks." do you think he had demonland in mind?

Does this mean you're staying?

James Hird appeal verdict could derail ASADA case against Essendon 34 ... since we have no idea which way the Federal Court Full Bench will go in the case, there's also the possibility that it won't derail the ASADA case.

I really do hope Fitz can make it. I've backed him from before he was drafted and he would just be a great story for the club, as well as giving us another scoring option. Even if he goes at two goals a game as he has shown he can so far, that's 40+ for the season, well above what we've been getting from any players the last few years. If we got that from Fitz, Hogan and Garlett our attack would look far better. I've said it before, if you watch live games you will see Watts leading time after time and being ignored by his teammates. He will burn off his opponent and lead into wide open spaces seven or eight times to get one pass which is generally directed behind him to his opponent's advantage. It's no wonder he always looks stuffed. If we can get some better kicking and decision-making at half back and through the midfield you will see Watts' possession count skyrocket as they actually take the option he presents and put the ball to his advantage. Once the ball is in his hands there are no worries.

Saty you have been around the traps long enough to know why.silly question

I will be easily recognisable, I will be in a rather nice lavender lycra bodysuit, complaining about the lack of toilet facilities, bad temperedly kicking the non-existent advertising signage around the fence, and whingeing non stop about Jack Watts and how he just doesn't seem to be trying at traiining