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Last session for the year and all looking positive so far, big thanks to Saty, RPFC, George on the outer and all other Deelanders for keeping us interstate members/supporters up to date through 2014. Hope all Dees fans have a Merry Christmas and may 2015 be kinder to all of us

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.

Garland would be a walk up start at most clubs, probably all clubs. We underrate him a lot on this site. Playing defence for the MFC over the last number of years hasn't been an easy ask.

Well I guess now I know why we've been struggling for so long. No wonder the boys are on the high fat diet after a few hits of ganja before training.

A couple of sentences on each new recruit and a list of players is apparently "breaking down" the list. Rounded off with a paragraph from Robert Shaw about poor development. Insightful stuff.

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

With a huge amount of help from some of the Volunteers our group, The Demon Army, were the beneficiaries of yesterday's BBQ at training. Thanks to all who helped set up, man the BBQ, serve and clean up. Thanks to all who donated for a snag - or just donated. We certainly had a few who chose the latter! Your participation and generosity will definitely help us achieve our aim to update our flags & Big Heads for 2015. And we have a few new gimmicks in store as well to add to the colour, cheer and atmosphere behind the goals each week. What was especially pleasing yesterday was seeing the number of supporters around the ground. There's a real sense of excitement for all that 2015 may bring for Demon worshippers. Merry Christmas to all & here's looking forward to all the New Year brings

hahaha Saty looks awesome Ive gone from being annoyed by him to now being a fan Keep on supporting the Demons you legend

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

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.

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

Forced me to the books you buggers ! Yep, president NMFC 1928 - 34. "I am still the number one life member of the North Melbourne club" A.Calwell. "Be Just & Fear Not" 1972. Back to Jim Cardwell. A long time ago my mum was friends with Don Nicholls & his wife. He told me the story of how, as a young man, he came home one night to find Jim Cardwell sitting at the kitchen table selling MFC to Don's parents. One of the rare times Cardwell didn't land his man. Don had plenty of suitors and I think he said his preference was Richmond or perhaps he said they made the best offer. Anyway, he went to Carlton, little brother John followed the following year & a Bluebagger legend was born.

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

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.

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?

No, he was pretty positive when players made right option or ran to make right option - Viv Michie was manning Tyson and when he got Dom with a great tackle and then delivered a great pass to a leading forward he got singled out. Dom was everywhere though and him and Nat Jones were clearly the two with the ball the most and the ones who kept getting free for the short spot-up. The loyalty issue means that Bail, Matt Jones and Grimes - three of whom many here don't rate - are going to be backed by Roosy until someone else delivers or they fail to deliver or get injured etc. I forgot to mention that Kent was in the partially injured list and therefore not in 14-on-14 game, but he looks like he's ready to go based on early non-competitive work and a series of sprints he did solo as part of his recovery. I was a bit surprised that Salem and Toump certainly aren't in the mix at this stage - even though they are obviously significantly fitter than last year.

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.

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.

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.

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.

You are pathetic. Give it a rest.

Saty Trenners

You got it in one DD. He really got into the swing of it later in the morning.

I think the big issue is durability. Reports on him all mentioned his injury interrupted season causing him to drop. His highlights look very good in terms of courage, intercept marking and kicking. From what I've been able to find he is behind a lot of his fellow draftees in the fitness stakes, again largely due to injury, and there is a big question of whether his body will hold up to AFL. If Misson can work his magic and get his body sorted he'll be a great pickup.

Given that he is probably a better player than several of our zillion mids and that several of them will be gone at end of next year, there is room for him.Also he has some mongrel in him as well, something I and probably Roos loves.

Given that we've just recruited a zillion midfielders in the past two years, it's a great idea to target another one. Do we commit to getting him irrespective of whether he shows some form or the capacity to fit into the team? Brother or not, we need to make choices with the head, not the heart.

Saty looks like he may have 'acquired' his from a kid.

I'd hate him to look like a synchronised swimmer.

I've seen a couple of sessions of him but not extensive periods. He has a bit of a shuffling run, doesn't strike me as a speedy type. Looks like his body needs work as well but so do most of the 80 or so picked ahead of him. Kicking seems legit though. Low, hard and accurate left foot. I'd say speed, fitness and injury concerns would be one knock on him. Probably the rest needs more vision and games to work out. Does he read the play? Does he run to link up well? Does he consistently make good decisions. It's hard to tell that from training (where most of that is scripted) and 2 minutes of highlights.

He looked like a footy player. Great skills, hit the drop of the ball, I don't think he will see it much, but I think he will kick multiple goals most games.

I thought Enyaw was the missing link.

Be interested to hear from those in attendance as to how Jeff Garlett is going. Always looks laconic but got the job done for a few years at the Blues. Maybe Malthouse knocked his confidence around last season? He could be one of four x-factor inclusions next season to add with HL, Hogan and Petracca. Reckon we'll look less beige in 2015.

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

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

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

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.

So you will be impersonating BBO, Thanks for all the reports saty,You are a demon personified and admired by most.

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

One all AA year. I think supporters hold on to that and perhaps forget what his form has been like since then. Here's a bit of perspective. Nathan Jones has never been an AA but have a look his gradual improvement since he was drafted and what he is now achieving and producing onfield and off-field. Frawley's form was all over the shop and in my eyes, he never displayed strong leadership on or off-field. I've always thought he was expendable. Strong defence is built as a side. And a strong side is built up of strong personalities as well as talent. As RPFC has said, on recent form he wasn't our best defender (part of the reason he played forward this year). I honestly don't think he's any sort of loss. We've gained in many ways with his departure and we'll start to see that in the not too distant future.

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...

How can he be 'our best defender' when he was the first one to make way when we didn't have a forward to kick to? McDonald and Dunn are different players but I would rate them better. I also rate Garland when he is 'in sorts'...

GFY Clint. You know I'm an atheist/ anti corporate. You are merely doing this to antagonise me and the many that share my worldview. Apart from the footy sentiments we obviously all share , I find your comments to be duplicitous and disrespectful. and anyway the other half of the club are Jews who couldn't give a flying about Santa You rude [censored].

My take is that ASADA have been shot at from the Ess camp and supporting media but in fact have very little in the way of being able to defend themselves publicly. We don't know what ASADA have done. We know parts but not the full extent. Justive Middleton's defence of the ASADA CEO I think was telling in that regard. Its also a narrative that Ess want us to believe because that is their case. ASADA are bungling fools. They can't allow the focus to be on their actions because they were deplorable, unsafe, unscrupulous and most likely highly illegal. It's a dirty game. And I think you will also find the WADA response will be vastly different from the Cromulla response. It will be much stronger because there is more at stake.

More warner comedy gold. I hope though he's right about the decision in the third appeal coming down next week. If unsuccessful I wonder what the hun spin will be. BTW slobbo and warner won an award from the Australian sports commission for their coverage of the efc saga. One word comes to mind - how?

Just another planted story by the Hird publicity machine in the tame Murdoch press. Has nothing to do with any real insight or for that matter the truth. It was always thus...

Perhaps the fact that the Bombers have been barred from the hearing is also related to the lack of leaks from the Tribunal?

Carro did, as did Patrick smith, but then again, they are the only AFL journos which know anything about this, I find it fascinating that both those individuals go very silent when these court cases happen. They know much more than they are letting on. They must take great delight when their colleagues/competitors make complete [censored] of themselves when they swallow the Hirds' relentless propaganda

Not sure the Pies would have won the Premiership without Nick Maxwell. Yeah, he's a bit unco and not the most gifted player, and yeah, he's about as attractive as the back of a bus, but the man was a bloody good leader. You only had to see the effect on the team once he did his ankle this year to know that his impact went far beyond what he did with the ball. I reckon Tom Harley is the same. (Oh, and for my on-topic contribution: Chunk I love you more than it is healthy for a man to love another man who he has never even met).

The banner will be changing at some point prior to or just after the seasons starts. I haven't given too much thought into who will be on it and it will all depend on whether I can source high quality recent images of players. I will attempt to include Jimmy and Robbie in it somehow. No promises.

I say leave it Tulip up there by himself. I've never loved the banner more than I love it right now.