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If anyone is interested, it is a Razor Street scooter, it folds up, don't own a car use this or walk everywhere, also have a smaller wheeled Ninja scooter that is good for speed work, my lovely lady rides another Melbourne badged Razor with red handles, saving up to get a Micro Cruiser which has larger wheels and navigates rough terrain and pubic forums better. I told Six it was ok to post the photo, as if I care what anybody on here thinks of me, only close family matters and my eldest daughter gave me up as a lost cause years ago, first time I met my now son-in-law, was on scooter, wearing cam shorts and a Sid Vicious tee shirt Trenners let me try his, didn't think much of it, it had a brake, the wuz

Oscar Mac - no. He's a beanpole. With Tom, Dunn and Frost ahead of him I don't think he'll see many preseason minutes and would need to play super well to even be considered. ANB - no. He trains well. He's got good endurance. But this knee dislocation will probably mean plenty of time in the rehab group whilst they make sure it doesn't happen again plus get his conditioning back and therefore I can't see him being given much of a chance in the earlier preseason games Stretch - maybe - he had that vital head start of a couple of weeks training. But then has been held back a bit. I could see him getting a bit of preseason footy, maybe coming on in the second half of games. He's a skinny body though so I dont think they'll be too keen to risk him Brayshaw - maybe - he seems to have an appetite to get involved in training. A natural go getter and I believe he had a small scare on Friday but otherwise has been progressing well in training. Petracca - maybe/probably- whilst the training intensity is clearly testing him (which is not a surprise) you can see he's got the size, skills and power to not only compete but to beat experienced players. The questions will be on his repeat efforts and adapting to the pace of the game. But if he keeps making improvements then I think he's on track for preseason footy. He does too many classy things to not be given a chance Last year JKH adapting to training like an absolute pro. He pushed himself in the running, was assured in any skills drills and in any match simulation drills was bobbing up everywhere with his reading of the play and intensity. It's early in preseason but I haven't seen that level from any of the knew draftees. Maybe because the standard of the group has improved. JKH then well and truly backed up his training form in the preseason games. ANB's injury may well cost him time in the preseason games depending on how many of the senior players we play. But otherwise all 4 mids should get a look in for preseason games and form will dictate.

Gawn is back in full training Lumumba won't play midfield, I asked him, he may appear on the wing now and again, what they are practicing is different looks at stoppages, with him on the outside, he will be looking at floating at half back and doing what he does best, intercept marking and then setting up play

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

Merry Christmas one and all. These are the final training Pictures for the year. Click on the picture to access the gallery. You can start the slideshow in the bottom left hand corner. From the start From the scratch match

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

It requires a leap of faith, but if you disregard anything he did before these last two seasons (as I believe judging ruckman under 23 is pretty much irrelevant) then his career consists of: 5 games this year where he; smashed Hickey and had 9 tackles, got towelled by a triple threat of Eagles rucks, battled on against Mumford in the wet, beat Warnock silly and had 5 marks, played under heavy duress (ankle injury) against Gold Coast where he shouldn't have even played but we had no alternative. 8 games last year where he had a crack and threw his weight around unfortunately not too cleverly against the Saints when he got himself suspended. In marking contests he still battles. If he doesn't improve his coordination against better rucks he wont be of much use around the ground as clearly he's a poor kick. But he's definitely good at scrapping around the packs and has laid some big tackles. He's not Watts in that regard. Watts has never done this:

Jokes aside, Neeld will be the least of their worries. He was highly regarded as the midfield coach of a premiership team. Just because he didn't cut it as a senior coach doesn't mean he can't perform other coaching roles.

There is weird. There is very weird. And then there is this thread.

try jazza, he's an expert on calves

if that happens he should be ashamed of his efforts in 2014

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.

No.

I wouldn't join Dr. Things can get pretty hairy in a pubic forum. Hard to disentangle yourself at times. Believe me.

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.

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

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.

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

It's a nothing article. Neeld is happy to have another job at AFL level and sing the praises of the club that signed him and Craig is happy to endorse a mate. Neeld's appointment at Essendon was announced months ago, no news here.

Broncos was a great win, but I'm sick of having good wins and still not getting a winning year let alone into the play offs. FFS, I follow Melbourne, Bolton Wanderers and the Rams and none are any bloody good!!!!!

When Chip walked out the door the collective IQ at the club was rocked in a way that reminded me of the devastating Earthquake that hit Melbourne and surrounds last year.

I would have thought that if they are all found guilty of the same offence, then they would all receive the same penalty... anything else and I would think that WADA would have something to say about it.

Wouldn't be surprised if the AFL finds those players no longer active in the AFL or EFC more guilty than the rest, so they can end up with harsh penalties for them, lesser ones for marginal players and next to nothing for those players who are important to Essendon in 2015. Maybe one scapegoat amongst the latter to make things look respectable. I expect they could do that even if the evidence is very similar in each case - we know It's not beyond the talent of the tribunal to hand out different or no penalties for the same offence, though I know the basic evidence appears to be at the club level, not th individual player level. They'd try to fine tune it to keep ASADA/WADA from appealing - ASADA at least would be happy to get some scalps after the PR campaign that has been run against them. That way the AFL appears to be doing something noble about drugs, but doesn't affect the competition/TV too much or upset those legions of EFC supporters.

Yes, thankyou Grapeviney, don't know where I plucked 9 from. Still 7 wickets on a very impressive debut. As long as his body holds up he's a shoe in for the rest of the series you'd think. As for the Nick Riewoldt comparison, you're onto something Grapeviney. My wife's a St Kilda supporter, and ever since she first saw Smith a few years back she's nicknamed him mini roo. Yep, was a good contest, as both tests have been so far. It was funny how the game unfolded looking at it from stumps each night. DAY1: India on top. DAY2: India slightly ahead DAY3: Australia slightly ahead DAY4: Australia win comfortably. India will make some changes for Boxing Day you'd think. I'd expect one of Ravindra Jadeja or Suresh Raina to come in for Rohit Sharma to give them an extra bowling option and Mohammed Shami may come back in for Aaron, who although quick, hasn't exactly set the world on fire. As for Australia, Mitch Marsh won't play you wouldn't think, which means do they bring an all rounder in like Henriques, Faulkner or Christian or do they get a specialist batsman like Voges, Ferguson, Cowan or Burns. Hopefully Warner will be fine to play and you'd expect Harris to come in for Starc.

No not quite he played a few cameo roles through the year but came in again late in the season and played well enough to cement his spot for the finals. They didn't flirt with their form and at that time being minus Sampi & Matera from 05 they were not strong with guys able to play as a small forward outside of the resting Cousins/Kerr. Right place right time for Army, really good footy story because he is a hell of a nice guy

Thanks for the reports guys What stage is Gawn at? Full training? Did he play in the match simulation? I'm just watching the first quarter of round 9 v Tigers this year. Might be getting carried away but I think it's close to the most impact I've seen a ruck have in a quarter for a long time. So much talent for such a big guy. He is our future if his legs hold up.

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.

Demon draftee escapes serious injury after training mishap

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 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.

Kent is looking as fit as ever, has lost the puppy fat. I expect him to play a lot in 2015. Great photos once again, thank you for all your efforts in bringing these to us.

I would like Pearce Hanley almost as much as I would like Dangerfield. He is an absolute gun.

Pearce Handley & Zac Tuohey would walk into Melbourne's best team.

Hopefully their reunion can plumb new depths of fail

Is he a Melbourne player yet? Man, trade year is long!

For me I find early draft picks in the NFL are a bit amusing. A top 5 pick gets you thinking of picking up a superstar and instead you select a right tackle. It's not that sexy sometimes. With all the talk of the QB's in the draft we traded down to pick 9 and selected linebacker Anthony Barr. He has had a very good year. Vikes will be around pick 13-18 in the first round. I'm hoping for a WR but we will probably take a lineman. In short I'd rather win games.

The first week of the AFL Tribunal hearing into the anti-doping charges laid by ADRVP against the "Essendon 34" was rather uneventful in terms of the lack of information that came out of the three days of sitting during which time ASADA's counsel laid out most of its case (there's more to come when the case resumes in the new year). That there was very little news to come out of it all might have something to do with the fact that the Bombers were refused permission to be involved in the hearing. We knew that ASADA wasn't going to leak and would imagine the players have been warned not to pass on any information so there was very little for the Essendon propaganda machine to hang its hat on. Chip Le Grand was so starved of material that he went with this sensationalist piece of tripe ~ New drug and two more clubs in AFL doping saga Carlton hit back with this retort that seems to have shut Le Grand Bouefe up for the time being ~ Carlton FC statement We also had Peter Jess' outpouring on behalf of his client and former Bomber Nathan Lovett-Murray where he suggested legal action against the AFL was in the pipeline for its failure to adequately take steps to prevent the programme that nobody at Bomberland knows much about. I don't know about anyone else but Jess' comments left me thinking that the case so far isn't going well for the players despite the fact that the likes of Rohan Connolly were convinced last week that it was falling apart because Charter and Alavi weren't prepared to testify and the Supreme Court wasn't prepared to compel them to do so. Meanwhile, Essendon supporters the world around continue to believe in their players' innocence ("at worst they'll get a couple of weeks") and are embracing the hashtag #Illinjectwithyou

While it's true we had great success with Wight and Stynes, the success rate is rather small for the long term. Apart from T.Keneally and maybe O'Halphin, have any others truly made it to the big stage, and then been any good at it? Mike Pike for a non-irishman??? We were spoiled by two exceptional talents. Yet a LOT of time and money was invested in them. Would a club spend that much time today when they could be spending the effort instead in a low draft pick? There is a chance with the International rookie position, but with a cap on football department spending now, which club can afford to use its investment with these slim pickings.......apart from those with "cost of living" allowances in the salary cap? As a final note, I think a better investment is going to be big (tall) US type players to recruit as ruckman. You don't have to teach them too much as we currently have players who can't kick and mark trying to perform that role. But they never get any smaller, if all they have to do is hit the ball to players who can, or just be a big log to stop the opposition rucks.

Wing is midfield. And from what they were running through moving the ball from HB to HF, Lumumba, Jones, and Tyson were where the kicks were targeted and the space left for. I think he will be too valuable at HB for this to work very often, but I admire Roos' desire to give it a chance.

One thing I will add to the above is that Brayshaw and Petracca joined in with the forwards when they were running through their leads. So they do not expect them to be everyday mids in 2015. Hooray.

I have never been a romantic when it comes to getting a brother to our club - tom flower, Glenn Giles to name but two who had talented brothers but weren't much chop themselves. The febeys could both go okay and Anthony McDonald was a pass (Jnr's bro). Haven't seen enough of Zak to comment but if he has the jones willingness to get the absolute best out of himself and has a touch of talent to boot he would be a great acquisition.

I always thought he was a mid-sized defender-midfielder

Anyone here in favour of merging this thread with "The No T$ No B$ Thread" at some stage of the journey?

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

Thanks to all for the reports and the photos. Great job and really appreciating it.

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

Awesome write up rpfc. Cheers.

GtB 1.0 A cover of Pumped Up Kicks Posted mainly to show the young guitarist David Knight who you can catch playing around Melbourne. He has a bit on YouTube to check out But, understanding that many don't dig instrumentals stuff I've stuck this one on. I also really like the voice of the girl singing. Kate Watts from NSW band The Blue Ruins Can't figure out how to embed clips so the link will have to do unfortunately - (fixed)

never mind srj, at least you might make it to a few home games (victories).....it all helps

I've got to post up some more Jonathan Winters stuff - he truly was a genius. You may have seen the following clip but for the benefit of others ... features both Winters and the late Robin Williams