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Melbourne FC ‏@melbournefc 3m3 minutes ago VIDEO: Today was @jtren9's first running session and the boys made it a moment to remember: http://mfcde.es/1MUr4d7

Flipping awesome for Jack. He is a great bloke and deserves every bit of support we can give him. I'm thrilled for him and wish him the best for a successful future career.

No you don't. You don't have to say anything. Why people feel the need to share their concerns on a thread dedicated to such a joyous moment for the bloke is beyond me.

I was there at training this morning,actually made it into the background of that video for about two seconds.it was worth the trip just to see Jack running through the banner.It was also the most upbeat training I've seen all year.

That's awesome, whoever thought of that deserves a big pat on the back.

I love: that Jack has taken his first running steps on the comeback trail; the outstanding team spirit that is developing around our Club; and that our great club cared enough to give Jack a contract extension, so he has every opportunity resurrect his career. All things which bode well for the future, I reckon.

Phil Rhoden was a few years ahead of me when I arrived at Melbourne University in 1967 and already a legend with the Uni Blues where he was runner up in the VAFA B & F a couple of years earlier. I remember seeing him in the law library early on and because he was balding and looked much older, I thought he was one of the lecturers. I had a modest sporting career at school but it didn't stop me from trying. I joined the Athletics Club that was coached by the legendary Franz Stampfl stacked with champions including Ralph Doubel who won the 800m gold equalling the world record at the 1968 Mexico Olympics. Anyway, I was no good at that so I decided to try out for the inter faculty law team. At the first (and for me it was the only) training session, about 50 blokes turned up and I learned that a handful of them were also training with VFL teams (Mike Green actually played in Richmond's premiership team that year), quite a few VFA players as well as members of the Uni Blacks and Uni Blues team. Anyway, I didn't last - those blokes were too big, too strong and too rough and I ended up playing a much lower standard for the Italian club (as a guest) against the Classics club which was highlighted by shortened games and a great wine and cheese tasting in the aftermath. It was at the inter faculty try out that I noticed the stocky bald bloke who wasn't much taller than me and wasn't a law lecturer after all but 21 year old Rhoden who was tied to Richmond but soon to be cleared to Melbourne. Co-incidentally at around the same time we cleared Kevin Sheedy to Richmond and given their respective careers in football and the fact that we were about to witness a golden era for the Tigers and a half century drought from the Demons, I'll leave it to you to work out who got the better of the dealing there. Rhoden might not have looked like a footballer but you could tell at training that he was good. He was outstanding the following year with the Melbourne reserves, winning the Gardiner Medal but only played three senior games. His kicking was his forte and just as good as the great Bob "Tassie" Johnson if not better. He was the type of player who had what Jack Dyer (bless him) would describe as being a "prodigerous kick"! I remember clearly one of his kicks for the ressies on a wet day on the MCG. He gathered the ball in a back pocket and, running along the flank he booted it in the direction of Ross Dillon who had started his lead at full forward and marked near centre half forward. The ball had covered 80 metres. You don't often see that sort of thing these days but Rhoden did it regularly - it was just a pity that he was unfashionable as a player and rarely got the chance to play at senior level. He went on to play for the Zebras in the VFA and was briefly on the MFC Committee. The game was so much different at all levels back in those days. The highlight was the social side - especially at uni when you finished your training runs with a good old fashioned pub crawl.

I was in touch with someone very close to Max today. Expect him to remain a Demon!

Of course, but I think that most posters here today just want to enjoy the positives.

If anyone ever deserved to make it, it's Trengove.

Like Roos wanted Silvia & Frawley to stay....

He's probably a quicker version of jake stringer, maybe robbie grey is a good comparison

Gawn sincerely loves this club and his fellow man

Maxy and Watts

Confidence and self-belief are key to him and he's slowly starting to believe in himself. At the champs he knew he was good. He needs to know that at this level and he'll break the shackles. McCartney is doing an outstanding job, I'm looking forward to what will unfold in the coming weeks.

Must agree 'Chook', Robbo & Rohan are pretty hard to deal with for starters then you have Carro & Hutchy...

Viney to Cripps will be the showdown of the century. And by showdown, I mean Viney burying Cripps' head into the turf for 120 minutes.

$600,000 for Howe?

Gees there are some party poopers amongst you lot So happy for Jack. Deserves to make it back!

In all honestly though Matt Jones!? WTF!? He is not the future. Newton would have been the obvious selection considering he is still young and the need to get games into these players.

Ive played school footy against petracca (not trying to talk myself up by the way) and a lot of my mates played footy and went to school with him and hes in another league to Brayshaw when assessed by anyone who played with both of them. Jake Stringer is a good comparison for his foward line style of play and the way he barges through would be tacklers. He'll be similar to dustin martin but with better skills at the start of his career i think. Maybe a josh kennedy with better pace and goal kicking nous would be a good comparison as well All this depends on how he recovers from his knee injury i guess

I spoke to Miller about him over the pre season. He had him in the forwards group. He said he reminded him most of Dustin Martin. Very strong, strong overhead mark, good goal kicker, pack buster. He thought he might be a bit inconsistent like Martin. The biggest knock on him is his lack of a tank. He's already been running for about a month and is already building into speed and agility running and its August. How much running will he have done before the pre season even starts. The amount of running his going to have done before the pre season even starts might end up being a blessing in disguise for an extra dose of tank building.

I did ask whether Todd and the recruiting team were comfortable what wed seen enough of injured prospects such as Weideman, Curnow and Burton to make an informed call on these kids (in light of Jake Lever missing all of his age 18 year). Todd answered yes, although youd like to be able to see more of them and it can make it a little bit difficult. Mentioned that he would have seen Weideman at least 8 times last year and this, and seen a fair bit of him in school footy too. Raised Stringer as an example of one picked high and performing despite being affected by injury in his draft year. Talked about Curnow a little bit in response to a question Theo (I think) raised, and referred to him as more of a contested midfielder (as opposed to his ability to play key position), and felt Francis had done enough last year that stuck in the memory to still be drafted this year. Midfield is still the priority in the trade/draft period, and that if we got in a free agent or traded for a mid, we wouldnt go for an older type given where the list is at. The age profile would have to fit in with the bulk of where our developing talent sits (the 22-25 yo bracket), as they really want this group to come through and peak together. No need to recruit older players to set the example now. Todd was also asked to describe Petracca, and he described him as an explosive type, and compared him to Dangerfield. John Trotter spoke before the Vineys, and what stuck in my head was his happiness with the current financial state of the club. He said something along the lines of despite a couple of big financial losses, if you take the entirety of our last seven financial results, we are better than breakeven and it looks like well post another modest profit this year Compared us to Brisbane and Port (maybe even Geelong, but cant remember) who despite having successful onfield performances over the years are in significantly weaker financial positions. Robbo mentioned something I found interesting about how well regarded our social media strategy had been, saying we were leading the way and even Hawthorn had made contact to get some tips on how Melbournes comms department used social media.

If trenners makes it back geez hes a handy inclusion. Very classy player who is now 7th-8th in line for our midfield thanks to our depth

This shows that there is an enormous amount of spirit and camaraderie within this group. Often forgotten that Roos built that blood's culture up north and maybe it is starting to develop with us. Go Jack

Maybe there should be some sort of ceremony for handover of whipping boy status. Any ideas BBO?

I laughed.

LOL i should have read the post before looking at the team.. I though you had Jordie Mckenzie on the back flank

Small article from The Age, but I think it's interesting: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/essendon-players-frustrated-by-leaks-dons-boss-says-20150806-git1ym.html "In a recorded interview on the club website, Xavier Campbell said some of the players had found out WADA's claims for the first time through the media." So Tim Watson knew about the 2 abnormal results 4 weeks ago, he has stated as much. Some PLAYERS didn't know until today. It seems to me that the club has intentionally left some players in the dark about this. I would assume that there will be some VERY angry calls from players to the CEO today. Oh and the good ol' captain is sipping beers at the Ashes. Leadership.

It was the Richmond doc taking the footage apparently

I think I know what is wrong with Yarran, he is dumb and lazy. Yes he can do the brilliant, but then he does not do the basics, like defend and man up.

haha yes sorry im part spanish too, ill resign from my comments

or $0k per day if you are fighting myki

Correct.Looking back im still happy at the deal. Could you imagine now if we did that deal. Both on the sidelines with long term injuries.

There's an article today on the afl website comparing stats from 2000, 2005, 2010 and 2015. Scoring is down 18% since 2000. So Hogan's doing this in a lower scoring environment, makes it all the more impressive. http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-08-07/the-inquirer-the-evolving-game

It seems he is coming for a conference that was arranged a year ago...nothing to do with the EFC thing initially. You don't need to put mayo on the situation, EFC have already dug the hole 'Dees2014'.

No need for Jamar. If we lose because Gawn gets tired then so be it, it's the best development for him having to guts it out. He took on 2 rucks against the Pies and whilst Goldstein might do more than 2 Pies rucks combined the ability to work head to head against 1 guy might make it easier. Take your pick out of Michie, Newton or Matt Jones for the last bench spot. I'd probably stick with Michie but I'm not sure it's the right call.

Howman would not be coming here unless there is a major issue. WADA regards Australia as a critical test case. He cannot, and will not, ignore this situation, I have the utmost faith that WADA will get this job done...

Raising a glass to Fitzy tonight. Thankyou for your service. I will forever feel you were hard done by but it may be best for both parties. I wish you luck in your career and promise to support any future success.

Long was a dog of a player. Still have not forgiven him for the cowardly hit on Troy Simmonds and for a hit behind play on Ricky Jackson out at Windy Hill.

[censored] just got real

"Dad, one of them things came today. In that ... that ... box thing out the front." "The letter box?" "Yeah. That thing." "It's alright son. It can't harm you. What's it about?" "How would I know? It's one of them flat white things." "A letter. You can open it. Tell me what's inside." "How do you open it?" "Just tear it." "Oh right." (sound of tearing) "I opened it." "What's inside?" "Another flat white thing. Only some bastard's gone and and torn it in half." "Well, that's because-- never mind. Read it out to me." "How do I do that?" "Pretend it's an ipad and you're reading someone's facebook page." "Oh right! It says 'D.... de.....dead'! Oh no, someone's died!" "Is it 'dear'?" "Oh right. 'Dear. Dear J.... j...... j......" "Never mind son. Bring it with you for Sunday roast and I'll deal with it." "Cool. Is it roast magpie again?" "No, you dill, it's chi--- yeah, it's roast magpie. See you Sunday."

Do not go NEAR any players under a looming 2 year ban.

Eddie's summary of the AFL role in the Buddy deal': “He (Colless) has accused the AFL of systematically cheating the salary cap, the trade rules, the free agency rules (and) collusion behind the scenes. It’s staggering." The expletive laden tirade from Fitzpatrick to Colless at the time explains why the AFL punished the Swans with trade restrictions for two years, for following the rules. Vindictiveness for the Buddy deal can be the only reason. I'm not a Sydney fan but it is appalling the trade restrictions the AFL have imposed! Fitzpatrick is a disgrace. He has too many personal conflicts of interest: ANZ stadium key investor, Carlton affiliation (think Friday night Blues games; think tanking non-investigations etc), had his mate Wylie secretly negotiate (interfere) in the Essendon drug negotiations, arbitrarily appoints Commissioners. Add to that his lack of leadership, lack of AFL consistency in applying AFL rules, his self righteous press release this week on the Goodes booing etc etc. He should go! Not only should he go, Commissioners should be voted in, as is a Board of Directors members are in the Corporate world. Its good enough for AFL Clubs it should good enough for the AFL Commission. Let them show that not only can the AFL independent it can start to become democratic and put in elections!

How long has Dill got in the job? He is not the man to lead the comp in my eyes....

Can't read it but I've been saying for a long time now that this commission is totally conflicted and will not make decisions for the betterment of the game but quite willing to line their own pockets. Mike 'I leave the room' Fitzpatrick has been an absolute disaster as Chief and with Dill the likeable as CEO we have a rudderless organisation...