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Alrighty, first off as I type this I'm going to be a little late. Not that it honestly bothers me too much, I had to do a bit of running around this morning, but I wont be missing too much more than the warmup should the boys actually start on time. Perhaps they might be a little bit later than that. Okay, so I get here at 10:00, a tad late with the almost as fashionable entrance that Russell Westbrook assumes in the NBA, laptop bag strapped over my shoulder and all - but Im told I didnt miss much all I missed really is the warmups and one of those six minute runs that the boys do. When I get here the boys are walking around the oval, and then slowly gets to a bit of a jog. In the rehab group on the other side of the oval are Hoges (I was wrong about Monday by the way, it wasnt management, hes got a bit of a finger issue at the moment) and Petracca of course. What it looks like they are doing is that both are running and doing a bit of weaving before marking the footy, and theres also a bit of work to do with some hurdles as well by the looks of things. As we were then with the main leaders leading the way around the oval. McDonald and Viney are up the front, and the boys look like they are changing into their footy boots so that they can start using the ball in vastly different conditions to when I was here Monday the thorough Monday afternoon heat and gust replaced by Friday the 13th cold, wet and breeze. Its not a pretty day by any means but this provides an early season indicator given this will be the conditions the boys will be facing come the 2016 season. The boys go for this weird kind of run around part of the oval. I couldnt properly explain it except for its pretty brief. Afterwards theres a short kick of the footy. Its a good chance to see whos up here and training. Max Gawn is here and hes having a run around in his quest to make Todd Goldstein look like Paul Johnson an ultimately difficult task. Ive already mentioned McDonald being here, dont think Garland is here, while Brayshaw after missing Monday is here too training. The whistle goes the kick of the footy is all too brief. I hear loud noises, including a couple of mentions of over the shoulder as the boys assume positions for the next drill, with a whole heap of cones. This is an interesting drill. Theres groups of four in this drill, with a couple of players weaving around cones, one with the footy and one without, whereas another player comes in to try and tackle said player weaving with the footy. At the moment no one is really missing the mark, thats because the player with the ball seemingly runs straight into the man whos going after him. Again its all too brief and they move around again, this time to the edge of the square. Again this is another kind of pressure drill Theres about three players in vests and another three who go out and run to get the footy in kind of a simulation drill. There isnt a whole lot of pressure from those wearing vests, which is either disappointing or what is expected of them from the fitness coaches, I couldnt tell you which is which. From the ball users perspective there are a couple of handballs which miss the target and their trajectory is poor. Again (and this seems to be the theme of the day) the drill is very brief. Meantime over at the near end of the ground, Jesse up for a kick at the park tomorrow? Hogan and CP5 are having set shots. Hogans run up is even more painfully slower and more edgy than what it was last year with the stutter even more obvious you could make a verse about it in Stutter Rap. Meantime Petracca misses a sitter from about 35 out on a slight angle and hes pretty [censored] about it he knows he should do better. You can notice the higher standards though, maybe in another year, specifically 2013, the boys would have a laugh about it, but you can see the want to succeed now. Anyway, with less jibberish, the boys begin their next drill. The first group nearest is stopped and the coach over there (cant work out who it is from a distance) mentions that it shouldnt be too much of a handball game. There are a couple of average kicks I wont lie about that, especially one from I think Smith who just skids it along the ground, its a true shank. On the far end of the ground the drill is still going and theres a few kicks which are just hitting the mark with authority. There was one such instance where Harmes lead excellently to the ball and it hits him on the chest as he jumps, didnt catch who actually kicked it to him but thats always a good sign looking ahead. Theres a clear difference between the two groups the group nearest to where Im positioned are moving it slowly and with a bit of hesitation, but the group on the opposite side of the ground are taking it on big time. Its a massive difference and the group nearest to us are out to rectify that when they begin again. Rehab Hulk and CP5 are running laps now. CPs endurance has massively improved since this stage last year and hes running with Crossy, whos going to be massive for his ultimate development in being able to run all day. The conditions change again as the boys head into the next drill suns out guns out not quite. Not for me anyway. The drill here is that the boys start off in a circle, then the boys spread out around the ground and become targets. Matt Jones scuffs the first kick, one which is wide of the mark to Terlich, which sees the vest team get possession of the footy. In fact the first two times the groups go out, it is characterised by missed handballs and a couple of scuffed kicks here and there. Its a little disappointing but then again the team with the vests are putting on good pressure much the same. The teams change and immediately theres a shift. Where the first team tried to move the ball too quickly, theres more a sense of surety with this team as the boys take a bit more time moving the ball, but not too slowly. The boys assess their options a lot more carefully and as a result, are able to transfer the footy from one end of the ground to the other. The second movement is even more impressive the team with the footy catch out the team with the vests through straight and direct ball movement, which goes nothing short of perfect until the final kick which drifts away late and hits the post. It was delightful to watch and hopefully theres more of that throughout the season as the boys cut through teams like a hot knife through butter. Now thatd be something. The boys, in the meantime, continue their drill, and while the early stages look reminiscent of the boys at their worst (what I mean is that when they handball backwards and they panic mercilessly) whats impressive is that they are beginning to realise that handballing to a bloke under pressure just doesnt work. Ever. Its Terls who sets this one up, sidestepping a couple of blokes and then delivering a good ball. In the meantime, CP5 leaves early. Im assuming therefore that OKC and his beloved Russell Westbrook are playing then. The boys start again. Salem gets the ball and somehow manages to break a Viney tackle. Not too often you get to say that but thats a representation of the standing of the bloke. In fact, every time Salem is getting it, he is using it extremely well and its so good to watch. Just nails almost every kick basically, no matter whether its a long kick or a short one. The boys then stop for a short break, be it either for drinks, to have a chat, or to watch Jesse Hogan walk off. Either one of the three. The boys then split up into groups of three, one with green vests, orange vests and one group without vests. Its two teams at the moment one sits out. Its the team without vests sitting out at the moment, leading to the ultimate See My Vest Cup (Byrnes coaching, anyone? Would be appropriate) which ends briefly after a miscued kick which just skids along the ground. Im assuming that the two just go at it until theres a mistake one which comes in the second game between orange and plain when a kick is spoiled well (to applause and cheers) by Gussy, the ultimate hard working kid. All three teams cycle through and we go again. Green team is unable to penetrate orange teams defensive structure. This time a loose kick is intercepted by (by the looks of it) King. The defensive structure of the two other teams is interesting. Plains defending is manic and high-energy, however some loose defending from Harmes brings their strategy undone, while Green seem to be loose, an ambitious kick into the corridor to Salem is quickly intercepted by two Green defenders. The drill then ends for either a pause or a switch to another drill. As it turns out, its a pause. After a brief restarting of the drill the boys start off again they stop almost as quickly, and then have a lengthy chat. They move down the ground and have another chat? Im assuming theres a bit of set shot work here because of the way this drill seems to be set up. This isnt the case. Instead theres only like four blokes actually having set shots, a big group having snaps and another small group crumbing and running in to goal from about 25-30 out. Meantime nothing has changed with Brayshaw in his training habits, always the prankster and always talking [censored] whenever someone goes past and has a set shot. On this occasion Stretch is copping an earful. Meantime theres a group with Crossy running around King, Frost, Kent and Kennedy. Dunno why they arent with the main group. As to be expected, Kent and Kennedy lead the way with Frost trailing and King a little bit further back in these running drills. This has been the way of the world for about 15 minutes so I have a geeze around and look at the world. While the training gear is somewhat up to scratch for a number of people its not quite up to scratch in other areas. For example, the cloth which covers the pavilion. Im not sure about you but you would THINK for a club which has worked hard to develop its logo that by now theyd have developed a cloth with the new logo on it in preparation for the release. Thats not the case. Old Schwabbolly-dobbolly-wobbollys logo is still taking pride of place. In the middle a beep test being sorted? It doesnt seem to be the case because after a short while with measuring et al, the cones are being taken away. Maybe they are otherwise preparing for it to be done in a future session (Monday?) Regardless theres a few at the moment who are on their way out. Its also my cue to bugger off myself as I look for a spot of lunch and either perhaps get to enjoy some old reruns of the footy or perhaps the cricket coming up as well (although thats not until later).

Out theme song is awesome. One of the best i the league. It shouldn't be touched.

OR: With Weideman the forward line will be just about set for a decade and we WILL get a quality mid at 7. If they rate Parish a long way ahead of a mid we are likely to get at 7 then they will take him at 3. But it's just as likely they will rate the tall they can get at 3 a long way ahead of who we get at 7. And what if we decide to go two mids? Look, I don't know but I think it's far from clear and there are lots of valid arguments. I'm not at all sure the FD won't still be having these discussions.

With Parish the midfield will just about be set. How many clubs can boast our number of top 10 mids. But after Hogan we don't have one quality tall forward. In all likelihood there will be a quality tall available at P7 and we will take him.

How long before someone suggests we'll pick Francis purely as a bargaining chip in our bid to land Ollie Wines???

My info on this is that Jesse's manager is doing his job, well aware big offers are going to come, wants jesse to put in another really good year and then squeeze out the best possible deal for his client, could sign for 5 years at a million right now and then find out 12 months later it might have been 8 years at 1.5 when the MFC were a bit more worried. all indications seem to be that he'll stay with us, but he still has 2 years to run and an extension isn't a priority. He's looking at potential forward partners from the draft, headlining the clubs re-branding, very much becoming the face of the club, you don't do all of those things if you aren't interested in hanging around.

(Retired) UFC fighter Forrest Griffin in town for UFC 193 is on the bandwagon.

I would be in favour of adding two words: It's a grand old flag, Melbourne's high flying flag" and "It's the emblem of the team we love, Melbourne's team of the red and the blue...." Simple changes that don't change the rhyme or meter of the verse yet add the name Melbourne in appropriate spots.

1. How did you start following the Demons? I moved down to Melbourne from Northern NSW in 2009, vaguely having followed the Swans growing up (but not really, cos i didn't understand the game, more into rugby league at the time). Figured that I should follow a Victorian team (as I see it as a predominantly Victorian game).. Very soon it was out of Essendon, Carlton & Melbourne. Went and saw the Bombers [censored] the Blues one cold night in '09 and felt quite indifferent, hating the arrogant Bomber supporters and Hird.. I then watched a game with the Dees one Friday night and enjoyed their spirit. I also like the history, jumper and that they play at one of the greatest sporting grounds in the world). My passion has multiplied through the past 6 years of pain, soul-searching and occasional glimpses of bright light. 2. Who was your very first favourite player and why? Once I had started supporting the Dees I would say it was Liam Jurrah. Excitement, jump, attack.. Watching him play definitely won me over. Sad how things turned out. 3. Best moment as a fan? As a fairly recent fan, the 2015 season had a few games that I really loved (after the past few lean years).. I attended the Dees v Dogs in April? with my Bulldog-supporting girlfriend and we won, Garlett kicked a goal from the boundary, Hogan came out with THAT comment to Bob Murphy and I had a kick on the ground after.. I also had tears of joy during the match against Richmond, when Jesse played all over Vance and Brayshaw kicked his first goal. I was losing my [censored] in the last few quarters...so happy afterwards! 4. Worst moment as a fan? Hmmm...the tenure of Mark Neeld. A train-wreck. I found myself watching every presser he did as some kind of penance. Those years really hurt. The big loss down at the Cattery the year before he arrived of course too.. 5. Anything else you would like to share? I no longer watch rugby league. I watch a few games of AFL a weekend and every Dees game on tv or the radio. My gf says i've been "footified". I'm on a Dees forum for goodness sake! My love for MFC runs deep now and I am happy that it's something that I have fostered myself, as opposed to having it handed down from family. Which probably shows I've got some problems - haha. Definitely looking forward to the youngsters running amok in the next ten years! Hogan, Brayshaw, Viney, Petracca, Salem, Kent, ND3, ND7, McDonald x 2, Stretch, Neal-Bullen......

Your reasons are almost identical to mine STMJ. If we want a forward draft a pure forward. Not a forward who we think might also be a bit of a mid. I don't see anything in Curnow that makes me think of Stringer. More like Waite

Mapped it out nicely thanks Tassie.

I like the logo change but changing the theme song would be a shocker

She thinks every Collingwood youngster is a star and is keen to give Bucks the flick. The sub rule hurt Kennedy, but not nearly as much as his lack of endurance. It means he gets tired and makes bad decisions and skill errors that you can't afford especially given his role in the team at his size. A consistency run of games at AFL level will build his match fitness and see him improve, but just like Ben Newton he needs to have a big preseason to build his tank.

I'm the opposite. Weideman for me, in the off chance the Dons get spooked by the prospect of another Gumbleton and realise they need mids more than 2 more forwards. Curnow seems a bit off to me for some reason. And for God's sake stay away from Mathieson.

Just heard on the radio that the crowd forced to evacuate the football stadium in Paris did so singing the national anthem. What a wonderful example of humanity's ability to rise above the malevolent evil and violence of a bunch of thugs and cowards.

If he has a mullett, gives the don't argue, then delivers perfectly off hbf to a running Stretch who delivers perfectly to Viney who Bombs it long to Smith who takes a hovver over in the square I will have a flashback. I can't do the late 80s again.

Why unlikely? From everything I've been hearing from our own recruiting staff (Taylor) to draft 'experts', it sounds quite likely that we'll go one mid and one tall and I'd like to think that tall is a natural forward. Which is why I like Weideman. I think he'll be there at 7 and I think he possesses the right mix of traits including his personality which will see him succeed at the top level. The question mark is obviously his injury history. But I've heard he's having an individual combine screening for a few clubs, (including us) to see how he's progressed. Given Taylor and co's record at finding some gold at later picks and the rookie draft (ANB and Vandenberg), and considering our all three of our new recruits have the capacity to run through the midfield, I'm not sure why we'd be drafting two mids with 3 and 7 unless they were players deemed to be steals. It's clear we need future support for Hogan and we know the best forwards go inside the top 10 in the draft. Weideman over Curnow for me because he is clearly the more natural forward and if you hear the bloke speak, you'll see that he's the kind of character we'd want at the club. That's just my feeling.

You're probably right GTG. For what it's worth, I'm all for keeping Jesse happy! Just think the mids are safer selections.

Hawks posted a $3.3m profit... F me the comp is so far out of whack.

Yes, thanks. A very able Tasman.

You're an absolute legend Tasman, thank you so much for the reports. Hugely appreciated! As Wiseblood said, they've never been better!

Not entirely, we could get Rolf to do it for us. It could be his break out performance.

Because logos, graphics etc change with the times. Music is music. If it's done right the first time, why mess with it. What would the point be of putting Melbourne in the song? We sing it proudly as is. Because people don't know it's about the Melbourne Football Club? What are newbies coming here and picking sheets of paper with theme songs on them out of a hat to choose a team? If this was common practise I'd say yeah, maybe there's an argument. Putting Melbourne in the song would make no difference to anything, it's just change for changes sake and unnecessary in my opinion.

If Cal Twomey is correct with his suggestion that the Bombers might take Oliver, then we have available two or three of Curnow, Weideman, McKay or Francis with 7. He also suggests that GC are hot on Milera if he is still there. The Bombers taking Oliver opens it up a bit for us. We will know soon enough. PS. The draft is live on Fox Footy at 6.30 PM on the 24th.

They probably spent 3 mill more in there FD. and just because they have 70,000 members doesn't mean 45,000 aren't. Junior members.

Don't agree with line 2 DemonOX The Tigers have easily the best song

Postage stamps in England do not mention that country because they invented the system. Websites in the US do not finish with a ".com.us" because they invented the concept. We invented football. We don't need to put our name in the song.

Would be open to changing the "should old acquaintance be forgot" line with something more dynamic, seems out of place to me, what is it we are likely to forget?

The other songs are shocking, they base their points around where they are from and how good at football they are (supposedly). No different to a rapper. Melbournes song doesn't need that, it works on sublte references "grand old flag" (oldest club) "high flying flag" (classy club / passionate supporters) it's the emblem for me and for you (it's an awesome club that I and you support / it's an awesome club that I support, and it seems like it'd be a good fit for you, if you haven't picked a team yet) It's the emblem of, the team we love (die hard passionate truth) The team of the RED and the BLUE (don't know if anyone else picked up on this, but it MIGHT be a nod of the hat to the club colours, just saying...) Every heart beats true for the RED and the BLUE (deep down everyone knows Melbourne is the best, reinforcing the passion with another sublte nod of the hat to the colours) Compared with everyone other jerks second rate anthem: "We are / we are from *insert club name* and we *generic metaphor for being good at footy*, We always win, you don't want to mess with us, we play in this area where are club is, something something no class, just make sure it rhymes with the tune we are basing the theme on" Less is more. Ours is much better, hope they never EVER change it

Finally caught up to my Collingwood mate (yes, I know it sounds like a contradiction in terms) who had a few thoughts about Kennedy. He reckons BK has never been given a proper go at Pieland and played maybe half his 25 games or so off the bench. Says he goes very hard and looks accomplished at VFL level but this did not/was not allowed to (?) translate to the top level. Believes that if a coach backed him he could be a good pick up. Strong on left foot, has no right foot, small, tough, unlikely to displace any of our emerging midfielders but could work as a small forward if given time and support. Might surprise.

Yes . Fortunately I don't give a flying [censored] about Rugby.

Some variations created by 'The Count' on BF, incorporating the 70s demon to the new logo...

Oh yes a T Shirt for summer....i just might grab one of those

You just blasphemed OD

The song is only ever played on game day at the ground, so it's kind of irrelevant to the brand in terms of attracting new supporters. You don't hear it until you're already a Demon. I'd be disappointed if they changed it.

I got down there and had a look. Is it wrong if I had to choose between Viney and Daisy kicking from 35m out to win a Melbourne premiership I'd pick Daisy. She strikes it perfectly every time.

The fact that "Melbourne" is not referenced in the song and yet everyone knows it is about Melbourne is what makes it so special.

Adding "Melbourne" to the song won't ignite any more passion than it already does. It's perfect as is. Leave it be.

'Was' an American marching song. its now the Melbourne Demons song and thats how it will always be remembered. In summary, stuff America.

I would be very much against any change to our club's song. It is our victory anthem and, as such, only has positive memories associated with it. Even if any alterations were made, very few people would actually remember to sing the correct lyrics as they are so ingrained. I would hope that changing something as fundamental as our song would at least be put to a members vote.

Thoroughly agree! Leave it well alone. Anything different and one would feel he/she were supporting a different team. 'It's a Grand Old Flag......' And song.

Its a great deal. We just need a bye after Darwin thats all....

Yes, he used to play for Melbourne.

Just farken pick Oliver. He will be the best mid from this draft. Mark my words.

There has been a shift in the narrative. A month ago indications were strong from Jesse and the club of an extension happening over summer. Now it seems that won't happen. The words 'contract on hold', or 'wait and see' are like a stick of dynamite to supporters and the press. Jesse has every right to wait. We just need to enjoy him and be patient. Nonetheless, the shift in the narrative is the worrying bit.

As much as we need another tall forward, it feels as though the percentage play would be to take Parish with pick 3 and then either Mathieson or Oliver with pick 7. One would think/hope our midfield in a couple of years would then be bordering on elite, especially if we also land Prestia next year. Midfield is the the key ingredient. And we have the chance now to really nail this. The Hawks didn't need Franklin and Roughead as much as people predicted. And the Swans didn't need Franklin and Tippett as much as expected. As part of this, it's obviously imperative that we sign Hogan to a two decade deal though.

What do I win?