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A small morsel ... It's second hand from my brother, who was also at training (doesn't post here although he's been reading for nearly a decade). He said that in one section of the ground for those not joining in "full training", such as newbies and others on a modified program, a coach would throw the ball in the air, or on the ground and two players competed in a 1 v 1 contest to win the ball. For example, Oliver was pitted against ANB, and Jones and Petracca went head to head. Petracca and Jones pretty much squared the ledger. Oliver beat ANB at least 9 times out of 10. He was adamant it was that lopsided, such was Oliver's effectiveness.

Popped by for about an hour. Didn't see Dawes, Lumumba, Frost or Trengove. Did see Brenton Sanderson, Shifter and Cal Twomey. So many drills with different groups it's kind of hard to report on what was happening unless you take notes. Certainly nice to see Brayshaw, Tyson and Garlett doing some ball work as well as runs. Jones, ANB and Petracca had a bit of kick to kick at the end with Crossy taking turns to shadow defend one of them as they led off. Fair to say Petracca knows how to mark on a lead. Hulett impressed me of the new boys, good size, lovely kick. Joel Smith was with them for a fair few drills. Weideman kicks well on his left. Nothing wrong with Oliver's physique. Wagner was with the main group. The usual drills all focused on fast ball movement. A full ground drill featured 2 teams going head to head in non stop footy with no stopping for marks. Vanders was prominent in the midfield, and Viney. Billy Stretch found the ball in space. Bugg got the ball at half back a bit. JKH was involved. The one player who really made things happen was Hunt, using his burst of speed through the middle. But he does seem a bit one dimensional and his kicking isn't fluent, so I'm temper expectations but still he showed a bit. Ben Kennedy moved well to get in to space. With at one stage Grimes refusing to handball to him until it was late enough to be a hospital handball. That said Jack did kick nicely a couple of times. The thing with BK is every now and then he misses a kick or fumbles a handpass. I wonder if it's just confidence and belief, because he does have good skills. I think he needs to just relax and slow down a bit. Melksham was very impressive running and using the ball well from half back.

I bowled a long to training for a while. I didn't stay for long so I'm sure others can add more. A photographer was there as was a cameraman so there might be photos from AFL media and footage on the news (don't know which one). Players in rehab or being rested: Dawes, Prince, Spencil, Garlett, Watts, Frost, Tyson, Brayshaw, Trengove, unidentified stick (possibly AFL Academy trainee). These guys did modified training and or ran laps. Trengove was doing some light drills. Good to see him do more than just running. Patracca did a good deal of the main training but went off to an adjacent oval when the full ground ball movement work was being done. Garlett (his mrs and kid were there), Tyson and Brayshaw did some 150-ish meter run-throughs at some speed. Brayshaw lagged behind in all but one of the runs (except the last one). I assume then, he's coming from further back that the others. Looks bigger this season. I didn't really pick out too many of the newbies apart from Oliver, but only because he glows in his pastiness. His kicking seemed OK in the drill I saw him. Looked to be tiring the more each drill progressed - to be expected. So far so good. He, Hulett, Stretch, King (Mitch) and Garland were doing some forward drills. they all looked pretty good - standouts were Stretch and Oliver (not that they were doing a whole lot). I have read observations that Watts is being very vocal - I concur. Bugg looks to have settled in very well. I'll add more as I think of it. NB. Very hard to spot players with no names on their shirts and in hats.

ANB is no slouch when it comes down to the hard stuff in the clinches - he was regarded as a real "extractor" of the footy in his Under 18 year which makes Oliver's effort very impressive.

Totally agree Akum, Also anyone who bothers to attend training and then report to the rest of us deserves thanks. Pretty selfless stuff.. Sure let their be questions but not criticisms. So far the training reports have been great and provide interesting observations devoid of ego. Well done guys and thanks.

I went down there around 10 until the end of training. I must say I had a little boy with me who his fav player is garlett as both aboriginal and after a couple of photos with him found out by Brayshaw that Garlett is his fav player got a trainer to bring him back his hat signed. very grateful. Also Christian Petracca had a conversation with my child (5) and called him mate then girl then man and as Tom Bugg and Ben Kennedy came for a chat he then realized and said, "I just realized I called him a girl ( mind you he looks nothing like a girl) and they proceeded to say he will be a ladies killer and he has hair like Harmsey. Moral of this story I love how much these guys put time and effort into talking to people and children. Hogan was great with him. Anyway back to training! I saw Trengove and Harry O at about 10.15 heading towards AAMI so they were down with that training part. I really love how Harmsey goes about his footy. Super fit and tackling machine. If he stuffs up he backs himself to keep trying. Does not give up on himself. Garlett, Tyson and Brayshaw just running and hand balling to each other nothing to much for them Spencer and watts were running laps all day Tom McDonald leading the way with running so was Harmsey. Viney looked to struggle at the back also last one off the track kicking for goals but unsure if he was abit sore or not today didn't look 100% Only time I saw Vince was when he was walking off. Unsure who it was, I am 95% sure it was Hunt but if so this kid looks good! Gets himself into good positions and doesn't mind taking on people. Jetta was tackling very well. JKH running was ok but seemed to drop off a lot as time goes on. Tries to take on to many people when there's better options and gets tackled. Hogan this kid I swear is a beast! No one can get past him. Moved well and only had eyes for the ball. As for Melksham he did alright but may be trying to impress a bit to much. Did a few things wrong that should have been easy but better now then during a game. Stretch moved well and got into space very quick and he likes to get the play moving. Weideman looked wrecked at the end but hey so would I! If I remember anything else I will post

I remember when I first saw Paul Poupolo and thinking he was a bit of a scrubber. While lacking the class of some of his teammates he's become a handy contributor, who has a knack of doing something important just when it was needed. While different sorts of players, I have the same feeling about Neal-Bullen. I reckon when the team needs it he'll kick that goal or lay that tackle. I think he'll will himself to be a regular part of the 22 and get the most out of his God given talents. Just a hunch.

Yes, it's a good sign. The comment was "it didn't matter what Neal-Bullen did he was no match for Oliver".

Wouldn't it be great, if our midfield improved to the extent, where we didn't care less about whether we get Prestia or not?

Not even just a sense of where to run but to gut run and keep running until the 'play' is finished. Someone said that run was from wing, thought it started deeper in defence and he keep on pushing through each line as he saw space open up in front in him and he didn't leave it to 'someone else' to finish it off. Great to watch.

ANB has an inbuilt instict for where the goals are. We've been crying out for years for mids with this ability. If he can make a full time transition to the midfield, he will be very useful when resting forward. For too long our resting mids offered nothing when in the forward half.

$100.00 more done thanks guys for such a great site and all the work you do mark

$100 on the way. Demonland gives me a great deal of pleasure most days. Many thanks to all the helpers.

If anyone has the slightest doubt that the AFL says one thing and do another just read the article in todays Hun. The woman who was threatened claims the AFl tried to down graded what she said. At one stsge they said to her this could end his career. Then after four hours presented her with a statement to sign that contained changed elements from what she had said. She would not agree to the statement. Then add the RFC making statements about they are worried about Dustin. Deliver us from these hypocrites.

I believe we only have to make 2 first round selections over a four year period.

Back in the 1960's when introduced in The Long Room by my father to a friend or acquaintance he would sometimes murmur to me disapprovingly "HE'S a Collingwood supporter".

another uninformed muppet taking a shot.. no mention of jetta, dunn, salem, vandenberg, garlett, tyson, garland or frost... and apparently he's got no time for Kent or Watts. Fairly handy group of players to add to the 9 that are mentioned I would have thought. Then there's the 3 recruits and the other youngsters in Harmes, ANB and Stretch, our cattle is OK thanks very much data man. PS I'd like to add that this group was good enough to finish ahead of 5 sides, and beat 5 others on the day - two of whom finished in the 8... and is fairly self-evident that a team you have acknowledged to be very young is likely to improve over the next few years. Maybe the writer hasn't glanced at the ladder since '13. Grr.

That goal against Geelong when he ran from the wing and was involved in a chain of possessions and finished off with a goal was particularly encouraging. I saw a guy with a real sense of where to run and who knew what to do when he got it.

With ANB it's not what he has in terms of stand out traits but that he shouldn't have too many weaknesses and will be a really nice bottom 6 player. He's fit, finds the footy, uses it pretty well and whilst not big or fast he's not small or slow either. He'll also be a good culture guy. Stretch has a bit more x factor being a really good natural outside running type.

I think ANB is a player that will benefit from the removal of the sub rule and reduced interchange cap. Also keep in mind that he had surgery on his kneecap which greatly restricted his preseason last year. I like what I've seen so far. I don't think he'll be a star, but I think that he'll be a good, solid player for us.

An AFL recruiter said that he thought ANB could be a real steal for us and that he thought he could be a top footballer. Only on what I have seen so far, I far prefer Stretch of the two and haven't yet seen what the recruiter saw in ANB. He is not big and not overly fast. However, he has time on his side to show us what he has got. I hope the recruiter was right. Oliver to me just seems a see it, get it footballer. As someone said, hopefully he becomes our Ollie.

I never had the doubt OD The afl is run by moral bankrupts whose currency is corruption and philosophy is hypocrisy. It's a scandal in an of itself.

Your account been hacked?

Don't mess with my caffeine habit.

I'm pretty optimistic about next year... Most supporters of every club are this time of year but I just have a feeling we've turned the corner. Yeah we put in some poor performances last year but we also put in some great ones and I think that inconsistency is behind us. I'd say we'll finish 9th-12th but with some luck finals isn't out of the question

I don't see Frost as a project, just an upcoming lad who was injured.

Thank you all for the reports, most appreciated.

Supporting the Dees should be mandatory for all new MCC members. They would need to furnish current MFC membership card and answer a series of Demons-related trivia questions. That would ensure standards are maintained and barracking for the correct team. It would also resolve the long waiting lists.

You can relax now. Jake Lovett has penned a two year deal with the Casey Scorpions. He was the second son of a gun to sign with the club in recent days after Todd Vander Haar. And to top it all off, James Freeman, 189cm (son of former Saint Peter) has also joined the club from the Dandenong Stingrays. He kicked 33 goals in the TAC Cup this year.

I think we can agree that any figure thrown about with regards to a players contract is purely speculative. But I'd have Dawes on about 500k and Watts and Grimes on 400k. Watts because of his talent, Grimes because of the captaincy and both because we have to pay someone. Also I don't care how good a bloke someone is or their ability as a public speaker. Yes we want people of good character at the club but it should not be thrown up as a reason as to why someone should get a game. Part of why we've been shizen for so long is our tolerance or acceptance of sub standard skill levels and performances, for too long players go about their business unchecked and unaccountable. Last year things started to change, Grimes was left out of the side for round 1 playing his first game in round 4, only coming into the side after injuries to other players. He was in and out of the team for the rest of the season being dropped twice more before being struck down by injury with only a few rounds left. Grimes has played 8 seasons and there is still massive concern about his disposal and his decision making. I don't buy into him heading to Punt Rd just because his brother is there. Why would Richmond want him? They have been knocked out first week of the finals for three years in a row. Richmond at their best last season were able to beat Freo and Sydney away and Hawthorn at home, but come finals it was the Tigers of old....again. Do Richmond really need another player to chip the ball sideways and backwards. Richmond picked up Yarran during the latest trade period to play of halfback. Grimes on his day is a solid defender but is no threat to the opposition with the ball in his hand. He needs to bring more to the table but after 8 seasons I think there is little chance of this happening. I stand by my claim he was informed by Trengove of his decision to step away from the captaincy but chose to cling on himself as he thought it would guarantee him a game. Roos wanted some stability in his first year as coach so he let it play its course but as 2014 went on the decision became obvious, and that was to remove the decision out of Jacks and the players hands, yes he's well like around the club but his footy was not up to AFL standard and was subsequently left out of the round 1 team. He will be/has been replaced by players like Salem, Melksham, White, ANB. I think we are heading towards a Geelong/Hawthorn style team and that is MID KPD THIRD MAN UP MID KPD MID MID MID MID MID KPF MED FWD/MID MID KPF SMALL FWD RUCK MID MID MID MID MID RUCK/FWD Thats 13-14 midfielders, players Salem and Melksham who can play off half back, roll through the middle and push up and kick a goal. Petracca and VB who can play midfield and also be very damaging sitting on a fwd flank. There are no more Jordie McKenzie type taggers, Vince towelled up Danger and hurt the Crows when he had the ball. When we have real depth small defender should be another midfielder with elite disposal. No you wouldn't put your best mid in the back pocket but you would put your 13th mid there. I think this is Grimes last year in the AFL. For the last time Watts has not suffered because poor coaching or debuting too early. Bailey and Neeld weren't Al Clarkson but they have been involved in the game for years at the highest level and have/had a wealth of knowledge. For someone who has suffered so badly he is one of our best users of the footy and decision makers. Watts plays a contested game and is afraid of the contest, an extension of that is his inability to lay an effective tackle. It is as simple as that, people read too much into it. One passage of play best describes Watts career, we were playing Essendon at the G. It was a two on one in our favour chasing a lose ball in the wing. Watts lead the race for the ball followed by an Essendon player then another Melbourne player. Watts knew if he gained possession of the ball there was a chance he might be tackled so he deliberately overran the ball expecting his teammate to win it and handball it off to him. The Essendon player pounced on the loose ball then was soon tackled by the chasing Melbourne player, a ball up resulted which Essendon won and went on to kick a goal. There's outside players then there Watts. Who will replace Watts? Do we even know what his position is? If we refer back to how I think the team will line up, if we don't have a medium size forward that competes whether we're attacking or defending we simply play another mid. I think this is Watts last year at the club, if we got offered a 2nd round pick I reckon we would of taken it for him. For all of his talent his lack of appetite for the contest has him constantly being found out in home and away matches, come finals he would have no influence at all. Opposition coaches don't respect him as they often assign first and second years players to him during games. Chris Dawes for 500. Leadership, big bodied, provides a contest, brings the ball to ground, plays his role are all things you hear from those in the Dawes camp. Funnily enough the coaching panel don't agree and he was offered up during trade week with little to no interest. Dawes has cleaned up from his current four year contract and good on him, anyone else would do the same. He should be offered a one year contract for 2017 and possibly another one year contract for 2018 both for 1-200k. The 2018 contact hinges on how quickly The Weed and Hulett come on. 18 clubs has put a stretch on the talent pool so he stays for now. We all know that Hogan is the exception with regards to young KPF. The Weed and Hulett should be given time to find their feet as they continue to grow and learn. If Pedo is fit he plays before Dawes. We don't have Hogan/Pedo/Dawes all in the same side.

I would far prefer quick thinking and quick ball movement to a team of Bleases !!

They are a very entertaining bunch. Like watching puppies play in a box. Except there is no way to give tham an electric shock. As you do.

Larry was the only Fine (Feinberg) in the Three Stooges. The other two were Howards (Horwitz).

Anybody have anything to add to this topic? Would love some insight from anyone who has observed him at training - to what extent is he participating? Do we know if the club has him in-line for Round 1?

Aren't you being either very pessimistic, or contradictory, when you first note the "small sample size" then say we won't win many games with him in the backline? Surely just too soon to say.

Oliver Who? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oliver_Hardy

Ha, ha, this brings back memories. I was also involved in a mediation where the other party was represented by Steven J. Peake, but I was the defendant. I didn't find it necessary to hire a lawyer for a dispute over a bain marie (go figure!), but the landlord I was up against did. After continually refusing to pay the initial claim ($20,000), and subsequent reduced claims thereafter, the mediator spoke to me one and one, and said that I was doing a good job, and to hold out until their claim came down to $5000. That amount was little over 2 months rent which was outstanding because the locks on the doors were changed, hence I stopped paying rent. The mediator ripped into the landlord/SJP for doing so because I'd been up to date with the rent payments, and was in the process of thoroughly cleaning the place after closing down my business. If SJP was giving her advice throughout, she should have refused to pay his fee. The landlord lived in Sydney, and I can assure you that the agreed upon settlement definitely didn't cover her legal costs plus personal expenses.

Fair call. I don't think Ablett Jnr is a natural leader either. He just wants to play. His freakish balance and co ordination are in his DNA They cannot be taught, improved and honed yes, but not taught. Jonesy can still be a very good captain, but he is going to have to work hard at it. Big Carl was a natural leader...

About the only thing I disagree with air conditioning's excellent post is this: MID KPD THIRD MAN UP MID KPD MID MID MID MID MID KPF MED FWD/MID MID KPF SMALL FWD RUCK MID MID MID MID MID RUCK/FWD i still think the first player named every week is your lock down small defender - someone who negates the dangerous small forward of the opposition. Because of the nature of the position I think of it as the 'first player picked' every week. In my time following the club our best have been Yeats, Steve Febey, Whelan and Jetta. Bartram could've been a ripper but his body let him down, plus we have previously had Hopgood and the godawful Kowal as well. So one position Grimes could have is that role, but I personally don't think he's good enough defensively or offensively - I remember Rockliff tearing him to shreds in Neeld's first year. I agree that he and Watts are skating on thin ice in terms of their careers - I certainly don't expect them to be at Melbourne in 2017 as they're both free agents at the end of next year...and the likelihood is I would let them walk too. 2016: SMALL DEF (Jetta) KPD (Dunn) THIRD MAN UP (Garland) MID (Salem) KPD (T. McDonald) MID (Melksham) MID (Tyson) MID (N. Jones) MID (Bugg) MID (Brayshaw) KPF (Dawes) MED FWD/MID (Kennedy) MID (Kent) KPF (Hogan) SMALL FWD (Garlett) RUCK (Gawn) MID (Vince) MID (Viney) MID (Petracca) MID (Oliver) MID (vandenBerg) RUCK/FWD-DEF (Frost)

Try again OD.

Well Theo I like SEN. There are a couple of announcers that I am less than enthusiastic about but on the whole I enjoy listening.

Thank you Roger, much appreciated interesting Garland with the forwards, although I'm not sure where everyone will fit - back and forward. Nice problem to have

The one thing this last trade and draft period confirmed is that this club is no longer amateur and ad hoc in its decision making. It is super deliberate and has a clear strategy that it now actually seems able to execute. If we are still after Prestia, and if we have been for quite some time, I expect the club has devised a plan/proposal to attempt to secure him. If not, perhaps we have not been that into him (too exy in terms of cash or draft picks etc), despite the media reports.

Whilst I understand in law there is a difference between a threat and actually carrying through with the threat, the problem for me with this is you are only dealing with the outcome. I think we should not lose grasp of the fact that a woman had Martin standing over her and aggressively asserting that he was going to kill her. That's where you need to "stop the clock". Let's not look at what Martin subsequently did or didn't do. You need to put yourself in her shoes at that moment. I have no idea as to her state of mind at the time but it could have ranged from "pffft - this bloke is all hot air" to " he is out of control - I am going to get a chopstick through the eye". Again, a personal experience - I was bailed up by two very intoxicated bikies ( this is not attempting to disparage bikies - it is disparaging two drunken idiots) when I was 17 and was terrified. To this day I still have nightmares about it and will irrationally walk across the opposite side of the road when I see bikies. My point is to cause long term damage to a person, it doesn't necessarily need to include an actual physical assault.

i think it includes an "until death do us part" clause

What angers me is the selective nature of what the AFL decides to go hard on.

Tom Baker ... Doctor Who?

I think that pretty much covers everything.

this time last year he was sprinting and kicking because he had to try and pass a medical at Richmond, and the crows wanted one as well, this year we've locked him in and are in no rush, i'd rather see him not play til mid year and make it back then us take any risks with Jack, he's way to good to risk it.

I must say I thoroughly approve of this thread. Jack Trengove is not only a fantastic bloke, and leader, he when fit, is a fabulous footballer. Just the sort the MFC should be hanging on to (although I understand if he has a long term injury why he would be put on the market) JT in his first and second year showed he is a worthy pick 2, and we don't have many of those. His leadership is outstanding (I vividly remember in his first year when he through his vision and determination was personally responsible for us winning by a point in Darwin against PA, having sprinted half the ground to knock the ball through and score). I really hope he makes it, because at his best, he will be in the first 6 picked in our next premiership team.