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I went to training today too, with my brother, was the first session we had been to this pre season. On a side note, my brother is a sponsor of Jack Trengove (hope he doesnt mind me saying that!!!) and we had a chat to JT in between his running and skills. JT seemed really happy and said he was feeling good. He was moving well and is just getting used to doing everything again, basically getting accustomed to doing what everyone else would see as normal, such as running! He stated he aims to be ready to be selected in round 1. Back to everyone else though, I got there really early and all of JT, Gus, Dawes, Spencer, Vince, Watts, Tyson, Frost were all doing running from 1:15 to 2:00. Of these guys, the most of them then went on and did kicking skills for over an hour. They were all working really hard. Then everyone else arrived. To whoever said Harmes wasnt there, he was, but I understand missing people as they were hard to distinguish at times. Some seperate notes from me: I was super happy with the skills in real blustery conditions, best I have seen in a while. Was also really pleased with the enthusiasm, energy by all players and especially loved the tackling and pressure, it was super hard and fierce. I didnt see many tackles get broken, not without trying, but the tackles stuck and they went in hard. I also know, from a reliable source (always wanted to say that!) that they are trying to train the team to now be more attacking, play more modern football, not just the Paul Roos 1 on 1 style. Goodwin is more of a modern coach who wants to attack more, defend as a team and take the game on. Hopefully they pick it up well and we see more forward movement this year. Individually: Petracca is a beast, his skills were really good too and his leap is still huge VDB looks slimmer and really was impressive. I thought kennedy trained really well and his speed and evasiveness were impressive. Hunt looks really quick and his skills were fine. Gawn has improved, just looks more agile and better endurance. Can see him dominating this year. Hogan was hogan, but what i liked most was his vision and risk taking decisions in drills, he takes the game on! Wiedemann looks real tall, but is skinny in comparison to others. Can see he is working hard but will take some time. Kent looks great and his foot skills and pace were great. I rate him so highly, so i hope he stays fit this year. Along with kent, the kicking skills of Salem just look so smooth, he was moving well, so lets hope he can make the move to the midfield more this season. I like the look of White, his foot skills were great and he goes in hard and has some size. Very good back up. Cant think of any others right now, but if you have any questions, just ask! Overall though i was really impressed today, made me fell much more confident, consdering some of our better and more senior players werent doing heaps.

Rob Jackson occasionally puts up videos on Instagram of the boys training and there was a really great one today of Petracca for those who have Instagram there is some good videos of the boys training also, especially great to see some vision of the boys for us non-Melbourne supporters who only get to read the great reports on Demonland.

The last for this year. Have a Merry Christmas and I'll be back in the new year. Enjoy ==>https://www.smugmug.com/photos/swfpopup.mg?AlbumKey=jW7wbz Mobile==>http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-vWmhGZ

Got there after 2, stayed for 90 or so minutes, wasn't paying awfully close attention as I was meeting a friend for a catch up. Frost and Dawes were gone 5 minutes later. Seemingly just making an appearance. Lumumba not much after that. No sign of J Smith, Harmes or Newton. Vince (with a finger/hand bandage), Jetta, Watts, Spencer running laps. Trenners having a kick, then out in to sprints in very good time. Got a big cheer from the boys. Tyson and Brayshaw did kick to kick with Crossy then in to some paired runs. Tyson put a gap on Gus. Jeffie doing some drills with the young fellas and then boxing with the boxing coach. The 4 draftees did some boxing as well. Including where the boxing coach hammers in to their guts whilst they are kneeling and doing upper cuts. Clarry in particular was copping a hammering and grunting and swearing his way through it. Great stuff. Nath Jones back in the main group! Petracca as well. Usual pressure ball movement style drills. Different ones I remember: 1. Lining up in a line like a tug of war without the rope, ball thrown to one group who have to handball to another 2. 5 v 3 defenders in tight then 2 more handballing from congestion up to a trainer 3. Kicking from backline to goals up 1/3rd of the ground v 3 defenders 4. Forming a conga line and running around a cone before the ball being thrown out for one group who then had to handball through the congestion Lots of pressure on the skills and there were some clean moments. A group featuring Garlett, Petracca, Vanders had the ball motoring from the backline through to goals. The highlight of the session was in a handball drill where it became 5 v 2 at the end to weave through handball to a trainer, young Ben Ainsworth (who's usually all class) sold too much candy and stalled momentum leading to the ball movement breaking down. I think it was Ben Matthews who yelled to him "Benny if you to sell candy then f off to the candy shop". Maybe a little harsh on the kid but the point was made clear and he's talented enough to take the criticism. Made for a chuckle from the crowd and a few others though. Otherwise it seemed a pretty straight forward session.

We arent barracking for a rivals demise. We are barracking for appropriate penalties for what is clearly a blatant breach of the drug code, followed by every trick in the book being used to get out of it.

Trac and Vanders were both looking clean and strong with their disposal. They are going to be very good to watch this year. I think I overheard Vanders giving some cheek "Trac! Would you prefer laces in or out?" I wasn't there long, but, I also noticed the focus was on decision making and skills under pressure. Feedback being shot out in retrospect by the coaches ( as an aside, loved seeing Todd kicking balls back to Jack after a goal kicking drill finished). Stretch junior was looking pretty sharp in the skills sessions. Prompting, I think it was Dunn, to jokingly call out "skills!..and he knows it!" He is going to look pretty smart streaming in off the members like his old man. Harmes is going to be interesting. He keeps making you look. From what I saw; very few mistakes, great intensity, a little unpredictability and a sense he is not going to give up his place easily. Also loved watching Hogan practice his leading and marking out in front with the assistants. I get the sense that what he seeks is seeking him. Thanks Georgiou, spot on with your report! I hope you don't mind I used your piece to bounce off. Will pop in anything else I remember as others report or as I feel the need to exaggerate the potent potential that is the future of the MFC.

I reckon that having him around as a coach/trainer will result in him having a more profound impact than if he were on the rookie list playing predominantly at Casey. As great a servant as he was for us over the past couple of seasons, I think that we pulled the pin at the right time.

Apparently their new Chairman says that if found guilty, Jobe Watson should be allowed to keep his Brownlow medal. They might as well give Rolf Harris back his OA and CBE too.

I saw about the first 45 minutes of training today.I had been to quite a few training sessions throughout the 2015 season and had noticed towards the end of the season how fatigued some of the players looked.So it was a nice sight today to see everyone looking sharp and refreshed. Georgiou has given an excellent report so I wont go into too much detail but I'd like to point out a couple of things I noticed such as: Petracca's disposals were flawless,after each drill he was asking Goodwin and N. Jones for feedback about his decisions Clayton Oliver seems to have a good head for football,as soon as he gets the ball he has already made a decision what to do with it(a refeshing sight after the 'deer in the headlights' mentality we have seen in previous years by Melbourne players) Kent and Vanders tearing it up again.

Have the new tram drivers decided on a different route.....or still continuing the journey with the same ol' clapped out jargon. Have they come out and denounced what took place ? I don't see it. I do see different faces plying the "party" line. Ding ding....all aboard to WindyHill. The day someone in charge at Essendon comes out with " we really did a bad thing and we must bear the consequences ,learn and move on" is when I'll believe something has changed.

I'd be prepared to bet that if you didn't see his name in a training thread your anxiety levels would go even higher.

Wow. There is nothing that will drag these bloody fools into the real world. essedon, just.....essedon

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/why-the-essendon-supplements-saga-may-never-end-20151215-glo4e7.html That is a Rohan Connolly fanboy article if I ever saw one! Thought this was a bit rich: 'Perhaps when the CAS verdict is in, some might find themselves asking whether barracking for a rival's demise more fervently than for the success of your own team is the most enjoyable way of following a sport'. He knows this how? And, what a stupid BS comment to make!! All fans want to see the opposition's demise eg 'the masses' went for the jugular when Dees were accused of 'tanking'. Its just part of the being a one-eyed fan for your team. Then this: 'There's not a lot more Essendon can now do but make something of their future. And if all that still doesn't prove enough to appease the anguish of the masses, frankly, that will just be tough [censored]'. Seriously, if a commentator (he is no journalist) has to stoop so low to insult non EFC fans with comments like those to get some traction in his story then he should just give up the writing caper - clearly he has no original thoughts of his own!

Wife. "So there's an email from Demonland thanking you for our $100 contribution. What was that for? Me. "Err, um, well it was sort of for a lifetime membership, good value really" Wife. "But you did that a few years ago." Me. "I decided to join again" Wife. "So you've got two Demonland lifetime memberships? What one for now and one for the afterlife? Well I hope your team is better on the other side than this one"

Disagree. The WADA matter will not have been dealt with until the CAS decision is announced. So Little can't be praised for doing what he said he'd do - he hasn't . And he can do something further - he can face the music post CAS (or celebrate) as I said in my earlier post. And then allow his successor to disown the past rather than say what Tanner has said. Tanner probably had 'Little' alternative having takien over now.

So you're saying that Rivers was a poor back man? He left us and slotted straight into a top 4 teams backline? Kidding yourself. Rivers was so highly rated in our backline. I loved having him there as the third tall, his intercept marking was brilliant.

I tend to agree. It was a hard call. Just glad he's still with us ( Crossy ) ....and glad that other one isn't

Thanks for the info Yoko. Makes sense that those in the rehab group started early because some of them finished so soon after 2. Don't know how I didn't see Harmes. That said I swapped ends with the same group a lot of the time. Presume he was in the other half. I'm not a huge wrap for Petracca's kicking myself, he has a high and mechanical ball drop and really thumps the ball instead of timing it off the boot, but that said he has so much power that he can spear the ball fast and hard with decent accuracy. In short, there will be some turnovers and wayward kicking with his style but there will also be moments where he bursts out of traffic and spears it lace out to someone. Sam Weideman has such a big frame with broad shoulders, height and solid legs but is pretty much stick thin elsewhere. I was impressed by his kicking particularly his confidence on his left foot. To have a tall who can lead up and mark and then back himself on his left opens up a lot of options going inside 50.

I'm so looking forward to the day Trenners runs out on the G with the boys again......it will be a very emotional return.

Yes, Robbo, Warner, old Roh C in today's paper. They tell us, don't they?

RL as I posted some time ago I am on the cusp of finalising a trade deal here in Havana that will ship bananas to OZ, as many as we need! This deal will be bigger than the Trans Pacific Partnership if it comes off. The paperwork is all but done but it still needs Fidel's final sign off but it is difficult to catch him when he is awake these days. Fingers crossed that there will be no banana shortage in my lifetime!

It's not just a "photo". Click on it.

The guy that tweeted EFC 0-400 against ASADA's 'bowling' ha ha. What a moron

Sorry mate. That attitude stinks essendrug knowingly cheated "Get me the good stuff..." i want to see them smashed and in a world of pain for decades... absolute lying pricks.. oh i almost forgot.... Fcuk you Lindsay Tanner....

Its good for the AFL if they forget about continually trying to make the strong " traditional" clubs stronger and think about the entire competition for a chnage. We're THE original club and no one really gives a rats about our exposure or strength. I'd love Essundone to crash and burn quite frankly...and recover in a few years. Maybe 10.

Until they slap you in the face and tell you to go f yourself after they see another girl sitting on your lap a year later.

I understand as supporters we demand unwavering loyalty but in nearly all cases footballers absolutely understand why teammates move from club to club and in most cases still maintain the friendships. I work with Jared River's wife and he still keeps in contact with last remaining Demons from his time at the club. (he is now a backline coach at Collingwood)

F him, no longer one of us.

Who is Ben Ainsworth?

Trengove sprinting laps at training

Did I just hear old Lins on SEN say just because the team goes down Jobe should keep his medal because it was not an individual's fault? He might want to bone up on the drug code.

For the record - Rivers was offered a tad over base payments to stay at the club. He was offered significantly more by a club who doesn't pay their mid tier players all that well. There is a small pocket of loyalty that still exists in some footballers. Albeit that is easier to be loyal when you play for the Hawks and you keep winning flags. But as I have said before - we, the supporters, actually pay to watch football - not only are we loyal, we pay for the privilege of being loyal. Footballers are paid professionals with limited lifespan in the game. I expect loyalty from them on the field and expect them to play as hard as they can for the dollars I spend to watch them. I am under no illusion though that these same footballers ( in the main ) will make career decisions based around money and/or chasing finals success. I don't like it but I have come to accept it.

Might be a job for Roosy there after he's done with us...

Exactly f Ess, they made there bed now deal with it. I still don't get the comments about the AFL needing Ess, no club is indispensable.

Just as long as there's no 4peat, I'm not too fussy who it is that beats the Hawks (aside from us, obviously).

So, we did nothing wrong. Jab should keep his brownlow. Hird should be welcomed back. FMD these guys just do not get it. 1. Ban all the players 2. Jab to hand back Browlnow and it be re-issued to Mitchell and Cotchin 3. Ban Hird from all sport worldwide for life. 4. Ban little from being a company director for life. 5. Ban Dr Reid from practising medicine anywhere on this earth but particularly anywhere near young men/women and sports. 6. Ban the club from the next 5 drafts.

Teeing up Boxing Day at the cricket.

If we are found guilty of cheating don't penalise us. So what if we gained an unfair advantage by cheating, don't take away poor Jabs brownlow. Our team of discredited drug cheats worked tirelessly to enable Jab to win that brownlow. He deserves it for all the hard cheating we did, whatever it takes.. Don't you know the old saying , cheats never prosper except Essendrug. Edit: F you Essendrug

Of course let Jab keep his Brownlow. Can you imagine how hurt Timmy and his mum would be if he were to be stripped of it?? We've had some great Best and Unfairest winners over the years. Dipper comes to mind and there are plenty others. Let's have a drug enhanced one too.

Exactly. My gripe here isn't so much with the " the players are innocent" line, although I do think they would have had some kind of idea . But rather the complete lack of responsibility around WHO exactly endorsed it. Lets bring Hird back because we love him ( he's obviously innocent too) Good ol' doc Reid wrote a letter (that no one one read apparantly) ...so I guess he's innocent...but the AFL warned us so THEY must be guilty as hell.....and ASADA took too long because we took them to court and hid all our records so goddam it they're guilty too!! I just angry when I read that kind of shite. A program that extensive is going to have quite a few minds behind it. Personally I believe Hird is up to his neck in it as are many others. So, Im only on the side of lighter penalites for the players if the club is fully scrutinised and those w deep involvement FOUND, names and banned. I'd respect the " bring back Hird" idea if it happens after the players are all banned and his involvement is made clear. Then it has some meaning. At the moment its still about minimising what is massive, ongoing and comprehensive cheating

Who is he???

Oh he's shrewd alright. Ken Lay is no mug either... though he's got his fair share of hair-brain thinkings also.. Both well suited to the closeted think-group that is Essendon. This again is all just calculated propaganda. Trying to set the tone for public acceptances etc. Essendon again wanting to move th goalposts to suit their rhetoric. They still see themselves as victims. They still won't really take any responsibility for their actions. They still want to weasel their way out of due sanctions and penalties. They are a cancer on this sport.

I think the lack of an afl yellow ribbon, banana round answers your question on where the afl stands.

Crossy is still in great shape, kind of wish we picked up him as a rookie at least for one more year.

come to see his mates he left and no one looks at him........love the body language #showingsomemongreldees

Actually, I must give him credit for seeing this the way it is. I agree its the clubs fault. Now, ban the whole club. So easy.

Throughly enjoyed reading your report on training - thanks plenty. Thanks also for the added info on Trenners. It's fantastic that his own personal goal is to be ready for seniors in round 1.

AFL Academy kid training with us who despite his diminutive size would've been a first round pick more than likely if eligible for this years draft. He's been in a fair few drills and doesn't look out of place. The other kid is a bit taller and skinnier and has been mainly with the rehab group.