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Too true. It's very sad for our game that most of the AFL football world has far too much sympathy for the players and would rather see them get off lightly or completely while the game itself falls into disrepute at their expense. Throughout the world, it's understood that athletes are responsible for what they ingest into their bodies but in Australia that doesn't seem to apply so that while we might snigger at muscle bound Chinese women swimmers and cyclists on the gear, our boys and girls are clean as white, driven snow.

The thing that excites me most about 2016 is just the upside in some of the players that weren't at their best or missed last year Dom Tyson, imo at his best is a genuine A grader, if he gets back to his best next year it is a huge asset for us. Jack Trengove, if he gets anywhere near his best it's another Angus Brayshaw, and the way he's moving at the moment, i'm optimistic Dean Kent, missed a good chunk, but i seriously rate this bloke, hard and tough, line breaker with genuine speed and knows how to sniff out a goal, genuine point of difference. Christian Petracca, could have a Hogan-like influence if his training form is anything to go off Jack Watts, i know alot won't agree with this, but i thought he had an extremely good patch of footy for a about 7 rounds in 2015 where he was hard, tackling, running hard and looked very much a player, i really think we can see that consistently this year and justify re-signing him. Christian Salem, Kids a gun, a strong pre season and some midfield time and i think this is his year. and then the newbies who all show good signs.

See Tim Lane's article in The Age On drugs, AFL's small world has to embrace the bigger issue Best thing written critical of AFL and Essendrug.

For anyone who has Fox Footy you would know that they have a whole month dedicated to the current stars of our game in the likes of Fyfe, GAJ, Franklin Hodge, Riewoldt etc.. Everey day they will have a different star with full match highlights of their best games. Every now and then il switch over and have a look as I don't mind watching our games great full gear at it. I wake up this morning gobsmacked that they have a whole day dedicated to Trent Cotchin .. spare me seriously? good player but he hasn't gotten a kick in all of Richmond's finals for the last 2 years. Goes missing when the heat goes up a notch. This is where the real stars of the game just go to another level. I also shake my head because if the likes of Cotchin can get a whole day to himself where is Bernie Vince who I rate extremely more highly then Cotchin and impacts the game more then he does. Give me the leadership and courage of Nathan Jones over Cotchin aswell. So in other words yes I think Cotchin is overated and Fox Footy have got this one wrong..

Unfortunately 'Chris' it seems to be the norm for major sporting bodies these days. It would be a welcome change to see a well run organisation where integrity is not just another word for spin.

I'm not sure RDB's state of health is really something for discussion on a forum, except to wish him well. Respect is the word that comes to mind.

What a load of absoulute crap from the same man who said "Get me the good stuff we are playing Carlton this week" your players have not been cleared James ..They aree in front of WADA & CAS as we speak. You are completely delusional James Hird....

Great Man-there is no one here who would wish him anything but the best of luck. Except for the bag snatchers on Fitzroy St .

It's a bit rich for Hird to be talking about the booing of Adam Goodes when it was the supporters of his club, who, on the evening of May 17th 2014 booed umpire Troy Pannell as he was stretchered off (collected by Malceski) and also started booing Goodes following an incident with a Dons' player. Whilst Goodes had been copping criticism on social media for a while in the lead up to that game, as far as I'm aware it was the first time he was booed at a match.

My prediction, he signs an extension with Port.

A little harsh on old Alex Watson there Ted. Nothing wrong with drinking 437 coffees before 11am is there?

This is [censored]! I had just started healing and was ready to move on from the Toumpas/Wines horror, especially nearing Xmas lunch and lobster! Fmd.

He said a few years ago he sadly has dementia. If you come across those supporters again maybe give them some advice on his condition and what respect might look like.

Headed to training with my 5 y/o daughter who loved meeting Jack Watt's and getting a photo with Jonesy. Both of those are her favourites, and Jack in particular knows how to win the kids over. Spent most of my time talking to my young one, so can't comment on the training per se, but have to make a special mention on Sam Weideman, who was having a chat when Todd Viney called him away. He went out of his way to come and find me afterward to continue our chat. He comes off as a very articulate, respectful kid who seems extremely happy to be at the Melbourne footy club.

About time someone in the media pointed out the absolute failings of the culture of the AFL. This is just one of the reasons I don't consider them elite in any way.

This might seem the most prudent path. Whether it's round 3 or another. Just start him with a half or so for a few games and monitor closely.No sense undoing all the hard work. He's proving to be made of stern stuff with laudable mettle. Bravo to the lad. But ease back into it son.

My mail is GC or Demons it's a two horse race like paddy and his mum is desperate for him to come home

Richmond have how many members? 60k +? Supply and demand is behind this pure and simple. If we had that many members they'd probably have Nathan Jones and Matt Jones highlight packages on there.

Keep safe Gorgo

Tim Lane. One of the very few to have a clear perspective on this debacle and to have remained consistently so.

I have nothing but respect for RDB, my question was related to his health. If he is unwell I wish him well. I don't like supporters walking about muttering innuendo about his health.

Yes, but they're nasty furriners and we're Aussies. What aren't you understanding about that? (Oh, except for Warnie, Stuart O'Grady, those Cronulla guys, that Olympic fencing guy, ...)

That's a pretty big statement. I'm fairly confident he will play on with port. Of course he wants a short term contract, he's just turned 21 and would be well aware that by the time he turns 23/24 he could command a giant pay check. Which is precisely why Port want to lock him in long term. There's still a year to go on his contract, Ollie and Port will likely meet in the middle at some point during the year and he will re-sign.

It was great to see the one and only RDB turn up. Signed autographs and posed in photos.

Dropped into training last morning and the sun was well and truly burning the yard arm. Th guys had a fair bit of sweat going. Its not any better today. Gus and Spencer were wrestling at the opposite end. Goal shooting was happening and they were spread along the arc, Kent was revving the boys. Gawn was dropping them on his foot in a pretty good way, maybe we'll see of that next year. Kent looks fit and happy. The guys look like a team with a good camaraderie. Salem is primed for a big season and without the expectation, should be a good one. It was great to see quite a few people there. You can feel it changing, we are going to smash some teams next year.

jnrmac, can you explain what you mean (or what you think McLachlan meant)? CAS is a tribunal charged with making a decision whereas ASADA is the body charged with making an investigation, I'm unclear what it is that makes CAS more prepared than ASADA.

Let's see him do two weeks of full training then assess when he will play.

Wines strikes me as the loyal type. Can't see him leaving Port unless he has issues with the club.

This is good news, and I think there is a definite strategy by MFC , whether we eventually land Wines and Prestia or not, there's no doubt we have been in their ear for a couple of years now. The ties are obvious with the Wines and Viney families, and the Prestia family being big supporters of the club. We may have traded our first pick next year, knowing that to complete the puzzle we had one of Prestia or Wines, or both, coming in 2017.

I know a lot on here don't listen to them but when The Weed starts doing some of his best work he will become a Tripple M favourite in no time.

I'd be very surprised to ever see him leave Port Adelaide, but given his best friend (Jack) and his old footy mentor (Todd) are both at the MFC, you would think that having both of them in his ear might sway him if he were to decide to leave Alberton. We've got a solid young group of competitors, a good coach, play at the home of football and should be entering our window in a couple of years. I can understand that he doesn't like the idea of playing for a club that "passed" on him, but most people at the club from that time are gone.

I don't understand why people hold this view. A number of posters who have spoken to Ollie have relayed back that he has no intention of ever coming here.

Are you saying that a Channel 10 Report, has left you in no doubt that he will leave Port before 2017?

Thanks Ultimate', I only get to a few sessions each preseason. I'll get to some more after the break. I'm not connected with the club apart from being a lifelong supporter and member. It gives me the opportunity to combine a couple of passions in photography and the Dees and happy to share. Hope you and your family have a joyful Christmas as well. And a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all Demonlanders DCLXVI aka Six6Six

it certainly clashes with good taste, but

It was great to see Viv out and about today on the track. He seemed optimistic and I really hope he will have a great season! Go Viv!! U.D.

We've officially arrived as a club if we can trade in Prestia while re-signing Hogan and Tyson on long term deals in 2016.

Obviously a hot morning at training; I went down and had a bit of a look around. Without going into detail a few things of interest to me were... Jack Trengove looks in great shape and was doing a little bit of short kicking, fingers crossed for 2016. Bernie Vince doing some hard half ground running whilst his finger heals, looking very fit is Bernie. I think some might forget that he had little to no preseason last year and despite getting the golden pass won the Bluey. A fit Vince will be even better for us in 2016. Not sure what's wrong with 'H' but he didn't seem to be doing any kicking and kept handing the ball off to Trenners. Maybe he was there as the ball boy. Dom Tyson drew the recovery short straw and had a running session with Crossy (so happy he is still around the club). I remarked a week or so back that it looked like he had a bit of a calf problem so they are handling him with care pre the break. Weideman at this stage looks like a kid, he is. I will be interested to watch his progress as we move into the new year and start of the season, his intensity is not there at the moment. If the teams were selected now he would be a way off, March could be a very different proposition. I wouldn't be as complimentary on his kicking as 'DemonTux' but I might have just seen a few of the bad ones & as I say his intensity is not there yet. Petracca is a gun, yep I know he hasn't played a game but he will do what Hogan did in 2015 and take the competition by storm. Apart from his ability he is a real character out there on the track. Oliver is another that seems to have a bit of go about him, doesn't like being beaten and seems to have settled right in.

And stated with confidence that he will be playing next year!

The something something was the refurbishment of Leighoak which PJ said would cost approx $1 million (that's from memory. could be wrong)

- A/c was working! - Paul Roos not there. - Big round of applause from all in attendance when GB mentioned 2 year contract extension for PJ - Club was aiming internally for 7 wins this season. Didn't say they were satisfied with that, as could/should have won many more, but just that it was their target. - PJ went through financials, happy with progress. Expects profit next year in the range of $300-$400k. Provided reason for slight drop but dont remember specifics. Was something to do with extra costs related to the refurbishment of something, somewhere... - Life members presented. Rivers & the Skipper got up to speak, Sylvia absent as he had shoulder reconstruction yesterday. - Only question of note from the floor is why the AGM is being conducted a week before Christmas rather than the usual early Feb. Answer was that it is a better time of year to do it as in Feb (2016) we want to be gearing up for new season, rather than looking back. - New players introduced. Olivier is quite a bit taller than I expected. Melksham, Weed, Bugg & Olivier all did a quick interview with Goodwin. Oliver a bit like a deer in headlights. Poor fella looked very nervous. Made reference to himself being a dead ringer to Jordie McKenzie which got a good laugh. - Goodwin is a very funny man - Saty has spray painted his hair fluro orange

Hey! Everybody chill. I posted the picture because it was JT and this is the JT progress thread not the free hit at Saty thread. Get back on thread. Keep this crap up and I'll think twice about posting pictures at all.

Sorry, All my fault. But I don't think it's saty.

I'm most likely on my own here, but I couldn't give a rats what any other club wears. I'm also disappointed with myself for clicking on the link that took me to the Essendon site. That said, it is clearly offseason when posters are banging on about our clash strip. It gets done to death every year. I know the simple option is not to read a thread that I have no interest in, so I will just do that!

I don't understand this. We all knew of his "unique" style. Why not just take note of the stuff that was of interest ( and yes there was some interesting titbits in his reports regarding some training and some debuts that were imminent) and ignore the stuff you didn't like. What I found unfair is that many did not debate with him on contentious football/player issues - I thought he was demeaned mainly because of his "fanboy" style. Whilst I was not a big the fluffy stuff I just ignored those parts and took interest in things I found relevant. No...a bloke who went regularly to training and took the time to post was hounded off this site.

The training threads are much more enjoyable, and far easier to read now. No endless bickering while one bloke defends his pets beyond all reason. Its great that he doesn't post any more. He hounded himself off the site.

His hounding off this site by the selfish minority is a loss to all of us. We all have difference interests and focuses when it comes to training reports and Saty provide a unique perspective. It personally doesn't interest me what drills the players are doing but I don't berate posters for posting that information. He was a pain in the bum at times but there isn't a poster on this site who isn't now and again. A sad loss. I hope I can catch up with him on Friday and find out what's happening. I'll be sure to keep it to myself to avoid upsetting some.

No matter how you perceive him I for one miss his training reports and contact with the players.