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I watched training for 1.5 hours this arvo. -Trenners and Petracca were inside on the bikes. No Heritier or Newton and Pedo came out mid-session and walked laps. -Bernie, Tyson, Gus, AVB, Neville, Spencil, Dawes and Frost made up the re-hab group who did a shite load of running. They did mostly repeat 80 meter sprints on the opposite oval and then timed efforts around where the players trained. Dawes looked super fit and outran Neville and Spencer. Frost did a lot less than the rest but didn't look too resticted. AVB was the standout in this group. -Most drills focused on how the coaches want the team to play. E.g. where to stand at stoppages, how to defend when the opposition have the ball inside our 50, ball movement. Drills were stopped if coaches were unhappy with how they went or players were unsure about how to set up. The kids like Liam H and Weideman seemed to be the main infringes here, which makes sense. -Intensity was very good. Everything was done at 100%. -Dean Kent was the stand out in the session with his hard running, tackling and his voice the features.

Wayne nailed most of what I saw live. Petracca and Trengove might have an extra week off due to doing more training before the break. Lumumba and Newton presumably training inside. Frost, Dawes, Jetta, Spencer in one rehab group. Half our midfield - Vanders, Tyson, Brayshaw, Vince in another. I reckon Tyson must be close to getting back in full training, he's powering along. The runs at the end of training are interesting. 4 different groups doing 200m's based on ability then after a few of them they go in to sprints. What I found interesting is that some of the better endurance runners aren't in the top couple of sprint groups and vice versa. For instance Jayden Hunt kills them in the sprints but is in the bottom endurace group, same with Garland who's low down in the endurance but in a higher group for the sprints. Positives from today: - Jesse looking fit and happier - Jack Watts' running and voice - Nath Jones heavily involved - Weideman's hands - Jack Viney effortlessly tackling people in clearance drills just by being near them - Overall skill level by foot Still think there's room for improvement with the voice and energy and I think getting out of trouble/working through traffic has a way to go as well.

... Roos sounds suitably p*ssed off: “Christian’s rehab up until this point has been going really well, but when you’re an AFL player, you need to understand that everything you do impacts your ability to prepare and contribute to the team and this incident is clearly an interruption. ... It’s a harsh lesson for Christian, but one we are sure he is going to learn from as he develops as an AFL player.”

A great rap from Roos for Hunt: “Hunty’s really grown – literally. He now has an AFL body and he’s got elite speed, which we’re starting to see at training. He’s come out of his shell a bit with his personality. It’s been hard for him, when you’re not playing and you’ve been out injured for most of the time. Now, he’s back in training and really enjoying it and doing well, so he’s starting to have an impact, which is good.” – Paul Roos For a while there Hunt was struggling to make an impact even at Casey and some doubted he would get a new contract. We don't really have players with 'elite speed' and with 'an AFL body' but given Roos comments he will get his chances in 2016. He provides more competition for the on-baller spots...at 187cm he is one of the taller guys vying for those 10-12 roles. Looking forward to a really good year from him be it at Casey or the seniors. Just hope he stays injury free and has a really good run at it.

Without doubt the most disappointing part of this is not the fact that he's coming back from an injury but the lengths the club went to, flying him to America for consultation with specialists/rehab. Going above and beyond to ensure he has the best recovery and then this. Dumb, dumb, dumb. And yes I've made mistakes in my life but I'm not a highly paid sportsman surrounded by specialists.

is there anything in the ASADA code which stops us from taking Weideman's hands and putting them on Chris Dawes' arms?

Is that a New Zealand backman ?

I watched young Sam destroy the Northern Blues last year, reminded me a bit of Jesse actually, if he can stay fit those two will be a very dangerous combo

I'm not [censored] about the injury. I'm [censored] about how he did it. In the US, most athletes aren't allowed to engage in physical activity outside of that approved by the team. When they do, they need a team approved trainer with them. Michael Jordan had the famous "For The Love Of The Game" clause in his contract (that's where the saying comes from) that permitted him to play basketball whenever he wanted under any circumstance. I find it strange that AFL clubs don't already have a "don't mess around and play backyard sport" as part of the contract. Simply telling a 20-year-old that's bouncing off the walls with energy not to play backyard sports over Christmas isn't enough. No doubt that if any club put this in the contract, the AFLPA would breathe fire down their necks.

Would love to help out, but all my old bad memories have been replaced by newer, even badder memories.

Frankly, l saw the recruitment of Frost partly as a response to the loss of Frawley (not Frawley as the reinvented forward but Frawley as the AA Fullback)! I feel our strategy should be grooming Weideman and Hulett for the Forward line and O. McDonald, Frost and Wagner as defenders.

I'll travel to whichever venue in the country for it.

Sure Weideman - Looks to be a smooth mover with good hands. I'm still trying decide if he'll be physically ready for senior footy. He's got a big frame & looks strong already through his core but lacks upper body strength. He doesn't look out of place. Hulett - I'm going out on limb here, this guy can play. I can see him playing the lead up forward working up and down the ground. He impressed me today with speed, size & attack on the ball. I also work with a guy who was involved with his junior club and says he's a freak who's been incredibly unlucky with injury. King - Not sure yet, obviously big ruckman take time.

Just got back home from training. While overall standard was up, there was an increase in size to our rehab group with Dawes and Frost now joining the other pre-Xmas regulars - but given what they were doing with running, I suspect they are not major issues. The big disappointment was no CP5 - although someone did say they saw him on the bike. Brayshaw, Trengove and Dom Tyson looked like they must be getting close to rejoining the main group, while Spencil, Dawes and Jetta did plenty of running so not major concerns I think and Vince has to wait a couple more weeks for finger to heal properly. Only Frosty looked to be given a very limited program, so he's one that now appears unlikely for first pre-season game, although we still have almost two months. A fair bit of running was done and not that much hard tackling work - overall it was more of a fitness session, so it was hard for players to stand out - Watts still wins the short sprints though, while T-Mac had trouble containing Grimes, Jones, Melksham and a few others in the 150m repetitions. Salem was in the best group with T-Mac, which is a good sign. The highlight for me was watching Gawny smash the remedial runners group across the other side of the ground. That group included Dunny, Jeffy, Kent, so big Maxy is looking the part.

I broke my pinky toe (like pointing sideways) on GF day taking the dog for a run behind my push bike. Not a good idea when pist and wearing thongs, particularly trying to navigate the gap between a couple of bollards. Anyway, wth it buddied up to the other toes I was able to run comfortably in 4 weeks and kick with full power at 6 weeks. I hope Trac is as tough and durable as myself when it comes to toe injuries.

How do you know its not serious? The sam frost injury has proved regardless how small the injury is dont ever underestimate the serverity later down the track.

Are you serious?! Can't believe how many people have the same opinion as you on this. He's an athlete playing sport in his off-time- what do you expect he does?!?! "Sorry sir, you're on 70k a year and a bunch of middle age Melbourne supporters rely on you being good to keep their life sane so no sport or potential risk of injury other than AFL all year round." I get everyone is upset that he's missing pre-season, as am I, but surely we can recognise that part of playing good football is not just a good football club but it's happiness outside of football as well. I only hope he was shooting hoops with Brayshaw, Hoges and Viney as they enjoyed a cold beverage building a friendship.

absolutely fuming

Freaking idiot. Playing a stupid sport like basketball, well there goes a round one debut. The club needs to tell these people, no bloody other sports until their AFL career is done. Im so [censored] off at this.

Cheers

It's always a relief when a thread's bumped and I haven't posted in it...

Yeah... You have got the wrong person mate. I was in the camp that we had to get Brayshaw in our round 1 side asap after he dominated those 3 Casey Games. While some wanted him to develop at Casey I have always said that If a player is ready and has AFL potential traits they'll develop quicker at AFL level than VFL level, bit like Wines, Selwood Martin etc. They adapt to the quicker game style and skill that that the VFL lack. I fact if you want to have a read yourself and even a bit of a laugh here it is. http://demonland.com/forums/topic/38117-does-brayshaw-play-round-1/?page=2 I also put Clayton Oliver in the same boat too.

Heard of collective bargaining? The clubs can try but is it reasonable? Are you sure about that US sports stat. NBA players often play pick up games in the off season, how about Kyrie jumping around in the Uncle Drew ads. Tom Brady jumped off a cliff in his off season. No one complains about Nathan Jones surfing regularly. Every chance to pick up an injury doing that even as an experienced surfer. Yet most of us realise it's good for his mind and body. I'm not thrilled with Petracca but I think I'll leave it to Roosy to manage it.

The fact that he's on a limited program coming off an ACL is probably worse from my perspective. What if he ruptured his ACL again playing a backyard game of basketball? He probably shouldn't be doing it at this stage of his recovery. If I was on serious coin playing pro footy I would personally think twice about taking part in sport outside of club training & matchday.

Let's look at the positive......it will keep him off his feet so he can't do another ACL in the next 4 weeks!

Let's hope this isn't a Frost toe. He's young but he definitely needs to learn not to take risks. We pay him lots of money to play footy, not to play backyard basketball with his mates.

Everyone just needs to calm down.. at least its not long term hopefully.. FFS CHRISTIAN WTF WERE YOU THINKING!!!? FK!!

So stupid.

FMD

Melbourne has one of the best young midfield lists in the league. I am stoked at how our midfield is actually shaping up with pure aggression mixed with talent.

I spoke to an insider recently and came away with two main points: VB - The club are expecting big things from him this year, he's very highly rated despite a slow start to his pre season. Truck - He's a forward. I've been pessimistic for the best part of the last decade, but It's hard not to get excited about 2016/17! It's coming folks!

I don't think the issues of being "young men" and skin folds etc are mutually exclusive Curry. Players can and do have a break over Christmas (beer snakes come to mind) but within that context there is also a measure of fitness to maintain. They are given a break to do one but paid to do the other.

They got break while others were playing finals. If that's all they want out of their careers they can F off & give me a break.

Shepherding is a fast disappearing play in football. The choice has become shepherd and hope that it is successful to allow your teammate free passage as opposed to not shepherding but create your own space to take the ball as your teammate takes the tackle. Where we have been poor is we haven't shepherded or made space to take the receive. You have got to do one or the other.

From memory you argued with me last year about Brayshaw, I said he'd play round 1 and play 20 games. You and others kept harping on about him developing at Casey. Last year I said Hogan would kick over 40 - 50 goals and was ridiculed for "unrealistic expectations". Of course, my expectations were never unrealistic and based purely on what I'd seen and sensible analysis. Petracca is no different. If his confidence is in the right place he will have a Hogan like season and kick 30 goals. Start searching for pie recipes now.

Over many years we have had quality and potential come into the club only to see that potential never realised. Finally, I believe we have the coaching expertise in place, that will eek every bit of talent out of these youngsters. I am very excited. (slap me Old Dee - I'm getting too giddy)

I see Frost in the long-term as a backman, but perhaps the plan is to use him as the 2nd ruck/forward option while players like Weideman, Hulett and the Kings develop. I suspect that one day he will take over Dunn's role in the backline. He looks much more natural down back than he does up forward.

I'd say 40 goals would be nice?

No we wouldn't. I wouldn't. And I'd marry JV if Mrs P would let me. They are just fluffy words. Whose saying them is irrelevant. Clearly a lot the fans are done with fluffy words. By all means talk about the fantastic change of culture and mindset. But don't expect everyone to actually give a damn. Not until we are buying tickets to the football in September. Seeing is believing.

Blah, Blah .... Blah, blah, blah.

If there's an interview with a player, they're criticised because it's "only words" and meaningless. If there's no interview with players, the club is criticised because of a lack of communication. Damned if you do, damned if you don't. (Not sure what exactly people expect them to say ...)

One thing that I hope the interchange cap will get rid of is the goal scorer being sat on the bench immediately after scoring. I have never seen the sense in that move at all and will not be sorry to see the end of it.

Poor Sam... lol but no one better to learn then Jesse who is one of the best contested marks in the AFL.

Seeing that Watts thread was locked yesterday guys, do you think we can turn this in to our new Jack Watts thread?

Full packet of smokes hidden in there?

Dawes WAS in rehab group today but was running a series of 800 metre sprints at an impressive speed and easily accounted for Jetta and Spencer ( no surprise ) who were doing the same manouvres Of more significance to me was that Dawes was noticeably bigger and muscular than his leaner ,paleo-inspired body last year. He actually looked amazing?

I used to live next to the park, it's a gravel track and very forgiving surface to run on. (None of you ever had to watch sex in the city obviously, because the cute brunette used to run around the lake all the time, i think they call it Jackie Onassis reservoir or similar). It is actually a ripper place to go for a run as there are some super serious athletes who motor around the park. If he had run there earlier last year he would have seen me kick a sherrin to my son with us both in Melbourne jumpers. The only real danger around the park for Jack is doing his foot turning around to check out the candy. Some seriously cute girls get down to the park to run (Broadway actresses and similar).

Yeah but having said that, there's every chance Oliver will do what Brayshaw did and make a real contribution too as I mentioned elsewhere, Viney+Vanders+Salem+Tyson missed 33 games between them last year then there's Kennedy, Melksham and Bugg That's 12 players mentioned who are poised to contribute something they did not last year.. that means sweeping lineup changes Exciting

Mixed feelings about the Goodwin/Hexarelin thing. I really disapprove of the demonstrated casual attitude to having banned drugs around ... and I don't mean cold tablets, but growth hormones and hormone act-alikes. You'd think any upright official would have their hair stand on end at the very thought of such stuff on the premises. If only in fear of the consequences should ASADA come knocking, let along any side effects on the players' health. On the other hand ... there is a suspicion that many clubs were "on the edge" with "supplements" (a few seconds thought conjures the names of several clubs) and if there was a culture throughout AFL clubs of tolerance if not outright approval, then it may be unfair to single out Goodwin. The AFL sure didn't want to find out anything in their amazingly efficient "audit" of the 17 other clubs ... "Attention all clubs ... we will be auditing your use of supplements ... attention ... attention ... we're coming in ... (have you shredded your documents yet?) ... here we come ready or not ... well how about that! No evidence of supplement abuse! What a relief." (I recognise that it's highly likely that no other club was doing it on the industrial scale that EFC were.) Doesn't mean he wasn't in the wrong but unless we were party to the MFC interview with Goodwin, we'll never know what they asked and why they didn't lower the boom gate. But don't be surprised if WADA lower the boom gate on him instead. It's still very possible.