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Just left Gosch's Paddock. Skipper was the only noticeable absentee. Started out watching the rehab group which included Petracca, Vince, JKH, Newton, Lumumba, and M.King. Petracca, Vince and Lumumba looked in great physical condition and didn't look too far off re-joining the main group. The main group were doing a bunch of drills which seemed to have an emphasis on ball movement through the corridor. Goodwin was in charge and seems a natural leader. McCartney was providing constant encouragement and tips to the players. Of the players that stood out to me, Vandenberg looks set for a huge season, is in pristine condition and was all class - particularly by foot. Jayden Hunt provided an inspirational run down tackle on Harmes in one of the drills and the boys got around him. Just on Hunt, I was super impressed by his performance on the track today. Neal-Bullen was also in pretty good form and was probably the loudest player out there. Bugg left the track early with some kind of niggle in his right leg and didn't return. I'm so rapt to see Trengove training with the main group. Brayshaw was super in the match simulation and Weideman kicked a lovely goal from a tough angle 45m out. He still has a ways to go though. Oliver's positioning at the stoppages was impressive for such a young player and was often the first disposal in the chain. Everyone was in high spirits and you get the sense the boys are itching to get into the real stuff.

Ahem... It’s been a while coming, but I’m finally back on the track. The last month and a bit I really apologise for not being able to make it down - firstly the Aus Open shifted training anyway, and then uni got really hectic. Summer school does that when you try to pack everything into a very short period of time. So yeah sorry for not being able to get a few reports down. Regardless, I’m finally at Gosch’s for the first time in a long time and the scene somewhat surprises, a couple of players are already into their rehab and there’s a few players here and there doing extras. It’s a credit to the work Roosy has done to ensure that players are a lot more thorough and professional in their training habits. It certainly would not have been seen under Neeld. One thing that maybe the club can perhaps invest in is a new cloth – the cloth used still has the old Schwab logo emblazoned all over it. Irrespective, I carry on. Jay Kennedy-Harris is the first player to walk past of those who isn’t doing any form of rehab – I would say that he’s somewhat more shredded than the last time I was here. Clearly the boys are putting in a lot, especially in their upper bodies, from everything I’ve read and seen. Looking further up and I notice Heritier Lumumba in the rehab group – even he’s looking a little bit slimmer than the last time I saw him train. Perhaps the most pleasing aspect of one of the first to arrive is the fact that there is an umpire walking across. Can’t work out who it is but that only means one thing – match simulation. You beauty. Not entirely unexpected because our first game is in 12 days, but that also means I get to have a serious look at what Goodwin has planned for us. That’s pretty exciting. So some Billy Stretch’s to get into it. Christian Petracca is having a bit of a kick-to-kick with Crossy and Max King over on the near side. Christian’s still looking fit and is starting to kick the ball around. I don’t realistically expect him to play in Round One to be honest. Not unless he absolutely kills it in whatever NAB Challenge game he’s slated to play. Expect him in the VFL to start with. Put him on your SuperCoach bench. The first drill is split up into two groups, one of them doing a handball drill where they have to work their way past a defender who’s wearing a bib, the other group doing some kicking drills. There’s a couple of things I notice. The first of which is Sammy Frost looking really strong on the training track, which is really pleasing – of course Sammy had his injury issues throughout all of 2015 with that toe of his and I’m really looking forward to him giving Hogan a chop out up forward this season. The other is Jack Trengove. Also a well-documented case in 2014/15, and I’m pretty sure regulars who’ve either gone to the track or seen photos of him circulate on social media know how ripped he is. It’s really promising to see him running at a good pace, using the ball as if he was never gone and backing himself to take on faux defenders as well. It’s really promising to see. The second drill is a full grounder and more or less I’m keeping my eye in on the new blokes more than the ones who were in the best 22 last season. Sammy Weideman is the first I’m keeping an eye on as part of our hopeful future forward line dynasty. The pleasing thing is Weideman’s looking really good out on the track to start with physically. He’s moving around really well after coming off that well documented five-month injury layoff. There’s still a bit to work on, and that combined with just getting some regular game time into the bloke means that Casey supporters will be seeing a lot of him to start off with. Which is understandable and I’m willing to wait. ‘Clarry’ Oliver is the next bloke who comes across over to the far side where I’ve found myself. Early indicators are everything I’ve expected from a bloke who’s been a rather late bloomer, but also one who has a truckload of potential. He does not miss a beat with his kicking. It is probably the definition of ‘low and hard’ which I hear on the regular. If there’s something I question about him it’s probably his explosiveness off the mark, but then again it’s the first time I’ve seen him in full training. I’m now happily convinced I might see him play a number of games this year. Not as many as Gus Brayshaw managed straight off the bat, but I’m expecting Neal-Bullen and Stretch-like amounts of games (so around 10 then). The next drill passes by and it’s a bit of a change up from what I’ve seen previously. There’s four groups – one which wears white vests, one which wears green, one in pink and one wearing their normal jumpers. The aim of the drill sees one team try to move the ball as quickly as possible through the ground, mostly incorporating good decision making and use through the middle. While the other group sits out, they are asked to sprint from the near-side wing to the goalsquare. Some things which are pretty evident – Tom McDonald continues to up his leadership game as he organises the defense, where he also makes some excellent tackles whilst defending. The drill also sees a bit of an injury scare for Dean Terlich, who lays a tackle then gets up relatively gingerly, holding his right ankle. After some consultation with a physio, Terlich is able to jog off, but it’s certainly the last thing he needs as he battles to get back into the side. The drill, irrespective, carries on. Another bloke who continues to impress with his decision making and ability is Salem. He always seems to find a bloke in space, even under pressure. It’s a very special ability he has and I’m hoping that he can make the most of what is hopefully a move to the midfield for season 2016 which is exactly what I want to see. Hopefully he stays injury-free. Additionally, a bloke who’s really flying under the radar as a candidate to see more gametime in 2016 is Oscar McDonald. What I’ve really noticed is that his improvement has been every bit as rapid as brother Tom’s. His running and ball use in this drill is very good. I think he certainly has the ability to win a spot in that Melbourne defense, particularly now that Melksham is out for the year. When you look back at his performance against the Giants in Round 23, I’d back him in for sure. The next drill is a bit of a change up, similar in nature to the previous drill but now much more tightly confined to one area of the ground and split into three groups. Both the group in front of the faithful and the one on the wing are trying to clear the ball either end – the one in the 50 are either trying to kick a goal (white vests) or are trying to get a clearing kick (jumpers), whereas the one on the far-side wing encourages more handball when trying to clear the area. On the near-side wing there’s an interesting quartet – Tom McDonald, Sam Weideman, Mitch King and Cam Pedersen. All four are working on their one-on-ones. The inclusion of Pedersen as a defender intrigues me in a sense, given that a lot of our supporters rate him as a forward higher than even Dawes. Then again, with Frost coming in and Pedersen still (in my eyes anyway) a member of the best 22, you have to put him somewhere. Anyway, I can’t help but admit that it’s pretty exciting seeing Weideman manage to beat McDonald in a one-on-one. As for King, he is regularly outpointed by McDonald, highlighting how much development he needs to get games. It’s a very eye-opening experience seeing the difference between a developing forward and a top-line defender. As the groups chop and change, there’s some pretty ordinary news with the sight of Tom Bugg heavily limping. It appears to be a right ankle injury, and seriously struggles to stay upright when he puts pressure on his foot with his boot off. Bugg leaves the track, his NAB Challenge campaign somewhat clouded at the moment. Bit of a highlight and reinforced confidence comes when Kent pursues a high ball which was kicked as the boys move off to their next drill, and marks at full tilt. Quickly, he then delivers a low sort-of chizzler to Harmes. Maybe not massive in the scheme of things normally but remember Kenty is coming off a hamstring tear which completely ruined his 2015 season, and he’s looking good out on the track. Pretty significant in terms of his fitness if you ask me. This next drill that I mention is a little closer to match simulation but there’s a great big flood of about 30 players trying to get the ball in one half of the ground, perhaps even only inside the forward 50. The jumpers have the ball first and work their way to about 20 out where Alex Neal-Bullen takes a good mark under pressure, and converts. The green vests side works their way up in a far more unconventional manner, which sees short kicks and switches aplenty. In particular, there’s a really good switch from Oliver which is rather impressive. The boys then get into a boundary throw in situation, and what impresses me is Vandenberg winning the ball from a Max Gawn tap, then progressing to work about 60-65 metres to win the ball on the opposite wing, delivering a good ball inside 50. Another instance seems to be bringing out the weird and wonderful today – Gawn CRUMBS a marking contest and gets the hands to Viney. Yep, it’s all happening. Speaking of Viney, he has been everywhere in this drill, collecting seven touches, a couple of clearances and a goal to boot in this drill. He has really taken his second half of the season by the scruff of the neck and looks to be building to an even bigger 2016. Remember, he played 16 games. He missed out on the B&F by just one votes to Vince who we all thought was a dead set machine all season. Viney is an animal. As the sides are changed around a little to even things up (the jumpers have provided much of the play), Kennedy and Vandenberg (who has also gathered plenty of the footy in this drill) combine for a svelte Kennedy snap around the body for a goal. While Kennedy still has a knock on his decision making which has again been fairly evident today, that kind of goal sense will be handy for us this year and it’s enough to see him in my SuperCoach side at the moment – albeit on the bench. Another couple of things I take out of this drill is that Gus Brayshaw looks to be carrying on his solid debut season, and collects around about nine touches and kicks a goal. Hogan (I surprisingly haven’t mentioned his name a lot, if at all) has had a very solid session, and although Dunn manages to get a hand on a marking attempt, Hogan’s cat-like reflexes allow him to outpoint Dunn on the ground. He still very much looks the player he was last season – set shot still on point, and really getting into a really good rhythm now. The only true difference you see with big Hoges’ is his electric green boots which are slightly less fluoro than mine – or so I’d like to think anyway. I’m just hoping I have something over him which isn’t our ages. Annoyingly, despite the boys heading off into match simulation, a combination of my mother returning from the Harbour City and Mernda starting training at 6 meant that I had to bugger off. Nevertheless, I remain very happy with the improvements the boys have shown since I last saw them train in December. Couple of other things I take out of it -There is an intraclub on Friday at Casey Fields at around 9:45 in the morning -Following the Dees/Dogs game at Craigieburn on the 6th of March there will be a practise match involving the women’s teams

Just got back from training too, got there from about 2.15pm when the warm up drills were finishing. The first part of training consisted of standard drills and not much to report, but a few things caught the eye. I noticed that a few of the younger key position talls (Wiedeman, King, Hulett etc) were doing some contest work and it was mostly about body positioning and jostling, but that the actual mark was pretty much left uncontested. I thought this was strange as surely it would be useful to practice marking with more pressure on the mark itself. But Tom McDonald came over and showed how it was done and later on Hogan also got involved in this drill. His spinning moves and jostling really are great to watch, he tries everything to get space on his opponent. Also noticed a handball drill where players would handball sideways 3-4 times either towards the boundary or into the centre square. It seemed the emphasis was on switching the play but not necessarily handballing backwards. There was still an offensive feel to it. I also thought that handballing was used quite a bit over the top to break a press, which worked half the time, but relied on good long handpasses and also would fall apart if an opponent pressed up onto the next contest from the other direction. Hunt really does catch the eye with his athletism and his run down on Harmes was great to see, which was a follow up from a spilled mark, so it was good to see him make amends. He also broke the pack nicely in a match simulation later, although I feel that sometimes he kicks in hope rather than finding and drilling to a target. Plenty of others were giving him encouragement and challenging him and I can see why, because if he becomes a proper 'footballer' rather than just a great athlete and an OK footballer, then he could be anything. The match simulation with two umpires later on in the session was pretty good. Plenty of stoppages held up play, but also some good breakaways too. Viney seemed to be in everything and Stretch is great to watch when he gets some space. Brayshaw just seems to know where to go and Gawn gets to so many contests and was doing well in some of the close in work by getting his hands free and the handball away. He really is hard to tackle to the ground. I though there was an overall attacking intent and plenty of mistakes were made, but the ball was generally moving forward and everyone was working hard to follow up on any mistakes. I think this will improve in actual games with our best 22 on the park, because keep in mind that the whole list was out there and most of the mistakes came from the inexperienced players. N Jones was a no show (should have taken the chance to ask Misson why) and Terlich seemed to hurt his ankle halfway through (Vanders tackle?), then got some treatment and left the track. He seemed to be walking ok so maybe just a rolled ankle. Some ladies nearby asked Petracca what the 'problem' was with him, but he laughed that off and said nothing, just need to put a few more weeks on the leg again after the moon boot came off. No issue with the knee or toe. He joked and said he'd be back by Round 22, but then said he'll be fine for Round 1 or at least that was the aim. Go Dees

It was Redleg who noticed last week that the club site was listing the following in the upcoming open training sessions: "Monday 15 February - Gosch's Paddock - 1.45am" So we dutifully turned up to the Paddock at about 1.30am together with a torch in anticipation of a solid post midnight training session. There were half a dozen other like-minded die hards in attendance and we were soon locked in conversation about whether the Truck would be training, how Trenners was shaping up and what Dawsy would be doing over the next four to six weeks. The crowd built up to about a dozen but there was no sign of any of the players. By 2.15am we were pretty certain that it would be a no show and a few of the punters started drifting off. My torch battery died at 2.30am but luckily some Melbourne Victory supporters happened along after a while and very obligingly gave us some of their spare flares to light our way back to our vehicles. It was our lucky night because we'd over parked in a two hour zone and the car hadn't been towed away. Redleg thinks it might have been a mistake and the open session is really at 1.45pm. There's a chance that he might roll up again later in the day but I'd call the club first. Thats all I have to report.

There didn't seem to be too much trouble sighting the players at the training session that I went to this afternoon. Apparently the lights were on so it was all on display to see. Injured and missing first: Jones not there. Dawes neither (not unexpectedly). Rehab group: Vince, Lamumba, Max King, JKH?, Petracca, Newton. All the rest were training with the main group including Trengove. * Petracca bandage on knee, which I didn't see last week. * JKH ran a lot of laps but didn't seem to have anything wrong, maybe just a training load situation. * Newton with tape on achilles. * Lamumba and Vince must be very close as both seem to be moving very freely. Lamumba putting in a 3.9 for 50m. Hope I don't jinx him because Dawes did a 3.6 last week, and look what happened to him. * Petracca complaining about having to do the continuous sprints. " there must be an easier way to do this apart from 30 times over..." * King must be just building up condition as there doesn't seem too much wrong with him either. The Rest: * Trengove moving freely and while I didn't see a left-foot kick, neither did he have to in the drills I watched. But he looks comfortable and is back in the game. * Hunt can move and as one of the conditioning coaches said: " he now has the body which can tolerate what the coaches want him to do". His speed will be a real asset come the main event. * I can't describe how good Max Gawn is with his mobility and quick hands. Then he is a mountain to get around when he sits in the goal-square. Watch out Todd Goldstein! * Joel Smith is a chip off the old man's block. He has a really good spring on him, and once the body is up to AFL standard, we might have something special * Hogan, Hogan, Hogan. What can you say! He is just seriously good, as if anyone didn't know that already. He owns the whole forward half and demands the ball when it comes his way. Poor Weideman had to take him one-on-one in a drill. What a lesson for the kid. * But Weideman was with the main group and while Hogan showed him how to play, he is like Smith someone who will develop quickly and has that something special. Never dropped the head, and knows how to get his own ball. * Oliver is already playing with the mids, and has trimmed down so much from his U18 days, he now needs to build up some muscle mass up top. Has the legs already and has the smarts and toughness. Might get a game at the end of the season, but then also nice to have him developing while Petracca and Kennedy and Trengove take up spots in the middle this year. * Kennedy showing plenty in the middle and will be up there for selection. Didn't see enough of Bugg to draw any conclusions. * Dunn is an absolute lock at FB and Col and Tom his permanent henchmen. Just solid all three. There is nothing like these older strong bodies when it comes to contests, and each of them holds their own. Not much more to add, but it would be nice to see Vince, Petracca and Lamumba back with the main group soon. It would give us nearly a full list going into round 1.

Couldn't resist dropping into Gosch's this afternoon to see if the rumours about Trengove recently returning to full training were true. H, JKH, Newton, Max King and Vince were all in rehab although most looked unhindered by their respective aliments and should hopefully be back in full training soon. Newton seems to be moving pretty well at the moment. Still has strapping on his ankle but was running laps with no obvious discomfort. H was doing some 100m sprints. Ran at a good pace and looked sharp, it really looked like he was galloping across the ground. Petracca seemed to switch between the rehab group and full training a couple times. Had his knee strapped as well (although this might be for his injury last year). Not sure where he is in terms of his fitness and if a NAB Challenge game or Round 1 are possibilities. In the main group, Captain Jones was the only noticeable absentee. As mentioned in earlier reports, today's drills were heavily focused on efficient ball movement. An early drill I took note of involved an in-close game of 'keepings off' where one group would quickly hand pass to each other while being pressured by the other group. O McDonald and Weideman made a couple blues here where their hand passes were smothered. Frost impressed me here. For a big lad, he has fast hands and can hit a target. He also nonchalantly hammered a 60m torp through the big sticks while waiting for the next round to start. Neal-Bullen also looked really sharp here. Next drill involved the full ground and players leading and kicking the ball to each other around the oval. Players would rotate around the oval as they completed their kick. Players in the forward group would lead up to the ball and then have a shot. There was a great moment when Stretch nailed a bullet pass to Weideman who subsequently played on, straightened, and kicked the goal through the big sticks. Kent, Dunn and Salem all looked especially classy here. For those wondering (like myself), yes, Trengove is in full training at the moment. Looks completely at home with no discomfort whatsoever. He kicked with his right foot. There was also some one on one training where Mitch King, T. McDonald, Hogan, Hulett and Weideman would pair up and compete to mark or spoil the ball. Although Weideman looked a bit out of his depth against McDonald, at times he showed great signs of his one on one ability. At one stage he completely out manoeuvred McDonald and marked in front of him. The final drill I stayed for was general match simulation practice. Jayden Hunt looked absolutely brilliant here, he has a real knack for breaking away from the pack with his speed (think Sam Blease but with more muscle and grunt). Laid some fantastic tackles and at one stage completely outplayed his opponent by spoiling his mark, subsequently crumbling the ball and delivering a brilliant pass to Sam Weideman who proceeded to kick the goal from a tight angle. I left soon after. All in all, the group is looking classy and starting to knuckle down for their first NAB Challenge match in 12 days time.

There was an amazing moment at training today where, during a full team kick-in simulation, Trengrove, cleverly intercepted the ball and fired the ball back over the head of the defender for a goal. The boys all stopped, grinned at each other and gave a loud cheer. There was an electric excitement that shot across the group. Optimism felt high.

Derailed even before any training has happened.

I think its a bit rich derailing this thread with an actual training report....

get stuffed

Would be great if Nasher could turn this into an emoticon..

Bit harsh on Ronald Dale, I believe his work from 80 to 85 played a large part in setting up our relative success 87 and through the early90's.

get stuffed ( small smiley face)

Even as old and grump as I am I cant help but feel genuine excitement when Kent plays. Love how he take a game on. This guy has some real "X" factor about him. When he's up I reckon other players will lift in tune; not that some need to but he has a spring in his step this lad

We hero worship our sports stars placing them on pedestals that have shaky foundations. Sometimes those stars maintain their high standards or distinguish themselves after retirement. Most simply and sensibly keep their faces out of the public spotlight. However, those that maintain a high public profile particularly those who remain in the football industry and football media are going to be watched, attract criticism and be judged. In some cases, their behaviour draws inevitable comment both from the public and the scandal obsessed media. The price of fame can be high for those who step out of line or behave outside societal norms. Garry Lyon and others pay that price. In Garry's case, I suspect that he will attract more derision and criticism because he himself has made public comments and pronounced judgement on many players and coaches. Personally, I would not judge his behaviour although I feel for those who have been hurt by not only his actions but also the actions of the other consenting party. I do know that depression and mental health is a major health problem in our society. This can drive self destructing behaviour or occur as a result of a stressful incident. Shame is a major cause of depression and suicide. The public should accept this on face value and understand that it is possible and highly probable that Garry does have a serious mental health issue. We should give him the benefit of doubt.

Again... 'I dislike him him because he shouldn't have come in to help when he didn't have the requisite experience to do the job.' When speculation of him coaching the MFC and he didn't put his hand up because he didn't have the experience and raw passion to be a coach.... the Demonland response... 'Why doesn't he give something back to the club? He's just lazy and wants easy money in the media etc.' Damned if ya do, damned if ya don't. Hypocrisy.

so "comfortable satisfaction" now has to be "irrefutable proof". just where do these journos get their basic legal skills from? reading bomberbliz probably.

Not sure what you're on about. This has nothing to do with 'our culture' or 'us as supporters'. If you don't agree with WJ's decision to close the original thread, you can appeal to the same Swiss court that will consider the Essendon doping saga. Best of luck.

So Garry Lyon is claiming MH issues because he had sex while he was single with a female who is also single? I don't doubt people have used MH as a cover up for a drug habit or other issues but I just can't see this being one of them. Either way, to me it's a private issue, I wish Garry well in his recovery. i believe the issue should be left here. No one knows the full facts and no good will come from conjecture.

Depends. If they're covered in tattoos I'd prefer he wore long sleeves.

Jesse grew up in Scarborough and is a Marist/Claremont zone boy, certainly wouldn't be heading into Northbridge, with a long list of friends from the Western suburbs. He still keeps in regular contact with a lot of the Claremont and Marist boys and catches up with them whilst he is back in Perth. I know a few of the lads he knocks about with and families he grew up with. In case you hadn't heard they have coffee here, Freo is well known for it. A lot of what I hear does little to concern me as to wanting to return to Perth, but until he signs there is always that doubt, there are some circumstances which concern me but whatever happens, it happens. I don't believe for 1 minute this nonsense he didn't like growing up in Perth. His family no longer lives in Perth but he spends a lot of his off season and in season his breaks back in Perth. He spends that time here, heading out with mates from his childhood. The main reason he would want to stay in melbourne is to stay with the new mates he has formed bonds with and to be part of something with them Jesse and his manager are playing this game perfectly he has 2 more years to run and barring a shocking injury his price will rise and rise. Currently you have Freo being talked about, they wont be throwing the kitchen sink money wise at Macarthy just more than GWS were offering, but don't think for one minute if there is any talk of him wishing to return that Meth Coast wont also be in the race. Josh Kennedy will be 30 next year so hardly commanding massive dollars or a long term contract. We currently have him and since Roos and co came on board we are certainly in the box seat and IMO he is ours to lose, we just need to keep this momentum going and keep heading in the right direction with this young core we have and not rest on our laurels. We will know by early 2017 what Jesse's intentions are

http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/dean-kent-primed-for-breakout-2016-season-with-melbourne-demons/news-story/1ba2a9190fc0c637217e9412076b1849

I'm not interested in his relationship dramas or mental health issues, so please don't go there. Can someone please tell me why Garry inspires such disdain, animosity, hatred, etc from members of this forum. I started seriously following the MFC in 1987 as an 8 year old, so only really saw Robbie Flower play his final year. I have seen the entire careers of Stynes, Viney, Neitz, Jones and other greats of the club, and rate Garry above all of those for his on-field contribution to the club. He is the best MFC player I have seen, and he was captain of the best MFC sides I have seen. So, why the negativity?

I get that a lot.

So in other words, he did his job as an unbiased media commentator? After 186 (when Demonland was skipping around saying how lovely the day was), we wanted Garry to comment 'yeh just a bit of bad luck, lets get around the boys and hopefully they'll improve next week'. He speaks his mind freely of what is/has been wrong with the club? Lucky no one does that on here..... Anyone who thinks we haven't deserved multiple slaps over the past 10 years is living on another planet. He loves the club just as much as we do and wants to see us where we should be. I'm not saying you are guilty of any of this, and I agree they are the reasons he's bashed on this forum by some, i just find it completely hypocritical and ridiculous.

Mr Francis, I don't want to be too pedantic but you claim you have worked over 10,000 hours on this case. I have factored in that you have a life outside this issue sooo.... at 40 hours per week working on this equals 250 weeks. I have estimated that you work 48 weeks in the year. By my very dodgy math you started working on this issue one year before Essendon even started their supplement program. Well done sir...well done.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-02-15/jack-trengove-takes-major-step-forward-but-two-dees-injured-at-training?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=RSS+feed%3A+AFL+Latest+News A few steps closer: "Trengove looked sharp in the full ground ball movement drills and received plenty of encouragement from teammates. He ran hard to receive the footy when going forward and on a number of occasions pushed back with purpose into defence...Match practice remains the only hurdle left in the luckless midfielder's bid to return to the football field via the NAB Challenge or the season proper". Go Jack!

I think it was actually Hulett in this drill tasman, but I can understand the confusion because he's a man child and almost as big as Pedersen already. It's worth noting that Hulett's competitiveness shone through. He doesn't like to get beaten

That was last year before his neck was fixed: he just needed to hold his head on with his hand.

This is a momentous statement that hasn't received the fanfare it deserves!!

Unfortunately I think he has become tainted by his association with the Footy show. So many people loathe that program and that is projected onto him.

theres a theme there....just cant put my finger on it though

Hawthorn did. Clarkson, Cam Bruce , Adem Yze, David Neitz & Chris Fagan

I'll give it a shot. He was involved in two coaching appointments - one that wrong and one that went horribly wrong. Rightly or wrongly he is closely associated with the perception of the old boys club that ruled at the MFC prior to the PJ administation. Lastly, he speaks his mind freely on what is/has been wrong with the club and that doesn't sit well with some. Because of his media profile he has not always been backwards in giving us a slap ( as opposed to Eddie who is so biased in everything that comes out his mouth that he would never be critical of his own club). I have little doubt as to GL's love and commitment to our club.

As well as that ManDee and OD, you also have to wonder if so much of the infantile denial is because a good number of the 750 other players may not be all that innocent or even now if they are or not.

Now Mandee you know the answer to your last paragraph. There have been a few journalists who have run anti AFL stories but everyone of them is not beholding to the AFL for accreditation. The rest ( Sports writers ) fall into two camps - the sycophants who love the EFC e.g Robbo, Connelly etc - the others keep their heads down so as not to offend the AFL. For most of History the "Innocents" have not had a voice what makes you think this is any different? But you know this already.

It's a training thread! They all weird up sooner or later. This one's just getting in earlier than most.

Where do they get these imbeciles? One after another goes off half cocked, espousing their fantasy worlds, I suspect very few have read all the available documentation. Margaret Wenham " The CAS finding also arose from it accepting WADA’s evidentiary “cable”, with that cable comprising “strands” of evidence. But, as far as I can see, there is no irrefutable proof TB-4 was given to the players and no evidence the players thought or knew they may have been supplied with it". How does she reconcile the fact that on many occasions the 34 lied to ASADA investigators saying that they took no supplements? There were thousands of injections and not one player thought to mention it! Many sportsmen have been banned on intent. You don't need a positive test Margaret. The players new what they were doing was risky, that is why they lied. Are there any real journalists out there? I am sick to death of the fan boys/girls.

Strange thread!

So... I really wasn't going to pipe in... but I feel the need to as someone who has had/still has depression. We're assuming that Garry is using "depression" as a cover for his relationship with Nicky Brownless. Let try and make this as black and white as possible...even though its a bloody grey. 1. If reports are true, Garry Lyon has been having a relationship with Nicky Brownless. Both Garry and Nicky were single when engaging in their relationship. 2. Where the "outrage" has come from is that its because its a "mates ex" that is involved. Does it suck? Absolutely. Is it illegal? No. I don't know about any of you, but my best mate is married to an ex I had back in Uni. Did it suck at the time? Yes. But...he's still my best mate, and I see both every week and couldn't be happier for them. 3. Regardless of anyone's view on Garry and Nicky and the merry go round of partners, in all of this, Garry may also have depression. To think that he doesn't and it is a cover, I believe is naive. I hate to think what it would be like to have depression and live in the public spotlight and then have your relationship being judged by every Tom Dick and Harry. Beyond Blue reports 45% of individuals will suffer from a bout of depression at some stage in their life. Based on what is portrayed in the media, I don't believe Garry has done anything that wrong. He may simply be an individual with depression and conincidently had one relationship end and moved on to another.

Now that this thread is about to be replaced with a fresh one for today's training, I think it's worth mentioning that this one may be the best training thread in Demonland history. Well done to all posters for (almost always) staying on topic and not allowing the thread to degenerate into personal abuse. And many thanks to the track watchers who give the rest of us the benefit of their observations.

Jobe Watson admitted taking AOD9604 on TV. Did he lie when asked by ASADA if he was taking any supplements?

For those who haven't seen it this is brilliant: http://www.melbournefc.com.au/video/2016-02-15/drone-at-match-simulation

These imbeciles are whingeing about a penalty handed down by the highest sporting court in the world. This is not an AFL tribunal judgment by the boys club this is CAS the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The prosecuting body was WADA the World Anti Doping Agency, this is not a backyard decision by the boys club. These are the biggest most serious organisations against doping in the world of sport. The players were found guilty. A technicality does not make them innocent. I want journalists to stand up for the 750 players that have not been found guilty of cheating. I want journalists to decry the EFC for putting their players and all other players at risk through their damned supplement program. What about the innocent! What about the innocent?

If I had an ex I would want permanent veto rights over all her future relationships unless it could be proved that her squeeze was mentally disturbed, which I would find comforting.

This thread is weird.

Wow. Gives Slobbo a run for his money. How does this crap even get published?

Another Journo to add to the list of journos with no real understanding of what is going on. The penalty imposed on Essendon is crap It would be funny if it wasn't so blatantly wrong and apologetic.

Unlike others, I don't overly worry about the draw, because we have no idea who'll be an easy or hard opponent. The Dogs went from 7 to 14, while the Suns slid down the ladder. Port didn't meet expectations. Most of all, I don't rate many teams. Nearly half the competition plays finals. Ordinary sides play finals. While we haven't beaten the likes of North or Sydney in years they don't overly concern me as opposition. When we take the next step we will beat sides that have previously had the wood on us. Footscray beat North and Sydney and the year before lost to both. Things change... Why we can be better: Viney missed 6 games with a fracture in his leg and still came runner up in the B&F. Has taken his game and fitness to a new level this preseason as he seems to have been freed up from a "run with" role Gawn missed 9 matches after debuting in round 10. He's been one of the preseason standouts after a terrific second half of 2015 Dom Tyson played 90% of the year with a medial strain and hamstring issues - missed 7 games. Has been outstanding in match sims Dean Kent (rated incredibly highly inside the club) only played 4 games due to a hamstring off the bone Mature age rookie Aaron vandenBerg missed 8 games through injury and looks in peak condition this off season Salem was a revelation in the first 7 games before getting injured and only playing 10 for the season Nathan Jones carried a neck injury all year and was below his best Petracca will debut as a 20 year old with a huge body and injury free will impact games of footy Angus Brayshaw was the sub many times and wasn't quite the same player after getting concussed in the first 5 minutes of the West Coast match - expect improvement Frost gives us athleticism and flexibility in attack and defence - only played 3 games last year Naturally, we can't rely on him, but I expect (hope) Jack Trengove to make a successful return to footy, which continues to add depth Hogan will kick 60 goals this year Our transition and ball movement is much quicker than previous preseasons - will it hold up under the pressure of AFL. David King expects us to win "5 or 6", because he doesn't rate our style of play Keys: Luck with injury. We need our best players playing. Other teams have luck with injuries and it's about time we did Ball movement. If we're slow and hesitant we won't rise up the ladder Goals - we need to get midfielders kicking goals, as well as support for Hogan and Garlet.. Can Watts kick 30, Gawn 15, Kent 20, Petracca 20... The Dogs had 8 players kick 15 or more and we had 2. They also had 2 players kick 50+ In 2014, Port had 9 players kick 15 or more with 3 kicking 40+ If we don't spread the goal kickers we won't rise up the ladder All things considered I expect 9-10 wins, but if all goes well and the players/club get belief I believe we have the capacity to exceed those expectations It's time