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Had a look for an hour between 10:30-11:30. No: Dawes, Mitch King, Spencer, Viney from what I saw. Vanders walked off just as I got there. Newton came out to do boxing with Jetta. Giving the pads a serious work out. Rehab: Kent doing sprints. Salem on light duties. Weideman as well. Matt Jones and Garland on light duties. Almost everyone else was doing everything including Dunn, Lumumba and Brayshaw. Clarry came off after one drill and had a tight right hip. Physios got in to him pretty strongly. Then he did some boxing. Hopefully just some tightness that is all fine and a week off will have him feeling better before round 1. Usual drills all about quick ball movement. McCartney barking out orders when mids were going 5 v 3 from a stoppage and kicking to a 4 v 2 forward line. Dunn and Hunt managed to intercept a few and Macca was cracking that the forwards would trip over their pulled down pants. The attacking players then started to work it out. A definite focus on the player forward of the stoppage to run forward away from the stoppage as soon as the ball is won and then make his defender choose whether to run with him or attack the ball carrier. Similarly the focus for the outnumbered defenders was to go hard at the ball carrier to force a mistake. Hogan, Dunn, Frost, Gawn and Pedersen all did contested marking practice. Harmes, JKH, Garlett and Max King all were practising snapping goals. Hogan had plenty of shots at goal during various drills. Throws in one or two shuffle steps but otherwise very fluent run up and kicking wasn't an issue.

Kent was on a deload day, Dawes was there early, moving freely, Spencer and Viney only absentees Garland had a bad corkie Jetta had a knee on knee knock in the game light day Oliver deload day Wagner slight knee strain VDB rehabbing Matt Jones concussion so light run Newton joins main group on Friday Brayshaw will definitely play at Casey Trengove won't no idea about the Trac told me Rd 10 (smartarse) Salem deload mood very upbeat

This is what I heard this morning from a credible source via a GCS players father. O'meara, Swallow and Prestia all want out of GCS. All 3 are particularly filthy on how their rehab has been handled but especially Swallow who the source said was rushed through his running program which resulted in the bone bruising which has delayed his recovery. Source also went on to say that majority of players were happy with McKenna and the development job he'd done with the young players but as they matured, believed he was too soft and went easy on them thereby creating the behavioural misdemeanours by many of the players. Eade, on the other hand has come into the club and acted like a Hitler and upset a lot of players and staff and it's not a happy camp up there at all. Lastly, many of the playing group are not happy with how GAJ is pampered to and believe that his dominance in such a young team actually retarded the 'teams' development.

Could be nothing, could be something. I say we panic just to be safe!

On Hogan leaving training with Harmes and Frost complimented him on working hard despite having a bad day, Frost added the forwards want to create goals by their pressure, Hoges laughed when I told him he was caught on the big screen counting his fingers also he launched a torpedo during training from just outside the centre square went thru about half way up must read some press

He is to marry Jess Trengove and sign a 12 year deal.

Sounds like what I do on the dunny upon waking up after a big night

Just watching the Melbourne round table discussion on Fox Footy. Quite a lot of positivity around the attacking game plan shown in the NAB Challenge getting up to 100 points etc massive improvement on prior years, they want to see that continue. David King still banging on that Goodwin should have the match day keys now and keep up the new game plan and Roosy take the club shaping role. A lot of love for Jesse and Oliver too. The concensus was 9 wins but they saw moreso that the improvement will be reflected more in the style of play and the excitement for the fans and players enjoying their footy. Jason Dunstall was relaxed about Hoges fixing his kicking style and said he would be the first player you'd go after if you were building a team. King excited by Petracca said he's a freak like Robbie Gray just a bit taller Cam Mooney said we're no longer a basketcase, and people are going to be standing back this year and saying how good is this, they're exciting Brad Johnson's a Viney fan. Overall not really any negatives, but they wanted to see that NAB Challenge game style continue during the season

I see the Mitchell one is lifesize....

Couldn't disagree more. My main knock on Oliver from his pre-draft highlights package was that in the same situation, he'd shrug off smaller/lighter opponent at TAC Cup level, before disposing of the ball. I thought he might get caught out at AFL level with bigger bodies and less time. His awareness of the situation (time, space and teammates) was incredibly impressive. He's the antithesis of Toumpas, who'd freeze in the same situation. Vince was equally impressive. Got the ball to Oliver, pointed out Jones as an option for Salem, and then ran on as an option for Jones. That's leadership.

I'm amazed that anyone could possibly be critical of that piece of play. Are you really suggesting that when under pressure from three surrounding opponents he should have noticed the two teammates directly behind him? Vision is a wonderful thing for a football player, but eyes in the back of the head? Then there was Jetta, who would most likely have been pole-axed as soon as (or very soon after) he received a handpass, directly in front of goals no less (remind me again how many goals we've coughed up by taking the centering option in defensive 50). That's not to mention that Jetta is not one of the preferred distribution options coming out of defensive 50, guess who is. And finally his technique was no good? I'd be considering it more of an improvisation personally. Highly unlikely he was thinking of each muscle movement under that pressure situation. Or were you referring to his technique in general? If so, I'm happy to back him in a similar situation over 99% of our team. History shows there are certain players that go beyond technique. They have a skill with ball in hand that makes other great players look second rate. He's one of them going by what we've seen. He's young, he'll make mistakes and he'll continue to develop over the next few years. Recent history should also tell you that we've been handballing two metres to the nearest player for the last 5 years, regardless of how much pressure said player is under. We have found a player who takes a good option, not simply the first. After all that, I think he summed it up spot on and took the right option, and executed perfectly. As did Salem, who may have had the benefit of Vince pointing Jones out to him. I'm excited about these two players in particular and there are others. I can't get the replay that I was after so I can't tell you at what time, but check out his tackle on Steven in the last quarter also. He was stalking two Saints on a fast break. Rather than commit early and provide them with a further overlap, he cruised - waiting for support to arrive. Once it was obvious where the ball was going he pounced and took down one of the better midfielders going around. He's a rare talent DS, I think you should get on-board and enjoy the ride.

The players must cringe.

Training update just in: "Brayshaw in full training. Not even a bandage on his knee."

I love the confidence, but it saddens me that Hogan doesn't seem to appreciate how good Schwarz was.

So Earl noticed there was something wrong with his hand, he's had scans and wasn't in the main group, but because he didn't tell you about it there's no problem?

It was a very relaxed session with no contact at all and many of the drills at three quarter pace so it was hard to really judge Trengove against anyone else. He certainly didn't look out of place - he looked comfortable and relaxed. I went to watch him and Petracca. It was fantastic to see him with a smile on his face.

He has always felt trapped in a man's body and he wants to be captain of the women's team.

They often trot out a player for an interview before training and it looks like it's Hogan's turn. I wouldn't read anymore than that into it.

He is to apologise for dropping so many marks and to swear allegiance to kicking straight.

With Dunn and Lumumba due to come back in, that is 379 games worth of experience to replace O'Mac and Wagner with 2 games Whilst they may not be 'really really good defenders', they are definitely quality players that with the combination of T'Mac, Jetta, Salem and Garland should be able to cover most forward lines to keep us in the game

Gotta wonder if the Cotchin figurine is the first to go missing.

Sound familiar. You'd think everyone would have learnt from our experience. Started with Bailey who apparently was too friendly and soft with the players. Reacted by appointing Neeld who came in with the big stick and we know how that ended.

The ox could give advice on punting. " - don't gamble your match fee before the game has even started Jesse."

I wish the Ox would just drop on his head......Jesse quite rightly pointed out that he had a better goal kicking average than Schwarz. if you're a Melbourne supporter, why give grief to the club and its players....just give the kid a fair go.

Jesse we were only joking when we said you had Chris Dawes hands!

From that article: His Honour found that Essendon had by then handed over every document it had relating to the supplements program. As a result, on Wednesday 10 February, Essendon applied for and was granted an order for its costs of that October hearing..." Well that sure is interesting because this article http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/afl-season-2016-essendon-hand-over-more-hal-hunter-documents-20160315-gnjt80.htmll says: "This [yesterday] is now the third time the club has sent Hunter documents regarding the 2012 supplements saga, despite consistently saying it didn't have any...But the club has previously insisted there is nothing sinister or deliberate in the discovery of further documents." Is withholding documents a form of perjury? After 3 years, they find more documents! Nothing sinister? Really? And with a straight face they had the gall to have the court order Hunter to pay their legal costs, when they had more documents! Again efc show their total contempt for the laws of our country. This also shows what idiots they are. Knowing they had or likely had more documents, going after Hunter for their costs was downright stupid. They should have quit while they were ahead! Good to see Hunter is now going after his own costs for the whole process! Edit: to include the correct link

I went along for a look on Sunday with my Daughter and her boyfriend and despite the errors from both sides thought that it was a fast and entertaining game with lots of pressure and we did not cave in at any time, we looked faster, harder and more dangerous than we have for a very long time. when ever they got a sniff the boys were able to shut them down and kick a couple of quick goals to keep them at bay. I had the Saints on a level par with the Dee's but not any more our up side with CP5, Vanders, Gus & JT to name but a few now puts us well ahead. Our team is kind of reminiscent of our 1998 side with Whitey, Powell and a very young Travis Johnstone coming in at No1 in the draft to join a young group of budding stars. I don't want to Mozz them but I am getting very excited about our prospects going forward, as I was in 1998.

15 talking figurines http://aflfootymate.com/ 2 by hawks, pies and tigers. Bogans will love these, so no shame there. No dogs, no team North of the Murray and no demons. Jones? Vince? Max Gawn? Hogan? No. Oh but there's a Heppell one. Good to see he can make some profit whilst out of the game. Is that legal? Very poor from the AFL and Coles and poor from Melbourne as well. Takes a lot to win a kid back when he goes to the supermarket and can't find his colours anywhere.

Wait, is it October already?

Sooner the comp starts the better - the media is scratching for copy.

Can I give a view from a PR perspective. I think it was quite smart of the club to trot JH out at this stage. 1. he had a poor last NAB cup game and needed to "clear the air"; 2. he had been under attack from one of the club's all time great forwards, appropriately, with considerable wit, defended himself and if anything added to his attractiveness as a footballer; and 3. speculation continues as to his future, and he managed not only to clarify his thinking, but at the same time declare his excitement about the club and his commitment to it. Well handled by the club and Hogan I would say.

Reckon Newton might be in trouble at the end of 2016. He's a distinctly different midfield prospect to the rest of our young midfield. He's not hard at it. His contested work is average, he can hurt on the scoreboard, but he doesn't get involved enough. It'll be interesting to see how he goes this year. If he starts to attack the contest like Kennedy and Bugg and manages to get involved more we'll have 'good' selection problems. I don't see it though.

The Martin figurine is actually marketing genius. Checkout staff have been instructed to ask "would you like chopsticks with that?" when customers purchase.

Seriously, a Heppell figurine?

I believe the word we use is 'prendergasted'.

I don't mind media commentators talking about someone's kicking action, but I thought the Ox went way over the top in mentioning that he could get $400k less if he doesn't fix it up soon etc. etc. Jesse was entitled to be a bit miffed about that.

He did the full session. Looked 100% fit. Petracca and Trengove also in full training. AVB didn't train with the group but didn't look in any discomfort. Mitch White did the full session - did he play last week at Casey? Jack Viney was the notable no show.

Get with the times!! He's marrying Jack as soon as the plebiscite goes through.

That's something ive really noticed as well. From the games and training reports the vibe seems supper positive and the camaraderie just terrific. Watch Salem's goal. After he kicks it he is all smiles and his teammates swarmed him. Oliver was laughing and you could just see the positivity and connection. Similarly after Bugg's goal his teammates really got around him (was it his first goal for the club?). Great to see and it is what Roos has been working on

they're pretty young Jes, maybe you should sign on for 10 years so you don't miss out? :D

To panic is my default position. Anything good that happens afterwards is a bonus.

Im sure he does - he was just returning serve and good on him.

Did anyone else notice how chuffed Jones was after the short scuffle on the boundary in the third, when he was being pinned down and three or four team mates helped him out....that would not have happened in years past.

Maybe he wants to thank Demonland for all the advice and support

I hope I don't put the mozz on him but J Watts seems to have clicked. Loved his work over the NAB cup. I was also very surprised at how ready Oliver seems to be. Ruthless tackling and amazing handballs. Love that Salem is doing the kick-outs instead of Tmac! The only losers I saw were the teams we played against

Perhaps you should watch the game rather than shake your head. Saints kicked 4 goals for the quarter. Goal 1: Salem kick out to Roberton who kicks long to front of goal where Bruce out marks Oscar McDonald. Garland not involved. Goal 2: Salem clears defensive 50 to Ross who kicks into Billings inside 50 on the lead. Garland not his opponent and not involved. Goal 3: Point kick out to Wagner who kicks across goal where Billings intercepts and kicks goal. Garland not involved. Goal 4. Garland kicks across goal to Lonie who marks and finds Billings 20 metres on his own and goals. Garland involved and responsible for turnover. So he didn't give away 3 goals. He was involved in one goal. Shake your head all you like but you're wrong. Reality is Garland is obviously respected by the FD who offered him a new contract last year. You don't. That's fine but don't make stuff up to pot him.

AJAX Football Club and Bacon? Now that's a stretch!