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Stretch - a natural outside runner, receives handballs running in to space and turns quickly to move the ball on. Clean by hand and foot. Not afraid of the contest. Weideman - leads hard and straight at the ball. Dropped a chest mark but followed up then hit the handball. Took a strong mark back with the flight and nailed the goal from 50. Took a couple more on the lead (both towards and away from goal), both up high and sliding out for a chest mark. Nailed some goals, led to space. It was a good performance. But came against a Casey defender and with nice supply. So it's early days. Trengove - ran hard and smartly in to space. Used his body well to mark in the goal square. Linked up and kicked well in to space. He's no slower than most of the Casey guys and has a much faster brain. Again, early days, being smarter than VFL 2nds players isn't definitive that he's up to AFL, but it was promising. Petracca - rushes kicks at times and handballs to move the ball on with maybe a little too much faith in his team mates. That's the negatives. I don't want to spoil the fun on the positives. Soon everyone will get to see him smiling and will smile with him. Lots of development to come in his game and probably in his body. Again, shrugging off Saty was probably his hardest opponent all day, but it was good to watch.

Petracca now dominating.

Petracca just had a casual shot at goal from 60 and slotted it. They're doing simulated match play and the Truck started on the bench but is now on the ground. JT marks to the applause of the 73,000 crowd (more or less).

I read somewhere on Demonland that JT was finished. Must have been misinformed.

A few snippets:- I wasn't expecting Christian Petracca to do anything more than take part in some of the early drills but was pleasantly surprised that he then took the field for the match simulation and continued through the match practice part with few breaks. I was expecting him to be a bit scratchy considering that he last played Under 18 football in the latter part of 2014 and that was the case to some extent. He started off on the bench for a few minutes and then went onto a wing/flank and was patrolling those areas without the ball getting near him apart from the one or two opportunities to tackle. Then all of a sudden, he got his hands on the ball and that was all she wrote. He was in everything and showed out with his strength, tackling, marking and kicking. I will say however, that for the most part, he was allowed to roam free and that won't happen under the pressure cooker of AFL football. It was supposed to be Jack Trengove's day and from a football perspective, it was a faultless comeback. He took a couple grabs early, he positioned himself well and looked very much the Trengove of his early career. He's not fast but then he's not the slouch he appeared to be in the period before his foot injury was diagnosed. I suppose a lot will depend on how he pulls up in the next 24/48 hours. Then, let's hope that there are no recurring effects or issues with the foot. Hopefully, in a month's time he will be back on the G. The others to show out for me were Heritier Lumumba and Angus Brayshaw, both obviously a class above this level. Billy Stretch, ANB and Jayden Hunt did some nice things and will get games this year. Sam Weideman - I saw him struggle for opportunities out at Casey a couple of weeks ago but not so today. He is mobile and very good in the air and I expect him to get some game time this year. When he gets some meat on his body, he is going to be a difficult opponent and if we ever get to see him in full flight in the same forward line as Hogan and Petracca at AFL level, it will be exciting days for Demon fans. Joel Smith has some tricks from his basketball background and will be worth watching over the next year or two. The tall Casey player is Oscar McInerney - he towered over our two Kings. Tim Smith, the Casey CHF who has had some injury problems looks back in town and that should be good for the Scorps. As I was leaving Gosch's Paddock I noticed Satyriconhome chatting with Christian Petracca. I hope Satyr has an exclusive for us on that score.

User Actions Following Brett Anderson‏@BrettAndersonIF Good news for the Dees with Petracca starring in intra-club and Trengove not just getting through, but playing well. #AFL 6:32 PM - 24 Mar 2016

My cricket team was the same. But there were only 11 on our list.

Just back in my car after watching the match. Some comments: - Petracca is going to be a superstar. Much quicker than I expected, an excellent accurate kick, reliable overhead mark, and a mongrel in close. Can't wait to see him open in the square with Max, Jones, and Dom Tyson. We have a beauty there. - Jack Trengove was as reliable as we remember him in 2011. Took a couple of great marks in the goal square, his kicking is as good as ever, and seems to be moving smoothly at good pace. I know it is early days, but in some ways Trengove at his peak is similar to Petracca, and what a combination that will be. - Weideman is impressive: great straight fast lead, but too often drops simple overhead marks. Good, long kick for goal - Hunt is starting to use his considerable pace better than previously and is not getting caught as much. His kicking, particularly on the run has improved considerably. - Angus Brayshaw looked short of a run, and on that performance not surprised he was left out of tomorrow. - Max KIng was having a great game in the ruck and up forward - reminds me a bit of joe Daniher. Limped off towards the end with what looked like a serious ankle injury One guy who did impress me was number 25 for red - I assume that was Mitch King but if it was he looks taller than his listed 199cm. Reminds me a lot of the woods newamerican import, and absolutely dominated the rucks contests, particularly after Max King went off.

Yep! Beautiful kick, good vision, addressed the troops and took a great sliding mark in front of goals to the delighted onlookers. He will be 22 when fit

Nice goal to Brayshaw. He and Heritier in particular look in fine fettle. They would be playing tomorrow if I was a selector. Truck getting lots of it now.

Parts of trenners presser that mfc put on twitter. Maybe more on ch7 sport tonight. Trengove: It was great - it was pretty much just an extension of the training session but there was a match simulation component Trengove says he hopes to continue to build match fitness - with the rotations in AFL football now you need to be at a high level Trengove says he hopes to play restricted minutes next week and be ready for VFL round one Trengove says when the footy's around now, he doesn't think about his foot anymore. He's building confidence with every session. Trengove says it's good to see plenty of players putting their hands up for selection - match simulation is good for confidence. Trengove says we're not putting any limits on Christian Petracca - "he put his best foot forward today" Trengove says he's just focusing on getting used to the speed of the game again and getting used to body contact again Trengove: I'm certainly starting to believe more and more with every session - the dream is to get back out on the G again.

Attended today and thought the Melbourne listed players easily stood out. Petracca and Weid did some nice things. There was a passage of play where Petracca had 3 or 4 touches within 30 secs as the ball was moved from d50 to f50. His intercept marking was also a standout. Trenners did some nice things. Hunt was involved and linked well with Petracca several times. Mitch White looked good and JKH was his usual busy self with some good side steps. Thought ANB and Brayshaw were quiet however I must admit I wasn't looking for them specifically

.

Weideman very impressive with his marking.

Hows this for the future... Melbourne FC ‏@melbournefc 22s23 seconds ago Petracca goes for a run at half forward and hits up Weideman on the lead close to goal. He slots the set shot.

Most of it's been covered. But they were doing drills when I got there at 10:30, then did some working the ball out of the backline simulation that was very messy. A lot of work to do there. Trengove and Stretch the most composed, many others stuffing up. Then in to a bit of around the ground stuff before probably 2 halves of 15 a side match simulation maybe for 15 minutes each. Trengove, Petracca, Stretch and Weideman were the best of the group. More about them later. Lumumba is a class above as an athlete, and whilst he didn't make many mistakes he wasn't great. Brayshaw worked hard and was above average. Nailed Stretch in a tackle, moved the ball on. Don't think he's as far off as others do. Michie very solid doing what he does well. From the younger guys: Mitch King moves well, but the big ++ Casey young ruck might've had him covered. Like that Mitch tries to get involved around the ball. Max King took a nice mark on the lead, was on the lesser of the teams. Missed the goal then a bit later did his ankle in a marking contest. Stayed down a while then hobbled off Hulett a nice mark and goal, links up ok as well. ANB turned it over too much, going for aggressive kicks, just needs to find his range. Work rate stands out. Wagner and Mitch White similar players. Good kicks mixed with not so good. Win the ball easily enough. Contest well JKH is still one of our cleanest by hand and foot, but also still tries to do too much. Simplify his game and he'll be back. Tackled well. Hunt had moments where his run came in to the game. Needs to kick better.

Petracca's pace is incredible like Dangerfield.. And drills them!! Has taken some nice marks.. He did run about 25 metres without bouncing it though.. trengove still has a his poise and reads it well.. Seems to be able to push hard throug the middle.. Slightly faster.. Weideman took a nice mark and kicked a goal, his set shot routine reminds me of NEITZ! Stretch ANB and Brayshaw getting plenty. Mitch White reading t well.. Max King looks bigger but, abit soft..

Is that a Christian Petracca I see suiting up Gosch's this morning! pic.twitter.com/H62SEy4krc

Nah, it's definitely Oscar over Dunn and there have been whispers over summer that he was ahead in the pecking order. Brayshaw is best 18, but Roos said (intimated) on the club website in a recent interview that he's a little underdone. He'll be back in quickly. Matt Jones was always going to play and this has been mentioned a number of times in the round 1 thread. But don't take any notice of the positions they put players in. He'll play an outside wing role. Grimes isn't best 22 despite what some supporters think. I can't wait until Petracca, Brayshaw and Trengove get in to this team. Three top 3 draft picks waiting in the wings.

When did he last sign a contract? As for the last decade he'll perk up when he's in a contract year. I thought his player review said he'd dropped several kilo's? His 2014 was great, his 2015 left a lot to desire, he stopped attacking games and really it took him until mid year to impact as a senior player should. Maybe he decided leadership wasn't for him? Leading from full back isn't exactly easy. Anyway, they said the leaders would be picked when NAB challenge form was evident, which counted against him. I expect he'll be back in the team very soon. But I'm not unhappy that he's been made to earn it. We can't afford senior players getting games on reputation, we've said that time and time again.

Your not even a member yet, but your banging on about loyalty!?!??!

Great to see Brayshaw's competitive spirit doesn't slack off in a practice match. Trenners had taken a great mark and was hard on the boundary kicking for goal. Brayshaw's took it upon himself to get over and put him off with the sledge 'only 2 years since the last one trenners. No pressure' gold. Worked.

Casey Scorpions ‏@CaseyScorpions 1m1 minute ago Petracca weaves through traffic and sends it inside 50, he's had plenty of the footy in his first 5 minute stint on the ground.

Most Collingwood players drag theirs, so no chance.

Surely we're not in the position of luxury yet of being cocky with player selection. If he's fit he's fit and if he's not he's not - doesn't matter if we're playing Essendon or Hawthorn.

Oh spare me FFS..

For all we know he may have asked to be dropped from the leadership group so he could concentrate on his game. As for missing round one, he was injured, missed game time as a result and it may be that he is simply not ready to come in yet, but has been named as an emergency in case there is a late withdrawal where a 75% Dunn is the best option.

Have you been paying any attention at all this pre-season?

Loved JT's presser and admired the strength of his statement when asked about what he would do if he saw a Melbourne player using drugs. His reply "That's not gonna happen, not at this club." Strong words that would lead you to believe that the club culture is very strong too.

Love your reports DS. They're always balanced and not just fluff pieces.

Plz.. Will be in awe of Oliver tomorrow and be like Petracca who? And he is only playing against Casey who were average at best last year.. (I have had to use the fold and tuck method while watching Petracca today though..)

Needs game time.. No need to rush him..

Petracca will rip Essendrug apart next week!!

Now, they're putting on green vests and doing a kicking drill. I'm afraid to blink in case I miss the "short" practice match.

AFL drugs policy was always designed to hide the problem. Always should be one strike/one week. That would stamp it out quick smart. There is no doubt (like the rest of the community) drugs are a major problem. If the AFL wanted to show some leadership on a healthy lifestyle the policy would have changed long ago. In my opinion it a small microcosym of the control and command style at the AFL which worked so well for them with Essendon. Probably largely a problem of being the biggest fish in town. You sometimes see the same dynamic with other large organisations that dominate their space. When you have pretty much absolute power you lose perspective. The AFL is not helping the players solve any problem they have they are just helping them hide it. It seems to me totally misguided. Time for a moratorium (to give players time to sort themselves out) and then introduce a no tolerance policy. As much as I dislike Collingwood they are not on their pat here and its unfair to single them out when its known other clubs have the problem.

It still doesn't add up for mine. Dunn played the same amount of minutes in the NAB Challenge as vandenBerg + a VFL game to go with it. I could understand it if OMac had shown tremendous form in the NAB Challenge, but he looked a million miles off. I'm baffled! Matt Jones did impress me in the practice games but I'm still uncomfortable with him getting a regular game. The coaches seem to love Frost. I get it, he's athletic and versatile. That must be very appealing. But I'm a long way of being convinced. Outside of those three it looks a good side on paper. I fully expect Brayshaw, Dunn and Lumumba to be in before long.

didn't they test the other 33 filth players?

I never thought I'd see someone compare Dunn to Fyfe, but there it is.

Oscar McDonald concerns me.

Just announced as breaking news here in Perth.... So it probably happened yesterday.

Petracca shrugs a tackle and snags one.

Oh......this really is Good Friday

They're still doing training drills so scores are level and everyone's burning the house down.

With a minute to go to the scheduled start they're all doing sprints. The Truck is quick; you don't want to be on the receiving end of a bump at full tilt. I can see the Kings, Hunty, Mitch White and the Weed. Heritier and Billy S out there too! Immediately behind us the Melbourne Victory squad are training and behind them, the Storm.

He hurt himself during a pre-season game and they decided to have him play one more at Casey before bringing him back in to make sure he's good to go. Same as Gus. I notice nobody is making up rumours about him despite his being left out as well.

So Dunn has a groin ...misses nab challenge against saints... plays practice match in VFL goes okay but coaching panel decides that his match fitness not quite up to it so they pick Oscar.....fail to see all the angst....seems quite clear to me .....just need a bit of faith in the people who coach our club

Gee whiz pal you're really tempting me to derail this thread which I never thought I'd do.. You're talking absolute garbage