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Really reminds me of Max Gawn, except that he's a lot shorter, looks nothing like him, doesn't play in the ruck and has a completely different skill set.

I'm back in the country. Here are a few photos to get the feel of the new pre season Desktop ==> https://www.smugmug.com/photos/swfpopup.mg?AlbumKey=F8cFj6 Mobile ==> http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-cdHhSm?mobile=true Enjoy

Played some footy with the fella at Bernard's, quiet type but a really nice bloke. Was far and away best on in the grand final 2 years back, just had the ball on a string. His kicking is solid, but decision making is something he'd probably need to work on as often just took the long option (although this was part of the Anthony rock style of football). In his first senior game for Bernard's a few years back made some real special plays and from there you could tell he would at least get some VFL experience. Really big in the legs. Good on him

I'm down from Mildura for the weekend and watched my first ever training and took a couple random notes on the phone. First thing I noticed was how windy it was, much like a vfl game on how bloody cold it was. Don't know how you all handle it. I hovered around the Hoddle St side to firstly see three supporters there in shorts and was instantly thrown more importantly I saw Crossy (in magic shape) leading Jeffy and Hibb with some decent running around the park while Lewis, King ( I think as he was a tall fella I haven't seen) Viney, Kent, Nev, Tmac, Trenners, Pedo, AVB and JKH were completing some agility, 100m run throughs and sharp skills. They then did some sharp lane work which showcased the kicking of Kent and Lewis especially. Tmac kept flying at the at the ball with one arm to which I instantly got a sense of "hollywood" about him which disappointed me. When he came up close I noticed the huge scar on his shoulder which explained these one armed efforts.... Sorry Tmac. Other things randomly I noticed from the recovery group: Pedo was back and waddling away, he will surely blow out post football. He has fantastic hands out in front Lewis has a simple and beautiful kicking style. Clarry / Lewis / AVB are huge midfielders. Clarry is also a wonderful kick Trenners is moving freely. A few of these boys split into groups of three with some triangle kicking. Trenners, a Jeffy and Kent in one group. Kicking was perfect here except for two Kent tried on his right... Filth. Was surprised by how big Trenners leap was. The other group was AVB, Jordy, and Clarry. I'd like to see Clarry kick the pill a lot more this year as it's wonderful. Gee AVB is a massive unit. I understand his role more seeing him in the flesh as he really does demand a tallish defender to watch him. The rehab group then went into some running while I strolled over to watch the real stuff on the wing. While watching this there was a lot of run throughs by the rehabbers. AVB completes at least a dozen it seems 400m runs and looks redder than Clarry with each one he does. Lewis, Clarry and Pedo complete about a dozen timed 200m sprints in front of me. Pedo is running swinging his head in a massive display of being completely rooted. Viney and Kent are doing similar together with Jack out pacing Kent but he does his best to catch him. If you didn't know these boys and saw them out you would think they are the cliche case of having short man syndrome as they are both absolute tanks. Watching the main stuff and it's a lot of full ground stuff at good intensity. Right in front of me, Hunt sprints 40m to make a superman spoil in front of Hoges, gets up, out sprints him to the ball then clears it straight to an opponent... So nearly perfect. He then shanks his next kick. If I was to leave now you could say he doesn't have the skill so I keep an eye on him, his next 7 or 8 are perfect. Garland reminds me of Watts the way he moves, so laconic. He's missed a simple handball that would have cost a goal at one stage but other than that he looked ok. McCartneys in front of me staring at me.... I look away. He then yells at someone, "stop watching the effing play and move" and "dont be dictated to son" not sure who it's aimed at. I go to get a photo but I sense him looking and decide against it. Tyson has had a few raking long kicks that were magic. Other good kickers as we know we're of course Chunk (beautiful spin, flat and firm), Watts of course and ANB skills looked nice. One who surprised me moving well was Salem. I have never been a huge fan but he stood out to me today. Wishing him well. Watts is always smiling. Frosty has ran the ball out from defence a couple times, hits a target but they are a bit floaty. He's an incredible athlete with his pace, strength and agility. Surprised me how big a lot of the boys are as I haven't been up close before. Clearly the Woolies have more steroids in there chickens down here. Hey there's Saty, nice hat mate oh and the Suns out.... And it's gone. One play see Max kicking over Watts head running to goal, it's about to run through next to the post where Watts stops it, runs behind the post back into play and soccer kicks it off his heal through while a defender was chasing him. I'm in awe. I'd almost cheer if Macca was around somewhere close. A one on one contest where Wags and Jesse wrestle. Jesse takes and gets a whack from Wags on the chin as he tries to spoil. Jesse not happy but gets the free and kicks the goal. Trac then gives Wag a friendly bump and laughter starts. Good banter. Training ends (for me, it's to cold) watching the group in the centre square and a one on one contest. A player is nominated by the coaches. This player then picks a team mate to have a marking contest while someone kicks for chf 40m away. Chunk is up first who picks Brayshaw, everyone roars. Two nil all draws then one drops short and Gus plucks the grab. You'd think we'd just one a flag they went off, was great. next was Weed who selects OMac in a battle of the baby giraffes. It was a nice friendly contest ending in nil all from 3. Each time Weed got into good position and looked like marking but couldn't. Omac didn't want to mark, only spoil. Then Salem was picked and chose Trac. It was nil all until Salem took a one handed screamer while being held. Everyone lost it again. Finally Jesse was up and looked at Gawn, smiled at Gawn, then chose Frost. Talk about a battle of the heavy weights. You could here the slap of the bodies from the wing as these two lions went at it. I think they clunked one each. Good stuff. Better shoot off into town as was meant to be here looking at wedding bands, not watching footy. Miss Deeko will be a bit grumpy if she finds out. cheers

Dropped in briefly for the last half hour. Quick ball movement drill was a thing of beauty - so clean and precise and me thinks decision making was even quicker than last year, although sometimes first glance in a while can be deceptive. Having extra quality/depth with Hibberd and Melksham and McKenna Since last season Jack Viney is even more muscular - is this possible? He looked a bit like Naim Suleymanoglou as he did his 250m reps around the boundary with Dean Kent. Both Weideman and Oscar are still in need of more upper body weight training - still scrawny. Both Hunt and Smith look stronger though. Good to see range of skills drills and the Auskick one-on-one drill was a sensation as revealed earlier. Brayshaw just pipped Jones 2-1, O.Mac downed Weid 2-1. Bernie swept Tyson 2-0 with complete guts and desperation, Frosty managed to get ball to ground and won 2-1 against Hoges, Jack W was too tall for Harmes and won 2-0 and in the match-up of the day Salem was too classy for Petracca winning 2-0 with his one-hander a gem. Boys looked happy and most looked really fit (about 12 were on light duties) and two Dons seem to have fitted in perfectly. There was one player apart from Salem who stood out. When it came to 1km trials, this player was told to rack off from the second group because they obviously knew he was too quick. He nonchalantly went over to the A group which comprised Bugg, ANB, Melky, Harmes, Hunt, Oscar and Jones. He sat at the back for the first lap and then decided to just step it up and whizzed around them all and then took off the gas and won it easily with a bit of a smirk. I suspect you can all guess who it was and everything he did showed he is fair dinkum and clearly our number 1 main man for next season - subject to injury. My guess is that Jesse will play as a mobile forward similar to Nick Riewoldt this year - a bit like the Carlton game this year where he lead up and was the pack-mark outlet all day. Note: I'm not usually a huge Hoges fan, but you could just tell he's primed and it's not even December.

Being a St. Bernards Old Boy, took special note of Hannan when I watched the Footscray VFL games, and was rapt that we picked him. Unlike some of the players we've picked up from other clubs recently in Bugg, Kennedy, Melksham and McKenna, Hannan has some X Factor. I'd give him more chance of having an impact at AFL level than the players listed, and the likes of ANB and JKH. Our last St. Bernards boy won a B&F in a GF year. Strawbs O'Dwyer.

Still I reckon for where we were in the draft, two good picks, I know one thing, Plapp must be beside himself with excitement, will have a lot of talent at Casey again, all busting their chops to get into the AFL side

A bit optimistic I think. Also, I wouldn't trust MS to know our list all that well. Pretty well stocked in those areas he's trying to break into. After slotting Hogan, Garlett and Pedo/Weid into the forward line, Hannan would be competing with Watts, Petracca, Vanderberg, Harmes, Kennedy, Kent, Kennedy-Harris, Bugg, Trengove, maybe even someone like Brayshaw, Melksham or Vince who are squeezed out of the middle. Just can't see it happening.

Most of it's been covered today and I just had a quick look. But the more I see of Mitch King the more I think he'll get there in a few years. Looks much stronger already and big across the shoulders. He tires after a bit but when they are doing kick to kick he starts off moving and kicking nicely for a tall man. He's got to be 202+ by now. Trenners doesn't have the definition of some other guys but he looks lighter in the glutes. I think he's literally working his butt off so there's hope there. A large rehab group today and a lot of players going in and out of drills. Frost and Hunt haven't fixed their kicking yet so it will be important to get them in space where their speed is still as impressive. Watts in team drills where he can duck out on a lead and then spin and kick is deadly. If the backline skills pick up and he can start finding space and being hit up he's got another level in him. Salem seems to have lightened off a little since the first week back, or maybe just got more of a tan, he looks very good. He took a set shot from the pocket that was as sure a kid as you'll ever see. Hoges nailed one from the right forward pocket which is the side he struggles with. Just has to back himself and his straight routine and he'll get more confidence on that side. If he stays fit all preseason and his tank is vastly improved I think Dom Tyson's going to rack up some 40 touch games. We know he gets the ball in tight but he just seems to bob up in creative areas on the outside as well.

Righto, I'll bite. I dropped into training for an hour or so this morning. I didn't take any notes so I'm just going by memory. - The rehab group consisted of Oliver, McDonald Snr, Trengove, Kent, JKH, King and some bloke name Jordan Lewis. - Garlett was present and ran laps with Hibberd, the latter looking extremely knackered after he finished his set. Meanwhile, Daniel Cross still looks in ripping shape. He ran the same amount of laps and barely looked fazed afterwards. - The main group warmed up with some general stretches and running exercises. Nothing too special. - Too my surprise, the soccer balls came out and the boys divided up into groups of five or six where they would try keep the ball in the air for as long as they could without using their hands. The group closest to me which consisted of the Skipper, Gus, ANB, Petracca and Hogan completed a nice set of 30 or so passes using only their heads. - Next, the boys split into groups of two and the staff brought out a set of harnesses which would be put on a player who would walk forward while the other team member attempted to pull him back. Interesting little exercise that I haven't seen before yet at a Melbourne training session. - A few kicking drills followed where coaches would attempt to put pressure on the player kicking. - Noticed a lot of match simulation drills involving the boys splitting up into two seperate groups. Bit like a game of keepings off. Had too leave around this time so I didnt see too much. A few other bits and pieces - Oscar McDonald looks more filled out, but he had a couple of shockers in regards to disposal. - It's a cliche, but plenty of players look in ripping shape at the moment. Stretch, Smith, Salem (looks incredible given the last six months), Hunt and ANB are all players who looked to have bulked up a bit. - Petracca is so clean. He just doesn't make mistakes. - Lewis is a beautiful kick. He had a kick to kick with TMac, JKH and Pedders and he didn't miss one target. Apologies for not taking any notes. Expect a more detailed training report next time I attend a session.

I would say that's more Mark Stevens overrating a Footscray player than anything else.

Redleg - I think you miss the point. They have already been allowed to rape and pillage yet another draft. "Harsh penalties" next year will mean little. They have had ample time to hit them hard this year but squirmed and deceived and conspired not to, because they didn't want to.

Manic with his defensive pressure and highly competitive. Definitely an area we can improve in up forward.

I look forward to berating him mindlessly.

All I know is we expected him to go much earlier...

Thanks for the report. I was listening to SEN just before and Jake Melksham was on talking about what he'd been doing for the last 10 months, he also mentioned that Hibbered was a little overweight when he rocked up to the club for Pre Season but that didn't seem to surprise him, he said this wasn't the favourite time of the year for his mate Gibbered. He also said he won't feel like a Melbourne player until he's played his first game but he's looking forward to it and is happy to be under Goodwin who he said for a head coach, is really approachable, he also said we will be playing a much more attacking game this year. As far as position, he was supposed to be originally playing half back but now after talking to Goodwin it will more likely be half forward/Mid.

I don't think we would draft a player who can't even stand up

Botswana First National.

I saw the VFL prelim against Essendon and he looked good. I'm predicting 4 Brownlows.

http://demonwiki.org/Russell+Robertson They created the rookie list so he delisted and then re-drafted in Feb for the new rookie list

Shifter Sheahan on Fox Draft show, said he was very hard at the ball and with some mongrel in him, as well as a radar for the big sticks. He is our smokie. Might be a chance. Sounds like he is a harder and nastier JKH.

Considering our draft record over the last few years, I'm happy for the recruiting department take a punt on someone unexpected.

Hawthorn just selected a player named Mitchell Lewis. Overcompensating a bit?

And apparently also:

I'm not expert but I think Trenners best chance is as a Steele Sidebottom type outside runner who just goes all day, endurance is in his family after all. He's got the strength and smarts to get out of trouble in close, if he can just run the wings with enough of a motor to get the ball in space that might be enough.

Watching that highlights reel, he seems to have great skills: ability to kick goals from almost any angle, great sense of where to position himself in marking contests, great hands overhead, quick on the lead, and probably the most impressive, his second efforts and forward defensive pressure that are something that we've been a bit lacking in.

Could Hannan be in the running for back to back VFL premierships?

Also these blokes who have to do it the hard way, are generally very determined to succeed and have more developed bodies.

I agree with you here Monoccular. And, for mine, the AFL is not interested in redressing any of the inequalities. Someone may correct me here, but my understanding is that whilst we will now all have 'academies' and associated regions, regular clubs (as opposed to Phat Phil's) will not be able to have dibs on a player but merely rookie him if he is not selected in the main draft. Not quite the same as pocketing away absolute stars prior to the draft itself. Gil is a pumped up poonce who's all pi55 and wind.

Ballantyne was who I thought of when watching the highlights too RTG

I prefer "Mustard".

I think it was the great NRL coach Wayne Bennett who said "you always take yourself, wherever you go."

Sorry WJ, Stevens couldn't pick his nose and get it right, Hannan will have some serious competition, thankfully, Jason Taylor said he is coming off a shoulder issue and will be eased in

According to Taylor we will only take 2 selections which seems a bit disappointing given we've got room for 3 more, plus a cat B, plus replacing Lefumbles if he quit already. We obviously have faith in Joel Smith and Maynard as options if needed and don't want to dig too deep in to rookie picks. In a perfect world I'd take a ruckman, a tall defender/versatile tall and another outside runner.

Not suggesting it's enough to draft him but our defenders have been slow for over a decade (maybe 5!). The training benefit of getting some more speed and pressure is a pretty handy improvement alone, not to mention getting some proper pressure for spots in that forward pocket role. The other thing I like about him is I'd rather a small forward who needs his skills cleaned up a bit than a silky mover at under 18 level who isn't up to it with body contact and tackling. It's almost a defensive first position these days and it's a difficult role to kick more than a couple of goals in a final no matter how good you are. So I like that Johnstone is taller and harder at it than most small forwards.

They weren't that height but The Wiz and Robbo had me excited. As did a certain Jurrah fella. The game is getting taller so at his height Hannon is really a flanker more than a 3rd tall. There won't be any delusions that he can be a key forward like there were with Howe and Bate.

Its the mandela effect.

i got him gordon, i got him! is that daniel our son, or daniel the lion-tamer? one of the great, great australian films.

Also, between you and me, I get excited when we have Indigenous players on our list. I loved/love watching Colin Graham, Les Bamblett, Sean Charles, the greatest Farmer, Mat Whelan, Andy Lovett, the mighty Davey, Mr Byron, Jay KH, Mr Fabulous Jetta, Harvey Bennell, and the very great Liam J. And I am the biggest fan of Jeff G. In fact, watching magicians like Eddie Betts, Syd Jackson, the Riolis and their like is one of the great glories of Aussie Rules.

Pcik #76 Hawthorn pick Mitchell Lewis. So they lose both Mitchell and Lewis but pick up the next best thing...

Grew 14cms after U18s.

I don't think he was ever that fast. He's an endurance athlete. Used to be right at the front of our time trials. I think high half forward/wing (on a slower opponent than say Stretch or Hunt on the other wing) and just running all day is the go. Works for his sister. Getting lean without overloading his foot will be the secret. Last year when he first started running Brendan McCartney said 'you'll get that arse off the ground'. I think the idea is to get fitness in to his legs and I think it's happening.

AFL hopefuls strut their stuff in VFL finals Hannan's two goals and 10 marks helped the Dogs to a 32-point win over Collingwood in round 21, which ended the Pies' 12-game winning streak. The 22-year-old from St Bernards, since taking an old-fashioned hanger in April, has developed his game to a more consistent level in his second season in the VFL. "He's got his health and his conditioning to a level where he's playing midfield as well, and when he's got his ability to mark overhead and such a long-range left foot on him, he's certainly a weapon for us which is pleasing to have," Hansen said. Hansen described Hannan as a "blank canvas with plenty of potential". "I'd certainly say he's got AFL attributes … and he's a good size. Obviously he's a raw prospect in terms of the talent pathway. He's been a local footballer until he came into our program," he said. AFL hopefuls strut their stuff in VFL finals

He's a star in the making.

He actually brought a note from his mother. All good.

I was thinking the same thing. I think like Kent he rushes his kicks sometimes and kicks when not balanced. he missed some very gettable shots on goal last year. He is likley to spend most of his time forward again next season so has to improve his accuracy. If he does he will be a huge weapon next year. He'll make the package look like an envelope. At the risk of being accused of hyperbole he reminds me in many ways of Gary Ablett snr. Freakish talent, x factor, a real swagger, imposes himself on the contest, takes a strong grab, is super strong through the legs and bum and is likely to play a similar role, that's to say a goal kicking half forward, who can rotate through the midfield. Hogan is the real deal and one of the best young players to come to Melbourne in a long, long time. But Petracca could be just as good i reckon, certainly just as influential. If he stays fit over this pre-season he could have a massive year in 2017 and with him Watts, Hogan and Kent (mot to mention the Weed and Garlett) up and about we will have a seriously potent forward line.

Good afternoon Mr. leg. I think my opinion and many others is that the AFL are all song and little dance. GWS is the love child and they will beat their chest about penalities but the reality is they will be modest. It also suits their purpose to have GWS defy them just before the draft. Am I a cynic about the AFL. YES.

Good. Is still a really important player when at his best. Needs to bring it weekly next year.

Jeff is training today

Yay! Does this mean they can afford to refund my membership from the Neeld years?