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he loves the club. i don't understand why he doesn't do more in the media. he's articulate, he's good looking, he was a 'flair' player, and he loves his footy. he's a top dude from my interactions with him and he well deserves success in a post-footy life!

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

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

Really hope we grab McInerny as a rookie. We need to be developing another ruck even if it's only as backup.

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.

To Dion, and your family (I'm sure some of you are reading this thread by now) Welcome aboard. Bring that full on aggression and forward pressure every minute, of every single game, and in the next few years you may just end up a premiership player for the Dees. You have a skill set that we lack, and your success will largely be determined by your attitude and application. Be a complete bastard when hunting your opponent, and you might play more games than you think..... faulty.

Me nah, periphery reports, chats with players, I get bored with describing the drills unless it's a new one, besides which we have had some excellent reports from other posters

Time to remember that AFL players are no different to employees in any medium to large size operation. I am sure everyone knows of a former employee who had employment issues and left threatening to sue etc. Nothing much really. The only issue for us fans is whether he cuts it as a player (seems the vast preponderance of opinion is NO) and what the timing of his departure does to our salary cap and drafting position. ( I fear that we may lose out in this area at least in the short term.) You may recall that he was put on the long term injury list with only 6 weeks to go in the 2016 season. As the season had less than 8 weeks to go this required the express approval of the AFL under their rules. This approval was given. It is readily apparent that the club has a strategy to deal with a difficult employee (no different to the usual HR issues in any organisation.) Overall what I am saying is there is no need for the vitriol that is shown in many of these posts. Time to move on and think of summer or whatever one calls it in Melbourne !!

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 think what addles me, and possibly others is 'being taken for a ride". This applies whether in one's personal life, or at work etc and for mine it annoys me also by extension to that which I incorporate into my life. My primary sporting following is football and of that the MFC. I was genuinely quite happy when we got Harry. Here , to my thinking , was a player with a bit of verve, some flair, someone who took the game on, a premiership player. I thought we got something here. He'll add some pizzazz . Yes he's an 'odd' one but as long as that doesnt affect his ability to add to Melbourne what does it matter. Well it has mattered.. The IF and WHAT of medical matters has as far as I can tell ( externally ) been met and dealt with in a very prudent, cautious and professional manner. As far as I can tell these issues have nothing to do with his ability to perform his function as a player. From where I sit he seems to have lost it, the desire to play that is.. Seems all caught up in his "own world " matters As they of his own doing he can take on board all that results from his decision(s) not to participate. He's definitely an Oddball ol' Harry and makes the guy driving the tank in KH seem quite rational and dependable. As with anyone parting company with the Dees, good luck and make the best of what you have where-ever. I say that even though I reckon he's having a lend of us to be frank So with greater time to reflect Harry , I offer you this from your great man : "It isn't the mountains ahead to climb that wear you out; it's the pebble in your shoe." Get that pebble out or better yet, go buy some new shoes

Ruckman please.

those are great photos

I Yes he did BD that is probably because he was the leader at the time. And strong leadership was needed and he set himself up as the prime target for the US reprisal. I suppose he could have hid in the background and let some other figure head be knocked off by US interests. and remember Cuba was being ruled largely by the Mafia in1959 and they were running their US drug operations with impunity from the FBI out of Havanna. Castro sent them packing to Florida, Nevada and Atlanta where the FBI could deal with them if they chose to. In theory Castro did the US authorities a favour and a chance to deal with the drug trade. I don't think they were that interested. I travelled to Cuba in December last year and I found a fascinating society created largely by Fidel. Free medicine and education for all, a monthly basic food ration and allocated housing for all. Litter free streets, no drug lords, no drug addicts that I saw, no terrorists, little obvious crime. I certainly felt safe and I saw little poverty, no shanty towns and a lot of great old cars from the 50's and a lot of crumbling architecture. Cuba has its problems and your average Cuban does it tough, they don't get paid much, but they won't starve and they won't end up in drugs or victims of drug cartels. I have travelled regularly around central and South American countries for the past 5 years and yes there is affluence for the privileged and so called deomocratic freedom in Columbia, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, Bolivia, Belize, Honduras etc but guess what there are a hell of a lot of people living in squalor or they are just dead from assorted drug lords or from military regimes protecting US interests. The amazing thing about Castro is that he could be in power for 50 years in a one party system yet he has not corrupted its initial objectives. In Havana you will not find much evidence of Fidel, no statues, few images just some quotes exhorting hard work and education for the revolution! Che Guevara is the national martyr, Fidel seems to be respected but not necessarily loved. I can't think of any other socialist revolutionary who has not turned himself into a Demigod and destroyed their original vision and their society, think Stalin, Mugabe, Assad, Sadam and the tyrants of North Korea, Romania, East Germany and on and on. Somehow Castro remained committed to his revolutionary ideals and has not enriched himself or his family at the expense of the people. I am sure he has plenty of skeletons in the closet after 50 years in power but he really stands out as one the great world figures of the last 60 years.

Declan Keilty

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.

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.

Was working at the Essendon Football club today, let's just say they were very ordinary. Made work a lot better

I don't know nor care to know what the situation was for them so I shall generalise the discussion here. I understand 'morally wrong' refers to the 'don't mess with the missus' code. And for some it is particularly strong and extend it to ex wives/ex partners. But when two people are separated, living apart from their ex spouses/partners and are consenting adults, how they lead their lives is a private matter. As a woman, I wouldn't want my separated from for several years ex husband, having some intrinsic right to know who I was dating. I may or may not choose to disclose it but as to an intrinsic right for him to know or to get an explanation, well in my book, it does not override my right to privacy. Understandably, he can be sad, angry, disappointed or upset but to think I was morally wrong to date a mutual best friend would not sit well with me. I'm not wanting to stir up a hornet's nest, and relationships are delicate situations but just wanted to put a female's perspective on the privacy of consenting adults.

I'm still too upset about the death of Patrick Swayze to take all this in properly.

Vale to one of the great revolutionary leaders of the 20th century Fidel Castro Ruz. Along with other great revolutionary's like Che Ernesto Guevara de la serna lynch and Camilo Cienfuegos he freed Cuba from the dead hand of the US backed fascist Battista regime.

I reckon he's a bit of a project player, clearly has some ability, but he's also quite Raw, a bit like Joel Smith, i think most of the year he'll look to develop in a role at Casey unless we're smashed by injuries.

A loud mouth Irishman that can fight. Current 2 division champion in the UFC, and athletes in all sports around the globe are mimicking his strut like Kent at the end of the video.

Trying to embed that logo...like the one on your profile rpfc? ...and the one after that. Logos come and go, but the MFC's red V on blue is enduring.

i haven't and not interested in hagiography good at guerrilla warfare doesn't mean great revolutionary here's some reading if you can be bothered http://www.worldaffairsjournal.org/blog/michael-j-totten/truth-about-che-guevara

If GWS win the Premiership next year (and I think they will), then the thought of them having further picks inside the top 10 plus academy guns 'makes me spew'.

The robbo conundrum - at the breakfast table: do I go the red, or straight to the whiskey? Oh, sorry, wrong robbo.

Great photos.

Are you saying he's the bogie man?

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

I 'm not sold on Kennedy and see him possibly in his last year with us.

If you want to draw a comparison, Hannan's path is very similar to Isaac Smith. Smith was also a 22 yo with fewer than 18 VFL games to his name when he was drafted at pick 19 by the Hawks. Smith started 2010 playing country footy, and ended up playing in a VFL premiership. He showed real x factor during the VFL finals series, but most were shocked that he went with the Hawks 1st pick. I think our list needs more x factor players. I think we've got ample players that can play the same role as those mentioned above, but at a higher level. When I think of x factor players on our list, I think of Petracca, Hunt, Hogan and Garlett. The team can afford a few more in the starting 22.

Dion may well be our own Hayden Ballantine. Don't underestimate the value of a serial pest.

I see the resemblance, too.

Its the mandela effect.

Apparently this was a mistake, their recruiter is still balled up the fetual position mumbling 'Mitchel Lewis???' and it got caught on the mics

Cunningham wasn't picked up by any team, might be a sign?

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

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

Fun fact: if he gets a game, he'll be the first person in the history of the club to play a game with the name 'Dion'.

Son of Jimmy and grandson of Happy Hannan!

Not surprising you got that pic then Saty... Kidding don't ban me.

The Hibberd reports are a bit disappointing. You'd think he'd at least come in decent shape. Once again thanks everyone for the reports, very much appreciated.

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.

Mark them down as a certainty to beat us again then! Sounds like almost everyone is up and going. Perhaps Oliver the one who can pick it up a bit.

No, you are not making it up TK. In general terms, the domestic equivalent is: good debt - a loan to buy assets eg car, house. Bad debt: a loan to pay every day living expenses. The $4.7m is an 'operating facility' which can be drawn down at any time, so it sits somewhere between the 'good' and 'bad' debt. But what makes it a 'good' debt is the assets the club holds. Our Total Liabilities were: $12.6m and our Total Assets were: $17.4m so we are well and truly in the black. The Assets includes $8.7m for Land, presumably the Bentleigh Club premises. Interestingly, the land has not been been revalued in the last year and given what has happened to Bentleigh real estate in the last year it would be worth a lot more than $8.7. So, yes the $4.7 is healthy debt. On the subject of debt. As long as debt is in line with assets it is a good thing, especially in the low interest rate environment of recent years. I wouldn't be in any hurry to pay down the $4.7, unless I had spare cash earning close to zero interest. On my reading we are in a really stable financial position and have the potential to become a really solid club. Not only has PJ turned us around he is creating a sustainable financial foundation for us to be really strong again, in our right, independent of handouts.

Or blazers!

I used to go to Q Club and see Madder lake in 1972 and 1973. I loved Billy Thorpe of course but 12 lb toothbrush would get all our heads (and conti's and Venus) going.

Red option plus a royal blue option would cover all bases - can't think of any team we would go close to "clashing" with if we had these two plus our home jumper to choose from. West Coast have done a similar thing for 2017.

I am no Dawes fan but he did IMO give his all. His failure was not due to lack of effort.

After an elongated period he failed to measure up.