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Got there closer to 10 and no Hogan and I didn't see Hannan, Maynard or Flippers. Rehab group as standard; Viney, T Mc, Pedda, JKH, Vanders, Trenners, Mitch King. Restricted group pulled out of the main drill for running and skills; Lewis, Oliver, DJ, T Smith, Keilty, Wagner I'm interested in how long Lewis is staying out of the main stuff. They seem to be really pumping the work in to him with the rehab group. Maybe management after years of finals footy, maybe a change of role to an outside player and they just want him fit. One for Saty. Oliver (who had been in the main group) and Lewis were running repeat sprints when the rest of the rehab group had finished up, with Oliver a slightly lesser distance. Working hard. DJ impresses me. Kicks low and hard. Leaps for marks and takes it out in front. Reminds me a bit of Jamie Elliott from the Pies. Keilty has some spring to his movement and a neat kick. Smith isn't overly tall (obviously can play above his height) but does move well enough and can kick on both sides. There was a drill where the 6 in the restricted group paired up and took a few reps before swapping over of leading out from the square whilst the other gathered a loose ball and kicked to the lead. It was really nice to see mostly well placed and penetrating kicks hitting leading targets. No pressure but still good to see. Tyson hopped off at one stage but it appeared it was just to get what I assume are blisters tended to and then he was back in. Seems a very common ailment with others doing the same. The main group went from multiple series of in tight drills to full ground team ball movement. Ben Kennedy slid in with a perfect bump above knees to skittle Frostly who jumped back up and kept competing. Was very willing. I'm often critical of him but Spencer was starting to resemble an AFL footballer today. I'd say after a long build he's now got the right AFL body that resembles Gawny. Plenty of strength without looking heavy and appears balanced. He was presenting for the ball and moving it on nicely in the main drill. Doesn't always come off but Watts receives the ball in drills looking towards the corridor, when so many others focus first on going wide. In the main drill McKenna doesn't panic and backs himself to kick on both sides. Joel Smith impressed with his leap for aerial contests and a perfectly timed sprint up the middle to intercept an attack. Hibberd is powerful and calm but also one of the first to have hands on hips and sucking in the big ones. To be a big negative: Jeffy Garlett was getting out in space and running with the ball but a lot of kicks keep bouncing in front of the intended target, in match simulation and smaller drills. It's just laziness that needs to stop. ANB has a habit of just rushing to give or receive the footy, he induces fumbles, just needs more timing, he was better as it went on. Petracca is a little but unsure when in the back half. He wants to move everything on. Watts kicked to him at half forward and the ball was touched and then play on. Tracc did his best to avoid tackles but about 3 of them got him down and piled on him! There was plenty to like and it was a high intensity fast paced session for December.

Melbourne FC ‏@melbournefc 34m34 minutes ago When you challenge your idol to an arm wrestle Andrew and Wes: 2 @jackviney7: 0 #myheartbeatstrue 1 reply2 retweets10 likes Reply 1 Retweet 2 Like 10 More

A truly heartwarming picture. For those who don't know of 'Starlight', it is a foundation that helps make wishes come true for very, very ill kids. See more of their wish granting here:https://twitter.com/Starlight_star and if anyone feels like putting smiles on the faces of other sick kids by having their wishes granted, donations can be made here: https://starlight.org.au/donation-form Sorry if this post is classified as 'derailing a thread'. Will leave it to the mods to decide whether to remove it. Edit: It seems young Andrew has the vary rare Infantile Refsum Disease. There is a delightful video clip of him running with the team in this article about JV. http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/melbourne-players-work-up-a-sweat-in-gruelling-training-session/news-story/7bcc784d03e6ff36188431fd0365f11f And the beaming photo with his idol, Jack Viney is priceless!

T Smith is quicker than I expected, looks very fit and keen to establish himself

The young Make A Wish supporter was befriended by Jack Viney late in the picture and was surrounded by cameramen, so expect to see some News reports this evening. Jack arm-wrestled the kid and then hauled him up on his shoulders. On Weiderman, yes he is still lightly built by AFL standards, but athleticism is excellent. He is busting a gut during training and will take another step in 2017, however, I don't expect him to play every game, 10 or 12 would be more likely. I saw Lewis get really down on himself for not hitting a leading target on his right foot. He immediately sent a sizzling pass with his left at the next opportunity. Watching Goody and Macca coaching together was encouraging, to say the least. Goodwin is very clear in communicating what he wants / expects from the group. Macca keeps working away at the finer detail... "arch your back and kick through the ball, Frosty, don't just caress it... Save that for Sunday nights!"

Went past around 8:30am. Rehab or 'other' group out doing running early. Pedro, JKH, Viney, Trenners, T Mac, Hannan, Maynard, King, Vanders. Not pushing it too hard, but Trenners moving at a good clip compared to some of the others in the sprint legs. Legs looking much stronger and more defined. Looks in good shape to me. Hannan a bit bigger in person than that early club photo suggests.

Mine arrived yesterday with this.

Just a bit of colour from training, they had a young guy for Make a Wish today, his wish was to train with the Dees, so started with Goodwin, spent a bit of time with Misso, went with the squad to the run

Cheers again for all the training reports. I am sure I speak for most Dees fans living outside of Victoria, it is much appreciated.

Lol Nice photoshop skills mate

Cards now Hibberds engine is up and running, his kicking is on show, you can be positive about that as well, one example one low flat rocket across field about 60/70 metres to a stationary Bernie Vince, slapped into his hands at eye height

I asked him the other day whether he is going to play at Albury again this year to keep his eye in (he played about 7 games last year when he could fit it in) answer "of course", also asked him whether there was the slightest chance of him even looking like he is ageing or slowing down, answer "absolutely not"

I'll start worrying when he is accused of attacking someone with a machete...

What a stinker of a year. Andrew Sachs better known as Manuel from Fawlty Towers passed away. His interactions with John Cleese are unparalleled comic genius, RIP

Best "season" of preseason training reports ever? Positive, we're on the up, seeing Lewis in the red and blue, talent developing... Is it rnd 1 yet?!

This tweet of training today pretty much sums up the changes between last season and now... 0 replies0 retweets0 likes Reply Retweet Like More Melbourne FC ‏@melbournefc 4m4 minutes ago The coach reporting for duty @Starlight_star #myheartbeatstrue 0 replies0 retweets0 likes Reply Retweet Like More

Yeah it turned up. I also get an option for a 2018 membership if I go to enough games but I am still upset about the passing of Mohamed Ali so not sure I will make my quota.

It turned up?

Yes, the intensity was good. Kent collected Kennedy, front on, at one stage and left him a bit groggy. Someone brought Wattsy down pretty hard on the boundary, couldn't see who it was. Had a chat to Hannan, who is excited about coming to the club and is impressed by the list and the coaches.

Not referring to Redpath are you? Was plodding around in their VFL side before doing really well in the seniors.

Tim Smith could be a real smokey this year, super competitive, very good one on one and in the air, and a reliable kick to boot!

Just watched a tackling activity, two players face each other 10 meters apart, ball thrown to one and he attempts to evade and get past oncoming tackler. Jetta excelled, Max did once, Ollie also good. Most were tackled successfully

Every time Hogan smiles we get 10 new members.

I got Lamumba.

I expect to be married to Francesca Cumani by the spring. I will then travel the world drinking Champagne and talking crap.

BB l wonder what psychological effect the Dogs premiership has had on the playing group. Perhaps they note genuinely believe it is possible to win a premiership from here now that the Dogs have shown the way. Personally, I believe we have at least as talented a list as them, should we all apply ourselves. Perhaps the players now believe that as well!

There are as many views to football as there are people really but one that often resonates among a fair few is the notion that sport , at the elite level especially , is a game played between the ears. What this suggests is given the vast majority of all playing are similarly fit and able then there must be a particular aspect that separates the winners from the also-rans. This quality is invariably ascribed to all that which goes on in players minds, both in the contest and prior with preparation. A very big part of this mental state is what is colloquially known as the buy-in. It's to do with belief not only in the individuals ability and preparedness to use it 100% but what he/she can contribute, what their fellow players are capable of and belief in them and a commitment to the strategies of the coaches and club in general. When this happens great synergy develop resulting in the sum being greater than its parts. Another thread asks where or what we might achieve in 2017. Whatever that will be will be only and because of the degree of buy-in that occurs. If there's a less than 100% harmonic then the machine doesn't purr at its loudest. I'm noticing , and had this discussion with some ( not all Dees either ) that Melbourne seems to be finally gelling. Players are buying in A very noticeable example is Jesse Hogan. I mad a comment ( numerous times ) through the season that he didn't seem 100% committed out there. His body language, his play and results all spoke to this IMHO.. I had the thinking ( still do ) that if he were to 'switch on' he would become that remarkable beast of a footballer we all wish and hope he can. He's signed, he's become a Demon ( wholeheartedly ) he's come back from his break fit and stronger, physically and more importantly I feel mentally. Petracca realises he'd been stuffing around. He's also back fitter, leaner, and more hungry to show the club, his team mates and the long suffering supporter that he , and the club mean business. The buy-in can come from unexpected sources too. Jordan Lewis surprised the football world with a trade request to....Melbourne. He believes this is the team going somewhere and he wants in. The players , with only an exception or two have returned in excellent shape and demeanor . The coaches have the footies out early. They have bought in too, Bought in to the players abilities finally being at a level to lift the gameplan to 'attack' So when we/you are at the footy, at training of even just listening to interviews etc take note of the attitude than emanates. There seems little "might" around these days and a lot more "WILL" and where there's a will as they say , there's the way. Often when comparing teams ,players etc you wonder why Team X seems to be doing better than Team Y when really the cloth and the cut seem near identical. The difference I suggest will be the degree of buy-in, the difference will be level of commitment to the contest. Players, teams that have bought in go harder, higher, longer.The individual lift becomes infectious and sustaining. This is why that long sought success will finally arrive. From the buy-in. Go Dees

And Max has still got a pressure bandage on his calf, but he completed the full session including pounding up and down the slope

Weed, is still a bit stick like (in comparison to others), obviously he is a work in progress, just clocking up the sessions like the rest, haven't seen him standout or struggle which at this time of year is a good thing

Many thanks to all our diligent training watchers / reporters. You are the 'lifeblood' of demonland at this otherwise barren time of year, especially for us footy deprived members from interstate. ........... and now that I've buttered you up, a quick question please. I note from another thread that many of us have the Weed filling a kpf position in our round 1 team, but I've read very little about his work on the track so far this pre-season. Some intel about how is he looking so far would be fantastic. Thanks!

I didn't chat today, mainly took photos which I will post over the weekend, followed half the squad to the tan where they pounded up and down a grass slope for a while, so after full session they had to do that, DeeSpencer has covered the drills excellently as per the norm, but don't agree slightly on Garlett, but I am biased

Yes my bad. It was for Nurofen. Was prescribed by the team doctor I recall. Very tough outcome. The EFC are very lucky.

In some way i see some similarities with a Redden from the dogs whose name i suddenly cannot recall! Mature age VFL player drafted in, mid sized key forward, strong mark, good one on one, reliable kick for goal and a good competitor. In some ways both are also old school footballers, the likes of which abound in all local competitions, particularly in regard to the fact they are one position forwards who can be relied on to kick 50 odd goals a year.

Great comments by BB, but buy-in comes when players and club start to see improvement and progress toward their goals. This creates belief that what your doing in training and preparation is translating to competition/matches. This requires some measure of success and I think early success including against top teams will be critical. All athletes need to be feel that all the hard yards/training is paying off on the field of competition. In other words, winning games of footy.

Culture, belief, buy in. even more important than mucking around with sports science, supplements etc to get that edge. if the players buy in and believe everything else starts to fall into place. I too was worried about Hogans body language last year. wrap to see him cracking in. great post bb

Got my 20 year certificate and pin yesterday... the good wife looked at it and said "is that supposed to be something that you're proud of?" ... as with anything football and MFC related I simply sigh and say "you just don't understand hun" Go dees!

It is certainly debatable what is appropriate. Did the 16yo gymnast that lost a gold medal for taking a panadol at the Sydney Olympics get treated appropriately? I would argue that footballers have been treated very lightly by comparison as an example. That players are not lacking culpability. The proponents of the scheme should never be allowed near a sporting club again IMO. And that includes the Doctor.

It can be dangerous. But in this case it is damning that all 34 players lied on their ASADA forms re injections. That is collusion or stupidity. You stated the following: Precisely, and other than conjecture, no-one in the public domain ever will. So regardless of their guilt, naivety or otherwise, there is an ample school of thought on here that these young men should be totally deprived of their careers, despite the obvious culpability of their 'employer'? I just hope I will never have to appear before the 'Star Chamber' that is Demonland. Your statement is clearly implying that you think the players have been dealt harshly and that the club is culpable. Yet is it has been proven that the players lied. They were hoist on their own petard. Don't know why you would overlook this or forgive them for it.

The AFL should have said Pick 1 doesn't reflect where their list is at and we can't penalize teams like the Brisbane Lions who didn't cheat so we're going to give Essendon their first pick at the end of the first round giving them pick 18 I think that would have been fair, Pick 1 is an absolute disgrace.

I have 2 issues with the players. 1: They have not been contrite in any way and still harp on about being innocent and hard done by, which come from the club mainly. They should just take the punishment, come back and do their job. They have that right and although I would never really respect them they have the right to return to their life. 2: (which is actually aimed at the media) The return of the players should not be celebrated in any way shape or fashion. The whole come back story the EFC are running is disgusting. The players should have simply returned and got on with things. The AFL should have shut down any thought of celebrations or fan fair as it is entirely inappropriate to celebrate the return of a cheat, what sort of message does that send! As we all know the AFL are inept and entirely incompetent and bound to the short term dollar, they have no sense of what is best for the game long term!

Jeez I wish we'd move on from this need for players to wear Barrasi's number. Let players make their own history rather than constantly trying to relive something that happened 50 years ago. It's embarrassing. Give 31 to a random new player and stop trying to morph all our senior players in to a great of the past.

That is a very, very good point.

Thanks, DC, but there are some people in this world who are thunts ...

Thatch the way I like it dc .... no no no .........stop it now! Puns [censored] me up!

a thatcher in the eye no doubt. uncle

How people can leave Garlett out of our best 22 staggers me. After Hogan (1.95), and Watts (1.73) Garlett was our third heaviest scorer (1.71). Took 4th most marks inside 50 after Watts, Gawn and Pedo... Kicked 2 or more goals in 11 or his 17 games...

Welcome 'Bull' great pick up! love what he brings to the table. Well done to the Casey Academy

Well deserved...

This is my favourite post of the year. It tells me what I wanted to know about Jordan Lewis and what I hoped I'd hear about Simon Goodwin. Get back to the Sorrento pub Member's and keep your ear to the ground.