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I attended training today to get out of my un air-conditioned house. I pretty much just sat in the shade so I'm only going from what I saw from a far. Rehab group: Filipovic,King,TMac,Pedo,Wagner & Hannan Brayshaw came off the ground with troubles to his foot. Got assessed by the docs and they put him through a series of run throughs and exercises. Nev also came off early but wasn't attended to as did Frost who had a bit of work done on his lower back. There was some form of VIP group that got invited down to training, a lot of oldies including the great Ron Barassi. Robbo & Daisy Pearce were also there. Matt Egan addressed this group for a few minutes and as luck would have it I happen to be within earshot of most of this. He gave a brief description of what we were meant to be seeing in each drill (at that moment). There was one drill where there were 2 lots of defenders & attackers and the defenders were to block leads and the attackers were to block the defenders from blocking leads. Looked like a bit of merry-go-round until it was explained by Egan. Another drill was stoppage work from the mids and the other drill was leading & contesting marking up forward with an emphasis on repeat efforts & Hogan's name was dropped. Egan said whilst they are happy with Hogan's contested marking they'd like him to have repeat efforts and impact more contests. Egan was asked about the music at training. For those who haven't been to training, they have music blasting out from the punt rd end. The reason behind this is to overcome noise & in game day situations there are points where you cant hear the person that's yelling at you so you have to use signals. Egan also made mention of Goodwins coaching style at training where he likes short,sharp,intense drills. If you've been you'll notice that drills go for about 5 mins and then they huddle in the middle very quickly & break out again. He likes to change it up and not leave room for rest and see how the group deals with fatigue. One thing that was noticeable in todays session was the emphasis of using your opposite foot in the drills. Frost, Petracca were prob the worst. Suprisingly Weiderman pretty handy on the op. There was a 3/4 ground drill where the emphasis was on quick ball movement, playing on or 'rolling' as the players would call it. Oliver had good hands, Hibberd, Lewis & Watts field kicking were sublime & Spencer held his own against Gawn. I was a little disappointed when a wayward kick got kicked to Viney and as he lead to it he was quickly approaching the fence. I was the only one to yell out 'fence' and by then it was too late and he cannoned into it. Luckily he is built like a wombat and got straight back up but it could have been far worse.|| Max Gawn made note of the lack of talk and gave a spray from the sidelines. As I left they were doing some form of 3/4 ground run throughs around the boundary. Up & back twice. As they finished and naturally put their hands behind their heads, Gawn & Lewis ripped into em and said words to the affect 'don't show signs of fatigue. The comp wont know what's gonna hit em'. Wagner, TMac & Pedo did a lot of lap running. Leadership group locks at this stage look like: Jones,Gawn,Viney,Lewis Contrary to recent reports, Oliver was in the main session today looking like he has knocked off the puppy fat. Petracca looked like he was on limited minutes. Feel free to ask questions, however I normally drink at this time of the night

What an epic trilogy of training reports from @Deespicable, @DeeSpencer & @Stevienic23. Thanks to all 3 of you for the brilliant write-ups.

I popped in for about an hour and it's always interesting to watch players close up. Because of all the talk on here, I just wanted to double check that Oliver had started to look more like a strong young man and there's no doubt he looked fit and fired up. He's not so round (pear shaped) across the shoulders and clearly has been doing weights to become more broad shouldered - he's now a bit like Adam Cooney in shape. When the mids did a boundary throw drill, he and Jonesy were the standout pair - the two hardest to stop, although Viney with grunt and Tyson with deft touches were also hard to beat in the contest. The thing with Oliver, and the reason why we all of us seem to focus on him (a bit like the old Wattsy days) is that he the key man at clearances for us. Sure Jonesy is more evasive and other may have more finesse but he may yet be our Cripps at the clearances. Some doubt his fitness and sure he may not win our 1km reps, but he is still very quick and when he realises that he is among the fastest at the club, he will grow in confidence and run with the ball a bit, rather than just give it off. His other drawback is that when he kicks it, he often drops the ball from too high and as a result can spray the odd one more than Jonesy or Watts, but the coaches are on to him when he does this, and you can tell by his anger when he mis-kicks, that he gets it. He clearly has vision, he clearly has pace and he has the toughness - of all our young players he is the one that I am tipping will become a star of the game. But it may not happen this year as he has to win his way into a line-up that is mega-deep and he will have to cope with being tagged before too long. Of the others today I was ultra impressed with Chunk - I had him tipped to play off half-back this year and he still might - but I'm not so sure now we want to lose his evasiveness at clearances, particularly when you have Oliver and Viney going for the first touch off the rucks. Petracca, significantly, wasn't part of the clearance drills, and is being programmed again for a high half-forward role. But Brayshaw was a part of the midfield group, as was Jordy, Trenners, Stretch, Vince and ANB - no surprises there I guess. I watched the Weid for a while today as well and he is starting to make progress IMO. He still has to improve his agility, but his kicking at speed after a mark is improving and he generally looks less like a kid nowadays. Whether he has enough pace to be the man on the lead-up is yet to be determined, but he'll play at some stage this year barring major injury. I've got to say I really liked the way Spencil moved today. Maybe Gawny was having an off day - but Jake was doing everything you want from a back-up ruck - working hard to impact a contest, even if Gawny got the tap. I also had a good look at Dion Johnstone - the kid from NT via Scotch College. He is pretty skilfull, and seems to be fairly quick, but I'm not sure if he's explosively quick, so it may make it hard for him to win a spot as a forward flanker. But that is not surprising given the depth we have these days.

Got there at 12, stayed for 45 minutes. It was very warm! Robbo was hosting a touring group, presumably the draftees families. Rehab: Tom Mc, Pedda, Wagner, King, Hannan, Flippers Not sighted: JKH, the prince. Garland had some tape on a knee but was moving fine. Ben Ken had his forearm padded. Viney, Trengove and Vanders were back in the main group. They seem to be training more in position groups now. When I got there mids were doing stoppage drills competing in 2 teams focusing on spread from the stoppage. Clarry won one of his trade mark beast mode and fast hands clearances and then burst forwards to receive the ball away from the stoppage and got on the end of it out in front of Stretch. That had Jones and a lot of the others cheering. For all the negative chat of late it was a reminder that he's a super talent. Bugg impressed me in this drill as well just with his smarts and pace to spread, he was racking up touches. Backs and forwards were working on kicking to or stopping leads. They main group then split in to 2 groups working in half a ground each between the arcs just keepings off 7 on 5. They what pretty fast and decent movement up and down the area. Unfortunately someone sailed a kick high and Jetta punched it away from Stretch's reach and seemed to injure his left ankle. He was up walking off shortly thereafter but I don't think he returned to training. Hopefully it's minor. Over the other side someone kicked towards Viney near the boundary who backed back and went to mark and ran in to the fence with a crunch. It looked really dangerous and momentarily I was worried about Viney but he grabbed the fence and flipped his weight to avoid injury and I really should've been more worried about the fence. After that they went in to 2/3rds of the ground shirts v bibs with the shirts having 2 extra in the midfield group but bibs having an extra down back and zoning. Highlights included a nice long switch from Melksham to open the ground up to then bring it in to the corridor. A kick wide from Vanders to Garlett, in to the corridor to spot up Oliver then a quick handball to get Salem running in on goal. And a nice piece of play with Brayshaw to McKenna to Gawn along the boundary line before handballing inside to a runner and in to open space. Brayshaw came off limping and had trouble with an ankle or even a foot. It had me worried about his foot, but they seemed to tape him up and then have him run up and down the boundary. Another one to watch. Tyson impressed me today with his movement and kicking. He's not fast by any means but he just looks a bit sharper to me and to have found a nice rhythm to his kicking. I don't think he's done a full preseason yet in his career. Salem had an impressive moment when he ran forward inside 50, the kick went to him but defenders closed in, so he spoiled or dropped the mark in front of him, kept his feet running on to the ball and very nonchalantly gathered and snapped a goal. The Weid got on the end of a couple of kicks but he did run up and down on the spot when he was chasing, was very warm though and we do have some defenders who can run now.

Cotchin and Mitchell are now the official 2012 Brownlow medalists. http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/sam-mitchell-and-trent-cotchin-get-2012-brownlow-medals-20161213-gt9u65.html Interesting that Crotchin contacted Jobe: "I've reached out to Jobe. I thought that was the right thing to do," Mitchell on the hand: 'Mitchell was even briefer when asked if he was thinking of Watson..."No, I'm going to leave that," Mitchell said'. Its pretty clear what Mitchell thinks! His silence backs up his syringe in the arm 'mime' of a few years ago. Good on him for not giving credence to the 'poor Jobe' charade that seems to have infected most in the wider AFL world. Edit: Sam McClure is making a strong case for Jobe to actually hand back the medal http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/sam-mitchell-and-trent-cotchin-have-their-2012-brownlow-medals-jobe-its-time-to-hand-yours-back-20161214-gtb3pr.html Quotes: The AFL doesn't have it. Essendon say they don't want to know where it is. Watson himself is telling people he's unsure of its exact location. In fact, the AFL is adamant that the location of the medal is of no interest to it. So Jobe keeps his medal after all. Rather insulting to Crotchin and Mitchell.

He looks like it now rjay but at the time our list was just awful. We had no salary cap pressure (probably struggling to pay 95%) and he provided a mature body. I think it was a good buy even for the short term. We certainly were not disadvantaged by having him on the list for the time we did. He didn't take games away from anyone and provided something when he did play. Good luck to him. Ripping fella and I wish him all the best. I hope he always feels welcome at the club, he was there for the worst of it unfortunately. Edit: Of course I completely overlooked the fact we gave up a first rounder for him. Reasonable decision at the time, didn't work out.

and then there is the computer aspect to us voting http://www.itjungle.com/tfh/tfh121216-story04.html

Let's be realistic, if we get through till Christmas without a reasonably serious injury or two, we'll be doing well.

Just to let you all know, I've officially refunded my Geelong membership and have order my Melbourne membership ? Carn the Dee's!

Too much hokey pokey?

The MRP had reviewed the footage and the incident was classified as intentional high impact to the head by the concrete. The MRP has concluded that as the precedent was set in Melb vs WCE the balcony and concrete have no case to answer.

nothing to see here... keep the coin and chase Josh Kelly from GWS

Geez I love that comment by Gawn that the Comps not gonna know what hit them!

I had a conference at the Glass House yesterday next to the Pies ground. They had the music blaring from the sidelines as well. Worth noting that they looked pretty bloody average, especially going forward. A lot of passes dropping short or going straight to a defender. So much for the highest rated midfield in the comp!

Very humble from the big fella. A gentleman.

I think it puts a new perspective for those who were portraying him as some sort of parasite or selfish "list clogger". HE was far from satisfied with what he was able to give. Pity because at his best and fittest he could have been quite valuable going forward at this time in our list / team development.

Decisions dont need to be perfect. They just need to be the best decision you can make at the time. Hindsight is a privilege of those not there at the time the decision was required. Dawes, and Lamumba; were the best decisions we could have made at the time. We were coming from a long way back, I absolutely agree with those who are suggesting while he didn't quite win the Brownlow, we are much better club for Dawes having been with us. He is a fine fellow, tried his hardest, and is welcome back anytime Sorrento is lucky to have him

That's what it's all about.

A 'cuban' is called for as well Gorgo. As well as all that you've hit the outright lead in the tipping comp

I'm was a big fan of Dawes because of his second and third efforts , his commitment to the contest and what seemed to be his not stop endeavor. But by by his own admission "he was embarrassed" about his time at Melbourne. His body definitely did not let him get the best out of himself, and at the time of trading him in we were struggling to get anyone to come to the club but the inescapable truth is that he was not a good buy for us.

28601 Another 50 in the last 24 hours or so. I hope the players are as excited as I am about the prospects for 2017. Big crowds, big expectations and big wins!

Seconded.

Unfortunately you don't need full contact to get injured.

With Gawny planking on the roof of a passing car?

What a load of absolute rubbish.

Max had a lovely kick for a big guy but his body didn't come on at all and he was often in the rehab group. Mitch looks more solid this year after the year off, but he's in the rehab group so it's hard to judge. Macca was getting in to him after he dropped a mark on the lead to just keep attacking the ball hard and he was doing that. His kick is decent and leaps ahead of Spencer and probably ahead of Gawn for the same age. There's not a lot more to report until he gets back in to full training and games. They are doing a lot of fast paced handballing under pressure including handballing over the shoulder and even underground handballs in some drills. Not sure it's at the Dogs level of throwing it but I guess the coaches are working on the theory of practising handballing legally and hoping the umps clamp down on the Dogs. Athleticism and holding his marks are my concerns with the Weid but I agree he's slowly filling out a very solid frame and he does have a lot of class with the way he can gather and kick. I think he leads to all the right spots as well. Totally agree about the Spencil. Although he still managed to falcon one throw in. He just looks stronger, faster and far more coordinated at the moment than he has before. I really like DJ's kicking on both sides and he doesn't panic with the ball in decision making drills. I doubt he'll play much in year 1 but long term I think he'll be groomed to play forward and midfield rather than as a forward pocket specialist.

You are very new to Demonland, Demons1858, and you still have a shred of care and concern for another team. Most commendable, but don't waste any concern for the likes of North Melbourne. This is a team which has had the dees in a death grip for what seems like an eternity. If we beat the kangas by 20 goals next time we meet and their midfield has a collective 20 possessions for the game, I for one will be celebrating like there's no tomorrow. And if I'm any judge, so will everybody else in this madhouse called demonland.

Maybe. Or maybe Chris Dawes changed training standards, improved communication within the team and encouraged a new level of professionalism which has subsequently encouraged players like Hogan to stay and Lewis to join us. I haven't the faintest idea. But for posters to keep saying his recruitment was a failure may not be in possession of all the facts.

A bit like going to Highgate Oval at Crazyburn RTG. I no longer take the Merc. When I was last there Biffen asked me to catch up with an old friend of his. "long hair, obese, plenty of tatts and a decent mo". I had to admit failure in finding Shazza though because every second sheila fitted that description

Actually the beard is trimmed I'm afraid to say, and after discovering the brioche at ALDI, the number of pillows required might be lessened ,

Just another quiet night for Col.

I'm not. I will still always enjoy my beloved Cats. But after watching many Dee's games, and the majority of Casey games this year, I know a lot more about this club and its players than I do of Geelong. Oh and when your best mate and brother gets drafted to them, it's hard not to change your allegiance

Melbournes newest member seems to like the scarves

Mr Oliver trained with the main group and completed the 2 and 1/2 hour session, miraculous return to full fitness Lots of the same drills, including a lot of non preferred kicking and lots of one on one battles and it was hot still running on top of the ground at the end Harmes, Jones, Melksham, Bugg, Watts, Hogan and Lewis

Cancelled Mr. Leg had to pull out. Early 2017?

The oldies group was the Bequest group /committee of the Club Wagner has had a grumbly quad Think Nev's issue is blisters, gave me a silly answer when I asked Garlo's strapping is precautionary BenKen's strapping from incident on Friday Excellent reporting of drills again by DSs

I dont think that happens anymore at Gosch's

Sir Robert Helpmann could outflounce the pair of them.

I agree with you 100% R and B you are not alone.

Wow gorgoroth... Should have listened to you about how bad the Rams are. The first play of the game summed it all up!

Why does Garry have to apologize? The previous relationship was over

I have put the pics on Instagram, Demonpk, when they were doing the match simulation, when Lewis was on the sideline was always talking, good to hear, Hibberd's left foot is a lethal weapon, couple of missiles through the centre of the ground, into forwards hands eye height

Are we practicing the throwball the bullies perfected last year?

I am almost twice Col's age and to date I am yet to fall off a balcony. I have done silly things. What was he doing and where did it happen? How do you fall off a balcony? Get well soon Col.

He's got 5 kids and at least two (but I think 3) are boys. Naturally, all 5 will be playing for Melbourne!

This is really a tiresome point. We got exactly what the rules contemplated and provided for in the Frawley situation, nothing more, nothing less. His contract offer from the Hawks, coupled with his age and our ladder position, determined what we got. We did not get special treatment from the league. We got what the rules said we would get. The Lions with 3 flags in a row and another GF in 2001-2014 with a better list than we had, did get special treatment from the league in getting a PP. The media have acknowledged that. No one has explained that.

Colin was always generous with his time and great with his fans when he was with the Demons. We should all wish him a speedy recovery. Good luck Colin.

Bleeding on the brain, Coln should be fine.

I bet he checked in to the Alfred on his Facebook as well.

The lesson learnt from the Doggies success tells us to not rely too heavily on any one player. They withstood injury after injury this year and still managed to win a flag. The idea that Max going down or Jesse doing his knee tolls the death knell is simplistic, unhelpful and frankly unrealistic. Good teams do not look at their list this way.