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I went for the full three hours today. One of my first times at training but there was a number of things that really impressed me and I'll outline what I say below. 1) At the beginning of training I was listening to Jade Rawlings telling a fellow spectator that they were trying to drill in to our players that the second they mark the ball they turn around to see there options, almost in the one move. This drill was practiced initially and was expected to occur naturally in every other drill that followed throughout the day with the idea of moving the ball quicker. 2) Skills were reasonably good for mid January and they trained quiet well. 3) Standout performers today for me; Melksham - THE standout for me, was running hard and fast and using the ball extremely well. Showed no sign of rust and off the back of what I saw today I am confident hes going to have an excellent year for us. Had a lot of the ball in the ball movement drills and didn't turn the ball over once, found a 2 really good long lead's 50m+ kicks to a nice hit up lead. Hogan - Was really really pushing himself all day and his body looks to have really matured. He finished the day marking against various opponents (Spencer, Hibberd, Tommy Mac and Weid) He was very very dominant in these and even one or two that he never should of got to, he managed to spoil. I think hes going to have a monster year. Ben Kennedy - Was hungry to show himself. Kicked a nice couple of goals in the match sim (ball movement sim), got the ball a lot. was running hard, creating and using it well. Hibberd - was excellent one on one throughout the day and can definitely hold his own against bigger bodies. His disposal was really nice. Hannan - was in the rehab group and he really really impressed me. He has a really nice kick on him, beautiful hands and is just one of those guys that looks super co-ordinated. From what i saw today he will play games for us in 2017. Lewis - the usual (god he's a beautiful kick) Max - trained really hard and pushed the group Watts - similar to max (also kicked a number of goals in the match sim (ball movement sim). Managed to get one of the few intercepts when playing for the outnumbered defensive team and its fair to say he enjoyed it. Salem - similar to Lewis, his kicking is absolutely delightful to watch. Quite sure the boys were calling him 'Sarge' not sure if thats a new thing or I was mishearing but seems appropriate. Weid - Wasn't able to win a 1v1 in the same company as i mentioned Jesse was in earlier at the end of training but impressed me throughout. He was using the ball very well in ball movement drills. 4) Negatives? There weren't many. I love christian petracca but it was interesting that at one point when it was his turn to play the defensive role he didnt put in much effort and Macca yelled at him "you are letting the team down by not defending to the best of your ability" It was obvious this [censored] him off a bit but it was good. The boys were really challenging him to get the most out of himself in the running as well. I think we will see the best of christian when he drives himself to get there more, which I have no doubt he will. Happy to answer any questions if you have any!

Got to head off soon... Kennedy slots one from the pocket. Last play coming up for me... Jones breaks free from Punt Rd wing, passes to Watts at 45... takes the shot and nails it! Cheers to all... until next time

I was there for the full 3 hours as well. I found today's session more taxing than the one a week ago and a higher intensity. Then add the warmer day and what appeared a higher expectation from the assistant coaches and it was definitely on another level. Fast movement of the ball, get back quick, take first option and hard spread both ways were the clear focus. Standouts for me today were Hunt, Melksham and Wagner, who all worked at consistently high intensity and won and executed with the ball clinically. Tim Smith also stood out with some strong forward play and clinical goal kicking in the full ground drill. Just to add to the earlier comment on Trac, he really struggles to stay switched on during the full session particularly when he doesn't have the ball. Additionally he continues to try and do more than he needs to and was critiqued numerous times for not taking the simple option. Reading Macca's player updates on the MFC site it is going to be an interesting balancing act getting his team play versus flair right this year. Also overheard twice that the intra club practice match will be Friday Feb 10 at Olympic Park Oval (no time mentioned but suspect similar to training).

PF Training report Arrived at 10.30 and Fillipovic, Hannan and Neal Bullen in rehab group taken by Crossy and others 1st impressions Fillipovic reminded me of Juice Newton in physique ( There, got that one outa the way), Hannan bigger than expected but really Neal Bullen won't be in rahab long as his skilled ball work and fitness were evident and sublime. Earlier Tyson and Kent ran some laps interpersed with rests and stretches, Tyson ( NO TAPE on knee or ankle eviden)t. Both kicking balls latter but went inside as main groups arrive. Training as intense and varied as I have seen 2 and a half hour plus session with plenty of ball work interspersed with some gut running. OBSERVATIONS 1 Drills set so that correct decision making gets rewarded with fluent and precise set ups for loose man who then sets up scoring opportunity 2 Specifically I was near punt rd fence and one drill conisted of 70r 8 againast 5 with pressure on ball carrier to be precise in executing correct option for handball 3 The variation of this was that colored shirts Blue, Green Orange White used so that the players had to pinpiont a deignated shirt color in sequence and produce correct play. This I believe simulates match conditions where variable options for attack are called for. Macca at one stage instructed players to set up in a V delta so as to have options. He also said if anyone fumbles you must go in and assist teammate 4 Another drill using half the ground and again variations of zone defence in colored shirts vs Blue shirts setting up scoring options. This was very good and really again tested positioning quick ball movement and correct options undr pressure. In fact all traing drills had a random component with pressure and correct options and hard running to position. PLAYERS a few random selections Hibberd , I would hate to run into him in a dark alley fearsome physique reminding me of one Byron Picket several axe handles across the chest and with quickness, skills and GRUNT Melksham, another great pick up. elusive quick and makes good decsions. Lewis usual self assured performance very good pick up Ben Ken, Clarry Choo, Choo Clearance machine, Watts, Hogan, Stretch , Smith, Harmes, Jones all very very good Gawn customary and new recruits all look good sizes with physiques which look AFL Ready. This is a good thing, No more easily brushed of the ball players. Petracca has an "Odd" Physique very low centre of Gravity which explains why he keeps his feet in contests. Nev Jetta gee he reads the play so well!. Wagner also came under notice with some good ball usage and attack. Players look fit strong and able!! A few negatives ( well I have to say it and anyone else who was there would back this up). Trengove is cooked !!several times he appeared in drills to be running on the spot with no acceleration and pace seems to have gone. A pity really! Tom Mac makes skill errors in drills so no surprise in a game for mine! I believe the focus has changed with more emphasis on correct positioning, correct disposal options and upgraded skill development. We also look very fit! An over 2.30 hour intensive session in the heat and I saw little signs of fatigue! Go DEES Yours PF Happy to engage in dialogue fellow Demonlanders'

I know little of Joel Smith, other than seeing him play in one of the VFL finals, I think it was the Prelim, where he played probably his best game for Casey. He ran through the middle corridor several times, delivering long accurate passes. He showed pace and balance, coupled with good disposal setting up a few goals. He is a nice size and hopefully has some of the marking talent of his dad. I agree with Wiseblood and others on here, that he could be a real smoky for us. What is so different for us today, compared to a few years ago, is that we could probably name a dozen players who are not in our best 22, but who wouldn't be out of place in the team. The other factor that has changed from the Pre Roos days where we probably had 5-6 decent players on the list, is the massive amount of talent on the list and especially in our best 22. We just didn't have the amount of talented players we do now. We are a real chance to play finals and set this club up like the Hawks did and have a sustained period of success. We only need to add to our list here and there, to improve it and keep it strong, after a few leave each year. We should be grateful to PJ, Roos, Taylor, Viney, McCartney and all those who helped get us to this stage.

I thought Trengove looked more like he did in years one and two than 2016. He has his balance and composure back to its best. He was never quick, but he is/was a quick thinker. I have no doubt he has recovered from a career threatening injury. Our whole list is better than it was when he was drafted, so it won't be easy for him to knock the door down, but if he gets a run he won't be letting anyone down!

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/opinion/patrick-smith/james-hird-has-plotted-his-own-tragic-course/news-story/52b8eee1cdb4885b25381990e78b7283 Aaaand its a truth bomb

Arrived on time. Only ANB, Filipovic & Hanban in rehab group with Crossy... maybe Mitch King had graduated! Beautiful morning in Melbourne, going to be 31 today (cheers Ron Barassi!). Main group just arriving.

A quote from the Goebbels's diaries. Applicable to Hird and his apologists or even the AFL. Only needs minor editing. “If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. The lie can be maintained only for such time as the State can shield the people from the political, economic and/or military consequences of the lie. It thus becomes vitally important for the State to use all of its powers to repress dissent, for the truth is the mortal enemy of the lie, and thus by extension, the truth is the greatest enemy of the State.”

Hi all, I too was there early from 10.45 so grabbed a coffee from Edwins. Todd V has a large latte if you are wondering. I can confirm that Dean Kent and Dom T were both out early with Dom showing fantastic ball skills with tricky shots on goal while Dean was there for the chat but afterwards I did not sight him. He was in training gear though. I spent a lot of time watching the 3 in rehab ANB, Mitch Hannan and Flipper all worked incredibly hard. If I had to rank them I would put ANB ahead in endurance and skills with Mitch and then Flipper following in that order. Having said that I was impressed with the big fellows physique for his age and he looks like a likely sort. There was a nice round of applause when Mitch King was welcomed back into main group.

This is wonderful commentary Waynewussell. Much appreciated.

This Danny Corcoran fella is a genius. Really knows how to run a football club- into the ground. I have little sympathy for any of them. His call of PTSD demeans soldiers and those who have experienced real trauma or grief. What JH experienced was a total loss of respect and credibility stoked by an ego that has never been in check. I noticed his egotism when I first saw him interviewed. His ego took him right up but he wasn't ready for the fall. A total lack any introspective insight leads to insanity or prison , or worse.

That tongue is in serious danger ==> https://six6six.smugmug.com/frame/slideshow?key=sczPVd&autoStart=1&captions=0&navigation=0&playButton=0&randomize=0&speed=0&transition=fade&transitionSpeed=1&clickable=1

Submitted in comments to The Australia after Smith's article, though not sure if they will censor it out. Patrick. One factual error, as I understand. You say "Hird, by his lack of watchful eye, forced Jobe Watson, the son of former champion Tim Watson, to hand back his 2012 Brownlow Medal.". By all accounts, Jobe may have relinquished the title, but surprisingly for such a prestigious ornament, reports have it that he claims he does not know where it is, so technically he has not "handed it back", suggesting dare I say some sort of secret back room deal by the AFL to not push the issue. A symbolic handing back only. Now I realize the suggestion that the AFL would ever indulge in any type whatsoever of back room deals must come as a total shock to anyone following AFL, but that, to me, is at least the appearance. AND Sorry, but AFL ASADA and WADA rules, signed off by the AFL and by those joining the prestigious ranks of AFL players, stipulate personal responsibility for all ingested or injected substances. Further the players (allegedly) signed in their ASADA declarations that they had not been injected with any unspecied substances. Nürenberg dispelled the defense "I was only obeying orders". The players were responsible, and signed false declarations. The club, and the "medical staff" by not keeping accurate records of what was given, when, and how much, violated all moral principles governing human experimentation as decreed in the Helsinki Declaration on a Human Experimentation. Worth a full read - easily found in full via Google .

waynewussell, training the house down! Great stuff WW, love your work.

The Master’s Apprentice. Good use of the shoulder. https://www.smugmug.com/frame/slideshow?key=K73hnC&autoStart=1&captions=0&navigation=0&playButton=0&randomize=0&speed=1&transition=fade&transitionSpeed=2&clickable=1 Another lesson ===> https://www.smugmug.com/frame/slideshow?key=x6jRWJ&autoStart=1&captions=0&navigation=0&playButton=0&randomize=0&speed=1&transition=fade&transitionSpeed=2&clickable=1

Agree, it seems he has been very poorly advised... ...then again it could be that he would only listen to what he wanted to hear and wouldn't pay any regard to anyone with a differing view. Maybe he surrounded himself with sycophants.

Rickshaw naturally. The driver is fairly exhausted and we've only done a hundred or so clicks. My whip needs replacing also.

Awesome. Moving without the ball has been my biggest problem with us for 10 years! Cheers for the reports btw WW

It's this sort of attention to detail that typifies New Melbourne.

Three sets of 60 metre sprints. Petracca just leads Melksham for 2, Melksham pips him on third. Johnstone impressive but Clarrie runs him down in third. Keilty is quite quick.

Dion j?

Put your house on it Brendan. Life's all risk and reward. And the risk settings on this bet are sound. Just ask Jordan Lewis - he kinda took the same bet. He seems happy with his decision thus far.

Love this from Macca: McCartney on pre-season: Part One A couple of delicious quotes: "............... the group is so willing to learn and receptive to getting better, it's brilliant to come to work every day with them" and "................almost every player has taken another step forward with their learning and development. We won't lack for talent, we won't lack for preparation and we are really confident that we won't lack for intensity. The Club has entered a really exciting phase."

Does anyone know what Viv Michie is doing with his football career? I always had a soft spot for him and felt at times he was not given enough games in a row to prove his worth.

Awesome sequence 6! Highlights the strengths of 2 guys I think both have something to offer us if they do the things they did here. Ben Ken - Acceleration, balance, steadies up, draws a man and makes the smart decision (Poor Paddy McKenna's ankles) Vanders - strong in close, physical, uses his size to get the ball out of reach, hands off to a runner and follows up with a (borderline illegal) shepherd (or tackle) of the opposition. Smart, physical team play I'm certainly guilty of pointing out the weaknesses of players, especially guys on the fringes of the best 22, but the reality is if those kind of guys play to their strengths they'll contribute regardless of their deficiencies.

No doubt if the situation were to arise whereby it would help the AFL to cement some other backroom deal.

With Dom T being injured this is where i really hope Trenners grabs his opportunity with both hands. We forget that Jack's first 2 years he was regarded of one the best young player of the comp.

I agree on all of that Billy, and I think that's the beauty of our list. We've been able to educate Joel and train him in our philosophies and culture without needing to expose him to AFL before he is ready, and thus his confidence and abilities grew throughout the year to where he played his best footy for Casey in the VFL finals. It will give him the best chance to make a career for himself and, going by the information we get, it seems he has continued to work hard and improve, which only bodes well for him and for the club as a whole.

The way Rodgers & the Packers won that game with 10 seconds remaining was the exact reason why I didn't want to play them.. Would have taken Dallas in Dallas over the Packers at home, not too confident against Rodgers!! But one of us will be there Macca (Packers have had their turn, give a small time team thats never won a SB a chance )

Great reports guys. Thank you. Seems the cultural evolution continues unabated. Regardless of what happens this season, I get the feeling watching the Dees will be far more enjoyable than in recent years. ............ Wouldn't be hard to surpass recent years though.

too bad, biffo. up river, eh? no doubt retracing the steps of the great capt willard

What was also interesting to read was that Joel Smith came into consideration for a run in the AFL late in the season. Just goes to show we have a real smokey on our hands and that, with further development, we could have another terrific young player.

Latest Macca update: http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2017-01-16/list-update-petracca-salem-and-smith Christian Salem "He’s been terrific this summer. Christian arrived back from his post-season break very fit. You just see him at training at times and his pure class comes out. All Melbourne people have seen enough snippets of Christian at his best to know that we’ve got a special young player on our hands". He will be the Dees' surprise packet this year! Long thought he is up there with Watts on footy IQ and pure skill. We have players with other special talents but few with silky skills. Christian has them.

Harmes been doing well, Judy just took on Maynard and won. Johnstown pops it up a little high for Kielty, but he marks and handballs back to Johnstone who has run on impressively... he nails a 'goal'. Rawlings calls them in, then they rest. Max is outstanding in these small team games

I first came across the article where it had been posted on twitter.... the replies! People saying patrick should be charged with attempted murder and stuff. Honestly im now dumber for reading them

Excellent summation.

what an evil thought, ernest. i would have thought death may have calmed your impetuosity, but apparently not

a jolly good flogging should suffice this time, dieter

Or make you believe you can walk over hot coals.

That's akin to heresy on this thread, dieter. There are some things up with which we will not put, as your hero Winston once said.

I'm pretty sure his story was that his son was Viv's best mate or something like that. He definitely had a strong Viv bias (funny moment when @Wisebloodstarted referring to him as if he was Viv). He was a good poster though, it would be a shame if he goes away now that Michie is gone.

The thing many here seem to overlook with Trengove is that he is a natural footballer, a clever footballer. He uses his body well, he knows when and where to run, he reads the play well. He was pick 2 for a reason and he justified that selection early in his career, i.e. prior to being crippled with injury and his development being cruelled somewhat by Neeld. Scully was AA last year and I preferred Trengove to Scully as a player early in their respective careers. It's self evident that Trengove will need to regain AFL level mobility etc to make it, but he is a disciplined, aerobic beast and, above all, he is a natural footballer. He is able to float into the forward 50 and kick goals. He is a very strong mark. If he gets his body back to where it WAS previously, he'll surprise a few here. Fingers crossed - he could be the 'feel good' story of 2017. Finals for the Demons and Trengove firmly entrenched in the 22 and contributing significantly each week would be simply fantastic. C'mon Jack!

A bit late to the party, but speaking from my own limited experience, I think there is some value in these camps. Around 2000 I went through one based in Lorne as an 18-year-old, run by a mob that had apparently put multiple AFL clubs through their paces a few times. I often think back to the self-belief it gave me at a young age, in terms of what I was physically & mentally capable of. There was also a focus on problem solving when fatigued & at times I stood up, giving others belief in my ability at a time when I was struggling to find my place and emerge in a core group of men much older and more mature than me. Very suddenly, blokes who had never really given me the time of day, were saying hello & knew my name. All footy clubs have their cliques & it gave me a profile. I had a greater understanding of their capabilities and temperaments. Bonding not so much, but maybe it enabled bonding at a later stage. Most of all, I still go to Lorne & marvel at my ability to run up and down those steep hills repeatedly over the course of a few days, carrying logs & various other objects on my back. I had never considered myself capable of such feats & the exercise had me pushing well beyond where I thought my limits lay. Something I definitely would have drawn on had I taken my footy seriously & made a "career" of it. As others have touched on, those operating the camps have the biggest influence on the outcomes, second only to the participants themselves. Approaching it with a less than ideal mindset will produce a sub-optimal result. And the facilitators must obviously be competent at the service they are attempting to provide, rather than just blokes with SAS experience on their CV who think they can make an easy buck by bullying civilians for a few days. Personally, I'd expect someone like McCartney or Goodwin to have participated in multiple camps of this ilk and have a great understanding of the value and benefit to gained from them, with the right facilitators. Criticisms based on injuries are narrow-minded in my opinion, and they can just as easily happen at Gosch's.

I watched that game as well and thought Trengove was noticeably smoother and quicker off the mark. Obviously not express, but you didn't think there was any liability, which is very different to his injury years. When I think of Bartel, and as you know Trengove has often been compared to him, I don't see any overly special traits other than his marking. I wouldn't say Bartel was a "ball magnet", although he averaged 26-28 disposals in his best years, more-so he was a very smart and brave footballer who just did everything very well. Other than speed Bartel had no weakness. I see Trengove in a similar light, although much of his development has been robbed by injury. It will be interesting to see how he goes this year. If his movement is markedly better and he plays 8-10 games it wouldn't surprise me if they gave him another year and from there who knows. Or he may do enough to gain interest from other clubs. You'd just love to see him given a level playing field. A skilful and brave player who just does everything really well get games in the AFL. But if his movement is a liability at this level clearly he's finished.

I'm another who has been on one which was run by a company called IDQ who usually take elite sports teams. (Recently they took Melbourne Storm on one so I wonder if it's the same company). I was playing with a struggling A grade amateur side who were perceived to be 'soft' and would 'crumble' under pressure in clutch games. The club decided to forked out thousands of dollars for most senior players to attend. We'd finished about sixth the season just gone. The 'outpost guarding' exercise described by the poster with inside info sounds identical to the one we did. After one and a half days of a variety of the most intense, repetitious and torturous exercise off the back of about 4 hours sleep max, we were given the outpost guarding exercise at about 11 pm at night. Set-up around a circular walking track, players were positioned individually about 100 metres from one another so that you were on your own to guard your area whilst one of the IDQ guys would walk around making a call which you had to respond to when he passed your area. I fell asleep twice during the exercise which went for over an hour and a half and I remember some guys were hallucinating quite seriously when stories were shared after it finished. If it is indeed true that not one MFC player fell asleep during this exercise, I'm gobsmacked. That's amazing. As for whether it was beneficial or not, obviously I can only speak from individual experience and the things that I got out of it were the following: A sense of place within my unit/team which allowed me to feel more comfortable and confident as a 20 year old getting to know senior players as well as senior coaches which has an on-flow effect to feeling more comfortable and confident in yourself at training and in games of footy. For all the new draftees and most young players at our club, that experience alone is of benefit. It also dissolved physical and mental boundaries. Knowing what I'd endured on that camp spurred me on in pre-season running and in games from then on. Of course this is not new for many who have been on pre-season camps, but I hadn't experienced that level of pain ever before. And I'm sure some of the young guys at our club would say the same. As for injuries, we copped a few also. Some serious and that's the risk taken when you attend these camps. I'm sure in and amongst the sore bodies and injuries at the MFC, there will have been a lot of self-development for individuals and bonds would have been formed and further strengthened. And that can only be a good thing. For anyone interested in where we finished the following year: Third last.

Wrecker 45, I am responding to your statement bolded above. America de Calli had already made the point below: "How can you believe he is the scapegoat when just about everyone else in positions of responsibility at Essendon were sacked or resigned swiftly? It took untill the bitter end and millions of dollars in his pocket to get Hird out of the club". However Wrecker45, you responded to his post as though you didn't read it, so I am again rebutting your statement that: "Hird could have handled it better but I truly think he his a pawn that the AFL needed to hang everything on. Particularly, after he wouldn't cop the slap on the wrist they were offering". You are again ignoring all the other casualties at the club which were mentioned by AdC, you are ignoring the fact that Essendon was fined $2 mill, you are ignoring that it lost draft picks, you are ignoring that the players were suspended for 12 months, (albeit by a WADA tribunal) and retired players had to step aside from coaching and other positions. You are ignoring the fact that the club is shelling out millions in compensation to the players. You are ignoring that Watson has lost his Brownlow. Hird himself resigned as coach before the player suspensions because the players were no longer performing for him. This was not a penalty imposed by the AFL. He kept going to independent courts and losing, so how can he be a pawn of the AFL. After all this, how then is he the scapegoat that the AFL needed to hang everything on? You yourself say"he wouldn't cop the slap on the wrist they were offering". So he was offered a slap on the wrist but 'he is a scapegoat"? (I know you say it happened because he wouldn't accept the slap, but that is still contradictory). Hird is just one of the many and continuing casualties of this program. By definition if there are so many other casualties, Hird cannot be a scapegoat As it happens, my view is also that he didn't intend to break the rules, but that is not a defense when the rules were broken under his watch and as a result of a program he instituted. He had responsibilities and he amongst others had to be accountable, - the Cronulla coach copped a suspension, what penalty did Hird get from the AFL which was worse?

Your experience is beginning to make more sense now McQueen, like any industry where you can make money, there are good operators and charlatans, sounds like your company managed to source charlatans. I have experienced one company that was run by an ex 'special forces' operative, he was, he managed a couple of weekends in the reserves before being elbowed, unfortunately like the personal training and education industry the oversight by 'inspectors' is poor leading to charlatans having free reign to take money before being caught out Hopefully the club will have sourced a professional well accredited organization to provide this training With this training there is no tangible measurement, it is to show the participants that they are capable of more than they think they are, from the snippets some have heard and what was told to me by the players it obviously achieved this, I find it noteworthy that somebody has already mentioned that nobody from the club went to sleep, I have only heard this occurring in professional soldiers previously, so the mental strengthening that Goodwin is trying to instill seems to be already working I have missed the grand total of three training sessions since the start of the pre season, the standouts for me from previous seasons is the sheer physicality on display at every session, the camaraderie amongst the players going to another level, and the drive all show to complete each session without showing stress or tiredness despite what is thrown at them

I reckon the way the Hawks do Kokoda is brilliant. They use it as a right of passage for the young and new players to feel part of the team. They soak up the history of the place. They learn about team work and form an instant bond with each other. Clarko goes with them doesn't he? So he gets to see them under pressure and they get to respect him going with them. It has a purpose. It's not fake. It's formed it's own niche in their program. I don't know what to make of these military camps but like most things in life you only get out what you put in. If it's well planned for a purpose and the players commit to it then they'll get a lot out of it. They've been training at Gosch's for weeks and still have plenty time left there and up in QLD for footy skills. Nothing wrong with mixing it up as well.

You'd be pretty sure that with a group like PJ, Mahoney, Goodwin & McCartney, that they'd done a fair bit of research into if this was beneficial or not. PJ isn't exactly a sucker when it comes to spending money.