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Not sure why people go on about Saty's comments. He has his opinion and he passes on info that he gets. From that point on either enjoy the info or ignore it. I am glad he keeps contributing.

Not a lot to report from today's session. My guess is that today's training whilst designed to be one of 3 main sessions for the camp, was never meant to be full gas like some that I have seen up here over the past 3 years, where they were monitoring body temps etc. It was a bit lackluster in my book. Either they are: still acclimatizing / still hungover from Australia Day / have already been thrashed over the last 2 days. Take your pick? I'm expecting Saturday's session to be the one to be at to get a better reflection of how things are tracking. Here's some observations from today session for what it's worth: * Maynard and Tim Smith both caught my eye. Both impressed me with their mobility for big guys and impact around the ground. Smith looks to me like he has worked hard on his game and will contribute something to the seniors. Maynard's swagger reminds me a bit of watching Petracca for the first time 2 years ago. Smith a focal point up forward and I think Maynard a back/mid at a guess. * Slightly different vibe about training from the past 3 years. Couldn't put a finger on what it was. Perhaps the best way to describe it is it was a little more chilled out. Not sure if that is good or bad but it was noticeable. * Surprised at some of the different faces being vocal and taking leadership roles. Vandenburg & Bugg among them. * Won't bother listing the rehabbers, if anyone wants to know I'm sure they'll ask. I can say that all of them are not far off the pace and in good nick considering. * Just realized none of the indigenous boys were there. Maybe training with the Boomerangs or something? Just guessing. * Clarry provided the highlight of the session for me, making a tackle that I'm still shaking head at and wondering how he made it. * Jason Taylor watching on. Was good to see him still taking an interest in how the newer recruits were travelling. * The Hulk looking confident with his goal kicking. Still waiting for some signs that some of that greatness is kicking in - Lets wait and see what Saturday brings.

"Oscar played the last 14 games of 2016 and impressed with his intercepting and work in the contest. McDonald was involved in 41 defensive one-on-one contests and lost just 17% (7) - ranked 2nd at the club behind his brother Tom and seventh in the league in players involved in 30 or more contests. Of his 14 games, he didnt concede a goal to his direct opponent in 6 games and cinceded more than two just once. He averaged 6.5 intercept possessions per game, rated above average for key defenders" AFL prospectus. Whilst I question alot of the prospectus rating systems, those stats are vital for those who question Oscar quite often. Clearly in the best 22 and this was in a season where he was often undersized.

The players make things to sell on family day...little baskets made from icy-pole sticks, doilies, oranges stuck with cloves to throw in the sock drawer, macrame wristlets etc. I just hope there are no repetitive strain injuries...if there are, heads should roll!

How about if we could combine the two of them?

With the exception of Roosy's Bruisers who posted a training report just 4 posts previous to yours

I posted this on the Women's football board but thought it was worth putting over here on the main board: I love the fact that the back page of the Age is red and bue with a photo of daisy. Great for our club and the decision years ago to invest in and support women's football will play big dividends for us in terms of exposure and growth in the number of supporters. To be honest i hadn't given the AFLW a great deal of thought but i'm now genuinely looking forward to it and its great i have to team to barrack for

The most random post ever

In quite a few games last season, Bull played better then most if not all of the Melbourne listed forwards in the VFL. If he gets a go in the JLT games, or even plays well enough in the Casey pre season games, expect to see him getting his debut early in the season. For those that haven't met him, he is a super nice and respectful kinda guy, has worked his arse off to get where he is, and I think is more appreciative because of the hard work he has had to put into getting this opportunity. If any of the new recruits deserve senior games this season, it's definitely Bull (Even more then Keilty, who I am absolutely dieing for, hoping he gets a shot) He might not become a superstar, but he is definitely the most entertaining player outside the AFL I have ever watched. His ability to take marks that shouldn't be possible and his attack on the ball as well as anyone with the ball is great to watch. If he gets a go and stays in good form, he will become a favourite of the Melbourne supporters, gaurenteed.

I made it down to training for a little bit this morning, managed to get in a selfie which was pretty good. I spoke to Lewis (he's hotter in person) who said Melbourne is way better than Hawthorn. I left my satchel on the plane, does anyone know if there is a Louis Vuitton store in Marrochydore? I asked Salem about his Thyroid, he said they were good, we had a laugh together. The players did a few drills and kicked the ball around, looked pretty good to me.

Are you sure? What gave it away?

Article on the MFC website: http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2017-01-29/hard-work-pays-off-for-smith I love this kind of story. For all the kids out there who get plucked from school straight in to the AFL system, there's heaps of players kicking around who probably are good enough play, that have to go the longer and far more difficult road to get there. If nothing else, you know he comes in knowing what hard work is, and that he won't take it for granted. Additionally, the fact that he and Keilty have been selected from Casey in to Melbourne is a fantastic endorsement for the alliance, and a fantastic advertisement for Casey as a club. It says to players at VFL level who want to pursue an AFL career: "come play for us; if you're good enough and work hard enough, we can give you a path in". That has to attractive to good players. As far as how he'll go, I'll keep my expectations moderate. I see him as competing with Pedersen in the short term for the 'second' tall forward role, and taking the pressure off Weideman to develop in the medium term. He's apparently tough and takes a good mark. I see it as a very low risk selection - it has a low ceiling (I wouldn't expect much more than 'decent' player - he won't be the next Hogan), but no downside whatsoever, if it doesn't work out then we haven't sold the farm and we know he'll contribute at Casey level.

Fyfe over Kelly every day of the week. I wonder if the Kelly link to Melbourne is nothing more than journos being so used to mentioning them both in the same sentence due to all the Tyson/Salem/Kelly trade analysis.

seen more than enough of all three to be really comfy with that deal. Kelly may be the best of the lot but the combined ability of Tyson and Salem is probably a slight win for us imo but both sides would be really happy with it

It is difficult to think of another player who has improved as much as Oscar did in the course of one season. He was no where near AFL standard in his first few games earlier last season; he looked slow, seemingly had little agility, presence, urgency or physicality. To then go on and win the rising star in round 21 and be seen as an important part of our backline says a lot about him and also the ability of the Club's management skills to back him and get the best out of him. I found it interesting that Oscar stayed in the team whilst Clayton Oliver was sent back to Casey during the year.

I was invited to a GWS coterie function a while ago and got on the cans with Kevin Sheedy. We discussed Josh Kelly (more below). I used to dislike Sheedy until I met him. He's a legend. I've met him a number of times since. My view has not changed. He should've been appointed coach of the MFC in 2008 IMO - all would've been different, but I now don't care because I reckon the club is perfectly positioned for the future and has finally got its act together. Conversation re Josh Kelly went like this: Me: 'What do you think of Kelly for Tyson and pick 9?' Sheedy: 'Stupid deal. Trust me, the Kelly kid is one out of the box - he will be an absolute superstar - we killed this trade.' Me: 'You said that about Scully too.' Sheedy: '@&$% you, ya %*+#head!' Me: 'We're super happy with Tyson and Salem and we need mids desperately, so two for the price of one suits our needs.' Sheedy: 'Tyson ain't that great and Kelly will be a superstar - glad you're pleased with your club about this because Kelly is out of the box and your club could've had him.' Me: 'Like we could've had you Sheeeeeds! ?' Sheeds: 'Yep, exactly. Hate the Melbourne Football Club. Didn't even get invited to the final interview stage. Hopeless $@&%s. They've overlooked me twice now, both as a player and a coach. No wonder they're a freaken basket case!' We then drank more beer.

Yeah they've done a good job. Also just FYI if anyone is a Telstra customer, if you update the AFL app you automatically get the AFL Live Pass for free again this season.

2017 2018 2019 2020 S.Frost (24) (40) A.Brayshaw (22) (31) J.Garlett (30) (146) J.Viney (26) (70) B.Vince (31) (193) T.Bugg (25) (83) N.Jones (31) (223) M.Hibberd (30) (84) L.Hulett (20) (0) C.Garland (30) (141) J.Melksham (28) (114) B.Kennedy (23) (40) M.Gawn (27) (61) C.Oliver (22) (13) J.Kennedy-Harris (22) (22) J.Harmes (23) (27) J.Watts (28) (137) Mitch King (20) (0) J.Hunt (23) (19) D.Tyson (26) (71) A.Neal-Bullen (21) (15) N.Jetta (28) (94) J.Hogan (24) (41) C.Salem (22) (30) D.Kent (24) (52) J.Lewis (33) (267) B.Stretch (21) (27) O.Macdonald (22) (17) S.Weiderman (22) (3) J.Trengove (26) (84) T.Macdonald (26) (104) C.Pedersen (30) (61) C.Petrecca (22) (17) A.Vandenberg (25) (28) J.Wagner (24) (14) P.McKenna (22) (0) M.Hannan (24) (0) Rookie D.Johnstone (20) (0) L.Filipovic (19) (0) T.Smith (26) (0) D.Kelity (21) (0) M.White (21) (3) B Rookie C.Maynard (25) (0) J.Smith (21) (0) UFA J.Spencer (28) (36) Blue Number is players age @ end of final contracted year Red Number is games played EOS 2016

I've heard Salem has improved his Croshay work out of sight. Spencer however, lol.

A fancy name for skills.

Thanks for the suggestion guys but it's now too late - I've had a name change.

or GoodyTwoShoes aka GTS?

Is THIS a serious post ?

Draft position aside, we have a Parish type...Jayden Hunt And, Clarrie gives the team much better balance and he can do things Parish can't. What's more, Parish went right up the 'opposition players I don't like' scale after his pompous display on kicking his goal against us in round 2 last year. So, Clarrie every day of the week.

It wasn't until the mods deleted the post it was obviously referencing.

Any chance someone could photoshop Stephen Hawking into a Dees guernsey?

Aah. The Pax Demonica. May it rise again

With all due respect Ron, of course Sheeds would say that about Kelly, especially given he dislikes the MFC. If he's not big enough to let go of a grudge over what happen under a past administration, then IMO it might be us who dodged a bullet. Might be a top fella, but as you say, we are in a good place now. Will be interesting to see if we have a genuine creak at Kelly this time or in a couple of years.

Not bad...I'll give it some consideration. I can tell you that within 3 weeks, 3 nights and 3 hours I will have changed my name.

They should run a "piss taking course" for Demonlanders who don't get a joke.

Nope. Parish was probably the percentage pick given his junior credentials and the fact that he is clearly destined to become a very, very good player. Oliver's upside though is higher IMO. He's an excitement machine. What he brings to the team and to the contest is fantastic, but I see him as being the riskier selection of the two. That said, Oliver could very well be the next Dangerfield (albeit with some Diesel Williams bits fused into him).

I must admit I was surprised by how good a year Parish had. Averaging 21 disposals across 20 games in your first season in a poor team is pretty bloody impressive. Oliver averaged a tick over 19 possessions over 13 games. Parish had the more consistent first season. I doubt you would find too many bombers supporters who would be willing to do that trade. Having said that I think most on here would agree that Clayton's ceiling is way higher than Darcy's. He has the ability to eventually control games and on occasions he can do the impossible (that hand off to Stretch against the Hawks). These days you would actually back our footy department in to get him to reach his potential Oliver is going to give us supporters a lot of joy over the next decade. There is no way I would do that trade

Yeah it looks great, except for the the unmissable text reminding us of our 111 point loss to Geelong...

Best 1st year player I have ever seen. And im nudging 40. Quickest hands I can remember since diesel williams. Let's hope his commitment matches the talent because I think we have a potential superstar

Have met Sheeds a number of times too 'Ron' and he is good for a chat and good for the game...a likeable larrikin. ...but I don't think he would know much about the relative merits of either player given as I posted recently he was going to sign an autograph for Phil Davis not knowing who he was, the co captain. Also McCartney was quoted recently as saying Tyson will be an absolute gun... Hey, we could end up with the 3 of them. Kelly certainly fills a gap in our list.

This is photoshopped.

Yeah mate! Has put on at least 8kgs of muscle since then, if not more. I know I'm biased but everyone should be keeping a close eye on him.

That's a big call from a bloke who felt Mark Neeld would make a good senior coach.

Plus us taking Hogan as a Priority pick in the mini draft, ahead/instead of Kelly.

Nice couple of photos.

Yes he could be a very special player, has already shown elite inside hands even from his very first game. I will add however, I still remember G Lyons view that Matthew Bate would eventually be in the Top 50 of the comp.......

I was nervous but excited that we picked Oliver over Parish at the time. A season in, that remains my view.

I'm hoping he and Tormund make a fierce partnership this season.

Better than Viney is very big call.. the others arnt stars yet but if Viney lifts his averages just a little he will be getting close to elite midfielder material and I didnt see any mention of Big Bearded Max! I hope Clarrie's a star but he has a long way to go to get to be number 1.

Kelly would be a better fit...

We need to learn how to beat St Kilda, North, EssUndone before we can be nearly satisfied and thinking about finals.

He's exactly what we need, gut running and outside class. Not that we don't need Tyson and Salem just as much, but we already have them! Certainly no point having that debate again! I'm sure the club would have a list of out of contract players around the league and they'd probably have lists of the best players per positions of need. Kelly would be high up on both.

In this Clayton's training thread, I'll hijack the thread to thank all the track watchers who have contributed some terrific reports over the pre-season, with loads of detail. Thanks everyone! I pass through the general area of Gosch's on a fairly regular basis in my day to day tasks, and have seen quite a few snippets of training; on 2 occasions I was there for a reasonable amount of time. Fwiw, I've seen enough to make the following general observations about the following who have caught my eye as likely to add significantly to what was on offer last season. Probably nothing that hasn't been noted here already, but here goes, in broadly number order: Hogan - just looks like he's going to go to another level this year if he stays injury free; fit, strong and skilful. Lewis - the kicking: it draws your eye when watching him in the group. Brayshaw - looks stronger and fitter, and a real presence in drills and match sims. Gawn - see Hogan entry. Could be scarily good this year - please stay fit, Max! Billy Stretch - looks to have progressed strongly in his physical development, and should step up to be a consistent and skilful player. Oscar - should be a more imposing presence on the ground with a body that's filling out. Jayden - there looks to be more of everything with him; seems to have taken the Olympic motto to heart ("Citius, altius, fortius"); also looks more confident in his work on the track - his break-out season has no doubt added to that. Exciting! Joel Smith - a bit like the J Hunt entry, with a lot of skill on show together with significant apparent physical development. In addition, Weideman looks bigger, but whether this is the year where he makes significant impact, time will tell. Oliver is interesting. Doesn't seem like a natural running machine like some other mids, but you'd like to think that his output would be improved from last year with the work that he's had to do over the summer. Petracca probably in a similar category. Both works in progress from point of view of fitness, but would expect both to be in a better to position to have more impact on the ground. As an overall observation, the intensity of work in terms of running and physical contact in drills and match sims is significantly higher than what I can recall seeing in previous pre-seasons. Which is all well and good, but who knows whether or not the increase in intensity is just keeping up with, or catching up to, the work of the leading clubs.

I went down on the off chance they would train. JKH and Jets with Crossy and and a few others having a work out. JKH doing leading and kicking work and Jets running. Crossy the standout, looks like he could play tomorrow.