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Taken from a post on Facebook: Jack Viney, the consummate professional that he is, is here. I wouldn’t blame the bloke if he wanted to go overseas for a bit and enjoy some time off. However, he looks like he’s a man on a mission as he walks into the café. Gave away the game by deciding he’s wearing shorts and wants to get rehab off to a strong start. Likewise, Cam Pedersen and Dean Kent show up. Full kit training gear, maybe doing their own thing but also maybe training. Can’t confirm as yet. After an hour – boys finally make their way over. Little media here so if something happens I’ll be breaking it. Good areas, personally. Park myself at centre wing for this one, might go over elsewhere and keep looking for more spots. Here today: Hunt, Hannan, ANB, Harmes, Oscar, Stretch, Clarry (third season, remember???), JKH, Johnstone, Balic, Maynard, Keilty, Brayshaw, J Smith, McKenna, T Smith, Vandenberg, Weideman, Petracca, King, Salem, Filopovic, Wagner, Frost The absolute photography king, Wayne Ludbey, is here taking photos. He’s the main source of media right now. Few run-throughs to kick things off. Petracca and Brayshaw leading one group through, Balic and Nibbler leading another. There’s three separate groups here. One is doing handball drills on the Swan Street end, a small group of six (including Hunt, Hannan (I think) and J Smith) are seemingly doing light running drills, whereas there is also a main group consisting of roughly 15 or 16 players. Run-throughs decidedly light as I kinda expected. Can only imagine the slog this pre-season will be like this year to be honest with the way we finished off 2017. Main group doing running straight away. It’s not a pace that takes down the surrounds of the Coles Express across the road just yet and the reason for that is the boys are running more than just one lap. Early going has Nibbler leading the way from Stretch and Oliver, however the latter starts to fall behind a little bit after one lap. JKH assumes third, while Frost brings up the rear of the field, falling away a little bit behind the rest of the group. Nibbler is motoring. Third lap of the oval and he has a solid 20m gap on Stretch. The gap that covers the players by the end of the second lap is roughly 80 metres. Harley Balic is second last in this field, locked behind Keilty and King, who’s about 15 metres further up the ground. Four laps of the ground done. Nibbler looks super impressive with his running pattern – something to monitor throughout pre-season, absolutely smacking the field. Footballs are out. Let’s see who has the most capability here to genuinely bring down the entire state of the houses around the Richmond area. First drill is a casual kick around drill which lasts around two minutes, and then the boys go into a zig-zag formation in two groups. One group is doing slightly different work – the one nearest to me actually screws up the drill on the first kick which is… yeah. Lot of kicks from here which are short, which is what you kinda expect at this time of season considering that they haven’t picked up a footy for a little while. Just getting the rust out by the looks of things. Crossy working the rehab group pretty hard. Likes of Hunt and Hannan getting their monies’ worth with the footy. In the main group, there’s a lot of faster, frentic ball movement going on. Most players are spending not much more than half a second with ball in hand. The patter is literally mark/pick the ball up and use it, either by hands or by foot. Few contest-based drills in front. One thing that’s noticeable (perhaps because of the matchup) is Gussy’s upper-body strength matched up on Harmes. If he doesn’t win the footy, he’s making it hard for Harmes to win it. Another group is doing some loose-ball get work, while the group on the far side of the ground are doing contests while the ball is on the ground… if what I said just makes sense. Think the most pleasing thing – even if it is only the first session – is seeing Gussy just be so clean every time the ball is around. Looks composed and looks ready to make a point about making 2018 his year after such a tough run. I think every Melbourne supporter wants to see him not only be on the park consistently, but put in a huge season as well. I expect him to play off half-back at the moment, be a bit of a ball carrier and creator, while also pushing Hunt a bit further up the ground. That’s my expectation, anyway. Next up, boys swap their footy boots for running shoes again. In one group – Nibs, Stretch, JKH, Clarry, Maynard and Gus; in another – Pedersen, Keilty, Kent, Oscar, Frost, King; in the third group, Harmes, Salem, Trac, Johnstone, Balic, Wagner. Meantime, rehab group currently consists of Hunt, McKenna and Smith doing some reasonably-paced running, while Filipovic is doing some work up forward along with Hannan. Mitchy seems to have had a bit of a change of hair colour since our last correspondence in Round 22 (let’s be honest here). Yet again Nibs looking very good in the running drills, constantly leading the way. Something to keep in mind a bit later on, especially if he has a good pre-season.

someone needs to tell harley that today is monday

Have any players returned with bleached hair?

Doesn't want to get ahead of himself...

I think he would be better employing mindfulness rather than go on another mindless commando camp...I hope that's done with.

Just a note that moderation on training threads will be strict on the issue of poster abuse. Please respect each other's views and no personal attacks on players, posters or moderators ? Thanks.

Reading about the Tigers focus on mindfulness on the weekend, will the Demons take this on, as poor starts and switching off during games, seemed to be our greatest issues this year.

About bloody time Sylvia had a good pre-season. Brownlow for sure this year.

Now I realise that my lack of "mindfulness" is the reason I never became an elite footballer. Lack of skill, endurance, pace and courage were merely minor flaws to my game. In all seriousness, every year the media picks out something quirky that the Premiership team has implemented, and infers that it played a major factor. First it was boot camps, then it became Leading Teams. "Mindfulness" will become the new buzzword. How was the Tigers "mindfulness" when they were constantly losing close games early in the year?

All reasonable calls. I think we've seen what Viney's best looks like already, as in individual games. It's a matter of him stringing 15-20 of them together in a season or consecutive seasons. In that sense he does have another level to go to, but I think we know what his best or certainly close to his best football looks like. Oliver is difficult to place because it begs the question, how much better can he actually get given he's performing at such a ridiculously high level already? I'd be happy placing him in high scope, but God help the rest of the comp if he's only tickling the surface now. Hunt can and will improve but needs to further tidy up his kicking and I'm unconvinced of the extent to which he can do that. He's a weapon no doubt but I have him medium as I think he will always be dangerous, but untidy. O Mac is still very raw. He frustrates like only a McDonald can do, but if he continues on the developmental arc he's on I think he'll become an A grade defender. Just needs time. More size. More awareness. More confidence. i like the romance around Vanders and as a fellow Canberra product I'd love him to turn into Clint's vandenFyfe or Ox 2.0, but at this stage I think it's unlikely. He has improvement in him no doubt, and he has assets which should see him remain on the list. Kent I would possibly change to low scope in retrospect. That said, he is capable of much better than what we saw this year. And I doubt we've seen his best. Stretch was a major disappointment in 2017, but he's still young. I place him into medium partly because the kid has the drive to be great. When you're a mentor for Oliver at his age, you've got something going. I'm a JKH believer. We're a dying breed but there's still a few of us left

I thought he defected and went to North chasing the Premiership he got in '77 but I met him and he explained that Skilton became the coach at the end of '76 and even though he was the Captain sacked him saying he was rebuilding with youth. (Sounds familiar). He was devastated and thought his career was over but then got a call from Barassi asking him to come to North. No wonder he did a cartwheel on his wing when the siren sounded and he won a Premiership at the end of that season.

Even though we didn't have success he made up a great centre line in the 70's Alves Wells Flower

Think people forget what a great Captain he was Never gave up the fight no matter how many goals down we were which was was often many

2 - Robbie

Rawlings probably wants his own team to control and put himself up for senior gigs.

Rawlings has his Level 4 now, applied for Suns job, in Casey he has his own team, that way we don't lose him, and Plapp's next step on coaching ladder

Evening fellas, I am also going Marmelo and Humidor but also having something each way on Ventura Storm with G. Boss steering. Pulled up sore after the CC but galloped strongly since. My youngest daughter (29) who only ever has a bet on the Cup, apparently liked the name Cismontane a couple of weeks ago so she got her husband to put $5 each way at fixed odds at....$301 & $76! I offered her $5 last night for halves but she knocked me back! Kids today have no respect.

That's likely a result of not being in a professional club environment for a while. He played one WAFL match in early June and then came home to Victoria again after being granted personal leave by Freo. Prior to that he hadn't played since Round 4 at any level. He's likely coming off a low fitness base having not been at a club properly since April. No cause for concern, he's over his injuries and preseason is there to build fitness and strength. He's only got a one year contract so he'll have to bust his ass to get another contract with us in 12 months time.

Hey, BB, I reckon that is great. I never could understand why all the teams seem to persist with a training outfit that bears no relation to their team strip. That other Melb one -- the one with the daggy red patch on the left shoulder of an otherwise blue shirt -- isn't a patch on the one that is a replica of our famous jumper. Just hope they stick with it...!

Essendon player circa 2012-13 Pre season

slightly on topic but what would people say to some fringe players from each team.. say six... heading to the Northern Territory and playing in the NT comp over the summer. Could make for an interesting TV filler with say one or two games a week televised. Would be a great boost to NT and wouldn't do the fringe players much harm either from an exposure viewpoint. Each AFL team could align itself with an NT team. Better the AFL X or whatever it's called.

Sorry, but Woewodin was absolutely elite in 2000. Yes, it was a deep midfield, but he was definitely the star performer. Best & fairest winner in a GF team, to say nothing of the Brownlow. Even before the Brownlow was awarded, it was a disgrace that he was not All Australian - the Brownlow only emphasised it. There is far more to impact than mere disposals.

Cause for optimism? I had some free time and called SEN yesterday to specifically ask David Schwarz one question that’s been nagging me for years. I know he has a son and was wondering ( hoping ) if he had the makings of a prospective father/son nomination in a few years time David was very honest and admitted that whilst his son played football , he was only 12 and pencil thin , thus not monstering opponents yet . On the positive side he WAS projected to grow to 6’6” ( in the old measurements ) and The Ox hoped he’d be good enough to play for the mighty Dees eventually. We can live and dream? because realistically there’s no other superstars in the recent history of the club that we can hope for similarly gifted offspring.

They have come out and said the TAB system cant handle anymore numbers........ha. Its nearly 50 years since man walked on the moon, but anyway.....

Roos was really big on this. His wife Tammy did a bit of work with the players and I recall some saying it really helped them. Post Neeld, he and Tammy were starting behind the eight ball but still helped achieve a much improved mindset and consistency during the 3 years. Roos employed it at Syndey and they also went onto win a flag. Captain Kirk was one who really embraced 'mindfulness'. Also. I read recently that Dusty did regular sessions to help him - can't remember if it was meditation, yoga or both. Cotchin also spoke highly of the program. Some might say 'mindfulness' is all a bit airy fairy but when really tough guys like Kirk and Dusty take it on then it is worth paying attention. Goodwin is more about contest and competitiveness. Also, I think Goodwin wanted to leave Roos' initiatives behind and introduce his own. So to answer your question, I doubt 'mindfulness' will be back at the Demons. Nonetheless, Richmond and Sydney have shown the value of both. Edit: The article D4life refers to http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/mindfulness-and-meditation-helped-richmond-break-afl-premiership-drought-20171103-gzed1o.html

I guess ever if he doesn’t actually join in training he will surely be at the club and involved getting to know and integrating with his new team mates. Only took 10 posts for the name JW to be mentioned ?? Presumably the word he is generic and all inclusive. ?

Are we training the house down? ??

69. In and under type.

Best condition that they have ever been come back in, gee he's muscled up since last year, skills are a lot better, wow he's running a lot faster and longer have I missed any.

54 Trevor Korn - only played about 3 games in 1981 under Ronald Dale Barassi but I've known him since he was a little kid. The club must agree with me because, like 31, they've retired the number until someone else suitable comes along.

4 Norm Smith - 4 and 6 - greatest football strategist, player manager in VFL history. 31 Ron Barassi - 6 and 4 - most competitive and successful footballer ever? 2 Robert Flower - our most exceptional and graceful player 11 Jim Stynes - the most inspirational player story in the VFL/AFL's short history!

2, 31, 11 and 4.

#11 - Laurie Mithen. Gun.

There's always great debate about certain runners gaining starts in the great race and hard luck stories of horses missing out. It wouldn't be difficult in this day and age to alter a few numbers in the system and allow emergencies to gain a start especially when there is a scratching two days out. Will the VRC ever head down that path?

29 Hassa Mann

Petracca.

In recent times: Jimmy's 11. He won his bronwlow in it. Subsequently cherished and worn proudly by Maxy.

Surely the club has sent an email out to members, or it's at least on the website... At the risk of upsetting 'Sat'...the club really do need to engage better with the membership.

I'm still coming to terms with Richmond winning the flag, and on a lesser scale the Bulldogs. Both teams far from the most skilled in their respective years but manic pressure in their attack on the ball/ball carrier and get the ball forward at any cost got them across the line. Our players still struggle with the concept of coming to play every week.

I'd want to add a nod to Russell Robertson's 2005. Kicked 73.30 for the season and was absolutely decisive in our last gasp push back into finals. Round 20 - kicked 7 goals in our1 point win over the Cats Round 21 - kicked 6 goals in our 4 point win over the Dogs Round 22 - kicked 4 goals in the 10 point win over the Bombers. That he didn't get an All-Australian position that year (because they opted for a spare ruck in the forward pocket) is an enduring travesty. I would actually say it was the moment that the AA selectors' credibility jumped the shark. Anyway, a lot of other names that I sifted through were just 'highly respectable seasons' like Brad Green and Aaron Davey in 2010, or Yze and Johnstone who really looked like something special in 2002. Other than that, it hasn't been so much about individual seasons as about consistency, the obvious models being James McDonald and Nathan Jones. Tell y' what, it's a funny feeling, to look back over these great efforts of the past and realise we could be sitting on something that looks like a bunch of it all happening at once. Touch wood. A lot.

Ox was a rare talent. I haven't seen anything close to Ox come through since Ox. He was going to be as good - if not better - than Carey. We were robbed of a flag him doing his knee. He was that good. If people are excited about Ox's son possibly playing for Melbourne - then they most likely seen Ox play pre-knee injury. Ox had the sort of talent that doesn't come around very often. I can understand some people not liking him, but there is no denying he was an absolute freak before his knee injury.

BTW Bugg is underated on here. Is a leading 3km time triallist with TMac, he has got talent that is arguably mis-directed at the moment. Gets to the ball and had he kicked 15 g 6b instead of 6g 15b from his 10 games we would be talking about him differently.

Not sure above love but certainly popular. The full story is compelling. -His difficult childhood that included seeing his father shot dead in front of his eyes. -His loyalty and love for his mother and family. -A mercurial rise as a player and a brief period when he was one of the most exciting talents we had seen, and, as others have stated, as talented a player as Wayne Carey. -The tragedy of the knee injuries. Anyone who saw them happen, will never forget particularly the second one, after he had gone through so much to get back on the field. There was a kind of brave and tragic stoicism in the Ox's determination to continue his career no matter what the cost. Most others would have given up. It was almost as if he had decided in a single minded way that injury was not going to rob him of his footy career. -He did come back, a different and less spectacular player but he played the game and left the game on his own terms. -His attitude on and off the field showed a touch of arrogance, belligerence and the larrikin that was endearing and unusual in a Melbourne footballer. In many ways, he was so not Melbourne. -His loyalty to the Demons. -His honesty in dealing with his gambling addiction and efforts to help others. -He could have ended on the scrap heap after footy and his gambling problems . -His determination to overcome his demons and carve out a career in the media. I am not a fan but he is no worse than many others. I met him once in recent years and a brief conversation and smile suggested that he was a humble and nice person. The Ox has done well.

He's a club legend/favorite son. Bitter sweet reminiscing his career, but i still love doing it. As a fairy tale it would be nice if he's son could play for us, but i'd rather concentrate (eventhough it's not your point) on our current No 5 who I think is the greatest talent we've had since the great Schwartz. Love the passion still(always) there for David! Red & Blue.

Hopefully he comes on for himself and Theox - whether it’s football or something else I hope he does well. Theox was one of my all time favorites and I just hope his son has more luck than he did - not exactly an easy path if he was able to play for our beloved team that would amazing

What a champ was the Ox. Tall, mobile, great mark, great kick.Supreme talent curtailed by injury. No wonder Collingwood offered him a fortune to change. But he remained a Demon. Still is a Demon.

This is Hibberd on Lever... just posting as some people on here seem to be lost.

Yep spot on. A good assessment of where he is at i reckon. I'd add that he is smart and a pretty good kick. For a big young defender he is tracking really well (better than his brother at the same stage of his career) and as you say he is a competitor, which Goody has made clear is his number one KPI. Plenty of upside, which is exciting. Like his brother, he will work super hard over the pre season on his strength and fitness and on aspects of his game he needs to improve. He'll put on at least 5kg from last season (and he might even still get a bit taller) and be the key defender we need to free up Lever to play the role we have recruited him for and allow his brother to go forward, as noted in this article (if it doesn't work just do a search on the title of the article and it will unlock it).

You have absolutely no idea obviously of Garland the person. If you have any idea of where he came from & his background then your comments are at least ....laughable. Don’t make those comments & pre-judge a person based on your impression of how he played the game. MFC is not a charity....they don’t hand out jobs to people “just for the sake of it” .....before you make the above statements....let’s just see how he goes....you have no idea what “ruthlessness” means when you don’t actually know the person. I am thrilled for him ! “