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His expectations on himself are pretty high, wants to be playing regular senior football by the end of the season as he knows his job is on the line. He's done plenty of work in the off season, regularly training both by himself and with one of the main gym instructors at his home based gym. He is at the same muscle mass as half way through the season currently, where 95% of other players drop a little bit of muscle. Hes made sure not to overdo it and been in regular contact with trainers/physios etc. He's lifting heavier weights and basically doing all the prep he can to give himself the best chance. We'll see what happens.

A few notes from training today Rehab Filipovice, Hannan, Joel Smith, McKenna all injuries cleared up working on fitness, AVB, Viney, Weed did a walking lap, Tim Smith about 10 mins of handball Mitch King now weighs in at 100kg looks super fit As do Trac, ANB, Stretch Had a chat to Gus Brayshaw 100% healthy did some work in break, looks fit Goodwin very very vocal today

Without sounding like a creepy old man, that some make me out to be, the message has sunk in, Trac and Harmes went on holiday together but obviously did a heap of work, they are both in magnificent shape and were wandering around at the end of the session shirtless showing off the rigs There is nobody at the moment who looks to have slacked, King is one who looks to have not stopped training since the end of the season As mentioned before Gus looks really fit, is wearing his lucky jocks and carrying a rabbits foot in his sock and avoiding ladders The one who really pisses me off is Crossy, the other coaches are beginning to show they are retired, Crossy put the rehabbers through a solid 1 and 1/2 hours, doing all the running and drills, hardly broke a sweat quote (not me) "he is a machine"

Nobody said anything about running yourself into the ground and I don't buy comparisons posters make about jobs in other industries. It holds no relevance to what we're talking about. These guys are elite athletes, what a pointless exercise to compare them to other people who similarly take leave. These players have off-season programs to follow from the club but if they want to do extra then it's left up to them. Bugg is back with all the young guys and clearly wants to make a point. Pedo was there on Monday which says to me the penny has dropped and he understands that if he wants to stay on the list, he's going to have to work harder than others. I'm not talking about proven performers and elite trainers like Jones etc. I'm referring to players who don't have the same body of work to go by and who are questionable 22 players like Dean Kent. Jones mentions Salem as one to watch next year and when I was at training briefly on Wednesday, I was pleasantly surprised to see him comfortably leading his group in the repeat 3 min runs. http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2017-11-09/jones-backs-salem-to-go-to-next-level Salem wasn't required to get a personal trainer or a dietician during his "leave". But he did because he wants to take his football to the next level. You want that from players who are yet to reach their potential and who most obviously need to get fitter like Kent.

King is a work in progress, first year wrecked with knee injury, as Drunkin said back half of year started to show something, obviously worked his arse off over the break, of course denied it when I asked @Cards13 Dec is another one whose body shape has changed and must have worked hard in the break looks twice as fit as last year Think Goodwin's message of there is no longer a best 22, it's who is fit and in form is sinking in, the competition for spots is going to be fierce, which is only a good thing for the team

It's being pedantic, I know, and I'm probably fighting a losing battle, but I don't like the idea that moving to a lower number is in any way an "upgrade". It's just a meaningless change which serves no purpose other than to annoy those supporters who have already purchased a jumper with that player's original number. I know that if I was rewarded with a spot on the list and given any number from 1 to 99 I'd want to keep that number for the whole of my career, however long it may last. Players should be encouraged to stick with the one number and to make their own history with it. And the idea that a lower number is somehow a more privileged asset just seems like another way to differentiate players into the "haves" and "have nots" (meaning, in this instance, having the confidence of the coaches). I would have thought that's not the best way to unify a squad.

Salem is the fittest I have ever seen him Viney was only there for a quick walking lap for about 10 minutes No sign of Pedersen today There are going to be 3 sessions a week if you get the chance Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the moment

I have put some pics from this morning on my Instagram account Demonpk

He had some good games for Casey this year, started slowly and struggled a bit but did well in the back half of the season. One game in particular, against the Northern Blues I think it was, he killed it. Dominated the ruck and his around the ground work was top notch. Ruckmen take a long time to develop but I think he'll be a good player in the future.

Billy didn't use the ball aggressively enough IMO in his link up role on the wing. When he had possession he held up play too much, he needs to play on more fearlessly. Coaching staff will respect that if he does and we'll have to accept some turnover errors as a result.

Have never seen a single minute of Mitch King. Can he actually play the game? Great news about Angus. I think many here have forgotten just how good this bloke is. Could be a real star, and by that I dont mean a Melbourne star, but a star of the comp.

5. Luke Tapscott

Q11. James Sellar?

lurk and read a lot but not much to say given all the experts on here!

Yes indeed do that D77. Dont mind having the odd punt in the country, since i live in it these days! I have had a horse go around in the country and its a tough gig!! I used to live in Malmsbury and the Mnt Macedon strappers used to come down to the Malmsbury Hotel and have a beer or 7. They were all over Green Moon the year it won, telling anyone who would listen. The pub went till very late that particular Tuesday evening. So i dont mind a horse tale! https://www.racing.com/horses/dan-zephyr Here is the form of your mates horse. It hasn't done much lately, but has had some red hot patches earlier in its career. It will be a good price anyway. Each way perhaps? Keep us posted.

I did like Tom Melbourne when markets first opened up but I see they scratched it so I'll have to do some more reading later on. On another note a friends horse is running on Sunday at Ararat in the China Bowl. Dan Zephyr is the name, he won the same race last year. Connections bypassed a Group 3 at Flemington for this race. The horse is 3rd up this preparation, last run wasn't very good but first up he was unlucky as he was boxed in and couldn't get a clear run. I'll have more information tomorrow to see if it's worth a few bucks.

Agreed, maybe a lack of confidence this year influenced by the fact that not much confidence was shown in him by the coaching staff/Goodwin giving him regular games. We saw the difference in ANB as his confidence grew from being given game time. Hope the coaching staff invest in Billy.

Well .... tomorrow is a big morning for Oz soccer. Have really no idea how we will go. Honduras sound as though they will play a relatively attacking game which could make for an interesting outcome given the Australian game plan. One of the things that concerned me in the Syria games is the ease with which we lost the ball on occasions and the number of times our players were beaten in one on ones when Syria had the ball. I had expected us to have the edge in skills. Good article here in the Guardian on Rogic. About time Australia took its chances .... How Juric missed twice in Melaka was almost comical. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/nov/09/socceroos-conservative-movement-fails-to-free-up-game-changer-tom-rogic The next slab of tickets go on sale for the world cup next week. I am hoping to get series tickets for Yetkatarinburg or Kazan. If successful my son and I will be off for the first round of games. The accommodation costs for the 2-3 weeks (Airbnb) are very reasonable.

Just FYI Dec was wearing that jumper because he played for the Moe Lions FC

Last day of the carnival tomorrow. I was on Bring me Roses on Oaks Day and it paid ok for the place. great run winner too good. Gai and Mr Bott have something like a strike rate of 33% this carnival. Anybody have any standouts? The pools are still pretty good. Definately some bargains out there. I got Tosen Stardom at 11/1 yesterday. Back to the 2000m hoping he strikes again. I see Aiden Obriens Taj Mahal at 34s is def overs. Gailo Chop for DK Weir is also overs at 8.00. Can Chautaqua do it one more time after being scratched at the barriers last start? I also like Redkirk Warrior in that race. As for the rest, cant go past Geelong Cup winner Venguer Masque and Gallic Chieftain in the Queen Elizabeth. Other races too hard for me. What do you guys think?

This debate is ridiculous. The players need to have time off. The important thing is the shape they return in. That demonstrates how they will attack the year ahead.

I have concerns as well Ernest however if they did not get injured in the first place it would be a help. He had a good run in 2016 and a terrible run in 2017. A couple of less serious injuries and we would have played finals in 2017 and I mean finals.

I think Billy wasn't able to be developed as hoped (i.e. through the reserves), because when he first came in, he filled a need that we lacked. Because we had an increase in our depth in 2017, it allowed the FD to send Billy back to Casey to develop his game the "right" way. Basically, he's doing now what we were able to do with Hunt when he was first drafted. I'm not that fussed on who comes back early, etc, but as long as when they are meant to be back, they are 100% ready to go. I'll spew if some players aren't in top shape upon return. I'm still hurting from this season, so those that can do something about it better be too.

Great post Skiut. It is difficult & subjective to measure and hence will probably only be of use to the individual who was interested and might find they would benefit. Much like someone who seeks out counselling/coaching as opposed to a person who is ordered or 'forced to seek counselling. The one who seeks it out generally has taken responsibility for there actions/behaviours and generally is willing to open up and grow. Where as in my experience those who attend who blame the world for there drama seldom change in their demeanour or attitude. The handful of younger teens that I have taught that use an active form of 'sense based in the moment reminders' have concluded they have only found benefit when they make a mistake or fumble. Generally they responded that the present moment reminder assists greatly in reducing their negative self talk/ embarrassment on the field after such moments. Personally the most rewarding aspect is the generally happier & enthusiastic manner that they articulate their last game of footy as opposed to the weight of the world on my shoulders/I'm not good enough attitude when I first met them.

I'm mostly with Jackaub here. How many first round picks from that period 2007 - 2012ish are still at the club? During this time, we had prime opportunity to get the best talent in the land with our first round picks, (be that somewhat compromised when GW$ and GC started to come on board). During comparable periods of bottoming out Hawthorn picked up players like Hodge, Lewis, Roughead and Franklin who all went on to become core players in premiership teams. It wasn't nessasrily just about picking the right tallent though for Melbourne, but as much about putting in place the right devolpment environment once we got them. The poor management of Jack Watts from day dot, throwing him in the deep end with all the expections is well documented and even Jack Trengove may still be a core part of our successfull team, had we had medical, fitness and coaching team that refused to let him run himself into the ground. With the right support around him Liam Jurrah may have been superstar that surpassed the feats of Rioli. ... I could go on. Huge turn around in all this since the arrival of PJ and Roos.

After a great start his season went off the rails when they kept trying to develop his inside game instead of getting the ball to him in space. If allowed to run hard on the wings and spread from stoppages he'll play with confidence and contribute. If the focus is on overusing the ball in tight again he might lose his confidence and start making errors that he didn't make in the first 2 years of his career.

So not there is: Lever - grand final in late September, fair enough Jones, Lewis, Vince - veterans who don't need to be out there Gawn, Tyson, Tommy Mc, Hogan, Melksham - all good trainers Hibberd, Jetta - playing international rules Garlett - stays naturally light and does a lot of boxing early in preseason anyway Of that group I'd like to know that Gawn is fit and running well and that Hogan is healthy and happy. I'm not concerned that the others are doing their own thing for 2 more weeks. 2 weeks in which they can't change how fit their team mates came back anyway. Viney can lead the young guys and it's fitness improvements from the likes of Salem, Oliver, Petracca and Brayshaw that will lead to improvements on field.

Attitude alone won't save Pedders. His problem is consistency. He's admitted this himself. He covered himself in glory for a few weeks and then dropped off badly at the end of the season. I don't know if that's an attitude problem or something else. If he knew he'd fix it.

I didn’t know that we had Jay Viney on board as well as Todd. That is indeed good news!?

Hmmm, maybe it's time to send Viney Snr across to patch up the relationship. Wouldn't it be a total coup if we were able to snag him also it would undoubtedly make crows fans hate us even more... brilliant!

Often collision or contact injuries are unavoidable and bad luck but leg injuries such as calf, hamstring and also those of the foot are normally overuse injuries caused by training load and weekly matches. With running injuries, most athletes know when they are walking the line. Often a twinge or two can be the precursor of a more serious injury. Despite modern injury management techniques, more often than not, time is the only effective healer. It is difficult to cheat the body and its own natural repair mechanism. Given the competitiveness of players and their determination to continue to play irrespective of injury concerns, it is important that there are others that can tell a player to "take a break". This comes down to the club having the willingness to rest players during the season, particularly the hard trainers like Viney and those who are clocking up the kilometers each week. It is where the depth and quality of your list becomes important but also the strength of coaching staff to make the right call.

Making good progress: 23,162. Up on comparable date in 2016 but just a few hundred behind 2017. Wondering if @george_on_the_outermight update and pin the 'Annual Membership Tally' thread?

Not sure Its a great idea for the Captain to be signaling a break out year for one player. Let Salem's footy do the talking. If the kid does not realize that 2018 is vitally important to his team and his own footy career, then nothing will. He has to want it, and want it hard. We want a break out year for many players, indeed " the team." Jones is "first among equals" and like Richmond, it is all about the team, not individuals.

Tom Lynch (GCS) has been the go-to rumour for all things Collingwood, and Sloane for St Kilda.

I don't think the intention is to create 22 meditation masters who never stop being mindful or aware during a game. It's to have 22 players who have less of a tendency to drift away into negative self talk or to lose focus on key instructions that pertain to their role, than they did before. Of course, a large amount of the game will be decided by instinctive reactions, athleticism, strength which are covered in physical training and specific positional (fwd,mid/def/ruck) coaching.

You are indeed correct about Tim Smith. Dees website needs to be updated too.

The pali term for 'sati' has been translated as mindfulness and also 'remembering' - remembering your object of attention that can be experienced in the moment. Be it breath, mantra, body sensations or whatever. You pay attention to breath, the mind drifts into thought, it comes back and you remember to focus on the breath again. The focus of attention is a means to an end though. To continually focus on the breath after waking up from mindless automatic thought is to retrain the mind to habitually drift away less and less ie spend a month meditating and your mind drifts away less than it did a month earlier. That translates to being able to come back to the moment and not drift away into a stream of negative thoughts and defeatist idea's more often. Its also going to allow you to wake up and recall coaching instructions at a quicker pace. The Tiger article said they helped each other, so one attentive person who is recalling tactics in the heat of battle can remind others, so youve got a network of attentive players. Of couse, even without meditation, people can have far better memory recall than others. Players with natural leadership abilities or players that seem like they're a class above others, may often spend a lot of time studying or focussing on their tasks and taking it very seriously so they have that attentive ability in games and can instruct others around them. Luke Hodge springs to mind. People might call meditation 'woo' and 'spiritual', but i think thats just a misunderstanding brought on by the vagueness of the word - I prefer to strip it down to the task of 'remembering' something. Being mindful of a task

Mindfulness isn't a catchall for meditation. But I believe both can be beneficial for everyday life. How these practices would translate to a football-field though, especially on game-day in the thick of action, is always going to be tenuous or unquantifiable (although, again, I think they would be of some benefit). There are a few paradoxes at play in terms of mindfulness and professional football - was Goodwin's favourite phrase toward the end of the year - that it only matters where you sit on the ladder after round 23 - mindful or unmindful? Is his disregard for our past hurtful or helpful? These are broad strokes of course. More acutely, does living in the moment produce some calm approach to your actions in play, or does it deflect from the singular goal of winning and only caring about such? And where would the correct balance lay?

Yes in that you didn't place the conditional clause first. No in that every club will be fighting for and driving up the price of our discards the following year. Perhaps that's why we kept JKH, Kent and McKenna around for 2018.

I thought he was pretty good when he was back there originally (particularly in regards to contested marking) - except painfully slow to move it on. It was different times, but it's kind of the opposite of what Goody is looking for. I personally think we need to look at the strengths and make-up of our key forwards (inc. the medium-talls) and work a forward game-plan to fit the personnel.

IN a few hours we'll hear, but I suspect Elliot won't play. I think Falcons are a pretty good shot. Cowboys D isn't too scary.

Don't think so. Our last pick in the draft is too good to not wait and see who's still there, but not good enough that we are certain to use it. Will be a case of watch this space on draft night.

I don’t want them to come back early so a few sycophants can say ‘wow, these guys are committed’. The club has agreed leave for 1-4 year players, and longer break for older players. I don’t want kool aid drinkers. I would suggest that if they don’t come back when they are due, we have a problem. Until then, nothing to see here...

You could have compressed your post into a sentence and we would have got the same details from it. You speak of hogwash and then add it to the majority of your reply.

Him and Toumpas will add some pace to the Port Flanks. Watts should provide the toughness at the contest.

Can never forget Stan Alves. The best blind-turner the game has ever seen. Unique tack-off speed and made space beautifully, often in impossible situations. Tremendous kick of the football, both sides. Would have been a great coach for the Club in our driest times. He did work hard, always, lifting a series of mediocre teams to save or challenge in every game. I'd reckon he had some involvement in the development and masterclass shaping of the greatest winger of all time: Robert Flower.

31 was why I started following the Dees before he defected. 2 Flower I moved to Melbourne and started going every week in his debut season '73. Only missed one year in his career when I lived OS in '82. Poetry in motion. Most of his career was lean especially the first years but this was the best centre line we've had in my time. 2 From memory Tingay had it and Jonesy has been a worthy 2

We all should have gotten condolence cards from the club over the last 11 years. "We're so sorry, but could you please sign up again next year"

Schwarz... The player - could've been anything, and there was plenty of proof of that. But obviously struck down terribly by injury, that I can't think of any superstar coming back from. The man - I don't rate him. He's an up and down Melbourne supporter, that picks and chooses what to say and when to say it, often with no care for any one or organisation, other than himself. The only bonus of him being on the radio is that the Demons get a bit more air time than normal.