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Enjoy ==> https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-G2FGnW?mobile=true

Corey Wagner signed on. Ex Kangas listed and played 8 AFL games with the Roos over 2016 and 2017. To play with his brother Josh plus to show he has some small forward role to play. Very handy player.

On Friday I used my Canon 5D mk 3 with a 100-400mm mk2 lens Gallery ==> https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-G2FGnW?mobile=true

Please leave your political infighting to the general board. No place for it here.

Word was that Oscar was spotted later in the pool, thrashing his arms around as he managed to propel himself from one end to the other and back. Apparently some were saying that this was another poor effort, as it was clear proof that he had failed in his attempts to walk on water.

put your foot down dude! talk some sense into them lol. 2018 is the year we've been waiting on since 2006. Big things coming

I heard from a very reliable source that both Christians (P & S) were told at their end of season reviews to prepare for next season as midfielders. Based on the training reports this appears to have been confirmed.

Like the Dees "The Zephyr" will come good but I am not sure we can say he is young and inexperienced .... perhaps a run in Darwin next winter might be good for our horse

Go the Zephyr !! Pakenham Park.... remember when it was just Pakenham and a country race meeting at that. Now it's the major Saturday venue ... Melbourne is growing ... very appropriate venue for our horse given the Casey connection. Love the form guide.... "not the worst"

I like the formula Wadda, he was $10 all day yesterday. Connections think he's a chance, track condition being the big worry. In saying that, he is 2 wins and two placings from 4 at the track. Both starts at this track over this distance he has run 3rd. Due to the emotional connection for the horse I'll always have a little something on him each time he races, his best is probably past him but he could surprise today from the rear. I won't be going crazy on him. Gosh, I've harped on about him lately, we must get him as the Demonland mascot when he retires. Probably a good thing he's been running during this off season, its made me forget about the end of season debacle a tad.

Just had a look again at the field. Dan is holding at 7.50 and 2.50. They still rate it a soft 7 on the internet. A friend of mine has a rule of the thumb he goes by and ive watched him win a lot over the years on strange picks. He reckons a horse should have 3 runs in and placed at their last start (so must have placed on its 3rd run).....i must admit ive used that formula myself and have often found it works. Some fields of course have multiple runners on their 3rd run with a place at the last start and some fields only have one. Today Dan Zeph goes around the only horse in the field to have had 3 runs and was placed at his last start.....

Some of the players will do a light day now and again, both indoors and outdoors, particularly during the early pre season, as bodies readjust to full time training Also, as I have reported previousy if they report a bit of tightness, a pinch or slight spasm, rather than an injury, they have it assessed and rested, could be the case with these two, Garlett similar, tweaked a rib so missed a couple of sessions, so rehabbing, it's December so no need to rush anybody

Not a problem - I only had time to do one lap so I focused on the language used by coaches Mission, McCartney & Rawlings who are were running different group sessions on different parts of the ground. Each coach was running a completely separate drill. OMG - OMG - OMG - its all consistent, its all positive instant feedback one on one or two,three & four on one coach. If the coach picks something up he pulls them up - no joke says about 10 words and gets them back into it. Everything is done at an intense pace - the language short sharp and too the point. Heaps of nicknames, heaps of encouragement from fellow team mates, a few four letter words - then we keep that ball moving at high speed.

Arrived at training when the main group was coming out. Jeffy was running laps for about half an hour at a decent clip with Hibberd. Both left early. Viney, Vanders and J Smith showed up briefly and headed back inside. Tyson and Hunt no shows today, no clue as to the reason. Spargo and Petty were on restricted duties and also left early. Spotted the Weed briefly participating in a handball drill with one of the coaches, also early shower. The rest of the group seem to moving extremely well in the various drills. They are currently in what seems like a full ground simulation. Fritch is on the end of several plays and is a very good shot at goal. Im trying to take as many notes as possible but a certain 3 year old keeps screaming for water and milkshakes. Kent has participated for most part and seems free moving. Oskar Baker is putting in some hard yards around the ground with running. Lever very vocal as is Jetta. Like it. Harmes looking really impressive in the match drill, covering the ground well. Will have some more updates a bit later on.

What a difference a year makes. This time last year we were posing several different questions "Will this Neal Bullen guy make it?" (I recall many were claiming he was a list clogger, whom we should have delisted) and about Nibbler good mate "How good can this Billy Stretch kid be?". For what it's worth, I was probably one of the ones questioning Nibbler; probably not to the point of considering him to be a list clogger at that point. This time this year, the two sit at different cross roads entering 2018. Goes to show the truth in that modern cleché, that development isn't always linear. I Still think that Billy has the makings of a good player - good skill level, speed, tenacity and agreession at the footy. I guess it's one of the luxuries of having an improved list all round, that we can allow some of these guys with potential time to develop their bodies and game in the twos and keep them on the list.

Now ahead of last years figure....... 28,354

Ah i see ok yes thats pretty much how i do things as well. We had some sort of Quaddie system......everyone had their picks and if more than 1 person picked the same horse, then that horse would get 2 or 3 points and so on. Thus we had a range of horses and a range of points......it was pretty funny watching everyone try to figure it out, usually at the track after a few beers with about 3 mins left to get it on after the arguments finished!....Your right, online is way more sensible..

It's not really an organised thing Wadda ... we just text around about a particular race. The input varies. I usually kick things off and then wait for feedback. By the end of it, there's about 4 -8 horses that get mentioned. The first 4 is my target but some just like trifecta's or even just the quinella/exacta. It's way easier online - for instance, I put Tom Melbourne & Perfect Jewel in my multiples because you & D77 liked the horses. I had them in beforehand but the input acted as reinforcement. I don't profess to know a great deal other than often fancying 1 or 2 horses based on form.

How do you and your mates pick 1 or 2 horses....? We had some sort of points system going for a while but it was too complicated!! Ok post away, ill be here

Your thoughts & D77's too (and anyone else for that matter) ... it all helps when trying to put a multiple together. I do it with mates during the Spring & Autumn carnivals (usually via text) A few of us (sometimes 4 or 5 of us) pick out a horse or 2 in one of the feature races and then we can bundle them up individually if we so wish. That way you bet with each other rather than against one another. The field & barriers for the feature races are usually out by Wed or Thurs so you can get an early heads up ... I'll post up a link to the AJ Scahill Stakes midweek if I'm online.

Yes well pretty close though. Pounamu was certainly a good pick, and you said it would be a blanket finish also. Ok so it goes on and on..no rest for us.......well id be interested to hear your thoughts on the 1400 WFA next week.

I settled on 3 horses in the field that I thought could win so that ruled out any win & place outlays. It's Somewhat & Great Shot were the other two I liked. You're right though Wadda, same as you were right with your call with regards the Sandown Guineas. A number of the fancied horses looked tired. But I don't give up easy ... I'm already looking ahead to next week at Ascot! The AJ Scahill Stakes is another WFA race over 1400 where a few horses from the Winterbottom Stakes could well be running. Might be another roughies race. The following week there's another WFA race (The CB Cox Stakes - 2100m) finishing up with the Perth Cup (2400m) on New Years day. And then we go to the Gold Coast for the Magic Millions!

FF did pay very well. I dont think many people would have had Material Man, i did, then i took it out! Also typical. I had Alchemar Star for third somehow and the Jewel of course. But yes bet small to win big, no real loss there. Onwards and upwards, might go check my small investments in Crypto currency for the 3rd time today.....was a good week for them actually.

Missed the tri & first 4 though - typical! To be fair, I didn't have the 2nd or 3rd in either multiple. Good dividends though. It's last run was the pointer, all the same. More than doubled it's prizemoney in one run. A perfectly timed run from the back ... I felt that it was going to win before the turn. But not to worry, I bet small to win big so I'm going to miss a fair bit along the road to the big payout. Pounamu is a 6 year old so the horse is worth following. It's got a really good finish.

Pounamu! Well picked Macca. I didnt see the vision, but it sounded like Black Heart Bart copped a big check and that was his race.....I think a lot of these are too tired now. Like you said its a long way to go to Perth.

Should have gone with you Macca....what a run!

So true mate!

Yeah easy from the grandstand i guess, and split second decisions.....but hey we know that, we follow the Dees! A jockey also said after the last race, it was impossible to make up ground. The Quaddie paid 123k. Definitely a roughies day.

You're dead set correct in that Pro. My squeeze would Bobbit me if some of my activities came to light!

Wadda, that's exactly how I saw the race. Jockey seemed a bit confused around the bend and ended up on the backside of 3 runners, there was clearly a run as you said on the inside provided by the winner.

Jockey went the wrong way after a good start i thought. reckon he should have cut back inside, but ended up in a stash on the outside. Also wasnt suited in the ground, but he wasnt that far off in the end all things considered....

Bizarre but good game to watch. Saints unlucky with injury, Falcons did a great job inspite of Ryans decision making. Can't wait for the rematch in two weeks!

I was looking forward to all those Lumumba highlights.

Very jealous of those who attend regular Casey games on top of MFC games. Good thing I can read Demonland. Some really great insight into players I haven’t seen play on here. Thanks.

Hiding from 'Joeboy'...

I left prior to the completion of the session and wanted to add some notes to the earlier report. I focused on the individuals as I wanted to have a look at the new arrivals. I realise it's only a training session and the constant yellow bib swapping made it a tad difficult to follow everyone but the following stood out during the three quarter field match sim. Lever has an uncanny ability to get himself out of tight situations with quick feet and thinking. Can certainly fool opponents with the selling of candy so to speak. Fritch is a smooth mover and has a great left foot whether having a shot or general field passing. He can certainly find space. Hogan was impressive, if he didn't mark the ball in a contest he would quickly apply pressure to his opponents by tackling or slapping the ball free, he earned praise numerous times by the coaches for this. He outmuscled Oscar in a one on one and took the mark, which raised a bit of a roar from the group. This is by no means Oscar bashing as we should expect Jesse to do that to anyone he comes up against. In another passage of play the ball was kicked forward to the non bib team and Oscar found himself sandwiched between 3 of them in the marking contest and almost marked the ball, when the ball hit the ground he killed the contest and the defence cleared. Great work Oscar but not sure why 3 from the same team would all go up for the mark unless it was an instruction. Oliver is a great kick of the footy, he hit targets over distance all session. They all trained with intent but something about Harmes stood out, can't pinpoint exactly, maybe it's the new number. He just seemed faster over the ground. I don't know much about King but golly he's a big unit. Hannan and Johnstone ran laps early on and joined in later on with some of the drills. As mentioned before Johnstone has put some muscle on. I heard someone tell his kids that Tyson and Hunt were indoors today hence their no show. Has anyone heard anything about these two recently?

Went down to have a look for a couple of hours, so here are some of the observations: * Col Garland running the session with the rehab group consisting of Viney, Smith, Vandenberg and Weidemann. All were kicking the ball between each other including Viney, mainly short stabbing passes. * Vandenberg is MILES off playing. His legs have lost heaps of muscle and he almost looks strange with this huge upper body and a pair of sticks below. Hope he can build up to get some game time during the year, as he is out of contract at the end. * Spargo and Petty doing some minor drills on their own away from the main group. Spargo is like a fly in a bottle and can kick. Petty hardly had to move in the kick to kick session as the ball from Spargo was drilled to his chest every time, both left and right foot. Petty not as clean. * Garlett, Hibberd, Baker & Hannan running laps. Hunt and Tyson not sighted at all. Didn't notice Bugg either, but not sure. The main session for the rest of the troops followed. A testing drill involved running 100m, drop, push-up, 100m back then kick for goal from 40m. Easy the first couple of times, but when they were on number 10, the pain was showing. Pleasingly the ones still leading the pack at the end were Petracca, Jones and Pedersen. Even big Max and Filopovic and King were staying up with the pack. Balic starting to fall to the rear, needs to build a tank. Then followed a quick transition drill from the half back line with 2 teams, aiming to switch to options out wide and then drive quickly forward. Fritsch finished on the end of the drive on a number of occasions with good positioning and hands. Petracca and Jones running rampant whichever side they were playing for and at one stage Petracca kept stuffing the opposition side by intercepting again and again. For those who are worried about the ruck situation in the coming season, I am now less concerned. Filipovic is building nicely and both he and King are looking like AFL players. ( whether they are or not is another matter), but their bodies are building and filling out nicely.

Just some quick snap shots for our interstate and overseas members - sorry Im not great with my spelling so you want get much chatter from me. - boys looked very positive, plenty talk, plenty one on one work with coaches - some of them never shut up. Big Jake Levers - nickname is snake. I will leave the rest of the write up to wiseblood he has a good handle on what to say Go Dees

Until Melbourne can overcome the mental weaknesses we will struggle to make finals. We have a list that can match it with any side but continue to be easily bullied as the hunted.

Why? What's that got to do with how he plays football? If you were saying that about a player who is homesick, I'd understand it, but now that he's home and that potentially depressive scenario has been removed, why is it now a concern?

Will be interesting to see how much our midfield is transformed by having the kicking skills of that pair following the ball around. Oliver, Viney, Brayshaw, Jones, Petracca, Salem A good mix of brute force and Silk

More than just a knack. I think that through his endurance and effort he often out gut runs his opponent to get to that place. Did it many times last season.

Anyone who's interstate.... Jetstar has a sale on today, flights from Sydney to Melbourne starting at $35. The wife just booked us return flights for Rd 1 v Geelong and Queens Birthday. Bring on 2018.

Keep them away from Richmond supporters. That should help.

The good bit about the feature races is that they're on late in the day ... so there's all Friday evening & most of Saturday to square things up. Some I know like to bet all day (when they do bet) and then others are like me, they're just interested in the big races. I had a small first 4 on the Zephyr race too - no good but again, no harm done. Oddly enough, I nearly got it as I had Amadeus to win as well as our adopted horse. But you've got to get all 4 in correct order to win 2k was a decent dividend when considering that 3 of the 4 were fancied runners and Amadeus came right in too.

I mean, if it will make you feel better go ahead and let them know people aren't re-signing because of round 23. I'm sure they know that will happen already anyway. I just don't know what you think the benefit/outcome of emailing them would be? Do you think next time they're playing a crucial game they'll be thinking "we cant lose this otherwise we will have more members drop off"?

we made finals regularly during the 90's and early 00's and most times we just made up the numbers so no I'm not ecstatic by just making finals.... 8 out of 18 (barely the top half of the comp) shouldn't be that hard to hit it with a reasonable degree of regularity .. to go further is where it becomes a much harder task. Many have said it before but to stutter for the third year in a row is not acceptable. We are not as strong as Richmond who can withstand many years of just missing out.

The Salem video: there are several shots of seagulls featured in the first half dozen frames. When the heightened 'snow' comes it strikes as if Christian has trampled all over them in some horrific aftermath. I wouldn't let my kids watch this.