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We chased McKenna for a reason, just had a rotten run, he has a year, they will reevaluate then, he is rated within the club Same with AVB, has a year contract, we all know what he can bring, if they can get him back As I have stated before, with injury these days the Club does it properly, joked with Boxing Coach that he was the leash for Viney, to ensure he only did what he was supposed to Of the rehab on Monday Kent - full shoulder reco, so no contact work, probably knows the longer in rehab further down the pecking order Jones - has had a calf niggle Petracca - same, niggle in the leg, not sure where, think the quad Joel Smith - building back after a couple of serious injuries Tim Smith - same Balic - was in rehab, didn't seem restricted or uncomfortable, so probably reported a niggle Weed - coming back from ankle op

Nothing article - the journo seems to have taken some snippets off Goodwin’s player reviews on the club’s website. That said, I rate Bugg. He brought much needed mongrel, defensive pressure and hardness to the team. He seemed always to do the inglorious stuff. We really missed him after his suspension. The punch was bad. But it was clearly a brain fade - he displayed genuine contrition and remorse after it, and I think he has been unfairly castigated for the incident ever since. I want to see him have a really big 2018. I like what he brings to the team.

The most startling revelation to come out of these updates is that Jay Kennedy Harris does not have a hyphen between Kennedy and Harris. It's all happening.

Good photos, Saty....

Millewa football is a very low standard. There is only one male and one female team per club (so no reserve or juniors). The comp is full of has beens and never will be's. The main league here in Mildura (SFNL) is decent standard and it's reserves would easily beat all Millewa teams. The Millewa comp is a waste of space and solely alive due to its good work getting womens teams up and running. Col's sister is with Toby (coach there) which is the reason he will play there. Meringur is a small club as well so I doubt Col would be getting much to play but apparently he is very close with his family which is great to hear. I saw Col recently, looks strong but not fit. I think his shoulder still gives him grief so can't imagine he will play much. Col's old club Merbein (who he played some games last year) is in the main league and will massively struggle again this year across all grades. It's a shame he doesn't go back there and support his old club imo as it would really lift them. I heard on the grapevine that the Russian will be lining up for Ouyen in the SFNL this year as well. Ouyens team is supported by the whole community and very wealthy. They were flying a few boys in weekly from Katherine last year! A few ruckmen are already nervous about going up against him!!

A few of the newer players (please don’t ask me to identify all of them... I’m hopeless). Note that these were all taken by my son Liam...

The players were back at training today and, clearly, everyone involved has moved on. You guys should do the same. Blaming anything that occurs this year on that camp is something a 5 year old might do. It's a reflection on much of our supporter base these days, though - they can't let go of the past and look forward. We expect the playing group to do it, so maybe we should do the same.

The sting went out of our season immediately after that punch. Tomas brings an edge to the group. That's why he will be in our 22 at the start of 2018. But now they will come after him, harder and in numbers. It will be interesting to see what he is really made of.

It's an interesting comment. Though Hogan has looked decent with flashes in the midfield, I'd hope it is nothing more than that. With the loss of Watts, Hogan needs to form a partnership up forward with TMac and maybe Weid in future. We really need him to just establish himself and kick us bags. Our biggest issue at present is scoring. We dominate play the majority of the time but never seem to convert our dominance in general play into actual score. A fit and healthy Hogan playing 22 games should net 50+ goals for the season and we desperately need that. Sure, give him a few spurts up the ground to get him involved, but others can fill that roll where as not many can fill the dominant key forward spot like he can.

The thing I find interesting is that I haven’t seen this thread for many months but now that I have I find my dislike for Essendon is as strong as ever.

Ten out of ten for your memory wiseblood.

I used to think this guy could win a Brownlow. ?

When they do the full length drills and stoppages, he is featuring more as the receiver to do the kicking or handballing, his kicking, instead of handballing, is getting bettet and better, obvioysly this was a knock on him last year by the 'pundits'

Hopefully this is a positive step forward in getting his life back on track. All the best, Col.

Like where you left the car keys...?? LOL

Frost will blanket the ground in mid winter and be unbeatable ,i think he will be great full back

That man Frosty is looking totally awesome ... he has pace, muscle and no-one would like to run into him! Very exciting for the new season. I'd reckon that Frosty might make a good fullback given a bit of confidence.

Thanks for the photos Tim. They are fantastic. Frost is looking like Arnie in T2 superb!!

You will be pleased to know his outside game is coming leaps and bounds as well frighteningly good I have put pics on Insta of today Demonpk

Reckon Drunkn167 might become Hangover167 if that's the case. How proud and excited would a bloke be to see his brother make his AFL debut? Hope it becomes a reality for you bloke.

Liked his write-up on Keilty, makes me think he should debut early in the season hopefully

Ok, as promised in my first post, here’s a link to my photos on Facebook... https://www.facebook.com/tim.fleming.75/media_set?set=a.1576469562388321.1073741959.100000758763064&type=3

We improved in 2017 and all expect bigger improvement in 2018. Dwelling on what has happened is nothing but unproductive. The 'hype' is the negative media believers who have no inner knowledge of the club and don't go to training but accept whatever rubbish the media whip up as being a true reflection of where the club is at. If you seriously think that any Melbourne supporter doesn't want the club to be successful, or that the players aren't aware of what's required by the FD, god help you.

Bugg looked very good all session... he won the time trial yes, but on the final lap he was huffing and puffing while both TMac and ANB appeared to have a lot left in the tank. Bugg’s kicking is looking very sharp as well... I get the feeling he’s working hard to make up for last year’s transgression. Others who looked very sharp were Salem, Hogan, ANB, TMac, Oliver. OMac is looking very fit and seems to have built up his body. JKH is also looking very fit and is moving well. Petracca, Jones and Kent were all in rehab, but looking like they could be ready to participate with the main group... although Kent really doesn’t appear to have his heart in it... to my mind at least. Can’t recall all of those in the rehab group, but Weeds, Tim and Joel Smith, Maynard, Viney and Balic were all there. Saw VDB, who did not participate and did appear to be in some discomfort walking across the ground. My son took lots of photos today and I will provide a link to the album in my Facebook account once I’ve had a chance to get them off the camera and edited.

I liked this as well. Hogan able to move into the midfield (aka Roughie for the Hawks) for periods allows us more flexibility in the forward line I.e when resting Gawn forward, Hogan goes into the midfield etc... Plus I think he'll thrive on more of an upfield role at times.

Agreed. Also when fit he is very mobile for his size but not in the same league as any genuine midfielder. Midfielders need to be agile and fleet of foot. Jesse has struggled with fitness and injury concerns. He seems very fit this year but how will his body stand-up once the season gets underway. He will not be much use in the midfield with any tightness or niggles. I always saw Jesse as a roaming forward, a bit in the Wayne Carey mold. A guy who could use his strength and agility to pop up all over the forward line and at times be a diversion for others. Will be interesting to see how he is used but first of all Hogan needs to put together games without interruption from injury.

If nothing else, treating your own players with respect encourages others (think Lewis and Lever) to see Melbourne as a desirable club to join. Transferring an injured player to the rookie list is unlikely to enhance the club's reputation.

Will finish top four. This is the year. Even years seem to favour the dees

THREE Brisbane fans thank you!

My thought is that Danger would cut him to pieces. Frosty is an athlete first and foremost and wouldn't have the footy smarts to go with Danger. The best way to beat Danger as a forward is to stop supply and force him back into the midfield. The Swans failed badly at this in the finals and left Rampe exposed.

This photo is just begging to be included in a caption competition. "Is it a bird? Is it a plane?"

They're nothing alike 'Deemania'... Mann was a brilliant player, elusive and could kick well off both feet. Kent is a one dimensional, purely one sided unreliable left footer.

That disturbs me, as I have been a fan of Kent in the couple of years he has been around. Onfield, I saw great similarities between Kent and Hassa Mann, particularly on the flanks. I'd hope that Dean can improve this observed aspect to become as competitive as possible. We could do with another 'Hassa'.

I would be surprised if it is done internally Deemania. I would be confident that it is contracted out.

Player B has arms. He uses them to handball as his arms, it seems, is where his hands are located. Can see Goody will have a post coaching career in the Media with his special comments!

Great pics Tacky (and Tacky jnr). Much appreciated. I think you should move to Melbourne and attend training regularly

great pics thanks for posting

Thanks. interesting. A Clarrie able to play outside, in addition to his elite inside work. Would win our next 5 B&F's

Between 8 and 15 I would say, finish was crowded

I still remember Daniher chucking Garry Lyon into the guts for a quick run back in '98 with similar results. I'll always remember his huge tackle in Round 2 against North that resulted in a goal for us.

More than welcome Faulty. Will get more on Wednesday (closed session but will ask if photos are ok) and Friday. We’re also hoping to get along to the AFLW session either tomorrow or Thursday. We head back up the highway to Sydney on Saturday.

And a few more...

Frost really is a ridiculous human specimen. If he can improve his consistency he will be so valuable with his pace coming out of D 50.

Those USB sticks have got to turn up somewhere...

Only one small throw away line at the end linking him to Geelong, the rest of the article refers to his time at Essendon. Love it.

Jack's fine and right on track, I had a chat to him on way back to AAMI (had to leave early), AVB was walking ok, was next to him, just taking it step by step?

I sense a theme, and it’s already getting tired after just two posts.

Interested in Goodwin's assessment of Hogan: "...we’re looking forward to continuing to build Jesse as a forward and midfielder as we move into the season." Always liked it when Jesse was moved into the midfield...things just "happened..."