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Saw most of the session this morning. And while everyone looks good in pre-season, because there is no pressure and it's all about getting to maximum fitness levels for the season ahead, I made the following observations: * Jones not at the session, although was sighted running strongly before the main group came out. * Viney running laps very strongly, before he went inside. * Brayshaw carrying heavy strapping on hamstring, and was hindered when running, although he competed in all the session and the running drills. * Petty and Balic running laps. * Smith, Spargo, Petty, Kent, Weideman, all in the rehab group with Cross running the drills. None of them can be too far away from joining the main group. Vandenberg not sighted by me, but didn't see this group working for long. * ANB, Bugg and Tom Mc by far the leaders in the running drills, with all 3 trying to get over the line first. Tom Mc eventually grinding them down after half a dozen 400m runs, but ANB held on through the lot. Buggy hitting the wall in the last one, but led the early sorties. * King and Filopovic will be more than adequate back-up for Max. Both can kick the ball ( unlike Spencer) and were in the middle of the pack in the running drills, so are building their endurance to the necessary level. Interestingly, Max is certainly in the top 1/3rd in the running drills. The sprinters like Garlett and Frost struggle with the longer distances, not surprisingly, but would beat most over 100m easily. The surprise is Hunt who is out in the leading pack for distance, and we all know he can turn on the jets as well. Saty, 666, Hardtack and little tacker should have some ripper photos, which we should see later. They would have more if they hadn't gas-bagged on about the merits of various photographic equipment, but hey, who am I to criticise?

Anyone go? Got this off Ben Guthrie.. A few standouts in 9 v 9 match sim at @melbournefc training: - Christian Salem is in top nick and is covering the ground well Tom McDonald had a real presence up forward Corey Maynard has excellent game sense. Look for him to play senior footy early this year.

Normally I'm a glass half empty kind of fella, except when it comes to footy and especially our prospects in the preseason. I have tended towards a more sanguine approach of our upcoming fortunes often dismissing the pessimistic forecasts of independent observers as being ill informed or waiting to be discredited (like any 'normal' football supporter does). I've been burnt over the last decade as invariably they were right and I was wrong. What makes the situation a little different now is the large amount of chatter about our improved prospects. One example that I came across recently was when I listened to one of my favourite AFL podcasts (Junktime) which was recorded just before the draft. https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/junktime-afl-podcast-with-adam-123464/episodes/pre-draft-2017-with-former-afl-23371913 Craig Coombes (ex AFL recruiter for Port who also worked at Hawthorn as a scout/spy as well) spoke glowing of our prospects. He's on the podcast from about the 29 minute mark for those of you not into this type of comedy. He was being asked about the lists as they stand. He has a formula that he uses based on 1-4 year players on the list with a differential applied to those that have played 15+ games and those that are in the best 22. He gives them a score out of 10. In a nutshell he had Melbourne ranked first for development (10/10) and can see us doing a Bulldogs or Richmond this season. He had us with twenty 1-4 year players with ten 15+ games of these he has assessed that 8 are in our best 22. (I’m guessing here he’s talking about Oliver, Hogan, Brayshaw, Petracca, Hunt, Salem Lever, and you can raffle the rest) Yes, confirmation bias here is a dangerous thing, but it’s interesting that a lot of non- Melbourne people are being very bullish about us (which I genuinely can't recall having happened for well over a decade) the same types that when we were crap- told us in no uncertain terms we were crap- so there maybe something in this. I think we have some players who will stamp themselves as being genuinely elite in the next 12-18 months and I'm still a blue sky junkie when it comes to guys like Joel Smith and Sam Weideman. Anyway I always think it’s interesting when a complete outsider with AFL experience is so bullish about us. As the man in the hat would say.. 'do yourself a favour'.

And here are the last photos you will get from Liam via myself until we come back for round three (if we can make it for training that week). We hit the road towards Sydney and home, tomorrow. As usual the full set of photos can be found at the following link, and for those unable to access Facebook, a subset follows. https://m.facebook.com/tim.fleming.75/albums/1580660441969233 It appears I’m limited to just 1.63mb of file upload on Demonland ?. Is there a maximum amount of data per person over a certain period, or is there some way I can circumvent this limitation? (when I uploaded images for Monday’s training it indicated I could upload up to 18+mb of files, now I’m limited to 1.6mb)

I agree with many others about the importance and likelihood of Brayshaw and Salem lifting a level. Two very smart footballers who can make things happen and just need the proverbial clean run at it. I've full of anticipation for the 2018 seasons of Hogan and Petracca, as I'm sure everyone is. And I'm really keen to see Nibbler and Stretch mature and each force themselves into stable spots in the 22. BUT If I'm making a tip for the true stunner, the big breakout that has everyone talking, I have to go for Mitch Hannan. I think the time off to reflect on his initial success and to identify the next steps will do wonders for his confidence, the extra preseason of fitness will greatly help him get more involved more often, as will the extra pre-season of training for his role. Add to that, in my opinion he will benefit greatly from the forward line restructuring with the departure of Watts, with extra involvement, responsibility, and space. I think he will really thrive as the fourth 'resident' in a forward line settled around the Hogan, McDonald, Garlett core. Mitch Hannan, playing as a versatile medium forward, 30+ goals and a really good all-round contribution.

Injuries are critical each year. For every team. Even though I loathed our appalling finish to last season, I'm actually surprised we managed to win so many games (and it should've been more) given the injuries and suspensions we had to endure for big chunks of the season: Gawn, Viney, Lewis, Jones, Hogan, Smith (x2), Salem, Bugg, Brayshaw, Garland, Vince, Spencer, Watts etc. It was ridiculous. Hats off to Goodwin for not making excuses for our performances. We did however have a lot of important players out throughout the season - even our injury toll within games was bad. With a bit better luck on the injury front, we just have to be pushing for the top 6 or so. After all, we were very competitive last year with a younger, injury depleted list - it's more experienced and Jake Lever is now wearing the red and the blue.

Flights and Grand Final tickets booked.

I don’t think our fade outs these past two seasons is an “attitude” issue, more a reflection of the age group where our talent lies. Our young core of very talented players can beat anyone, but until they’re physically and mentally matured they have struggled to maintain it into spring. That we’ve been mid table with the least experienced list indicates talent, but hitting the physical limits of youth. The Tigers age profile also highlights the value of a physically mature list...

Angus Brayshaw. Hopefully we get a full season out of this kid so he can showcase his potential.

What he said On today all on Demonland will be spoilt for photos Little Tacker, 666 and myself

VFL journo Paul Amy is reporting that the Casey Demons have recruited North Launceston defender Jay Lockhart who won the medal as Tassie’s best player in the state match against the NEAFL last year.

Didn’t Voss say when he was coaching that we would be the next superpower team or something like that and look what happened. Its nice when people thInk we are going to be a great team but let’s see what they produce on the field first as we all know when expectations are high how disappointing our team can be. Time will tell.

On Wednesday they had Hogan and Hibberd working together separate to the main group before they left the session early (see my photos posted yesterday in this thread), but for the most part they seemed to be pitting backs against each other and forwards against each other... for example Wagner on Lewis, Frost on OMac, Kielty on Lever; perhaps in an effort to learn from each other.

Last year was there for the taking. I wasn't upset as some at as not making it as we still have a lot of growing up to do but just disappointed in the fact that I think anyone would back themselves against won it. The thing about the Tigers list compared to ours is they do have: - A two time Coleman Medalist and two time All-Australian at full forward - Two Brownlow Medalists running through the midfield - A 4 time All Australian centre half back who I think is the best player in the game. They have plenty in the right age bracket around them and solid role players that they should have been better for longer and still should be up and about for a while. I like our list and confident in the talent we have but I can only hope we unleash some stars like the Tigers have produced. For us to go anywhere we need Jesse to become the star we think he is and our players who haven't really broken out yet with "potential" (ugliest word in AFL) in Salem, Brayshaw, Weid, Stretch to really go next level

Interesting discussion, and no doubt the list has improved, but what still concerns me is the way the same list of players took the foot off the gas in the last 2 rounds of 2016 and 2017 Attitude will determine how far this club goes. This club is famous for talking tough before a job is done nobody rates The MFC, we are still laughed at by opposition supporters SEN had the Demon thread up on their facebook page yesterday. Interesting read goodluck Simon. 2018 could make or break you....

Who is your nomination/nominations ? AlexNeal Bullen for me, and James Harmes will be right there alongside him.

From the horses mouth "I had my plantar fascia operated on after I partially tore that against Sydney halfway through the year," Viney said. "Coming back from that, five to six weeks down the track, I ended up getting a stress fracture in my third metatarsal so that's what I'm trying to get back from now. "There's a few things to juggle around after having the surgery on my plantar fascia. "The dynamics of my foot are a little bit different so I'm just adjusting to different loads going through different parts of it and I'm finally at a point now where I do feel like I'm progressing well and I don't see too many hiccups along the way now." url http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-01-12/cautious-viney-still-weeks-from-full-training

No need to be so positive, poita. It's only January.

Agree with what he said, he mustn't have noticed Lever or Bugg who were both excellent as well

This is just list assessment. Nowadays there are a lot of other factors to take into consideration when assessing Premiers and some of them, like injuries can't be predicted. 1. Injuries. The Toigs had a dream run with injuries this year. The year before the Doggies ended up with almost a full list for the finals and the benefit of the first bye for returning players. In 2005 the Swans only played 26 players the whole season. We had a shocker with injuries and suspensions and were still very close. These outs also put a huge extra workload on the young uninjured players who couldn't be managed ideally and not surprisingly tired by the end of the season. Injuries during the GF. eg 2016 Franklin was injured in first 4 minutes. Parker taken out at the first centre bounce and Hannebery taken out in the critical last 7 minutes. 2. Coaching. GWS are beginning to show that you can have an elite list but nowadays need an elite coaching panel that runs deep. I have a feeling if we end up facing them in finals or the big one our coaching panel will be significantly stronger and deeper. It's not just Goodwin but also McCartney and Jennings. They proved themselves in 2017 winning more centre clearances (the most strategic part of the gameplan) than they lost during that 8 week period when we didn't have a ruckman. 3. Fixture. The Toigs had a dream fixture last year which left them with a significant record by the half way mark. We all know what ours was like. 4. Umpiring Hopefully we won't see anything like the advantage Doggies received in 2016 including +20 frees in the GF. The equivalent of a significant extra player. Plus several goals from howler decisions.

True but.... the rules of the game have changed. I don't think this has been factored in enough. Teams have an extra week off before finals. This means a whole bunch of things including getting players refreshed or back from injury etc. Important when you are struggling desperately to make finals. The Toiges and Dogs had the best Septembers. The Toiges defence conceded 5, 8 and 9 goals in finals. Quite extraordinary. There was alot of focus on their forwards but the defence for me won it. I thin what it means now is that making the finals gives everyone a much better chance of winning a flag. It's why I was so dirty on missing the finals. You just never know. Particularly in such an even year.

I think our age profile is just getting to a point that will give us the best chance to make and be successful in finals. Currently we have 8 players with +100 games experience (with 3 more to reach that point before the middle of the season) There are 9 players between 50 & 100 games experience, plus another 9 players poised the go past 50 games well before finals time. All in all 26 players with +50 games experience before finals time and 11 of those with over 100 games experience.

if we're going to get better we need the likes of salem and brayshaw to really step up

I don't think picking a team to win the flag is the point. Rather it is picking teams which are in a strong position to do so. After that random factors like run with injury (and when) etc. play a big part.

Keep the boring, political tribalism to the loony general board please

They lose Rance and it all goes to Dust...

Thanks for all the photos Saty, Hardtack & Lil Tacker - great for those who can’t get there.

Fake news he was running at top speed on Monday

More photos taken by my son Liam at yesterday’s (Wednesday) training session - and considering Liam’s just 15, I’m extremely proud of his efforts so far. Here’s a link for those able to view in Facebook (https://m.facebook.com/tim.fleming.75/albums/1579333815435229). Otherwise, here is a subset, albeit quite a substantial subset, for those who can’t...

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.

Please let it be Weideman.

Agree with this, if he's given a clean run at it he'll show why he went so high.

The only issue I see with these predictions, is that none of these experts would have picked Tigers or the Bulldogs to win a flag

Ironically, the camp was designed to build mental resilience, and as such would have assisted in dealing with what is said on field. What's done is done though, so yes, let's all move on.

No surprise with Hutchy as the new boss...

Was just reading Robbo has also been dumped by SEN. Great news.

do you work at a circus

Short back and sides? Looks pretty conservative, thought you meant he had a green mohawk or something!

Maxy sure loves wearing the Bro.

He’s filling in for George Harrison and Tom Petty as a Travelling Wilbury. Back after the North America tour. ? Well it’s alright... we’re going to the end of the line:. ?

I wonder what Geelong got away with?

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.

Bomber not passing the sniff test!

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!!

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

Depends if the players want to do it on this day

Collingwood had this sort of system in place under Malthouse. It made for very fast options as they were all on exactly the same page and knew exactly where the play was going to go. Using the kickout example, their frequent play was kick to a marking player on the HBF near the 50 line. Option A for that player was to give a quick hand pass to the runner going past. If that runner was covered or not in position, option B was switch to the opposite flank. That all sounds very simple, but they were so well-drilled in these options that they happened almost without thought. That meant that they moved the ball faster than their opponents could react. The marking player knew before he took the ball that there was a runner coming past. If the runner wasn't viable, he knew exactly where the outlet player was on the far side of the ground, meaning he could play on and kick without having to look around for the option. I really liked that system. It was maybe a little rigid, but it let them get a hell of a lot out of a side that really wasn't that talented.

I Observe the opposition player making a break down the wing Orient myself so it looks like I am in a position to chase Decide that he is too fast for me Act and point him out to another player who is already marking an opponent Simples

I thought it was just me...!

Huh?