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Notes from Wednesday Excellent session to a high standard (not my words, a coach), although I agree, as Monday was, some real intent in the tackling Rehab Jones Fritsch Balic Weed Kent with main group A drill involving the defenders launching torps from just outside the goalsquare was interesting to watch again, Hunt landed one on far side of centre square, impressive, Vince the other getting some distance Will put some pics on Instagram and here later

T Mac out marking Lever in the one on ones. Pedo gave T Mac more of a run for his money. Petracca right up with the leaders in the runs and pushing hard right up until the end where he dropped off a bit. Looks to have improved his fitness. ANB very clean hands in the drills. Does a lot right. Petracca not so sharp by hand. Spargo never misses a target and is fast. Maynard going about it nicely.

That's the AFL's fault. Out of the $1bill plus tv rights they've had over the past 10 years they won't allocate money to identify and develop young talent in the non AFL States. They leave it entirely to the teams there even though with the expansion there is more need to find more players. The Swans have spent over $1mill per year on their Academy for about 8-10 years now. They seek out every junior athlete initially in the whole of NSW and since GWS in their allocated areas. They have around 500-600 players a year going through it, that's thousands and thousands of players over the period. Out of that massive investment, so far they have Heeney and Mills. That's it. Brandon Jack was the only other player to make it to the list and he didn't make it. Heeney was a rugby league player in Newcastle who would never have been discovered without the Swans Academy work in finding him. I was involved in Junior AFL in Sydney for over ten years and know how incredibly hard the landscape is up here for AFL. The Swans Academy is a big deal to all the kids up here who aspire to getting picked in it. I've watched its impact on Junior Clubs like ours since it started and its significant. The only way to solve this is for the AFL to set up AFL Academies not Club Academies.

Agree with @Wrecker45 on Spargo, we have gone bush again and may have unearthed another one Asked him how he was travelling at the end of the session, getting used to the training loads etc, said it was all good One drill had a tall fwd Tommy Mc/Pedo knocking the ball down for small fwds to crumb, some of it got a bit willing, Bernie Vince flattened Spargo at one point but a couple of kicks later Spargo with Bernie all over him crumbed beautifully and goaled, have a pic later Trac was one the standouts for me today as well Think Tommy Mc worked over Lever on instruction, Lever is a great reader and intercept mark but has to be able to one on one as well

In that example, assuming you were not (unlawfully) sacked would your boss resign? I'm not interested in a slanging match but suggesting goodw8n might resign is just plain silly. Defending that idea even sillier.

You'd still be happily working a 56 hour week with no holidays with that supine attitude. Earlier you said you were surprised the boss hasn't resigned. Now your'e saying if the players were employees in your workplace, the players would have been sacked for going to their union. So it sounds like there should be no one left at the club - neither resigning coach nor sacked players.

Apropos Champ Data. Does Collingwood still have the best rated on-ball brigade?

I think you’ll find that unlike you and others, they have built a bridge and gotten over it.

Unless you are going to provide more substance than that, you are just another of many on this site who have “the good mail”, but an empty letter box.

Listening to Gawn on SEN. Hilarious and: Camp with the AFLPA was a beat up and they were already cancelling the camp before the AFLPA got involved Gawn has put on 4kg since he came back Hogan in great shape and might play midfield, but clearly the best forward Lever talking a heap, looks like he'll be in the leadership group Gawn says he's a better barrister than Jobe Trac is going to play midfield and Gawn is looking forward to Danger, Selwood, Ablett v Viney, Oliver, Petracca Gawn looking at wine bars in New York but unsure; looks like there might be one in Melbourne and some food trucks as well. The best story was talking about the Simmons story. So not sure if it has been covered on here yet, but Trac had courtside seats, Harmes and Tyson were in the nose bleeds. The Trac was in the limo to NYC, H&T had to Uber there ($150 later), the uber turned up after the limo so H&T had to wait in the line outside before finally making it in. And apparently, Trac was in an area with Simmons and Le Bron that the other 76ers werent allowed into.

Oh mate c'mon.. this is by far the most stupid thing I've ever read. Why in God's name would he resign?! Goody has already come out and addressed the issue. He's happy with where things are at and is already happily moved on. I'm he's put it back on the players now, it' up to them to show if they can do it on field.

I think this is the critical thing. All at the club probably would acknowledge the palaver was poorly handled and i don't doubt there would have been some pretty serious angst, partic from goodwin who as gawn said might have felt there was a mutiny from players. But the critical thing is how the club responds and moves forward after this palaver. Communication is pretty easy when things are cruising. The real test comes when there is conflict. So in that sense this episode gives the club a terrific opportunity to improve and enhance communication and cohesiveness.

The metric that these scribes don't look at is coaching expertise and experience. Goody is in my opinion still a rookie and learning. A few times last year he was clearly out coached and needs to grow in the job. Bomber Thompson took 8 years and a review that nearly saw him sacked before they started their premiership run. Dimma was appointed the same time as Dean Bailey and had a review that nearly saw him sacked. The Times were awful in 2016 but had played finals in the years previous. Bevo had been coaching since 2006, winning flags in 06,07,08 then 2010 and was part of the Hawthorn juggernaut. He is a fantastic people manager with a wealth of premiership experience Just as our playing list needs to grow and develop and even experience finals success and failure so to does our coach and his team. The only goal this year should be to make finals and learn from the experience

Dom Tyson Dom’s improvement in leadership, during the first five or six weeks of training, was really noticeable. He’s again working in the midfield group, but he’s really starting to drive his teammates and build some standards around how we go about our training. Dom has 90 AFL games to his name and is set to enter his seventh AFL season – his fifth at Melbourne.

the point is perhaps far from moot Saty. Training is a required activity and we accept injury risks. This is an activity of zero benefit to the MFC, so for a player to get injured while participating would be extremely upsetting.

A few from Friday with a softer lens -> https://six6six.smugmug.com/frame/slideshow?key=b64F8V&autoStart=1&captions=0&navigation=0&playButton=0&randomize=0&speed=1&transition=fade&transitionSpeed=1&clickable=1

I consider meself to be a long term sponsor!

still worried about viney wont be happy until i know he can still jump off tall buildings

Other titbits: Gawn lost 8kg prior to preseason and then has put back on 4kg since returning. His strength is still comparable to last year in the weights room. Petracca ran a PB by 35 seconds in his 2km time trial.

Hes been a ginger a lot longer than 10 mins.... (someone had to do it )

Went down for a look this morning. List of things I observed in no particular order. . - Maynard and Balic completed their 2km time trials... Maynard finished about 200m in front. Both were well and truly spent at the finish. - One particular drill was just focused on the "Dustin Martin don't argue". Picking the ball up off the ground and pushing off a bag/opponent with the hand. - Jones, Weid, Kent, T.Smith in rehab. Ditto Viney and Joel Smith but they were running lap after lap rather than the balls. - Brayshaw had his thigh taped up and at one point removed himself from the main group to complete some run thru's. He joined back in soon after. - I was most impressed with Dion Johnstone. Put on some muscle and his skills on both side of the feet was a highlight. Crumbing off the forwards and kicking them from all angles. - Lewis certainty entrenched in the back-line group. Vince also down there. - Omac looked noticeably bigger in the legs and arms. - Trac also looking fit without any strapping on the knee.

Some shots from the Barcelona v Levante game. The official attendance was listed as 56,000 but I reckon they fudged it, just as they do with crowds here, as the stadium seemed to be less than half full. Had amazing seats, sitting at about half-forward on level 2, which gave a great vantage point for the action. In the second half, the top row of seats in the stand opposite me took on this ethereal glow from the setting sun, and my cousin, who was sitting in the stand opposite, snapped the magnificent final shot in the series below. Seats at the Spurs - Everton game were also sensational, albeit this time at ground level, and I was within spitting distance of the Everton bench. Great atmosphere where I was (there were hundreds of Koreans sitting near me going crazy for Son, who was on fire) but not as good for viewing the match as the upper levels, where you get a better idea of space and distance etc. The thing which really struck me was how congested much of the play is, in comparison to what you see on TV, where it seems they have oodles of time and space to move the ball around. At both games I was one of the first in the ground so I could just sit there and soak up the enormity of it all!

Im never getting over that period of time Jumbo...forget about a bridge...I wont cross it. Well....ok, when they win a flag I'll agree to never mention Neeld again. You have my word!

I'm convinced you're a troll now. No supporter of a sound mind would post something like that. You see even a smidge of negativity and you do everything you can to make it as big as possible. It's pathetic.

Really? Wow. That would be a great headline. "players squib boot camp, coach resigns"

Jan 2017 Champion Data: Pies no 1 midfield Dees 18th Grain. Of. Salt.

Very interesting to see his comments on the camp. It sounds like it was the loss of condition rather than injuries that worried most. THat's a fair point. For the kids who are struggling to get up to playing weight, going on camp and dropping 3-4kg is a terrible result.

My understanding is it replaces one pre season game? If so it probably reduces the likelihood of a preseason injury in a game given AFLX only uses 10 players aside and i assume shorter. Worth a try - the pre season games are crap anyway

If we the players had made finals in 2016/17 you may have a case. But they didn’t. If players had grievances they should have spoken to people within the club. This should never have got out. Sledging will be rife....

Barista. Although Jobe may have done some studies trying to keep Charlie.

Got down there for an hour. I am sure it was AVB running laps while I was there? Jones, the Weid, Kent running laps after some limited ball work earlier away from the main group. Jones looks fit to me. Keilty went down in a marking contest and spent 10minutes looking very ginger on his left ankle but recovered well to dominate some later drills. I liked the series of drills pitting defence against offence, the emphasis in working the ball out of congestion. Where was this competitive training stuff in the Bailey, Neeld years? Some of the tacking was very willing which I like to see as well as drills which forced players to work together in confined spaces. This is replicating game day which I think you should be doing at least 50% of the time at some stage of the preseason as well as honing your kicking and hand balling skills in conventional circle work. Liked the work of Clarrie, Vince, Maynard, The Track, J MAC and Hogan.

Got along for about an hour with Mrs Worship, Agree with everything everyone else has said. Only a few things to add. Thought Tim Smith cannot be far off rejoining the main group, was impressed with how good his marking, speed and kicking was. Also looks to have put on a bit of size in the arms and shoulders. Jones looked ready to go and for those Kent followers; no he didn't look like he was going flat out at everything but he and Jones were very competitive with each other and there was a lot of banter and smiles, didn't look disinterested at all. Balic looked a little sore/tired to me and I saw him get quite a bit of treatment from one of the trainers. This would have been after the 2km trial, which we didn't see, so that may have had an effect. Some of the funnier /lighter moments in the main group were seeing Jeffy trying to stop/tackle Maxy and at one stage JKH had to take on/tackle first Jessy and then Max in quick succession. Really enjoyed the 9 x 9 drill mentioned earlier and the comments about Dion were what I saw too, but it was also interesting how often Keilty was on the end of the possession chain kicking at goal. I can't not mention young Clayton, I wasn't paying particular attention to him today but he is eye catching and he will surprise a few with his further improvement. From what I saw today I think the Cats might get a bit of a shock in the opener. Can't wait.

He's been running for last couple of weeks, joked with him today about taking a pic to show he has both legs working ok, said he will be running too fast for the camera soon He is tightly controlled to ensure he only does what he is supposed to Said just ticking off the sessions and loading the foot gradually Pic later

Unsighted: 4 new draftees (presume it's AFL induction time). Vanders, McKenna Rehab: As PB outlined. Joel Smith did a bit of footy work and plenty of running with Viney. The other 4 did a lot of footy work and you'd think wouldn't be far off joining in the main stuff. Jones looked ready to go. Weid's kicking was a bit off in the swirly breeze. Balic joined the rehab group after his long run. Lots of different group drills really mixing it up but the focus was definitely on sharp kicking and clearing congestion. Most interesting drill might've been working the ball cone to cone in the middle of the ground then getting it in to a forward v defender one on one with Garlett and DJ both swooping on any loose balls from 30m or so in front of the contest. And I was also impressed with Dion. Not under any pressure but he was timing his run, gathering and snapping nicely. The full corridor 9 on 9 or whatever it was had mixed results but Lever was composed with the ball and Clarry took it on and kicked long to targets nicely.

Its a disgrace that Sydney get propped out with equivalent no.1 draft picks when in the top 4 through the acadamies The two sydney teams will be hard to beat over the next 5 years

I accept that injuries can occur at any time and that the risk of injury is not a reason not to proceed with AFLX. But it's pointless for AFL's top line talent. That's why it should not proceed. On the other hand, if the AFL truly believes there's an international market for a game that can be played on standard rectangular fields, then by all means, trial the concept. But use retired players or VFL players to prove the concept.

I'm amazed that anyone at the club though this camp was a good idea in the first place. You don't see Barcelona FC sending their players on a punishing "torture" camp to bond as a team. I'm pretty sure none of the NFL sides do it. Do Rugby teams? I wouldn't know, but it seems to me to be something entirely limited to the AFL. Maybe our coaches should take a leaf from some of the bigger, more professional sports around the world and focus on fitness and skills rather than bonding through shared adversity.

Spot on. New his stuff, although biased,but rambled incessantly. Interview technique was appalling. Sure, don't want bland,but almost anything would be an improvement. Fine mastered the art of 'talk to' rather than 'talk back' radio.Demeaned the caller and listener.Incredibly self indulgent.Would be very surprised if any other network would pick him up. Then again, Campbell Brown gets a gig at 7!

The Dees are a broad church indeed...

I fell asleep before the end, what happened?

Philly 20 Minnesota 16 Evil Empire 27 Jacksonville 26

What? finey was the only one who spoke his mind Wow. That is pathetic

That's a heavy price for you to pay for ballroom dancing being tarnished by association with the Olympics.

Still difficult to look your boss in the eye ? if you go higher behind their back. That is the only thing that concerns me. Goodwin has said nothing publicly and that is concerning. Max is merely speculating on what he thinks

Now Mark Fine has gone... I thought he was the only decent footy analyst they had and Finey's final siren was a classic. Plus Sam McLure is in for the 6 to 7 slot. It's getting very vanilla...

cant wait for the book to come out

Got down to Gosch's today for about 80 minutes... observations other than those already mentioned, Bernie's predicted demise was premature! His ball handling and kicking to position in the conditions was of the highest quality and he was up to speed in the sprints Ditto Lewis Impressed by Filipovic's increased bulk, athletic running and sure hands Jetta terrific in man on man defensive rebound activity Oscar McD consistently effective at spoiling in the arial contests Tom McD had the safest hands in the marking exercises I watched Petracca bustles like a bull and gets what he wants Bugg is looking like best 22 again Lewis an unlikely dead-eyed-dick on the day Oh yes, a bloke called Clayton continues to make the difficult look easy

Wasn't sure where to put this and apologies if it's been posted elsewhere, but here is another outsiders analysis of our upside for season 2018. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/melbourne/chris-cavanagh-looks-at-eight-reasons-why-melbourne-will-play-finals-in-2018/news-story/381f1a8a850dd417e650d5a28e6583a7 One stat jumped out at me in particular. I knew we were up there in terms of contested possessions (ranked second) and tackles (ranked second), but what interested me is we were first for loose ball gets. For a midfield that is often maligned for its lack of leg-speed, this stat is impressive. Is it possible that we simply will ourselves to each contest and ensure we scare the pants off the opposition to get that loose ball? Or does it tell us that in fact in leg-speed is not an issue for our midfield? Of course, most midfields could do with a bit more pace and ours is no exception, but as Sydney have proved over the years, you don't necessarily need pace everywhere if you're winning the contested ball every time. And as this article suggests, finals football is often played in close and contested - in this situation, our midfield would stand a pretty decent chance of beating most opposition if we could make the dual a contested one. If someone like Joel Smith can make a defensive position his own and Frost improves, this should allow the likes of Hunt and Hibberd to join in more through and via the midfield and exploit their pace.

the one i'm interested to see how they go this year is st. kilda - people have ranked our sides together in the last couple of years, but for mine they've always been a far older, more experienced and completely different side in terms of their timing of 'rising' withour riewoldt and montagna, their whole set-up is going to have to change somewhat - roo in particular was still in their top three or so players blues have had a rotten run with injury already, losing arguably their most consistent player in docherty, and like everyone i think north are sort at the beginning of a long road - brisbane, gc17 and freo all seem more advanced i like our structure, i like our contested ball winning ability, i don't rate our speed or skills to transition effectively, but i think we're good enough to take the next step and that seems to be the general sense from most football followers too all i want is a decent run with injury, and viney is already a big concern