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Training report from Facebook: TRAINING REPORT: It's training time - and what a time of year it is, especially if you're just coming off an impressive year that saw us make a prelim! Hard to believe it's only been around 10 weeks since then, yet so much has changed. First off - it's quite different going to training knowing that Dom Tyson, Dean Kent, Jesse Hogan, Bernie Vince and Cam Pedersen won't be there. All five have been mainstays since I was a relative regular at training. At the same time, it's exciting knowing that the likes of Braydon Preuss, Kade Kolodjashnij and Steven May will potentially join us on the track. As is the possibility of Jake Lever also joining us on the track - Lever might have already been with us but his presence was so sorely missed during the back end of the season. Anyway, the boys show up 20 minutes larer than expected, but a few guys worth keeping an eye on who is here: -Preuss: Like holy shit he's a big unit. I could tell who he was from the other side of the ground. He is bloody tall and still has a bit of development to do. Exciting times. -Viney: has returned early, which is good, genuinely wants to set more of a standard which he set during the finals. -Lever: back up and running and on track to return early in the season if early signs are to go by. Rather light workload at the moment - not that it's much of a surprise - but just a good boost to see him out there. Doing light stuff with Oscar McDonald. -Jones: Chunk is out there likewise, which again I think makes the younger lads a fair bit more comfortable settling back in with his influence. -Gawn: Famously set the track alight last year and is back for another go at maintaining his status as the best ruckman in the game. -ANB: The marathon man is back to set the track on fire again as he always does. As good a runner as I have ever seen in football. -Brayshaw: Fresh off 3rd in the Brownlow in 2018, he's also here to try and win it from the outset. -May: On track for the first time in a Melbourne jumper which is fantastic. The boys start off with a few running drills - small groups are the order of the day as they just run around the ground, doing small sprints here and there and just general 'keep running' stuff. A few of the impressive runners early (even though it's pretty straightforward stuff until the footy's come out - which is what I'm generally more interested in seeing who has kept sharp) - Kolodjashnij leads a group of runners, Gawn - in a group including Salem, Jones, JKH and others - stays up the front of his group. In a genuine group of runners, Preuss and May bring up the rear, but when you have an athletic group including KK, ANB, Smith, Brayshaw and the like that's no bad thing. Anyway, say what you like about May being at the back - he isn't here for his long-distance running ability. In any case - ANB genuinely takes the piss. He stays up front the whole time, before turning the jets on and putting about 40m on second-placed Joel Smith over the last lap alone. He really is a running freak of nature. Never seen anyone like him running around. Looks like the footy's are out. The first genuine test of pre-season is here (never mind the running) - let's see who is clean. Early doors sees a little 20m kicking drill - it is largely clean save for a few sloppy kicks here and there. Another drill happens at the other end of the ground - one of the groups has a chain of handballs before finishing with a goal, while the other group does likewise but it's a clearing kick from defense in effect. Skills seem quite sharp at the moment - all handballs are hitting the target, no loose balls on the ground, the running patterns are flowing and the kicks are hitting their targets on the run. Keeping a close eye on Kolo for a bit, given his status as a clean ball-user. He shows it early on. His second shoe - off a step, gloriously hits JKH straight on the chest. It's a bullet. Marking/one-on-one drill going on afterwards. Group nearest to me has Preuss and May in a one-on-one and it's clear that you can see May's one-on-one ability when it's his time to get it as he expertly creates space for himself. He is most certainly going to be an asset. The group is split into three for more running drills - with the time trial done and dusted, it's clear they split the group into top-tier runners (ANB, Smith, Kolo, Brayshaw, Wagner), mid-tier runners (Fritsch, Spargo, Maynard, Petty) and bottom-tier runners (Weideman, Keilty, Frost, Preuss, May). Meantime, the senior players have made their way off, content with their work. Running goes to schedule, Nibs leads the way of course, boys are done with their work but it's been a solid session nevertheless.

Shame on those making assumptions about the photo of KK that was posted last week.

Any reports? @Satyriconhome @DeeSpencer @kev martin? Here are some photos.

I recall years back when Rivers shifted over to the Cats. He said preseason was completely different there, as the onus was put on the players to return in peak condition, so the bulk of preseason was about skills, not getting fit. I hope this is where we're heading.

More photos.

I asked Nibbler whether he was a chance to be pipped by the new special KK Answer Not a chance ? Will have some pics on Insta tonight Any questions will answer tonight

The injured year still would've counted towards his years of service. He's there by choice, but whether players turn up early or not says very little about their level of dedication. In fact I'm more impressed by the guys who do the whole offseason by themselves and turn up in good condition. That said, Tracc looks in decent shape from that picture. It's crazy to expect him to be super lean, he's a power player who relies on his strength, but he does need to take another solid step forward in fitness this offseason.

May is gonna be that monster we have been crying out for. Backline is gonna be a real strong point this season.

Gee, he speaks well. Got a good feeling about this young man if his neck issues are over. Appears fit and ready to go and, importantly, states he wants to win a priemiership with Melbourne

Anyone training the house down yet?

6 min 22 sec for 2 km is almost exactly equivalent to a 5 minute mile. Which gives us some idea how fast Roger Bannister, John Landy, etc used to motor to complete a 4 minute mile, let alone Hichaem El Guerrouj who holds the record for that distance with 3.43.13.

Have been re-watching some of our games again lately and the rundown tackles, big marks, spoils and run out of defense Frosty gave us were awsome. He really provided some drive at a time Oscar was fading a bit. With some of the dash and precision forward passing that Frosty executed late season, not only Oscar, but Hunt should also be worried about their spots in the side. Great to have such depth and options back there.

May, KK and Pruess would already be training if they were at their old clubs. I think they will be there. They have had their time off.

Another note got there early to have my egg an bacon roll and coffee before the start watched AVB run laps by himself for about 20 minutes

Some more photos.

I like multiple reports from different sources and different points of view. ?

How awesome is it to have training back. I obviously don't have a life!

Is Johnnie Walker the new shorts sponsor? They came on board as an official partner last year but I don't believe the logo was on the shorts. In the photos above they are now on the training apparel.

Based on the photos above looks like Jonesy has joined the 1-4 year boys.

A good read ahead of the draft at the end of the week. AFL Draft Central: Melbourne Preview

$5m Well, F me Macca.... I think A Day at the Races management might have to look at a bank loan and buy a horse to go in it!!

you've got to learn to walk before you can run

One different point of view Preuss is ginormous he completely blocked the sun out when I was taking his pic for Insta ??

Bytel was very good last year. Two I like as smokies are Daly Andrews from Western Jets (long kicking, athletic type who loves going for a run) and James Jordan (186cm Oakleigh midfielder who can play half back, great decision maker and could be the most penetrating kick in the class). For different reasons, both didn't have a tonne of exposure this year, but could be great late gets.

I like his attitude. No second fiddle, wants to play with Max.

It's preseason so everyone is. ?

I'll own up, but I won't take the shame. The photo was unflattering but clearly looking at his whole body now, he is in good condition, as should be expected. One of his assets in his draft year was his running, so it's good to see him doing well.

He looks super thin... ?

Joel Smith making a statement which is good.

Ive heard DZ is a bit of a horse whisperer. We need to send him out to the Cups to go around the mounting yard and stables. Yep Ballarat Cup is a good one, unfortunately not there this year. I think everyone will be all over the WEir runners, (pun intended) might pay to go early on a few, when the fields come out.

Definitely a huge NO from me with one exception. Would have loved best of three in 1958. Rollover Maggies!!

The 'Donald Cup' delivers another win for DK Weir ... his 2nd stringer in 'Romancer' but that's no surprise. I got lucky again but only because I know how much Weir sets his horses for these Country Cups. His pattern is that he normally has 3 runners and at least 2 of them nearly always get into the first 3 or 4 across the line. So you bet accordingly. Watch out for the Ballarat & Kilmore Cups this upcoming weekend then follows the Wodonga Cup & Traralgon Cup the weekend after and then the Pakenham Cup in early December. Country Cups Schedule

Yes agree with Curtis Taylor as an X factor. Sam Sturt is the other top 20 X style player. A different type of X factor is Bailey Williams who could be available at 23 or 28. Can take the game on and as a big forward, can kick 2-3 quick goals if given the chance. For small forwards, Toby Bedford (Demons NGA) and Zac Foot are definitely X factor types. Irving Mosquito has the name and skills to be a very exciting AFL player though hawks have claim on him. (“Mozzzzzzie”) Atu Bosenavulgi is another small forward but tied to Pies via NGA. Pies may struggle to match any call in him so watch out for a poacher club. A classy X factor is Xavier O’Neill. He is not spoken about like the other Xaviers ((Duursma and O’halloran) but O’Neill is very exciting and classy in an outside mid role. I wouldn’t be disappointed if he ended up at MFC. My biggest smoky X is Harry Reynolds. APS Schoolboy footy remains a very strong competition and he was a standout. He just gets the footy out of nothing and his acceleration over 5 metres reminds me of some of the very good indigenous players.

Well I liked Ventura Storm in the Zipping Classic and it was DZ's best bet as well ... but as was the case with a number of horses that have been performing well recently, a lot of them had come to the end of their preparations. My choice (Into the Abyss) didn't run on either. If only the horses could actually talk hey Wadda? ? They generally don't show those signs until the moment it happens. Still, I've had a more than decent Spring Carnival and the attention now turns to Ascot (WA) , Sha Tin & the Doomben Summer features a number of races that holds a bit of appeal as well. The Ballarat Cup is on next Saturday and that race is always a keenly contested affair. No doubt targeted by DK Weir of course! ?

It would be good to see May, KK and Preuss turn up as an indication of their eagerness to impress.

I have an alternate view. Instead of being satisfied if he "can take a few games by the scruff of the neck" my preference is for him to become a consistent, solid option. Someone who gets picked every week, takes contested marks and kicks goals regularly without necessarily dominating individual games.