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Before I melt as a result of the rays from the Melbourne sun, I figured I'd jot down my notes of this morning's training session. A relatively small crowd today (not completely suprising) with many seeking shelter under the trees around the ground. An occasional breeze travels through the air to the delight of those in attendance. Firstly the rehab group consisted of OMac, Petracca, T.Smith, Hunt, Melksham, Stretch, Harmes, Oliver and Brayshaw, Baker and VDB. Drills were non contact (aside from Melksham who did some work with a marking bag) while each player would take their turn in participating in what looked to be some menacing running drills. Players looked absolutely spent after these. Petracca, Oliver, Baker and one of the new lads (Nietschke, I think) left early after spending most of the session running in the rehab group. None seem in any real discomfort aside from that of the Melbourne sun. Moving on to the main group, where the first drill I watched featuted players transitioning from the backline with a couple of spontaneous sets of 20 push ups which looked particularly grueling given today's conditions. Weideman with a nice couple of dead eye [censored] 30 metre passes. Frost also with a nice spin around two players and a short chip pass to Spargo. Lewis was another who nailed some neat kicks while Hibberd uncharacteristicly shanked a couple. Petty was also involved quite a bit as the link man between defense and forward. Moving to some forward play where a group of five would attempt to move the ball from half forward to a player having a clear shot at goal while contending with three defenders. Those I saw in this drill were Lewis, Maynard, Keilty, Frost, Spargo, Fritsch and Petty (I think). Lewis continued to set the standard with a some sharp pick ups and shots for goal. Nice bit of play with Spargo with a thread the needle handpass through three defenders to Keilty who passed the ball onto the running Maynard who slotted the goal. The next drill I watched involved players attempting to nail some 30m passes while under pressure from opposition. Players seemed a little sloppy at first but quickly tightened up their kicking. The Wagner of the Josh variety didn't miss a pass while Salem also looked exceptionally classy. I also really liked the look of Petty here. Looks a good kick and has a bit of toe for someonr of his size. The final drill I caught before leaving was more of a match simulation. ANB was often leading from the forward 50 with Weideman as the key target. Great piece of running on the wing by Jeffy to receive the ball but unfortunately miss the shot at goal. Exceptional piece of play from Spargo with a brilliant smother, gather and handball to a loose player! Smith also looked at home playing the intercept defender role. Another brilliant moment came courtesy of JKH, with an intercept in the forward 50 and a cracking hip and shoulder. No Jones, Gawn, TMac, May, KK, Preuss, or many of the new draftees who I think are in the NT at the moment.

Couple of observations: Melksham wearing tennis cap, so neither forward facing or not. Counted 32 training staff, 26 on the field, gone are the old days when the coach ran the session. Using a pace setter for the players who were just running. As Andy noted, how do you advertise for this job? Keilty and Smith training with forwards. Were used exclusively as lead up link players in one drill. Young 17 year old academy player (I’m told) will be one to watch. Built like the proverbial brick S...... worked with the mids and held his own. Good to see Maynard out there in full training.

Maynard vicious in pink. Great tackling.

Noticed that too but before that seemed to be running without any issues. Assume it's a niggle but I'm wearing my unlucky hat purchased before the Prelim so .... well ... MFCSS.

This will be one thorough hat report this morning. Does the No Hat No Play apply to our footy club? Bravo to all reporters for heading down.?

I'm heading off to training this morning. Got the hat, the sunscreen, the camera. Hope I don't melt.

I wouldn't mind Adem Yze returning to the fold. Bring back that Yze Magic.

May well be the brightest boy at the club. Has my vote.

Bigger pink vest keepings off drill. Spargo showing fantastic pressure in pink.

Hunt and Melk running laps with trainer as pacesetter. Never seen a pacesetter at Dees training before. Kudos MFC.

Keilty looks good on a lead admittedly without pressure. Most players hitting him front and centre also admittedly without pressure.

Thanks to everyone who braved the heat today ? to give us our footy fix.

I was pleasantly surprised to watch a session where every player did not look like slacking off despite the heat Fritsch has definitely worked on his aerobic fitness over the break

according to the figures essendrug have 1/2 their total list (22) over 190cm (6'3") have they switched to a new growth hormone?

I was stunned by the amount of training and support staff at the session. We mean business and aint a two bit club no more.

We had pace setters a few years ago, from memory a couple were boundary umpires, the others middle distance track athletes. They are great to use as they understand what pace they need to run at to hit the time targets.

It was either that or getting charred in the Perth Sun. Was not going to buy Eagles or even worse Dockers branded sunscreen. I'd rather burn.

Buying sunscreen at a hotel in Perth? What'd you pay? $50?

Goal kicking practice not helped by the wind. Some of the backs though have slotted some nice goals on the snap. Salem the best of the bunch.

Go tell them Max is Japanese and get them to come across.

Goody showing no signs of fame fatigue after appearing on the Ellen Show as Natalie Portman's plus one.

Wagner J kicking spot on.

Andy, keep up this steady stream of reports and you will be assigned with permanent duties as our official DL training reporter!

Vanders solo jogging also at a quick pace.

Can confirm that Frosty has this hat in white.

Backs Frost, Wagner J, Lewis, Salem, Hibberd, Petty, Maynard. Forwards Weideman, Keilty, NealBullen, Smith J, Garlett, Spargo, Fritsch, JKH. REHAB on other side with no numbers but assume it is the rest minus the new trades and recruits and Max and Jones who are all in the NT.

Hawthorn have won 13 premierships in 50 years by being arrogant. Hawthorns leaders like Matthews, Scott, Brereton, Dipper, Lewis, Hodge etc all got suspended, all gave away 50m penalties, all could be called undisciplined. I’m happy to take the occasional “undisciplined act” to get some of that culture into Melbourne, and hope Lewis gets his 5th flag. Even if he doesn’t, he is sure helping by turning up in peak condition and showing the list what it takes to take the next step.

The obvious reason he decked Cripps was that Cripps was killing us and Carlton were threatening to run over the top of us. Cripps was being a cocky little punt and Lewis reminded him he was playing AFL against a tough demon outfit. Did he go to far ... yes. Did that win us the game ... most likely. He also has 22 team mates who could have got us across the line vs Freo. Lewis is judged far to harshly on here. He came to the club to show our boys how to win a premiership the way he has. There is a good reason he wasn't liked when he played at Hawthorn and the only thing that's changed is his colours.

“Angus Brayshaw was also on light duties, but it's understood he has been sick this week, while Jake Lever is set to return to the track on Monday following a minor procedure on his left knee.” Dees endure brutal session in summer scorcher

To be fair the spectators weren't running till we spewed.

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I had my eyes on these hats first #fashion

he was just trying to impress maxy. good chunder, good move.

Had to take a second look at that pic. Coulda sworn it was Brad Green on first glimpse...!

Adem Yze hidding behind a tree on punt rd side of ground watching training intently. Hawks finally worried about the mighty dees.

At the end we had around 15-17 players doing the sprint sessions and I counted 25 MFC staff on the ground or on the fringes. Must have been some very special skill based sprinting they were doing (just kidding!) ... pretty sure I saw Neil Craig talking to coaching staff as well

we of course like many things pioneered the hat with the great Jimmy S wearing his hat in a pre season match. Eminently sensible but much joked about at the time. There was of course the great out roar when a coach decided to take his players into the shade for the 3/4 time address. It was in Queensland I think. How times change.

Suit yourself. The Filth were on their knees and in massive debt when Pert was bought in. They are now living in thebuilding we should have taken... We the MFC need to grow into the club we always should have been. Pert has the CV to do that

Temp not as much a factor as the wind. Having said that I'm in the shade.

Hoping none of the coaches spot him?

Harmesy running laps at quick pace too now.

I wouldn’t entirely write off the Bears against the Rams. The run home is definitely starting to heat up, love this time of year teams playing for playoff spots conenciding with summer holidays. Yeah going to be a battle of the strugglers between our sides this week, been a disappointing year from both teams

All rehab kicking balls around and doing non contact drills.

Clarry running laps solo at a quick pace.

Harmes, Stretch, Viney, Vanders, Melk, Hunt, T Smith in rehab group.

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Some really crap comments in this thread. 4 time Premiership player who wants to give it his all to get a 5th Cup at a 2nd Club The exact attitude we need to cultivate thankyou Mr. Lewis

boy there is some negativity here no one in the VFL side last year took his place and everyone knew it was up for grabs. Let's see if one of them can take it this year. Personally I think his dedication etc is what we have been missing for twenty odd years if not more.

Why put down that kind of endeavor? I love it that this guy is near the end, still fighting and not wanting to give it up. We seem to have please of good young talent all of a sudden, which is good, but I think it's equally good that our young guys both have to fight for a spot in the side, at the same time as benifiting from the experience and leadership that a guy like Lewis brings to the table. You can have experience around the place in a non playing capacity, but at the end of the day, I don't think it's the same. Whilst I'm somewhat disappointed that Bernie didn't go out in a blaze of glory, I think he was still a more than worthy contributor for the vast majority of game he played this year and that he had earned a leave pass over the years for the few he might have under performed in. Still such a thing as respect in football and whilst the talks that we will treat Lewis like any first year rookie, the reality is that he isn't and we will treat him accordingly.

I tried doing it then and the MCC website wasn't allowing it either! The MCC site theoretically allowed a member to sign up with any AFL club* but the system didn't actually work. *Personally, I think anyone who joins an AFL club other than Melbourne should have their MCC membership cancelled as it's a clear sign that the person does not have the requisite integrity or intelligence expected of an MCC member.