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Went for a quick look, torrential rain and cold hard to really get a gauge on what was going on. Viney, Oliver and Brayshaw all took part in match simulation. Gawn and Preuss had a decent battle but you can see Max is just a much better footballer. Harmes and Salem moved well and Weideman looks to have put on a bit of size.

Other stuff off the top of my head: Lever and May ran laps, Jones was walking laps didn't do much at all and Hannan was in the gym not sure how much training he did. Vanders also looked strong at training which is good to see from him this time of year. I didn't see KK but he may have been there.

Back on 'Trac': Gun Demon impresses in match sim “Emerging Demon Christian Petracca shook off a recent knee issue to complete the entirety of Melbourne's bruising session at a wintry Casey Fields on Saturday. Many Demons remain on modified programs after the club's late start to the pre-season, but Petracca was one who managed to take part in everything, including match simulation.” Players who ran laps - Nathan Jones (hamstring/back tightness), Jack Viney (ankle/foot), Steven May (hamstring), Jake Lever (knee), Clayton Oliver (shoulders)* and Jake Melksham (hamstring). Players on limited duties for at least part of training - Aaron vandenBerg*, Oskar Baker (hamstring), Corey Maynard, Joel Smith, Tim Smith and Category B rookie Guy Walker (shoulder). * later joined match simulation. “The heavy and consistent rain made it difficult to assess match simulation, especially for Melbourne's taller players, but forwards Sam Weideman and Tom McDonald still had their moments.”

Taking my nearly-4 yo girls to their first footy game today. Last night I presented them with their first MFC jumpers as my heart burst with pride on such a momentous occasion! *who’s cutting onions? Carn Dees!

While the focus at Casey Fields today will be on the Demons’ training session this morning, the news from the Casey Demons for one prospective player - Darcy Fritsch (brother of Bayley) is very promising. Paul Amy quotes coach Jade Rawlings as follows - “He’s been one of the standouts throughout the summer. I don’t think he’s missed a session, his attitude is first-class and he’s really improving.''

I’m interested to know if anyone’s turned up.

shush, or they'll find themselves part of the aflx malarkey they're clearly not gonna be ready til jlt2!

I think it’s more worrying for Jones rather than the teams fortunes.

So basically, the news that Bradtke might play at least some of the season in the TAC Cup Under 18s, means that the Casey Demons need to find some ruck strength. This is especially so in light of the fact that it appears likely that Max Gawn and Braydon Preuss are going to be used in tandem in the AFL. I believe that the major deficiency that caused Casey’s downfall in the grand final last year (and in other games they lost) was in the ruck. The argument for picking up another ruckman before the pre-season draft cut off on 15 March must be growing louder now.

Today was the first time I have seen Austin Bradtke play in a match simulation. I though he acquitted himself quite well, didn't look lost, in one passage he made a lead to a forward flank and spun around to deliver the ball to Bayley Fritsch at the top of the goal square and that was of course in appalling conditions.

Far better performance from the mids taking away the Pies style of play (they love to keep it in tight and march it forward). Pearce and O'Dea were excellent but the midfield group in general got the pressure and effort right. Backline did very well although the Pies forwards aren't a big threat. Edmonson looks a player. Lampard took a step up. Liked Kemp at half back. Forward line still not perfect but really good pressure and created chances. Hanks is a little beauty. And more than anything it was a disciplined team effort keeping the ball to the dead side for 2 quarters in to the wind and then using the open side with the breeze. Footy doesn't have to be pretty and playing the percentages is often what's needed. The Pies couldn't get it to the fat side or get anything going when they had the wind, they couldn't stop our girls hitting the open space when we had the scoring end. If it wasn't for Brazill the margin would've been 4 goals more.

Well done Dees beating the Filth comprehensively. How good was O'Dea?❤️Pearce is a pretty handy footballer as well. Keep it going Dees I want to see finals.

Only if you worry about it.

IMO both clubs have decided that there is value in playing a team both at their level, and not requiring any significant travel. Perfect match praccie opportunity if you ask me,

Monday announcement. Perfect fit, true to type. Won’t say more.

I hope the Dees players don't mind cold showers.

12 of those 15 horses in the CF Orr have nominated for the All Star. I have a suggestion. We have talked about black book etc. Maybe at the end of the day we can put a few in a box and note the top runs from the day, whos ready to win etc. After hearing the jockeys interviewed on Racing.com after that race there were comments like get him back to Randwick as soon as possible, ready to win his next race etc etc. Thoughts?

Land of Plenty and Kementari ran very well i thought Macca. Would have won any other race. Trifecta only paid 350.....thought would be more with a 21/1 winner EDIT: Dead heat for second so 2 tris

Yeah its a tough race and stayed away from it for my bb for that reason. Brave Smash can run a race to when he wants to.

We're about to find out how good 'Whispering Brook' is too ... but it's a crack field with any number of winning chances. Last year they dawdled up front and then Hartnell won in a blanket finish. There is a bit of early speed this time so hopefully we'll see a truly run race ... I've got a F4 going in the race but I reckon Redkirk Warrior gets into the finish.

Yep sure was. Im kinda keen on Land of Plenty in the next.....dont mind Kementari chances today also.

Yep ... but the Hayes horse looks a goodin' It was a tough race to find a clear winner. Social Spin nearly always leads but Hawkshot drew the 1 barrier and as we found out, has excellent barrier speed. Too good.

Pfft! Enough work. Home to watch the races!!

Because it drew the 1 gate it had to be run for luck ... jockey could have switched to the outside but I reckon the horse was ridden to instructions. With 2 leg multi's there's always the option of re-booting.

Really....great stuff!! I had it anchoring my second multi for the day, with our BBs still alive as well. Dont ya just love the Autumn!

'I am Immortal' with a gutsy win in the Blue Diamond Prelude for C & G's ... fought hard to line - always a good sign. The Blue Diamond is shaping up as keenly contested affair. The next race for the fillies will tell us something too.

We don't need him and our oldies in top flight, early in the season... we'll be needing them through the heavy going, Winter and into Spring. We'll need the extra leadership in the last 8 H&A matches. The shuffling of the deck. Finals is another matter, depending on ground conditions, IMO.

2 from 2 so far for James Jordan over in Morphettville today ... I was on Blue Hope in race 2 so 'Safari JJ' might be in for a decent day. Got a few multi's going with his selections. Go here for his tips

Nature Strip just way too good for that lot ... beat a few handy types such as Voodoo Lad though. Just too quick and they can't get near him. And how lucky is Chris Waller inheriting this horse? Like winning lotto.

A work mate has a connection with the runner-up ‘News Girl’ , she’s ran terrific in both defeats to ‘ Crack The Code’, trained from Albury way. Might pay to watch her as well in something easier although you could say she handled this type of class extremely well.

Gee..... Voodoo Lad has come in! Was 6 last night 3.90 now with the rain and at his fav track Caulfield. Maher might have a good day today.

We are in elite company here on DATR

I think it's 6 from 7 ... Phar Lap territory!

Yep Macca DZ is back! Super strike rate 6 from 8 i think. We will have to start calling him Winx soon.

Well done DZ!! I didnt see the race as dodgy internet today here

Craig Williams mentioned that the track is running really well Wadda and it's still a Good4. Anyway, the super-tipster @Dee Zephyr has got 1 on the board again with 'Crack the Code' saluting. Looked the winner a long way from home. Hands & heels as well - often a good sign. A blackbooker.

Or retire, temporarily?

I’m quietly confident cocaine use amongst players is rife. Therefore, I wouldn’t be surprised if he has dabbled.

Possible team B: JETTA, FROST, HORE HB: SALEM, O.MCDONALD, HIBBERD C : FRITSCH, HARMES, C.WAGNER HF: PETRACCA, J.SMITH, NEAL-BULLEN F: GARLETT, WEIDEMAN, GAWN FOLL: PREUSS, MAYNARD, SPARROW IC: LEWIS, VANDENBERG, HUNT, SPARGO

due back the minute AFLX finishes. lol.

It always disappoints me to see people turn on a player as many here have but I suppose for someone we placed so much hope in and then disappointed us it's an understandable if regrettable reaction. I was one who supported him when he was with us but I'm pleased we traded him. But lets put this Hawthorn business to bed. If Watts had been recruited to Hawthorn he would have been in one of the best cultures the AFL has produced coached by one of the best coaches and captained by one of the best captains. He wouldn't have turned into the player he now is. He wouldn't have had the hopes of a team resting on the shoulders of a teenager. He would have been developed properly and when he came into the team he would have been surrounded by mature players and played in a winning culture playing an appropriate role with appropriate expectations. And if you want an example of Clarkson understanding players strengths and coaching to them just look at Brad Hill. Soft as butter but Clarkson used is attributes. He would have done the same with Watts. For all Watts is being criticised now he played some really good footy for us. He was loyal when he probably shouldn't have been and I'd contend his dumping by us now means he finds footy without his mates just plain boring. Footy has been pretty cruel to Watts. When Watts played his 100th game the AFL media department put on a video of his worst moments. When have they ever done that before for any other player? He has been the subject of more media attention than just about any other player in my memory. He's done some dumb things no doubt and he's soft by AFL standards but he's probably a better human being than many other players and many here who are spitting bile at him. It's time for people to move on and just accepting Jack for the person he is. Sadly it won't happen.

OMG then he will miss out on the joys of AFLXCREMENT! (Tommy's toe is also probably a bit sore)

I’m concerned Petracca is going to come back out of shape from this mini break.

I'll be fuming if we run out V's Port with no back of jumper sponsor, as per the start of 2017. The traditionalist will argue that it's a great look to have a sponsor-less jumper, but it's quite frankly an embarrassing look in this day in age.

Ah, the mighty Maurie Bartlett...

Kudos for taking ownership of the mistake.... heaven forbid that should catch on here.

you are quite right, and i was hopelessly and embarrassingly wrong, franky after your previous query i did a quick google and thought i had found the reference to runner-up. either i read it too quickly, misinterpreted it, it was badly worded or just plain wrong. i couldn't find it again today. anyway i have have been under this misapprehension for 50 years. I was actually playing at prahran in 1967, 1968 and must have mistakenly picked it up then additionally, prahran wasn't even in 1st division vfa in 1966. they got promoted to 1st division in 1967 by winning the 1966 premiership with sheedy playing, so he wouldn't have been eligible for liston (the 2nd division award was the j. field medal)

Sorry mate but either its an urban myth or you made it up.- 1966 was Alan Poore's (Waverley) second consecutive Liston Trophy, and he became the first player ever to win the award twice. Paul Ladds (Sandringham) was second with 27 votes, and Barry Ion (Yarraville) was third with 26 votes.

Fact check - Sheedy did not win a Liston Trophy. Actually he was tied to Melbourne & trained with a the Club a few times.