Leaderboard

There’s some quality photoshopping going on in one of the Demons’ Facebook pages...

A bad look? Seriously?? If a couple of guys having fun and a bit of a laugh is a bad look, what has the world come to?

There's also a lot of frontal lobe development occurs in young men between the age of 18 and 27. And a lot of positive influence from a good woman.

The rule is designed to ensure fan discussion and media speculation on players in the cricket season, so that the AFL is front and centre year round. It has nothing to do with the efficient running of a sporting competition.

You know., I don't post much but I have been reading the boards for many years. I always thought you were a bit odd, but I'm tolerant so I let personal opinions slide. However; when you slate Lewis like that, and I saw no reason to think he wasn't committed to the cause, it goes beyond tolerance and you need to be called out. I rate Lewis and his contribution to the club. I do not rate self indulgent internet dweebs with agendas and bad attitutudes. (Some may say simpeltons). If we applied the Roos policy on here I'm sure you would be one of the first to go.

Angus Brayshaw spotted training hard solo at TBO this morning. Get on.

Man you need to get out more, young fellas having some harmless fun that’s all. Ain’t got nothing on what Harley was getting up to.

BACK IN STYLE by Whispering Jack From the moment when the Elton John character in the movie “Rocketman” burst into its opening scene dressed as a flamboyant demon on his way to an addiction rehabilitation session, the game was on. Here was yet another film about a person gifted with a meteoric rise to stardom finding coke, booze and a hedonistic lifestyle that led directly to a destructive crash into the abyss. Ultimately, these stories end in total disaster (“A Star is Born”, “Bohemian Rhapsody”, “Judy”) but this one resulted in happiness, albeit after a longish haul to salvation. These days, the man we now know as Sir Elton Hercules John is most definitely back in style. A similar scenario presents itself to the football world today with the acceptance by former Gold Coast and Fremantle player Harley Bennell of Melbourne’s invitation to train with the club later this month with a view to his drafting as a pre-season supplemental selection in March. The question is whether Harley can achieve the same phoenix-like rise to redemption as the one enjoyed by the hero in Rocketman? The Demons’ General Manager of Football Operations Josh Mahoney welcomed Bennell telling the media that he “has been through some well-documented challenges throughout his career and we are happy to offer him an opportunity for a fresh start.” That’s a bit of understatement but there’s no place for sugar-coating the West Australian’s problematic football past. Bennell moved seamlessly from the junior ranks into the system at Peel Thunder Football Club where he quickly rose to play several games for the senior team in the WAFL at 16 years of age in 2008 and two years later, he took out the Larke Medal as best player in the AFL Under 18 Championships. Bennell was then selected at number two by the Gold Coast Football Club in the 2010 AFL National Draft. He duly made his AFL debut in the Suns’ inaugural AFL match against Carlton at the Gabba but the first signs appeared of the troubling times to come when he was dropped for a week for disciplinary reasons after his second game. Bennell was dropped again two weeks after his return and he spent several weeks playing in the reserves before his selection for a mid season clash in his home town against the Eagles. Bennell then skipped a compulsory training session by staying in Perth longer than permitted and he was again dropped from the team. The Suns’ leadership group held his return back for a week but after that, it was all plain sailing - he moved in with team mate Karmichael Hunt and did not miss another game to end the 2011 season finishing with 14 goals from as many games. There were no second year blues for Bennell in 2012 as he played in all 22 games, kicked 25 goals and finished second in the club's best and fairest behind Gary Ablett Junior. The world was at the feet of the 185 cm, 74 kg youngster, not yet turned 20 by the end of the season, who had amassed an astonishing 521 disposals in just his second year of AFL. The following season opened well as Bennell was named man of the match in his representative debut for the Indigenous All-Stars in a preseason game against Richmond. However, despite some bursts of sheer brilliance, he was unable to return to the stellar form of his second year. Surely, there was something wrong with the potential star who managed to play just 15 games in each of the following three seasons? The answer to the question became clear as Bennell’s final season at the Suns unfolded and his descent into self-destruction became complete. In May 2015, he was dropped from the team for drinking alcohol after a game despite the team agreeing to avoid alcohol for the week. In July, two newspapers published photographs of Bennell appearing to use illicit drugs in a Tasmanian hotel room in 2013. This came a matter of days after a statement was leaked to the press of his former teammate and housemate, Karmichael Hunt to the police detailing Hunt’s cocaine use with unnamed Gold Coast players. The Suns ran out of patience with Bennell after he was served with a public nuisance notice after an alleged argument with a bouncer outside the Surfers Paradise. The club’s executive Andrew Travis announced on 7 September that Bennell would be traded and a month later, he became a Docker. Bennell’s time at Fremantle was punctuated by ongoing soft tissue injuries with his calf that severely impeded his running ability and limited him to just two games that netted 14 kicks, 5 handballs and three goals with the Dockers. Bennell tried hard to stay out of trouble but according to a 2018 news report, he gave evidence to a court on behalf of two bikie friends that a young father they brutally bashed in a brawl outside a Subiaco nightclub had threatened to shoot Bennell (who was not charged in relation to the incident). There were a number of comeback attempts but they were all to little avail and, during 2019 he had two calf muscle operations. Though he parted company with the Dockers at the end of the season, he remained determined to revive his career. Enter the Melbourne Football Club, going through its own fall from grace after a forgettable season. Like the 27-year-old Harley Bennell, they lost it for a while and both are seeking redemption. Will they make the perfect fit?

Wont fault any kid that lays 9 tackles on debut. Hopefully we'll see further development in his game this year - far too early to tell either way.

A Collingwood mate of mine who is a good footy coach in his own right reckons Murray would be a great pick up for us, and could eventually take over Jettas role but give us extra run and speed off half back. Definitely would be best 22 .

There's a couple of hit up passes in this footage. He's a decent kick, but sometimes rushes his disposal when he's at full pelt.

But Mike, we aren’t discussing the toxic culture in the West are we? I suppose the subtext of my comment was that Bennell and Murray are not likely to drag the club down, but may well take the opportunity thrown at them in the form of a lifeline from the MFC, and finally concentrate on their football. I think that May, Jones, Gawn, Hibberd, Lever, Jetta, Viney etc make a pretty good support group, not to mention the coaching and fitness people. I like to think it’s a win/win situation.. the club gains two very talented players, and two very talented players are given one last chance to prove themselves.

How about this video instead. It shows a fella who has something that is very hard to fake or learn - a natural instinct for kicking goals. He. knows. Where. The. Goals. Are. Love his left foot snap in the wet against Port. Perfect kicking technique too. And strong overhead. Play him at half forward flank and he will be a very tough match up. And his fitness won't be too exposed. https://www.afl.com.au/video/2015-10-14/get-excited-by-harley-bennell

I really could have done without watching that video. I feel dumber. Which is concerning if you know me

True that @It’s Time. Some/many on here have a persistent misunderstanding that fitness and conditioning coaches make medical judgements. They can provide info on how fit and strong players are, and construct programmes to improve this, but only as the med staff allow players access to his input based on being injury free and able to withstand the work.

I wonder about this. Surely this would be a medical expert's opinion on calfs not a fitness and conditioning trainer like Burgess. I would guess medico's give opinion on whether there's medical potential to recover and set medical boundaries and then Brugess creates a training regime with the Doc's and physio's advice and what he can and can't do medically.

Will he be on the park for 2020, Round 1? If so, this could be a crackin' pick up. Feel like a fit 22, we have the mold of a top 8 team. If Weeds (a player I believe will be a gun) and big Macca are fit, we could look to a top 4. 2019 was just one crap year and those thinking we are miles off I believe are wrong. We have the right people now, a good draw, a mix of experience and youth and if Bennell is fit, we just pick up a guy that a few years back was going to be elite. So back to question, will he be set to go.

Feeling sad for Hoges. A great talented individual who just hasn't quite reach his potential due to injury unfortunately.

In advance... thanks Saty and Kev for the great reports and insight... when you are living the life of a retired hippie it’s hard to admit your one passion in life (apart from your wife).. is the Dees... the angst the hope the epiphanies the dread .. but we dare to dream.. Max stripped and training hard... stuff to dream on...

I'm of the opposite view. The club has been a laughing stock for over 50 years,nearly merging,dishing up years like 2019 & all through it we have chased choir boys with no fight in them or no fight. We can't get any lower than we are & I couldn't care if we recruited murderers,I want results & nothing else

FWIW the source who told me that Bennell was committed to us also said tht the club are optimistic about his ability to play in 2020. The misdiagnosis by Freo was a disaster and held him back. They hope to start loading him and are hopeful that he will be ready to go early in the season. As I have stated, this is all but a done deal. If Harley shows he is disciplined and can commit to the expectations of an AFL footballer, he will be a Dee after Xmas.

I know I am. I look down after a big meal and it seems as though I've ironed my shirt on a wok.

Video was in poor taste... not because it was offensive or anything.. it was just.. in.. poor.. taste.

Don't think I was serious, but I think many are going to eat their words about Spargo, many are writing him off just because of his height, and having the second year blues, which many many other good footballers have had, he had a very good first season

Sorry, I'm confused. Do you think they made errors putting Smith, may and viney back on the park when injured? I wasn't sure where you stood in that. And am I right in saying you support the club's decision to trade Frost? I'm not sure I agree. I mean he us so fast. And we really need fast defenders.

I’ve been fully in the Young #3 (4 if Dees nominate Green) and Kemp at #8. Young wins as pick 3 due to elite disposal and aerial marking. Need to build his body with AFL preseasons in the gym. Given Kemp’s championship form, I would have seen him pick 3 if he’d been able to see out 2019. His injury means you have to just project how he will go after a year out. But his pace and strength are Dangerfield like. I think Stephens is an excellent runner with a skilled left foot. Loves a goal. He’d probably go to the Crows with their first pick. However if Kemp was gone , he would be strong pick if he was still available at 8.

Fair bump. Play on. Video is a take on Casey Frey, a bloke who uploads videos of himself dancing on Instagram, for context.

My first four in the cup: Finche Mer de glace Cross Counter Prince of Arran

My outside the box (favs) is mirage dancer. good luck to you all today!

If Richmond have expressed an interest in him, we should go at him like a bull at a gate. While he’s probably not ultimately a Marlon Picket or a Sydney Stack, he certainly possesses some attributes which we need and which could come very cheaply. Given that we’re taking picks 3 and 8 to the draft, and we’ve already landed Langdon and Tomlinson during this trade period, using pick 97ish on a bloke like this seems a no brainer.

Couldn't get a decent pic of him, another who looks in really good nick The one thing I was impressed with at training was that the first 3/4 was spent with ball in hand, meaning not one young guy needed any extra conditioning to start kicking the footy

Save the 24 guernsey for Harley. Meaning no disrespect to JKH, it’s time to bring some X-Factor back to the 24.

Here’s my throw at the stumps for the F4. 1. Constantinople 2. Vow And Declare 3. Cross Counter 4. Prince Of Arran Good luck all.

Hence, there are some alternate possibilities - 1 In this scenario, we upgrade Jay Lockhart from the rookie list to enable Harley Bennell to be listed as a rookie in March. No trades or splitting of picks 36. Pick 3 37. Pick 8 38. Pick 97 39. Sam Murray 40. Jay Lockhart (rookie upgrade) Category A Rookies 1. Harley Bennell 2. Kade Chandler 3. Kyle Dunkley 4. Corey Wagner 2 In this scenario, we opt for a primary list of 39 and Bennell becomes the 5th rookie 36. Pick 3 37. Pick 8 38. Pick 97 39. Sam Murray Category A Rookies 1. Harley Bennell 2. Kade Chandler 3. Kyle Dunkley 4. Jay Lockhart 5. Corey Wagner Then there are other scenarios that would involve trading/splitting of picks and even going for a primary list of 38 + 6 rookies.

Why waste him as Half forward or winger has on baller/goal kicker all over hi. Just what we need on those highlights breaks lines has speed and challenges defenders and opponents alike. Yes if there was a horse fir a course this guy stands out Hopefully No 8 he is still available

Taking on these “washed up” players could see us labeled a bennellovant society?

Honestly, he is an employee of the club and IF he received a better offer I would imagine he would quit like any employee and move on. He is still with us so lets move on.

I couldn't care less what clothes he chooses to wear if can play well enough to make our team better.

Can't believe they’re back already. But I checked on Wikipedia and it's official.

I arrived late at the session and only saw the running. Clayton Oliver was looking very good, had rhythm, balance and power as he glided across the field. He maintained his competitive instinct with is running mate James Jordan. Tom and Oscar Mcdonald both moving strongly. Tom looking unimpeded and often leading Oscar. Bailey Fritsch and Charlie Spargo running easily and seemed to be enjoying the return to the club. Max Gawn running with Braydon Preuss. After the younger ones left, Max continued doing his own runs and was pushing himself pretty hard. Braydon doing some extra kicking, leading and marking with Gregg Stafford. Marty Hore running hard, together with Troy Chaplin who was regularly a few meters behind him. Tom Sparrow was in the lead most of the time when running with a small group of four players (Toby Bedford, Oscar Baker and I think Kade Chandler or Jay Lockart). Not a big squad a few must have finished early and some still away, I didn't see Harrison Petty. I thought there were about 8 coaches out in middle but no Simon Goodwin or Alan Richardson. Not very vocal but it felt like they were all itching to get on with it and appeared to be happy being back in the fold.

I reckon Twilight Payment can run first 4 and will blow everyone out of the multiples. One to include for mine. Otherwise, a very even year and like everyone else unsure how to do the form across the different countries. I've been told Ireland is good this year but how could you possibly know? Even if the best horses comes it might not travel well. Don't discount the ones from across the ditch (NZ)

Ahhh.......1996. Saintly. My all time favourite

well even if it comes to nowt, it will add a bit of spice to the preseason nothing wrong with dreaming.....wishing'n'hoping......and costs sfa

This is bloody fantastic.

Ah yes, senior players with experience to teach, pointing directions = lack of culture. But Frost having nothing to teach, and therefore nowhere to point = bleeding for the jumper.

RSN Melbourne Cup Preview Podcast And here are some good quality HD replays of some Cups from the 90's

That seems really silly, I mean if club and player have agreed on a course of action then why not cut to the chase? That said I’m sure he will meet with our medicos who will monitor the program I’m sure he’s been given. For me I think the club has handled this really well, it’s a mixture of risk and prudence. We’ve taken a punt on him, given him another chance but we’ve done our due diligence and haven’t rushed into anything. Welcome to wearing Red and Blue Harley!

Probably a hypothetical but if we keep pick 3 and 8, and take Murray as DFA & Bennell as SSP rookie we actually might get the last two live picks at the end being around 74 and 75. BTW there’s the saying that it does not matter where you are drafted, pick 1 or 81, you go on an AFL list and try your hardest. Harmesy missed out on being drafted but went in the rookie draft. It’s the heart and work ethic that determines the outcome sometimes.

My understanding/best guess is that Harley is on an all-in "paid" training arrangement, which means he can only be selected by the club he is training with. We are paying him on the proviso that, provided he does not have a further 'major' break down (say surgery is required vs a lessor evil such as a bit longer in recovery/rehab off the track), then we will confirm him as an SSP rookie. The SSP commences 1 Dec and finishes 15 March so we would need to confirm him on the rookie list prior to the 15th. All going well I assume we will nominate him well before the 15th and more than likely before the year is out as per 36's mail. It would not surprise me if both parties have already settled on some key dates including an 'all's well - tick the final box' nomination date. He is ours or nobody's from here is my best guess and only nobody's due to another major (Lucifer forbid) setback. Fingers, toes and tail crossed!

Thanks for the training report, Saty. Much appreciated that you make the effort and reports back here. I was thinking that AFL is becoming a lot like Biathalon. High heart rates and intensities, followed by moments where slow heart rate and accurate skill execution (goal kicking, foot skills, hand skills) are required. I imagine the best way to train for this is interval and recovery training, with lactate tolerance work. We talk about disposal efficiency and goal kicking efficiency, but if you have just sprinted your guts out and have poor cardiovascular recovery, then the fine motor skill required is probably going to be massively influenced. This is why the shot clock can be so important. 2019, if the list were not fit enough around this, it is no wonder their skills were degraded. Lets see how they train up this pre-season to be able to recover fast and perform the core skills when not recovered (and under pressure).