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A few of the usual suspects may need some humble pie over this appointment. I guess he didn't depart in the manner their agendas suggested he did

Another good session for the young guys Nev and Steven May were there rehabbing Joel Smith, Weid, Petty, KK as well Mostly ball work for whole session with 5 minutes running at the end All the rehabbers are fine, just slowly building up to join main group, asked all of them Work again unfortunately so will post pics on Insta later tonight

There does indeed. For once I am going to resist the temptation to be a smart [censored] and simply point out there are a number of posters who have had a clear agenda to paint the club as being in crisis. And provided zero evidence other than sculltebut and ghost like rumours to prosecute that case. The is goody the right coach was the favoured medium for this cabal. When I have pushed back on this front some have accused me of being a club lackey. Some of the less credible of this group have hilariously, seemingly seriously suggested I am an mfc employee reverse trolling. Well that group have gone very quiet of late as the evidence builds of a club that is the very opposite of the baskstcae some have tried so hard to paint us as.

Really good appointment. Lewis was a beautiful kick and decision maker for most of his career, so hopefully he is able to coach those skills into our players. Our kicking skills and decision making is obviously a weakness, so good it’s officially being addressed. Have said for a long time I think Lewis will make a good coach one day. He’s a very smart guy and seems an astute communicator and mentor.

I think we overrate second round draft picks. Spargo stands up easily at pick 29. looking at the last few years with a sample around that pick, who is better around pick 29 ? If he is better than half this lot, i'd suggest he was definitely worth it. 2015 Pick 28 Luke Partington West Coast Pick 29 Alex Morgan Essendon Pick 30 Mason Redman Essendon 2016 Pick 28 Patrick Lipinski Western Bulldogs Pick 29 Shai Bolton Richmond Pick 30 Sam McLarty Collingwood 2017 Pick 28 Sam Taylor Greater Western Sydney Pick 29 Charlie Spargo Melbourne Pick 30 Tom De Koning Carlton 2018 Pick 28 Xavier O'Neill West Coast Pick 29 Will Kelly Collingwood Pick 30 William Hamill Adelaide

https://www.melbournefc.com.au/Melbourne/news/2019-11-06/lewis-joins-demons-coaching-team

Bennell helping the new wave of indigenous players

There seem to be a lot of excellent decisions going on behind the scenes.

Spring is a time for new life, renewal, optimism and positive feelings.. For footy and the Demons it all starts again. We can enjoy the training reports, reading of new coaches, new methods, the development of young players and draftees, of players tearing it up, and of worrying off-season injuries. Are players showing endeavour, intensity, and improvement ? And, of course, we have the gossip and unsubstantiated stories of the lives and behaviour of players and coaches. In most cases, the cycle of footy life gives us new hopes and expectations, that things will be different in 2020. At the same time, some things remain the same, like the Leaning Tower of Pisa, The Universal Truths, and the capriciousness of human behaviour. In the case of Demonland, we have the training reports and readers rushing to renew their criticisms and biases. The comments from posters that represent all the vagaries of human behaviour surface like the rising sun and moon. We have the dreamers, the doomsayers, the optimists, the logical, the analytical, the rational, the humourous, the silly and the emotional. All have their say. We all have this irrational and emotional deep seated relationship with a footy club. It takes us to the very highs and the very lows of mood and feeling. How crazy and sentimental. But we can maintain our sanity by escaping from the world and its problems and of our own failings and disappointments. And despite life's disappointments, our footy team gives us our identity and sense of belonging despite everything. Posters may irritate and annoy. You may never want to meet those that annoy most, but there is a bond, a common cause, a common reason why we tap onto this site to comment, like any other addiction. It may wax and wane, but it will never go away until we meet our maker. Even then we may not be able to achieve eternal peace without That Flag.

"People think kicking is solely technical but there are so many other elements, so hopefully we can teach the players to make better decisions, or easier decisions, so that the technical side becomes easier.” At least someone gets it.

Talent always beats the DH policy. In any club. If you are a Buddy type you can get caught with a dead hooker in the boot of the car and the club will try to cover it up, but if you are # 36 on a list and smoke a joint then out you go. If Murray joins us and sneezes the wrong way he will be booted. If Bennell joins us and shows he can play then he will be allowed to sneeze many times before we boot him. If Gawn or Clarry were found with dead hookers we'd hire lawyers for them. The way it is, always has been, and always will be, right or wrong.

Really rapt about this appointment. There is so much players can learn from him. He went to Casey with good grace and worked hard to help them with their game and their development. So he will be a terrific boost to our development staff and in some respects replaces Macca in that role. Mahoney: “What he brought to us in his three years as a player, we now look to add to in a coaching and mentoring role." He has a really good footy brain and I'm sure that will be really valuable for game plans and at coaching meetings. Huge that we could convince him to join the coaching panel. Our player development wasn't great this year so Lewis will help re-balance that. And he will continue his media commitments: “We were able to work out a role that would work for both the club and myself, in terms of not conflicting with my media commitments, but also ensuring I will be available at the club..."

When I look at Harley Bennell I see someone who has matured from a highly talented footballer who has no idea what is required to have a su cessful career, to someone given a second chance and despite working hard is frustrated by injury and falls onto bad habits, to where he is now, having a supportive partner, a baby and a third opportunity with Melbourne. I reckon he's earned his chance to train with us and would live to see him on our list.

We really do need a sarcasm font.

Yeah but O Mac is crap

Ridiculous spelling.

It is great news. I have been waiting for Lewis' activation in the coaching sector for just over twelve months now. He has a very great amount to offer the MFC - as a coach/communicator - and it was sad to see such a player attempt to carry the footballing load in the very twilight of his playing career. Kicking coach, forward strategies coach and more. I guess it could all start for him here. Great to have him onboard.

I'm loving all the decisions and announcements this off-season. At least we don't die wondering!

I'm sorry, that was am attempt at humor. Sarcasm font would be handy. It was a fantastic post that I did enjoy reading and I can appreciate the amount of work you put into it, so thank you. To be perfectly honest I agree with those that see O Mac's upside. I think he played a fantastic role of a stopping defender 2 seasons ago, and he wasn't alone last season. I am 6'3" and 140kg that could only manage half a game in the forward pocket of the beer league seconds, where I barely got a touch, I don't have a right to comment on anyone's footballing ability, least of all someone who has dedicated their entire life to playing at the elite level. Oscar McDonald would fart more football talent than my entire career combined, I hope I'm lucky enough to shout him a beer one day.

This is good. Skills, sure ... the biggest thing he has to pass on is his steel trap football brain. He's been the pioneer for the "experienced onfield coach" which all the lower sides now want in their side. (To be fair, Cross was probably the prototype for this.) "How to win" will be his most important teaching. It's a testament to what the club is building that he has stuck around and not washed his hands of us. GO DEMONS!!!

So Lewy has come back to the club I see? But I swear I read a certain someone write on here that Sam Frost bleeds more for this club then Lewis does....?

Football training is such a chaotic and unpredictable activity with the movements and stresses on the body you'd be mad to include anyone with even the slightest niggle in to ball work in early November. The benefit just isn't worth the risk. From that list Weid and Nev had surgeries, AVB and KK are dealing with long term issues. I'd like to see May, Petty and Joel Smith back in full training sooner rather than later but let's wait until the main group is back before being too concerned. The thing that undid us last year was the numbers in rehab all the way through until the start of the season (and beyond). A few guys on light duties in November isn't the same thing.

It is the contact work, they introduce them gradually to it, when you have been out you need the rehab Clarry 'accidentally' flattened someone today in a drill, but they bounced straight up couldn't tell who it was because of bib Whole squad is not back for another week an a half, so the rehabbers can use this time to be cherry ripe to join it I stood next to Joel Smith, in great nick doesn't cover it Will post some pics either tonight or tomorrow

#Inburgesswetrust

Probably just not at the fitness base of those who have had no post-season issues. No point having them go hammer and tongs from day one if they don't have a solid base. Very, very early days for Nev and May anyways - don't think they're expected back at training for sometime.

It's a great time of the year. We haven't lost a game in months, and I can't see us losing one for at least another 4 more

I think we stuffed Cale. He looked the goods in his first 40-50 games. then he got hurt and the club turned toxic... so bye bye Cale. I don't look at it as a bad pick, rather a waste of good talent.

Why would we give up so much for 8 to then downgrade it? 3 I can see us maybe doing something with 3 if the offer is good enough, but we payed overs for 8 for a reason.

Great players! Loved the flash, who invented "forward pressure" There is some vision of flash sidestepping a few players in a forward pocket. They were mesmerized! Wheels was tough and none can forget that hit on hird!. Congratulations and well deserved!

Hold up, your daughter is a teenager? Christ I feel old.

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

Well done to Jamie. He pays credit to Nev Jetta for his support during and post his career. Both are from the Noongar country. I wonder if Jamie is related to Harley and a fellow Noongar man? If so Nev could have played a big role in getting Harley to the Dees.

Hang on... I thought he never fully committed to the club..? This is most strange. (great appointment!)

Where are all the experts saying he’d never stick around cause he had a media career waiting for him at? Love everything about this. Footy minds like lewy’s don’t grow on trees. This is another tick for what’s shaping to be a really good offseason so far.

Hang on! Wasn't he upset at Goodwin, the players etc etc.... That Goodwin, he is so stubborn eh!

I take that was with Wells from Geelong? I reckon that deal is wishful thinking on their part. Why would we trade out pick 26, 50 (which will come back in to the low 40's) and 2020 first round pick (possibly 8 to 10 if we miss finals or pick 10-14 by making finals) for North's pick 8, to then trade it out for 14 and 17 (likely to be 16 and 20 after F/S and Academy picks), to Geelong? Rolling the dice and hoping that Weightman (or whoever) is there at 16 is sheer folly. A few clubs want to trade up into the top 10. GCS is one. Competition means if a club wants pick 8 they need to pay up for it. People might make a case for a Geelong deal based on draft points but if a pick is in demand the market sets the price. Two late 1st round picks just doesn't cut it.

I love this.

As far as I can tell, 'Instagram Influencer' = talentless attention [censored]

I asked, he thinks the same of you. There was a training session today Got some pics and will post on Insta later today

Flash is... well Flash. Changed the game. Well deserved. Wheels was very underrated outside the MFC. One of the best small defenders I've seen in my almost 50 years of watching the game. Well deserved too, and I'm glad he has been given that recognition.

My Eagles supporting mates are hoping like hell that he returns to full fitness and kills it at Melbourne.

Based on that highlight reel it would be a tragedy (in football terms) if he doesn’t get back to playing and reach his full potential. Fingers crossed and good luck to us all!

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

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

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.

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

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?

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.