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They started early again. I arrived as they were doing simulations. On the sidelines, our Chairman Bartlett as well as, Taylor, Mahoney, Richardson and Goody. They were regularly chatting away. Five coaches took the training. Mainly Mathews in the centre with the support of Chaplin, Egan, Rooke, Plapp and Stafford. Goody and Richardson watching on. The senior members included Tom Mcdonald, Max Gawn and Nathan Jones. Neville Jetta and Aaron Nietschke training in rehab. Jake Lever was running laps. Plenty missing today. Steven May, James Harmes, Jack Viney, Angus Brayshaw, Michael Hibberd, Jake Melksham, Mitch Hannan, Aaron Vandenberg, Sam Wiedeman, Oskar Baker, Jayden Hunt, Alex Neal-Bullen, Harrison Petty, Oscar Mcdonald, Josh Wagner, Austin Bradke, Ed Langdon, Adam Tomlinson and Harley Bennell. The simulations were of two types. Handball by the midfielders and a release when called by the coaches using half the field and 3/4 field with the ball starting in the backline. Interesting to see Joel Smith and Tom Sparrow working in the backline. Thought Jones was doing a lot of talk out there organising the plays. Our leads were very good as was the ball movement, The coaches encouraged the players to maintain their 'corridors'. After simulations, they went into the running programs. The bigger players running through the middle, end to end and the others put through gruelling 400 meter sprints. I really felt for them as it was repetition upon repetition. A few sat out some runs and in the last couple they were all running the 400's except for Jones who continued his end to end. After running, the elders finished up and the 1-5 yearers did ball drills at various stations. The young ones were very boisterous especially enjoying the drills that were competitive. I thought Clayton Oliver led the way in being exuberant, and they all seem to be energetic in between drills. I noticed a couple of players with niggles. Charlie Spargo picked up some calf soreness after a collision and had to leave the field. Kade Chandler had his left Knee strapped and was proppy at one stage. Joel Smith was holding his hip and didn't complete the running. Hopefully he is just on his own program. Standouts I thought were Tom Mcdonald, Kade Chandler, Nathan Jones, Clayton Oliver, Christian Salem and Christian Pettraca. There was a nice moment when Jetta welcomed Nathan back to training.

Thank you Satyricon. I remember the time MFC were preparing for our preliminary game and there you were in the inner circles of the club at the last Gosch's paddock run. Meaning, the club absolutely trust you, your social skills and keeping confidentiality. I find you are generous with your time and dedicated to our cause. As I read the forums, you are more than happy to respond to questions about the team and in-fact encourage our involvement. I believe you would get to a 4.30am training if it was scheduled. You make it to most trainings even in inclement weather conditions. That droll wit and sarcasm are great. Your pics, summations and most post are needed and appreciated. As are your insights and inside information. Thank you again for your efforts, posts and follow-ups.

In fairness to Saty your posts praising Kev's amazing training reports were thinly veiled attacks on Saty.

Then cease dd!

Not keen on that. 8 for 14+17 isn’t a good result. Getting 10+22 from Freo would be better IMO. I’d prefer we keep 3 and 8 and take them to draft though.

Actually out on the track at 9.05am Nathan Jones, Tommy Mc in attendance More later

That's all right gentlemen, I know you can't handle a difference of opinion, you must always be right @kev martin reports are excellent Bit more depth than mine, but then again we get a cross section of opinion/observation, isn't that right? Only thing I don't like, is blokes being derogatory about a players ability, when they have never played at AFL level, at least the player is having a crack at AFL level, perfect example is Omac, but then again you can post what you like anonymously On Spargo, they had his boot off, looking at the top of foot, so not sure

Don't ever change what you do Kev, your reports are articulated and at a measured standard. I anticipate reading your reports at every training session.

Yes, and I’m probably one of the few on here that has seen some of these kids play live. I’d take Anderson, Rowell, Green, Young, Kemp, Henry, Flanders, Stephens, Robertson, Serong all ahead of him. Probably in that order too. I know we are crying out for a tall forward, but Jackson seems like a reach IMO.

His run without the ball, towards our goal, facing away from play with a backman running with him, then turn around with an explosive lead towards the ball carrier is the best I have ever seen any Melbourne player do (maybe excluding Jackovich) He did it enough this season to make me think he is a natural forward. He has the pace to put immense pressure on opposition rebounds. The way we bombed it into our forward line this year wasn’t conducive for crumbing forwards. It wasn’t a year for our forwards at all really. I’d train him with the forwards.

We should consult Prendergast and do the opposite to what he says.

@kev martin you need to be bit earlier ??? Weid, Petty and Josh Wagner out early Marty Hore stood on Spargo's foot It was Joel Smiths' first main session, probably had a limit Nietschke did not miss a target when he kicked Petracca was a standout, I don't care if he grabs his [censored] at the end of his kicking routine, if he maintains this standard

Jones was Jones, ready to go Drills exactly the same, looks like being the norm Richo and Goody there Tom.Brown didn't recognise Lever with the mo, asked me, told Jake the disguise was working

"Melbourne is expected to call out West Australian ruckman Luke Jackson’s name with Pick 3" [censored] hope not.

This from my mate who's a mad Bombers supporter. Pros: He has a huge tank and will literally run all day leading to flanks (like a decoy at times) creating space inside 50. Can kick well beyond 50 and tends to take a lot of his shots on goal from 40+ so his goal accuracy is probably negatively skewed given the degree of difficulty for his shots on goal. Cons: Not good in one-on-one contests, not a key forward despite his height, forward pressure almost non-existent. Overall he’s a handy depth player. Probably not in best 22 but ready to go when needed (i.e. no Daniher, Stewart). Underrated by most Essendon supporters but his running capacity alone makes him an asset and his long kicking is elite.

Every forward on our list went missing for periods this year, some for the entire season. I don’t know that is a fair criticism given the way we bombed it in all year.

I keep going back to this but check out his marking stats once he was moved back into the forward line. For a guy with stick arms he can sure take a grab.

Very harsh. Cal is only getting better with more experience and has produced some very good stuff this draft period. How much did Burgo even do on the draft? His Burgatron was fantastic reporting but clubs were far more open back then and there wasn't academies and live trading to work through. Phantom drafts were possible, now they are just about impossible. Twomey is across all the names and has done a good job sniffing out some very plausible picks and trade rumours. The thing the draft coverage badly misses is Emma Quayle at the Age and Brett Anderson at SEN/Inside footy.

Will Hunt train with the forward or backline this pre-season? I prefer him as a forward.

Oh for heaven’s sake we want all observations from anyone who attends training sessions! We want information, it will always be subjective and most of us work out the regular reporters style and preferences. What we crave is content. By the way I get there every now and then but don’t report too often because Saty and Kev have it all covered and I must admit I don’t pick up the detail they do.

Boring

Agree Kevs reports are detailed and interesting. We can also have an opinion on players without him jumping down our throat. He is what the site has been crying out for, for a long time. Long may he post.

How many bedrooms and what suburb?

Brilliant as always Kevie!

Training gallery https://m.melbournefc.com.au/news/2019-11-15/training-gallery-november-15

Advertise as of 10:30am but out on the track at 9:05am? Seesh... you really do need to get there at 2:30am.

Have you considered investing in some sort of automation technology WERRIDEE? You could set up bots to scan the media for players linked to the MFC, and if they're an upgrade according to an established statistical algorithm have your first 22 instantly updated and posted to your favourite social media channels. I did some quick sums and estimate that you would save approximately 38 days per year.

Taylor has said on the podcast that he doesn’t see Jackson as a pure ruck, but as a key forward and ruck. He was glowing of his continued improvement post-champs, especially up forward. He’s certainly a unique talent. Young is a solid, meat and potatoes choice as a high level role player at half back. This is where it’s hard to select ‘best available’. Who is better, the high floor solid half back whose ceiling is known, or the unique but very raw key forward ruck whose base is low but ceiling is much higher? I think I hope that we pick Jackson .... just to watch this place burn to the ground on draft night! ?

Given that he was played in an unfamiliar role in defence he had a very good season. He should only be played forward where he can be really damaging. Gains separation, leads well to the ball, can take a great mark and is one of our more accurate kicks for goal. Looking forward to watching him have a settled and successful year.

Well I must be the only one that actually don't mind trading pick 8 for 14 and 17? The beauty of this draft is that whoever is picked at 14 or 17 will be just as talented as 8. At 14 the likes of Robertson, Serong or even Kemp could all slide. The top 25 is quite a talented crop.

Because they haven't seen him properly play. He's a right footer, but he also uses his left foot to get himself out of trouble around stoppage. He is a whole different breed of a ruckman. His upside is scary.

We are considering taking the player we think will provide the most value over the next 10-15 years. Positional needs have no bearing

Ran into him in a cafe this morning and can confirm he believes Luke Molan is slightly better value at pick 3 this year than Jackson.

The Dees standing in solidarity.

Thanks Saty for the follow up. I will continue to get there at the advertised time. If I miss things it can't be helped. Trust in MFC and I will respectfully not comment on training I'm not, as a fan invited to (generally speaking). Quite often I can be wrong as most of my observations are from a distance and are formed by opinion. The collision of Charlie and Marty happened right in front of me. Charlie was defending from behind with Marty on the lead, in a loud clash he caused a tangle of the legs. I think he mistimed it with his defensive pressure. He tried running it off and after clutching at his calf he took a knee and the trainer came out. Maybe he over extended his foot but it wasn't trodden on.

Looks leaner allright. Improved endurance will be a big factor in getting him more games.

Have you seen much of him playing at all? If you haven't, then perhaps if you do, you may change your opinion.

Preuss looking very svelte.

I often find one vant is too many, why would anyone want an extra one.

No.

Wasn't a forward no good up there !

Sounds like we’ve adopted the one d***head at a time rule.

I was hit by a car riding my bike last Jan, and I can say that these things are really [censored]. I get sad when I shouldn't, angry over nothing things, despondent over little things. And this is from someone that never took life seriously... always the joker and the clown. But it can be worked out. With the right people around me things are getting better. Not perfect, and they probably won't ever be, but at least I know that it is not me, but rather me just not processing things the right way, and that means I can take a breath and let whatever it is wash over me. Best of it all Paddy. The game is really a very minor thing in life

Having just read the article regarding Murray on AFL.com.au, I feel clubs may not be enamoured with him maintaining his innocence over his suspected drug use. If he has willingly used cocaine and is not willing to admit it after testing positive, that's probably a fairly decent indicator that you've got someone that's going to be difficult to work with. Having said that, maybe he really did just 'inadvertently' come into contact with cocaine but I think this would be playing a bigger part in his struggle to find a club than his actual football ability.

Ironically he looked uncomfortable when swung back to defence this year in the second Richmond and Collingwood games. Then was dropped. Has the key attributes to be a good forward as he’s very fast on the lead and can take an over head mark, and generally a good shot goal for goal (see his winning goal from 52 against Carlton). However, as other have mentioned he can go missing as a forward.

Interesting perspective. Hard to argue with.

It's surprising how little time he's spent playing as a forward at senior level. We've seemed to be determined to transform him into a wing or half-back for the first two years of his career. Looks so natural and comfortable up forward.

Arguably our most natural footballer. Reads the ball better then his opponent most of the time, marking and kicking is already of really high level. Moves smoothly and with confidence. I have no doubt he will go up another level. Love Fritta.