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I haven't seen enough of him Dazzle to know what the club might have in mind. I'd be stunned if he played midfield early and I think if he plays early it will be as third forward with ruck relief for Gawn. What I do think is this kid has some pretty unique talents. Someone call him a unicorn. Develop him properly, don't rush him and play him when he's earned it and is ready in a role that doesn't demand too much of him. ANB: my take on ANB is that he's a fair player in a good team but one who will struggle in a bad team (like last year). He's got skills that can prosper when there are good players around him but he can't make the play at AFL level. It's why he struggled last year. Gisberts: I don't understand why people continue to pot this bloke. It wasn't his fault he was picked early by an incompetent national recruiting manager and joined a disfunctional club. He won two rising stars, he earned Brownlow votes. He was an MFC player who after the arrival of Mark Neeld may well have suffered some mental illness issues. So how about we just get off the kids back, in another environment he may well have thrived, he could certainly play.

I popped down for the fifth time this pre-season (sad i know). Across all those sessions, three players have stood out. 1) Bayley Fritsch - He's impressed every time and today he had a birthday - torched Joel Smith early and then made Stephen May look second rate in match practice beating him in the air and on the ground. Goody now has to decide whether he plays him out of the goalsquare - which is what he did against the Roos in Rd 23 last year. Only proviso I'll make with him is that he also trained the lights out last pre-season and when the real stuff came on, spent the first six weeks struggling before stepping up to the semi-elite level. 2) Alex Neal-Bullen - This guy is putting in a huge summer without his best mate Billy. He made a few big tackles today and read the ball off the pack beautifully. He kicked a nice goal from 45m today as well. And it's been the same every session. He even threw in a 400m lesson to Jackson and Lever at one point today. ANB has been high intensity from the outset and only injury will cost him a spot in our Rd 1 team. Whether he stays in will be determined by the results in our first two games, small forwards invariably struggle in losses. 3) Jay Lockhart - Those of you over 50 will remember how nimble and clever Alan Johnson was as a defender. Well Jay has been almost up to that level with great evasiveness and an ability to get the ball moving quickly. He's a very accurate and long kick which makes him ideal as our set up man and watching him use his voice to direct others made me aware he's got the nous as well as nerve. The issue of course is that to get into the side he has to show why he should be picked ahead of Lord Nev. Jay has more rebound than Nev, but yet to see whether he cam match Nev's prowess in one-on-one battles. The other player he has to get past to play Rd 1 is Nathan Jones, who more than likely will play half-back, subject to injury. So I'm not about to say he's in for Rd 1, but Jay is certainly putting together an impressive body of work that will make him an easy inclusion down back once there's an injury or two. There's been plenty of others who have caught my eye so far and it's really pleasing to see T.Mac, Melky, Joel Smith and even Weid so far down the track after injuries last year.

Thank you to @Demon Jack, @Baghdad Bob, @george_on_the_outer, @Deespicable, @Satyriconhome, @DeeSpencer and anyone else who I missed for their training reports this week. The desk-bound/interstates/overseas supporters thank you. I look forward to your reports & observations leading up to Christmas and into the new year.

Yes I do think he's not AFL standard and like @Stretch Johnson said that's not a crime. ANB doesn't run in a straight line at the ball, he is the master of the second tackler in, and fails to convert straightforward goal scoring opportunities. I'm not vilifying him with this description, AFL football is very hard, and I would be far, far worse in all those areas myself. The fact that he gets selected on a regular basis is a reflection of shortcomings in our list that will hopefully be overcome from 2020 forward.

Re. ANB - his role is there, it is clear and not many on the list can play it. I posted this in the Pickett thread. So sick of people ignoring his value: "What you're describing is exactly what ANB was to us in 2018. He was a big, non-spectacular part of our success with a number of games hitting the exact numbers you'd be looking for out of your high half forward: Rd 2 - 21d 1g Rd 4 - 22d 1g 6t Rd 8 - 23d 2.2g Rd 9 - 17 d 4g 5t Rd 10 - 23d 3g 6t Rd 11 - 25d 1.2g 5t Rd 12 - 19d 1.1g 6t Rd 17 - 17d 2g 5t Rd 19 - 22d 1.1g 12t Rd 20 - 22d 2g EF v Cats - 20d 1.3g 9t (and if you rewatch this game, he brought the heat very early and was key to our big 1st Q) For the year he kicked 27.19, averaging 1.1 goals a game at 17 disposals and 4.7 tackles. For an undersized roaming HFF, that is high output. Does he make perfect decisions? Far from it, but his ability to move from contest to contest and use his endurance to get goal scoring opportunities is unmatched in our side. Like many others, his demise in '19 was another reason we couldn't replicate our 2018 form. He needs to bring this form again and make it consistent over a period of years, but I do not understand the constant criticism of him and why people cannot see his value. "

Not sure its as black and white as this Saty! Posters here are not necessarily fanboys but observers. His running capacity is superb and he does continue to get in the right positions. However, his ability to tackle and/or kick (perhaps when fatigued) is very poor. No Melb player misses more shots from 15-20 metres out on the run, and no Melb. player currently on the list has so many missed tackles. These are the areas, if he gets right, could mean he is a very dangerous player and great asset to the team.

Dropped by for an hour, and gossiped with BB for most of that time...and everything he has reported on is spot on. Viney was just in everything. Previous concerns about his footwear/feet couldn't be justified given his outrageous attack on the ball and his running all over the ground. Vanders, as others have noted, can't be all that far away from joining the main group. The interesting thing about the match simulation is that this year we can actually DO match simulation. We can put 36 players ( and more if needed) on the oval. I wanted to see what all the hype was about Jackson, and now I understand. The kid has the vision of Clarry and the agility and ability to find space that is the trademark of the top echelon of players. Will he play ruck? Will he play forward? With his capabilities he might finish up playing midfield. There has a tendency for increasing height in the mids ( Fyfe, Cripps) and this could be the next step. There was one beautiful piece executed between him and Clarry when I first got there. Jackson took possession in the pack, danced past a couple without being touched, and fired off a handball to Clarry who did exactly the same. All the others were flat-footed as the ball sailed down the other end, without them laying a hand on either. Keep an eye on Harry Petty. The glimpses we saw briefly last year point to a real gem. His hands are first class in the air, and poor Brayden Preuss found that out when Petty outjumped him, to take the grab in a marking contest. No mean feat.

My first visit to a session this pre season. Petracca looked fantastic. He was in everything and using the ball magnificently. If he could develop any more musculature, I don't know how. Absolute beast. Jackson looked eager. He was trailing Max all over the place in the match sim. He kicked a drop punt from a flank at one stage and it went 55-60 metres comfortably. Vandenberg was moving freely and seems as if he could return to it soon ( can't be soon enough for us !!! ) Couple of nice leads and grabs by Weid. He seems to be stronger in the upper body. Oliver looked impressive in most of his involvements. He's a slippery customer and he'll be hard to counter next year. At one point he dispossessed one opponent and evaded close attention from two others in the pocket to score a sneaky goal. Harley Bennell has a funny type of gait but he was running comfortably around he boundary.

He struggled 2018-2019 with deaths in his family and subsequent motivation to invest energy into his football. Completely understandable. He’s scores more goals than any Demon this decade, and I’m thankful he came across to the red and blue when we were still a [censored] team. Definitely provided a spark and consistent goal scoring option, which we are now sorely lacking. Best of luck Jeff!

Just as a summary this is a list of the players not in full training due to some level of injury Jones Spargo Brayshaw?? KK Hannan Baker Petty AVB Bennell As far as I can tell that's about it. Of those, AVB and Petty are very close and Brayshaw is probably okay. Oh, and just another comment. I was very impressed with Tom Sparrow today. Was in everything and really looked the part. He's a solid boy and looks to have the body to play AFL now, he's aggressive at the ball and he kicks it quite well. There was a fair bit to like today.

Gysberts cops plenty for that pic because of the relatively light weight but it does depend on how many sets and reps he's done.

Good grief! You reckon Hardwick would play ANB for averaging a single tackle more per game? ANB vs Castagna

Perhaps what you are missing is that he is a key part of the team being up and about. A cause, rather than a symptom. Like Lambert at Richmond, who is also far from the neatest or most skilled player. Our best performances in our best year in a long time had him kicking multiple goals, laying lots of tackles and getting low 20s in the possession count. Some goals he kicks are opportunistic but most result from hard running to create an option in space when no one else will. If Brayshaw had ANBs work ethic, he'd be a hall of famer. I can't help but think that if it was petracca or another more fashionable/likeable player putting up those numbers, many of you would be frothing over it. Sure, ANB can commit a terrible turnover, but he's not alone there. There is universal adoration for Bailey Fritsch but according to the official statistics, his turnovers are by far the most damaging of anyone in our side. As always, there is too much focus on what ANB can't do, or does poorly, as opposed to what he can do better than anyone else in our side.

Just back from training. I got there at 9.12 but I was late. They were already out there doing some warm up drills and gentle kicking. The first person I saw was Vanders. He did all the drills other than the match sims and a few of the specialist drills at the end where instead he ran 300m at a fair pace with Harry Petty. He looks in good shape. Petty also completed some of the drills at one stage taking a great grab over Preuss. Bennell and Tomlinson joined the rehab group at about 10 but I don't know what they did as I was on the other side of the ground. After a few handball keepings off type drills where unlike Wednesday there was "respectful tackling" they did match sims. It wasn't full on in terms of tackling but it was in terms of pace. And the news from the sims is "Jack's back". Vines was absolutely outstanding, got leather poisoning, was hard at it and added blind turns, good kicking, clean hand and great balance and agility to the sim. Melk had a great patch where he had it on a string, Fritter was on the end of a few, TMac marked very well and Weed held some good grabs. May's kicking is outstanding and Lever was also busy down back. Jackson and Rivers played the first sim and Jackson is so agile, found the ball in play and moves like a mid with good vision and execution including one blind turn and give off highlighting his work. Rivers looks likely particularly early. Clean, agile and a lovely kick. Neita and Hunt were opposed on my wing. Both were involved and Neita reminds me of a young Langdon with a better kick. I like what I'm seeing of him as he looks a natural winger to me (if there is such a position) and it will be interesting to see how he goes this year. One to watch. Another who impressed was Chandler. He's got a lot of good attributes with speed and agility being the standouts. He can kick too. The downer was Brayshaw leaving early although he didn't look too distressed. It wasn't a leg injury so I really can't add much. Hannan and KK were in rehab and not working very hard. These two don't look close to me. Jones wasn't there when I was but apparently walked some laps before I got there. After the second match sim selected groups did different things. But there were a number who literally ran off to AAMI not to be seen again. There was a clear emphasis on tackling again, Lewis was working with different players on goal kicking snaps and Stafford was working with Jackson on his kicking which looked pretty good to me. I could confirm what we know. Weed has really filled out and looks good taking some nice marks and kicking well. Oh, the other to be really involved was Hibbo. Ran well, defended and had a heap of it but for a lovely looking kick can he miss targets. He's done it his whole career with us so nothing much has changed. Lockhart was also impressive in patches and JJ also was involved. I left at about 11.50 when I decided the footy's were away but they were still going after 12. A long hard session with many of the players looking spent.

Billy Stretch will be playing for Glenelg in the SANFL next year.

Yeah nah, to think otherwise is laughable, the wider football community and Richmond supporters would laugh at this. I Castagna is by far a much dynamic and complete footballer then ANB. Just remember also that during the year ANB was dropped by the 2nd worst AFL club in the competition. Even at VFL level he was quite ordinary and didn't exactly bang the door down for selection. The sooner Pickett and Bedford come on the better, as that would mean ANB is back playing 2s football where he belongs.

Will never forget Johnnos game in the Elimination Final At Waverly In 1988. Really dragged us across the line from the back pocket. Great winger also. Such run snd carry. And disposal. If Jay Lockhart can be half as good as AJ we should be pleased. We need Hunt style running with accurate disposal by hand and foot from defenders People forget that run generally starts from the backline (see where Tigers start it at half back) That will alter all our plan with Langdon AVB and Maybe ANB And Kossie.feeding off team play with speed.,

Some notes from match simulation - Langdon used the ball nicely. Not nessceraliy accurate, but he had a knack of finding players in space. - Petracca dominant in the middle. He just demands the footy. - Absolute bullet of kick coming from the boot of....OMac, lands smack bang in the chest of Jayden Hunt. - Beautiful one handed mark by the birthday boy, Bayley Fritsch, who played on and snapped truly. EDIT: two for the birthday boy! On fire at the moment!

Vanders and Petty in rehab. Might just be a hopeful observation, but Vanders doesn't look took far away from full training. Moving very freely at the moment.

There’s always one mung bean who posts something like this. Stretch played 47 AFL games, so it can’t have been that obvious he wasn’t going to make it. He also played the majority of those 47 under Paul Roos, and seeing as you know more than him, no doubt you’re in hot demand as an AFL coach. Oh, you’re not? I don’t expect anyone to shed a tear over a player who has fallen short of the grade being delisted, but I don’t think it’s a big ask to show some respect, or if you really can’t do that, STFU.

The Vault!?! Quick, someone alert Chris Connolly!!!

I am not a great fan o f ANB but Cherry-picking stats from a year in which a team came near to last as against the premiers is a bit disingenuous Try comparing their 2018 stats or their career stats which you can find from the site you have sourced. You maybe surprised.

It's quite obvious some posters on here think/opine ANB is no good The fact that he gets a game irks them coz they think they know better than the coaching staff in all footy matters So they will fill a thread trying to hammer others of a different opinion, until everybody falls into line with their way of thinking Of course they could go the whole hog and embarrass themselves in a public forum I think, even with the flaws in his game, which he is working on, when on, ANB is an important cog in the team structure

But but the "facts" though?? ?‍♂️

Yep, he lost a very close cousin of his back in 2017 as well which I think really affected him personally. Love Jeffy and wish him all the best here on.

This is a more talented group of players, all coming through together than we've had in any of the previous unsuccessful periods. We don't have any critical players near retirement, Jetta is important but he should have at least 2 good years so there's time to grow or import a replacement. We've got a contested and attacking style that is designed to win finals - I think our good sides in the past haven't played a Grand Final winning style - e.g. too soft in 2000, not attacking enough in 1988. It's true that some sides who have an era don't win the flag e.g. St.Kilda 2009-10, the Crows 2005-6, maybe the Dogs 1997-99, but generally very good teams that contend for an extended period win somewhere. Currently Richmond have at least a couple more years in the frame. GWS should win multiple flags in the next 5 years - if they don't they'll join the 3 teams above. The other teams placed similarly to us are the Dogs and Brisbane. We'll have to beat at least 3 of that set to win a flag in the next 5-8 years. If everything goes right next year to the same degree it went wrong this year then we can win it in 2020.

ANB looks like an Olympic long distance runner who has converted to footy at age 24. Does nothing but run around chasing the ball. A player who runs that much that’s actually good at footy or had decent IQ should average 46 possessions a game. He’s tricking you all!

If ANB was at Richmond, he would be in front of Castagna by a mile, who is picked every week. Same kind of half forward role. Castagna is picked for his pressure. His best tackling season was this year at 3.1 average per game. ANB has averaged 4-5 a game for 3 years. Tackling is one of the main reasons why he is picked.

Hi First post here after lurking for so long getting all my Demon info here. Lucky enough to have been to about 12 Finals from 1988 to 1994. Lived in Melbourne then but now in Perth. Favorite Demons were Alan Johnson, Brett Bailey and Rod Grinter,

Bedford takes on Clarry and beats him with a classy pirouette out of danger.

Watch his grand final performance. Yes he kicked 5 behinds but everytime he went near the ball he was really dangerous and was just simply running rings around GWS back half.

Oh boy, I can buy a Castagna vs ANB comparison, but I think Castagna is a superior player. ANB is not even in the same postcode as Kane Lambert who is a terrific player https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/why-richmond-star-kane-lambert-is-at-centre-of-underrated-debate-between-jason-dunstall-and-mark-robinson/news-story/1fa45505dcd24f5fbaab498f986c266d "Lambert finished second in last year’s Jack Dyer Medal and earned a spot in the All-Australian squad, after finishing third in the best and fairest in Richmond’s premiership winning 2017 campaign."

This is a horrible comment where either you know his personal circumstances and are choosing to be a terrible person, or you don't know and then you should perhaps reconsider the public comments you make about people when not knowing what they've been through.

Spot on RB. I know it's early and years ago the term was March champions but prob now it's November champs. Neverthe less that doesn't stop me like you RB from being bullish about our list in 2020. Our stars are training to get better our average players are developing quickly and our recruits from last year and 2019 are fitting in and shoeing why JT chose them Snd finally Weed Omac Petty have bulked up to become men! From no forwards wingers and runners there are possible options rising as we watch. 2020 can't come quick enough and Dees fans get on board (or stay on board) !!

Not just you Dazzler. There's a few I'd have let go long before Garlett. On his form before blowing his shoulder last year he'd have been handy while Kozzie prepares for AFL duties. I wish Jeffy well

Couple of feature races happening tomorrow ... both good betting races too if you reckon either or both favourite's can be beaten. Ascot - G1 Kingston Town Classic Pakenham - Pakenham Cup But on Sunday we've got 4 big Group 1 races out of Sha Tin. 4 top class fields with lots of familiar names. Racing for a total of $17.48Million (AUD) Lots of Australian representation with a number of the Thoroughbreds being Australian bred Quite a few Jockeys & Trainers hail from Australia as well. But there's a real international flavour at the meeting with horses brought down from Japan & Europe to compete. G1 Vase 2400m G1 Sprint 1200m G1 Mile 1600m G1 Cup 2000m

On a slightly related note wouldn't it be great if the AFLNT (or whatever is its name) could become the face of summer football. I can see southern based players who are NQR flocking up north to play with the local teams. Think Big Bash..... Frankly the NT govt would be much better funding such a comp with Federal government help rather than the peripatetic likes of ourselves and the Gold Coast.

I am definitely one who bemoans our lack of outside skill, scoring power and 'x factor'. And it remains a huge issue for us, which is why i really love the drafting of kozzie and jackson and the chance Benell might play for us. That said as much as much as i was a huge jeffy fan he lost his will for the contest somewhere and his delisting was an inevitability.

You realise both Gawn and Lever have had 2 knee reconstructions and seem to have recovered ok but he was selected in the same draft as Jack Watts as selection 15 by Geelong so he had potential at that stage. He was trained by Thompson and Scott at Geelong and Thompson and Worsfold at Essendon. He maybe only here for 1 year but if creates competition for spots on the forward line and back line then we have gained from his recruitment. Sometimes when a player is delisted and is given a 3rd chance he trains harder and compete's harder to prove his worth to the team?

Thanks for the update DJ. Good to see the resident negative comedians haven't improved over the break

Yes to 'the last thing we need', but overall, no. It's best if the truth comes out even at the expense of our current coach (who if you believe some posters won't even be with us in 6 months time.)

Can't wait to see him in the backline.

This is what keeps Omac on teh list ahead of Frost in my opinion. He is a lovely kick Omac..if he can find some desire i still think there might be a place for him.

Dogs were looking to take him at pick 15 - hence, we took our man at 12 https://www.afl.com.au/news/2019-12-05/inside-the-drafts-first-round-twists-turns-bluffs-and-the-big-calls

He is durable and works hard. its 2 good traits, and lets be brutally honest, Tom Mc has had one good year as a fwd and Weid hasn't come on yet, so for a cheap acquisition that could play and imapct its a good decision IMO.

No, he’s a good pick up who costs nothing. I’m happy about it.