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hi all, Deakin Pereira is my son. He stands around the 201 cm mark. He has just turned 17 in september. He takes a size 18 shoe. He has not touched a footy for nearly one and a half years. We were blessed to come to Train with Melbourne for 3 days and Deakin really enjoyed it. He is a basketballer and there have been numerous offers to play bball in the US. At present we are waiting on offers to go to a prep school in the USA. Deakin really enjoyed the challenge at Melbourne and time will tell if he sways back to AFL. the above photo is not him.

It’s been a long time since I attended an MFC training session - mid January of this year in fact. I remember it well although I thought it was somewhat closer to the start of the season. Despite the significant numbers in rehab, I still waxed lyrical in my report on the session, believing that the team was building its way through the preseason and on the way to bigger and better things. All would be good for the first bounce, I thought. In the end, I was wrong. I completely underestimated the effect of having so many of the club’s key midfielders missing in action during the preseason. Jack Viney (foot), Angus Brayshaw (back) and Clayton Oliver (shoulders) were all on modified training programmes for most of the summer and Nathan Jones was troubled by hamstring issues at the time. When these players were taking their first tentative steps onto the field in full combat in the opening round against Port Adelaide, the realisation of just how important it is to complete the hard yards set in very quickly. Combine this with an injury scourge that went through the club from go to whoa and it’s not hard to figure out why the wheels fell off so early in the season and why it was impossible to recover fully. But that was then, this is now and the time for excuses is over. When I came down to Gosch’s there were still quite a few team members off the track but the rehab group doesn’t appear to be so problematic, especially as I was assured that some players are being rotated around and a tough session awaits the group tomorrow in some top secret location where the players will be going through a “closed session” to finish off the year. Others have already given their impressions of what transpired in the heat of the morning so I will simply give some views about the new faces. I begin with Ed Langdon, the running outside midfielder who comes out of the shadows of near anonymity that comes from playing at Fremantle. He was moving well and his disposal whilst not under match pressure was passable. Another man from Freo was quietly going through some light pedestrian work on the far side boundary. Harley Bennell was being barely more active than we spectators in the early days of a much hoped for career revival after years of calf problems, but he was doing a little more than last week and, in a brief moment of kick to kick, he showed that he still has the ability to hit targets from 40 metres with bullet-like efficiency. Of course, he has a fair way to go. The other newcomer from interstate was Adam Tomlinson, still in rehab from a calf injury. I didn’t see much of him so I can’t really comment. I’ve already been convinced about how beneficial a basketball background can be in the development of footballers. That became patently obvious when Luke Jackson sublimely grabbed the ball off the top of a pack and ran into goal. Don’t get carried away by this yet but it’s fairly obvious why club recruiter Jason Taylor says the club has had eyes on this former national junior basketballer for three years. Jackson was the first player on his interview list in February and I can understand why the club didn’t frig around playing games with the Giants at the draft hoping they wouldn’t pass on Tom Green. This kid can play a little bit. His mate from East Fremantle in Trent Rivers also goes alright - he’s solid, moves and kicks well and isn’t all that far from being AFL ready. Finally, you couldn’t miss our X Factor recruit Kysaiah Pickett wearing the number 36 made famous by Aaron Davey. Pickett has the lightning speed and run down attack of the man we knew as Flash and he promises to bring some excitement to the MCG in a place that last year was dull, colourless and boring.

Apologies for not contributing earlier, I've been having Optus internet issues and have had to revert to emergency Telstra dongle ( don't understand why, but I always feel a little dirty when I say that). I got down there today before any of the players appeared and spied a relatively young looking fella taking the shade under a tree at the City end. Turned out to be George on the Outer. Pretty much stayed in the same posi. till around 11 when most of the action dried up. During that time most of the brains trust turned up in Whispering, Urban Legend BB and D'land himself. Good banter and opinion ensued during this time and I'm happy to report we are all a bit bullish for the year ahead. I think we all agreed that while we temper our expectations, as it is preseason, observing training at the moment has way more positives than negatives. I don't intend to revisit what other posters have said other than to agree with their comments. The one thing I can add is that I stayed until the last player and coach departed. The last player was Petty and the last coach - Stafford. At the end of the session JJ, Chandler, Viney, Clarey and Petty spent 15 to 20 mins on goal kicking. In the end Stafford was working one on one with Petty on his run up. It appeared Stafford had identified a flaw where Petty was making contact with the ball either to early or to late. For any of the other training watchers; I would be interested in future obs regarding A/ this as on ongoing coaching with other players and B/ any observable improvements in individual performance in this area. I should have also mentioned I watched Langdon a fair amount and thought his disposal was much better today than on Monday. I also saw him celebrate this a few times to the amusement of his teammates. This shows he is very aware of his deficiencies and is working on them

and does the interest in robertson indicate we have no faith in oliver, brayshaw, or viney as inside mids? yr pulling at straws to pot a player you don't like

Never forget.

From what I have seen at training, if we have a small forward or 2 for Rd 1, we have Chandler, C Wagner, Bedford and Pickett competing for the same spot, it is hard to judge Pickett as he has been pulled out of the full match sim, more often than he has been in it, Xfactor at junior level is not easily replicated at AFL level, but he shows flashes To have 4 when we have struggled in that position lately, can only be a good thing Same as the medium size, Melksham and Fritsch look a lock but Hunt is making every post a winner as well upto now and we have to fit ,Trac, ANB and Jones (according to Goody) up there as well Think it will come down to the pre season games Jordon and Sparrow are developing nicely but with Viney, Brayshaw, Oliver etc all looking like they will be fit, it wil take something exceptional to force their way in Lockhart is being developed as a small defender, obviously as cover for Nev, but to give hime some competition as well Dunkley is being groomed as a winger, obviously with the cloud over Tomlinson at the moment, there is a spot, he is one of the natural footballers we have on the list Petty is going to be a star, knocking a fully fit May off the line of the ball to take an uncontested mark, in your first match sim after rehab, is a good start Forgot AVB as well, if they all stay fit, Casey is going to have quite a team

Nah...he was a great player, like him or not. All players lower their colours at some stage, the talk about him not being good in one on one contests is just talk. Like Scarlett & Fletcher they used him to zone off, doesn't make him any less effective. Some games he virtually won for the Tiges by being an impassable wall.

Don’t come knocking on my door

Just as interesting that Harley Bennell texted Goodwin about Kossy after we took him. Another sign that he has invested in the club. Hearting Harley already.

I know, right? Just when you think the world’s gone to s**t, salvation arrives in the form of a fantastically niche medical journal article. It’s the little things. ??

Our Robbo kicked 7 on Matthew Scarlett one day as well. Name one key defender that never got beaten. Saying Rance can't defend one on one is a bit like saying Buddy is overrated because he's not the best overhead mark - doesn't mean he's not a bloody good player. I don't like the way he staged for frees and dished out cheap shots now and then, but he is the best key defender of the last decade by a mile. Credit where it's due. We'd all have loved him at the dees.

Good now I won't need to listen to the commentators go on about him being a great. Yes he was a good backman but I still debate how good he was on a 1 on 1 contest. Mason cox ripped him apart last year and lets not forget his coward hit on watts when watts was beating him

Burgess and a couple of the guys who have arrived with him have experience with other sports, particularly soccer, where the issue Bennell has occurs more often I think one of the reasons Bennell chose us is because of this, he had at least 4 other offers on the table I wander around to rehab every time he appears, after any drill, there is also a lot of discussion, before moving onto the next bit, assume he wouldn't be allowed to progress if there was any discomfort They do know what they are doing

Still only 19, says himself, aim is for a year at Casey , Stafford has the opportunity to build a ruckman from the ground up, a very popular guy amongst the other guys, for his enthusiasm and attitude

I still expect him to be named in the AA side.

Actually disgusting listening to the commentators defend him " it so uncharacteristic" "that just a man who's tried he's hardest and its boiled over" what a cop out. If Bugg had done it they'd be calling for criminal charges. Rance. Good player but [censored] of a bloke.

Most likely get a job in acting. Best theatrical knee buckler ever.

Almost at the Christmas break and no players have come close to drowning. We’re winning.

Bennell was latterly diagnosed as having plantaris friction syndrome, and has had his plantaris muscle removed in both legs. Couldn’t have less to do with his vertebral posture, core or lumbo-pelvic balance and control, which obviously the physio and conditioning staff will be working to optimise - as they do for all players.

Under a lot of pressure to get this report in from the top...... Well, you would have already seen the reports of who wasn't there today, but make what you may of that. Perhaps an early Christmas, perhaps players on individual programmes, but the stalwarts of the track-watching crew were out there again....rain, hail, shine or in the case of today extreme heat. Even BB is now out of rehab! and we recruited dworship to the team before he disappears back to Ballarat. Naturally, those players who braved the conditions were out on the track a good 45 minutes before the advertised time, but who would blame them? Compared to previous sessions, this was a "light one". Still not unexpected given the temperature, and not every session needs to be as physically gruelling, so that the bodies can recover, and also to avoid injury. BB has given a good run-down on the goings on on the field, so I will only add a couple of observations: Once again Pickett really caught my eye. That's because you have to keep an eye on him before he disappears from view. Dworship made the comment that he has a "turbo button" to go with his normal quick coverage of the ground, which is very reminiscent of a previous owner of the number 36 jumper. Just when opposition players think they can or have avoided him, suddenly he is back for more. The other beautiful sight is his ability to get into space, with his opponent trailing by 10m having been burnt off. In one passage of play he contested for a mark, but it hit the ground and his opponent gathered the ball....until KP tackled him straight away, then sprung up to receive the handball from his team-mate who had gathered the ball. Not just one effort but 3 in succession! Keep and eye out for him, because surely he will be playing very soon. Everyone is watching Jackson, not unexpectedly, but again there was one passage that just makes the watchers ooh and aah!. Flying for a pack mark in the forward line, he decided not to grab it, because he was slightly off line. Instead he leapt up, leaned in and tapped the ball back over his head, but before it had hit the ground, he had recovered it and waltzed into the open goal. The others in the pack were still sprawled on the ground. ......oooh .......aaah! One for DazzleDavey, or one of the juniors observers to have some input.......there was a 17 year old kid, built like the proverbial who participated in a lot of the drills. Apparently one of the Next Generation academy, name of Deakin? Any info on him, because he certainly has the body already for the game, and in his brief outing also has all the basics. So while there is a closed session tomorrow, sometime, somewhere, that is it until the New Year. The overriding message is the numbers which we have on the track at this time of the year, and the obviously higher levels of fitness that come about from having those bodies on the ground. Very few in the rehab group and even then , they cannot be far away. Jones and Tomlinson already have the core strength and miles in their legs from their careers already, so it is just a case of getting them out there to participate with the group.

What an amazing raw insight into how it's all done. The big thing I took out of that was our interest in Mitch Geogiages. Well done to the Melbourne media team.

Thanks for that. One of my favourite pastimes is reading about midportion Achilles tendinopathy and this has just made my day.

I think he's training solidly. He's clunking a few marks and he's being spoiled a few times. He's being covered by Lever, May and OMac so it's reasonable competition. If you're glass half empty you'd criticize him and if you're glass half full you'd be happy with him. He's getting his first real run at preseason this year. He'll have some pretty solid help in the forward line with TMac, Fritta and Trac all very capable overhead. The focus of the oppositon will be elsewhere initially I'd have thought. He'll also have some quality smalls at his feet with luck and his job on a lot of occasions will just be to get the ball to ground. His kicking for goal today was fantastic as he slotted one from tight on the boundary and another from a fair way out. He's getting the ball in match sim regularly without dominating but like all forwards he relies on the delivery at least giving him some chance. Given your view there's nothing there to change it, I'm of the opposite view and happy with what I've seen.

You think that because our recruitment team hope a 17 year old kid who has been injured most of the year slides to our third pick that we have given up on Weid? And you think other people's posts are stupid? FMD.

Alex Rance was a great player and even the greatest of players have lowered their colours on occasions. He was the general down back full stop! That is what we need S May to be for us. It goes along way to success. His influence was second to none and in one way l am glad that he won't be playing against us but admire him for his love for his club and comradery. A great player and a great career, Well done

I was watching that Practice match (stream), and as far as I remember, Smith was unhindered until he wasn’t. Presumably they initially thought it was a soft tissue injury (?adductor), albeit that doesn’t make leaving him on any smarter. That it turned out to be Osteitis Pubis meant leaving him on wouldn’t have changed the longer term, but it remains bizarre that a hobbling man was left on in a Practice match. Joel Smith was one of a handful of form players coming into last season, too. Big upside next year, I reckon.

off to doorknock for jesus, as he said he would

According to Max these are Melbourne Academy players from the Casey area. I asked if the Dees had first dibs and he said yes. One of the smaller academy laid nice tackles on Jordon and Langdon. Got a few pats on the back for those.

I thought if I got there a bit early today it might be a good idea given the heat. I was right. At 8.45 a rather smaller squad than Monday arrived from AAMI. I usually start with rehab because in previous weeks the rehab boys are out first, but not today. In fact the rehab tent wasn't even set up. They play some rather unpleasant music from there and monitor the GPS figures I think but not today. Finally Tomlinson makes up the entire rehab group today and starts his routine and looks very comfortable. I'd think he'll be close to fully ready after the break. It seems like ages since we heard the news of his calf but it's only about 4 or 5 weeks and clearly they are building him up carefully. About 30 players start with some gentle exercises one involving a player with an exercise band around the other players hips who is in the "up" push up position. They pull at all different angles and the player must not fall over. It's then into a lot of different groups with some leading and kicking drills, there are some stoppage drills and a little bit of marking practice. It's all at a pretty leisurely pace and there's not a lot to report or see really so I start thinking about who is not there. May, Jones, Viney, Spargo, Hibberd, KK, Melksham(?), Hannan, Baker, Dunkley, AVB, Jetta, TMac, Petty, Preuss, Brown and JSmith are missing along with Neita of course. But the squad is still big enough to do some three quarter ground match sims but it's all at a notch down from Monday. The focus is transitioning the ball from the backline to forward line and with fewer player on the ground it's all done very well. Jackson and Weideman are the forward targets and Lever is giving Jackson a hard time but earns a free from an illegal spoil on the boundary and slots it nicely. But the best is yet to come for Jackson who takes the ball off the top of a pack and casually strolls into goal. It's these little cameo's that get you excited. Not many could do what he did. Rivers kicks a great goal from a good run and a long way out and gets the applause of everyone and Kossie plays "catch me if you can" a couple of times but of course nobody can. The young kids are enjoying the slightly slower pace and less congestion and we are seeing some of the skills come out. Reports of Jackson's kicking deficiencies seem misplaced as he was kicking off both sides of his body today very well. The "best 22" do what the best 22 do when the match sims are on. Oliver, Harmes and Trac get a lot of it, Gawn wins in the air and the players are just really enjoying the drills. When match sims finish there is some goal kicking practice and then it's all over by 11.15. Viney and TMac have ventured down to have a look, Bennell is starting to ramp up his running on the other side of the ground and James Jordan keeps slotting every shot he has. A good bunch of Demonlanders down there today so others will add their bit and their perspective. Tomorrow will be a big day I reckon, I'll see if I can get some inside information on where it is.

Go behind closed doors ...

I must be one of the ones who is 'truly stupid'. Last I checked Weid is a 22 yr old developing key forward who has had a fairly injury interrupted career so far. Talls always take longer to develop as we all know. Assuming the club has little to know faith in young Weid does seem a little rash don't you think? We lost Hogan who left a fairly sizable hole in our key forward stocks. We struggled for depth at the position last year (predominately due to injury) hence why Petty was swung forward. I think its more about adding to forward depth. We no longer have guys like Tim Smith and Keilty so adding the likes of Mitch Brown, Jackson and the potential of others makes sense for insurance sake doesn't it? I apologise if in fact you have inside knowledge that the club does indeed have little to no faith that Weid will work out.

He basically left football to play with his imaginary friend.

Nothing to do with Mr Rance. My mother used to tell me that going to church on Sunday did not make you a good person, it was the other six days of the week that determined your worth.

Maybe he'll go into writing full time. His two books to date have been big hits with 5 - 8 year old's and adult Richmond fans.

Wouldn't have picked that of you, OD. What denomination? Our Brothers of the Perpetually Underachieving Weideman? I see a fortunate resolution to this dilemma. In the very pages of the good book! Verily, it is written: I say unto ye, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. Also it is written: thy pastor doth desire to driveth a fast car, so cougheth up

Did well by the club retiring AFTER the draft....

You do realise that it's 2v2 and not 4 players all spoiling ? ?

Having worked for them, I hate saying Telstra too. Thanks for the report

Trac easing his way through traffic

Pretty good thus far - it’s a relatively new intervention. This journal article suggests positive outcomes for elite athletes (skip to the ‘Results’ and ‘Discussion’). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5298419/

Chatted to Deakin's dad, 6ft 8in in the old money, Dad didn't do decimal and 98kg, turned 17 in Sep, club snapped him up as Academy Elite basketballer as well, has American college offers coming at him daily Another note Harley Bennell came out did a bit of running and then kick to kick with Crossy, both left and right, moving progressively backwards until about 40 metres away, Croosy hardly moved to mark the ball

His name is Deakyn Smith. He is 179cm tall and weighs about 76kg. He's definitely one to watch next year. Played sorta around half back wing and is quite clean with his skills and ball use but also shows a bit of dash. Played 8 games for Dandenong Stingrays and averaged 10.8 disposals per game. Hope he can improve on that.

From the 2 sessions I've been to Sparrow and Jordon have both been impressive. Bedford has potential but for mine is behind Pickett in X Factor. Another year in the system will tell us more. Dunkley and Lockhart will benefit from having a first full preseason under their belts and more competition for spots.

Good riddance.

2 against 2 green bibs in attack so both fwds flew, besides which Marty Hore was out the back as sweeper You will also find that is Bradtke and Jackson in the vests From what I have been told, something big tomorrow to round off pre Xmas So the"older' guys, Nev, Hibbo, May etc and anybody who is the 'recovery' Viney, AVB etc did work inside

one of uncle bitter's favourite exercises (sans whip)

The first thing they did when Bennell started was to film his running action Could actually be tweajks He is up to half pace in a straight line If he works over Xmas, could be full pace in no time Doing little bits of agility @DeeSpencer agree, his kicking is a joy to watch