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Hi all, Deakin Pereira is invited back on the 10 January for some more training, looking forward to seeing you all there, Merry Christmas and have a blessed new year.

Here’s a summer feel-good(ish) story for ya. So a colleague of mine is a cricket-loving Kiwi who plays in an amateur league here in Melbourne. The name of the league escapes me, but it’s pretty well organised whereby they have player ranking points across the all teams. My mate is pretty good and as such, got selected to represent the Kiwi ‘All-Star’ team or some such in a one-off exhibition game played today. Weeks ago he cane to me with his good news of selection. With his limited knowledge of AFL, my mate said rumour was getting about that a footy star was going to be on the team. Some tall bloke with a beard, he says. I immediately opened a file on my work computer filled with humorous Max facial expression pics that I use to punctuate light-hearted emails and showed him - is this the bloke? Confirmed, Max Gawn was selected as wicket keeper / batsman for today’s game! I haven’t seen too many keepers of Max’s height, but apparently he goes alright! I’ve read about his passion for the Black Caps and the fact he was born there so makes sense I guess. My mate said he’s a ripping bloke. Anyway, the Kiwis lost needing 2 runs off the last ball. Guess who had most of the strike in the last but couldn’t get bat to ball? Can’t win em all; shades of R1 2018. At least he didn’t pull a hammy or anything. My mate was pretty filthy on the loss so I don’t have much match detail at this stage, he said it was too soon so must have been a heartbreaker. But best of all, my mate was kind enough, and Maxy gracious enough, to sign a picture for my 4.5 yo twin daughters to go alongside their one from Daisy Pearce on our fridge. The conditioning is almost complete. Thanks Maxy, go Dees!

hi all, the experience was awesome, he really enjoyed the players and it gave him an insight on what is needed to be elite. The coaches were happy with what they saw. Some of the questions that were asked of him was his height, and predicted height. We did a bone test on him about 3 years ago, and his predicted height will be around the 211 cm mark, fully grown. So we keep praying for that. Overall the Melbourne players really got around the academy boys, and made them feel part of the team and we couldn't be more thankful to be part of a great bunch of men.

A long awaited premiership is what I want ?

Fluff piece but nice fluff piece

And people actually want this bloke to be captain! What great leadership - putting himself at risk of injury for the sake of an exhibition cricket match! On a serious note, thanks for sharing - stories like this are what makes Demonland great.

Check out reigning Cox Plate champion Lys Gracieux in the Arima Kinen. Stunning win 2019 Arima Kinen

If your only metric is money then sure mills might be happier. But it is unlikely pendles only metric is money or else he would have picked bball . He's playing the game he loves. In front of massive crowds. Who love him. He gets to live in Australia, in his home town. And sleep most of the year in his own bed. Occasional trips to Perth but otherwise short plane rides and max one night in a hotel. Plays one game a week. On the money front would be a multi millionaire by the time his career finishes. Would have opportunities to go into media post career (unlike patty, probably). And how much money do you need? Is there a sliding scale of happiness the more millions you have? I reckon both would be equally happy with their choices.

People laugh when I say all I want for Xmas is "No Injuries". With Jack and Tom back and May and Lever firing, and some Pickett/Bennell smooth moves, what more could you ask?

Everybody can wrap their heads around what was in fact, in my opinion, a stupid post This whole thread is asking for opinion, I think Jordon will develop into a very very good player, top 4 this year, maybe not, delisted absolutely not We have a very talented list, whether they would get a game in another team, I really don't care, as it is just an exercise in opinion I just want the talent to be on display consistently this year

I have visions of him being a wicked fast bowler. Joel Garner style.

I’m all in on Harley, he’s up for it so give him the shot. We need guys with a point to prove.

Who’s better off’? Probably a question best answered by a Jesuit or philosopher. However I’m sure Pendlebury has few regrets about his career (other than not playing for his beloved Demons)!

I am not an orthopod or a physio but the plantaris is a tiny muscle amongst some big company. (I tore mine once and it hurt like hell for a few weeks but hadn’t bothered me since, not that I run or jump much.) But as I understand it its tendon can somehow irritate the big boys around it (soleus and gastrocnemius) without causing them permanent damage. The theory behind the surgery seems to be that removing the irritant allows the main muscles to go on unhindered. Kossie’s tackling technique, around the hips, looks great and will cause a good deal of grief especially for those with less core strength than CP5. Deeman. I had hoped to do just that but the link to the article wouldn’t open. Sure. Nice photo, but was that guy ever any good? After all didn't the Hawks delist him? ??

Well today mine turned up and probably because I had been prepared by this thread I am happy. Yep little more than the membership card but I can remember that is not so long ago that is all you got. Will one of us not buy a membership without all the bibs and bobs of recent years? I seriously doubt it. For 2020 all I want is to win 12- 14 games and play finals everything else is superfluous.

That’s great Kylie, I wish Deakin all the best for the future.

Only one sticker and I have 3 Jags.... raging right now?.

My Crystal ball: Demons finish regular season in fourth. Petracca to stamp himself as a match winner in a couple of big games, like the Tigers Anzac Day Game. Pickett to be first draftee to play, getting 5 games. Weid to gain confidence over the first half of the season, becoming a handful for defenders and a fan favourite with his attack on the footy after the bye. Our new wings to really making a structural difference, enhancing transition and delivery. May and Lever to find their groove and become a seriously scary set of players in a strong back 6. In non demons news: North to drop like a stone with poor culture, Adelaide also on the slide Brisbane to settle back to lower top 8 Doggies to play hot and cold, but their hot is red hot. Tigers get big heads and dont apply the same pressure across the park and get caught out more often. Gil to be a complete Dill on at least 3 occasions before the bye. The MRP is still a farce, playing favourites and being too difficult to even guess who will get rubbed out, who will get a fine and who will be Paddy Dangerfield.

Represented SA back in the day and was close to being looked at by Australian selections I believe.

But probably the biggest factor is which game is more enjoyable to play, rather than wanting to play internationally (which basketballers rarely do in any case). Our very own Luke Jackson was Australia's best player at the under 17 bball world cup and with his height, skill and athleticism would have 100% played college ball and had a real shot at playing NBA. But he said he enjoyed playing footy more and chose to head down that path. By the by Pendles would be the same height as Mills. Or perhaps a touch taller.

I think I need to read the available options a little better, this year is my 15th consecutive as a Redleg and until I read your post I had no idea about the two free passes. I only get down for about four games a year but always takes guest by purchasing GA tickets as well as Redleg guest passes. Thanks.

How about being a champion of something uniquely Australian with just a modest fortune.

How about this for a sliding doors moment Scott Pendlebury was about to go to the Australian institute of sports for basketball, and Patty Mills was preparing to try out for the AFL, Scott Pendlebury knocked back the scholarship, and decided on an AFL career, then it was offered to Patty Mills who took up the scholarship and the rest is history. who's better off?

Can we somehow work the Illuminati into this... or does that only apply if we were to recruit Mason Cox without having to pay anything for him.

May & Oliver would walk into any of those teams. Max would 3 & fight it out with Grundy at Pies. An in form Tommy Mac at Geelong & Pies. Lever probably GWS & Pies, maybe Cats depending on how they set up...Tiges the only one he would miss. Trac with GWS & Cats...probably Tiges, Pies have others like but he would be an option there. After season 2020 will be a walk up anywhere. Harmes would get a look in somewhere in those teams...extra mid, tagger or hb I reckon Fritsch would get a game forward with the Cats. I expect Salem to consolidate & be on par with like players at teams you've mentioned. Langdon to step up as one of the best running wingmen in season 2020. A resurgent Bennell to walk in anywhere. Jackson as rising star, Rivers not far behind...all clubs envious. There you go, we're not so bad after all. Who knows...remember we were top 4 in 2018 so I wouldn't be marking the 2020 list on who made top 4 in 2019. Too much can & will change.

Great viewing, funny how they kept on seeing if the phones were still working.? All our newbies are all from WA, even Kossie.

I wonder who offered the 2020 1st round picks to Richmond? One can only speculate. Amazing that after all that, they took Thomson Dow. Highly rated for them I guess.

And versatility. Sounds like he could be a goer.

Deakin is a better name than RMIT, Skuit. You've been out of the country too long! ?

Agree. And it is exactly the sort of interesting, diverse content the club should be producing. Not expensive either.

Thanks, some of the best inside of the club video ( both parts ) I have had the pleasure to view.

seems like they got everyone they were after. I know they showed some interest in Robertson and Georgiades, but it looks like they never fully expected those guys to get through to our 3rd pick anyway, with them showing surprise at Robertson still being available for the 2nd round, and with Taylor commenting that he didn't expect Georgiades to get past 24 either.

I don't know if Brayshaw played injured but it did look like it. Perhaps it was just his rotten preseason. But he hasn't missed a session of this preseason which indicates to me there was no longterm harmful effect from the decision to play him. And who would you have picked? Jordan, Chandler, Bedford? The reality was in the last half of the season an underperforming Brayshaw was better than the alternative. And the fact that he hasn't missed a beat in preseason indicates the Club knew exactly what they were doing given his medical situation, whatever that was.

How’s the cheese platter at the end lol

Because it wouldn't be anything to do with the departure of Pedersen, Hogan and T.Smith over the last couple of years and the injury worries for TMac... But yeah, they probs re-contracted Weid due to that lack of faith.

Massive unit Mark. Had a beer with him once, many moon ago. It was like drinking with a wheat silo. Huge human

Absolutely loving the journey this thread is going on. I've never ever resorted to Dr Google so many times in a 2 page thread.

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 highlights the importance of keeping a heap of currency if you want to move up. The future 4th was only ever going to move pick 30 by 2-3 spots. Calling Carlton and Richmond was a bit of a laugh, although in fairness to our recruiters they seemed to know that. Robertson's slide and Rivers getting to our pick is an advertisement for being patient. I think the smartest set up would be to have extra 2nd round picks on offer to make moves if needed but also to group players in ranges and not go too hard too early if you have options Trade back and still get a player you really like, then use the extra picks to get the next guys on your board..

I was thinking they've cut down significantly on the use of plastic in the packaging, which I applaud. No plastic sleeve or envelop, which is great as neither are necessary and are just single use plastic crap contributing to more and more landfill. Most people would have about 8 of those plastic card sleeves they can re-use anyway.

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.

I shared a pic of my 20 years membership 2 years ago, more to prove that I stick through the worst of times.

Here we go again, perhaps I am a little early but I am never sure why they have to be delivered prior to Christmas. Just Make it an opt in requirement for pre Christmas. As long as mine arrives before game 1 I am happy.

This is very welcome news, especially for those who might have doubted his dedication. He may not play a game for us, but it seems he is not going to die wondering. Onya bloke.

Please don't wake me I don't wish to return to the real world.

Demons to finish in the top 6 All of rivers, Pickett and Jackson to have debuted by round 12. Both Hibberd and Jones to play more vfl games than afl in 2020. Trac to be in the AA squad and finish top 4 in the B & F. Langdon also to finish in top 4 in B&F KK and VDB retire before the season ends Bennell to make a successful comeback and play 5 + games Brown plays 15 games or more in 2020.

Ladder: 5th -7th (13 or 14 wins) Finals exit: Semi final loss, B&F: Pettraca Big improvers: Weiderman 40+ goals, Pettraca avg 23+ touches and 30+ goals AA squad: Gawn, Oliver, Pettraca, Lever, May AA team: Gawn, Pettraca RS Nomination: Pickett Surprise win: WC round 1. We'll catch them napping in the Perth sun Surprise loss: GC round 5. I guess when you think about it, it wouldn't really be a surprise Best win: a nail-biter under lights in Brisbane round 14

Petracca is ready and will bring his A game. May and Lever will be injury free and will lead the back line. Langdon and Tomlinson will prove they are worth their salt. Oliver to win the Brownlow by a country mile. Gawny to be AA again. Goodwin to be coach of the year. The sky is the limit. Why not we have the team. Dream if I may However we are good enough. Bring on 2020.

Dees make it to the GF against Brisbane Lions Go into the final quarter with a 35 point lead. Extend that lead by kicking the first four goals, stretching it to a 59 point, unassailable lead. Tears begin welling in the eyes of all Demons supporters. Two minutes till full time. Aliens arrive out of nowhere and begin attacking the earth. Nobody hears the final siren over the panic.