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I'm pretty obsolete this training session really as the other reports probably let you know the main issues. Smith and Petty were in and out of training but did the match sims so there's nothing much to see here. Brayshaw did the match sims but stood out some of the handball and running drills and I'd imagine they are just managing his work load. Tomlinson, Spargo and Baker continue with their rehab and look as good as fit to me and at one stage were doing some of the keepings off drills the main group do from time to time. Bennell is just quietly going about his business, he seems very popular amongst the group and it's hard to see him not being picked up at this stage. In the match sims Tommy Mac seems "back". His ball handling was excellent, he was selling candy when in general play and he looked confident and involved. Viney is also very impressive. I think we've forgotten how good he can be and he's having his best PS in years having hardly missed a session I've been to. He's in everything, his kicking seems to have more penetration and he's very clean with the ball. Oliver also is doing very well but we've come to expect that and Harmes continues his very impressive PS. Without wanting to go on about it too much I was again impressed with Jackson. He just seems to be able to get involved which is not something first year players find easy. His kicking is fine and he was surer with the ball today taking some good grabs. Kossie is also getting involved but the standout improver for mine (coming off a very low base) is Bedford. I doubted he's make it after his first year but he's really starting to look a chance now. He's got lots of good attributes other than finding the ball but he did that today. Gus got an awful knock where you don't want one today and I thought that might be it for him but after about a 10 minute rest he was back out there. He'll be a sore boy tonight if my experience is anything to go by! Overall, like DS, I thought the skills were really good today in difficult conditions. The ball handling was sharper and the kicking much improved from last week. It was a good session.

I got there at 9:30 and left at 11:10. Didn't see KK, VDB, Chandler, Hannon, & Neita. I spent the first 40 minutes close to the rehab group, Bennell, May, Tomlinson, Baker, Smith, Petty, Spargo, Melksham, OMac. Bennell started quietly, but built up to 35/40 metre kicks off both feet, occasional runs, and several handball receives. He was out there for most of the time I was there. I think he will play before June. May ran a lot, but seems a few weeks from ramping it up. Tomlinson was working hard and can only be days away from joining main group. By the way, Tomlinson is big... bigger than May when side by side. Oscar did a big bunch of 150 runs and doesn't seem to have anything much wrong with him. Petty and Smith close to full training. Spargo also not far away. Melksham just did a long, strenuous boxing session. Observations of the main group... Langdon is an asset, very fit, running both ways & elusive. Pickett and Bedford very impressive. Picket's step is a thing of beauty. I expect both to play in early rounds. Jackson has all round ability! His kicking style is a little awkward but seems effective. I have him at least on a par with Weideman at this stage, as is Brown. The regulars are all where you would expect... Max might have even gone up a cog with his fitness. Jones is far from a spent force. Harmes and Hibberd worked very hard throughout, with the former a little off with decision making. Viney is as fit as he has been for quite some time. Jordan is developing quite well and Rivers is a handy pick up. Fritsch continues to impress with his marking and goal sense. Jetts is back! A couple of other observations... Sparrow worked extremely hard, chased and tackled with intent, however, I have others ahead of him at this stage. Bradke is improving but is light. Lockhard trained well, lots of dash and willing tackler.

Baghdad Bob may report soon, but the internet was down at his home base...and photos to follow from Hardtack and son... In rehab: Tomlinson, Baker, Spargo, May, Oscar with Smith and Petty joining them when the contact stuff in the main group began. No sign of KK, Hannan, VDB, Neitzke, and Chandler. Melksham came out and was doing only kick to kick for a short while, but only on his left, then worked with the physio for an extended period....abdominal? back? impossible to say. May was only walking post surgery, but should be back with the main group and running, very shortly. Bennell had a couple of light runs and was kicking both feet without ever missing, either at goal or to another player in the rehab group. So I counted 32 in full training, but given the ease of movement from Tomlinson, Spargo and Baker in their exercises, they should be back in the very near future. Oscar and Smith and Petty looked to be only a minor step away from the main group today, and joined in the final bit of match simulation with the main group. I'll leave it to others to report on the goings on, but really this was similar to other Wednesdays, with plenty of practice of ball movement and positioning, with lots of "keepings off" in various forms. Not much match type stuff. over to the others......

Melk has a right hamstring issue said he should be running in a few days. Word on KK is that he hasn’t had a solid period of feeling right and they need him to be good for a solid 2 weeks before progressing. Tomlinson said he should be back in the main group on Friday. Oskar has a niggling groin but hopes to join the main group towards the back end of the camp. May just waiting for his stitches to come out (Friday?) before returning to the main group.

If the Dees improve as much as the quality of Demonland training reports this pre season, #17 to #1 will be a breeze in 2020. Thanks track watchers!

I spoke to Tomlinson after today’s training as we were waiting to cross Punt Rd (he was on his way to grab a coffee), and he told me he’s back training with the main group at this Friday’s closed session at Casey.

Melksham boxing May jogging Bennell kick to kick Spargo, Oscar, Baker, Tomlinson rehab. Petty and Smith were with the rehab guys but have gone back to the main stuff. Nathan Jones back in with the forwards

My son Liam took a bunch of shots today and as there are too many to post in here, this is a link to my Facebook where I created an album for his work; I’m proud of his work, and not just as a father of a kid who dreams becoming a sports photographer... https://m.facebook.com/tim.fleming.75/albums/2821236737911591/?ref=bookmarks

Match sim. Blues v Greens with 2 players in pink bibs going both ways (Sparrow and Hunt). Seems roughly probables v possibles Lever, Jetta, Harmes, Salem, Hore Gawn, Oliver, Viney, Langdon, Petracca, Gus T Mc, Weid, Fritsch, Jackson, Kossie Harmes from half back hits Viney in the corridor who snaps on his right to keep it moving to Petracca. Trac darts it up the corridor to Pickett who dishes off to Jackson running inside 50 for the open goal. First bit of this was messy but the blues are finding their rhythm. R

Forwards doing a drill that works the ball to the wing then in board 45 then a handball to a runner who hits a leading target. Simple stuff that really should be flawless even in the blustery conditions but I’m impressed by Weid, Nibbler, Hunt and Kossie being very sharp. Jones is still a cut above most as well

Is it too much to ask for these two to debut together in a winning team just so the Herald Sun can use the headline "Baptism of Fire"?

Blustering conditions and fatigue playing havoc with the keepings off handball mini games. One group trying to work the ball around the backline. The other half going wing to wing. Harmes, Langdon, Petracca excellent with work rate. But not many excelling with skills. Not sure there’s a player on the list who can tackle Kossie when he’s shake and baking. Maybe Nev. Or Vanders - who I hope is having his usual Wednesday off.

Sorry but you will have to go to the re-education camps if you repeat anything that DerWayne says

I spoke to Tomlinson and Baker after their rehab had finished and can confirm from previous reports that Tomlinson will be back on Friday and Baker told me he's 2 weeks away and eager to join the main group.

You just made him a happy lad! Thanks.

I saw Tomlinson walking up and down Portsea back beach in early Jan with I assume his partner. He was in bright pink shorts too. Was hard to miss. Looked in a fair bit of discomfort so would assume still a bit away. Big boy though, ripping shape!

This is a shot of Bedford putting every ounce of his strength into a kick that sent the ball full force into Brayshaw’s nuts! The ball rebounded straight back into Bedford’s face and then his hands and he played on... Brayshaw writhed around in agony on the ground for a couple of minutes (what must have seemed like a lifetime to him), before being assisted to the sidelines where he quickly recovered and rejoined the session.

Great pics @hardtack and son. The Maxy chasing Hibbo pics are classic.

Congrats Liam. Some really good shots in there with only a few that look anything like mine. I am really good at getting the vacant ground where the player was or Hiram just in the picture. I tried to consider them works of art but ultimately left the photographing to people like you who can really capture the movement and atmosphere in a single shot. Thanks for sharing.

These photos are fantastic.

All hail Liam. Very nice work. Great to see.

I nearly puked when I read this post. Maybe Petracca’s progress is evidence that we should be patient and let players develop at their own pace instead of heckling, abusing and carrying on like impatient, entitled twits.

I have watched a bit of Bedford, at training i think he is more like Daniel Rioli type, rather than a Eddie Betts if that comparison makes sense? , moves well and i dont think would be anchored to the FP, if he plays he may be up the ground a bit i reckon. Anyway he is really coming on and from other reports i think he is the bolter of the pre season so far.

No. Cleveland Indians are at 60+ years. And a bunch of NFL teams are at 50+ years since they won anything, if anything. Tottenham hasn't won the league since 1960 I think. We're bad but we're not the worst. But we're thereabouts. Which basically sums up Melbourne's history. Maybe that should be our promo this year: "To hell and back...or thereabouts"

I never warmed to him.

No not perfect as opponent got the ball away to his teammate running into goal!! Need to pin those arms.

Great job with the photos Liam, love your work

Thanks! He’ll be happy to hear that.

Expect Jonesy to be ripping for round 1. Bloody legend.

Thanks for the reports @DeeSpencer

Most exciting part about this was reading Viney was kicking on his right! (Great reporting, by the way)

As your earlier comments and the one above both alude to, being awarded the free kick or not is almost just the icing on top, but the physical presence and pressure that gets applied through these acts is priceless in so far as the impact it has on the opposition's psyche.

Plenty of disagreement on Demonland but less personal attacks.

I'll bring my Smug spray.

I'm not sure what people want in the clubs marketing campaign.. #ToHellandMaybeBackUnlessWeDontMakeItBackThatWouldBeUnfortunate 2020 is a year for redemption. They may very well fail miserably and it will end up "They know we're coming" 2.0. But this is the campaign that will generate the most interest. Particularly if the club gets on a roll and isn't that the point?