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Brown is one of those players that you don't notice, he just does his job and at the end of the game he will have kicked a couple and you would ask when?.....He is training with the forwards and just fits into the scheme of things. He may play as a 3rd tall, but should any of the main forwards get injured he will be into the side post haste. He kicked 21 goals at Essendon last year which was only one less than Petracca, our leading goalkicker. He is tall, and can probably fill a role down back as well, if needed. Very nice pickup for us, and still baffled as to why the Dons got rid of him considering the situation with Daniher and other injuries in their forward line.

The way some people carry on about Weideman on here you'd think he was the only one on the list who had a poor year and not 95% of them. I'm more inclined to cut developing players slack rather than put the boot into them though, because the club clearly stuffed up pre season and its not what the young guys need. They need linear progression year on year. At the end of 2018 Weideman was showing good improvement and 2019 was a total [censored] show from start to finish which wasn't his fault. im backing him in to go to new heights this year now he's fit again and has finally developed a footballers body under a new fitness regime.

The 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games opening ceremony is now precisely six months away. This is a highly significant fact for Melbourne fans because the last time that the games were held in Tokyo was in 1964 and we know what happened in that year, don’t we?'

Every time I’ve seen Stafford doing ruck specific training Jackson has been with the rucks. But otherwise I’ve seen him with the forward group and with the mids (including rucks) about 50/50. And I’ve only seen him do match sim a couple of times, both times with the forwards. Gawn has gone head to head with Preuss as the rucks. If he gets a game early in the year I expect he’ll be the back up ruck for the 5 minutes a quarter that Gawn rests, and then will play forward for the rest of his allocated game time. If he’s good enough and physically up to playing then won’t he be our best relief ruckman option?

In 2019, 11 games for 11 goals, with at least 1 goal in 9 of them. Around 10 disposals per game. Average stats are very similar to his 2018. He has actually been quite consistent. He did struggle for form but he really struggled for a run at it. Played the first 6, then dropped to Casey where he kicked 2.3 and took 7 marks but got injured, came back through Casey where he kicked 3.1 and he was named in the best, promoted for 5 more games in the MFC before injury ended his season. Not great form but I think he deserves a solid run at it. If he plays 22 games and has a 3 goal match once a month he'll finish with 30-35 goals. It's those 3 goal games he's been missing. Edit: tl;dr: he was poor this year in his interrupted year but still named to consistently kick a goal per week. It only takes an injury free season and 4 good games to turn a 25 goal a year forward into 35 goal a year forward, which is probably what we'd be content with right now.

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.

OD beg to differ on Buddy's value to Swans. Membership after the 2012 flag was 35,000. Membership two years after he came to Swans was 56,000. They had to get a marquee player to protect their position for sponsorships and memberships in the Sydney market against GWS. The Swans stated a year in that he paid his entire 9 year salary within a year of going there with increased memberships and merchandise, not to mention being given much greater TV and media coverage. I used to go to the pre season intra club games to study them close up to pick up any tips for junior coaching. They used to get about 200 of us and virtually no media. The first year Buddy came there were over 2000 people, every TV channel had crews there and there were even helicopters overhead. They don't need to win a Premiership to justify that deal. They loaded his contract in the middle years so he's on $750k for the last 3 years. A lot less than a lot of other marquee players. He will continue to pull crowds till the end. As long as he gets on the park of course.

It was even more significant the last time the Olympics were in Melbourne (1956). We beat Collingwood by twelve goals in front of 116K people at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (when it was our home ground and nobody else’s)! ? MEL 2.4 (16) 6.11 (47) 10.16 (76) 17.19 (121) COL 3.3 (21) 4.3 (27) 5.6 (36) 6.12 (48)

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Friends, it's time for the only democratic institution you can still have faith in. Where we ask you to make an arbitrary decision on a matchup between two or more Melbourne players, and eventually uncover a people's champion. The draw will go live on Friday night, in advance of forum exclusive early voting beginning Sunday night. Thanks to Demonland for again hosting one of the voting booths for the tournament. Tournament schedule Friday 24 January - Live draw from 18:00 AEDST on @demonblog Monday 27 January - Preliminary Round/Round 1, part 1 Tuesday 28 January - Preliminary Round/Round 1, part 2 Wednesday 29 January - Round 1, part 3 Thursday 30 January - Round 2, part 1 Friday 31 January - Round 2, part 2 Monday 3 February - Round 2, part 3 Tuesday 4 February - Round 2, part 4 Wednesday 5 February - Round 3, part 1 Thursday 6 February - Round 3, part 2 Friday 7 February - Quarter Final day Monday 10 February - Semi Final day Tuesday 11 February - Grand Final day Honour Roll 2012 - James Frawley d. Nathan Jones 2013 - Tom McDonald d. Mitch Clark 2014 - Nathan Jones d. Jack Watts 2015 - Nathan Jones [2] d. Dom Tyson 2016 - Jack Viney d. Nathan Jones 2017 - Max Gawn d. Jack Viney 2018 - Neville Jetta d. Clayton Oliver 2019 - Clayton Oliver d. Neville Jetta Rules (TLDR version) Pick who you like better from the given matchup. Rules The voting criteria for each match-up is your personal business. It need not have anything to do with football if you don't want it to, but if does then the best of British luck to you. We won't ask questions, and nor should anyone else. Vote shamers will be denounced. Voting will be conducted between 0700 and 1900 AEDST unless otherwise noted You must cast a valid vote for every match that day or none of your votes on that day's matches will count. You must pick a winner in every match up. No half votes, no "I can't split them". Yes you can, and you must. Non-MFC fans are welcome to vote as long as you follow all other rules In the event of a tie both players will advance to the next round, except in the case of the Grand Final where a replay will be held the following day. If a match features three or more players and two or more tie for the most votes they will advance with all other players eliminated. We reserve the right to refuse an excessive number of multiple votes from the same person using multiple accounts Voting will be conducted in an open format via Twitter, BigFooty, Demonland and Facebook. If you're intensely private, hate social media, or just want to join the list of email voters email demonblogger AT gmail.com. Harley Bennell is not eligible (unless he's signed by 18:00 Friday night) as he not currently an MFC listed player. The decision of the Demonbracket Organising Committee is final. The Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lucerne Seeded to Round 3 1. Clayton Oliver (reigning champion/best and fairest winner) 2. Max Gawn (best and fairest winner) 3. Jack Viney (next higher best and fairest finisher) Seeded to Round 2 (next five highest best and fairest finishers) 4. James Harmes 5. Christian Petracca 6. Bayley Fritsch 7. Christian Salem 8. Angus Brayshaw Enter at Round 2 (next 11 most total MFC games) 9. Nathan Jones 10. Tom McDonald 11. Neville Jetta 12. Oscar McDonald 13. Alex Neal-Bullen 14. Jayden Hunt 15. Michael Hibberd 16. Jake Melksham 17. Mitch Hannan 18. Josh Wagner 19. Aaron vandenBerg Enter at Round 1 (remainder of MFC senior players) 20. Sam Weideman 21. Charlie Spargo 22. Jake Lever 23. Marty Hore 24. Jay Lockhart 25. Corey Wagner 26. Joel Smith 27. Harrison Petty 28. Oskar Baker 29. Steven May 30. Braydon Preuss 31. Kyle Dunkley 32. Tom Sparrow 33. Kade Kolodjashnij 34. Kade Chandler Preliminary Round (new draftees, trades, and next lowest games total) 35. Ed Langdon 36. Adam Tomlinson 37. James Jordon 38. Toby Bedford 39. Austin Bradtke 40. Aaron Nietschke 41. Luke Jackson 42. Kysaiah Pickett 43. Trent Rivers 44. Mitch Brown 45. Harley Bennell (if signed by 18:00 Friday January 24)

If you give me permission I can host them on Demonland and make them viewable in this thread.

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

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.

As preseason roles along, the start of the season is finally within sight. Not that I put huge weight on the outcome of our first preseason game, but I'm personally hanging out to watch some footy again and that preview of the state of the side and how individual players are tracking in something with less resemblance of a training run. Also a good point to sit back and understand how the fitmess of our list is tracking for Rd 1. What is the potential lineup of fit and ready to go players? Interested on others thoughts and assessments of all of the above.

True, but at least we have improved out of sight in this area. I'll take that over anything else. Having said that, the only way was up after the pre-season we had last year.

Kind of the opposite of Boyd who gave the Bulldogs nothing except an elusive premiership.

Obviously there will be people here claiming varying degrees of connection to the club. Some of it legitimate, some of it rather lofty. But regardless of the poster’s authenticity, innuendo and allusion seldom serves to enlighten others in any genuine sense. I read through your posts, and all I could take away from them was that you’re not happy with the sponsorship department of the club, but you’re unwilling to state exactly why. I’m not sure if this constitutes “saying something?” You can’t expect people to just take your word for it on what is, for the most part, an anonymous Internet forum. And you certainly can’t get frustrated when they don’t.

'Mach' isn't a grenade thrower 'Pennant' and his info is generally pretty good. I would take some notice of what he is saying in this instance...maybe the source has an axe to grind, this must always be considered in these things but the messenger is ok.

Keating was a bog standard average ruckman in regular season games but played like a dominant superstar during finals. In the seasons they won their second and third flags he played almost as many seconds games as senior appearances. They alway trotted him out finals time because they knew he would rise to the occasion. In 10 season he averaged only 14 games a seasons and only three season with 20 or more games. There was talk at the time suggesting that he was held back to keep him fresh for playing finals.

Thanks to the administrators for providing quick links to the quality training reports by Deespencer, Baghdad Bob, George and others at the front of this topic so that we can get straight to the important stuff. The training posts have been excellent in their objective and succinct coverage of the happenings at training and they are the best feature of the summer months. In their training reports they avoid the banal commentary in other posts. They have elevated their contributions for the benefit of those of us who just wish to follow our team, unconditionally support ALL our players no matter what and are excited about season 2020. 2020 Go dees.

I always thought the Franklin deal was done by the Swans knowing full well there would be a bite-in-the-arse factor in the back end but the increased flag prospects in the front end made it worthwhile. And I think it was.

The game against Adelaide at Casey is the only footy I'm going to be able to see live some definitely counting down to going to it. The pre-season reports have been mostly positive and quite a few of the key players seen to be putting in good time, but that's where we will get to see if it amounts to anything.

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.

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.

Adelaide at Casey? If last year was the abberation, we've got 2 years age development into our list that demolished them by 100 and Adelaide are now rebuilding with coach stevie nicks... then i'm expecting the double tonne margin ?

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.

Didn't he finish 2nd in the Time trial? I hope he ends up as a small defensive fwd but he could also ultimately take over from Nev.....

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......

Have these problems arisen since Pert took over, or did the problems exist under Jackson?

Mmmmmm... as bare a baby BBO's bottom, just add Johnson's talcum powder for good measure ???

Not going to happen. Put him at half back.

Thanks to everyone who has posted reports and photos this summer. I’ve been overseas for a month and it was great to have updates. Can anyone give me specifics on how Mitch Brown is fitting in? I can see him playing a role in our forward line this year, despite most seeing him as depth. Is he training well? Does it appear that he is likely to play March series football?

Some people just can't help themselves Pennant. Full of it

Because it is worrying.

I have heard very similar things, from very reliable sources, which express concerns about the off field culture of the club

Apart from Naughton who looks like an absolute gun, other 22yo KPFs are in the Weideman ball-park: McKay, Curnow, Hipwood, McCartin, Ratugolea, Lewis. Call me when they are instrumental in winning a big final.

You'd need to be careful with the razor around the nether regions. One accidental slip and the resulting cut could well end up causing arsenick poisoning.

Thanks for the photos Saty

A nice hairstyle finally

All valid points, i was just making a pun on the Martians 'roasts' comment above and also want him to have that balance of fitness and endurance as well as bulk muscle strength he can throw around. So not turn into a vegan stick insect! ☺️

I can't see that in any scenario.

Was Gus working on his ball handling in preparation for tonight?

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

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