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I’m going to take one for the team here, I don’t do a lot of in depth reporting normally because my time is precious (and I don’t have really fast typing skills). Having said that; I may end up rambling a bit as I enjoy a Merlot at the keyboard. I live in Ballarat but I was house sitting in Emerald for a couple of days and finished up this morning. I had to pick up some stock for our business on the way home (in Moorabbin). I thought I would swing by and see what I could see. (All they could do was ask me to leave) I got there around 1000 (I seriously wish I had got there at 0900). While checking out the parking situation I could see Crossy on another oval putting Hannan and someone else (I couldn’t make out in the distance) through their paces at a serious fast clip. They were running up and down the field handballing to each other. 1hr 30mins later they were still at it. For other track watchers, Hannan can’t be that far away now can he? I just walked in and proceeded around to the side opposite the grandstand. There was a full ground match sim going on Pinks vs Blues and the scores were up on the electronic boards 2.6 to 4.2 as I walked around, the player I noticed the most was Smith. He seemed to be everywhere in defence. There was a family standing outside the fence observing proceedings so I went up and said G’day. Turned out to be the parents and siblings of Tye Hourigan who had been invited along to train today. The family and Tye had no idea that would include 2 x 30 mins full ground sim! Ty is from Traralgon and has been playing defence for Gippy Power. He looks a likely type about 6’2 in the old and around 80kgs. From hips and down looks like a ready-made footballer. Soon after the sim stopped and they moved into a number of drills for the different groups (mids/rucks, fwds and backs that have been largely described before. This was all done at a great pace and with good skill. After about a half hour of this it was back into 30min full ground match sim. Max got on top of Pruess early resulting in a number of centre clearances. One of the early ones ended up with Petty on a great lead and I walked around to stand directly behind him. The wind was blowing around 40km/hr across from right to left and I was muttering aim at the right point post. Standing behind him he looked to be aiming 2m inside the right goal post. It was a lovely kick off the boot and in the last 6m of its flight it went hard left by 5m. This was the only real negative I saw for the day and both teams went on to score around 4.2 so the adjustment to the windy conditions largely improved. In the match sim I could count 4 Casey listed players. Stockdale clearly being one and a couple of others I didn’t recognize. I know that can’t be right and there must have been more but I couldn’t spot them. Having said that it is the most First’s I’ve seen playing in sims, at this intensity, in January EVER After the match sim they went into more position related drills again. I moved around more to a the pocket /half back position on the grandstand side. There were a couple of tackle coaches I haven’t seen before working with all the talls; Max, Preuss, Jackson , Lever, Weid, TMac, Hore, etc . They were working in a 10m circle and the object was to escape with the ball. This went on for 20min and I was exhausted just watching them. To the left of me Goody was controlling a drill where 4 or 5 players would be in a small circle doing quick handballs. When he blew the whistle the last player with the ball had to break away and run and kick the ball 40 m to Greg Stafford. The remaining players would run both sides of the ball carrier in support. Stafford would punch/ tap the ball in the path of the “wave” and they would share the ball around till a leading forward presented or one of the wave was close enough to shoot for goal. Both Tomlinson and Spargo participated in this drill so I would expect them both to be very close to rejoining everything. They didn’t do match sim. Unsighted on the day: Baker, KK, Melksham, Neitzke, Bennell and Chandler. May was there but I didn’t see him do much, however the dressing was missing from the leg (happy face, mine and his) Some general obs. Our older brigade are up and about, Nev is back and handing out lessons to anyone he comes near. Hibby is not handing over his role this year if he stays fit (although Rivers did impress me and looks ready to go if a spot presents). Tmac is also back, leading well, finding space and clunking marks. Jones may surprise a few in the forward line. Lever was outstanding today in the cut off/ intercept role. Viney and AVB will take a lot of teams by surprise if they stay this fit (yes, AVB did everything today including swapping bibs at one stage to even things up). Sparrow was good in the guts at times. To go to another level this year: Max, Clary and Trac (that should put the wind up a few teams). OMac looks to have bulked up and be quicker, is that possible? Jackson was willing but not that effective in the match sim I saw today. The practice matches will be interesting and I can see a difficult decision coming re Cossie. Is the magic he brings enough to play him even if he goes missing sometimes due to fitness? On today’s observations I would play him round one. He will make a lot of defenders nervous and he will have that reputation very quickly. Nibbler however is giving every indication that he wants a spot in that forward line. I’m excited!!! (In a BBO kind of way) They finished around 1215 today so it was a really solid session. I had a great time today and couldn’t get the smile off my face. I also noticed this with Goody and a number of the other coaches. A great way to lead into Maroochydore. Near the end of the session I got Tye Hourigan’s family to come inside the fence near the entry gates and while we were chatting a fella in his 20’s came in with his dog on a lead and asked if it was ok if he came in to have a look. He was wearing Richmond shorts so I told him very sternly, “It’s a closed session and you will have to leave” He was very apologetic and left. Made the day even more worthwhile.

Despite this set back I still want us to recruit him as a rookie.

I'm always intrigued when someone asks this question. What does that mean? Is it a document that sets out what we are going to do and how we are going to do it? If you mean have we thrown away the old one? Then the answer is no. Don't make me do all the work, if you tell me what your looking for I may be able to answer the question better. As far as plans are concerned though, I think any of the regular watchers will tell you the Club has had a plan for the pre season. That is to be meticulous, highly organised and focused on improvements in the skills and behaviors of the players. The overall strategy hasn't changed and is based on contested, combative football. If you are looking for specific strategies and tactics for game day then that is a bigger question and I think some of the more astute on here may be better equipped to answer. Training is about being able to implement everything under pressure and without hesitation when the time comes. I've never seen so many of them this ready at this time of year. So to me the plan is working

I did 10 years of Physio and numerous visits to hospital for surgery when i was a kid. I had my own rehab to deal with. if he is popping a calf now whilst doing mild training compared to Matchday Conditions, i don’t think he is going to make it. We cannot afford to carry a blank spot into the season Your experiences are not necessarily going to relate to what Bennell is going through now... different techniques and treatments now, no doubt. A mild calf sprain is hardly “popping a calf”... nothing personal, but as I said, I will wait for someone who is across treatments and causes from a practitioners POV. From the moment the club offered him a spot training, they knew he would not be ready until at least mid season and probably not at all this season, so the “blank spot” you mention, is obviously not an issue for them. I’m sure they will make the decision, whatever it may be, based on good medical advice, not what we supporters think. We have nothing to lose, but a hell of a lot to gain if he does have a positive outcome.

I watched Harley closely on Wednesday, as reported in the Training thread. He trained for a long period and seemed to me to be developing confidence in his rehabilitation progress. I saw no sign of a set-back. If this report on SEN is about something that happened since Wednesday, well, so be it! But if it is a comment on a set back that happened before Wednesday I would say Harley is back on track!

And MFCSS is what it is. The guy has been through calf surgery in an effort to correct his issues and I imagine that the occasional minor calf strain would not be surprising over the recovery period. I’m obviously nowhere near being an expert in such matters, but I would think that such strains could be bought on by something as simple as a slight change in his gait due to compensating for the discomfort following surgery etc. Perhaps someone with knowledge in this field could provide an opinion? Weber? Anyway, I think the upshot is that we persevere with him (he wasn’t expected to be anywhere near ready until at least mid season anyway), and give him every opportunity to prove himself. What exactly do we have to lose by doing that?

I'd be surprised if he didn't have a number of setbacks. That's the nature of his injury. As long as he gets there in the end...

HB is in his prime and an extraordinary talent. He is nothing like we have drafted before. He is worth the risk.

I'd still give him a 1 year contract.

This was never going to a straight line to playing. You could keep him training and have a punt at him mid year if he gets going but then anyone else would get a shot at him first. It’s a base payment spend with our last spot on list for a player who pre injuries was on track to be a top 10 player in the league. If it is minor and would still see potential for him playing back half of the year then as long as his application and attitude has been top notch I would take the punt on him over an untried kid with a low likelihood of success and definitely unlikely to get any shot in 2020.

The stars aligned for me to attend the practice game at Olympic Park in lovely conditions today. Plenty of fans from both teams in attendance, plus lots of tennis fans in the vicinity, with one American overheard to ask, “Is this rugby?” No doubt the Dees were happy with the lack of travel to the venue and to head back to base at half time and post-game. The game started off with some class shown by the club: The injured: Saw L.Pearce, walking fairly well (no crutches) but she looks a ways off yet. Kat Smith and Shae Sloane were also both in attendance. Jakobsson (sitting out the season to join the police) was also around, which was great after a tough but wise decision. Players who sat out the game: Kate Hore and Tegan Cunningham (slight strapping on a quad but moving fine). By my reckoning, all of the other 24 fit players took to the field at various stages. I was struck immediately in the warm-up by how sharp, focused and well-organised our drills were compared to Collingwood’s whose (in my biased opinion) seemed a little lacklustre and lacking intensity. Some rambling impressions: McEvoy (one of the Irish recruits) is super quick. In fact, her and the other Irish player, Goldrick, were both noticeably pacey. I was impressed by their attack on the footy and involvement with the game, in particular their pressure and movement with ball in hand. There was a classic cross-code moment when Goldrick broke the lines off half back and dashed through the centre square, only to forget to bounce. No running over the mark 50-metre penalties though ;) They’re clearly both excellent athletes who’ve come far already. Goldrick is apparently one of the best ever ladies Gaelic defenders and both are stars at Dublin. Colvin (an ex-Darebin player) is exactly as expected and will hopefully give us some of the physical presence we’ve lacked since Cranston’s departure. I was most impressed with our marking, especially in the backline. Several players (Cordner, Parry or maybe it was Colvin, Birch, Sherriff, Zanker, Downie and Daisy) took strong contested marks or positioned themselves well to intercept. This is the area we’ll most miss Jakobbson, who has some of the best hands in the league, but hopefully others (particularly Birch) will fill that void and others have clearly improved. Collingwood did a fair amount of dump kicking which did help. It seemed like Guerin and Heath were playing negative mid roles against some of Collingwood’s big names. Love it when Emonson’s got the ball in her hands—always got time. Good game by Heath as well. I can see Hanks playing more midfield in the future. Zanker, Scott and Cordner shared the ruck. They went okay up against the taller Collingwood duo. It’s not going to be easy, but all 3 are players that can be relied on to give it a crack and sacrifice their games for the team. Paxman was her usual self. O’Dea looked a little rusty with her disposal. Daisy played about 3 quarters and I might be over-stating it, but it was pretty much like she’d never missed a game. As predicted by many, she played off half back, which suits her ability to read the play and set up others very well. I reckon they all walk a little taller with her out there. *Disclaimer: All of the above opinions are based on possible misidentification of new players and less than focused attention in the second half due to running into friends and several phone call distractions! The goalkickers were Kemp, Sherriff, Heath, Hanks, Cordner and Scott. We controlled the ball better and were able to hit the scoreboard in the second half when play opened up. Collingwood made many more forward entries, especially in quarters 1 and 3, but were inaccurate, their first goal coming in the 3rd. FINAL SCORE Pies 3.6.24 Dees 6.3.39 Considering the absence of Hore and Cunningham, and with Zanker pushed up the ground for ruck duties, it’s not shabby. Most set shots were goals, which should be a major focus this season. Injuries: Mithen – ankle early on, didn’t seem overly concerned. Newman – taken down hard in a tackle as she tried to sprint for goal in typical style. Is wearing a helmet this season so hopefully taken off just as a precaution. Kemp – started off up forward and kicked a nice goal. Later came off (apparently an ankle injury). I believe she’s playing without an ACL after re-doing it early in the 2019 VFLW season…I just hope the injury gods can smile on her for once. Guerin – minor calf complaint. According to Stinear, aside from Kemp, all should be right to go Round 1. All in all, the best 21 is more hotly contested than I'd expected after the player losses, but I’ll have a go at some point before Round 1.

A fit and in form Harley would be a massive asset to our team. Subject to the longer term medical prognosis being half sound (50/50), I'd be prepared to offer him a 12 month contract right now, just to ensure that he gets the best professional guidance and treatment throughout his rehab. If he doesn't play a game this year, then so be it. High risk, but very high potential reward.

Same one I had the last two years who keeps denying it with injury. Joel Smith. Outside of my standard above, Dunkley to play most of the year.

If Harley cant get back he will be the first to admit it. He is leaving no stone unturned to get it right, and I admire that. He is now under the direct care and instruction of our fitness team and he is doing everything that has been advised. I believe this "set back' is minor given his long road to date. Get behind him... he is a rare talent and, if he ever gets on the field, he will bring the kind of razzle dazzle that we have rarely witnessed since our Golden Era.

When I think of an injured calf I think of Veal scallopini. It's a cruel world.

Absolutely agree. I think this guy could be the steal of the trade period. We got him for a bag of peanuts. I’m still surprised Essendon delisted him. One of my mates is a passionate Dons supporter (he used to run and own a very well known sports betting agency, so he knows a thing or two about footy) - he cannot believe Essendon got rid of him. Brown has a long and accurate kick. He presents reasonably well, and he runs hard, all day. There’s perhaps a knock on his contested marking ability, but he’s an AFL standard second or third tall forward (which we need). While he’s not an AA blockbuster forward, I reckon he’ll be very effective for us, and he’ll surprise quite a few pundits.

Top job dworship !!!!!!!!! You are hereby ordered to give up your day job, family and anything else that restricts you and report on all future training sessions

100% irrelevant. The rest, hyperbole.

This was nearly a week ago, at training. He's been to sessions since, I believe. I think its to be expected, that he will have little setbacks in his Re building of his lower legs, and legs generally. They will need to adapt, with the missing parts influencing/altering his walking/running.

Having been there when Harley sustained the injury, I reckon this is nothing more than a Grade 1 calf strain which generally takes 1 - 2 weeks of recovery. He had a tight spot in the fat of his calf. Obviously in Harley's case, they'll be ultra cautious with this. Harley was at training yesterday from all reports so I guess they'll continue to re-hab him, build him up and see how they go.

Every year I feel like there's a player that comes from almost nowhere to become a regular best 22 player that maybe not be pretty or a star but an important role player. Last year I guess I would've said it was Frost (others may argue for another player), he was far and away our best defender, although given the year that might not be the biggest praise ever. I'd be interested to know who people think may get their way into the 22 and stay there for most of the year after being considered depth or just not that good. My pick might not be going hugely out on a limb but I think ANB is going to resume his form from 2018. I would say that I wasn't alone in expecting/hoping he was going to be shown the door at the end of 2019 but it sounds like he's putting in some good signs at training and he has a very good fitness base. His best quality in 2018 was that he solidly contributed almost a couple of goals a game while putting in lots of km's through the match including 1% plays. The way we've recruited and so far the fitness of the group means he is going to have to keep putting in good performances to maintain his spot. I feel that he (like a few others) lost their confidence and drive to be at their best during a difficult 2019. My other pick is (fitness permitting) Petty but think he's going to have a lot of competition for his spot and his form will fluctuate.

Jeffy lost his appetite for the contest. It doesn't sound like that's an issue for Kozzie.

Not much to the article. Once again our track reporters do a better job of reporting. Very possible that the reporters got the scoop by reading Demonland.

Mitch Brown, just a feeling he will be playing in the early rounds.

Im going with Oscar MacDonald to unexpectedly perhaps, play most games and get semi regular votes from Demonland player of the round.

Great report Dworship, very much appreciated. I suspect that they have been doing most of the match sims (serious ones like this) at the closed sessions at Casay. Firstly because they want them away from prying eyes and secondly because Casey is a full sized ground. I suspect Hannan is a long way away. He was doing some run throughs prior to Christmas at about half to three quarter pace and I was hoping he would be close to joining the group after the Christmas break having continued the preparation over the break. But he hasn't trained at Gosch's since Christmas so I assume that he's a good 6 weeks away. I'm pretty sure (just from my observations) that he has OP to some degree and I imagine they will treat it very conservatively. It's just great to have so many on the track for such an extended period. Thanks for taking the effort, it's made my Saturday!

Yes, and in hindsight perhaps I should of mentioned that.

Basically agree DS but signs are really promising from PS training reports of greater body strength involvement and skills. Taking marks is the most important towards skill snd subsequently kicking goals BUT competing all the time and bringing the ball to ground should not be underestimated. I am bullish about Sam so here's hoping all out forwards take a step forward as a group but individually as well as we sorely need to forget the calamitous edition of 2019 which constantly shot itself in its proverbial foot. 35 goals an aim for the Weide.

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?'

HT lets put this to bed. SWYL has an opinion however Bennell will get a Rookie spot if we give him a contract. By definition Rookie spots are SPECULATIVE. I would suggest that the 6th rookie spot is not the list magic bullet that Bennell would be denying us.

But you're not tired of supporting a daycare centre for young players that will spend the majority of their short career in the vfl and will never be a gun for us in any afl match?

I feel that it's a bit like buying a ticket in a lottery. The odds are small but the benefits if you win are enormous. Of course if the odds were as bad as tattslotto I'd be with you, but they are clearly much higher in this case and IMO worth a punt (so far).

Actually, if he’s given a contract and doesn’t play, he’s on the long term injury list (is he not?), in which case a rookie will be promoted to take his place. We do not lose a spot at all unless you were expecting all rookies to be promoted at some point during the year.

Amazing we had an Indigenous forward in Jeff Garlett, who could bring magic but was accused of 'going missing', seems if you have a good junior highlight reel this is ok I would be very surprised if Kossie plays round 1, he runs out of steam very quickly at the moment

I wish you people would English proper Its "He done GOOD"

Yes, they are my son Liam’s shots. Thanks.

A Beautiful Day....

I liken this to GWS picking up Deledio. If he gets on the park consistenly, then there's real upside. Deledio managed 7, 11 and 14 games in the three seasons he played for GWS. If we get that or better from Bennell, we're well in front.

Yes and no... my point was probably more around the surgery he had and the hope we all got from it - including Bennell. Whether it becomes apparent that it’s been a total failure remains to be seen... and if a hiccup was expected as you suggest. I desperately want him to play for us but there might be another Marlion Pickett in the wings somewhere we can rookie but I wouldn’t mind if we gave him the year either given we’re currently pretty healthy.

Toby bedford could be a chance, looks to be training well from all reports

Backline: Hore, Oscar, Smith, Lockhart are our 7-10th best defenders and all around the mark, they’ll all have to play during the year but unsure if any completely lock up a spot. A bit early to tell for Rivers. Mids: The 2nd year trio of Dunkley, Sparrow and Jordon should push for games. Sparrow probably has the most ready made upside due to athleticism. Baker is still the hope for the second half of the year. Forwards: The most open group. Any of Mitch Brown, Petty, Weid or Jackson could grab hold of a tall spot. Plenty of small options. But my overall tip is that Kade Chandler is best 22. Unfortunately now his broken wrist might see him in VFL and needing to prove himself to start the season.

Geez I hope this bloke makes it back. There’d be nothing greater than to see him sprinting off the wing following broken play, in a tightly contested Grand Final, enter the forward fifty, look for pass options, and then slot the winner from a tight angle in the final seconds of the game. Next stop, Hollywood. Short of that, I would love to see him as a regular in the red and the blue by round one next year. It’d have to be one of AFL’s great comeback stories.

From a business perspective you are probably right Steve - might be an early call, but that may well be the smart thing to do. The feel-good approach would be to sign him up and allow him one year to come good (on the basis that there are always going to be hiccups in his recovery) and see if this pays off. if it does, we are a mile in front. If not, we are the value of a rookie contract out of pocket. I'm hoping for the feel good approach - but I was never great at business.

Bennell has a minor calf tear as per HS article today.

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Like a good solid experienced forward. I will be disappointed however if he plays round one. I have Weid ahead of him at the moment.

Yoghurt????

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.