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That’s a wrap from Preseason Training. A massive thanks to all of our trackwatchers over the summer. You’ve lifted the bar for future seasons. Thanks to @kev martin @picket fence @Slartibartfast @george_on_the_outer @Gator @DeelightfulPlay @DeeSpencer @dazzledavey36 @Nudge @Wizard333 @McQueen @Tough Kent @Yokozuna @Dee Zephyr @Stiff Arm @EMDE @Bitter but optimistic @stinga @RedLegs23 @waynewussell @DemonWheels @Deespicable @old dee @dworship @Tim Apologies to anybody I missed.

You obviously didn't watch the Richmond game. McVee was 'invisible' because he was playing on Dusty. Dusty did SFA, and hence McVee won the day. He was super impressive against the Saints too. The reality is that Hibbo is 32 with a history of bad calves, and Salem is injured. We need to have ready made replacements for these guys. Chandler had a brilliant year at Casey, and absolutely deserves his chances. What do we do if Kosi leaves? You have to keep developing these guys, unless you prefer to keep going with Melksham who is in his last season? And lastly, I bet that when Bowey debuted you thought "who and why", and he turned out to be a gun and best 22 players. You have to keep developing your list, even when you are in your premiership window, or else you will end up losing quality players and end up with a very old list.

Gorgeous morning at Gosch's. They walk to the paddock in separated groups. A mingled splattering of goal kickers and talkers. Goody and Chapman enter, the whistle blows, and they're away. A tight circle as they hear from Marty (club volunteer) and welcome the debutantes. They hit their straps in a six station drill, and found their voices in the three players running through the centre, passing and running on. A slow motion sim, as players under the ball are given time. Though not much space. The coaches instructing as to who would get the stoppage, or would take the ball with a request or call on the lead. Goody pumped a long kick down the corridor. Chocco leading and trying high skill kicking. Other trainers in as well. McVee hanging with the backline group. Bowey focused. Laurie looked completely ready. Had a great training. He backed up his team-mates a couple of times. Tomlinson is looking fast and tall. Melky barely missed a goal. BBB turning well when switching within the triangles. The park had, Storm with full teams training, and The Victory about to go through their issues. GO DEES

In short, I think it was decided Baker didn’t have enough AFL traits (as opposed to VFL traits), and the others either do show those traits or there’s faith they will develop enough of those traits. Baker is 24 and I he’s probably pretty much peaked as a footballer. He’s fast, but aside from that I’m not sure what else would set him apart at AFL level. He mostly blasted the ball forward, not much finesse. The acquisition of Hunter put him one player further away from a senior game on the wing, but ironically meant the Bulldogs needed a wing. With Howes and likely Woewodin also competing for depth at wing (and Jordon who was preferred in 2022) that’s just too many wingers to keep. Laurie and McVee were not competing for the same spots as Baker. Laurie is clearly more highly skilled than Baker and is a forward. McVee also appears more highly skilled and more capable as an actual defender. Sure they got nowhere near as much ball as Baker in the VFL, but James Munro and Mitch White also get more of the ball in the VFL. Laurie and McVee are also 4 and 5 years younger, so more scope to develop and improve than Baker.

Looking forward to seeing McVee and Laurie in their debut games tomorrow night. Not enough positivity around this for my liking.

Just for some perspective: my plans for round TWO start today… I’m having a mammogram this morning the results of which I won’t know until next Friday, an hour or so after I arrive in Brisbane for our match that night at the ‘Gabba. If the dreaded Big C has indeed returned I’ll have to get on a plane home immediately since I’m part of a trial. So, round two I’ll either be front row at the ‘Gabba waving a flogger, screaming like a lunatic or in the Royal Melb Hospital watching the match on TV. All good though… I know it’ll be the former, and NOT the latter. 🙂

Well said. I love the Chandler inclusion. He's done his apprenticeship in the 2's and he's ready to go. I saw enough body of work at Casey ro know he'll be a good little player at AFL level, just needs games and experience. To everyone questioning the Laurie and McVee selections. Just remember when you're top 4 side and challenging for a flag you need to always find ways to continue to regenerate your playing list otherwise we'll find ourselves falling off the cliff like Hawthorn. Regardless whether Laurie deserves his opportunity or not we need to start getting games into the next wave of talent.

can we just make sure Steven doesn’t hit the turps as he’s injured and it’s Paddy’s day. i’ve already been to the Drunken Poet and the Last Jar today. no sign of him. i’ll stay on my quest

I’m at Gosch’s. Only Jack Viney on the track with one of the trainers who is belting balls into him at close range. Viney has no strapping on his knee.

I wonder if tom's experience was a factor. Big game. Important game. With mcvee debuting, adding a second gamer to the mix would make the back six pretty inexperienced.

Surprised the umps aren’t gifting Selwood a free in the crowd.

I might seem a little unhinged and even homicidal, perhaps even totally out of control, but u know what I HATE EVERY OTHER TEAM OUT THERE!! GO DEES!!😎

The hamstrings connected to the Calf muscle the calf muscle connected to the ankle bit Any questions, call Dr. Dub

I've arrived in town. Most recent scarf i can find is 2019. Must stop saying hello to everyone i pass in the street.

I hope that after a full year recovering from the knee, he feels confident enough in it. While he looked horrible against the Saints, I am sure he is well aware that his time is limited and he has to impress if he wants to get back into the best 22. If he has a stinker and May's calf needs more time to heal, I think Turner will come straight in. I think we went with experience over potential, and we probably feel like Tommo has worked so hard to get back from his injury last year, he deserves another chance to prove his worth at this level. I wish him well, because that would be the best outcome for us and him.

Chandler will be a revelation for us this year imo. He has mastered his VFL apprenticeship and is chomping at the bit to play and he'll play like a madman to keep his spot. Crafty, smart, tough and skilled. What he lacks in elite speed he makes up in all other facets. He has a desire to defend and pressure and what this will do to allow Pickett to get off the chain will materialise through the course of the season. I love him, always have.

In Tomlinson's exit interview, he told Goody he wanted more senior opportunities and if Melbourne can't offer it then he was happy to be traded. He clearly believes he's capable of playing at the level, so I think some people on here carrying on like pork chops over his selection just need to wait a few games before criticising the poor guy before he's even played a game this season. Tomlinson plays May's role the best as a back up and has the experience and knows our system the best to gel well with the other defenders which is why he was selected. It will be very interesting who our sub will be... I'd prefer a tall to be the sub, just in case one of our key defenders go down. Otherwise it will be our 2 key defenders against their 4 talls. We could throw McDonald back, but then Brown and Gawn will be double if not triple-teamed going forward.

Milkshake is the perfect sub. mid sized, can hit the scoreboard can mark, can play midfield if needed. and usually only plays one good quarter per game!

100% agree. There's another, inter connected factor at play i think, which you allude to dazzler with the comment he's done his apprenticeship in the 2's and he's ready to go. in terms of both young players such as Chandler AND older players such as Tomo (and hibbo for that matter) the club has to consider the impact on player development, morale (of individual players and collectively) and readiness to play at the senior level of not giving them game time in the ones when the opportunity arises. Who could blame, for instance, Bedford leaving to get more senior game time. How long do you leave talent like JVR in the twos before it starts stalling, or even negative impacting, his development as player. What about players like Melksham and Hibbo. How do you keep them energised and focused?

Mmm, interesting. I'm no psychologist, but classic signs here of one of the more pernicious mental health conditions - curmudgeonitis (commonly referred to as killjoy or wet blanket syndrome). Men over 55 are most at risk of what can be a very debilitating condition, one that is often very hard on friends and family. Education is important in our efforts to battle this scourge. Early diagnosis is the key. # curmudgeonitis is no laughing matter

Salem definitely training with the 2s. Fritsch just having shots on goal. Nailing most of the them.

Yep definitely only Melksham of the 4 named Emergencies. I’d say he’s a certainty for the Sub.

Weather should be ok for our game. Temp forecast to start falling around 5pm to high 20's at start of play and 25 around quarter time with a light southerly wind.

The only reason that he was picked ahead of Turner surely! Good luck to him anyway. Mids and Gawn need to take the load for this one. Go dee's.

I've got a massive problem with Collingwood being good

Howe’s in so much pain. Despite what we might think of him, that’s terrible to see.

Always thought sub suited older mature players like Melksham. Won't have as big an impact on his fitness not playing a whole game for a few weeks unlike a younger developing player. Should also be able to slot into the system easier due to his experience.

Priceless overreactions by some. If you can get there and support the team it would be awesome. We support a team that's very very good right now, believe in them.

May is in runners and training tshirt (not jumper). Looks like only named players training (Captain’s Run). Will keep you updated as to what May does or does not do.

Light southerly winds in Melbourne.

I have a newborn son, and my train line is undergoing major works, so I won't be attending matches until later this year. TV for me for a few months. My little guy will be decked out in a Demons onesie watching his first game of footy on tv Saturday night.

Watching the cricket now. Can’t stand seeing Collingwood fans happy.

I’ve heard the flu has gone right through Geelong this week.

Hate seeing Collingwood win, but love seeing Geelong lose

How does Luke Hodge have a job? He literally describes what you’ve just seen. I know Luke. It’s called Television mate. I can see it.

Would have gone Turner myself but i back the FD to make the right decision. And best of luck Tommo. He deserves a bit more love around here given he was in AA form until he was injured in 21. And missed out on a premiership because of it.

Good luck to Daisy tonight to as she begins her coaching career

Absolutely. Never any dramas. There's always a few blockheads around at any ground, but on the whole, the Western Oval was okay (and brilliant in 1987).

One thing to take into account with Melksham being a sub is that he only needs 6 more games until his boys qualify for father son. Think you'll find that there will be games where we purely carry Melksham as a sub just to make sure he gets to 100 games.

With the latest phones it is just so easy to apply the filter '1960s ammunition box labels' to an image. Not helped by the 'I'm checking if my texta still works' scribble and the random arrows. There are times to be neat and professional and there are times to cut loose with your graphic design, but this is just a digital mullet.

He is playing in defence apparently. Probably still kick a bag against us.

The medical diagnoses from afar, presumably with no medical training are hilarious. Keep them up.

He was kicking well and then when they finished and were walking back to the sidelines he was walking gingerly with a noticeable limp. I’m no expert obviously but perhaps the kick to kick from short pass then to longer passes slightly aggravated his soreness. He’s walking around the boundary a lot better now. Clearly there is a strain to the calf. It’s by no means a long term injury.

May is here. Walking onto the field. Has a slight limp.

For which we are ever grateful Saty !

We need early 2021 Tommo ….remember that game Hawkins smashes Maysie in the face and put him out of action, from memory we rolled Tommo onto him he did a great job and we won comfortably