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I was joking, but that said i'm a tad confused. On a publicly available podcast Taylor said the plan was for the Colt to go through the middle at some stage. He then said the same thing in an interview with a Herald Sun reporter. Are you suggesting Taylor was not being candid on the DL podcast or with the reporter when he said the plan was for the Colt to go through the middle at some stage? But he was being candid with you when in response to your question whether the plan was for the Colt to go through the middle at some stage he replied “yeah, maybe”? Apart from being a little more equivocal, how does that response contradict his public statements? I mean to say the Colt would play as a mid 'at some stage' is basically the same as saying that 'maybe' he will play as a mid at some stage. For what it's worth my view is that of course there's a chance he could run through the middle at times (just as Nibbla did this year) and/or become a permanent mid down the track. At different times the same thing has been suggested about Rivers and McVee (ie they could end up being mid fielders - despite, like the Colt, having limited experience in that role). In my opinion they recruited a player with excellent aerobic capacity who has played all his junior footy as a half forward, with occasional runs on the ball (ie not a specialist mid) to play the high half forward role on the other flank to Nibbla. To me that's clearly the plan, at least for the next few seasons. A good one too because the high half forward role has become critical in footy - as evidenced by the fact clubs are now trading (eg Bedford to the Giants) and drafting (eg the Colt) in players to play the high half forward role. A similar phenomena happened with the wing position - ie players being drafted or traded in specifically to play that role. There was a lag before the footy media and fans understood how critical the winger role had become and i suspect the same thing will happen with the high half forward role. Windsor looks like being a winger and they have been clear the Colt will play as a forward, at least in the early part of his career. Which suggests recruiting a pure mid was not high on their agenda and was not considered a key 'need' at this point in time. Which i think in part reflects a big shift in the game. When Roos came to the dees in 2013 (his first season as coach was 2014 but he was appointed prior to the 2013 draft) the orthodoxy across the league, in large part based on his team set up at the Swans, was teams couldn't have enough mids. Teams basically needed at least 8-10 midfield bulls who could run through the middle and as a result the forward and defensive flankers were often mids. Under Roos we duly loaded up on mids - Gus, Tracc, Oliver, Viney, Dyson, Vandenburg, Bugg, Balic and to a lesser extent Salo (he was a defender as junior but like the Colt there was the suggestion when we drafted him he might become a mid). But in the ten years since Roos joined the dees the game has significantly changed and there is a much, much greater emphasis on transition, all team defence, running, speed and spread. As a result of this change the athletic profile of players is changing. Sure teams still need some midfield bulls, but really no more than 3-4. Characteristics such as fitness, aerobic capacity, ability to cover the ground at speed and ability to do repeat sprints are now much more important attributes than a decade ago. Instead of needing 8-10 midfield bulls, teams now need 8-10 brilliant athletes on their list who can run between the arcs all game. Ideally these players are also excellent kicks. That hasn't always been the case with 'role' players like Nibbla an Cotterill being brilliant athletes but not necessarily highly skilled. I suspect the importance of such 'role' players (historically a pejorative - eg 'he's an athlete first, footballer second') has well and truly filtered down to the junior level and good athlete and good footballer are no longer mutually exclusive terms. In this context, drafting in the Duke and the Colt makes perfect sense. Both are apparently really good athletes who play specialised roles AND have excellent skills.

He does look stronger, with some growth in upper body. He seems to be enjoying his work, in sharp contrast to his body language in VFL final! He is taking some very good clean marks against very good opposition. He still double grabs at times, and doesn't go like a raging JVR to every contest... a bit of picking and choosing. Having said that, he is clever with his positioning and will be worthy of a game with the AFL team during 2024.

Spoken like one who rarely attends training and is unaware of the high-level physical competitiveness of the marking exercise that I witnessed from close range. Doesn't it strike you as remarkable that at least three independent observers have referred to the mobility and physicality displayed by BBB? It wasn't just those attributes... BBB was taking marks against all comers.

Summer training, time trials and all back into it. 45 players in the squad, including a strong looking Noah Yze (did not time trial). I think the only one missing was Chandler. Great to see Angus out there in the yellow cap. He participated in the non-contact program. Even the small bumps and body contact drills were avoided. He looked very sharp, 100% efficiency I reckon. Oliver has started on a full rehab program now. Running, kicking, gym work. He was not time trialled. Occasionally appeared a little frustrated with the running, but kept the head down, and did what was asked. Fritsch must be very close to full training. Some kicking drills really worked him over. Had a spill and clumsily hit the ground as he fumbled. He did not look like making any errors after that, doing the rest of his work with style. Has passion and commitment. Looking stronger and heavier through his hips. Petty did a little kicking, no running, plenty of gym. Was vocal when hanging around the structured sims. Helping out Jefferson, giving some pointers about body and arm work in the lead up to a contest. Melky on a similar program to Petty. Both in blue tops, while the rest had training jersey's on. Kossie did the time trial, but I think not up to standard, as he was placed on a running program alongside Fritsch doing 5 km and no participation in the simulations. Wasn't particularly happy by the end of it. Though, like Oliver completed it. At the end of training, Kossie and McAdam were walking together, and Goody places his arms around both and gives them the emotional, caring support. Maisie appears to be working hard as a leader. When he wasn't running, he was on the boundary, offering encouragement. He was very vocal about the skills he liked about McAdams. McAdams struggled a bit with the time trial, but excelled in the sims. Has the ability to find the footy on a lead and gets front and centre of the pack and is a ball magnet. Fullarton and Max were matched during the structured sims, and Farris-White was up against Verral. All four are doing well. Max appears unhindered, Farris-White getting more involved, Verral works well, especially below his knees. I think Fullerton (good agility and run) will be Max's back-up at this stage. Sparrow has the rig, and a few made him aware of it at the start of the time trial. He was in the fast pack, with Tomlinson, ANB, Langdon, McVee, Taj, maybe another one, but cannot recall, and could be wrong about the group. Spargo and Bowey were the hardest working players during the structured sims. After the action on the field, they got them sprinting 25 m around the boundary as another group entered. The simulations can be a full oval, with players having more choice of style and ball movement, or a set play kind of a structured sim. Today's structured sims, appeared to be about movement from the backline, and then a sim of getting the forwards well set when creating 50 re-entries. Emphasis was in making two fwds hold back and the other fwds pushing out. They finished with timed runs down the centre of the paddock. They had to do extra, as a few didn't get under the time, this disappointed a few, but the word got around to make sure you take your mates with you. The four new young one's did not do these run troughs. Viney looks to have put on more muscle. Thought Hunter was looking a bit slower. Tomlinson was looking big and strong. Howes, Adams, Turner, and Billing all going about it professionally. Windsor and K. Brown competed well in the sims. Sestan has great hands. Salem was flying under the radar, only noticed him when they first entered the field. There was an aerial clash of four players at one stage, with the coaches voice of that's what we expect. No-one was hurt. Last on the track were some smalls working on ground ball gets, Viney, Laurie, and two others, with Tracc and Kolt kicking goals. Tracc was very accurate, I think it helps his kicking, with someone else following him and having him as a mentor. It was a long session.

I think we have become so used to young players coming in and having an impact straight away that we forget that key position players have almost always taken several years to get near their peak and have a real impact. In that context JVRs first season at AFL level was phenomenal - and a tough benchmark. Cadman is much better player to benchmark Jefferson with. Cadman, the best key forward in the 2022 draft, was picked at one by the Giants (Jefferson went at 15). Yes he got run in the seniors in his first season, but as reflected in his numbers (12 games, 6 goals, 6 contested marks and averaged 4.5 disposals and 1.6 marks per game) he was all at sea and clearly miles off. No surprise he didn't get a game in the finals. My view on Jefferson is that he is almost the classic old school young forward. Looks a natural forward, reads the ball in flight super well, uses his body super well in marking contests and has great hands. But is 3-4 years away from nearing his peak. He actually reminds me of a young Tom Hawkins, both in style and the fact that Hawkins took a few years to become a force as a forward. I suspect Jefferson is at least another season away from regular senior selection, and I won't be surprised if he doesn't get a call up in 2024 (though i think they might give him a couple of senior games later in the season in the same way that have with, say Disco and Woey).

Noah Yze

I don't know where where our home base will be, and I don't particularly care because I'll probably never go there. What would be good, though, is to have it somewhere where it is most accessible for the club's employees, including players. Given our employees and fans can come from all parts of Melbourne, having the home base somewhere near the geographic centre of Melbourne seems sensible to me. That makes the Caulfield racecourse site an obvious front runner, given Caulfield essentially neighbours Glen Iris which for a number of years has been officially designated as Melbourne's geographic centre. As an added bonus, it has train access and is not far from the Monash Freeway. And it's got lots of available land.

I can’t make it so will be subbing in Schache as my replacement.

I'm sorry but since when would Williamstown or Altona be considered Melbourne heartland?????

I challenged it. Tracked the clown down on google (not difficult) and wrote to him the morning after the hearing at his Catholic University email. Told him I was no bio-mechanic but I could recognise tripe when I see it. Still waiting for a reply.

The Demonland Podcast will air LIVE on Monday, 11th December @ 8:30pm. Join George, Binman & I as we analyse the 2023 Season, discuss our Trade and Draft Haul and the AFLW season. You questions and comments are a huge part of our podcast so please post anything you want to ask or say below and we'll give you a shout out on the show. If you would like to leave us a voicemail please call 03 9016 3666 and don't worry no body answers so you don't have to talk to a human. Listen & Chat LIVE: https://demonland.com/podcast Call: 03 9016 3666 Skype: Demonland31

If I attend, I’ll be submitting the following questions: 1) what was the rationale and perceived competitive advantage behind playing one man less than our opponent in the semi final, on a warm September night. Bearing in mind that the opposition’s sub was instrumental in setting up the winning goal. 2) Why did we play one tall defender short against Collingwood in the qualifying final when McStay kicked 2 goals on smaller opponents and 2 goals was essentially the difference. We demonstrated in the Essendon, Fremantle and Carlton (rd 22) losses that playing just 2 tall defenders is a losing formula. 3) Why did we travel back to Melbourne between our West Coast game and Gather Round, rather than setting up camp in Adelaide prior to the Essendon game? A game that proved to be our most lethargic and poorest of the year. Where was the foresight and innovation that the Dogs showed when they went from Gather Round direct to Perth (rather than heading back home) and had a solid win over Freo? 4) How is the club addressing our gross inaccuracy in the finals series, and ensuring that next year we give ourselves every opportunity to win a final rather than lamenting miss after miss.

Certainly can’t be bothered reading all that mate. I was being facetious too. All I was doing was passing on a direct conversation I’d had with Jason Taylor, thought people may be interested, no skin off my nose if they’re not or if they disagree with what he said. I’m merely a humble supporter, not an exalted Herald Sun journo or podcast contributor! And I do have a feeling Tholstrup will be a fantastic pickup for us.

He is such a a key player. When he returned from injury, I realized what a better side we were. Sadly after a while his form dropped off. I wonder if the same issue cropped up again. Salo in his peak powers is a game changer. Hopefully he's just being managed at the moment. I hope he's ok.

I laughed when I read that sentence. Perhaps we should ask the current players what they think their grandchildren would prefer?

Be still my beating heart.

Was nowhere near as prominent but during the mid-forward transition game was involved in possibly the best play of the morning - got the ball near centre, changed direction and then went long with a 55m kick that just got over May's head and into the arms of the intendee McAdam who had to dive backwards to reach it, such was the depth of the kick. He doesn't have Kolt's swagger, but he looks classy - but he may have to wait a while to grab a spot on the wing in place of Ed. I suspect he will also have to work hard on his defensive game - the stars at junior level often don't have that area covered initially.

Jemma Rigoni highlights

I really don't GAF what this Seb bloke or anyone at SEN thinks to be honest, but I'd love to know how many teams boast 6 under 24s comfortably in the best 22 of a side that finished top 4? It's all well and good North having a heap of highly rated youngsters, but if you finish bottom 4 then who really cares? We have genuine elite young backs in Rivers, Bowey & McVee. We have one of the best young key forwards in JVR and one of the best small forwards in the keague in Kozzie. Probably the only area we are light on with talent in this age group is genuine midfielders and a key defender, but Turner and Adams could both come on in the next few years. Not to mention we have Windsor & Tholstrup who both look promising on the very little we've seen so far, so I'm not too worried about our young stocks.

Enjoy => https://six6six.smugmug.com/MFC-Training-4-12-23/n-8D8jSb/i-MFDNm8s/A https://six6six.smugmug.com/frame/slideshow?key=5QzSRc&speed=2&transition=fade&autoStart=1&captions=0&navigation=0&playButton=1&randomize=0&transitionSpeed=2&clickable=1

Very ungainly kicking style but boy, love her run and carry. Great attack at the contest too. I really liked her Dad as a footballer and had the pleasure of meeting him. She's from good stock.

Perhaps I sold myself short in my earlier post, dpositive, since I did attempt a reasoned argument in my email to that fellow. It's just that earlier I offered the punch line. In the email to the biomechanic, and in response to his evidence that having jumped in the air Maynard was "essentially a projectile", I remarked: "What you are saying is that an athlete who jumps in the air is a missile with no ability to shape what happens next. Good luck with that line talking to a room of gymnasts." I pointed out: "as a professional athlete of many years' standing Maynard has spent half his lifetime in gymnasiums and has a strong core formed by weight training and pilates sessions. He was able to guide himself in mid-air. Your projectile comment would be laughable had it not helped create a precedent for future concussion events." See? It wasn't all slagging off. Just some of it, and I would say, deservedly so. I stopped short of calling him bogus, so there was some restraint.

Bloody awesome. Some great shots. A couple of random comments. The shots of players in the kicking stride really revealed technique, particularly in terms of which players guide the ball to the foot well. Related to the above point, i loved the juxtaposition of Bowser having a perfect ball drop and head position and the next shot is Maxy throwing the ball in the air. There's a photo of, I think Steve May, where his technique is crazy good. He frustrates me so much because when he's on the move he is an elite kick - he can dart low 60 metre bullets no problem. And then from a standing start he can miss a free target 20 metres away. There's a shot with i think Spargo being tackled with the Yarra behind him. Beautiful shot. It took me a sec to work out how there could be a river in the photo as i don't think i can recall seeing a photo Goshes with the Yarra in it.

Tomlinson won the time trial but was dropped straight after.

This. Stop making it out like they’re friends or that Maynard is anything but a dirty thug.

Oh please.

Went down to training with my old man today and I'll do my best to recount what we noticed. Fritsch, Kozzie & Oliver did plenty of running away from the main group. Melky looked a lot more mobile than I was expecting but didn't partake in much. Gussy was there and ran the time trial and seemed to miss out on a couple of drills but was involved in most of the day. McAdam really looks like a player we've been missing, in the match sim he was constantly leading to the right places and got on the end of a few, including one diving grab out the back. I'm prepared to say he's very likely to be in round one team - though he didn't appear to run the 2km well. Likely one of the worse performers though I don't know what his fitness was like coming to us. Based on what I saw today, Tholstrup will be in the team very early and I'm actually prepared to say he'll play round 1 and give us a really dynamic option up forward. He brought some really nice energy when playing up forward, won a 50/50 contest and snapped truly. He then kicked another goal a couple minutes later and was clean the entire session. He also ran really well and just looked really at the level already. I am very confident he's going to be a player and he's going to add to us immediately despite not wanting to put too much pressure on him. A few others mentioned how good Ben Brown looked and he really surprised me too. He was moving well, took a few really nice grabs and finished his work. My dad and I were both impressed by number 14 who we later learned was Tom Fullarton. He was involved in a lot of things and really surprised me by how well he moved and his skills for a player his size. I'm going to go out on a limb and also say he'll be in the team round 1. He ran well today too. Admittedly, he didn't get on the end of any but he was playing up the ground more. It looks like they're going to play Tmac back this year, he was in the backline and did a few good things. One interesting play billings had the ball at half forward and Tmac was marking McAdam. McAdam manage to evade him found a nice channel and Billings put it on his chest. May told Tmac keep your eyes on the ball carrier instead of your player in that scenario. Billings was being used a lot in the match sim as the player to distribute the ball inside 50 and he was heavily involved and using it quite well. He's another I think will be a big chance to play early if not round 1. Viney looked outstanding and did his usual things, max ran well, sparrow ran well and looked good. Noah Yze was a lot bigger and more mature looking than I was expecting and was running around in #46. Sestan had a good impact up forward and kicked a nice goal, his running is a mile off though. He was probably the worst of the 2km time triallers, but he's also just so big through the hips. Anyway Go Dees!

Looks to me like players who would have left last year were convinced to keep the band together for another crack at a premiership. As we all know we flopped badly so these players have decided to take the coin elsewhere. Can't blame them. Brisbane lost some quality players but were able to regroup and win the flag. Maybe we can do the same. If we can add a high quality big bodied mid I'd still fancy our chances to win the flag next year.

Maddy gay has still plenty to offer. Not sure what her contract situation is but if contracted I’d make her stay if it was my decision. im all for some list turnover this trade period but I don’t want to see the list gutted.

You are very knowledgeable guy dc.

I don’t think there is any reasonable person that could put hand-on-heart and say that the action was not a deliberate ploy to hurt Gus. He is a thug , deserved a long suspension and deserved to miss the grand final and that medal. That medal is now as tainted as Cripps’s Brownlow. However this thread is about Gus and I want to hear positives about how he is going both physically and mentally. I know that physically he is likely to be ok, but I worry about the lingering metal scars that act might have and how this will affect his play. I am however, really tired of posters bringing up and repeating the event over and over again. My thought is to let it rest and save the anger for our next game against the pies. None of us will forget this act that’s for sure.

I wouldn't mind some more Melbourne Cups to go with our thirteen other ones.

Hhmmm....not sure now whether to back him in the Rising Star or the Vic Derby. 🤔

I agree with all your points, apart from your comment about Mithen. What she brings to the team is absolute team spirit, which cannot be easily replaceable. She's psychologically and culturally crucial to the team, and I'm always surprised she's not in the leadership group. Her impact is immeasurable in terms of quantifying "Demon Spirit". Plus she's a bloody good footballer. I'd hate to lose her from the team.

Haha asking whether someone might go through the midfield eventually is hardly asking for the nuclear launch codes. If you think he’s going to be more candid on a publicly available podcast listened to by thousands of people than he is to one supporter watching training with his 2 year old son, then that’s your prerogative!

i believe they have? the sun, coming up 10 years ago, did this 'football heartland' thing: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/interactive-footy-fan-map-afl-clubs-membership-heartlands/news-story/4ceb4875ecacd1b3b04eade7b2dc620b the graph no longer works but reddit indicates it's pretty much as expected: Glen Iris Brighton Hawthorn Toorak Caulfield East Camberwell Richmond Malvern Kew Black Rock the caulfield racecourse area works for me as, as a glen iris resident (yeah!! top of the table...now win a final), it's about a 7-10 min drive away, depending on lights

The Caulfield option is certainly attractive from the $570 m proposal promoted by PWC in 2019 and scheduled to begin in 2023 with new track upgrades. The proposal is reported to also depend on sale of Sandown so there might be some further delay. The MFC segment would be a smaller portion of the whole project so it could be an attractive financial investment if ownership was possible. If leasing then the investment would certainly need to be reduced nd my make it an attractive offer. THe plan would also sit well in a greenfield site such as Fishermans Bend which has an existing residential plan with no recreational precinct included. Caulfield certainly has existing rail and therefore good accessibility while FB is still a glimmer in the FB development boards eye I dont see a home base for a few years yet so better get used to Casey and Goshs which did give us a flag in 21. Maybe we should ask the players where they would prefer and make sure they are on the journey with the members capacity o pay.

Im out on deck chairs, but very in on pirate ships

Yes. When we threw everything into the incinerator on a Sunday afternoon, just to see what colour the Flames would become. :)

Yep this would’ve been almost my exact reply. He’s not as developed physically as KT but one thing he does have is blistering pace. Agree also that he just doesn’t have Tholstrup’s aura. It’s not just the hair, he has a real presence which is extremely rare at 18 and having known his teammates for 5 minutes.

From the Herald Sun: Melbourne midfield star Angus Brayshaw has been given formal approval to continue his AFL career as he made an impressive return to pre-season training on Monday. Brayshaw was knocked out in the Demons’ qualifying final loss to Collingwood in one of the most dramatic moments of the season, with good friend Brayden Maynard ultimately cleared by the AFL appeals board. Brayshaw’s brother said in the immediate aftermath he would consider his football future but as his symptoms cleared Demons mid Angus was always determined to continue his AFL career. On Monday as the Demons senior players returned to training with a 2km time trial Brayshaw ran impressively in baking Melbourne heat then joined his teammates in training. The fluro yellow hat which indicated he was not yet allowed contact was the only indication that Brayshaw would be treated differently to his teammates. The Demons have ticked every medical box and had his return approved by the AFL, which means a player contracted to 2028 will have ambitious plans to play a full 2024 season. Melbourne’s players broke up into smaller groups for that 2km time trial and Charlie Spargo, who played only 14 senior games this year, set a withering pace. He led home Jack Viney, Brayshaw and Lachie Hunter in one group, while Adam Tomlinson burnt off hard-running Alex Neal-Bullen in the battle of the club’s best runners. Ben Brown was limited to only seven AFL games given knee issues in 2023 but ran freely as he pushed Steven May hard and was excellent in match simulation as he enters the final season of his contract. TRAINING NOTES Melbourne star Clayton Oliver will be held back from full training until mid-January as he continues to rehabilitate his knee after off-season surgery. The Demons had said Oliver was four weeks from integrating into full training but the expectation is that the Demons medicos will treat his return date with caution. Melbourne has few issues with his physical conditioning as he ran sprints, kicked the football to fellow rehab group member Bayley Fritsch and did some light touch work. And while he will be footy’s most scrutinised man this off-season Melbourne is also optimistic he has made gains away from football with his personal issues. Coach Simon Goodwin recently admitted Oliver’s complicated personal challenges “have been ongoing for multiple years”. He was admitted to hospital after a seizure the Demons star said was partly attributed to ADHD medication. The Demons also have swingman Joel Smith awaiting a date from Sports Integrity Australia for a hearing date over his match-day cocaine positive. Smith has accepted a provisional suspension and is unable to train with the Demons but will face a short SIA ban as well as a likely Demons internal suspension. NEW FACES Melbourne’s draftees in Caleb Windsor and Koltyn Tholstrup were both in action but it was the veterans in former Demon Marty Hore and ex-Saint Jack Billings who will be worth watching over summer. Billings hit up teammates including full forward Brown with impressive foot skills in match drills to show exactly why the Demons traded for the left-footer. Hore was the VFL’s best interceptor in the past two seasons and could get early games with Harrison Petty playing forward and Smith potentially suspended. Tom McDonald and Adam Tomlinson will both be pushing for that third defensive spot behind May and Jake Lever, who was impressive pushing McDonald in their 2km time trial. Ex-Lions tall Tom Fullarton also ran well as he prepares to back up Gawn in the ruck. INJURY ISSUES Melbourne is confident Harry Petty will be in full training well before round 1 as he recovers from a serious lisfranc injury that ended his 2023 season. Petty, keen to return to Adelaide but not released by the Demons, will play as a key forward alongside Jacob Van Rooyen. Van Rooyen and ex-Crows forward Shane McAdam were both at the forefront as the Demons slotted straight into mid-forward connection drills. The Demons failed miserably to capitalise on their welter of inside 50s as they lost in straight sets for the second season in a row. Fritsch was on light duties after his foot issues of 2023 which included a mid-season fractured foot and then toe ligament injury which he endured through finals. Kysaiah Pickett ran the time trial but then did run-throughs instead of training with the main group he battles some low-level groin soreness. Jake Melksham is ahead of schedule in his early recovery from an ACL tear but will only be back late next season.

A big thanks to ClaNiko, WCW, waynewussell, Deez man, old55 and all posters for your great reports and comments. So good to hear that everyone has come back in such good shape, particularly Gussy and to hear that Thommo and Spargs ran so well in the time trials, good luck BBB and TMac. Although I feel it is going to be super tough to get a gig with the Dees in 2024.!!

Melbourne midfield star Angus Brayshaw has been given formal approval to continue his AFL career as he made an impressive return to pre-season training on Monday. Brayshaw was knocked out in the Demons’ qualifying final loss to Collingwood in one of the most dramatic moments of the season, with good friend Brayden Maynard ultimately cleared by the AFL appeals board. Brayshaw’s brother said in the immediate aftermath he would consider his football future but as his symptoms cleared Demons mid Angus was always determined to continue his AFL career. On Monday as the Demons senior players returned to training with a 2km time trial Brayshaw ran impressively in baking Melbourne heat then joined his teammates in training. The fluro yellow hat which indicated he was not yet allowed contact was the only indication that Brayshaw would be treated differently to his teammates. The Demons have ticked every medical box and had his return approved by the AFL, which means a player contracted to 2028 will have ambitious plans to play a full 2024 season.

Wandered in for a gander right on time for time trial. Tomlinson and Spargo ran as though they were here to protect their round 1 spot! Other impressive runs by Fullarton, Tholstrup and Adams (special mention to Jack Viney, who only knows one way!) I was amazed at how vigorous Melksham was in his rehab exercises. Also good to see Fritsch and Oliver progressing well. When they began full oval work in several groups, I walked around to watch the young talls on the Punt Road wing. I was impressed with how much effort coach Stafford put in with his instruction to this group. They were primarily engaged in one-on-one marking contests with a small running past to mop up after the contast. Most impressive in the air was Verall, who consistently got the better of Farris-White, Jefferson (who took a couple of good grabs) and Schache. When Benny Brown joined for a short stint, he was excellent at putting his opponent off balance and clunking the ball. I haven't seen Ben looking this strong for some time. In general, noticed how smooth Billings was in run and disposal. Fullarton and NcAdam did not stand out for me in these full ground exercises. Tholstrup looks the closest to senior selection of the newbies.

Arguing over which politician was more corrupt than another politician is the equivalent of 2 bald men fighting over a comb. Pointless.

SEN’s young core of journalists is 15th (of 15) on my list of Australian sports radio stations

Vic Park working beautifully for the Pies. McStay did his ACL today.