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GW can I respectfully ask that you simply ignore any such comments. Let them through to the keeper. Please. I'd ask the same questions you as you do above - is it necessary to respond to these accusations? What have you achieved by doing so? Responding simply invites a rebuttal from that poster, other posters and almost always another round of circular posts of the sort that simply clogs up threads, not to mention inevitably become more personal and unpleasant. It's tiresome - and unnecessary. There is no need to defend yourself. People wil believe what they want to believe. Lean into the fact that the vast majority of posters really enjoy your posts, take you at your word and enjoy the banter with players and staff you choose to relay. The haters are always going to hate. Of course you are free to post and respond however you want. But by ignoring the haters you take away their the power which is their ability to upset you. And we will have less threads getting derailed.

I'm really surprised by the doubts about our ability to contend, and seriously, in 2025. Last year we were two wins and percentage out of the 8 and this was without Clarrie having any sort of year and Trac being unavailable for the last half. Further we lost three games by a total of 9 points against top 8 teams in this period. All in all we won 11 games and lost 13, hardly an uncompetitive season. In my opinion Clarrie and Trac are the kernel of next season, if they can have 2021 type seasons or close to it we are a genuine chance of a flag. If they have poor seasons we are a chance for the bottom of the 8 but no more. And of course we need some luck with injury, but that stands for all teams. It's hard to imagine we won't be significantly better than last year given how young our team is and the prospect of getting some handy players back. Bowser has been training really well and he was a bigger loss last year than some realise. Spargo will add depth, Langford and XL class and Windsor and Kolt have come back in great shape and are training really well. Sharp is a nice addition and looks good on the track. It's a competition of inches and small gains can take you place just as small losses can. We've got the prospect of some pretty significant gains. Anyway that's my take. Clarrie and Trac hold the key and at the moment both look very good.

Groundhog Day 🙄 same sch!tt, different poster I share (a small amount of) what I’m told. I don’t fabricate anything… ever. I don’t embellish anything… ever. Some players and staff read Demonland (that’s a fact) so I’d be an !d!ot to post “fantasy” right? I’ve been told negative things too but I choose not to share such. Please understand that it’s comments like yours above that will drive people like me away. I’m not gonna deal with this every single [censored] week. You think I lie and/or embellish? Fine, that’s your belief (even though it’s inaccurate). But is it necessary to post these accusations? What have you achieved by doing so? I can’t report your post since you haven’t broken any DL rules (being a jerk doesn’t constitute a breach) but honestly, read the [censored] room.

Pedalled down to training yesterday too, and can happily confirm the thoughts and observations of others on here. Looking fit and happy, the boys. Notables for me - Really really pleased to see ‘Charles’ Spargo at full stride-out pace looking great (and super fit bodily). If he’s a season starter, we’re getting an extra back on the list, and I reckon he’ll be driven like no man to make it stick. Jack Viney continues to amaze with his sheer ‘one way’ to play and train - you’d just hate to be matched up with him in competitive drills, but he will ALWAYS set the standard. Kozzy IS mesmeric. Makes me smile that the non-Dees footy world still doesn’t get it. Clarry’s having a great time, back to his best ‘happy hands’ around the stoppage and through traffic. Obviously loving the energy and group intent, to which Nathan Jones is such a brilliant addition - welcome back Chunk. And finally - the 3-headed Demonland pod monster does exist. IRL! Can confirm that no only is @binman a real boy, so too are @george_on_the_outer and @Demonland/Andy. No digital puppetry or A.I. here, no algorithmic airwave deceptions, just flesh and blood assailing a mic or three.

It’s understandable that many will have reservations re Shane Mc. But as you said, only time will tell. I’m super excited for him though. He’s maintained for the past few weeks that he’s a cert to play in round one. Even Goody has confirmed it (barring any unforeseen issue between now and round one). Shane has been working extremely hard and is so proud of himself. He’s dropped six kilos and is lean and toned and this is the fittest he’s ever been. Up until now he’s had a problem with stamina… running wasn’t his strong point. But what an amazing improvement! This has resulted in a level of confidence he says he’s not experienced before. Goody and Selwyn are delighted with how much effort he’s putting in and he’ll be rewarded, as he should be.

You jest, but in terms of availability, as things stand now, we’ll be spoilt for choice. Even the players in “rehab” - and I use that term for want of a better one - no one’s walking around on one leg. Training this off-season is very different. Sunday is the only full day they are free from any type of training. The conditioning program is different and there’s a more conservative approach to deeming when a player is fully ready to go. There’s also a lot more programming for the individual. It’s not one size fits all. Yesterday I was told by the admin. of a certain (wonderful) Dees fan forum 😉 that I say this every year. And I guess I do. But this year stands out. So many procedures etc. have changed, new personnel, a new mindset, a newfound sense of pride and unity and a hunger not seen for years; the transformation is astounding. Have faith and get excited y’all. ❤️💙

That bloke in the number 5 jumper is simply a freak. Did some things yesterday that were pure magic. He looked really invested and to have him back and a fit 13, is beyond making a difference.

That's great you have been refusing to bite more often CW. Thanks. And the training threads have been much better for that discipline. Few of us have thick skins, certainly i don't. Most people are sensitive to criticism and our honesty being questioned. I certainly am. So it's not about being less sensitive or 'toughening up'. It's about not responding and fuelling the angst. You post lots of interesting snippets of conversations with mfc peeps. Almost all posters like that content. For whatever reason some don't, and for a small number of posters it seems it's a trigger. It really isn't possible on such a forum to stop people posting stuff that might get under someone else's skin - and that’s leaving aside the conversation about whether that is even desirable (ie policing opinion and/or criticism). Keep up the good work on not biting as often. Water off a duck's back. Ommmmmmm.

To be clear I do like the content and said as much. GW and I are talking privately - never my intention to upset anyone.

Had a busy day at training catching up with some Demonlanders and the Podcast Team so my focus on the session was not high. A couple of things that I will highlight was Harvey Langford's double tap tackle on Windsor during a One on One Ground Ball drill. Langford ferociously tackled Windsor to the ground twice within the same segement of the drill. We have a very special one here. Hungry and on the hunt for the ball. Uses it very well. Windsor's kicking to targets in the forward 50 is elite. Tholstrup's overhead marking in the middle of the ground is very strong. Kozzy is looking in super great nick. He is not as bulky in the shoulders and looks to have slimmed down. His ball movement is sublime. Trac and Clarry look so focused and if we get maximum output from the two of them this season then look out. Judd McVee is one of the hardest workers I have ever seen on the training track and that includes watching Jack Viney on the training track over 12 or 13 years. JVR rarely loses a one on one marking contest. Granted neither May or Lever was training with the main group in todays session. I was super impressed with Jefferson's leading and marking. He kicked some nice goals from outside 50 and I only saw 1 poor shot for goal that he didn't kick through. A one stage he was on a lead and the kick was a little bit wayward. Whilst on the lead in a straight line up the field towards 50 he read that it was not going to hit him and he moved laterally to mark it. A little thing but I was impressed with the speed that he recognised it and made the decision to move to get to the ball. I've seen bits and pieces of him at Casey and have been anywhere from very impressed to a little underwhelmed. I'm cognizant of the fact that key position players take longer to develop and that he was always going to take a little longer that JVR but I think this year will be his make or break. He will likely start at Casey but this is the season he needs to take the step up. I like what I have seen in the preseason but his destiny is in his hands. Aidan Johnson is a very nice size for a forward. Moves well. Has a good pair of hands. A nice kick for goal. I will not be surprised if we see him trialed in the preseason matches and providing all goes well in those matches or early at Casey I won't be shocked if he gets a call up particularly because he would be a better option as the relief ruck for Max than having those duties fall on JVR. This is not a knock on JVR; ruck work because I think he did an excellent job in that relief ruck role. However I think that was to the detriment of his development as a forward as ruck work can be punishing on the body not to mention all the running up and down the field exhausting him when he has to go back to playing key forward. The less rucking he has to do outside of the forward 50 arc the better. He is a key forward and should only be used as such. We don't want to rob Peter to pay Paul. Disco Turner has the safest pair of hands in the business. I am very bullish on him this season and firmly believe that he will breakout even more this season. He reads the ball in the air so well and just has the ability to clunk them. On Kalani White. He is only doing warm ups and non-contact stuff and isn't involved in the larger drills and match sims but boy do I love what I see and pray to all of the footy Gods that he chooses his beloved Demons. He is a tall and skinny kid as you've seen in the photos and he is 17 and still growing but a couple of preseasons under his belt and a good nutrition plan and he will put on some bulk. He is very athletic for someone of his height and has very nice and clean skills which often times player of that height don't possess. It was great to see Charlie Spargo running sprints along the boundary. Since the team has returned to the track Spargo has progressively increased the intensity of his training from stationary handballing and kicking to some light movement and agility training with the trainers to slow jogging along the boundary to running and today was the first time I have seen him sprinting at a good clip. Hopefully he is not too far away from returning to the main group. I would love to see him in the full training after the Christmas/New Years break. It is fantastic to see such a small rehab group and this time of the preseason. In past years we have had many players in various stages of rehab and as we have all surmised the less body of training work that is put in during the preseason it is almost impossible to make that up during the Season. Only having a handfull of players in the rehab group and the majority of players in full training can only be a positive heading into the 2025 season. Lever is recovering from post season surgery. I heard someone mention shoulder surgery but he also had a thin strap under one of his knees. He had slowly increased his running load while at training and I hope he too returns to the main group after the break. New recruit Xavier Lindsay had post season surgery on his PCL. I'm not sure what his timeline to return is but he would be chomping at the bit to get involved. The little I have seen of his skills when he has been able to participate in now contact stuff is something to be excited about. Melksham is new to the rehab group. I don't know what his ailment was and I'm sure it's been mentioned in some of the previous training reports but by the end of today session he was joining in with the main group in the match sim and did not look to be hampered by anything. He too looks to have come back in great nick (as does our other veteran TMac). Both could be playing their final seasons and neither of them will die wondering. The one player I am most disappointed with in this preseason is McAdam. Another poster has reported that he was doing intense training sessions over the offseason. My hope after an injury interuptted preseason last year and then an injury interrupted season with only 3 senior berths and 11 games at Casey was that those injury concerns were all behind him. Since his return he has spent another preseason, at least the pre-Christmas block, in the rehab group. Granted I do not have any insight or knowledge as to what the issue or injury concern or if it is just precautionary, but I was hoping that he too could have a full preseason under his belt and hit the season running. I do believe that if fully fit he has a lot to offer which is why it is so disappointing that he is not tearing up the track. Finger crossed he is back on the track after the break.

I went. Some random thoughts: - the first drill was focused on ball movement with players really encouraged to run and carry with call from trainers to 'cover the grass' and players encouraging teamates to bounce the ball (something we did very little of last season) - XL is seriously naturally skilled. In the drill notes above (I think the only drill he participated in) a teamate handballed behind him (grrr) and X pirouetted, took it one handed and in the same movement handballed beautifully to a teammate who, unlike him, didn't have to break stride - Speaking of natural talent, koz is just unbelievable. A joy to watch. His footy iq is off the charts, particularly his ability to position himself where the ball is going to go. Was switched on all session and the stand out trainer for mine - Vibes and body language was terrific - Great to see claz and tracc talking during drills about what appeared to be stuff like positioning etc. Very focused and serious - Both worked on boundary throw ins after every other player had finished. Clarry very engaged and focused - The session finished with running drills led by Selwyn. He clearly had live GPS data as he periodically called our players to finish, I assume because they had met their km target - clarry was running timed laps at the end in a group with Brown and Campbell. I was watching him with the binoculars and for the last couple of minutes he willed himself to pass Campbell and was making ground on Brown. When the whistle blew it looked as if he was going to faint. Teammates got around him. He is giving everything he has. Incredible effort level

No matter your intention, your post comes across as very disrespectful - essentially calling GW a liar or at best, a fantasizer - when you could have so easily said something like " maybe you have misinterpreted what Goody said - perhaps he meant available round 1 not necessarily playing in the seniors round 1". You have a right to express your opinion, but you should also have a duty to be respectful when doing so - we're all on the same side.

Looks like Noah Yze is doing a preseason with Casey judging by our insta photos today…. Would be good to see him play the season there

STAR TREK CITY ON THE EDGE OF FOREVER IN DEMONLAND Captains log Star Date 232304 At the behest of Starfleet, we have opened a dialogue with the Klingons about the possibilities of finding them a new sport to play as it was thought that the Game “Bahrattnagek” ( Think a MORE Brutal version of Rollerball) was deemed to be Killing and decimating the young men of Klingon to such an extent that they were finding it tough to recruit warriors to man their Birds of Prey! ( P.F note, how do I dream up this Sheeeeit?) Intelligence has confirmed that a much better game exists on the planet earth of yesteryear circa 2024. We have been requested to carry out surveillance and bring back evidence of AFL Football, to present to Star Fleet council and Klingon approval. Capt Kirk Out Capt Kirk “Landing party to the transporter room on the double” Spock “Captain I have calculated the trajectory for Time Jump but we can only stay for 2 hours before the nexus timeloop disappears meaning we might not ever get back to our own Time”. Scotty” I also Canna guarantee the integrity of Beam Crystalisation Capt Capt Kirk “Ünderstood Scotty” Bones are there any dangerous diseases or Wildlife we need to be aware of? Bones “ I ran a check of tricorder with Spock and it appears that feral magpies , Yowies and something called Slitheras can be a concern” A filleting kit and Fishing Glove will be handy. Captain Kirk “ Slitheras?? What is that” Bones “ Apparently a slang term for snakes made famous by a Philosopher called Picket Fence” Spock “ Why Captain I can’t believe my ears” Kirk “ Neither can we Spock, neither can we. Next stop Earth C 21st at a place called Gosh’s! Training report. No shows May, Fritta, Rehab Mc Adams, Lever, Lindsay, Spargo, Fullarton Skills, Drills and Manouvers, As already reported on earlier posts emphasis on quick disposals, run and overlap, using the centre corridor and better skills execution. I’ll cut straight to the chase and present my tack aways from the match sim which is after all the proof of any adjustment in game style , improvements in skills and positional differentiation from this year Take away 1 Some players look bigger and stronger this preseason, Laurie, Chandler, Tholstrup, Brown , Jeffo and Woewodin are certainly stronger and more able bodied . By the same token Clarry definitely has lost some midriff, and Sparrow, also looks trim. Take away 2 Players look fitter by that I mean that the gut running doesn’t exhaust some players perhaps like it used to, Windsor, Langdon, Chandler, Kossy, Viney and even Max look super fit. Take away 3 Game style has been tweeked and using the centre corridor, sizing up best position to put the ball to advantage with centimeter perfect disposals with hand or foot was obvious today. As confidence grows and skills develop there is a more concerted belief that Perfect practice delivers more perfect results. Take away 4 Long bombs into any line much less forward entries are much more polished. Running patterns of forwards has definitely been worked on with the result of a more seamless attack spread. Take away 5 Troy Chaplin, Nathan Bassett and Chuck Jones have spiced things up quite a bit with operational strategies, set plays and positioning. Take away 6 Kossy was ELECTRIC Rotating through the midfield and his zips and magic were a thing to behold Take away 7 Trac and Clarry and Viney were not far behind with ground ball gets, Class, spread and old fashioned grunt. Midfield looks fresh and new, clearly a philosophical shift in mindset and again I bring up positioning at stoppages looked far more creative and DANGEROUS Take away 8 Tom Campbell might well be more than an understudy to Max this year, I liked the way he bustled, ran hard and competed. Might be a surprise packet Take away 9 Serious thought will be given to playing Harvey Langford in round 1. He just looks like he belongs. Does everything right and is not flustered and has “Class” Take away 10 Similarly “JEFFO JUGGENAUT” Has definitely improved big time, took some strong grabs, his leading patterns were classy and he is a very accurate kick for goal. I must also add Disco also was clever and canny around goal and Van Rooyen always presented a dangerous option. Petty and T Mac played mainly back. That’s about it, all in all enjoyable day, and last question to myself….Have we improved enough to challenge for the 8?? A resounding yes from me, The tweeks in playing style, improved fitness, and improvement by our younger brigade provide me with a very positive feeling. I hate using the Culture word so I won’t but what I will say is that there is a more steely resolve and harmony evident that I haven’t seen as much of with this group. If we can replace our injuries with like players then our depth and character will rise and get the job done I believe. Aw Gees Captain Kirk and crew have just arrived! More concierge duties coming up! P.F

This.

We are going to have 27 play Round 1 at this rate. Big chance to win with 5 extra players…

Believe me, I’m trying! I’m trying so hard. Not everyone is blessed with a thick skin. I don’t enjoy being so sensitive; it sucks. And while I’m not quite at Chris Tavarê levels of leaving, I’m trying to let more go through to the keeper. But even that’s no guarantee I’ll not get out. If I stray from my crease I’ll likely be Alex Carey-ed and even up the non-striker’s end I’ll expect to be mankad-ed. That’s a light-hearted way to describe something that personally is a lifelong struggle. I’ve put known haters on ignore. This poster’s delivery caught me off guard ☹️

The club socials have put up some pictures of the group hard it with Saturday morning sprint training and a bit of a run as well. I wasn’t there myself but if the intensity was at the same level as last week’s Saturday session then it suggests that we have a great deal to look forward to in the coming season.

In 2018, we scored the most points by some margin with 2299 PF. That year, Hogan kicked 47, TMac 53, Melksham 32, Hannan 22, ANB 27, Fritta 17 (he played some minutes behind the ball from memory), Petracca 19, Garlett 18, Jones 15, Harmes 15, Spargo 14, Gus 14, Gawn 13, Oliver 12, Weideman 10. So 72 goals from midfield (Viney contributed 2 goals) that year, and all of our forwards got a "lick of the ice cream" as Goody used to say. This was off the back of hard running, fast ball movement, and extremely central ball movement that often saw a remarkable number of goals kicked by us from within 30m. This interestingly was a hallmark of Collingwood's premiership year too. The other thing worth noting from that spread of goalkickers in 2018 is that we tended to favour two talls (TMac and Hogan) with support from Melksham, Fritta, Hannan and a young Trac. We seem to love the two permanent talls now, supported by a ruck/forward as that's what worked so well in 2021. I hope we're a bit flexible and experimental with this like we were in early 2023. But a forwardline of JVR, Turner with Fritta, Trac, Kozzy and Chandler with support from Melksham, AJ and Jefferson, I'm confident we can generate some strong scoring power again with different ball movement. I also think it's likely our defensive prowess will suffer slightly in this renewed push to open up our play through the corridor, occasionally exposing us back the other way, but our defensive mix in 2025 will be lightyears ahead of 2018, with a bunch of premiership defenders in their prime. The one question mark is on Lever and what his interrupted pre season will mean for him and our defensive exploits. But it may mean Petty TMac and May are the three headed defensive triangle.

Nothing I said was insulting and I am not a 'hater'. I value the contributions GW makes and the forum is richer for her involvement given her commitment to sharing the information she does have. Beyond that, I have also said previously that people like her are very important to the club. That does not mean I need to believe every word or that I can't call what I think is nonsense out when I read it. I won't apologise for this. Seems I've hit a sensitive spot and I'm not across what some other poster has said...But whatever Goody said about Shane, I would probably have interpreted it differently to how she has. Whatever. It doesn't matter. She seems to think this is a noticeboard, or a bulletin, or an email newsletter where the dialogue is one way. It's a forum. People said Chris Judd was coming here years ago and got smashed for it. Who cares. It's the internet. I've been smashed plenty of times for my views - including by those now on their high horse in this thread - who preach diversity of thought but clearly don't appreciate it. I'm not driving anyone away - plenty like me come here to see both sides of the coin. Melodramatic bunch aren't we

It's uncanny.

The area was buzzing, Victory and Storm teams were also training. The mornings mild temperature was made to train in. They were including some rehabbers in the warm-up and drills. Great to see Spargo in a training Jersey and with boots on. Lindsay had a little time in the sims. Lever and McAdam the kicking drills only. When they had a full field drill, defenders in yellow bibs, ran and pressured near the ball users. First time I'd seen this defensive movement included in drills. If they caught them they tapped the back, or they placed themselves in blocking positions, or they stand the mark and go when the play-on happened. Coaches continue to work in pairs, and they can be in any of the various groups. My guess is they coach according to a skill set, not a line preference at the moment. Though, when they have gone into their line groups they take up the designated roles. I like the pairing of JVR and Jefferson. They don't get in each other's way, and their skill sets compliment the other. Big bash, ground ball get, find outside or behind space, alongside, aerial and leading acumen. They want the players to keep out of the corridor areas. Calls of stay wider rang out. Appears they are trying to make leads into the spaces, in the middle of the field. AMW has become a close down tackling machine. Tmac hasn't put a foot wrong. The drills are performed at an outstanding skill level. Hoping the sims follow suit. They continue to work hard on their structures and intentions. They are eager and happy out there.

Thanks for this mate. @old55 and I have been calling for Viney as a small forward since 2020. I'd love Jack play small forward and defensive mid rotation. Basically taking Sparrow's spot. Make Tom really warn his spot back. Hopefully with the inclusion of Langford and Lindsay, there's more competition for midfield spots.

Tom has obviously been in the gym since the end of last season, as he is now massive. His upper body has transformed. It’s up to Tom in 2025 obviously, as it probably is a make or break year for him.

Disco impressed me today, has desire, hunger for the contest and is developing confidence nicely!

At training in the first week of preseason, maybe third session (on the Friday). I told him there were two players who’ve yet to debut and I was wondering about their progress (Jeffo and Sesto). Without hesitating he said, “Matty will play in the firsts, that’s gonna happen and it’ll be early in the season.” Then he said, “Ollie’s still a way off at this point but he’ll get there.”

Attending training today was not quite as exciting as it was two weeks ago when the newbies were on display for the first time and the odd player was being trialled in unusual positions, but it's still good to see what's going on and who's making inroads. I was particularly interested in the match sim work, which lasted about an hour and generally saw 14-a-side lining up - so plenty of space and plenty of running. As I said last Friday, it's hard not to be impressed by Caleb Windsor as a defender. He gives us the line-breaking pace and decision making that we need. Salem, Bowey and even McVee are all generally safe disposers and capable players in their own right, but adding Windsor into the mix will give us that dash we've been lacking allowing us to transition on occasions with real venom. So far this pre-season Kossie is spending the majority of time with the mids and he's nailing it. It's like watching Aaron Davey in his prime - his ability to baulk and weave out of trouble is amazing. Last year his forays into the middle were also dynamic, but he kept turning the ball over. Hopefully with a full summer he can iron out his gives, because he now wins the majority of the contests - even more than Trac and Ollie. With him no longer playing forward, it seems Jack Viney has been assigned the task of being an extra small up forward and you'd be surprised how good a mark he is for his size and you'd hate to be the defender that turns the wrong way and gets nailed in a tackle by him. Disco Turner looks to be mastering the art of forward-play and looks at home in the role now. Our key forwards are in a battle for spots this year and you'd be doing well to predict our round 1 trio. Jeffo had a day out in match sim kicking about four goals but he still gets pushed off it by bigger defenders. Aidan Johnson is starting to look the part, he's quick and physical and he definitely will be considered for round 1, although he'll need to nail our practice games. Petty keeps swapping roles, but spent most of today as a forward and with Jed Adams clearly on the improve, it may be that he will stay up front after all. JVR is finding the going tougher this year - he's got the yips with his kicking for goal routine and I suspect it's sapping his marking confidence. But he still looks a brute and is mega determined - the only issue being that Turner and AJ are similar models. The class and variety that Fritta provides was clearly missed today, while Melky was on light duties. Don't be surprised if Tom Campbell plays quite a few times this year. As good as Gawny is, big Tom is beating him in the ruck tapouts contests, although he can't match him in marking duels around the ground. Tom was huge at Sandringham in the VFL last year and he has made a huge impression so far at training. He's mobile in the Brodie Grundy mode, but he has extra height, which means he can monster the throw-ins. Given there's 23 in a squad these days, surely it's time to take the pressure off Gawny a bit this season by occasionally playing TC as well with a view to subbing him out for fresh legs at three-quarter time. As to Will Verrrall, he laid a couple of ripping tackles today, but he's up against it, conceding about three inches and 10kg to TC and Gawny. If I was giving votes at training today, then I'd be considering Ed Langdon - there was one magic bit of play where he just kept running to provide the spare and after a chain of quick handballs it finally to fell to him. He pulled a 90-degree kick that found Viney lace up for a shot on goal. Such was Ed's form that I barely noticed Harry Sharp who was often doing his best to keep up with him. Our other newbie mid Harvey Langford won a bit more of the ball today, but I suspect he's still trying to adjust to the extra pace and will enjoy the X-mas break to recharge. Kynan Brown spent much of match-sim as a small forward and got a few nice touches. But I think he needs to play on the wing or half-back to make it. As mentioned by others, Clarry and Trac had a nice chat about body positioning after match sim, and both are clearly a step ahead of our other mids (aside from Kossie), barging and baulking their way out of stoppages. If they can keep in a good headspace all season, then there's no doubt that with our draw we will challenge again.

''Haters'' ? I doubt anyone hates another poster on this site. I don't personally warm to the style of said posts, or the content, or the banter, or the drama, or the excessive emotion. C'est la vie. You roll your eyes and move on. There's one thing though I'm certain of. Goodwin isn't picking, or guaranteeing, the round one team in December.

Yep, me too. I'm another with big wraps on Disco, and I think if he stays fit, he'll kick 35+ goals. Bookmark it.

What's particularly encouraging, even exciting, is that those 4 could form the backbone of our talls (forward and elsewhere) for the next 10+ years. Even Johnson is "only" 24.

A couple more random thoughts: - As advertised, AJ is very competitive, the sort of player Goody loves. But I'm very surprised how fit he looked, AFL level fit. He was running laps at the end at a very fast clip - Sparrow has changed body shape quite noticeablely, dropped size in the the chest and upper arms. His running group, which he was at the front of, included tmac and Brown (they started their timed laps in front of me and tmac said to sparrow, 'that's a fast pace you're setting'). Jibes with the talk of him playing a different role next season, possibly wing - koz has also lost lots size in the chest and upper arms, which is why I'm dubious he will play much time as a mid this season. Kid is a dead set freak. In the match sim, which was surprisingly willing physically, running flat out he scooped the ball one handed off the deck, handballed beautifully to a teammate, putting him in space, somehow got involved in the chain again and then kicked a perfectly weighted ball accross his body, over the top of a defender to JVR. Thing of beauty. - The boundary line work i mentioned tracc and clarry were doing after the session finished was led by Jonesy. It was fantastic to see he tracc and claz working together. Inspired move to bring Jonesy back. Has a similar energy to gus in his ability to connect with everyone - Kolt has got noticeably bigger and his hair looks permed. If he was dog he'd be bulloodle; a poodle bulldog cross

School will work with the MFC to help the MFC get what it wants. There was also a bit about despite the Chairman’s dog walking, the MRC is working closely with the MFC. Second article saying the project could be finished by 2028 and club has had feasibility approved and has moved to funding stage. It is happening and hopefully finished in 4 years maybe less.

Given this information, and the club still not having named him in the round one side, and the fact nobody has refuted my comment midway through typing it, I think it’s fair to say there is a rift between player and club and he is understandably upset by the culture. Likely to request a trade if he hasn’t already behind closed doors. also, please take this as my application to be a footy journalist. but in all seriousness, thanks to all the track watchers, loving the photos and info given this preseason ❤️💙

Please excuse the pun but it looks like MFC are - “Off To The Races”.😁👍

Each to their own. Before his injury he was dropped to the VFL a few times during the 2023 season, so he wasn't really in good form anyhow prior to his injury. I'd like to see him play some solid VFL form before he's considered at AFL level.

I have always thought that if the Dees can pull off a training base at Caulfield that would be an amazing outcome. Relatively close to the city, near train and tram lines, located in a historic MFC metropolitan recruiting zone (so there actually is a local history and connection there) and consequently already has a strong local following in nearby suburbs. This will be as important as the 2021 flag in re-establishing the Demons as a real force in footy again. Should not overlook the marketing possibilities and connection with the other nearby neighbour, Monash University (Caulfield Campus). It is a chance to cultivate potential new supporters amongst international students.

Spargo has never kicked over 20 goals in his career. Can't see him doing it after having a year off. In fact I don't see him currently in our best 22 as we stand to be honest. Kolt on the other hand I could absolutely see doing.

Your stakes and expectations are way too high. It's physically impossible to back this up week in week out and I would be blatantly surprised if a club has ever done this in the last decade by kicking 15 goals per match, every week. Our forward line stocks is still young and developing. With Pickett playing more midfield next year, we still lack a genuine small with x factor and ability to be a match winner. Looking at Brisbane's smalls for instances, Lohmann (36 goals), Ah Chee (27 goals), Cameron (44 goals) Rayner (31 goals) Bailey (22 goals) Amazing spread of goalkickers just from their small alone and not counting their talls. Can't rely on the same usual suspects such as Pickett and Fritsch to kick all our goals week in, week out. Unfortunately the trade and draft period didn't really give us any real good options to chase another genuine classy small forward so we're going to have to pull a few surprises this year.

Poop-shute update: So on Wednesday Richo told me Vines was crook in the guts as a result of eating a dodgy prawn on a pizza the night before. Specifically, he’d knowingly eaten a prawn that still had its poop-shute. Richo told me if I go on Demonland I’m to tell everyone that “silly Jack” ate something he knew would make him ill. So I did. This morning Richo came over and told me I need to hug Jack and apologise because he (Jack) had found out I’d told DL. So after training I told Jack I need to apologise for poop-shute-gate. He said, “bloody Richo… he stitched me up!” Then he said, “imagine anyone believing that story.” I said I believed it. Jack said, “bloody Richo… stitched us both up!” So there was no dodgy prawn (with or without poop-shute) and the truth is a few of the players had a stomach bug which made them very ill but was short-lived. Fritta was afflicted today and I’m guessing so too was Maysie.

Thank you Ghostwriter.You are close to all the action. You remind me of WCW. Keep up the good work.

You didn’t include Sesto in the rehab group. Did you forget to include him or do you not categorise him as in rehab? Just curious. On that, a while back Sesto said he had a slight hammy issue but it wasn’t serious. Today Goody said that is the case and he’s almost 100% but they’re making sure he’s right before putting him back in with the main group.

I was hoping for something more in the vein of Hunter S Thompson!

I have no idea what you’re talking about

Keeping in mind that we still needed Petty in the side to help out JVR in the ruck, what was the alternative? Don't say Jefferson (not ready), Fullarton (cant ruck, and offers less around the ground than Petty) or Schache (goes without saying?), cause none of them were even close to being viable options last season.

If you miss it becomes the wet leg urinal.

And then off to the Redleg Urinal.

Damn good question Mr. Stone. While watching this morning’s session with some very astute observers on the boundary line, we were pondering over exactly where the 2025 list stands by way of comparison to the great 2021 premiership team. Here’s the team that beat the Western Bulldogs in the Grand Final at Optus Stadium in Perth, Western Australia, on Saturday 25 September 2021:- The players who are no longer at the club are Michael Hibberd, Angus Brayshaw, Alex Neal-Bullen, Ben Brown, James Harms, Luke Jackson and James Jordon (sub who didn’t get on the ground). There were also a few good depth players who for one reason or another didn’t make the cut, notably Nathan Jones, Neville Jetta, Jayden Hunt, Jake Melksham, Sam Weideman, Aaron vandenBerg and Toby Bedford. A few of those were on their way out. Daniel Turner had just been drafted in the mid-season draft. Adam Tomlinson was on a long spell out with an ACL. Kade Chandler and Joel Smith were thereabouts. Are we better now? It’s hard to replace some of those premiership stars (Brayshaw, Brown, Hibberd and Jackson were instrumental), there are some question marks about some of the key midfielders from 2021; only time will tell whether the team remains as fit and healthy as it was back then. I did see room for optimism on today’s showing at Gosch’s Paddock. Kozzy was outstanding today but he’s out suspended for the first three games. Trent Rivers is maturing into an important piece in the side. They look to be the big improvers over the intervening time. You would have to be happy with the progress of Clarry and Tracc - they displayed an attitude today that augured well for their return to “normalcy” within the team. There seems to be a nice infusion of high level elite young talent from the last two drafts in Windsor, Tholstrop, Langford and Lindsay are all blue sky. Judd McVee is emerging as a quality defender. Then there were the young key forwards Jacob van Rooyen, Turner, Matt Jefferson and newcomer Aidan Johnson held their marks and moved around the ground with flair, noting that their cause was aided by the absence of Steven May and the fact that Jake Lever was running laps around the boundary. The jury’s out but I’m optimistic for a return to the finals.

Someone posted a few weeks back they thought Disco would have a Jake Waterman like break out year, I reckon they will be bang on