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He's eaten Sam Blease!

Nice try.

Enjoy Flash ==> http://six6six.smugmug.com/photos/swfpopup.mg?AlbumID=46084163&AlbumKey=LT9T9h html5 ==> http://six6six.smugmug.com/MFC-Training-Monday-11214/n-DzR34/i-qMM8xL8/A

McCartin wasn't on the news struggling, or De Goey. This is [censored], we are so cursed.

Give the new blokes a few weeks to settle in before starting to bother them at training maybe?

We should never underestimate what this man has done for our Club.

"Reckon you need to drop a few kegs? Not saying you're fat, just you might be more comfortable. Ya reckon?" Word of warning ...tried it on the Mrs, not pretty.

Hopefully we can get a third round draft pick for him next trade period.

But all the phantom drafts said that he was ready to go!!!

i'd be locking up all the sharps if i were you and staying away from trains

Gee it sure feels bloody great to have a string of great things happen to the club. Now we just need to start winning - regularly.

PJ now 100% focused on the MFC (not that he wasn't) http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-12-01/jackson-quits-afl-victoria-to-focus-on-dees

ditto and ditto and like - nothing that comes from "fans' observations" at pre-season training amounts to anything of any substance at all or we would have won the last 8 flags. If you want to go along, do so, have a squiz, make some "highly educated" observations about next year that you can talk to your mates about, but as far as talking to the players and trying to be Carro for a day, leave it alone. I can tell you from the other side, it is cringe-worthy and the club/players/coaches aren't telling you anything of any relevance - trust me, they are trained to be guarded these days. Do I like the training reports coz I can't get there? yes. Do I cringe at the "I will ask Christian" stuff? yes and yes

You try running with a dog around your neck!

Watch out for the FATCATHEARTATTACK

Christiansy. Simple.

I am not sure why?, Alex NB and Oscar Mc were happily chatting to a few on the first morning, including myself, and having photos taken, as long as you leave it until they have finished the session nobody has a problem, they are encouraged to interact, I even got a breezy "good morning and how are you going" from Chris Dawes...much to my amazement...they are not precious or on a pedestal...as long as you treat them with respect......

Is that the "win games off his own bat and just about snare a Brownlow when playing 2/3 of the season" role? Yes, yes, I think he'd be perfectly suited to that role.

That will do. As long as you're not a Kiss of Death ! Some things should be left alone A player having a feature article in the paper on game day - guaranteed a shocker Declaring the Golden Slipper winner after the Debutante Stakes Staying up to watch Greg Norman in the last round of the US Masters Hannabal singing the praises of our first round draft picks Me drawing any horse in a Cup sweep Always ends in tears !

Every year for the last 10 years or so I have adopted a player as my hopeful big improver. Unfortunately Evans was last year's. This year I am going with two, Toumpas and Salem. Both fairly high picks, but also suffering health issues last year. Hopefully they have a big improvement in their games.

They say that Stalin wasn't really mean,just lacked a bit of empathy.

Did he iron his shirt on a wok?

I feel sorry for him. I see a guy who did his damn best to take the bull by the horns during a dismal era for the club. It would have taken a heavy toll mentally and probably come at the expense of his personal development. Here's hoping focusing on footy yields great results for him.

Thanks Jack for your leadership in such dark times. You showed maturity beyond your years, shouldering a burden that no-one your age or experience should have been given. Hopefully with having the pressure of captaincy relieved you can grow into an even better footballer.

I posted about Ray's illness last year, but can't find the post. Just wanted to mention the sad passing of my lifelong demon buddy, Ray this morning, in Frankston palliative care. Ray bravely fought a brain cancer for nearly two years when he was only given three months. We used to go to watch the Dees play when we were kids, ducking off from Springy Under 12's and catching the No. 4 to Richmond. For long time supporters, that was when Phil Rhoden used to drop kick 55 yards from full back in the reserves. I was honoured to attend Ray's wedding last year, shortly after he was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour. Ray's family and mine are all crazy demon supporters and we spent lots of sunny (and otherwise) afternoons at the MCG screaming for our team over the years. You don't need to suffer any more, Ray, and we will all miss you and your wonderful sense of humor. You were taken before your time. Condolences to your wife, kids and extended family. BD

Got there around 10. Groups: Hogan MIA Watts, McKenzie and Riley were heading off. Jamar doing kick to kick Vince and Gawn a rehab duo. Spencer and Terlich as well Dawes doing laps The 4 new draftees were just playing handball games with Shannon Byrnes, Kent with them as well 2 AFL academy guys were with the newbies. You can find their names on the AFL website The main group was doing some repeat sprints. Frost, Hunt and others impressive. Stretch was in with them, he's got a little head start on the other 4 No sign of any of the Casey guys who had been training with us, nor Tapscott Sometime between 10:30 and 11 the core of guys went over to the Tan From those who stayed behind - Gawn and Vince were doing a drill where they would repeat lead and kick working together down the field, like a 2 man circle work. Both moving well - New guys were doing pretty relaxed stuff. Petracca looks a similar size to (a trimmed down) Kent. Brayshaw is actually pretty skinny. I'd stop with the Wines comparisons for now. Neal-Bullen, whilst an inch or so shorter is about the same size as Brayshaw, they both look like they will fill out. Oscar McDonald is a skinny young chap, not a surprise - McDonald and Bail were running with Garland and Garlett. Col was working hard to catch the front two but improved from what I saw a fortnight ago. Garlett with some work to do - Pedersen and Jamar running some solid repeat work I wandered over to the tan closer to 11. The boys had just finished running along the river side. Grimes very vocal, Toumpas as well. Got to witness some Roos magic. Instead of standing around getting their breath he told them to hustle up and then get in to positional groups. He was very vocal. "It's quarter time, what are we doing" "They've just kicked 2 in a row, it's a centre clearances, what's going on". So they broke in to positional groups and it was 5 defenders, a dozen or so mids and then only 3 forwards (I think King, JKH and Salem). Eventually as there was about 18 of them either a coach or player worked out they should split in to 6, 6 and 6 and the forwards should go on one side of the mids to make it realistic. Anyway, it was clearly Roos trying to get the focus on making the most of each training minute. They were then sent up the hill. I followed a couple of minutes later at a much more leisurely pace. So I can only say that Jones and Toumpy were at the front on the way down. Toump looks super fit and has his new intimidating look. He doesn't look like a young draftee anymore. I've now given him the new nickname Heisentoump.

Have you had a sarcasm bypass?

How do we know these weren't photoshopped?

The arms, the light, the hang of the clothes, particularly where the arm and shirt meet - this photoshopper is a genius.

I still find it hilarious in the extreme that any judgements are made upon these guys based upon the first hour of them donning a training jumper. They're kids. They're coming off the back markers bigtime. Lets see how theyre travelling in 2 months time. lets see what they look like in a NAB game if they get a run. What I like is the idea of the same transformations to these lads as say to JKH over a year. I expect 2015 to be much better simply because were getting better not because the new saviours will be lining up, because I doubt they will be; for a while.

You mean should we be concerned that a draftee may struggle in his first preseason ? Big body doesn't necessarily equate to "ready to go day one". The concern is the meltdown on here if he doesn't tear it up in his first game.

Don't have concerns about Max Gawn, he is right where he should be in his training, they are going to ramp it up a bit, so hence the knee support he had on today, he has a history of knee issues, so they are being cautious, same with Dawes on a program to restrict the reoccurrence of those soft tissue injuries he was plagued with last year Petracca is an 18yr old of Italian heritage, quiet they are not, I asked him for the photo and his main concern was to make sure I got the others, Alex NB, offered me his hand to shake and said "Hi, I'm Alex", Oscar Mc was up for a chat, and Angus Brayshaw, you could tell he was over the moon to be an AFL footballer (in training(for OD's benefit))

I know stuie can be a bore, but there's no need for that!

Agree Rowdy, Jack and his family bleed red and blue, he has co captained through a very difficult time for the club which is a big ask for someone so young. He recognises that his form has suffered as a result and the injuries Jack has suffered have compounded the problem. Given a full pre season I'm confident he can make an impact in 2015.

Some say he has depression,some say inflation. No two economists can ever agree.

We're nothing without your moral compass Stuie.

What a change in JKH last season to this season. All burst but no tank, hence was a sub most times. His tank has improved out of site, along with body shape. What a transformation.

Given Tappy's unfortunate history with injury Id be disappointed if we went to that well again. makes no sense

I vote we shoot the messenger.

Love this post. What did the romans ever do for us? Petraccattack says hi!

All these decisions are correct. Club should be congratulated. Faith is slowly being restored.

Doesn't pass the no d head test. Made his own bed and its not v comfortable. Just desserts. F off

Must have been a deep fried Paleo

yes...my beer gut is just a "parallax" view too. I'm on the parallax view diet, it is doing wonders for me.

anyone got a bucket?

It was bit of a weird morning with gusty winds and on-off light showers. Today was largely a fitness session and it was great to see the new boys out there looking good in the red and blue! My observations from today, in no particular order: Awesome to see the new guys out there. They mostly did light fitness work and some skills led by Byrnes in his new role. There were also two other medium to tall but quite skinny young guys there who I didn't recognise.. presume either Casey players or rookie list prospects. Petracca and Brayshaw are solid units! Petracca particularly through the legs and hips and probably more toned. Unsurprisingly though they didn't keep up to the other midfielders when they joined in some runs though. Very exciting prospects! Neal-Bullen didn't look out of place but would need to see more. Young Oscar looks a good height, just needs to fill out. Brayshaw's kicking looked the sharpest out of the new lot I'd say and Stretch is already looking reasonably toned / fit. One poor physio giving Jamar a back rub copped a falcon in the face from an errant Petracca kick. Watts did some hand balls drills with McKenzie and Riley early but didn't hang around for long. Dawes disappeared after awhile as well. Terlich, Spencer, Gawn and Vince did mainly runs around the oval with a few running and kicking drills. Kent also appeared on light duties and did some hand balling with the new guys. The main group did some repeat sprints up the middle of the oval. Players that were generally in front included Garlett, Hunt and Grimes. JKH is looking good, beat Bail in one of the earlier lap running drills. Vince has an absolutely sublime kick, so natural.. also made one young fella's day but coming up and saying gday as the kid was wearing a #23 guernsey. As others mentioned Toump has a more aerodynamic hairstyle... might be why he's doing so well in the running! There was a big set-shot goal kicking session involving everyone in rotating groups from different angles. It was hard to keep track of who was kicking true but Vince, Jones, Howe, Tyson and Salem stood out to me. Viney sprayed a few but conditions were windy and a bit wet. Dunn seemed the most vocal, keeping everyone going through pretty grueling running sessions. Garland looked fitter but still catching up. The main group headed off to the tan and eventually returned looking pretty spent... Some laggers in the oval laps included King (still has a lot of work to do), Pederson, Fitzy, Frost and Garland. At this stage of the preseason most are looking very fit and capable!

Ask Dave Misson, I do, Hogan having one of his advertised light days, Trengove was the only other one who didn't do some form of training A couple of clarifications, Pedersen is big bodied, did the whole session which most of the players rated as a 9 which is 'hard', he would not be on the list if he was overweight, Garlett is on a specific program The group was pounded today, Nathan Jones announced at the end and I can't quote, it would be censored so he said along the lines of "anybody who has not to put 9 today is a rather silly person", Daniel Cross ranked it 3rd in his hardest sessions ever and he has done 15 pre seasons The new boys as others have said are big, Oscar Mc said he was getting worried on draft night as 'all' had expected him to go around the 40 mark, said his house went crazy when he got Melbourne Alex Neal Bullen was expected to go in the first 25, I asked, we were delighted he was still there at 40 I am going to put some photos up on my Twitter account Demonpk and Six was there again so we should get some other top photos as well Bernie Vince is getting frustrated with not being able to do some of the drills because of his shoulder, although he is still his smiling self making a joke of it There were two tall young sticks training, so I asked, AIS Academy, no sign of the Casey guys or Tapscott, nobody else either, so not sure who we are going to rookie

I don;t often post, but thought i might weight in here as i do have an honours degree is Statistics. Day 1 of first year Statistics you will generally be presented with the "Birthday Paradox": http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birthday_problem In your class of 30 people - there is a 70% chance that two people share a birthday. Much higher than you might expect. (A lot of people wrongly predict 30/365 are the odds). In this, as in many probability problems, you need to look at the "complementary" (opposite) event. i.e. What are the odds that in a class of 30 no-one shares a birthday. This is 365/365 * 364/365 * 363/365 *362/365 * ....... * 336/365 = 29.4%. (or a 70.6% chance that people share a birthday). For our class of 5 draftees. the odds that 2 share a birthday are: 1 - 365/365 * 364/365 * 363/365 * 362/365 *361/365 = 2.7%. i.e. Pretty low. But extrapolate this across 18 clubs with 5 draftees. The odds that at least one club has a pair of draftees with the same birthday is (again using complementary events): 1 - (97.3%)^18 = 39%. i.e. Pretty good odds. Probability & Statistics on the Demonland Board - Let the Good Times Roll!

The boys didn't do a lap of the tan this morning. Rather, run thru's from the bridge to the horse shoe and back - followed by runs up the Anderson st hill. Most pleasing was Toumpas up the front and looking very fit. Also sporting a very short shaved head and beard. Rashid Amla look a like. My general observations whilst I was there. - Today was a big running session - Jesse Hogan and Watts not there - Huge difference in condition from the new recruits and 1st year. Salem looks the part now. - Petracca IMO looks like he could play senior footy tomorrow, others are just kids. (which they are) - Jamar and Dawes look the thinnest I've ever seen them - diet working - Gawn running round with Vince kicking/leading. His skills would be the best of any one that height. - Garlett in a running group with Big Mac, Garland and Bail. He's bigger in stature than what I thought. - Lumumba getting round the boys with encouragement. - Roosy joined in all the running at the tan

Junction Oval is shared with cricket which is why we spent the summer running around trying to find training grounds. We don't have to do that anymore but StKilda will if they move back there as the development will be shared with cricket Victoria. They will still probably have to do summer training down at Seaford. We can now do our year round training 100m's away from our facilities. Many of the Clubs have to share their new facilities with the public which is how they got Govt funding. I believe this is the case at least with Nth, the Bulldogs and the new centre being built for the Pies. We share ours with other sports teams. Which would you prefer. I'd take the sports teams. Not sure what long term value Casey is now that we have Gosch's. I guess developing a supporter base as much as using the training facilities. Juries out on that one for the time being. There are serious discussions going on about moving the football dept back into the MCG and setting up state of the art training facilities for MFC's exclusive use in there. That would be an incredible result and with MCC assistance be very viable as the plan is to pay peppercorn rent which is what they do now for the Admin offices. Lack of Social Club has always been a major issue. My dream is that they set up a designated room for that in the MCG and people could access it all week. It only has to be a dedicated bar. It could be used by all Clubs for non D's games and all patrons for D's games but become exclusively MFC after games and during the week. Can't see why this hasn't happened already. Watch this space on what's going to happen with the Bentley Club. Something will happen there in the next few years. From memory the pokey machines will be paid off by end of 2015 and the revenue stream will go up to about $11.5mill clear. We may not be in the perfect position yet but I've got the confidence PJ will set up the plan to get us there. We have come so far in just the last 4yrs.