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* A bit sunnier today, but still a bit of humidity in the air so conditions would have to be testing for the crew. * The main oval was still shifting under foot a bit this morning so a lot of the drills were taking place on the smaller oval which is drier & in better nick. The swapping between ovals must be so they can make use of the full size main oval to simulate game play better, and when they don't need it they are playing it safe with preventing injuries. * Neal-Bullen, Stretch, Harms, & Vandenberg running separate from the group. Terlich & Kent join them soon after. * ANB's moving freely and running well, so no issues with the knee. Apparently no ligament damage and no history of that injury so he's come out of that allright. Just unlucky. * In earlier drills, looks like the 1-5 year old guys training separately. Good chance to see them in action. * Like the look of Whitey. He tackles well and has a point to prove I reckon. Beautiful kick. Runs a little funny but so what. Seems to have become popular amongst the guys too. Always praising him. * Overall young guys training with good energy and spirit - good sign. * Hoges practising short range one grab reflex marking with Millsy rocketing them at him. Didn't see him drop one and all one grab. Millsy seems to be working a lot with him one on one. * Brayshaw composed, good decision maker. Looks like he thinks through the pressure situations well, or perhaps he doesn't think and it's all instinctive. * Hunt has got to work on his handballing. Lacking a bit of confidence I'd say. * Slightly concerned about Petracca's endurance for second the way he lopes around and then all of sudden he proves me wrong and takes off at speed. Definately a burst player...BBall influence. Really good footy skills though. * Newton working hard. * Stretch runs through the middle and snags a sausage just like his old man. * Sensing major competition for midfield spots. You can feel it out there. Casey's midfield should go allright this year. * After 2 hours training they break into full ground match simulations * Salem looking good. Good speed followed by a bullet pass. Class. Ready to blossom i'd say having had a full preseason. * Get the feeling Garlett does his best work in games. * Hogan playing the forward and out jostles Dawesy - impressive. They swap around and Dawes gets one back on him. * Lamumba breaks away with speed out of a pack - He's still got it. * Bit of driving tackle work by the big blokes is interesting to watch. Mids doing the same in background. Seeing who can hold there ground. Jamar makes them all look silly for a bit. Hogan looks a little tentative against the ruckmen. And then all of a sudden to my suprise big Maxy fires up a bit and rattles a few rib cages. * Relay team event to finish off. Approx 400m. Frost is so quick he should be going to the Olympics. Made them look silly. Dunny tries to psych out Petracca. Petracca not fazed and has a unique turn of speed that's hard to describe. He's got a down force/ g force/ after burners thing going on. Low to the ground like Ablett. * Quieter day tomorrow I'd say, not sure if it's worth going down. Wait and see how I feel tomorrow. Will definitely be checking out Saturday's session.

I love this time of the year - everyone is so upbeat and the players themselves really looking like they are enjoying themselves. It is my fervent wish for 2015 that this "feeling" keeps going all the way to September.

A few notes from today's training: * Training was pretty light so not a whole lot to report. * Overcast humid conditions again. * New guys on the deck. * Trenners doing seated boxing ripping into it as best he can with a moon boot on. * Looked like Vince, Harmes, Riley doing boxing separate from the main group. * A lot of standing around talking tactics today with the occasional breaking into a ¾ pace drill. * Focused on strategy for exiting the back half and kick ins today. * You hardly notice Roosy. Hes just like one of the boys and doesnt put himself above everyone really impressive and the thing that stands out to me the most. If only all bosses were like that. * Petraccas got a real presence about him and stands out without even kicking a ball - Got a confidence about him. * Frost's movement and all round game impresses me. Hes stood out a lot over the last two sessions in my eyes. Kicks it well for a big bloke. * Vandenberg doing intervals separate from the group. I think he's keen to make a go of it. I'm keen to see how he goes over the next few days * Early finish, perhaps doing something off site? * A few crappy photos maybe later tonight. * Probably a bigger session tomorrow I'd say so hopefully a bit more to report then.

I like to hope that Mitch is getting better at what he does best, bail out on clubs. Maybe this time he will bail without even playing a game?

The sad fact is that you are wrong. It actually takes tremendous strength to deal with, and overcome, depression. But for someone who refers disparagingly to "fruity people" elsewhere on this board, I wouldn't expect you to understand that.

Crows should've agreed to trade Danger for picks 2 and 3 (or whatever else was offered, eg, pick 3 and Toumpas) last year. No brainer for them. Geez I'm glad we didn't give away the farm to get him last year though.

And the soft tissue injuries continue for the 97 game player. Meanwhile, 199 game player Lamumba is flying in his 11th preseason. The two were drafted only one year apart.

Maybe wishing injury on someone does work. I won't do it to anyone else from now on.

The guy might have issue with leg and soft tissue injuries just like he did at Melbourne, there is still a possibility that he may never play a game.

I am leaning more to the champion team than a champion led team. Our history is littered with failures by the big hope of the moment. We are on the right track IMO, bringing in talented young players and properly developing them. Also adding an experienced player where possible. We are building a good playing list and we are on the right track.

Saty ? You are questioning my veracity ? Don't make me track you down and show you my ar$e.

July 31st, my birthday, and don't I regret asking the wife to take me to Kardinia Park for my birthday in 2011.

Dangerfield to Dee's is a no brainer. We'd have the cap space with Clarke and Frawley leaving this year, and few other players pressing for top 50 AFL player type pay deals at the moment. He's in the top 10 players in the competition. A midfield of Dangerfield, Jones, Tyson, Vince, Viney, Brayshaw, Petracca, Salem, Toumpas, etc... would allow us to compete with and defeat the best teams in the competition in 2016, at least in the midfield. If we play soft, and let him go to another club, it simply means we're accepting being mediocre for longer.

Since supporting the Dees as a kid in the late 70s we have not had a superstar player with the exception of perhaps Robert Flower in the early 80s when Flower represented 80% of the talent on the entire Melbourne list. In all my years of supporting only two other players excited me to the point that I thought we had finally recruited a superstar. These players from the early 90s are Schwarz and Jackovich. Unfortunately neither went on, Jackovich partied too hard and Schwartz was never the same after 3 (back to back) knee reconstructions. Since this time there has been no Melbourne player that I have believed has the genuine capacity to be the best player in the league, to be a genuine superstar. In 2013 circumstance allowed me to attend nearly all Casey games. From round 1 it was clear that we had recruited something very, very special, a young 17yo by the name of Hogan. Each week I went to watch Casey, each week I became more impressed at what I was seeing. Super fast, super big, amazing agility, fantastic kick, calm, cleaver and hungry this kid has the entire package. Watching him was something in-between Carey and Lockett. Yes he looked that good. Whether playing CHF or FF the guy is all class and skill. I believe he is only the 4th Melbourne player in my lifetime that I believe has the ability to develop into the best player in the league. Now some here will say "stop, don't put any more pressure on this kid". However, from my conversations with him and from what appears to be his character, I don't think expectations are going to make any difference to the young man. Clearly the expectation horse has already bolted, he is on a $500,000pa contract which makes him the highest paid player in the history of AFL not to have played a game. Some random on Demonland saying he has the ability to be the superstar is not going to make any difference to expectations. In saying that I don't expect Hogan to be Carey next season, 30 goals from 20 games would be an excellent return and put him on track to become a superstar. So for me the most important player for 2015 for the MFC is Hogan. I am so excited!!!!!! Go the hulk.

Went down to training at Maroochy this morning and jotted down a few observations. I'll be able to get down to all the footy sessions if anyone has something particular they want to know. * Kent, Terlich & Spencer doing intervals separate to main group. Later Riley running laps by himself. * Overcast & a bit wet under foot (fair bit of rain lately) but doesn't take long to dry up. * Fair bit of match simulation focusing on forward entries from the back half. Viney & Frost getting praised for their decision making & disposal. * Jimmy Plunkett from Leading Teams working exclusively with the Dees I think. Nice guy * Hogan like a caged lion wanting to rip apart his prey. Got a nice confidence streak/ swagger about him. * Toumpas getting a bit of kicking responsibility from the back half. Can't fault his kicking. I think he is becoming a Roosy favorite. * Dunn positioning himself for more leadership responsibility this year perhaps - very vocal. Just a hunch. * Guys looking a bit tired. Maybe the heat? I think they had been at it for an hour or two before I turned up based on the comments from Jones on website. * Noticeable compared to previous training/ coaches that there seem to be less standouts and more of an even spread across the Board. Similar to what others have observed - Sydney-esk? * Hate to say it but Crossy is looking a tad old. One last push? * Didn't notice Roosy much at first compared to other coaches. Not as egotistical. That seems to rub off on the players. There not as on edge about everything. Not quite as much fig-jam going around. * Watts is looking fit, lean and toned. Not lacking any confidence the young fella. * Weren't getting a drill right at one stage (I think) and Roosy made the point of moving to another oval to get it right. * Finished off with some games play. Seeing which team can kick from one end to the next finishing with a goal. * Progressed from Torps to Torps on the non preferred to drop kicks on the non preferred and wound up with a netball ring shoot out. Lumumba and Garlett surprisingly can stroke it alright. Still trying to perfect the photo gig so I'll see if can get a few good ones for you guys over the next few days.

I heard this on the radio late last year, Clark has done the opposite to Moloney. He's gone from Brisbane to Melbourne to Geelong (Monoley did the oppositie order). What does this have to do with anything? Nothing, but I found it interesting.

Told you the name in the freezer works.

I've since learned that this oval changing is more likely due to the main oval shifting a bit under foot from the rain.Wanting to protect knees etc.

I'm rapt that Brayshaw and Petracca are on our list.

As long as Gawny keeps the contents of his stomach away from our young midfielders

I typed moron into google, then images and I kid you not scroll down a bit and this is what I found. Now I am not suggesting that our friend BBO is a moron but his avatar is listed as one.

I might throw money at Cameron but even then I think the $'s will be way overs...

maybe he has it tattooed there as an incentive to all of those behind him in the time trials and runs to keep up with the Jones. His pride in his family is very evident in that his most prominent tattoo on his right arm, is of his grandfather. I think loyalty is something that Nathan has in spades... both to his own family and to his football family (the MFC).

Hope he goes to Carlton, they have no chance and it will be as good a choice as Judd made.

Thanks Grint. Nice and civilised in your reply and I was a tad silly so I apologise for offending. Being proud of your family heritage is a wonderful thing. I guess not recognising the family via the body is just like not seeing the need for a family coat of arms.

First things first. Let's uncover one. ( for the record - I am more confident than I have ever been that we may have one on the list. Firstly because I see players that I believe have a lot of talent but more importantly, for the first time in a long time I believe we have the personnel in place to help bring out and maximise the talents these boys have)

IRISH GHOST STORY This story happened a while ago in Dublin , and even though it sounds like an Alfred Hitchcock tale, it's true. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ John Bradford, a Dublin University student, was on the side of the road hitchhiking on a very dark night and in the midst of a big storm. The night was rolling on and not a single car went by. The storm was so strong he could hardly see a few feet ahead of him. Suddenly, he saw a car slowly coming towards him and stopped. John, desperate for shelter and without thinking about it, got into the car and closed the door, only to realize there was nobody behind the wheel and the engine wasn't on. The car started moving slowly. John looked at the road ahead and saw a curve approaching. Scared, he started to pray, begging for his life. Then, just before the car hit the curve, a hand appeared out of nowhere through the window, and turned the wheel. John, paralyzed with terror, watched as the hand came through the window, but never touched or harmed him. Shortly thereafter, John saw the lights of a pub appear down the road, so, gathering strength; he jumped out of the car and ran to it. Wet and out of breath, he rushed inside and started telling everybody about the horrible experience he had just had. A silence enveloped the pub when everybody realized he was crying. And he wasn't drunk. Suddenly, the door opened, and two other people walked in from the dark and stormy night. They, like John, were also soaked and out of breath. Looking around, and seeing John Bradford sobbing at the bar, one said to the other ... "Look Paddy ... there's that fooking idiot that got in the car while we were pushing it!!!"

It's always the same crowd that derail topics, when you see their names in a thread, keep scrolling.

Thanks Bruisers. Such a pity we have had to put up with so much junk because a new poster used a famous author's name. Yet another thread on why Demonland is so hard to read. Reckon it's time some of you got over yourselves and take such irrelevant trash to the general board.

Uh oh, I believe BBO came home via New York. This might explain the purpose of his trip to Indo...

So the entire Essendon defense is basically their attempt to prove the players took Thymomodulin, rather than TB4. But I thought they had no records, nor any clue what the players were injected with? (Oh, except that it was definitely not illegal!) Amazing how stupid they take the public for.

Pointed the Club in the right direction to where they could get some of their more Paleo specific produce which they were wrapped about. Largest Organic Marketplace in Australia on the Sunshine Coast which I happen to work at - good outcome. They are certainly going all out on this diet.

Unfortunately its a fly in and fly out thing - arriving at noon and out on Saturday morning first thing. I am trying to sneak out and back before my girlfriend even realises I am gone !

Most of the memorable matches over my years of watching tennis have been "drawn out 5 setters". Except McEnroe's dissection of Connors in a Wimbledon final which was like watching an artist combined with a surgeon. Superb exhibition. I had a look tonight and found it a bit like dancing with your sister. The steps are the same but it doesn't quite feel right. I take your view that a lot of cricket purists don't like 20/20. I do. I also loved the recent Test series against India which was often riveting. 20/20 is almost a different game. It's not just the time constraints it's the tactics, the approach to batting, the balance of attack & defence. Plus you've got a heap blokes trying to hoik it out of the ground - great fun. But very different to Test cricket From what I saw tonight there is no difference in the game being played in Fast4Tennis. The approach is the same, the tactics are the same, the shot selection is the same. The only difference is the scoring. On court, it's just tennis. I guess I'm with Grapeviney on this - I don't see a need for it or a market that is demanding it. Time will tell - which is kinda ironic in a way

The "old crone" was probably one of Biffen's girls

A decent effort from the PM's X1 replying with 331, Maxy 136 off 89.

Just read the official training report Said the guys have to prepare their own meals and use unfamiliar machines in the gym Cruel and unusual punishment

I still only have 1 warning point. Don't know how many are possible. Time will tell.

Love seeing the team bonding stuff. Viney, Brayshaw, Petracca, Tyson, Michie, Jones... that's a core worth getting around. Look at Petracca's abs!!!

In relation to Nutbean's post in relation to Gawn (below): "Gawn - So far his body has let him down and because he has not a fair run without injury he also has looked like he runs out of puff pretty quickly. But he has also shown he can take a grab, tap a ball and is no slouch at ground level for a man 2,975 cm's tall." This comes as quite a revelation to realise that it is Melbourne, rather than Fremantle who boasts the league's all-time tallest player and that we are never likely to be challenged. Until I read this post I didn't realise that Gawn was the height of a ten storey building. I am not sure how he can take a grab, tap a ball or operate at ground level when he is so far up that most people would have trouble even seeing the ball without powerful binoculars, nevertheless the whole football public will be impressed. I suspect that the umpire may need to use a rocket launcher to project the ball up to him at least eye level so that he gets a fair chance at the centre bounces and I hope that they legalise rocket packs for our team so that we can pass it to him to lean over and place through the goals. Finally, I hope that he doesn't accidentally step,on Sandilands however and get rubbed out for the season! There will be certain problems playing interstate as no commercial airlines, buses or trains can accommodate e player of this size however maybe we can utilise a supertanker as all the interstate teams play at grounds in close proximity to a major port and it would only be a few giant strides to get to the ground, probably with a team bus under each arm.

4+14 for Scully

Funny, he doesn't look a cm over 28 metres tall.

true, but still i thought the media apologists would be campaigning up a propaganda war given their past history. they never relied on facts before. i wonder if their silence indicates anything

No leaks when Essendon is out of the picture. "No evidence" has become 5 days of presentations. I can't imagine ASADA has 5 days of "nothing". Will be interesting to see how long the defence is. Any idea how long the panels usually takes to pass judgement on these cases? If there was a positive sample it would be quick but this may take weeks.

You're probably right but I suspect the scenario will be whether he is moving to maximise what he can earn as a player for the rest of his career or he is moving for success. The Cats have had a long held policy that no player gets paid overs compared to the whole group. This certainly applied during the Premiership years. Hawkins will command a huge sum if that doesn't apply anymore, so I'm not sure it is a fait a compli that he'll end up there unless he's happy to play there for less than a team like us would pay him.

Why does everyone insist on besmirching Voldemort's name all the time? That character was many things, but he wasn't a traitor; nor did he have much interest in money. He lied a little, but that wasn't what he was known for. You might even say he was an idealist, and that's more than you can say for Tom Scully.

If you are feeling at all nauseous, don't watch the footage of Tom McDonald kicking on his left foot during the Nathan Jones interview.

Presumably there was no pasta in it - veg lasagnas are often layered with eggplant or zucchini rather than pasta.

There are perhaps two interpretations of this. 1. Important in role/overall contribution 1. Jones 2. Tyson 3. McDonald 4. Vince 5. Hogan (reluctantly) 2. Important in terms of their improvement and immediate impact. 1. Hogan (reluctantly) 2. Toumpas 3. Newton/Michie 4. Lumumba 5. Garlett

Seems many are linking best players with most important players. Most important for us is not our best, most consistent players as we know we get quality from them, it is those who need to bring their A game week in week out and the new recruits who will carry us forward. Pick any five you like out of Gawn, Toumpas, Kent, Salem, Hogan, JKH, Watts, Brayshaw, Petracca, Frost or Newton. I'm sure I have missed others but you get the idea.