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I'll admit to being a glass half full guy up front. Headed down to training for the first time in ages today, the persistent rain didn't help for viewing, or training for that matter. I'm not seeing all the poor skills Clint is talking about, felt like I saw 25-30 kicks in a row hit a leading forward nicely. In match simulation grimes did miss the target on his left.....but he only had it as Salem got caught and he had followed up from deep defence, the grimes story! Really liked what I saw, a lot, I mean a lot of fit healthy, sharp looking players. Toumpas was much faster than I thought. Pedo looked good forward and higher up the ground, kick it well and clunked it. Lead and clean grab out in front of the day for me was big Maxy Gawn, he might just be very intimidating deep forward. We have plenty who can play tall forward with Gawn, Hogan, Pedo, Fitzy, Jamar and Watts all doing it today. Rawlings was teaching a group how to body off when deep forward with your shoulder, and then likewise how to prevent a forward doing this to you......cross very good at this as was Garland. I really liked the look of Newton throughout, from today he would be my pick as an unassuming player who slots 18+ games of good intensity and skill. The defenders (from memory Grimes, tmac, frost, garlo, Harmes, hunt, Terlich, Jetta, Dunn) did some impressive clearing the ball from defence, and after hitting a player about 50-70m out wide on the flank centered in board to Rawlings and then had runners storming past. Grimes excelled at this, Harmes looked good and wow, gee wow isn't hunt super super quick. If he can get on the end of handball running through the middle look out opposition, even if that is Port Melbourne not Richmond. Didn't see a lot of the new young ones, though Petracca did some nice things, Dunny was really pushing him in the ground simulation a few times....."get forward Track, get forward, go.....". Funny moment was when tmac sold viney a huge dummy in the goal square and kicked a goal, boys had a real chuckle. There is some real depth now. A bright year awaits. No Howe, and Vince ran 50 laps.

Was able to get along to my first training session today, and thought it's only fair to report my thoughts after all the good work by others keeps me updated each week! How the detailed reports are done I don't know, with all the players covering the full length of the ground it certainly is a challenge. The main overarching theme to training is Transition. The majority of the session revolved around drills that had each group working on moving the ball from the backline at pace, taking the best/first option as quickly as possible. Coupled with some contested clearance type work (at least on my side of the ground) it was good to see as it meant in my opinion we were focusing on two of the biggest weaknesses we had last year. After some warm up drills, they broke into a full ground drill, a person would start in the pocket, dodge some stationery metal characters and hit a leading target on the back 50. The lead would have quick hands to another person running the opposite direction out of the 50 and launch a long ball over the square to a player entering the forward 50 whom will run in and finish. Good kicks that enabled the finisher to not break stride were Neal-Bullen (same to hear about his dislocated knee), Salem, Watts, Toumpas and Newton. Next main drill was also full length drill with the same focus, It was more match simulation in feel and the group split into 3 groups. 2 groups would be on the ground at once. One team would need to move the ball again from the pocket taking the short options quickly as possible. Once the ball made it into the forward line the group on the side went onto the ground and some in the forward line would come off and jog around to the wing to wait. Each time a group went onto the ground, Rawlings would say 6 v 8 etc and they would change tops to work it out. Grimes, Jamar and Jones as you would expect were quite vocal, yelling at the team on the field. Petracca has some swagger and was also vocal, while Brayshaw was very reserved so the early comments ring true with those two. Next drill, was split into what appears to be forwards, mids and backs to some degree. In front of me (on opposite side to main crowd), we had a small group of the young mids, Toumpas, Salem, Riley, Brayshaw. Petracca and a ruckman who rotated through with the other group of older mids who were doing a larger scaled version. The ball would be lobbed in and one team had to get the tap, and clear it out of the surrounding area. Lastly, it was a match simulation, split into 2 teams. The ball would be kicked up into a teams back pocket and they would move it from end to end. If a decent mistake was made then Roosy would stop play, instruct and then it would reset and start with the same player down back to start again. There was clearly more a direction to switch the play quickly where possible. Newton was good here, he made space a couple of times and hit good options. Petracca was hesitant, but on one occasion when struggling screw a kick around and hit his target 30-40 metres away on the lead which was impressive. Grimes was good, other than that errant left footer. Left once the group was brought in. Call outs: Newton - was the stand out for me, he is ready to go – no doubt, knows how to find the footy consistently and users it well and didn't see him waste possession. Toumpas – thought he trained well, not sure what everyone expect every single player to stand out each week. He was energetic and encouraging whichever drill he was in and used the ball well from what I saw. But agree with not seeing where he will play but haven't lost belief he can develop into a good player. Hogan – most of his work was away from where I was but I did see him clunk a few after pushing his opponent out convincingly. Riley – most disappointing, wasn't clean at all, would fumble and mis-kick but followed up so hoping it was an off day. Michie – was tidy I thought, didn't see a lot but like his games just goes about his business quietly and before you know it has 20 possessions. Harmes – like his spirit, after reading the weekly updates I had the picture that he was progressing well and I can see it. Fights for everything and has good hands to clear. He and Hunt look so similar so hope it was him! Haha! Jamar – will be no.1 based on today, dominated Gawn and Spencer and looks in great nick as all previous reports have stated. Happy to comment on anyone else if anyone is interested. End novel.

Good afternoon, fellow attendees, optimists, hair shirt wearers, lemon suckers and innocent bystanders The other posters have covered most of the drills, some was good, some was sloppy, depends on who and what you were watching, watched one run where the ball hit the deck or missed the target throughout, but it still got upfield Roos very vocal today Sad bit, near end of session Alex Neal Bullen was doing some innocuous bag work with Brad Miller and dislocated his knee again, went straight back on, but was carried off on golf cart, not a happy chap. Got 'tightness' out of Howie for his hamstring and a 'wait and see' from Dave Misson, assume they are still testing/scanning. Only others missing were King and Trengove. Spoke to a few players, all said they had been hammered at the camp in Maroochydore, today was light easy session. Hogan is still on a modified program, hates having to stop, doing the same session as Hunt today, who is also returning from back issues. Had a good chat to JKH, sadly lacking in confidence NOT, agreed Nev Jetta is constantly in his ear about improving, another one who has not missed a beat pre season. Bernie Vince seemed to be the only one in rehab, was running laps, got a big thumbs up, so don't think there is a problem there. Somebody a few topics ago asked about Jordie McKenzie and his fitness, full pre seasons etc, this is not his first full pre season, he thinks, but has never been fitter. And for a few that have been asking, asked Nev about Jeff Garlett, he is now regarded as one of the best two way runners at the club, sets the standard, absolutely carved them up in match sim at Maroochydore. Some pics will be on my Twitter Demonpk tomorrow, got other things to do today.

I'll probably be going out on a limb here, but Tyson could be a player.

I don't think it's been possible to hide away from the controversy that's been dominating discussion at Demonland over the selection of Jimmy Toumpas two years ago ahead of Ollie Wines. This year, our first two picks are big bodied midfielders Christian Petracca and Angus Brayshaw, both in the Wines mould and the questions being asked by some were whether they are the man child types who dominate less developed kids and will they prosper at AFL level? They both looked good to me today - they ran well and moved smoothly. Along with the SA brothers in arms ANB and Billy Stretch they showed a fair amount of skill for newbies. I missed ANB's mishap at the end and I'm not so sure that any of our young midfield recruits are going to be instant successes. Petracca impressed me the most. You can see his basketball background shining through and he reminded me of the old Beatles number - there's definitely something in the way he moves. If you want a comparison with a past player, then it's probably Adelaide's Mark Ricciuto.

Agree TDI. And just love The Fitz! Hope he has a break out year!

And also to Saty.

I've read all of your opinions and I still say reverse cowgirl.

Saty's here already, looking sharp. You can tell he's hardly missed a session this pre season.

yeah....and there was jack viney and ollie wines..................oh wait a minute

Stop derailing the thread by posting what we were all thinking but dare not say.

Nice one Redman! Have had 2 reds while reading it though!

My lovely lady attended her first session today, first comment was about how all the players looked fitter, said Spencer has grown into his body, he should not be discounted when discussing the team, but then again I am glad all four rucks Jamar, Gawn, Spencer and Fitzy did the full session todayGot her picture taken with HL which she enjoyed First time my lovely lady saw Spencer was when they still trained at Junction Oval, she watched him from the old stand in his first session, and said we had drafted a baby giraffe

Oh Dear.......I think you will find that the MCC is a lot younger than you think.....made up of supporters of many teams As a MCC member and also a full member of the football club, which is really a donation, I think you perception is rather outdated

Thanks for all the reports It's funny that two D'Landers can watch the same training and have opposite views....One positive and one negative Not having a go at anyone.....just find it "interesting"

H. Lumumba

Todays game has reduced positions to essentially forwards, midfield and backs. Regardless whether you need a number of them, midfield is the most important position. And your best midfielder is the crucial item in your team. They win more contests than they lose (by a margin), they use the ball well by hand and foot to hurt the opposition and they make those teammates around them better players. While the midfield includes the ruck, todays game has restricted the ruckmans role to less than it was 30 years. Its still an important role but not the most important. And I dont buy the argument you can win a flag with a good midfield and a not so forward line. Both have to be good but your midfield must be superior to other teams including the team that becomes the runner up.

His kicking has improved then???

Nothing new, but Dunn really is vocal and looks much stronger than before.

Yes he's fine

Hogan is there ... All doing stretch & jog at the moment

I still remember Wright, Jacovitch and Jacko. Makes me think that we have had some of the most entertaining forwards in the AFL (even aside from the highly talented trio of Lyon, Neitz and Schwartz)!

After watching the replays of this year on foxtel, and it's something I've always believed anyway, I think Gawn has the potential to be a star. He is very mobile and clean at ground level for a bloke his sizzle. His tap work is good and improving and his contested marking is actually pretty good. I think max is already a better player than 3/4 of the starting ruckmen in the afl. And I think he ceiling is a lot higher than what we have seen so far. If fit, 2015 will be a huge year for Maximus.

Give it a rest mate

We seem to have drafted kids that have a good brain. If their footy matches it we are in good hands. And thank God we didn't draft that McCartin kid. He looks like a caveman. I hope he spends his first paycheck doing something about those teeth.

Well done Redman - very informative

Fitzpatrick is still far too skinny and awkward to play as a key forward, Dawes consistently outmuscled him (however he too struggled with his marks)....he is nearly 98K now, Fitzy tends not to involve himself in wrestling when playing, he uses his speed and agility to get free, he has not scored many goals as yet, but check out the vision of the ones he has, you don't want 3 or four guys wrestling their opponents in the forward 50 Toumpas continues to sound like a concern. No he is not, his kicking is fine, he hardly misses a target, watched every session since November Michie Has done nearly every session, never hear Roos pull him up for anything, good solid soldier Here is an interesting bit on the mindset of the players at the moment, Nev Jetta had gastro the day before the 3k, still ran it, so as not to fall behind everybody else

@Demonpk

Can you post a link Saty? I am a Luddite with regards to Twitter and/or Demonpk.p.s. I am following all reports with interest from SE Asia.

While not the most important position on the ground, the role of a competent ruckman cannot and should not be overlooked. I dont buy the story that a skilled midfield can just shark the opposition ruckman (unless the opposing mid field is feeble). In the game where possession/control of the ball is the mantra, no team can afford to sacrifice first touch at the centre bounce or around the ground to the opposition. If you are not winning the bounce, the very least a competent ruckman is doing is preventing his opposite number from doing so. Therefore the ball becomes a midfield contest. So aside from the centre/ATG bounces, a good ruckman needs to be able to mark and use the ball competently (at best another midfielder), use the body strength to assist his shorter teammates in the contest and traffic, take contested marks, have ATG mobility and be able to go forward and hurt the opposition up forward. In addition, they need to ensure their opposing ruckman does not achieve these attributes. Edit: Just saw Rjays attrbutes for a ruckman and they are reasonable.

I think you are overstating the Hannath situation 'Ron'. At this stage he has shown nothing to indicate he will be a quality AFL ruck. I'm a big believer in having a ruckman who can get the ball as well as at least break even in the ruck contests. If he can't get his own ball I think it puts us one player down in the midfield. Gawn has shown he can do this but not on a consistent basis and he hasn't been able to run out games. Like others though I'm concerned with his injury history. If none of our current crop step up this year, with Jamar nearing the end then we will be in the market. There may well be one looking for a game down at the old olympic park for example.

Hi dpositive, the typos were a combination of automatic spell-check and freezing fingers. I meant Bernie continues to run laps and looking good without defensive pressure. I had to leave after 90 minutes to thaw out in the comfort of my car! Unlike Clint, I thought the skills were quite good for the most part. I think the players enjoyed being out there in the rain after the gruelling training up north.

Or until our MCC members get back from Portsea and decide to pay their subs and then throw a few coins to the football club. Ra Ra an Go Dees!

No doubt you are right, but you don't make a jump like the one we did last year through simple improved retention strategies. Fans are more excited and our numbers are mirroring last years and beating them - it's promising to say the least.

Clint, you're killing me dude.

Has he done any 3km time trials on his scooter, yet?

you won't have a hope earl, the aristocracy will be the first to be purged..............then the hipsters

Not sure if serious.

VB is the best beer in the world bar none. Where I Grew up we had white cans( Carlton draft) blue cans(fosters) and green cans(VB). I got weaned on VB cans and many years later I still love it. Could never adjust to German/British/Dutch/American beer. Could never get VB over seas for many years Export Fosters was the best you could get, which is crown larger in Australia, but know you can get VB in Hong Kong all of the big in cities in China NZ the UK and even the U.S. if you know the right people. It's going to take over the world trust me.

unbelievable goal - tackles, dispossesses, stands up with ball, 180 turn, completely surrounded, standing start kick, 55 out - hard to find a greater degree of difficulty to pull that off

How terrible for Geelong to only make the finals over the next 10 yrs or so, perhaps top 4. I feel very sorry for them.

Which can be contested by ASADA/WADA and taken to CAS.

Players issued with infraction notices will generally step away from competition as part of provisional suspensions, however the sporting bodies involved have discretion which allows them to play. Essentially it is the player's choice, although I understand they need the AFL's permission. Hence EFC small forward Cory Dell'Olio, and former Bomber Nathan Lovett-Murray were cleared to play in the NTFL. However this could be an issue if a ban is imposed as the player gets credit for time served under provisional suspension. Watson and Fletcher played in the International Rules gave, and if they cop a ban they could be out a month or so longer than others.

I see jamar as too slow and unable to contest against young jumpers in the centre. His spider crouch strength is good around the grounds though. Niki nat may actually jump over him in the middle. Injured after 8 games normally. Gawns good in the centre square but his instinct to protect himself going for marks around the ground comes into play after halftime and he goes up one handed. I believe his knees are only good for 8 games as well. Spencer is awkward but enormously strong at the contest. Yet every year they are all training the house down. I would persevere with Spence but I hope Max proves me wrong.

http://s3.amazonaws.com/RookieCheatSheets/2015Rookie1.pdf http://www.jockreynolds.com.au/2015/01/21/supercoach-2015-rookie-watch-list-midfielders/ These guys put together some handy insights.

IMO this second goal should've gone close to winning GOTY

The more the game changes, the more it stays the same. Call him a bookend or a tall forward or a CHF or whatever, I would say it is the single most important (and difficult) position on the ground. If we were talking about the most important area or line - it would be the midfield. But you need a platoon in there, one man cannot make a difference...

Two things - you won't convince anyone with just the answer, you have to show your work...and I can definitely say that a statement like that will not be the last word on this topic.

Sitting down with a Pilsner Urquel reading Demonland - I can feel the serenity