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Some other key point were. The 666 rule means wingers are now critical specialist role . We tried 17 players in that position to no avail. Hence Tomlinson and langdon targetted. Both had 3 to 4 other clubs intereste. Jones will be playing higb forward and providing leadersip in that area. Frost moved on due to perceived lack of opportunities for him now. Goodwin mounted a strenuous defence of oscar after a particularly moronic and nasty question from the floor Dees had the highest number of total team changes at selection for the year. Ahead of next biggest by 50%. Illustrated depth of injury woes Burgess believes the game is won by marking and kicking well and will have preseason programs built on 80% with footballs. Running laps at traing doesn't win games. He seemed right on top of his subject. Bpown away by condition players have presented themselves in at start of pre season.. . Huge wrap for Bruckner Petracca to now have significant more time in midfield in 2020 Josh Jenkins was never considered.

Main points: 1. Loss coming, but covered from cash reserves( I’d check this when financials released) 2. Training facility still being discussed with up to 8 government institutions.( Have heard this multiple times before) 3. Injuries were the reason, not an excuse. Of the mids only Lewis and Jones completed more than 50% of preseason. 4. Board were aware of this prior to season, but hoped to have players returning. We just got more injuries. 5. Coaches aware of lack of outside run. Addressed with Langdon and Tomlinson.. 6. Greg Stafford to take up goal kicking coaching along with rucking. Beat 3 others viewing for the role. 7. Only 3 players had post season surgery compared to 16? last year. All of those last year were classed as essential surgery’s. 8. At round 22 Goodwin had a review with the players to vent their frustrations with the year. Big positive. 9. Plenty of Muppets asking questions after. They should read Demonland if they want to know the latest about all manner of things. Some must live in isolation with their lack of knowledge about players and the club.

Are you guys actually looking into this properly or are you just assuming because we haven't had any absolute superstars since Oliver that all the picks have been fails? Context is VERY important when looking at these things. No club nails all their picks, and the actual picks Taylor has had at his disposal is the most important thing to consider. If you want to be talking 'Weideman onwards' (how convenient), then you need to take into account these picks that have been wins: Josh Wagner - Rookie Joel Smith - Rookie Mitch Hannan - Pick 46 Tim Smith - Rookie Bailey Fritsch - Pick 31 Harrison Petty - Pick 37 Marty Hore - Pick 56 Jury still out on a fair few that have shown signs (ie - Baker, Sparrow, Bradtke). 2015 we had 2 top 10 picks, but since then our highest pick has been 27 (which was last year). Oh, and how do you put in years of work on a player and then "fluke" the pick. How ridiculous.

Sack Burgess.

How can the most talented list in the comp who just played in a Grand Final two months ago, have two top 5 picks in this draft What a farce

If MFC have their heart set on Jackson then we're not going risk him just to keep GWS honest. It sucks they may get two top 5 picks but we're not going to compromise or alter our draft approach just to upset them.

Well said. I have never been more mortified about such an attack which I'm not repeating. Huge kudos to Goodwin on the classy manner he dealt with the question.

Pick Trade Prospects is about the jostling for top 10 picks and a lot of clubs wanting to trade out their 2020 first-round picks but now there are few takers. My take from the article (paraphrasing and added my comments): Giants are snookered if Adelaide won't trade #4; will have to use 6 for Green, as Sydney won't let him slip past their 5. ? Adelaide are linked to Fischer McAsey, as is Port, Geelong, Hawks and GCS. If Adelaide trade pick 4 or don't take him Hawks are best placed but they Geelong, and GCS are trying to trade into the top 10. (Interestingly, McAsey hasn't had much attention on DL.) Hawks are also interested in Dylan Stephens and Brodie Kemp and want to trade into the top 10 but are hampered by AFL rules that don't allow a club to trade out future picks if they trade out their first future, so like GWS they don't have enough currency to prise out a top 10 pick. hawthorn-facing-draft-snag-as-it-looks-to-trade-future-firstround-pick Melbourne (#8) and Carlton (#9) are mentioned as potential pick trades with GCS. (Haha, after the Jack Martin shenanigans by Carlton I can't see GCS (ie Cochrane) allowing it). Suggestions that the 2020 draft isn't as classy (and compromised with Academy and F/S players). Pick trades end on Friday. Then live-pick trade starts with the draft next week We did very well to get our 2020 first-round pick trade done early and landed #8. There may be few takers now with various clubs wanting out of 2020. With so many clubs desperate to get into the top10 our pick 8 has just gone up in value!!

It's on, day one under a beautiful Melbourne morning. They trained from 9 to 12 o'clock. 10 to fifteen support staff wait for the 8 to 10 coaches who are led to the field by Goody. No Bernie Vince or Jordan Lewis yet. The committee members including Barrett are also there and are making themselves available to discussions. The squad come out as one, 5 minutes later. They are brought together by Burgess who gives them the run down to today's work. He is a good communicator and all get his message and an opportunity to respond. In the rehab is Sam Wiedeman, Josh Wagner, Austin Bradke, Mitch Hannan, Aaron Vandenberg, Harrison Petty, Kade Kolodjasni and Neville Jetta. Some participated in the Tan run and the non-contact drills. Missing from today were Joel Smith, Oskar Baker and I think Kade Chandler. Adam Tomlinson was in kit but didn't train. Charlie Spargo in a moon boot and on crutches. Ed Langdon wearing number 15, he looked a bit nervous, struggling with skills though understandable as he gets comfortable with his new club. They start with running drills that stretch the legs. Then there off to a 3/4 lap of the Tan. They set of a startling pace. I was on bike and could just keep up. Probably gliding off at above 20 km/hr. The times are about 10.30 minutes. I followed at the back of the first pack with Jay Lockart and Tom Sparrow. Jake Lever led the second pack over the line. Back on the paddock, and they are into drills and simulations. Bayley Fritsch and Christian Salem setting up with great stab passes. A lot of the drills performed without much defensive pressure. The squad was divided into two groups for simulations. One in a confined area developing the short, congested game and the other working on defensive spread and zoning with offensive midfield turnovers to kick to the leading forwards. the two groups moved between both stations. It appears the positions for players arn't set yet as they all seemed to rotate with different plays. I would suggest that Tom Sparrow given his youth and being down on endurance at the moment is looking to be an attacking back flanker who can break the lines and deliver a good release. I believe Nathan Jones will play back flanker as well, he is also being very vocal out there. Could Marty Hore be used up forward? Thought he is also developing as a leader. Jake Melksham received a welcome back to training by Steven May. A hard fair collision. They finished the session with several 80 meter sprints in 17 – 18 seconds. A few stayed on the track. Braydon Preuss working Corey Wagner, Jack Viney kicking goals and Christian Salem working with James Jordan and I think Kyle Dunkley.

Feels like Lucas Cook all over again. Massive reach.

To me GWS has shown their hand. They're going to match any bid on Green, otherwise there's no point doing the trade. We must bid on Green to stop GWS picking up 2 highly rated players. GWS match, we can still take whoever we want at 4.

Yep this tells me GWS are pretty certain we won't bid. Otherwise they'd at least wait until the draft so they have more options. If the Crows were high on Jackson (as sometimes reported) they might not have done this trade either if they still thought he was in play. Could be wrong, but it looks like 90% Jackson at pick 3 to me.

The point with Jackson is that he isn’t overpowering smaller kids with his superior strength; he’s spinning through and around them with superior agility and footwork. He’s Naitanui-like outside of a ruck contest. And I completely believe that competent ruckwork can be and often is wholly taught once in the AFL system. Anyone remember Maxy as a junior? Average ruckwork and got by on far superior height. We took a punt on him because of his size and he developed the character/work ethic. Jackson through his elite junior basketball journey has demonstrated he already possesses those qualities. The superior athleticism sets him apart. I just can’t see anyone else at 3 who makes as much sense.

i struggle to do 3km

Coaching Structure. Reporting to Richardson (Director of Coaching): Forwards: Plapp as Coach and Rooke as forward development Stoppage/Midfield: Matthews as Coach and Stenear as midfield/stoppage development Backs: Chaplin as coach with Radford as backs development. I like that structure in that it focus the development resources to each specific area. Not so sure I like the lack of experience in our line coaches in Chaplin and Plapp. Time will tell. Reporting to Egan (Head of Development): Ruck/Goal kicking coach: Stafford Specialist Coach: Lewis Not sure about a ruckman teaching forwards how to kick goals but there it is.

Some more points: Burgess speaks well and is very engaging. His focus on player psychology and relating to players, not just technical knowledge, will be a big positive. The footy department are hanging heavily on the limited pre season and injury excuse or "reason", as Mahoney said. I guess 2020 will prove that right or wrong. There was also a slightly concerning over confidence about our list talent levels from Mahoney. Belief that fitness will fix the poor skill level. ? Goodwin kept emphasising the word "cohesion" and players knowing exactly what their teammates are going to do in all situations. 666 caught us off guard. Coaches working hard to build a game plan to link offence and defence better. No further detail given. Overall was a very tame night, a nice update but nothing really gained. It's not like they were going to debate the talents of certain players or their coaching abilities in a public forum. Oh and everyone had a good laugh that an ex Ruckman is now our goal kicking coach.

Weed was injured for most of his draft year and they are completely different players. I’ve heard today Jackson will be the one at 3.

Can you start your own thread for this or something mate? Thanks.

I appreciate the work of KM and the effort he puts in ..... but he’s a one amateur from Victoria and there is no way he has the resources to be anything more than an interesting rough guide for the rest of the amateurs. Why do you think GWS and Melbourne are both trying get Jackson? Why did he say that he was probably going to go to Melbourne (pick 3), GWS (pick 4), Adelaide (pick 6) or Fremantle (pick 7)? Because “99.5% think it’s ridiculous”? No, it’s probably because the AFL recruiters know that he’s one of the very best players in the draft, and they are clamouring to draft him. Or maybe, as many of you seem to think, it’s because the majority of AFL recruiters are complete idiots.

It's good play from GWS if they want Jackson. Basically they get us to choose between Jackson and Green .... if we bid on Green then they get their preferred player in Jackson. If we take Jackson then GWS get Green and an extra pick. It does mean that Green is well and truly in play for us if we want him, because GWS won't match.

I thought you'd be the one answering the questions Saty?

You'll be singing a different tune when Lever and May are MFC Premiership players.

I'd take 12 and 18 off Port.

He has dropped some weight, looks ready to go (fittness) and I also think he glides. May appears surprisingly quick over 10 meters, good closing speed. He is very determined to get to a contest and I can see him putting some fear into the oppositions forwards with his physicality.

He's coming to the club to start his career as a key forward. We have Weideman (still question marks over him) and McDonald as our two genuine key forwards. That's it. What happens if he has more success as a forward then being a ruckman?

A big thank you to all who are able to get to traning and give us, infomation about the how the boys are going.?

Ease up with the pressure Ralphy. Go pick on Danger for not getting em into the GF.....

I dun care none about he's grammer or he's hare so long as he football's good.

Candidates for pick 8 trade: Freo: 10 + 22 GC: 15 + 20 Geelong: 14 + 17 (24 too late for me) Port: 2 of 12, 16 and 18

That's a given. The only thing that will heal the festering sore of '19 is a stack of wins in '20.

Completely agree. Not sure whether it is he or Mahoney or Goodwin driving our draft strategies, but they have been poor from the Weideman pick onwards. This is absolutely not the draft to be taking punts on ruckmen and small forwards with high picks. Premierships are won by midfielders and key position players - everything else is secondary.

Good analysis. My view is that its great ANB is doing well, but at crunch time, can he please kick gimme goals and not break my heart this coming season otherwise its all for nought..

I think Saty spoke directly to him, mentioning that it was a sprained ankle and indicating it was not too serious. Hopefully that means the boot is purely to stop the ankle moving, quicken the healing and on for only a short time.

I don't buy that he'll be that kind of forward and not for years anyway. I can't find TAC stats for Tom McDonald but I feel like most forwards who kick that many goals have also dominated at junior level. Jackson clearly hasn't played a lot forward so there's an unknown factor but you want to kick more than the occasional goal if you're to become a star goal kicker. Jackson should have the fitness, agility and speed to contribute as a forward, that's far different to actually being a regular goal kicker. The absolute ceiling of his forward play might be someone like Josh Jenkins and that's when he's 24 not 18. Being a useful contributor up forward whilst he matures is the aim but drafting him will be based around him being a 20+ touch extra midfielder who can dominate at clearances and link up around the ground. Gawn works his absolute backside off to stay involved in stoppages and useful at ground level because at his height and mobility it's really hard. In basketball terms Gawn is like a traditional centre trying to chase around all the superstar smaller players. In recent years basketball teams are realising the value of a skilled centre who can shoot, pass and switch to defend guards. That's where Jackson comes in, he's got a midfielders mindset in a rucks body.

This is where we have to put our faith in JT. I'd much rather the choice be in his hands than BP.

I'll be there and will report but not before Wednesday.

I'm really torn on this one because i think the potential upside of Jackson is incredible. we could be looking at a 50 goal a year key forward, who takes the pressure off Tommy and a relief ruckman that allows us to dominate the ruck for entire games without letting up. given we are much better than a 17th team i see logic in rolling the dice there. my big concerns are, go home culture, using a pick 3 on an interestate player. i think he's gone before pick 8 and if we trade pick 3 i reckon the Giants grab him. Hayden Young is a player who immediately improves our side and offers multiple attributes we desperately need and is a young leader. but i think there are a lot more of this type around than Luke Jacksons. very glad i'm not the one who has to make the decision.

I'll help

12 steps at a time maybe!

No that's not correct, it's just that people who see things in a glass half full way don't really understand what the negativity and glass half empty approach achieves. For the record the last Senior coach who didn't turn up to many of the Training Sessions was Mark Neeld. I guess he didn't think building relationships with his players and supporting and encouraging them at those times was very important. Go figure.

The good news - and our related pleasure to hear such - continues in regard to AVB. Great stuff. Maybe he could teach Preuss how to hit 'em in 2020? A Preuss-AVB body sandwich in our forward line would be everlasting glee.

@kev martin Spargo had us both fooled, sprained ankle, not too bad, just [censored] off AVB 'is ticking boxes' his words Impressed with Langdon's hair, when he took it out of the man bun Gus is fine, I have watched him each pre season, grouchy all the time, but does all the work and more

You'll need to contact your hairdresser.

I watched the NAB league highlights of his games in rounds 14/16/17 and honestly I was a bit underwhelmed. The first 2 he played a mix of half back and on ball, the 3rd one it was some forward and on ball. The kicking is legit. Even under pressure he has excellent vision and can nail a kick. And he has easy distance. The right foot is steady as well. But he's a long way from a midfielder as is and possibly ever - which overall is fine but points to some flaws in his game. Under any kind of pressure his handballs get smothered or intercepted (likes to attempt around the corner handballs) and he doesn't seem to create space by accelerating through a stoppage or drawing a tackle. It's either there is a quick handball option - which he'll take - or he's in a bit of trouble. He'll put his head over it and win the ball and he's a willing tackler but he doesn't look like a natural at either of those skills. Took a number of nice marks throughout the game but they were largely floating in or across uncontested, there was little that looked like a strong aerial game that would hold up at AFL level. At 188cm if he's going to be a true intercept mark or defender capable of playing on taller opponents then he has to get off the ground in contests and he rarely jumped more than what seemed like a foot off the ground. There wasn't one pack crashing spoil yet alone a pack crashing mark. Some nice intercepts floating in but against what quality coming the other way? The lack of top end pace and lack of strength both concern me. Without either of those how are you winning a stack of contests at AFL level? A freakish kick who can drill it anywhere up to 60m and under pressure, but not the all round package. A more technically correct and more well rounded Matt Suckling but not anything close to Luke Hodge.

That really hurt didn't it nasher

What a strong athlete Jones is, physically and mentally. that is a great effort and sign that he is up and about, great work by young Bedford as well.