Demonland

For me it was when I realised that if I was good enough to play footy at the highest level I would be retired by now.

Getting the Band Back Together

Jack Martin is a Blue.

If anyone is heading down to training this morning we'd love to hear your thoughts. Upcoming AFL training sessions Date: Friday 29 November Start time: 10.30am Location: Gosch's Paddock Date: Monday 2 December Start time: 10.30am Location: Gosch's Paddock *Please note: Training times and locations are subject to change at late notice. Please check this page on the morning of each session to confirm the time and date. Players may be available to sign any items at the conclusion of their training session. Signing will be dependent on individual training schedules and not all players may be available. Getting to Gosch's Paddock Public transport Gosch's Paddock is located a short walk from Richmond train station. Jolimont station is also located a 10 minute walk away. Tram route 70 also stops near the ground at AAMI Park (stop 7D). Tram route 48 and 75 are also located in the vicinity near Jolimont Station. Bus 246 (Latrobe Uni - Elsternwick Station) travels down Punt Road, stops at the corner of Olympic Blvd. From here patrons can walk to Gosch's Paddock. Read more about public transport here. Parking info Non-event car parking is available opposite AAMI Park at the National Tennis Centre. See more info here.

How did you rate our Draft? MELBOURNE Picks (at start of draft): 3, 10, 28 Selections: Luke Jackson (3), Kysaiah Kropinyeri-Pickett (12), Trent Rivers (32) Melbourne bucked the trend and selected a ruckman in the early stages of the draft. With Pick 3, they called out underage basketball star Luke Jackson who focused his attention purely on footy over the last 18 months. The Demons believe he can play a role up forward before progressing into the ruck alongside Max Gawn, or even head into the midfield. With their second pick, Jason Taylor selected the nephew of former Port Adelaide player Byron Pickett, Kysaiah. The South Australian small forward loves to tackle hard and has smarts around goal. ‘Kozzie’ is going to light up the MCG for a number of years. With their third selection, they managed to grab a slider in Trent Rivers, with the crafty half back/midfielder impressing across the WAFL Colts and Under 18 Championships. Grade: B MELBOURNE DEMONS 3. LUKE JACKSON 198cm, 94kg, ruck, East Fremantle 12. KYSAIAH PICKETT 171cm, 67kg, Forward, Woodville West Torrens 32. TRENT RIVERS 188cm, 85kg Defender, East Fremantle It was an eyebrow-raising strategy from the Dees, taking a ruckman with pick three and a livewire forward at 12. But the upside for Luke Jackson and Kysaiah Pickett is immense. Melbourne’s forward line retention was poor last year but Jackson will provide a target and Pickett’s tackling pressure has drawn comparisons to Hawthorn champion Cyril Rioli. Their third and final pick was medium defender Trent Rivers who was a rebound machine for the Sharks in the WAFL Colts, averaging 27 possessions. JAY CLARK’S VERDICT Love it. Jackson does Brodie Grundy things and Pickett will be a risk worth taking when he is laying bone-crunching tackles in the forward half. Some have said 12 was too high for a 171cm forward pocket. But the game revolves around blokes like Pickett creating havoc near goal and the Demons have lacked his sort of defensive pressure in attack.

Simon Goodwin on Melbourne's struggles this year: "We just weren't prepared for what the game was going to demand right through the summer for a variety of different reasons and from that we lost all our cohesion and ability to put a game style that was identifiable in place." Simon Goodwin: "You just try and work through (form slumps) methodically and keep people believing in the process and understanding you can work your way through it. Deep down you're thinking 'this is going to be hard' but internally you just want to get on the board." Simon Goodwin on Luke Jackson: "This kid is just a unique player, he's different to a modern-day ruckman but where the game is going, we don't see him as just a ruckman." Simon Goodwin on Luke Jackson: "We see him as a guy who can play forward and we see him as the first player who could potentially plays in the midfield at 200cm. He's just such a talent and a unique type of player for our game. It's too big of an opportunity to look past." Simon Goodwin on Harley Bennell: "We're really excited about Harley, he's certainly trying to turn his life around. He's 27 and he's still got a love of the game, he's emotional about where his footy has been and where he wants it to get too and he doesn't want to waste it." How further advanced are Melbourne compared to this time last year? Goodwin: "We've got nearly a full playing group out there training to a real high level which is completely different to this time last year. We didn't even have our players back right now (last year)." Goodwin on the potential of player challenging score reviews: "I think it's healthy and there's a lot of sports around the world where you can challenge umpires on a range of decisions. I think it's a good initiative and the players will welcome that."

Club announced a week or so ago that Greg Stafford will be doubling up as ruck coach and goal kicking coach.

How good was it seeing Greeny back in the Red and Blue?

They'll sell less food at the ground which they can just compensate by doubling the price of pies and hot dogs.

Welcome Kysaiah Pickett