TeamPlayedFine39

I don't understand the offence that so many are taking to the comments of Petracca's physique. I haven't seen posters saying that he is fat, undisciplined or lazy; it's not a skin-folds issue with him. I am however of the belief that he would have a much more consistent impact on matches if he was lugging around 90kg frame as apposed to a 96kg one. He's the 7th heaviest player on our list and the 22nd tallest...

Was living in Fremantle for this match- was a great day! That, and the win against the Lions were epic!

I doubt they would say that he is perfect and everything they could ever hope he could be. If you asked the fitness team if they would like him to have the aerobic capabilities of Josh Kennedy, I think they’d say ‘Yes please.’ Trac is a gun and I adore him; but he’s not perfect... yet.

I wouldn’t say he’s ‘overweight’ as in out condition. I would say I think he’d be more value if he lost some of his bulk. His current build is reminiscent of a young Jobe Watson of Josh Kennedy (syd); they became elite midfielders when they lost the extra ‘bulk’.

Good that this thread has led to a few more people signing on to Demonland. This site is a godsend for so many people living away from home, missing that connnection with footy.

Thanks for the training reports- much appreciated! Any observations on how Jeff Garlett has been training?

Hong Kong. Have a very accommodating local bar that had no idea they had AFL on their cable package until I told them. Always happy to have it on the big or small screen for us (usually just me and the wife) whilst everyone looks on confused.

Saw that one- think it was on Petracca’s insta-story. I thought it was interesting but not shocking or surprising as it could be ongoing maintenance for the toe. There are dozens of photos and images from that wedding where TMac is in shiny, pointy brown shoes- can’t imagine him being allowed to wear them at all if there was an issue...

How do the AFL manage to take something that absolutely no one liked, then remodel it and produce something that absolutely no one liked..?

“Angus Brayshaw was also on light duties, but it's understood he has been sick this week, while Jake Lever is set to return to the track on Monday following a minor procedure on his left knee.” Dees endure brutal session in summer scorcher

Have Gawn and Preuss gone head to head in any rucking drills?? How’s Preuss compare?

I think Petracca is judged very harshly and is the victim of media hype and supporter expectation. 24 disposals, a goal and 3 tackles a game plus making the AFLPA best 22 Under 22 team - all in a supposedly average season that saw him hospitalised with blood poisoning... At 22, he's still years off his peak and when compared to a player like Dustin Martin, his statistical output at this stage of their respective careers is comparable. I think he'd find life a lot easier on the field if he was able to shed 5kg, but while at times he looks laid back, he's never struck me as a 'lazy'.

I don't think it is an 'indigenous' issue. He never looked settled, comfortable or happy out there this year. There was no spark, no joy in his football. He's a very, very talented player and when someone who was in All Australian contention for much of 2017, can't even get a game in 2018, we look to injury or private life for a possible reason. As he played out the year in the 2s, and there was no apparent injury issue, that leaves one logical conclusion to allude to. IMHO he can get back into the team and have a huge impact on the side. When he's 'on', he is a fast, agile, creative, one-touch player who can turn a match. There's room in any side for a player of that quality. However, we didn't see that player out there this year...

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2018-11-26/gallery-draftees-begin-life-at-melbourne MFC site has the gallery up. (Kade Chandler is up against it trying to take down Maynard on his first day.)

I'll take the coward's way out and reserve my best 22 until after Christmas. What I am very pleased about however is the fact that we aren't posting teams of new draftees. It wasn't that long ago that the teams posted in this thread would have had all of Sparrow, Jordan, Nietschke and Bedford in the '22. It's incredible to think the weight of pressure and expectation that we as fans and a club used to lump on these young kids. Hopefully a full and productive year in the VFL to grow and develop as footballers.

Or a VFL player like Fritsch.

Or... one of the Wagners has gone significantly forwards...

I’m a definite no on the best of 3 grand finals, but my stance on the MCG only grannies has softened. If grounds interstate can be brought up to standard (high capacity, facilities, etc) then it should change in the future.

Surely we’ve now all had the chance to respectfully bid “farewell to Jesse Hogan”. Time to close this thread and open up the “Jesse Hogan is a purple wearing bastard and I hope he fails” thread...

Some of that is a bit over the top... hopefully there’s more to his life than footy.

Anyone know what Lever's timeline is at this stage?? Any chance at all for the opening rounds?

No prizes for coming in January.

We tried to get him over from Adelaide at least twice. We may have gone past him now but he’d be an upgrade on JKH, Wagner and Stretch.

They’ve been trying to clean out the last few remaining blazers in the mid-year Demon Auction for the last few years...

Exactly. People get worked up over these drafts with the power of hindsight, but even Toumpas was a 'steal' at the time with him being a lock at pick two for the 18 months leading into that draft. These threads and articles are good for light debate and analysis, but it's completely pointless the way many people get worked up. Tyson has gone backwards but he was huge for us in 2014. Not only did he give us some hope going forward, he, along with Vince and Jones started giving us first use of the ball for the first time in close to a decade. Averaged over 25 disposals a game, kicked 16 goals and polled 11 Brownlow votes - he made an immediate impact. Kelly would have been knocked from pillar to post in his first three years with us.