Gator

I'm looking forward to the season proper so I don't have to continually encounter self-annointed "expert training comments". Sad really.

So much text on an ordinary player. And I'll add to it... Spencer can play some good footy, as evidenced by his good performance in Gawn's breakout game against Geelong in 2015. As Vogon asserts, hell be good backup if Gawn goes down. But that's it. He's backup.

The club needs Spencer training and playing well. He's in his prime for a ruck and is being developed accordingly. But he won't be playing AFL footy unless Gawn goes down. Hannan is definitely a left-footer.

I'm glad the MFC got a licence, but it's a mickey mouse preseason comp that has little interest to me and certainly has nothing to do with the main aim and game, which is the 2017 Home & Away season. If you have Daisy then I suppose you need the women's coach too ? It's not something I'm overly concerned about, just an opinion.

Already: Gawn, Hunt, Hogan My preferred final 7: Jones, Oliver, Petracca, Brayshaw, Viney, Tyson, Goodwin It's all about the future for me. I see no reason for Pearce being on the banner.

You should stop asking him. Clearly he doesn't want to be annoyed.

Dunno. Utility ? Maybe use him like the Hawks use Burgoyne, i.e. everywhere. He can play on ball, occasionally help out down back and even switch with Petracca from a forward flank.

It's his first full preseason at the Dees. Every other year he's missed a chunk of early training. He should bounce back to his best in 2017.

A genuine gun footballer. You omitted that he also was captain of the Adelaide Football Club.

Don't fret, your days of shame are numbered.

I'm not keen on censorship. I'm a Trengove fan, but I don't bleat about every opinion I disagree with. Clint said Trengove has been slow since 2011. I don't agree, but he's entitled to his view. I don't take it personally. I'm a free speech advocate, but it appears some of you only want to read opinions you like. I'd understand if some views were malicious, but they haven't been. Even then, it's not a crime to offend (or shouldn't be). Don't ever try to regulate discussion, which is what some are trying to do. If you don't like some comments, or disagree, just accept that some hold a different view. Either jog on, or challenge their opinion. But never try to regulate thought.

Do you know how to edit a post, Pineapple ?

Quick observations on Johnstone from very limited knowledge: Aggressive and in your face Strong for his size/build and tackles to hurt Will be very good defensively inside 50 Can kick long for a small, but not a deadeye d*ck around goals. Will have his share of gettable misses Determined, but doesn't have any magical traits. Good at most things without a standout skill Speed good without being any wow factor The above are opinions based on limited knowledge. I like the selection and think he has the basic attributes to make a go of an AFL career.

The problem is you (and me) see him for 2 hours on match day where he does some nice things and on other occasions he's looked slow and undersized (physicality) and gets exposed. The coaching group see him train 3 times a week and get to monitor his progression. They get to know the individual. His character, leadership, temperament, intelligence, willingness to learn, work ethic, etc. They see a player with flaws, but one who is continually improving and one they believe is on the way to becoming a backline stalwart for the next 10 years. Given their recent track record I'd be a nong to doubt them.

Stretch played 15 of the last 16 games in 2016. Entering his third year, with another preseason under his belt, he's cemented a position in the best 22. As others have already said, he's rated highly internally and is only getting better.

I prefer 666 photos to the training reports. I like reading the training reports as much as anyone, but in reality they're very overrated.

I watched that game as well and thought Trengove was noticeably smoother and quicker off the mark. Obviously not express, but you didn't think there was any liability, which is very different to his injury years. When I think of Bartel, and as you know Trengove has often been compared to him, I don't see any overly special traits other than his marking. I wouldn't say Bartel was a "ball magnet", although he averaged 26-28 disposals in his best years, more-so he was a very smart and brave footballer who just did everything very well. Other than speed Bartel had no weakness. I see Trengove in a similar light, although much of his development has been robbed by injury. It will be interesting to see how he goes this year. If his movement is markedly better and he plays 8-10 games it wouldn't surprise me if they gave him another year and from there who knows. Or he may do enough to gain interest from other clubs. You'd just love to see him given a level playing field. A skilful and brave player who just does everything really well get games in the AFL. But if his movement is a liability at this level clearly he's finished.

Nathan Brown.

In my view this camp was as beneficial to the new coaching group as it potentially was for the players. What better way to understand the strengths and weaknesses of your group than putting them under extreme pressure. I'm sure there was the aspect of new players bonding, but what better environment to fully understand your playing list and the best way to help individuals as you prepare for a new season. It's the sort of exercise you wouldn't do every year, or often, but there's a whole new dynamic at play with plenty of new coaches, as well as new players. People seem to only be focussing on what the players will get out of it. For me it's players learning about themselves, each other, and the coaches, together with the coaches learning about each other, the players and cementing the "why" of this group, which goes hand in hand with their collective goals. Unless you know the immediate goals of Goodwin/McCartney it's difficult to critique. You may assume what they're trying to achieve, but you can't be entirely sure.

A word of advice, you can exclude Stretch from your best 22, but your side won't reflect the team that runs out in round one. He's rated very highly internally and WILL play round one. Of course this isn't a predictions thread, so no need to include him if accuracy isn't on your agenda.

Purely judging from photos I thought Watts, Petracca, and Gawn looked in great nick. They all look really lean, but wiry/healthy strong, if you know what I mean. I'm super excited by 2017.

He did say started at AAMI, then went to the beach and then took a bus to the camp.

I've known for a long time that Garry was an ordinary bloke, but I compartmentalise the player and person. He was one of my favourite players to watch*. *Not withstanding he was a poor overhead contested mark when played as a forward.