dazzledavey36

He's a massive unit. Our midfield has some serious size and grunt in there.

He glides across the field and just seems smooth and calm with ball in hand. He was another Choco was praising him constantly when he was in his kicking drill.

In saying that, if I'm going for a needs point of view then I'm going Burgoyne @dworship. Just not entirely sure another key defender is really on top of the needs list. Burgoyne on the other hand would add some outside dash and poise off a half back. Losing Hunt last year and Jetta the year before, I just feel we haven't exactly filled those type of players that being a lock down defender who can some serious speed off half back. Burgoyne may potentially fit that need.

It's really hard to judge who is ahead of who based on today's session. It was really just a flush run session just to get the legs moving, and balls zinging around. There was no contested game style one on one where players were going at full 100%. I watched Burgoyne closely in one of the stationary kicking drill and he didn't miss a target at all. He's certainly got that 'Burgoyne' poise and smoothness in the way he handles the footy below his knees. I also watched Turner after a bit and my immediate reaction was that he has an odd kicking style, but was pretty effective. He's also quiet tall and lean and moves athletically similar to Joel Smith. You're probably better off asking the regulars in @DeeSpencer @kev martin @Slartibartfast and @Demonland who get down a bit more often and have watched a lot of the match simulation drills.

I shook his right hand? 🤷‍♂️ There was no bandage on either? Which is his bad hand?

Great day all round. It was a low key kind of session which I suppose makes sense from yesterday’s full match sim. The boys are seriously looking fit and they know. To see the boys up close and see the likes of JvR who really is a beast for his age is something to be excited about this year. @Deemania since 56 is right 100%. There was no stand out particular just the team cruising along ticking the boxes. Very jovial out there with Maxy, Melksham, Lever, Petracca the ones always vocal and keeping the group up beat. I apologise I didn't get a chance to see you mate. We got caught up with some supporters near us and got talking to the two official getting around with membership pamphlets. Realistically it wasn't so much a full footy type training but more groups of about 10? rotating through to each drills with some doing stationary kicking drill, and some doing some keepings off down the far wing. Short and sharp and was enough to draw a crowd. They still would have worked up quiet a sweat considering was fairly hot. Was great to catch up with a few local boys such as Spargo, Turner, Schache and Oliver from MB days and James Jordon who's a close friend with my little brother from Yarrawonga. Once they picked me out of the crowd they came and shook hands and was happy to take photos with my young lad. Was great to catch up with these lads and not even a change of ego or arrogance in them since being in the syste.. Still the same country kids as when i knew them back when they were 16 year olds coming through the ranks. Was blown away with how incredibly fit Turner is compared to when was a fat chubby kid coming through the system. Was blown away also with how trimmed Schache is. Leaving no stone unturned and wouldn't surprise if on training form he plays round 1. Got carried away talking to Oliver just talking life in general and about few mutual friends we knew that I completely forgot to ask about his hand 🤦‍♂️ Maxy Gawn is a genuine rock star. Everywhere he went the kids were following him around and hassling the poor guy (in a fun way). Very good with the kids and we're incredibly lucky to have him as our skipper. Few notes on players. Blake Howes: Smooth mover and quite tall then i thought. He was standing next to Turner during the initial warm up and I thought he was a smidge taller? Turner is listed at 194cm. JvR: Has a presence already. Just a big strong lad who'll command that forward 50 in the next few years. I knew he was a big boy but didn't realise how physically imposing he already is. You can certainly build a forward line around this kid. Matt Jefferson: Didn't really see much of him to be honest. Jed Adams: Interesting kicking action but didn't seem to trouble him, in fact he's got a pretty good kick on him with a bit of penetrative to go with. Got a few positive feedback from choco. Deakyn Smith: Very interesting player. He's a smooth mover who's well balanced and is clean below his knees. Quiet poised in the kicking drills and was happy. No idea what position the coaches have in mind for him but he'll be a player of interest for me. Tom Sparrow: A big ball of muscle. Trains at a real intensity and look pretty focused and ready to go. Hoping he takes that next step. Trent Burgoyne: In the stationary kicking near me he didn't even miss a target. Was compased and just neat with his disposal. I think he was a bit surprised that I called him out for a photo and sig for my lad. Asked him abut his chances getting on the list and in his own words.. "Yeah nah should be pretty easy to get a gig." Grundy and Hunter do train at high intensity. Can tell they have come from clubs that demand high performance and these blokes are certainly bringing that to the club. You can't have enough of these guys because it certainly rubs onto the young players. Guys like Lever, Melksham and Rivers are looking incredibly fit. Ball in hand all 3 barely missed a target. Competition for spots will be heating up! Good luck to Goody and the coaches picking round 1 side because there is some genuine talent on display today that will miss out unfortunately. Players mingled with supporters and went out of their own way to take photos with the kids etc. Happy to answer questions.

No Langdon

Will try and give a bit of a summary when I'm home.

And that's a wrap.

Interesting.. I haven't spotted Tmac either.

Trent Burgoyne really showcasing his poise and clean kicking skills in the group near me. AMW is another who kicks it flat and hard. Mark Williams would still make a good senior coach. He barks orders but also gives good constructive feedback and demands 100% in all aspects. Benny Brown moving well also.

Groups have no rotated. Near me is choco Williams with the kicking group. Barking orders and wanting to keep it low and hard. Kye Turner has an unusual kicking style but is effective so far. Kozzie, Rivers and May are so efficient with their kicking style. Rivers looks extremely fit. Would love to see him spend midfield minutes if an opportunity came across.

Lever is moving and kicking well. Doesn't at all seem hindered.

No bandage on Olivers hand. But i presume as its a light session there will be no contact today.

Broken up into small groups with most of it compiled of stationary kicking. See today's sessions as more of a captains run. Disposal is clean, crisp and moving fluently. There's a group down the other end doing some keeping off.

Seston with a bandaged left hammy Still doing some walking lunges and side skips as a warm up.

Circut still going on. JVR is one big unit. It's ridiculous a bloke that's 19 is already that size. Onto the oval where you'll struggle to find a green blade of grass.

Have arrived and boys doing a circut on the netball courts. Some ridiculous fit dudes here.

Something would have to change drastically in the 24 hours since your last report S. I was a bit surprised to read they were doing a full match simulation today. I mean they've got the time listed from 9:30-11am so I presume it will be light work. I'm travelling 2.5 hours.. don't [censored] this up Melbourne Football Club.... Let me know if you end up making it mate.

Sorry Jim, currently on a zero sugar/low carb diet.. Please don't judge me! What I will say is that I have experienced the famous Yea bakery sausage rolls from their from years ago and they are absolutely to die for.

If I can get close to an a higher official such a Alan Richardson I'll definitely be asking the question.

Bugger.. put on a modified program.

Definitely a man of interest for me so will watch closely.

Doing the 2 and a half hour travel with my 3 year old to attend tomorrow's open training session at Yea. My turn to give back to the die hard regulars who have make the time to attend and give in depth reports for us folks who live in regional country area's. If you have any player of interest to keep an eye on let me know and I'll do my best to update. Quick question, are players accessible for photos and autographs afterwards? This is for my son who is excited to meet his hero's tomorrow.

Fwiw Byron Pickett's son Bryon Pickett jnr (Kozzie's cousin) has just moved down to Melbourne this week and I believe will be living with Kozzie and Trent Burgoyne.