waynewussell

If Harley cant get back he will be the first to admit it. He is leaving no stone unturned to get it right, and I admire that. He is now under the direct care and instruction of our fitness team and he is doing everything that has been advised. I believe this "set back' is minor given his long road to date. Get behind him... he is a rare talent and, if he ever gets on the field, he will bring the kind of razzle dazzle that we have rarely witnessed since our Golden Era.

I watched Harley closely on Wednesday, as reported in the Training thread. He trained for a long period and seemed to me to be developing confidence in his rehabilitation progress. I saw no sign of a set-back. If this report on SEN is about something that happened since Wednesday, well, so be it! But if it is a comment on a set back that happened before Wednesday I would say Harley is back on track!

I got there at 9:30 and left at 11:10. Didn't see KK, VDB, Chandler, Hannon, & Neita. I spent the first 40 minutes close to the rehab group, Bennell, May, Tomlinson, Baker, Smith, Petty, Spargo, Melksham, OMac. Bennell started quietly, but built up to 35/40 metre kicks off both feet, occasional runs, and several handball receives. He was out there for most of the time I was there. I think he will play before June. May ran a lot, but seems a few weeks from ramping it up. Tomlinson was working hard and can only be days away from joining main group. By the way, Tomlinson is big... bigger than May when side by side. Oscar did a big bunch of 150 runs and doesn't seem to have anything much wrong with him. Petty and Smith close to full training. Spargo also not far away. Melksham just did a long, strenuous boxing session. Observations of the main group... Langdon is an asset, very fit, running both ways & elusive. Pickett and Bedford very impressive. Picket's step is a thing of beauty. I expect both to play in early rounds. Jackson has all round ability! His kicking style is a little awkward but seems effective. I have him at least on a par with Weideman at this stage, as is Brown. The regulars are all where you would expect... Max might have even gone up a cog with his fitness. Jones is far from a spent force. Harmes and Hibberd worked very hard throughout, with the former a little off with decision making. Viney is as fit as he has been for quite some time. Jordan is developing quite well and Rivers is a handy pick up. Fritsch continues to impress with his marking and goal sense. Jetts is back! A couple of other observations... Sparrow worked extremely hard, chased and tackled with intent, however, I have others ahead of him at this stage. Bradke is improving but is light. Lockhard trained well, lots of dash and willing tackler.

Premiership teams have contained the odd solid journeyman over the ages!

1 and 1 is 2

I'm amused by the anxiety demonstrated by quite a few posters on May's general condition. He's here, he's training, he looks to be in reasonable nick. Some blokes put on a few kg's easier than others (eg Buddy... going back further "Wilson" Pickett). Its only injury that I worry about when it comes to blokes who have already had significant AFL careers. On track for a very good season is Mr May!

Your team will probably try to snare him during 2020

It’s a safe bet that any posters who feel impelled to be critical of a week one training report are not MFC supporters... Their posts, views, football intelligence, POV should be discarded and/or disregarded!

...and yet, Petty in, Frost out! Go figure....

Pruess is very effective in getting first hand to the ball in ruck contests. He also follows up, and second efforts are promising. Yes, he looks a little cumbersome at times... a little unsure... I think this is because he came to our game later than most. For this reason I see upside as he works with coaches (and Max) at the elite level. He kicks like a mule and is good for a goal or two when bursting out of secondary stoppages forward of the centre. He is also on the aggressive side with physicality in the clashes. I expect he will improve as time goes on.

Current forward options, round 1 2020 -> Melksham, Tom Mc, Fritsch, Weiderman, Petracca, Hannon, VDB, Hunt, Petty, Lockhart, J Smith

I was totally engaged in the streamed version of the Bluey. Seeing an 83yo Ronald Dale present his leadership trophy to Max was worth the wait. Yes, there were some technical issues but we've come a long way on that front since '64, even though we've seemed incapable of ever moving beyond that 12th premiership. It wasn't so long ago that supporters who didn't attend the B&F would have to rely on a one paragraph report in the Sun, or HS, the following morning. Another highlight was Jon's involvement in presenting James Harmes with the Ian Ridley Memorial Trophy. Max's acceptance speech was uplifting, and Clarrie showed he is developing his ability to present on formal occasions, which he seems destined to experience a multitude of times in future years. I have no problem with the players and officials celebrating together, even after a disappointing year. Its not the GF that signals the end of our year, its the B&F. Now the entire list and the coaches can move on with new resolve! It is no surprise that the internal voting of the coaching panel differs from popular opinion and/or the view of the umpires. It always does... The voting at a B&F gives an insight into what a club values... all place getters deserve respect... and the love that Max refers to!

Correct me if I am wrong... but the Bluey Truscott Trophy represents how a MFC player fares when compared to other MFC players throughout the season as judged by the coaching panel, right? Jayden Hunt was one goal from being our leading goalkicker and had the most goal assists... so he compares favourably with other MFC forwards... no big surprise that he finishes top 10!

Viney had a 'bad' year in 2019! 7th for disposals (5th for average disposals), 3rd for tackles, 4th for clearances, 5th for inside 50's... I expect a big improvement in 2020 as he bursts into the new year from a full pre-season.

Puts it all on the line every time, never shirks an issue! Attack on the ball is second to none. Toughness in the clinches is as good as it gets. Never a sniper... always there for team mates! What blindness is this that has descended on Demonland?

The Viney haters just don't get it! They never will! Viney is rated so highly by those closest to him because of his LEADERSHIP!!!!!!

I see that Tomlinson rated 19th for all player stats in his Prelim... and better than 14 players in GF by the same measure. A lot of sense has been expressed here about his likely influence at MFC, however, he was quite a way from being the least effective player in his two most recent finals.

You need to look a little deeper NC... I was highlighting how ridiculous sweeping, unsubstantiated opinions are. I used a direct quote from another poster who has a track record on such matters.

I think Greg Healy was a better captain than Robert Flower... after all, We averaged 15 wins a season under Healy and only 8 wins a season under Robbie... Furthermore, Robbie was always hanging out 20 metres from the forward contest waiting for the ball to come out for him to score a cheapie.

At the moment I have the list at 36 (senior list) + 4 (rookie list) + 1 (category B) That leaves 4 spots on the senior list if we do not add any rookies Might be 6 spots on the senior list if what we are hearing about Stretch and Frost is accurate

...and Trolls do what Trolls do!

The doubters need do no more than listen to the commentary from the 33 second mark

I thought it time to right the ship on Nathan Jones' captaincy... After the character assassination conducted by a few Demonlanders, its worth returning to the real world!

Nathan Jones will captain his 119th game for the Demons on Saturday, equalling Garry Lyon and Allan La Fontaine’s record. This will see Jones rise to equal third place in club history for games captained, behind David Neitz (175 games) and Robert Flower (127 games). Lyon believes Jones has conducted himself wonderfully as a leader of the Demons, particularly in difficult times. “He could be arguably one of the most successful captains in the history of football,” the former Melbourne skipper told SEN.com.au. “He’s found himself in a football club at a time when they were going through a really tough period, a tumultuous period. “The temptation to go elsewhere would’ve been strong and he chose to stay. Him choosing to stay helped Melbourne pull themselves out of the mine. “He was a really pivotal part of that, not only as a player but a leader because there was drama and uncertainty. “Some of our greatest players wouldn't have experienced what Nathan’s experienced. “He’s had a unique insight into footy, I mean he’s as well-rounded as any captain because he’s seen such drama and upheaval. “But all the while, he maintained this incredibly high standard through it all, both from a playing point of view and also the way he conducted himself.”