the fork

DEES TRAINING 21/10 - PHOTOS

My brother, girlfriend and I, all passionate Melbourne members attended training yesterday at Victoria Park. During the off season, supporters like myself really appreciate those of you who share any info about the players and the club they can. I wanted to chip in and go some way to paying back others who have attended training and provided information and photos on Demonland and Demonology. As I type I am trying to upload a heap of photos that I took yesterday. I will include these in an upcoming post which hopefully isn't too far away. First of all my brother and I are interstate supporters both living in the Northern Territory. The chance to see our club at training or playing is rare indeed. We were stoked to be there with the intent of sharing some photos of the team training with Demonlanders. We are both regular readers of this site and Demonology, but rare posters. Anyway we were happy snapping away until Chris Connelly arrived. Within a minute, he had managed to accuse us of being dodgy Collingwood spies, revealed he was a Demonology observer and congratulated us on making the effort to come and see the Dees train. It was an abrupt introduction that left us feeling a bit put out, he was rather snarly and when he noticed we were genuine supporters decided he was very uninterested and rather busy... whatever. Side glances by the training staff were received for the duration of training, I'd love to know how they treat the opposition !! So G'day Chris, if your reading, yes I was taking photos for the Demonland mob and I will be sharing them as soon as I possibly can... Anyway onto the real stuff. Training. It was great to see the team together, old faces mixed with our new recruits. My overall impression is one of optimism. I am of the opinion that we will sneak under a few radars next season and go top 10. What I saw yesterday cemented this view. The best way to map out my observations is to go player by player. Obviously I couldn't track every player. The comments below are what I feel I can safely speak for based on our two hours of watching training yesterday. John Meesen – What we're reading all seems to be true. He is tall, strong and effortlessly agile. In fact I was shocked at how fast this man can move. In two rucking contests yesterday I saw the past and future of the Mfc. Jamar vs. Meesen. Both contests mirrored each other. Meesen flying above the Russian, shouldering him aside, tapping to a waiting player and then sprinting (no not running) across the other side of the ground to then receive a pass on the opposite end's flank. Jamar lumbered behind him and infact couldn't stay beside him. Meesen will play plenty of footy in 2008. It doesn't add up that this guy has only played a few games. The only weakness I saw, amongst the desperate marks down low, the solid passes and taps around the ground, was his handball. Simon Buckley – He looks to have bulked up in a big way. His top half seems to have doubled. He was amongst it all yesterday and seemed to be dictating his fair share of all around him. He, Frawley and Pettard appeared to be close and the obvious future of our backline. The backline was in fact what excited me most yesterday, along with Meesen. Pettard and Frawley have matured physically and seemed very comfortable amongst the group. Brent Maloney – If you can find an inch of fat on this bloke your doing well. Solid muscle, hard running, speed and skills is all I saw yesterday. A fellow supporter inquired into his fitness and he replied that all was well. I am a huge fan of Beamer and he trained hard yesterday and said G'day which goes along way amongst a few demons tragics. Austin Wonaeamirri – He chased an tackled three players yesterday who wouldn't have had the time to hear footsteps. Excitement machine indeed. Stefan Martin – He trained with the backline mob and in match practice took marks, spoiled and cleared the ball like he belonged. My bet is he'll be developed into a KPP up back. I hadn't seen him before and I was pretty impressed I must say. Cale Morton – Ok he has some bulk to put on but his fitness is match ready. He ran up front in the group behind Jones and Mc Lean and stuck with them. Saw some great passes and was surprised at his height. He will play some footy is 2008 for sure. Brock and Jones – They trained hard the way born leaders only can. Nothing but speed, skill, voice, commitment. It's madness to suggest that either player cannot captain this club in the coming years. Clint Bartram – Things obviously aren't right with Clint. He trained light and finished much earlier than the other players. I didn't want to butt in with any questions. It's a great shame as we all know but who knows how serious his injury is. Other players who didn't finish or participate in the session: Whelan, Davey, Grimes (who by the way looked hungry for the footy at every opportunity), along with Mc Namara and Cheney (Hard nut for sure). Brad Miller – Maybe it was the shock of being named in the leadership group, I don't know but he trained like a trooper. He needs to show the same commitment in games to convince us all. I am hoping he can finally switch on in 2008. He did heaps of talking yesterday and encouraged a number of players around him. Colin Sylvia – He looked super fit and gave me the sense that he is ready for the upcoming season. Like a few others he may realise that he has to preform this year. Dunn trained with the midfield, Maric snapped a couple of beauties, Weetra seems popular, Zomer is a good sized player and presented well. Valenti looks like he could step straight into the side, finished a little early to ice us his calf. Bode has been busy in the gym. If we're stratching our heads for a backman in the leadership group why not Bell, manourvered brilliantly to spoil several times yesterday. Anyway I know I've belted on a bit about the players size, but I think you'll agree we are going to be a much larger side in 2008. I hope the above is interesting enough to tide you all over for the moment at least. Go you bloody Demons.

1. Jones Boy - We can all feel it, Jonesy is the real thing. A player Melbourne has not had for some time. 2. Messen - Pure speculation, but I don't believe he is the punt most think he is. I don't much take DB for a gambler. 3. Bell - The close eyes out there have seen Belly consistantly develop. A solid pre-season and some solid direction from our coaching staff will see Bell and the remainder of our backline finally step up.

Maybe I'm confused but I am sure that there was talk at the end of last season that CAC had turned down an offer from some other club?

So it's a good thing he's leaving is it Anders? It's a positive thing for the club? You've actually been thinking to yourself that: "Gee we should get rid of that Craig Cameron, the club in fact would be so much better off without his 11 years exerience. That damn Newton, that rednut Bate, that developing Frawley, Dunn, Pettard, Bartram and Bell. That highsight to pick Bruce, Davey and Bartram from nowhere, really could have been done by anyone. And that recent crop, God! I wonder why Mfc are the envy of every footy commentator after this draft?" Carlton getting picks is CAC's fault? Interesting... St Kilda ahead of us in recruiting? How so? Mate I feel pretty safe in the knowledge that we will finish ahead of the Crows next year. Freo as an example? Drafting two duds in their late 20's. Is this a model you suggest? Tell me you had an opinion on CAC before his departure. And what was it (if it differs from the above).

Others have said it before, but it is difficult to read some peoples comments who say 'oh well he wasn't that good anyway'. Those who are, are just kidding themselves. It's alright to feel pain, it means that it matters, and it does because you love your club. It's OK to be optimistic, console your online mates and get on with things, but to live in denial and shun our potential loss is mightily misplaced machoism. Stay with us CAC. Your hard work has us on the brink of a hell of a comeback season.

Wrecker... Cheers. Living so far away from Melbourne, posts like this are gold. Maloney deserves his spot, he works so hard. Jones, what can we say, here is our star. Thanks mate. Diabalo, get out there with that camera next week mate.

Named by afl insider as one of the Top 8 steals of the draft. 66 Melbourne - Tom McNamara The back line for Melbourne in 2007 was in disarray, but with this draft and a few players returning from injury it could turn into a strength. McNamara went very late, but he could be playing AFL a lot quicker than some of the high picks.

Nice try Yze but i think it's wishful thinking to suggest that Rance will slip to 14.

Replaining = Replacing (?) Sampi or Jamar Superstar as brains trust mark II? Genius?

I love the mental gymnastics it requires to: A. Draw an association between the two completely seperate trades. TJ for Sampi (?) B. Come up with with such a brilliant oxymoron as "Jamar Superstar". Wait no longer Dees fans, the brains trust has arrived!

I don't know what anyone else thinks, but this is getting quite sad now - COUSINS GOES MISSING ON STREETS OF LA "Counsellors at an exclusive drug treatment facility in Malibu are scouring Los Angeles in search of Ben Cousins. Sources close to the Summit Centre in Malibu told The Australian yesterday the 29-year-old failed to check in, as scheduled, on Monday. They say they are worried for his safety. 'No one has any idea where he is,' said a person with knowledge of the situation. 'He's got everyone freaking out because LA's not a good place to be out doing what he may be doing. I just hope nothing bad happens to him.' "

From: realfooty.com: ... Meanwhile, forward Ashley Sampi will fly to Victoria early next week to do pre-season training with Melbourne. The Demons organised for Sampi to live with Aaron Davey and will monitor his progress leading into the national draft. Melbourne has picks four, 14, 21, 52, 64 and 70 in the draft. --- A 23yo strong defender, the Dees place him under Aarons wing to monitor his progress... The Mfc is thinking outside the square, but most importantly, we're quick and we're willing to ACT. Further to this, comments from John Messen today: “I looked at all my options and Melbourne showed the most interest..."

After reading this series, I not only have a better sense of who this man is but the direction in which the Melbourne Football Club is heading and on both accounts I love it. The word development has taken on a slightly different meaning in this context. This is holistic progress with no limits. Rather than just seeming like just a technique to attempt to transform our team it presents an opportunity that has the potential to change the culture of the club, which I know for most of us is our primary concern. Plenty of you old boffins will tut-tut and delight in your opportunity to grumble. But I’m backing Bailey and his charge into what I believe will be a new era for the Mfc. from: melbournefc.com.au In the last of a four-part series, Melbourne coach Dean Bailey reflects on his playing days. Recruited from North Ringwood to Essendon, Bailey played 53 matches with the Bombers from 1986-92, before making 60 appearances with Glenelg from 1993-96. He spoke exclusively to melbournefc.com.au. You started your footy career in Melbourne's outer-eastern suburbs. Can you take us back to your early football days? DB: I grew up in North Ringwood, but started playing junior footy at the Park Orchards footy club at Domeney Reserve and then I went to North Ringwood and played senior footy at North Ringwood. Then I went to Essendon. Can you recall the first time Essendon approached you as a player? DB: [Now Collingwood recruiter] Noel Judkins tells a story where he was the one who came out and spoke to me because back then we were in a zone situation. He told me he was going to a game and had a couple of names of other blokes who were playing in the game I was playing. Juddy saw a fat little stumpy bloke running around, who got a few kicks and looked alright. He then went to another game I happened to be playing in and he said, 'This kid is in our zone' – and it all happened from there. Juddy came out and met my parents. He's probably one of the great recruiters. He's a fantastic bloke. I caught up with him in Canberra at the draft camp, so that's how it all started. He might tell you different and he'd probably put a different slant on it, but I think that's how it all started. How do you reflect on your playing days with Essendon? DB: I try not to [reflect] too much because I wasn't all that successful. Still, you played 53 matches – not many have achieved that. DB: Yeah, well, those things happen. I'd have liked to have had another opportunity at doing it, but that'll never happen. Do you get more enjoyment out of playing or coaching? DB: I wasn't a very good player, so it's a very easy question. Playing the game is always the exciting part of it, but I was a battler and a struggler as a player, so once you've moved out of playing and you start coaching, the greatest enjoyment you get is seeing players develop. Players can really establish confidence within themselves or in a leadership role. They become great people around the footy club and they set the standards for the next young players. To see boys walk into a club and very quickly change their body shapes, their personas, improve, become professional at a very young age, take on leadership and some important roles in the community is really exciting. That inspires the coaches, players, members and sponsors. I love to see that happen, so I get great enjoyment out of seeing that part of the game – no doubt. Playing was always the thing you loved doing, but that was a long time ago. Who have been your mentors over the years? DB: Probably all of the blokes I've played under – all the way back to Kevin Morris, Merv Keane, Robert Shaw. Shawy was fantastic – a great coach. Sheeds [Kevin Sheedy] was obviously the only senior coach I had and he was really good. He was just a really good bloke and he tried to help as many people as he could. That was something that really stood out about him. He pushed you hard and rode you hard when he had to but he was always trying to get the best out of his players and he seemed to always do it. I had Denis Pagan for a year and he was really good. Denis and Shawy were probably the two reserves coaches that were professional. They planned for reserves games and they had handouts and it was really impressive to have reserves coaches that were committed. I then had Mark Williams at Glenelg for two years and after playing under Choco, I had Tony Symonds, who was really good. He was a great character, Symo, and he loved the Glenelg footy club. I enjoyed my time under Symo. All of the assistant coaches I've worked with [have been great]. At Mt Gravatt, Graham Henwood was really good for me. Graham had come out of Noble Park and he had some really good experiences. The guys I've worked with like Shawy and Harvs [Mark Harvey] – they were fantastic and Terry [Daniher] was brilliant. I worked with David Flood in development at Essendon and he was really good. He's got a lot of great qualities, Floody. He coached Calder Cannons to a premiership this year, so he's really good. At Port Adelaide, we had David Pittman and Mark Mickan, who were really good ruck coaches. Phil Walsh has had a huge influence on me as well, as has Mark Williams and Geoff Morris – a great development coach, after playing with West Adelaide. He's now at Hawthorn. Chris Pelchen, Alastair Clarkson and Damien Hardwick – the names go on and on. They've all had a little input. Even some of the people I've got to know through business, who are not football people, but they are very smart managers of people – you pick up a lot from those types of people as well. That was really exciting for me. You've got a family as well. How do you manage family and football? DB: I'm married with a wife and two kids. It's going to be a tough gig. My kids are 15 and 13 and I think they're looking forward to coming over [to Victoria] from Adelaide. They're a little bit nervous I think. My wife is from the Sunshine Coast, so unfortunately she's had to travel around with me and she's had to almost raise the kids by herself to some degree – as most coaches will tell you. She's fantastic, my wife. I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for my wife – no doubt. You're supposed to have a great sense of humour. Are we going to see much of that? DB: I like to have a bit of fun at training. I like to have fun at the club, but when there is a time to be serious you've got to work hard and that'll always be a priority. If I lose my sense of humour and become a bit too serious, my wife and kids will tell me. I'm sure some of the media will also tell me that I've lost my sense of humour as well, so that'll be the first indication. But I am very serious about what we're trying to do, and that's to make sure that we are competitive. I don't want to put limitations on anyone – any players, anyone we draft or our staff. We still should be trying to develop all of our people and not just pick and choose. Chris Connolly – he can do the gags. He's very good at the gags, Chris. And finally, what music and films are you into? DB: I was always a Hunters and Collectors fan. I know my boys tell me, 'You're old school'. I always liked Bruce Springsteen. I really like Australian bands though. The Oils (Midnight Oil) were always a favourite. I also like Eskimo Joe. I don't go out and purposely pick the Australian bands, but I really like to listen to Australian music where I can. As for films, a couple of mates will spew if I don't mention Caddyshack. We were always big Caddyshack fans. It's one of the great shows, Caddyshack. I like the classics like Stripes. I liked Bill Murray growing up. Some of those cult films were great. I don't get a lot of time to watch them now, but I'll watch just about anything.

Apart from missing the entire point about the distinction between: 1. the clubs forward thinking attempt at branding (bringing us up to speed with the rest of the league) and 2. the new logo, you have a point. It doesn't mean however that we should ignore everything off the field and be happy with our paltry 28007 members.

Sorry mousey, but your mates comment belongs in 70's technical drawing book. Graphic Designers, I'm one, design logos. Not signwriters. It's kind of like asking Andrew Johns about the hands in the back rule. Sure he's got an opinion but he should stick to his own game. Now I'm not a huge fan of the logo myself, I think it'll grow on me, but it's certainly not technically deficient or dated, quite the opposite infact. This, as we know, is all about branding and in my opinion, the move toward us becoming the football club of Melbourne, is a very good one indeed. We are attempting to differentiate ourselves in the market, this move sets us apart from all of the other clubs. Only two other clubs have this opportunity, Brisbane and Adelaide. Both of which do not have the same history, or marketing ‘pull’ as Melbourne. This is not about now, this is about our past (150 years) and particularly stepping above the others to look at our future. With our interest into new realms of potential bases of support. We need to present as something other than one of the Melbourne teams. We need to be the team of Melbourne and with so many new arrivals in Melbourne every week we are separating ourselves away from the pack and potentially becoming the obvious choice. Give this a chance. It’s not about the bloody logo, it’s about attracting new supporters, future members and in our 150th year our timing is perfect.

Some interesting ideas here. I think later in the 2008 season we are going to see Dunn on field a lot more. An ideal candidate for a Bailey refit.

http://melbournefc.com.au Part 1 Bailey on the Club, coaches, CAC, Riley, coaching, Judd, Miller, TJ, Robbo, Brock and the pre-season. Part 2 Expectations for 2008. I'm excited. Go you bloody Demons!

from melbournefc.com.au Kelly O’Donnell joins MELBOURNEfc MELBOURNEfc is pleased to advise that it has appointed Kelly O’Donnell to the position of Development Coach. A former Melbourne player, O’Donnell was renowned for his dedicated attitude towards his football, playing 80 games and kicking 67 goals for the Club between 1979 and 1984. He became the senior coach of the Murray Bushrangers between 1993 and 2000, taking the side to finals in six seasons, and winning the premiership in 1998. O’Donnell then joined the Fremantle Dockers where he spent seven years as assistant coach, serving both the forward line and the midfield. MELBOURNEfc coach Dean Bailey said, “Securing Kelly’s services is a real bonus for the Melbourne Football Club. He has an outstanding knowledge of the game, and brings with him over 15 years of coaching experience with both Fremantle and the Murray Bushrangers. Kelly played with this Club for five seasons, and we are thrilled he now returns home to play a vital role in the development of our playing list.” O’Donnell said, “I am really pleased to be back at the Melbourne Football Club, I am looking forward to the challenge this role presents me and am very excited to be working alongside Dean Bailey, Chris Connolly and the rest of the coaching personnel at the Club. "I spent seven years with the Fremantle Dockers, and would also like to thank them for everything they have done for me to benefit my professional coaching career.”

Whitnall and TJ: Occasional flashes of brilliance, with not much in between. Maybe years of mediocrity have whittled down our attention spans. We just want those few snippets of class to curl up with at night, rather than embracing the slog it takes to win a premiership. Any thoughts that Lance Whitnall will help us win a premiership are delusional to say the absolute least. Wake up.

condemed and Jaded, your on the money. I am going to keep batting on about the very point that both of you have made until well into Dean Bailey's tenure as our coach. Miller, along with every player on our list, deserves a chance under Bailey. Bailey and Roos, two appartently proffesional football brains, see something in Miller that you don't. These coaches see players like Miller with a clear head. No passion, no history, no frustration, just as a player in the game. 2008 is about development for the MFC, it about exploring the potential in players, like Miller, we have seen, but not seen realised. We as supporters have to back this period of development, enjoy it's success and accept it's failures. But I for one feel optimistic about the path the MFC is on.

From: http://melbournefc.com.au/ MELBOURNEfc today delisted defender Ryan Ferguson from its senior list as the Club prepares for its 2008 season. Originally a fifth round selection (Pick 66) in the 2002 National Draft, Ferguson played 47 games over his five years at the Club, and was renowned for his fearless attack on the ball. Named as Best First Year Player in 2003, Ferguson was a dual Sandringham premiership player (2004 and 2006), and won the Troy Broadbridge Memorial Trophy in 2007 for being the highest Melbourne listed vote getter in Sandringham’s Best and Fairest. Craig Cameron, General Manager of Recruiting and List Management said, “We would like to thank Ryan for his five years of service to the Melbourne Football Club. His courageous play was always an asset for us down back, and we wish him all the very best for his future endeavours.”

Do the maths: We set out to get a strong set of draft picks, in what is widley regarded as a shallow draft. (25 deep they say) We have 4, 14 and 21. Any and every club would like to be in our position.

Hannabal... thanks. You've reconciled me to the fact that Travis has actually gone and that it's not the tragedy I initially believed it would be. It's not that I think he'll gone on to greatness, it's just that he's left us, the melbourne footy club. If I choose to put it into something tangible it’s the following quote from your post that I think no true Demons supporter can argue with: "Put simply, Melbourne players don’t hurt enough." Trav, Travis, TJ personifies this sentiment. And who the hell are we to put up with it any longer? Maybe the mediocrity of the club and its culture has worn us down into accepting whatever the hell we're dished up. I'm joining those on these boards who agree that enough is enough. I love a part of you Trav and I wish I could say I'll miss you, but my Red and Blue heart would be telling a lie if I did. Good luck. But next year I'll scream for Brock and Jones boy until blood streams from my eyes. Go you bloody Demons.