Whispering_Jack

I spoke to Mark Jamar today. He is recovering from a hamstring injury, as are Mitch Clark and Max Gawn. Chris Dawes, we know, had knee surgery at the end of last season and is also easing into training. The Russian was at AAMI Park doing leg work as required by the club to assist in recovery from his hamstring injury. I think he used the plural so I assume at least one other (Jack Fitzpatrick?) would have been with him. There is no reason why at this stage of proceedings a conservative approach shouldn't be taken.

In the under 9s.

Most of the spectators have left and the players are now in the rooms. The only two people out there now are my son who posts as Blistering and my grandson who's wearing the famous #31 and playing under 10s this year. Needless to say, he's training the house down.

I did a Satyricon and spoke to Cam Pedersen as he came off. That's it for the session at Casey Fields but they then go to AAMI Park for leg work and gym sessions before knocking off at 4pm. I didn't see the Russian but I'm due to give him a call over the next day or so and I'll ask how he's travelling. I'll also try to do a little report later.

There's a fair amount of cloud cover and a few drops of rain as the majority of the group go inside. A small group have stayed on the ground and are kicking balls around to each other. I'm not sure if that's it for the day. Jeremy Howe just came over and asked me if I was holding out and I told him I'm fine. The last three left now are Pedo, Crossy and Salem.

For those about to slash their wrists over our #1 draftee, I can report that you can relax. Christian Salem's out there training as are our other two Nation Draft selections (I think the rookies are out there too). JKH and Dom Barry look fast and impressive. I'm assuming that Brayshaw and Stretch don't require permission to train because they're the official AIS invitees this week and training is part of their work experience.

There's a young kid out there wearing # 7 but it's not Jack Viney. Slightly built, has a darkish complexion and I think I heard someone call him "Billy". Reckon he's a Stretch. Going well too & doesn't seem out of place. I'm guessing that the other AIS invitee, Brayshaw is wearing 15 because Mitch Clisby and Max Gawn who don't appear to be taking part in today's training, have gone inside the rooms. No apparent reason - both look fine.

I'm at Casey Fields now and it's not only hot but the flies have turned up in their abundance. Sam Blease is running laps. Mitch Clark is walking with Chris Dawes and there are three groups doing ball work, some with training jumpers and others with yellow-green vests. It's going to take me some time to work out the new blokes and I hope I do so before I go into meltdown.

I understand that if you frequent night clubs often enough, it's possible that you develop groin issues. I feel sorry for him.

No Vince played mainly in the midfield but was a creative link man and very attacking. He kicked a goal early but was better downfield setting things up. He has good hands and was quick with his decision making. I reckon both he and Cross will play in the midfield for us.

He will but unless he recuperates perfectly and does well with his rehab, it's likely not until 2015. Unfortunate, because he's a good leader at the Crows. I suppose it will give Dangerfield the opportunity to take the mantle and I'm sure he's up to it.

Didn't hurt them tonight against WSW even after they lost Nabout who was KO'd early. I suppose you can cop an injury or two if you're winning.

Melbourne is such a fantastic sporting city. Tonight, it's hosting the Australian Open Tennis, an A League soccer match and the T20 BBL ... and that's after attracting large crowds for the Boxing Day Test and Sunday's ODI! But tomorrow it's off to Casey Fields to see the city's AFL team prepare for 2014.

And that's enough for C Brown who now joins the passing parade of former footballers. We have a general board for discussion on police powers for those inclined to continue the debate but please keep it within the confines of our code of conduct.

That's probably right and it's been the case for a while. In the early 90s, I was on a board which represented the region which covered the TAC Cup Dragons team (the team went through some name changes from Central to Prahran and now Sandringham). One year there was a player who was among the best in the region but a lair who also had a record of problems with the law. He used to stand out in games with his bleached blond hair and his undisciplined play. They tried but alas, the kid wouldn't learn, missed training sessions and eventually was dropped off the list. He was definitely a talent who could quite easily have made it in the AFL but for his attitude. I have no idea what he's doing these days but I'd be surprised if he's leading a happy or a healthy life.

Well, he had to find a role somewhere, sooner or later ... Sacked Melbourne coach Mark Neeld offered role at Carey Grammar.

Thanks but I managed to escape via the freeway where they haven't set up border controls yet. I'll be back by the weekend for a wedding and to check out how the republic's growth industries (weight loss clinics and dental implant technology) are faring.

The other problem was that the pair didn't play in the same side all that often. One of them always seemed to be out injured. Then, suddenly both were gone - Dillon to Norwood SA and Parke to Footscray and we lacked marking forwards for at least a decade after that.

I agree that ASADA works to its own timetable and that's how it should be but mid season seems to be stretching things given that the public announcement of the investigation happened in early February, 2013. Unless they're waiting for something to happen via another agency e.g. the ACC, I'd like to think that if infraction notices are to issued then it should happen before the season starts (which means the start of the NAB Challenge). This is because I understand that sanctions start from the last competition date which would ATM mean end August 13/start September 13.

How are things in Bonbeach bub? I tried walking there from the Independent Republic of Frankston and Boganville the other day but got stopped at the border and wasn't allowed to cross for lack of a passport. They're taking this succession thing too seriously IMO.

The answer to the Billy Stretch at training question - Draft prospects head to AFL clubs

Never in doubt and I knew that one of the clubs I support would be playing in a final against the Hawks in 2014. Now for a win in that one and a double up in September

Little by little, I managed to watch the whole of the game and yes, I was impressed by both players and yes, if they can produce anything like that sort of form on a regular basis, we will have a better team on the park every week.It was a good standard game with the Bulldogs taking the early ascendency before they were reeled in by Adelaide who, at one stage late in the third quarter led by 22 points. The Dogs came back and finished the fitter of the two sides and stormed home by three goals. They had a few impressive young players (especially midfielders Liberatore and Wallis) but it was their older brigade that won the game for them including Cross who was mainly in defence coveting Rory Sloane. Ryan Griffiths was a standout and Adam Cooney was explosive at times. I still disagree with all the raving about the Bulldogs - they have plenty of older types in their 30s (and closing in on that age) to suggest that they're likely to have a bumpy ride when those blokes start retiring. Anyway, we're in a different place with Cross' introduction adding much needed expedience in midfield, defence or a tagging role. I didn't see any signs that would make me critical of his disposal which might prevent him becoming a regular in our time. Vince played a good, ordinary game - he got a lot of the pill but was workmanlike without being a star. He was in the play often, linked well, showed good poise and was always on the attack. We could well have a couple of good hardworking players here which is an area we've lacked in our recent past. The Crows had a dangerous player in the explosive Dangerfield who was overshadowed in the last quarter and that cost the Crows in the end. I had also forgotten how ordinary Dwayne Russell is as a commentator. Dull, colorless, often repetitive and boring.

Davey Warner playing second fiddle in to Aaron Finch in an ODI. I'd like to see that!

A walk down Melbourne's memory lane would be incomplete without Jacko - 'I'd be bigger than the Bee Gees' The man was larger than life when he strutted the stage at the MCG or wherever but I knew in my heart of hearts that as long as we had to rely on his showmanship and antics on the ground, we would never amount to anything. He came to us from Richmond (where he couldn't get a senior game because they had Michael Roach and Brian Taylor) in 1981, kicked a bag - 76 goals - in each of his two seasons but we gladly let him go to St. Kilda where he kicked 10 goals one day but got sacked before the end of the season, played rugby, went to Geelong and finally ended up climbing goalposts playing in the VFA for Brunswick where he attracted 15,000 one day. Became a Hollywood actor in TV, a singer and a boxer. Reckons he'd be bigger than the Bee Gees if he was playing today. If I was Barry Gibb, I'd sue.