Deeoldfart

Forgot to mention Harmes in my earlier post. He was involved in everything, and if today was any indication, his kicking has come a fair way since last season. He was near the front in all the running. ....... and finally, allowing for my perpetual optimism, number 9 seemed to have markedly improved his agility. Not sure about his pace, but certainly more agile imo.

Clarrie did the full session with the main group and was pretty active in most of the drills, including (apparently) a bit of 'push and shove' at the other end of the ground to me. There was a series of hard run throughs to finish the session, and he struggled at or close to the back of the pack, as the lactic acid made things tough for him. He's coming from a fair way back in the endurance stakes, and it might take a while imo.

I'm down from Canberra for a few days, and of course, training was an important part of the itinerary. The highlights for me were: - the overall intensity of the work. The pace was high for the full two and a bit hours of the session (in very warm conditions), and the tackling was 'for keeps'. - the camraderie between the boys was palpable. Voice and high fives throughout. - Hunty and Billy look absolutuly 'ripped,' and I'm sure the coaches would have been rapt with their track work today. Very excting. - Jordan Lewis. So very clean and professional. Will be an outstanding acquisition for us in 2017. - Maxy's leadership. Directing traffic and encouraging others. An aspect l hadn't seen at the admittedly limited number of training sessions I can get to. - meeting a few Demonlanders for the first time. Believe it or not, they are actually 'real' people.

Dom Tyson was hobbling noticebly as he walked a couple of laps. He told Saty & me that he had injured his quad, and used the dreaded "4 to 6" when Saty asked "how long?"

Well if those highlights of 2016 don't get every Demonlander excited about our prospects for the coming season(s), then nothing ever will!. Thanks Jack!

Thanks Jack. You are a marvel for filling the quiet times with gems like this.

No!

I very much doubt it Chris. Too many hangovers amongst the playing personnel, coaching staff and Demonlanders for such an event to be viable.

Great story. Thanks iv'a, and well done for bringing it to the attention of our Club.

Hindsight is marvellous, but it does my mind somewhat, when I recall that his strength of 'leadership' was was one of the reasons we recruited him to our Club.

Many thanks to all our diligent training watchers / reporters. You are the 'lifeblood' of demonland at this otherwise barren time of year, especially for us footy deprived members from interstate. ........... and now that I've buttered you up, a quick question please. I note from another thread that many of us have the Weed filling a kpf position in our round 1 team, but I've read very little about his work on the track so far this pre-season. Some intel about how is he looking so far would be fantastic. Thanks!

Looking at the question from a slightly different angle, which teams are likely to finish ahead of us in 2017, and which teams might be expected to finish around the same mark? Imo, it's a fair assumption that GWS, the Dogs and Swans will finish top three. I then have the Dees as part of the next group (which also includes Adelaide and Geelong), who will be vying for the final spot in the top four. Given a decent run with injuries, I reckon we can be right in the mix for a top four finish in 2017, with 15 or 16 wins. Of course I'm looking at this from the perspective of a 'dyed in the (red and blue) wool' Dees supporter, but that's entirely permissible at this time of the year!

From the Fox Footy website: "HOW CAN I WATCH IT? THE draft will be live on FOX FOOTY (Channel 504) from 6.30pm (AEDT), with the first round expected to commence around 7pm. Every pick this year will be shown live on FOX FOOTY, while there will also be ample interviews and analysis from an expert panel. You can also follow every pick live online via foxfooty.com.au, which will also host club-by-club analysis pieces and report cards in the event’s aftermath."

Great post WJ ......... and what pizzes me off almost as much as the AFL itself, is the utter 'silence' from the media on the issue. As you rightly say, these issues strike at the very integrity of the draft. What is supposed to be a centrepiece of fairness in our competition, is more like the epitome of double standards ....................... but it's like someone hit the mute button on the media. The AFL must be loving it!

Tender 'toughnuts'.

Back in the 1950s and early 60s, supporters were welcome in the dressing rooms after a game, to chat to the players, and of course, to join in the ritual singing of 'The Grand Old Flag' after a win (which was most weeks back then!). It was always a rousing rendition, both verses, of course! I still reckon the song is incomplete without the second verse.

Love what I'm hearing wayne. Keep up the great work.

Even more careful with me please! DOF

I know I'm getting old, but reading this thread is giving me flashbacks to this time 12 months ago, and the year before. and ........................

Should've stuck to 'Claytons'!

He probably thinks this is the honourable thing to do, and he will be lauded for it. A bit too late Jobe!

This is my take, but I'm sure it's been said thousands of times before on Demonland, and the fan sites of 16 other AFL clubs: The only appropriate course of action available to Watson, is to return his medal to the AFL. It seems however, that this is unlikely to happen, so surely the AFL must intervene. Without this, the good name of the Brownlow will forever be stained by the inclusion of Watson's name amongst the list of winners. This would be an enormous slur on the AFL and the competition itself. 'Charlie' would be devalued for all past and future winners. Surely the powers that be at the AFL must see this. If they are so naive as to let Watson retain his medal, they deserve to be pilloried by the media, and all lovers of Aussie Rules, for bringing the very integrity at the heart of our great game into disrepute.

I share your wish Ernest. It runs a close second to my #1 wish for this pre-season, which is for Clarry and Trac to convincingly beat T.Mac in the 3km time trial.

I agree Ernest, so long as it hasn't very recently dawned on Melksham that he has a hell of a lot of catching up to do before he fronts up for pre season.

A long and injury free career at the Melbourne Football Club (obviously, Max would be the rightful owner of this gift, but in the true spirit of Christmas, we would ALL share in the joy).