Ron Burgundy

Excellent analysis. Someone please send it to the Herald Sun marked to the attention of "Robbo".

No. For a start, his premise that we are too defensive is not remotely aligned to what all the players and coaching staff have reported about this preseason's focus, which has been adding an attacking dimension to the game plan. Second, many of our better players now have now had another year under the system and with each other. Assuming a good run with injuries, I simply cannot see how we will not improve this year. Potentially dramatically. "Robbo" is not someone you should be listening to. On this issue in particular.

Geez we dodged a bullet in not being able to retain Scully on a massive contract. Think we offered him $700k or so for a long time, yet he still walked. And we got Jesse as a result.

They would've formed a great core had the MFC entered a choir in the Sandringham Eisteddfod ...

Can't agree - we need to win more games this year than last year. Assuming an okay run with injuries, I think we will. Dont think we'll make the eight - but I'm expecting a big improvement this year. And that HAS to translate into winning more games, not simply being a bit more competitive in games, and for longer. If we win 7 or less, I reckon that's a fail. The stats count for us now. That is, if we're being fair dinkum about where this list/club is now headed.

He's got form. Several rumours about him having a crack at the partners of his former team mates. Not good. Modra was the same, apparently. Worse in fact. Word has it, Wayne Carey had some form in this regard too ...

Mark "Robbo" Robinson is genuinely a fat fool. I don't think he's ever expressed a view, on anything, that I've respected. The whole focus of the preseason this year seems to have been on ball movement and introducing an attacking dimension to the game plan. A journalist could research this in less than one minute. It's all over the club's official website. That this fat idiot is seemingly unaware of this shows what a fat, lazy moron he really is. I'm not sure where we will finish this year, but I will be super disappointed with anything less than 9 wins. And I'm actually expecting a couple more than that.

This is the best training thread I've read in a long while. Thanks to those who've provided training reports. The performance of Terlich in the match sim has really surprised me. He's clearly had a good preseason. Suspect he knows it's his last chance and is approaching this year accordingly. That said, I've never had Matt Jones and Terlich in the same category. I reckon Matt Jones is a good player who can perform a role in the seniors. Think he's unfairly maligned by many here. The performance of Frost as CHF also comes as a pleasant surprise. I know he's a great athlete etc, but it seems he's starting to deliver more than that. If he can become a decent CHF, our forward line will be very effective/dangerous this year. Exciting times ahead. Hope that injury list reduces. Kind of immediately.

ProDee and Saty - thanks for the reports. Much appreciated. ProDee - you mention that Frost's kicking for goal will be a 'bit hit or miss'. Any chance you can expand on this? Is he a long kick? It seems he's inaccurate from your comment. Is this technique issue that can be fixed? Or is he simply a slightly unskilled defender trying to play forward? I can't actually recall how he connects with the ball. Or how far he can kick it.

I don't see how you can support three teams. Seems idiotic. Off topic - but is Mike Sheahan officially a Demons supporter?

Hoping that Kent and Salem don't reinjure their hammies. And that Viney doesn't get suspended. Big seasons from all of them if they manage to avoid these things.

It's stunning how we managed to stuff up so many first round draft picks from that period - whether it be the player selected, development or otherwise. The club seems to have landed on the right formula now: hard body and ultra competitive character. Roos' non negotiables.

Can't afford TMac to get injured. Can't afford Viney to get suspended. Plainly a stupid tackle in the circumstances.

Particularly in the pre-season.

There's a lot lacking in class on display here. And you're spot on - it's not Chris Dawes, or his attitude to this club and his potential replacements. Perhaps some here could benefit from his guidance as to team-oriented behaviours, leadership, and the proper approach to be adopted towards the club. I wish him all the best. Must be an absolutely horrible blow for him in the circumstances.

All top 3 draft picks in that photo. It shows how much talent we now have. Wish they would stop crackin gags though.

Is that Jack Watts' crackin gags at training? Fair dinkum ...

I love Jeff Garlett.

I agree. I think he's firmly within the talented younger core of this club all of whom I reckon have made an informal pact to stick together and seek to achieve ultimate success together. They know it's in their hands: the club finally has the coaching, recruiting and development staff, the infrastructure, the back office, the financial resources etc to enable this to happen. In short, the MFC is as good a vehicle as any other club right now. Much is in their hands, as a group and individually. And I don't really fear losing Hogan to Freo. He seems to like living in Melbourne. The threat of Hawthorn or Collingwood concerns me more, but this threat will be minimised if the team starts to perform as we hope it will. It's a great story for this group if they can take this former basket case of a club to a flag. Hogan would be spearheading that charge - not a situation/narrative easily replicated elsewhere.

Why?

Agree with this post generally, and also specifically in relation to Matt Jones.

I assume the banned players are able to attend the games as members of the general public. Would be interesting to know if Melksham rocks up to watch the game. Hope he does, and he gets to see the Dees absolutely demolish his old club.

The half back line is the area that most interests me. Will be interesting to see who is selected to generate the run off the half back line, and how we structure the rebounding play. This has simply been a massive weakness for us for a very long time.

I have no idea what Hulett's like. Looks the right size. That said, if he has a breakout year, and Jesse remains injury free for the season, it'll probably mean we're playing finals as we will have had two power forwards firing, presumably as a result of getting consistently good clean entries from the mids.

vandenBerg is on track to become the player we're all hoping Oliver will one day turn out to be.