Ron Burgundy

I would focus more on the brand 'the Demons', rather than the name 'Melbourne'. Gardiner and that CEO in about 2003 did this many years ago and it was an absolute failure. There's a reason the Pies, the Hawks, the Blues and the Bombers all have many more supporters across the country than we do - and, ironically, probably within Melbourne too.

Perfect leadership group. It's funny, under the new guard (Roos, PJ etc), I no longer find myself thinking the club is doing 'curious' or 'interesting' things. It now just makes common sense, almost boringly obvious/measured decisions, about pretty well everything. This is just another example.

McKenzie was actually the most important link man in that final play against Essendon last year. He still has value.

Well that's plainly stupid.

I absolutely agree with this. To those posters (TDI, number 1) who make the effort to attend training and then report it back to us - thank you. I love reading the reports - they enable me to feel more connected with the club and the list. I'd like someone to confront these faceless snipers face to face sometime and pull them into line. I'm pretty confident they're not as cool as they think they are.

As someone who is based in Sydney, I can say with certainty that the training reports during the pre-season are the most valuable/important contributions that posters make on this site. That being the case, would others please respect this and stop dragging otherwise interesting threads into mindless/petty personality-based sniping.

I reckon you might be able to work this one out.

Lions: Leuenberger and Stef Martin. Both bordering on AA. Notwithstanding my earlier overstated hyperbole, trading Martin has turned out to be a disaster. PS. Clearly I want to say something's a disaster.

Look, I have to agree with you on this. The word 'disaster' is clearly hyperbolic and an overstatement. But I think he'd be a good back up for Jamar and Gawn - and it is a missed opportunity given that we picked Nicholson and Evans ahead of him, and Stark in the rookie draft with the pick to be used on him, all of whom are no longer on the list. Had we picked Hannath very, very late in the draft, I expect he'd still be on the list. That said, he's clearly not another Brodie Grundy selected for the bargain pick at number 18.

Top work 1964 - thanks. Newton seems like he'll be a really good pick up. Will really add to our midfield.

He's competing with Sandilands. And is well regarded by the club. How many games do you expect Nicholson and Evans to play for the Dees this year?

Missing Jack Hannath was a disaster, particularly when one thinks that his slot was actually used to upgrade Dan Nicholson and Michael Evans. Geez I'm glad/relieved we have Roos at the helm now.

Absolutely agree. Watts is clearly a very good player. It's just that many have wanted him to be a different type of player to what he actually is, which is a highly skilled, athletic, outside type player with supreme vision, i.e. not another hard nosed ball winning inside mid in the mould of Nate Jones, or a burly aggressive forward like Jonathon Brown. Doesn't mean he's not an excellent player to have on our list though. I reckon Roos knows/recognises this.

Put butter in the freezer for a while and check out how soft it is.

This is one of those threads that makes up for all those threads that descend into pure pettiness/mediocrity. Thanks for the reports RB - they've been absolutely sensational and very much appreciated.

Matt Jones is massively underrated here.

How long's Clark's contract with the Cats? Not that that seems to be a relevant factor for Mitch - although I expect the Cats take their contracts seriously.

Absolutely agree with this.

Thanks for the report RB - nailed it. Seems like you're already a fan of Petracca and Brayshaw. Likelihood of seeing them in the first half or so of the season proper?

Crows should've agreed to trade Danger for picks 2 and 3 (or whatever else was offered, eg, pick 3 and Toumpas) last year. No brainer for them. Geez I'm glad we didn't give away the farm to get him last year though.

I had thought he was coming to Melbourne to live with Bernie and play for the Dees?! At least that's what someone here reckoned late last year when they spotted him having coffee somewhere with Bernie and looking at some real estate cards in a Richmond shop window ...

One thing that's clear as day is that Roos and PJ are committed to building this club on solid and sustainable foundations. Everything they have done to date confirms/reaffirms that in spades.

Hypothetical. In fact, more dream than reality - but let's say the Dees get off to a good start and gain some serious confidence and momentum throughout the season. Not quite a baby Bombers circa 1993, more a Port Adelaide revival circa 2013. Exciting stuff - the Dees look organised, committed, fit, and play footy with genuine enthusiasm, excitement and spirit. Roos is pumped. Goodwin is pumped. Meanwhile, Geelong slide - miss out on the 8 (won't happen, I know). Bombers, Carltank, Crows and Collingwood all have average seasons. Goodwin calls Dangerfield. Get on board son - this is our club now. The future is good. And here's the sweetener - financially, this is the best offer you'll receive from any club in the land. Why wouldn't he select the Demons?!

Living in Sydney, I look forward to reading all of Saty's training reports including football-related conversations he has with the players. That said, I agree with Wiseblood - that someone's not prepared to criticise a player to his face doesn't make that criticism unworthy or mean that it should not be stated here.

That is just unreal stuff. McKenzie was super important in that play, as was Pedo and obviously Cross. Zaharakis was on fire in that game.