mdemonski2

I'm heading to the bentleigh club to watch. Nice and close for me. As a demons club they have the big screen projector upstairs and nice to sit with demons diehards. See you there.

Anyone know if the bentleigh club showing the game in the upstairs function room?

Love pig dog endeavour but I gotta say dean Kent gave him a bath in a ' match simulation' that I saw at training. Not sure what this means for the real thing though...

So will the new afl father son rule help or hinder us if we want to take Lovett next year?

Thanks guys for the update. With two rookie upgrades available (with Petracca and trenners on lti list) did anyone stake a claim like harmes or vandenberg?

I would have said exactly the same thing previously but I thought his kicking seems to have improved from watching training today in the match sim. Granted this is not of game day pressure but he might just be ok in this area. We shall see.

Attended training. Haven't been to many so hard to compare but here goes ... There was a lot of match sim as stated by previous posters. I must say, I was wondering where the Demons were training and who the team was on Gosch's paddock, the training intensity has lifted that much. One thing I disagree with from another poster is that competition will be fierce for spots, including for the first time in years in the midfield. Interestingly, I don't think there were as many standout players as in previous years as the gap between our best trainers and worst is no where near as large as before. Just a few to catch my eye, observations below:- - Max Gawn showed some great contested marking strength on a number of occasions. Tom Mac was ragdolled a number of times by Max. I expect he will play deep forward, rotating ruck with Jamar this year. Marking really well. - We have a number of first year players that may actually be too good to leave out. Petracca has a real turn of speed and has strength/smarts to go with it. Will surely play early on. Brayshaw just does not waste a disposal, not as noticeable as Petracca but again he should play early. Stretch also impressed me today, small but a low centre of gravity enables him to scoop up the ball at pace and speed off. Might get a shot later in the year. Vandenberg is a big lad, seemed right in it most of training but a few errant kicks he will need to iron out to play seniors. Not yet convinced on him yet. The other lads further behind these four. - Hogan does not like to be beaten, ever. Has that strut to him a la Jono Brown. Can't wait to see him play. - Newton looks solid, a bit like Brayshaw does not make errors but also flies under the radar. - Mitchie, I am not sure about yet. Doesn't seem to have enough penetration when kicking long. Just cant see it. - Viney is a classic. Jones got a free kick paid and Viney pushed him hard in the chest. He is just one way, all aggression. - Matt Jones. Seems to have developed an extra yard and seems more poised with the ball in hand. Unfortunately noticed Terlich for opposite reasons. - Salem. Would love him and Jetta in the backline. Kicking sublime and Jets to lock down the most dangerous small. - Frost. First time I have seen him and he has some real toe for a big guy. Marked, ran past and baulked an opponent at one stage. Impressive. - Last but not least Toumpas. Looks like he just belongs now. Maybe just taking longer than some of the bigger kids to adjust at AFL level. I expect many Demonlanders will pleasantly surprised this year.

I actually wouldn't want to be the ball either, when Hogan marks the ball he almost deflates it with his vice like smash!

Is training at gosch tomorrow morning? Anyone know ? Thanks in advance ...

I suggest that with the coaches emphasis on two way running, that those who do not do this come game day, may get used to their surrounds today! With our increased depth and fitness, there are no more excuses! Hopefully it was due to the lighter day as you suggested mate.

Would love a report from anyone who got to training today? My favourite Demonland threads at this time if year and I certainly appreciate the effort involved!

Thanks Saty. So were Vince and Howe in full training or is were they modified due to their hammy issues?

Ps dog was buried in his mfc collar and the whole family had a service for him in the back yard followed by a stirring rendition of 'it's a grand old flag'.

Not new the old pet memberships. I used to buy for the dog pre the kids arrival. As the oldest is now eight and the dog has been dead for years, I estimate mfc has offered pet memberships for at least a decade or more! And yep got a collar and something else (can't remember what).

Had a quick peek towRds the end of training today. They started doing full end to end type drills with defensive and attacking switches between teams. Petracca getting involved which is good to see. One thing I did note was the value of Hertier to the younger guys in the drills. Pulled Petracca over a coupe of times with some quiet words of advice (it appeared more to do with where to run/positioning). Might prove to be a strong leader for us i reckon. Skills in the end to end very sharp and (having seen previous years preseasons) there is not the drop off to the end of the sessions that used to occur. Very early days though and with so many new players they seem to still be learning each others style of play.

I get the feeling Oscar may also be looked at as a forward. He seems a better kick than Tom and slightly taller so maybe even a forward/chop out ruck. We may be light on for that type of player so Oscar may be a good match.

Agree it does sound like saints will go for mccartin Thursday. I think the fact that there seems to be a firming view that the 3 best players are quite clear cut and that we get two of them, it has to be a good thing ....

Have you actually seen any of them play? I wouldn't make a call until I have watched them live as I don't think highlights or regurgitating others views is legit. I haven't seen mccartin live so no comment. I have seen both Petracca and brayshaw play (against each other in the final round of the tac cup actually). Both will succeed at afl level I have absolutely no doubt. Too early to tell how good they will be but it is clear that both have the physical attributes to succeed at the next level. So why are you so unconvinced? Curious as to what you base your call on....

Thanks WJ. Good. It seems that all the u 18 watchers/experts are nominating brayshaw, petracca and mccartin as the three best players this year. So it is fairly simple. Saints take who they want (likely Petracca) and we take the other two. Makes sense to me. Welcome to the MFC brayshaw and mccartin!

So how can it be that hogan has a whole year out and smashes anyone in his running group? Concerns me greatly as obviously king has a very low fitness base. May be hard to ever make it coming from that far back. Can you really catch up from so far back in a professional sport?

Agree with some of this Titan but 4 home games at 110 on a Sunday is brilliant for those of us with young kids. Home at a reasonable hour for tea and bed! Mine are mad keen demons so hopefully we can jag a few wins this year.

Thanks Durango but come now why not give us your thoughts on pick 3? Not sure st kilda recruiters read demonland so it doesn't really matter. Also agree with pick 3 needing a bit of c..t. McCartin has this from all reports. I believe lever also has. I think we are weighing up a difficult choice between those two myself.

Personally i would prefer petracca over petrecca at 2 and brayshaw over Bradshaw and lever at 3.

I've seen him play at sandy dragons. He looks better live than on these highlights.

U have to be kidding me. If saints overlook petracca, we will def go petracca and brayshaw at 2 and 3. We have third world midfield at the moment that needs drastic improvement.