Deetective Sgt. Taggert

If he is out for a few months does it mean more pressure on Trengove as sole captain?

Gawn long-term injury list?

Sounds like we could be using elements of both Geelong and Collingwood gameplans. I.e. kicking deeper to marking targets in the forward line and avoiding the centre corridor at all costs.

Haha, glad I'm not the only one getting annoyed by that!

Sounds like they are rotating the matchup frequently. Davis was on Clark at one point so was Frawley. Not sure about Sellar

I remember thinking the same thing last year in Round 4 and was looking grim early on in that match! Too far early to make predictions for mind though. Need to see some NAB cup first to get a sense of where we are at with the new gameplan

Jack-ing off a little too much?

Can I also clarify. I enjoy ready the training reports and appreciate the effort of those who write them up Just feel they have been hijacked a bit too much lately by debates, but hey it is a discussiob board

I'll get is started: The boys looked good today and skills were good despite the windy conditions. The skills were unacceptably bad for this time of the pre-season in spite of the windy conditions. The windy conditions were unacceptable at this time of the preseason. I don't know why they are forced to train in the open air...

thanks mate. Probably more accurate than any 'official' injury list the club puts on the website.. Let's hope with the new coaching and performance team we might get better injury info as the season proper starts.

Yeah its a bit of a tough one as I can see the merits on both sides of the argument. Unless the AFL made a regulation that prevented clubs from signing (or announcing the signing) of a contracted coach until the end of the season (i.e. after the Grand Final(s). But that would just cause the same media rumours and distractions that we had in 2011...

I see Collingwood is still disgruntled about Neeld's immediate departure following his appointed as head coach of the Dees: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/afl-scrutinises-coach-contracts-20120207-1r5fz.html They obviously felt it was a disadvantage to them that he left prior to the Prelim. Makes me happy that we might have affected their premiership tilt and that Neeld played a key role in their previous premiership which vindicates his appointment too.

Haha, classic...

I wonder if two or more players come out as equal using this methodology they will appoint co-captains...

Yeah of course. I wasn't suggesting that we would be in the top eight by any stretch. I just though it was interesting that some of the posters noted that there is noticeable switch to training drills that simulate match conditions compared to previous years. You would have thought this would be pretty standard practice at AFL levels! It seems like a simple concept really, but obviously harder to do in practice that in theory. Glad to see the new coaches are bringin in some new drills

If the adage is true: "you play like you train" - then we should be much better at performing under pressure this year! Seems so simple really, to simulate match conditions at training.

Couldn't he have been there for a check-up on his leg? Don't start stressing just yet

Yeah exactly, out the possible candidates, I think Moloney would be the one most likely to be able to do this the best on the field (possibly not in the most articulate fashion though!). And lets face it, there would surely be some older players that would be a bit peeved by a young up-and-comer getting the gig ahead of some more experienced guys. This would happen everywhere in all groups and organisations. Trengove would have his work cut out for him prove himself, not only to the football world that he's a quality player and leader but to some of his own players as well (assuming he hasn't already which in 2 years I'm sure there are some who would have their doubts it only natural)

Will Trengove command respect, discipline and commitment from all the players at all times? Will he be able to demand Davey put his head on the line when its his turn to go? I guess you never know until the moment comes but its these things that raise a few doubts in my mind. Admittedly, these would be more important once we are genuine contenders but should be there from tge outset. Otherwise he does seem to tick all the rights boxes. I particularly liked his words after re-signing with Melbourne shortly after the Kardinia Park Debacle

No surprises there...Will it translate into a spot on the main list?

Mitch Clark and Magner. Although I'm most interested to see how the team performs as a group and how well they can implement Neeld's game plan. I hope it works better than in 2008 when the group struggled to adopt the handball dominated approach implemented by Bailey!

thanks for all the reports guys. Waynewussell - I hope Leigh Brown didn't rough you up as well when asking you to leave

Sweet. I look forward to reading it - some of us are still stuck at work

Good observation, this is the most likely explanation so far. But can he kick goals? From memory he missed a few opportunities last year. Albeit that was probably after running half the length of the ground and having nothing left in the tank for the kick.

time will tell...