deeko

Get the Pedobear back in the ones. He's been everywhere today.

Spot on D11. Frost has been battling injury S well. If both were fit and playing well in the scooby doos then I'd have issues with them not getting picked over the non impacting youth. I'm a big fan of the Pedobear but if he can't get on his bike he would be as useless as the Weed. If they are going to be as useless as each other getting games into kids makes more sense. It seems Goody has picked his squad from the fittest available. Kinda makes sense when you think about it.

They now owe us 8pts

My only issue with Bernie is the spot he is playing. I'm sure he isn't selecting himself as a back flanker. He's not a natural backman at all and I am sure he would be as frustrated with his own performance as much as the rest of us. Unfortunately in the meantime with no other players available he needs to play a role that simply doesn't suit him To say he's finished however is ridiculous. If he's played back in the guts he would be more damaging (imo) than all our mids other than Jones and Oliver.

Lots of great coaches change the way the game is played instead of copying others. I thought that's what Bails was trying to do during his time and can't help but wonder what could have been achieved if he had the chance to tinker with his all out attacking game plan and then add a stronger board and higher quality playing list. Maybe nothing, maybe something. In hindsight jagging 8.5 wins in 2010 with the list we had was a bloody fine effort. He managed well to get the best out of a lot of players during his time which never showed much before or after in Petterd, Morton, Gysberts, Moloney and Jamar.

Mel is wonderful speaker and incredibly passionate about the game. Great to listen to her. The Hickey family name is massive around Mildura with her dad being a star years before and his cousin Tony winning about half a dozen league B&Fs up here (or something ridiculous like that) and still playing first division cricket. I never met Mel personally but she has been back up in the bush a few times working with the new women's league that started up last year. I only hear great things about her so she's clearly another astute pick up by the dees. Hopefully we get a few more years out of her running around in the red and blue

Yes completely agree. I love his pace and has a bit of agro about him and have him entrenched in my backline in the best 22. Still, I'm not super on his kicking ability and worry slightly with him standing next to the Macs and possibly Hunt. None of which are outstanding by foot. This is why I think Hibberd being fit is vital

Just had a little shoulder scan at Aami park and popped in for a coffee next door and I see Dion, Hibb, Jeffy, Nev and Shannon Byrnes. Coming from the bush it's a wonderful surprise. Too shy to speak to the players but had a quick chat with Shannon who said Frosty will be playing tomorrow in the intra club and should be fine come Rd 1

Really need to see Pedo, Kent, Tyson, Watts, Jetta and Garlett in JLT3 before making the decision as when on they are all in my best 22. I feel Jetta is getting some tough treatment here. He has played throughout the midfield and up forward in his career so there is no reason why he can't 'up' his attacking game from the backline. Also, Kent, Garlett and Watts add skill and speed plus were three out of our top 4 goal kickers last year. If they are good to go they are definitely in. The nqr's un Vanders, Spencer, Harmes, Bugg, Trenners and Smith all bring things to the table and will get there chances during the season but not round 1.

He didn't look that unfit and I thought he ran ok. Someone said that Milkshake made a comment on the radio seeing he was fat or unfit or something. Thinking it's a bit of banter between the boys rather than fact imo

Thanks Saty. He definitely barked a few times at the boys and then gave them a pat afterwards. Was good to see. But when he gets that stare going towards you... wowwee. I'm a 32 year old and a solid 6'2" and still got a chill haha.

I'm down from Mildura for the weekend and watched my first ever training and took a couple random notes on the phone. First thing I noticed was how windy it was, much like a vfl game on how bloody cold it was. Don't know how you all handle it. I hovered around the Hoddle St side to firstly see three supporters there in shorts and was instantly thrown more importantly I saw Crossy (in magic shape) leading Jeffy and Hibb with some decent running around the park while Lewis, King ( I think as he was a tall fella I haven't seen) Viney, Kent, Nev, Tmac, Trenners, Pedo, AVB and JKH were completing some agility, 100m run throughs and sharp skills. They then did some sharp lane work which showcased the kicking of Kent and Lewis especially. Tmac kept flying at the at the ball with one arm to which I instantly got a sense of "hollywood" about him which disappointed me. When he came up close I noticed the huge scar on his shoulder which explained these one armed efforts.... Sorry Tmac. Other things randomly I noticed from the recovery group: Pedo was back and waddling away, he will surely blow out post football. He has fantastic hands out in front Lewis has a simple and beautiful kicking style. Clarry / Lewis / AVB are huge midfielders. Clarry is also a wonderful kick Trenners is moving freely. A few of these boys split into groups of three with some triangle kicking. Trenners, a Jeffy and Kent in one group. Kicking was perfect here except for two Kent tried on his right... Filth. Was surprised by how big Trenners leap was. The other group was AVB, Jordy, and Clarry. I'd like to see Clarry kick the pill a lot more this year as it's wonderful. Gee AVB is a massive unit. I understand his role more seeing him in the flesh as he really does demand a tallish defender to watch him. The rehab group then went into some running while I strolled over to watch the real stuff on the wing. While watching this there was a lot of run throughs by the rehabbers. AVB completes at least a dozen it seems 400m runs and looks redder than Clarry with each one he does. Lewis, Clarry and Pedo complete about a dozen timed 200m sprints in front of me. Pedo is running swinging his head in a massive display of being completely rooted. Viney and Kent are doing similar together with Jack out pacing Kent but he does his best to catch him. If you didn't know these boys and saw them out you would think they are the cliche case of having short man syndrome as they are both absolute tanks. Watching the main stuff and it's a lot of full ground stuff at good intensity. Right in front of me, Hunt sprints 40m to make a superman spoil in front of Hoges, gets up, out sprints him to the ball then clears it straight to an opponent... So nearly perfect. He then shanks his next kick. If I was to leave now you could say he doesn't have the skill so I keep an eye on him, his next 7 or 8 are perfect. Garland reminds me of Watts the way he moves, so laconic. He's missed a simple handball that would have cost a goal at one stage but other than that he looked ok. McCartneys in front of me staring at me.... I look away. He then yells at someone, "stop watching the effing play and move" and "dont be dictated to son" not sure who it's aimed at. I go to get a photo but I sense him looking and decide against it. Tyson has had a few raking long kicks that were magic. Other good kickers as we know we're of course Chunk (beautiful spin, flat and firm), Watts of course and ANB skills looked nice. One who surprised me moving well was Salem. I have never been a huge fan but he stood out to me today. Wishing him well. Watts is always smiling. Frosty has ran the ball out from defence a couple times, hits a target but they are a bit floaty. He's an incredible athlete with his pace, strength and agility. Surprised me how big a lot of the boys are as I haven't been up close before. Clearly the Woolies have more steroids in there chickens down here. Hey there's Saty, nice hat mate oh and the Suns out.... And it's gone. One play see Max kicking over Watts head running to goal, it's about to run through next to the post where Watts stops it, runs behind the post back into play and soccer kicks it off his heal through while a defender was chasing him. I'm in awe. I'd almost cheer if Macca was around somewhere close. A one on one contest where Wags and Jesse wrestle. Jesse takes and gets a whack from Wags on the chin as he tries to spoil. Jesse not happy but gets the free and kicks the goal. Trac then gives Wag a friendly bump and laughter starts. Good banter. Training ends (for me, it's to cold) watching the group in the centre square and a one on one contest. A player is nominated by the coaches. This player then picks a team mate to have a marking contest while someone kicks for chf 40m away. Chunk is up first who picks Brayshaw, everyone roars. Two nil all draws then one drops short and Gus plucks the grab. You'd think we'd just one a flag they went off, was great. next was Weed who selects OMac in a battle of the baby giraffes. It was a nice friendly contest ending in nil all from 3. Each time Weed got into good position and looked like marking but couldn't. Omac didn't want to mark, only spoil. Then Salem was picked and chose Trac. It was nil all until Salem took a one handed screamer while being held. Everyone lost it again. Finally Jesse was up and looked at Gawn, smiled at Gawn, then chose Frost. Talk about a battle of the heavy weights. You could here the slap of the bodies from the wing as these two lions went at it. I think they clunked one each. Good stuff. Better shoot off into town as was meant to be here looking at wedding bands, not watching footy. Miss Deeko will be a bit grumpy if she finds out. cheers

This is what excites me the most with the inclusions so far. Another mature and classy player comes in further increasing the standards. If we have another season like this one with minimal injuries I'd be worried if I was a Ben K, Bugg, JKH or Nibbler (and obviously a couple others) who really should be looking at cementing there place.

Well bringing in Lewis and Hibberd while Melksham coming back is going to change this a lot. Enjoyed our baby demons but it's hard not to expect bigger things for 2017 with a harder and more mature crew that should be again more consistent. FB: Oscar. Frost. Jetta HB: Hibberd T Mac Melksham C: Vince. Viney Hunt HF: Petracca Hogan Kent FF: Garlett Weid Watts R: Gawn Jones Lewis Int: Brayshaw, Oliver, Tyson, Salem, Stretch, Pedo?? Who knows. Probably forgot a few. Bit of a challenge trying to squeeze all the players in but I'm happy we are no longer the babies.

I like Kent but don't forget boomer still receives a higher quality defender or tag more frequently

I love how we are keeping our boys playing instead of putting them on ice for preseason. Couldn't get better practice for the big time than a heated contest today. unfortunately things like the Salem incident happen, hopefully we see no more. I played a bit of footy with Masters who tackled Salem, one of the least dirty players you'll see. Just awful how these things happen sometimes

He could still play 3 or 4 years easily on a back flank like is becoming quite common to protect the more mature players. Doesn't matter what spot he would play for us, as other than a key position he would be better than any other player we have. Im a fan but no idea what we could offer to get him over

Deledio could be on the way out of tiger land. Not sure how much the cost would be but would hope we are asking the question

Glad to hear if this is the case and hopefully he comes back stronger and keen. I think H is one of those 'cherry on top' players. Will look better as we do and adds a very important ingredient in leg speed. I would still find a spot on a back flank if he gets back to his best so not issues in holding him whilst contracted even though he's clearly a different cat. Hopefully this would see Hunt unleashed on a wing also

I've watched him very closely the last ten or so weeks primarily as I brought him into my SuperCoach team. He may have some skill but he is incredibly soft and cracks the sads way to easy for my liking. Definite flat track bully who jags a lot of his goals from the old "joe the gooses" I'd rather Boomer at 38

I would take him for 12 months as he has skill and pace to burn. Also has slotted 30 odd goals this year which is another decent effort. I can promise that a lot of the anger built up against him on this thread would be removed the first game he plays well in a close win where he kicks 3 or 4

It does for Miss Deeko who has taken a bit of an interest in football after creeping on Dom. Means more games I get to attend.

Watching the Suns and there has to be a few unhappy campers there who would want out. No idea the contract status of a few of them but Hall, Miller, Saad and Kolodashnij interest. Most give that bit of outside toe which would be nice. Kolo showed a lot last year and has gone backwards at a rate of knots this season. Surely would be keen on a change of scnenery

I have a hypothetical query around selection of we made finals. If say the Weed played the next two wins, takes only a handful of grabs and gets minimal touches while Pedo is looking good in the twos; would you: A: Play the more in form player and experienced body in Cam who would probably add more value. B: Give the Weed the experience now in finals as he's the future and would be expected to be leading us up forward hopefully for the next dozen years and would know what to expect next year. I would have backed in Cam all the way to play but even though we all know that going forward he's a depth player. Right now however I feel the selection is still focused on the future. Thoughts?

The OP confuses me. How is it possible to win this years flag from ninth?