Demon Jack

Still in disbelief that we essentially picked up Bernie Vince in exchange for Sylvia.

I remember he showed some talent forward in 2012 (particularly the Essendon game). But I much prefer him as a defender. Sort of a "break glass in case of emergency" forward player.

He'll be a ripper one day that Col. (Insert full pre season joke here)

Would've prefered if they'd have used the term "new additions". After the Rodans, Gilles' and Byrnes' we've brought to the club, the term "recycled players" has an ugly sound to it nowadays. Saying that, guys like Cross, Lumumba and Dawes have brought more to the club than any previous "recycled players".

AFL website going ahead and noting that our leadership group contains three "recycled players" in the very first sentence of their article.

Nate and Dunn would surely be locks for the new banner now. Just as long as Robbie and Jimmy remain, I'm happy.

Cracker leadership group. Who'd have thought 1-2 years ago that Dunn would be Vice Captain. Truely great effort.

Seems like every year I load up my team with Melbourne players. No wonder I lose every week. In all seriousness, there are some top Melbourne choices this year that should feature heavily in many early teams. Hogans a 100% lock (touch wood) while other younger guys such as Petracca and 'Gus will feature prominately in my first drafts. I like Newton as a cheap mid pick while Grimes may well prove himself without the weight of the captaincy. Even Nate Jones could be a top unique mid pick.

I'd be stunned if PD wasn't at the Cats next year. We need a big year to attract a guy like Dangerfield. Still have a smidgen of hope.

From early reports, I'm liking Vandenburg and wouldn't be surprised if he sees some action if he has a good NAB Cup.

Congrats to JKH! Positive signs coming into his second year.

For those in the know, when do the boys resume training?

My current round 1 team prediction FB: Jetta Frost Dunn HB: Garland TMac Grimes C: Lumumba Viney Vince HF: Watts Hogan Howe FF: Garlett Pedders/Gawn Kent R: N Jones Jamar Tyson INT: Toumpas Salem Cross SUB: Petracca Brayshaw, Bail and JKH could be considered very unlucky not to make the cut. Best of luck Rollo! Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all Demonlander! Here's to a big 2015!

Hard to ignore the urge to go to training when it's 26 degrees with nice cool breeze in the air. Really good crowd here at Goschs with a good 30-40 (maybe been around 50 before I left) people seeing a exhausting and top notch training session Watts, Reily, Vandenburg (?), Spencer were rehabbing. Anyone know what's wrong with Watts? (pardon the pun) Sure enough, Trengove was still on his scooter whatchamacallit. Terlich rode the exercise bike with Watts joining him later in the session. Started with some laps around Gosch's - Hogan and TMac leading their respective groups (quite comfortably I might add) - next two groups start running. Hunt(?) and Dawes leading these groups - noticed young Harmes shouting some encouragement. Love seeing that in a young player. Grimes also among the usual suspects providing encouragment. Seemed to very vocal today. Appeared to be mainly a running session with the boys doing another couple Laps begin again - Hogan destroyed the running again in his group with McKenzie and Neal Bullen coming a good 3-4 seconds behind him - Hunt again leading his group. In fact annihilating it. - Brayshaw edged out Dawes to claim first in his group. Obvious that Petracca still needs to build a tank (although I noticed he had a bandage on his leg). Was trailing behind Brayshaw before slipping to second last next time they came around me. Exhaustion ensued Some harmless kick to kick action followed. The boys had a few shots on goal. Spencer attempted to have a few shots from the boundary line. Good luck with that buddy Next on the agenda was some match simulation. - Brayshaw picked up a goal from a nice piece of ball movement. - Still the odd shank of the ball. Hey, I guess it's pre season. - King picked up a little spray from coach Miller - Jamar played forward for most of the time. Wouldn't mind him doing that more often this season with guys like Gawn and Spencer pushing for the key ruck position. - Viney was roving the ball beautifully - Newton looked pretty impressive, kicked a couple goals and overall used the ball well. Hogan was practicing his set shots. Looks a lot better than I remember seeing 2-3 weeks ago. Seemed to be kicking them from everywhere. I left pretty soon after. No Toump or Dunny at training either. A reminder to that the boys will be moving training to Casey Fields in January next year due to the Asian Cup. So catch them at Goschs while you can.

Mitch Marsh batting out of his skin. I'd imagine Watson would be feeling nervous right now. Also, Warner now has six tons for the year. Incredible stuff. EDIT: Marsh out.

On the topic of Hogan, I'm keeping my expectations realistic. Remember, he's still yet to play a game. If he boots 20 in his first season then I'd be a happy man. I'm expecting Dawes to step up next year to boot 30+ with support from guys like Garlett, Kent and Howe. Howe will add 25 goals+ if he returns to the forward line.

For those curious, a picture of the boy Lovett. http://www.foxsportspulse.com/club_info.cgi?client=0-3020-111722-0-0&sID=77120&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=29212438

I believe the whole thing is on YouTube.

I'll admit that I didn't pay much attention to my DT this year. Hoping to turn it around next season. Maestros Devil's will return fit and firing for 2015.

The rain looked like it would hold off so I decided to walk my unemployed self to watch what was a very enjoyable to watch training sessions. I remember reading reports from Monday that the session was mainly focused on running drills. Today's session was all about skill drills and exercises. The main part of the session was based around five groups The five groups were as follows (apologises to those who were there if I missed anyone) Group #1 The Talls/Rucks - Jamar, Hogan, Pedo, Gawn, Fitzy, King, Vince Group #2 The Backs - Garland, Tommy Mac, Dunn, Oscar Mac, Frost Group #3 Mids - Salem, Jetta, Garlett, Cross, Tyson Group #4 More Mids - Toump, Grimes, Viney, Matt Jones Group #5 Even More Mids - N.Jones, Lumumba, JKH, Newton, (think Petracca joined for a while) The five drills were as follows Kicking drill - players would kick the ball to each other Goal kicking - receiving a pass and having a shot on the run Marking drill - players would attempt to mark against Hard Ball Gets - mostly just players bending over and picking up footys on the run Midfield drill I didn't watch New draftees were involved in some boxing exercises before spreading out to the other groups. Also worth noting that Mckenzie and Spencer were involved in these boxing exercises all session Kent, Dawes, Harmes and Terlich ran laps for most of the session After groups rotated around to each drill, players split into new groups and participated in new drills There was then a midfield drill involving roving where players would pair up and attempt to gather the ball before their opponent. Players involved included N.Jones, Tyson, Lumumba, Cross, Petracca, Salem, Neal-Bullen, Viney, M.Jones. Players like Jamar and Gawn would ruck for the pairs. The boys looked like they were having a lot of fun with this one. Some drool worthy match ups including N.Jones vs Tyson as well as Cross vs Lumumba. A highlight here was when Cross and Viney were paired up. Viney ended up reading the ball better than Cross and came out on top. A few boys also practiced shots at goal Toump, Howe, JKH, Grimes, Pedders Harmes and Fitzy. A great moment when Harmes missed a shot from a snap kick and Fitzy then showed him how to do it the right way. A number of players were also participating in some more boxing exercises, couldn't identify any. Dawes, Kent, Mckenzie, Spencer, Brayshaw and Stretch left early. Noticed the number 10 was on Brayshaw's bag as he was leaving. He still has that devilish smile on his face. A few points - Toump and Tyson looked on, really on. Both were marking and kicking well throughout the entire session. - Grimes looked a lot smoother than I remember seeing him - I love watching JKH gathering the ball, so smooth and silky. Could easily see him slip into the midfield next year. - Dawes was looking very fit (as an enthusiastic supporter noted) - Didn't see Watts anywhere, neither Bail

Poor kid.

As always, thanks for the photos 666! Neat to see O-Mac give you a thumbs up.

MFC photo gallery. Some nice pics of the new draftees. http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2014-12-01/photo-gallery-monday-1-december

If you want to change the topic then start your own thread.