Demon Jack

Hi everyone! Although a bit blustery, It was a beautiful sunny morning at Gosch's. When I arrived at around 10:00 (apologises to those who live off of the warm up reports of 'kicking the ball around') there were three main training groups: forwards, midfielders and defenders. The group closest to me were the forwards. One notable participant in this group was Clayton Oliver. I honestly wouldn't mind Clarry occasionally resting forward (ala Dangerfield) as he's a fantastic one-on-one player and a lovely kick. Melksham was another player who caught my eye. It looks like he's put on a bit of size during the off-season. While this was happening Viney and Weideman ran laps with the former showing no signs of discomfort. The first drill I saw was the forwards fending off their opponents and snapping for goal. Dion Johnstone an early standout with some sharp twists and turns. Pedders also had a great moment when he was wrapped up by Bayley Fristch and was somehow able to drop the ball to his boot Mitch Hannan style and dribble it into the open goal. I then walked over to the midfielders who were practicing 20-30m passes. I noticed future cult hero Oskar Baker was training in this group. By the way, he's a lovely kick and a good size. I think we'll see him in the side at some point this season. Joel Smith (who doesn't look too far off being a key position player) was another who caught the eye with some bullet passes. When I made it to the defenders, they were in the middle of practicing some one on one drills. Not too much too report here except for the one time Lever (who won 80% of his one on ones) vs Jetta match up. Unsurprisingly, Neville was somehow able to break even against the larger opposition. Nev also took a few moments between drills showing Wagner some tackling tips. Great leadership. Back to the forwards, and they had just started a two vs two keepings off style drill. TMac was a stand out here by being able to chase down Bayley Fristch and directing his partner (I think it was Spargo) where to stand in preparation for a quick opposition handpass. The drill then evolved into one that had more of an emphasis on first beating your man and kicking to the loose player 20m out. Bugg (who by all reports, has had a fantastic pre-season) was a highlight here. I can't remember him losing a contest against his opponent or missing a kick to the clear player. It'll be interesting to see if there's a spot in the team for him as I believe we played our best football last year when he was niggling opposition as a forward. Meanwhile there's some four vs four match simulation style drills with the midfield group. Kudos on Clarry for bursting into clear space, receiving the hand ball and unleashing a 60m torpedo that landed right between the big sticks. All the players then gathered in the middle started prepping a good old fashioned blue team vs white team match simulation with an emphasis on transitioning from the backline to the forward line (play started from the kick in). There was a great moment in the opening 30 seconds with a fantastic contested mark by Lever. This was shortly followed by a brilliant Petracca moment (who largely trained with the midfield group) when he punched the incoming ball straight into the arms of a teammate. Oscar McDonald stood out with his kicking....yes you read correctly and Charlie Spargo popped up inside 50 once or twice where he somehow found the space to take an uncontested mark. One from a beautiful kick from Mitch Hannan. Max Gawn was also in vintage contested marking touch today. At the same time, Smith was in the middle of competing against Cross (who still looks like he could compete for a spot in the round 1 side if he really wanted to) in some one on one drills. A large group of players along with myself then left, leaving what I assume is the AFLX squad to run through some more drills. Feel free to ask any questions regarding some details I may've missed. I'll do my best to fill in the blanks

Although the media will spend the lead up into round 1 pretending we don't exist, I think we're a massive chance to upset the Cats. I still remember our last encounter where we looked likely all day but ended up kicking 19 behinds. Although we fielded a reasonably good side, we were without Hogan, Lever, Hibberd, Brayshaw, Lewis and Gawn (who tore his hamstring before half time). Plus we were expecting to get our goals from Sam Weideman and a first gamer in Tim Smith. Even with Selwood, Dangerfield and now Ablett in their midfield, their defence has lost Mackie and Lonergan. I'm not sure a backline led by Harry Taylor can contain the likes of Hogan and McDonald. Also, Motlop (although patchy in regards to form) provided some serious x-factor in their forward line and could add some dash to their midfield. Saying that, I'm can't help but expect that someone like Wylie Buzza will slaughter us before fading into obscurity by the end of the season. Damn MFCSS

Why?

G'day all! First post in a while but I was around the vicinity this morning before work and dropped into training for the first 40 minutes or so. It's the first time I've managed to get a session this pre-season, so I was excited to see how the new recruits look in red and blue. I arrived at Gosch's at the same time as the lads and was surprised with their first warm up exercise. It appeared to be a variation of musical chairs where the players would run in a circle and would be required to place themselves in groups of 5-6 at certain points. Those left out would then be required to do a series of push-ups. Plenty of laughter out there. Joel Smith running laps. It'll be interesting to see if he factors in our best 22 this season. Vaned berg, Weideman, McKenna and Smith were those who I noticed in rehab. Standard stretches, jogging, and some handball activities followed. A late Tom McDonald then arrives and joins the boys to the shouts of "Tommy!" Players then continue their warm up with a standard kicking drill. Nothing too flash, but I'm delighted to see that one of the players closest to me is Jake Lever. Like nearly every other player in the history of game, I'm stunned to observe how good he looks in the Demon colours. Although he lacks a bit of muscle when compared to Sam Frost (who looks like he could snap Bailey Fritsch in half with a snap of his fingers) who happened to be standing next to him, I've read plenty of encouraging reports that he's been quite vocal on the track. Some sprinting exercises then followed. Our 2km champions Bugg, ANB and T.Mac all leading the way. No surprises here. Also, just saw the number 4 guernsey being worn by James Harmes. That one is still taking some getting used to. Unfortunately, that was about all I was able to see before I had to leave. Hopefully someone was able to pick up a few more details I'll try and come down again of the boys are training later in the week.

Thrilled with a home game against the Cats in round 1. Its a brilliant test for us and there's sure to be a massive crowd which will be fantastic exposure for the club. Hopefully there's also a couple Friday night games in store for us.

Agreed. TMac played arguably the best football of his career this year while in that key forward role. I was stunned to find that Tom only just turned 25 last month. It honestly feels like he's been with us for a lot longer.

We're in real need of another new Jack following the great 'Jack purge' between 2015 and 2017. Grimes, Fitzpatrick, Trengove and now Watts We desperately lack depth in this area.

I noticed how Jako mentioned he was a fan of the podcast and still a big fan of the Dees. Righto, time to confess: Which one of us Demonlanders is actually Jako?

Was just on Jako's Wikipedia page to check some of his statistics. Kudos to the listener who has already edited his page to mention that he's appeared on the podcast.

Brilliant interview guys. Like many other Demonlanders, I listened to the full interview and hung onto every word Jako had to say. Not that I was expecting him to be a dull individual, but it honestly surprised me how insightful, humble and articulate he was. In all serious guys, I don't know how you organised an interview with the player many established journalists and media personalities have been trying to secure for the better part of 20 years but you need to be commended for doing so. Still on a spiritual high from the whole experience. "Once a Demon, always a Demon" Goosebumps...

I'm looking forward to that Victorian midfielder joining us in the next 40 minutes!

Matthew Lobbe to Carlton for pick 95. Absolute bargain for Carlton if he can get back to his best.

Even though it wasn't with us, I'm happy Gibson was given another opportunity. I listened to an interview with him on Trade Radio and he came across as a very honest and intellectual person. I hope he plays 22 games with the Crows next year just to make North's 2018 even more miserable.

Cheers Col! I'll never forget the night you turned into Wayne Carey and single handedly destroyed the Bombers back in 2012 to break Mark Neelds coaching duck. Wowzers. With Watts and Garland now gone, I believe the only homegrown Demons remaining on our list from pre 2010 are Jones and Jetta. What a list turnaround it's been since the Roos era.

Hearing pick 66 should be what brings Balic to Melbourne.

Crozier (who's been a handy player for Freo) was just traded to the Dogs for pick 40. Surely Fremantle can't justify demanding anything before that for Balic?

I just watched some highlights of Schache on YouTube. The kid can play. He's a lovely mark and a very accurate set shot. I would not be upset if we made a few calls here, especially with the potential departure of Watts and Weideman still developing. Considering no one seems likely to give up a first round pick for him, an early second round pick could get it done.

Jack's cryptic Instagram post, for those who haven't seen it yet.

First official image of Lever in the red and blue!

FB: Lever Lever Lever HB: Lever Lever Lever C: Lever Lever Lever HF: Lever Lever Lever FF: Lever Lever Lever R: Lever Lever Lever INT: Lever Lever Lever Lever EMG: Lever Lever Lever Coach: Lever

Not the worst, but It'll be hard for him to find a permanent spot int he team with Hibberd firing on all cylinders.

Where are the Weid/Schache/Coll pick trade rumours coming from? Or is this just to spice up the thread? In any case, mission accomplished!

Definitely overs but I'm thrilled to have Jake at the club! I'm backing that Josh Mahoney still has a few tricks up his sleeve over the remainder of the trade period that will see us advance back up this/next year's draft order.

Close to a career best year and would've been close to filling a forward pocket in the final All-Australian team. Fantastic response after a fairly mixed 2016.