Jump to content


Recommended Posts

Posted

I am not too happy about the 60 % going to 75 % comment So what they are suggesting is that we have come from 50% and the tripe they served up during 2012 was 60%If that is so its a disgrace !You get 50% for just turning up dont youSo 2013 we will be at 75% 2014 ?% and 2015 ?%Sounds like spin to me.Anyway cant wait till we hit 100%. Should be magnificent!!

Part of this was to do with the age of our list, having a young list means they're not ready to be doing 100%, which is why it's a gradual process to get to that point.

It was also touched on with the drafting of mature players, they're in more of a position to take on the pre-season workload, which is why more clubs are using later picks on mature players, whereas an 18 year old coming in a month after pre-season has started has no chance of getting to 75%/80% because the body just isn't ready for it

  • Like 2

Posted

75% is probably right if they were at 60% otherwise we will end up like Essendon with half the side out with hammies and dropping off in the second half of the year dramatically.

Posted

Sounds to me like they have a plan that they are sticking to and I'm happy with the approach they are taking. After arguing this point through the year re Cloke that we don't need to over spend on a messiah figure as we have done this in the past and come badly unstuck, the club seems in good hands.

I'm looking forward to future announcements as to who is coming to the club.

  • Like 1
Posted

75% is probably right if they were at 60% otherwise we will end up like Essendon with half the side out with hammies and dropping off in the second half of the year dramatically.

True. Even if they are giving us a bit of spin, I trust Misson & Craig to get the list to the right fitness levels in time. They both have the runs on the board over a long period in the game with other clubs.

There were a few positives I took away from the meeting. The introduction of combat training for our players is well overdue. All finals have an element of body on body combat so it's great that the club is going down this path. Also the type of player Neeld is looking for as well as the character traits to belong to the club, not just as a player but employee. He wants winners/competitors in all positions throughout the club. From my perspective the club is addressing the culture & genuinely trying to be the best.

In regards to player movement I believe they will try to attract 2-3 premiership experienced players through free agency & also trades. Whilst I can't make comment on certain players discussed throughout the meeting, what I gained from the meeting is that we are in a predatory position to take advantage of deals, but will not pay overs. Don't be surprised if similar to what happened with Mitch occurs again.

  • Like 4

Posted

Im not surprised at teh passing on Goodard, Cloke Tippet etc. They arent what we require. I am however suprised and a little annoyed if we havent looked seroiusly at Lynch. I suggest he's exactly what we need at this present juncture of development ; i,e anothe strong target to ably help Clark and provide some meaningful addition to the scoreboard. We DO need to taste some success. Q woulnd be a long term addition but a 2 year effort to help lift us off the bottom rungs wouldnt go astray.

I agree with the suggestion that hopefully the war-chest isnt squandered.

Im a bit concerned. its seldom in this game you get to claim all your goodies. To forego a shot at some seems folly.

A littel bit of faith just melted for me

  • Like 1
Posted

Who will be the first to complain about contact injuries next season and blame Neeld/Mission?

PS thanks for the info WJ

Don't be surprised when it's somehow Bohdan's fault......

Posted

I think many people are somewhat bedazzled by the achievements of the Sydney Swans and their recruiting people and are automatically assuming that we can just go out and do the same thing. Some even think this can be achieved by throwing around $'s alone.

If you analyse who the Swans' most successful recruits from trading are, you'll find that they were generally unloved or low paid players not able to get regular games at their clubs. They came as bargains and not high profile players to who you simply throw money at and they will come and perform. Kennedy, Shaw, Mumford and co were in nowhere near the same category as a Goddard or a Tippett who are commanding substantial offers or Lynch, who also appears to have changed clubs in the hunt for $'s. We're only one day into a four week marathon so let's see what happens over the coming weeks.

  • Like 7

Posted

I attended a forum conducted at AAMI Park this evening on the MFC's approach to free agency, trading and drafting. The Melbourne Business Community function was hosted by Chris Connolly with speakers Mark Neeld and Tim Harrington.

Some of the general information about FA and trades has been published on the websites of the AFL or club or discussed at previous meetings while there were some mildly sensitive issues that can't really be expanded on publicly but no specific players who we were seeking over the next month or in the draft were named.

Suffice to say we did gain an insight into the type of player the club is seeking but that was predictable. We should know by now that Neeld wants those who play hard contested football. He wants players who uncompromisingly want to be the best in the game. Those who are happy just to be AFL footballers need not apply.

Neeld says things will be different in 2013. The players now know how they are expected to present themselves on 29 October when the pre season starts. The volume and intensity will be lifted from 60% to around 75% of the optimum as part of a 3 year plan to get the team up to the standard of the leading clubs. One of the innovations we will see is the introduction of combatative training designed to harden players in mind and body.

Naturally there was discussion on players (there was the usual Jack Viney stuff but we need to wait seven days for the outcome) and while I won't elaborate here and now, it's clear that most of the rumours we've been hearing and reading about are simply not true.

I can say that we never made a 7 year offer for Cloke and were never seriously interested (for various different reasons) in the four free agents confirmed earlier today (Goddard, Pearce, Chaplin and Knights) or in Lynch or Tippett, nor has there been an offer made for Wellingham. In some cases to bid for these players at 8% of the salary cap is not warranted in the stage at which the club is at present.

In short, the rumour files and such threads both here and elsewhere on the Internet are way, way off the mark. Some of the stuff is complete bollocks!

The club will get involved in the right deals and we should get what hopefully will be a good mix of 18 year olds and more seasoned players including possibly some from the state leagues but the scuttlebutt and innuendo is just that!

Anyway, I just wanted to say well done to the club for keeping us informed. The lack of any sizzling news might disappoint some but I was impressed at how these guys are sticking to what they call their "premiership plans" and persevering undaunted with their programme to rebuild this football club.

Interesting read and most of us would agree with old players that max out salary cap arent really going to help us in anyway where we are at.

So where are the rumours coming from? From the club saying they will 'leave no stone unturned' and then now claiming that they never lifted these stones? From player managers trying to inflate value? Or from newspapers just hungry for a story? Also I have heard we havent made an offer to Wellingham (although 4 years and 500K was mentioned on facebook) but that we will go hard on him. Did you get that indication?

Lastly with Viney - what rumours do you mean? Rumours that GC will nominate him or that we will or wont take him at pick 3? Because I know the answer to this one.

Posted

I think many people are somewhat bedazzled by the achievements of the Sydney Swans and their recruiting people and are automatically assuming that we can just go out and do the same thing. Some even think this can be achieved by throwing around $'s alone.

If you analyse who the Swans' most successful recruits from trading are, you'll find that they were generally unloved or low paid players not able to get regular games at their clubs. They came as bargains and not high profile players to who you simply throw money at and they will come and perform. Kennedy, Shaw, Mumford and co were in nowhere near the same category as a Goddard or a Tippett who are commanding substantial offers or Lynch, who also appears to have changed clubs in the hunt for $'s. We're only one day into a four week marathon so let's see what happens over the coming weeks.

The difference I see is that the Swans already had a few gun players and they added those "unloved" players to that mix. We don't have those gun players.

  • Like 1

Posted

You mean we're not going to pay silly money to players that clearly don't deserve it ? Even though we have a salary cap to satisfy ? You mean they're not going to make kneejerk decisions because impatient supporters want to see action now ? Who would have thought ?

Those that have a "fast food" mentality won't be happy that they may not be sustained as quickly as they'd like. But perhaps some fibre won't do them any harm in the longer term.

  • Like 1
Posted

You mean we're not going to pay silly money to players that clearly don't deserve it ? Even though we have a salary cap to satisfy ? You mean they're not going to make kneejerk decisions because impatient supporters want to see action now ? Who would have thought ?

Those that have a "fast food" mentality won't be happy that they may not be sustained as quickly as they'd like. But perhaps some fibre won't do them any harm in the longer term.

Totally agree with your sentiments but then why did the club continually suggest that 'no stone would be left unturned'? Why say that at all?

Posted

You mean we're not going to pay silly money to players that clearly don't deserve it ? Even though we have a salary cap to satisfy ? You mean they're not going to make kneejerk decisions because impatient supporters want to see action now ? Who would have thought ?

Those that have a "fast food" mentality won't be happy that they may not be sustained as quickly as they'd like. But perhaps some fibre won't do them any harm in the longer term.

You mean none of the good players available want to come to the 16th placed team for the same money as their current top 8 team? How silly of them.

  • Like 1
Posted

Totally agree with your sentiments but then why did the club continually suggest that 'no stone would be left unturned'? Why say that at all?

Why do you assume that 'no stone unturned' = making offers to everybody? A scattergun approach?

I would think that 'no stone unturned' was to investigate all options available. This includes looking at players like Knights, Goddard, Chaplin etc and then making a decision on whether or not we should pursue them, and how hard we should pursue.

  • Like 2
Posted

Totally agree with your sentiments but then why did the club continually suggest that 'no stone would be left unturned'? Why say that at all?

I'm sure the stones have been turned "Norm" and that's where the rumours have come from. It's just they haven't found anything under the stones turned yet. Let's see the wash up at the end of November.

Posted

I'm sure the stones have been turned "Norm" and that's where the rumours have come from. It's just they haven't found anything under the stones turned yet. Let's see the wash up at the end of November.

Oh nooooo stonewash?! ^_^

  • Like 1
Posted

Lynch, who also appears to have changed clubs in the hunt for $'s.

I don't think this is the case. WCE offered Lynch only one year, he has also struggled to cement a spot in their forward line. I think he is leaving for opportunity and length of contract, not $$$.

We're only one day into a four week marathon so let's see what happens over the coming weeks.

I agree.

  • Like 1

Posted

Why do you assume that 'no stone unturned' = making offers to everybody? A scattergun approach?

I would think that 'no stone unturned' was to investigate all options available. This includes looking at players like Knights, Goddard, Chaplin etc and then making a decision on whether or not we should pursue them, and how hard we should pursue.

Im not saying that I necessarily am, im suggesting that it gives that impression...

Posted

You mean we're not going to pay silly money to players that clearly don't deserve it ? Even though we have a salary cap to satisfy ? You mean they're not going to make kneejerk decisions because impatient supporters want to see action now ? Who would have thought ?

Those that have a "fast food" mentality won't be happy that they may not be sustained as quickly as they'd like. But perhaps some fibre won't do them any harm in the longer term.

then again...too much fibre just gives one the sh!ts !!
  • Like 1

Posted

Totally agree with your sentiments but then why did the club continually suggest that 'no stone would be left unturned'? Why say that at all?

Perhaps they mean "no stone will be left unturned" in their pursuit of players that have experience and meet both the attitude and economic requirements... bypassing the likes of Cloke, Goddard and Tippet doesn't necessarily mean they are reneging on that statement.

Posted

I think many people are somewhat bedazzled by the achievements of the Sydney Swans and their recruiting people and are automatically assuming that we can just go out and do the same thing. Some even think this can be achieved by throwing around $'s alone.

If you analyse who the Swans' most successful recruits from trading are, you'll find that they were generally unloved or low paid players not able to get regular games at their clubs. They came as bargains and not high profile players to who you simply throw money at and they will come and perform. Kennedy, Shaw, Mumford and co were in nowhere near the same category as a Goddard or a Tippett who are commanding substantial offers or Lynch, who also appears to have changed clubs in the hunt for $'s. We're only one day into a four week marathon so let's see what happens over the coming weeks.

To be fair, I think Mumford was. Swans tabled an offer there was no way Geelong could match.

On the other hand, a highly under-appreciated factor in their success may well be the one thing that they continually point to as a weakness: the Sydney media don't really care for them unless they're winning.

Compare that to the Melbourne football media cycle, and it's plain to see that as PEOPLE, they're under far less of a strain from these external sources.

IMO, this is far more of a strength than the oft-repeated extra salary cap room.

Posted

Appreciate the post, WJ.

What Neeld and Harrington are saying is very sensible. Although, it's easy to form the impression that the club is spinning the outcome a bit after the stones were turned. That's OK though, there are worse sins that can be committed (i.e. not turning the stones at all).

I think the approach that will be taken at the end of the day will be the right one for where the club's at. We grow our own and complement them with some standard bearers from preferably successful clubs. They don't have to be stars, just honest players who know what it takes to be successful and can model and enforce the standards set by the footy department. There will be no miracles or shock signings of marquee players, just several years of hard graft largely with what we have. When there is maturity and depth across the list down the track, we can then go after the big FA targets. That is the path to success when starting from the bottom of the heap like we are.

Posted

You mean we're not going to pay silly money to players that clearly don't deserve it ? Even though we have a salary cap to satisfy ? You mean they're not going to make kneejerk decisions because impatient supporters want to see action now ? Who would have thought ?

Those that have a "fast food" mentality won't be happy that they may not be sustained as quickly as they'd like. But perhaps some fibre won't do them any harm in the longer term.

It is an interesting question though - what's 'silly money'? I would thought paying overs for a big name for a couple of years is not going to make a dent in our long term plans.

Even if you just look at departures, and ignore the fact that we already only pay (I think) the minimum 92.5% of the TPP, we must have almost a million bucks just to break even. I wouldn't have thought paying a Wellingham or Lynch that for a couple of years is a big deal, even if it is overs.

When our junior players come on, hopefully they will be worth a fortune. But they aren't now, and filling that gap with a couple of players on more money than they are worth wouldn't be the end of the world, I reckon.

Equally, we could bring in nobody, front load the bejesus out of everybody's contracts, and have even more money to play with down the track...

I should say, I'm not advocating paying one player like Wellingham or Lynch $1mil a season! Ooops. More just saying that, with that additional cap space freed up by Green, Moloney and, sadly, probably Rivers, we can afford 2 or 3 players to make up that shortfall.

  • Like 1

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Demonland Forums  

  • Match Previews, Reports & Articles  

    TRAINING: Friday 22nd November 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers were out in force on a scorching morning out at Gosch's Paddock for the final session before the whole squad reunites for the Preseason Training Camp. DEMONLAND'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS It’s going to be a scorcher today but I’m in the shade at Gosch’s Paddock ready to bring you some observations from the final session before the Preseason Training Camp next week.  Salem, Fritsch & Campbell are already on the track. Still no number on Campbell’s

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports 3

    UP IN LIGHTS by Whispering Jack

    Those who watched the 2024 Marsh AFL National Championships closely this year would not be particularly surprised that Melbourne selected Victoria Country pair Harvey Langford and Xavier Lindsay on the first night of the AFL National Draft. The two left-footed midfielders are as different as chalk and cheese but they had similar impacts in their Coates Talent League teams and in the National Championships in 2024. Their interstate side was edged out at the very end of the tournament for tea

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Special Features

    TRAINING: Wednesday 20th November 2024

    It’s a beautiful cool morning down at Gosch’s Paddock and I’ve arrived early to bring you my observations from today’s session. DEMONLAND'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS Reigning Keith Bluey Truscott champion Jack Viney is the first one out on the track.  Jack’s wearing the red version of the new training guernsey which is the only version available for sale at the Demon Shop. TRAINING: Viney, Clarry, Lever, TMac, Rivers, Petty, McVee, Bowey, JVR, Hore, Tom Campbell (in tr

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    TRAINING: Monday 18th November 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers ventured down to Gosch's Paddock for the final week of training for the 1st to 4th Years until they are joined by the rest of the senior squad for Preseason Training Camp in Mansfield next week. WAYNE RUSSELL'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS No Ollie, Chin, Riv today, but Rick & Spargs turned up and McDonald was there in casual attire. Seston, and Howes did a lot of boundary running, and Tom Campbell continued his work with individual trainer in non-MFC

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    2024 Player Reviews: #11 Max Gawn

    Champion ruckman and brilliant leader, Max Gawn earned his seventh All-Australian team blazer and constantly held the team up on his shoulders in what was truly a difficult season for the Demons. Date of Birth: 30 December 1991 Height: 209cm Games MFC 2024: 21 Career Total: 224 Goals MFC 2024: 11 Career Total: 109 Brownlow Medal Votes: 13 Melbourne Football Club: 2nd Best & Fairest: 405 votes

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 12

    2024 Player Reviews: #36 Kysaiah Pickett

    The Demons’ aggressive small forward who kicks goals and defends the Demons’ ball in the forward arc. When he’s on song, he’s unstoppable but he did blot his copybook with a three week suspension in the final round. Date of Birth: 2 June 2001 Height: 171cm Games MFC 2024: 21 Career Total: 106 Goals MFC 2024: 36 Career Total: 161 Brownlow Medal Votes: 3 Melbourne Football Club: 4th Best & Fairest: 369 votes

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 5

    TRAINING: Friday 15th November 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers took advantage of the beautiful sunshine to head down to Gosch's Paddock and witness the return of Clayton Oliver to club for his first session in the lead up to the 2025 season. DEMONLAND'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS Clarry in the house!! Training: JVR, McVee, Windsor, Tholstrup, Woey, Brown, Petty, Adams, Chandler, Turner, Bowey, Seston, Kentfield, Laurie, Sparrow, Viney, Rivers, Jefferson, Hore, Howes, Verrall, AMW, Clarry Tom Campbell is here

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    2024 Player Reviews: #7 Jack Viney

    The tough on baller won his second Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Trophy in a narrow battle with skipper Max Gawn and Alex Neal-Bullen and battled on manfully in the face of a number of injury niggles. Date of Birth: 13 April 1994 Height: 178cm Games MFC 2024: 23 Career Total: 219 Goals MFC 2024: 10 Career Total: 66 Brownlow Medal Votes: 8

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 3

    TRAINING: Wednesday 13th November 2024

    A couple of Demonland Trackwatchers braved the rain and headed down to Gosch's paddock to bring you their observations from the second day of Preseason training for the 1st to 4th Year players. DITCHA'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS I attended some of the training today. Richo spoke to me and said not to believe what is in the media, as we will good this year. Jefferson and Kentfield looked big and strong.  Petty was doing all the training. Adams looked like he was in rehab.  KE

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports
  • Tell a friend

    Love Demonland? Tell a friend!

×
×
  • Create New...